Info Courtesy – my wife who is more fond of crosswords and sudoku than me – sob sob !!Ī couple of days back I received the following email from David McCreedy : ” SHEEP’s CRY CAPTURES GADABOUT, A TRIBAL (6)”…. In ‘The Hindu’ newspaper of June 17,2008, crossword No.9252 carries the following clue for a six letter word for 5 Across:…. So did our bodies-around and around, faster and faster. When we were in synch -hands, legs, arms, – it was so nice – like a huge drum circle when they reach that magical moment when all the drummers are connected and the music just flows. At times, it was awkward, but once I got the jist of it, it seemed so natural, so beautiful. I found myself behind a Badaga man who was more than happy to call out the movements and changes as we made our way around the circle. In a moment of surrender, I joined the line. I recalled how I overcame my fears when I used to go firewalking (walking on hot coals) – I would stand there trying to convince myself that it would be fine. I recalled how Amma says it’s just not enough to stand at the shore of the ocean and just get your feet wet. Again, I stood by the sidelines, thinking about how Amma was so natural, innocent when She danced. Would I join in?Īround 2am, they were singing and dancing again. The next day, I knew the Badaga would be there again. Then, at the end of the first night, as Darshan ended, and the Badaga still playing, Amma Herself stood up to leave the stage – and made a full circle – turning round with the beat, no inhibition, no concerns. But then some westerners did join in, the Badaga happy to show them the movements even as they were ‘throwing a wrench’ into the coordinated movements of those already dancing. I stood there – conflicted – trying to overcome my inhibitions – people would look at me – a westerner in white awkwardly throwing his body around. But I found my inner self wanting to join in. One wonders how long these people have been dancing like this – how far back in time? How wonderful that India has been able to preserve theseįor a while, I was content just taking photos, or watching from the sidelines – focusing on their movements. It’s so primal, so natural, and so beautiful.
Their rhythmic movements, graceful flowing hands and bodies, the beating of drums and call and response voices calls to the dancer inside us. Two years back when Amma last was here, and again during Amma’s 53rd birthday celebrations in Amritapuri, they also enchanted the crowd – inspiring westerners, students, and Ashramites to join in. B.V.I love watching the Badaga dance in Coimabatore.
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