An Indian by birth, as a child and teenager I grew up in Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, the Serendipity shaped liked the teardrop of God. I have been a Classical Bharatanatyam Dancer since I was eight years old. My dance career has spanned more than five decades of my life. Growing up in a progressive and extended family my parents and grandparents were established scholars in law and the fine arts. My performances were showcased at an early age before world dignitaries like the Chinese Prime Minister Chou-En-Lai, UN Secretary General U Thant, and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. I was trained in other dance disciplines like Ballet, Spanish, Kathakali and Kathak during my childhood. But it was in Classical Bharatanatyam that I received the most intense training over the years.
To quote Kamala, “When Anandi was born, I put my plan to action. 2-year-old Anandi used to trot around the stage executing steps in sync. Anandi had her very first ‘thaiya thai’ under a traditional Nattuvanar (teacher) Mr. Govindaraja Pillai from Chennai India At an appropriate age she was enrolled in a dance school. Many other teachers instructed her in this Classical Art form. But for her Arangetram – Dance Debut – she was trained in the Kalashetra Bani. My cousin Shrimati Rukmini Devi Arundel was founder of Kalashetra Acedemy of Dance and Music in Chennai. The Debut was performed at Kalalaya School of Fine Arts and Dance Colombo Sri Lanka. One of the Founder members was Anandi’s paternal grandmother late Dr. Nallamma Satiawagiswara Iyer. The rest is history. Anandi continues to dance even today”.
I continued my dance career after my marriage when I relocated to India. In 1989, we moved our residence to Virginia, USA. I danced in ecstasy to the music of my life, totally in love with my 22-year partnership. In July 1992, the life that I cherished and loved shattered to pieces when the love of my life succumbed to an aeroplane crash. Eight hours prior to that tragedy, I called my husband to convey the exciting news - “I have been invited to dance at the UN General Assembly....” - “Go ahead,” said my beloved.
When the tragic news was conveyed, being in a state of shock I looked at my Gunguru (bells) and said to myself, I will never dance again - they will never ring again on stage.
That decision was short-lived; I went through a mystical experience. My seventh chakra (located in the crown of my head) opened. I received the amazing grace from the universe, I continued to dance to heal myself at all levels holistically. To a great extent, my dance filled the vacuum created by the untimely loss of my soulmate.
From that moment, I embarked on an inward journey that spanned a period of 10 years. A journey to discover and find life’s purpose and my true self included. “The direction will come,” said Chidvilasananada Gurumayi of Ganeshpurt, Mumbai who bestowed upon me the “Shaktipad”. “Take the mantle and go out to the world as Anadamayi 11” -Guruji Chitra Bhanu (Mumbai, India). And the revelation happened in 2003. The mystical experience that set the stage for my passion, vision, and mission to take dancing to a healing level. I was performing with my group the Megha Shakti Dancers, at the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington D.C.
The monuments formed the backdrop for this picture perfect day. The sun was gloriously shining to the point that my bare feet felt the heated stage. Suddenly I was engaged in a gigantic cosmic dance. The other dancers faded into nothingness. I was the dancer dancing in a state of meditation. I have been transformed through many a mystical experience. But none could match this; the dancer and the dancing become “one” with the music the fully bloomed cherry trees and the participants witnessing the performance. I was the witness, witnessing my own performance. The dancer had jettisoned. I experienced an out of body experience that had no beginning or end. It was timeless, space less without any boundaries. A moment encapsulated in the “now”, the “present”. A space, a window of opportunity that was pure silence like the space between “the ticking of a clock”, between the notes in music, a state of “being” not “doing”, a “ah ha” experience, a “quantum leap” into the unknown. I experienced a state of bliss “Sat-Chit-Anand”.
I continue to practice Raja Yoga – a yogic way of life, evolving and transforming myself at any given point of time. A Sadhana – an experiential spiritual journey, not a destination. A path never traveled at all. The key to transformation. the paradigm shift in the mind that comes with the practice of yoga pranayam and meditation.
Says Anandi in Yoga Dance and Spirituality, “With the disciplined practice of yoga, my dancing skills improved and were fine-tuned. Showing remarkable changes in terms of fluidity and flexibility of mind and body. My memory power sharpened to remember intricate footwork choreographed for group dances. This is very demanding. Unlike solo performances, where creativity can be the saving grace. Further considering my age, I could execute effortlessly the fast pace movements with dancers in their thirties. With the practice of Pranayamam (“breathing techniques”), my stamina improved and sustained through out the performances. I am never out of breath or panting on stage. Over and above all of these benefits, the biggest gift I have received over the years integrating yoga and dance – is being rejuvenated at a cellular level - the golden key to youthfulness and longevity. I would address both disciplines as “Vibrational Medicine,” operating at a cellular level. Why - because they enhance the “chi’ or “prana”, the life force behind all existence, keeping me in a state of “fine balance” at all levels, mind, body and spirit.
I firmly believe, sharing the tools that I acquired and honed over the years we can experience these profound moments of “epiphany” not only when dancing but also when doing mundane tasks like “chopping wood or carrying water”, or as professionals. The divine is everywhere. This realization leads me to become a health educator, in holistic health and therapies. To dream, give birth and materialize Health Smart Foundation Inc a non-profit organization registered in Virginia USA. The objectives of the Foundation, to educate the individual and society at large, and create awareness in holistic health and healing through fine, performing arts and human values.
The author Dr. Anandi Ramachandran a retiree of the World Bank, is a Health Educator, Performer of Classical Bharatanatyam and Dance Scholar in the field of Dance and Healing. She is the Chairman/Founder-Director of HEALTHSMART FOUNDATION Inc., a non-profit organization registered in Virginia, USA. The Foundation has sponsored eight “Healing Science of Yoga” DVD programs for Dancers, Musicians, Pregnant Mothers, New Mothers, Seniors, Athletes and Children.
www.yogasystem.com
Professionally, Anandi is a Lawyer and Banker of Sri Lanka and India.
