Dance is for Everyone!

There is no age limit for leaning any art form. If you want to learn dance as a hobby,age has no relation whatsoever with pursuing your dream in any field,be it any dance form. It is a misconception that people who have crossed a certain age cannot learn dance as health and stiffness in their body will not permit. If you are healthy and have fit limbs you can certainly indulge in dance. Many working women and home makers aged above thirty are trying to prove wrong, the belief that this art form only suits kids. In fact, thenumber of middle-aged women learning art forms such as classical dance, sitar, vocal, is increasing nowadays.

She started learning Kathak to fulfill her childhood dream. “I have been learning Kathak over a year now and strongly refrain from the word “difficult” as it is a negative connotation with regards to education in arts,” saysLina, English teacher, EFLU. “Learning Kathak is like a meditation that creates path to eliminate disturbing thoughts and is a form of worship that infuses peace in life.” Lina, is also looking forward in learning Sanskrit soon to better understand Taal and Raas of Kathak more deeply. “I want to thank my guru Jaya Rupa, for the support,” shares Lina.

At times it is the children who are playing a key role in inspiring their mothers to opt for dance. “Looking at my daughter dancing in rhythm and creating music with body, I have decided tostart learning Kathak. The only issue is the time management, but it is fun to learn,and it feels good to dance. Dance always keeps humans happy and instills self-confidence,which is an essential parameter for every woman who enters middle age,” says Shruti, Linguistics teacher from Hyderabad.

Another dancer Anjusha, who is a dentist by profession, says, “Dance helped me to loosen stress and treat patients in more friendly way than before.” Indeed, it takes more than interest; hard work and dedication are required to learn any art.45-year-old Trishna, who learnsSitar and Vocals, says,“Listening and playing music recharges me, reducesstress and I gain stability. I feel lucky and happy that my family supportedme to pursue my passion after decades to add value and essence to my singing.”

Speaking to the Hans India, Rupa Battacharya, artist and founder of Kala Kuteer at Tarnaka in Hyderabad, where many women enroll to learn Kathak, Tabla, Sitar and to sing classical music, says that it is must for every woman to dream and aspire for more besides family and work. “I find a kind of liberation, patience, happiness and a purpose in these middle-aged women while learning any art form.

I always try to break the traditional belief that age influences dance, and nurture the dance skills to enable them give stage performances which is the ultimate satisfaction,” she expresses. “Women facing health issues on entering mid 30s will be able to identify their body problems once they start learning any artform, and this in turn helps to keeps women healthy,” she says.