Why Mindful Kala Matters to Me
Written by Poojha Prabaharasundar
Yearly Diwali performances, monthly wedding and birthday celebrations, and of course weekly Bharatnatyam classes - dancing was integral to the brown kid experience and made up some of my happiest childhood memories. Yeah, I was that annoying kid in Diwali performances who wasn’t forced to be there and was actively gunning for the center position. I’m sorry. My love of dance began from a love of connection - I wanted to be like my older sister and I absolutely loved dancing with my friends. These simple joys were reinforced by a genuine love of challenge and the satisfaction and self esteem boost that came with mastering a new movement.
“Dancing, in my childhood and in my middle and high school years, was a way to connect with my peers, get some fun and healthy exercise, mentally challenge myself, and learn more about my culture all in one. ”
Included in this package, unfortunately was also the biases and self esteem issues that come with growing up as a person of color in predominantly white areas. I would run from the car to Bharatanatyam recital venues, terrified to be spotted by classmates, who would judge my makeup against their Eurocentric beauty standards or be stopped by the well-meaning elderly couple and have to struggle through a two sentence explanation of an ancient art form so I wouldn't be late for roll call.
Some kids told me Bharatanatyam was ugly and weird to my face, others through sly glances and giggles and reminders that I wasn’t considered a real dancer like my friends, who did ballet. But, even peers that meant well, like the elderly couple, contributed to the feelings of otherness. Having to analyze and explain my identity to others for as long as I can remember was by nature isolating and exhausting.
“The stigma & misconceptions around Bharatanatyam, however, was just one aspect of my cultural identity that contributed to feelings of social exclusion and self consciousness. ”
The weight of growing up a minority was multiplied by all the other aspects of my multicultural identity.
“Mindful Kala’s ability to help students improve cultural empathy and reduce bias is what centers my passion for this company. ”
I’m excited by the idea that Mindful Kala will lessen the feelings of inferiority felt by students of color as a formal education program. I am thrilled that students will receive early exposure to cultural differences and learn to respectfully interact with those who are different.
And I am enthralled with the image of young brown kids learning alongside their peers about Bharatnatyam and Indian culture from a workshop designed by an Indian woman and not from an out-dated, standard textbook — all while receiving the mental and physical benefits that come from Bharatanatyam…the same benefits that made me love dance in the first place.
