As dancers, we often confine our art to familiar stages. We remain blind to the profound arenas waiting just beyond our peripheral vision. We forget that inspiration rarely knocks on a familiar door. As the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once noted: “Every man I meet is my master in some point, and in that I learn of him.” My journey into this uncharted territory began by absolute chance. A friend from ISKCON nominated me for Khayal 50 & Beyond. One ordinary afternoon, a link flashed on my screen, urging me to look closer. To my utter disbelief, I saw my name listed among the top ten semifinalists under the award category with a superlative title “Dancing Superstar.” I smiled and marvelled at the innumerable categories with ten finalists in each being ! Busy with the waiting programme rehearsals,classes the moment remained encushioned in my subconscious .
The day of the final event I was deeply immersed in my own curated event—a sensitive program at the Mysore Association.
dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the unsung heroes of Seniors in the orchestral support who were in the field for over
four decades and more and who were yet playing for diverse classical performers.vall over the globe. By the time I headed for
home around 1:30 PM, i switched off the flight mode and found endless urgent messages and missed calls! There were urgent
requests for me to attend the grand finale at the NESCO Grounds in Goregaon, Mumbai. Since the venue happened to be directly en route along the NH 48 highway I made a sudden turn. That single, spontaneous choice completely altered the trajectory of my destiny.
Stepping into the hall, I was struck by a massive celebration honoring seniors whose lifelong service had rendered them truly
timeless. There were groups of Senior citizens bubbling with the joy of life . There were book stalls , game stalls that took every one down memory lane, eateries , mehendi corners , aesthetic corners to try a hand at pottery ,painting ,jewellery making etc I marveled at the meticulous care that went into presenting each of the ten semifinalists in diverse categories with Rs 10000/- ; One placard giant size with Rs 10000/- had each of our hand s holding it up in unison ! Smiles ,claps and laughter came a full circlein a world that felt like a home away from home. We were all asked to take a breather and await the final results scheduled an hour and half later at the main grand venue done up magnificently!. I grabbed a coffee and settled down at the welcoming table with a crowd of beautiful hearts young at fifty and beyond. They carried an openness that quite simply crushed walls. It was at that moment, I realized how breathtaking the world can be when there is no trace of petty-mindedness even among strangers. Perhaps with the passage of time and a retired life minus a chair and table to call others to attention the noise within subsides and fades . It is perhaps a reckoning that life is a flow when a river of empathy flows from your heart to others beyond any power politics. We were all gathered around the orb with the table as witness ! They knew nothing of my dance background or my past, yet they warmly appreciated my place in the semifinals. They were ever so wonderstruck that I was in my seventies way over 50 which made them all feel young . As Maya Angelou beautifully wrote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel”
The finale announcements unfolded gracefully interspersed with stirring musical interludes and dance performances by legendary stalwarts. Then, the “Dancing Superstar” category flashed onto the massive screens. Suddenly, I saw my own face splashed across the stadium. The room erupted. I was entirely overwhelmed by the thunderous cheers and applause cascading from absolute strangers. These were people whose hearts were deeply sensitive to the lifetime of devotion every single finalist had poured into their craft. Standing there, holding the giant grand prize plaque of ₹100,000, a profound truth washed over me. No it was not the prize money which I hardly took stock of . It was the universe reaching out to me amidst cheers and a thunderous applause with a mahaprasad for a dance that had transformed for me to a visual prayer ! .
Life frequently grants us its greatest benedictions and considerations from the least expected quarters. As Helen Keller reminds us: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.”
My admiration for this movement defining concern – ‘ Khayal’ has only deepened more when I looked into their website
announcing the upcoming event this year. Their digital platform showcased the earlier ten finalists in each category, with their
video, poetry, article, or acting performance uploaded. This was an artistic transparency rarely seen in open competitions or
traditional award ceremonies. By clicking on any of the ten finalists, anybody could easily view their uploaded file
towards the category of award. The choice behind the winner endorsed a system built on pure merit, completely open to
the public eye. Thus none could ever question the integrity of the results because the evidence obviously belonged to
everyone. This well-meditated fairness is precisely what makes the Khayal 50 over 50 event ever so sacred.
If you all have the passion and talent within you, I urge you to come out of your twilight zones and over- thinking minds that
doubts always . Believe in yourself and submit your own nomination . Do upload your art, and let fate take its course. This is a
rare sanctuary completely devoid of political strings or backdoor politics. I did not know a single soul when I walked into that
room. Today, my chosen family has expanded into an ocean of vibrant smiles. It is a beautiful reminder of what it truly means to be human. For seventy years, I have been an open channel—a medium attempting to translate the myriad stories of our shared existence into form, color, and movement. Art is a universal language, a truth that transcends boundaries and speaks to the very core of our shared humanity.
Thank you – Khayal ever so much for reaffirming my faith in humanity !
As a “dancing superstar,” as you address me with love, I awaken to my journey which has been a constant dialogue between the inner self and the outer world, exploring the profound depths of the human experience as art. . The canvas of time has been my guide, each passing year adding new textures to my understanding of art’s power to connect, to heal, and to inspire,. I am indeed overwhelmed and grateful for a recognition that is not mine alone. It belongs to the countless mentors whose wisdom lit my way, the fellow artists who shared the struggle and the triumph, and the unwavering support of family and friends who have been the silent rhythm to my melody. Above all, it is the validation of lifelong skills and continued vitality, rather than just a simple contest outcome. It provides a powerful sense of purpose, a renewed connection to the community, and a clear sense of direction towards future endeavors to transform life as light.
By Kalashri Dr Lata Surendra
Renowned Bharatanatyam Exponent, Teacher Choreographer Writer Curator Independent Researcher, Dance Journalist, and in the field for over Six and half decades
