Newness

So I thought.. I'm going to make a new blog, flaunt a new me and write regularly. Because that's what I love right? And then, I didn't write everyday. Words would float about in my head and usually end up as FB status messages but I just wouldn't make the effort to write. Figures why my first story didn't end up getting published!
But today is different. I was glued back to TV, watching my favorite show of all times - So you think you can dance. As always, learning new things about a culture so vastly different from mine is a pleasure. In fact, I tend to store away bits and pieces of experiences in my mind - so human nature becomes just that little bit more evident to me.
Passion is something that we all hog - it's what attracts people to phenomenon/other people. Fire tends to create an aura or halo of absolute, complete awe, which people tend to revere, praise or just understand in silence. There are very few things I've seen in the world, that harness the kind of passion SYTYCD does. It's like the stage, the audience, the venues and the screen are bursting with frenetic energy; with desire, want, ambition, faith and worship so alive that you can touch it. It always brings tears to my eyes - the dancing, all that emotion, the sincerity, the hard work, patience, perseverance and sheer PASSION that people bring to the table.
I sometimes think. In India, a performer on the street will always be just that - a street performer. For him or her to even imagine a life that's full of possibilities is very nearly fatal. There are, of course, exceptions. But how does that even help that millions of other Indians out there who can't even dare to dream.
The art and technique of learning, imbibing and appreciating culture always needs money. So you can't be a classical dancer if you don't have the moolah. There were times when the maestros were born, and they ruled the roost. They lived the classical form and without many barriers. But today it's different. Mediocrity has set in so deeply amongst us, that our perception of excellence or brilliance has gone for a toss.
Here is where SYTYCD comes in my life. To just see boys and girls of all ages come and give their hearts and souls to a stage that is now synonymous to fame, stature, brilliance and most importantly, humility, is beautiful. But what is more beautiful is to see them triumph all odds to get there. Some of them learnt dancing on the street, while others danced in front of mirrors in their homes because they had nowhere to go. Some were hit by the recession, while some were kids to single parents. But it all was forgotten to live that American dream. To learn, perform and wow the world and basically lead changed lives forever.
But the change must have happened much earlier right? It must have been in their hearts, to break through the barriers because you have just one life to make it large. Just one life to live it like no one will.
We, in India, also live the American dream. Because there dreams are valued, and though one needs immense strength to nurture them, there's little chance of falling flat.
Here, we either don't know our dreams, or we don't have the courage to see them. The only dream we know of is the Bollywood dream. And that too, is ungratifying after a point - unless you count in the money. And no, shows like Dance India Dance don't come half as close to the real dancing dream. In fact, I remember watching a grand finale of one of the seasons, where the finalists were made to perform like stars perform during award functions. It was appalling. Funny how apathy, arrogance and absolute stupidity have become an indelible part of public discourse in this country.
Maybe it's time to have an Indian dream too. One that truly lets you fly.