Classical Dancing

Kaia has discovered a new pleasure: classical Indian dance. Every year in Chennai at around this time, the city comes alive with hundreds of dance and music performances in what is collectively known as the “Madras Music Season”. There is a place very close to our home that is one of the centers for classical Indian performing arts—the Kalakshetra Foundation—and from December 24^th until January 4^th they have daily performances and educational events by artists from all over India. From the theatrics of Keralan Kathakali to the hypnotic whoomps and twangs of Hindistani music to the sensual grace of Carnatic dancing, there is no reason to be surprised that little Kaia is mesmerized by the performances. Kalakshetra has this wonderful performance theatre that seats about 500 and, for two hours, you are transported to another place. We were a bit worried when we attended our first performance that he might force us to leave early, but he didn’t even move for the entire two hours, except to clap at the appropriate times. It was really funny. When we asked him asked him after that show if he’d like to come back, there was a resounding “Yes! See more dancing!” For this reason, we’ve gone the last three nights and expect to go until the 4^th at least. Better than Bob the Builder any day of the week.

Why I Love this Time: Question: Kaia, what is your favorite musical instrument? Answer: Tabla, papa.