Description of the experience:
The Indian Dance Quest Workshop was held with the purpose of celebrating traditional dance forms including Shastriya and Lok Nritya like Garba, Bharatnatyam, Mohiniyattam, etc. Out of all the choices I had, I opted to learn more about Mohiniyattam. I have been doing Bharatnatyam for 7 years and counting now, through which I have learned a bit about Mohiniyattam and decided to go for it for the one-week workshop. We learned Mohiniyattam exclusively from the most renowned gurus and even practiced a few dances in the style.
Learning outcome 1:
Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
The workshop helped immensely when it came to understanding my strengths and weaknesses. It helped me know myself better as it showed me my strength of being able to grasp information. I was first afraid of asking questions which was my weakness but eventually opened up and was successful in interacting with them. It feels liberating to know that I was able to put my strengths into action and try to overcome my fears. It is important for me to know my strengths and weakness so that I know where I am excelling and where I need to work.
Learning outcome 2:
Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
It is especially challenging because it forced me to move out of my comfort zones. I had to learn a dance form that was very different from the classical form I had learned. Additionally, since it was online I had to keep up with the pace of the workshop and practice after the workshop to ensure that I was with everybody else in the cohort. Although I have done Bharatnatyam, it is not quite similar to Mohiniyattam because the mudras, the style, technique, everything between the two is different. New challenges enable us to grow because they put us out of our comfort zones which enables us to give our best. I also learned more about my skills of grasping dances faster and being determined.
Learning outcome 4:
Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
The workshop was a week-long session with classes every day for an hour and a half and required continuous effort. It was rigorous and back-to-back because of the time constraint. We learned 2 whole dances under the dance form in a matter of 5 classes so it required a lot of commitment including switching the video on, practicing before class, and revising materials taught after class so revision becomes easier. All these measures had to be performed regularly, and without the right motivation, this would not be possible.
Learning outcome 7:
Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
The new modernized dance styles have totally forgotten about the raw classical dances, where fusion has become one of the most predominant aspects of the industry. With this loss of cultural identity, the traditional and raw version of these dances must be preserved. This is ethically dealt with by this activity since it serves as a medium to promote the less performed dance form of Mohiniyattam and preserves our roots. Our culture is a part of our identity, and ensuring that our culture is not stripped off any facet is our responsibility.
Final Take Away:
Through this opportunity, I have been given the chance of improving my reflective and risk-taker learner profile. The SDG goals that were implemented in the workshop is Good Health and Well-being.
Evidence:
