In between Jaipur and Mumbai was P and my first Kathak performance together. It was the first time we were sharing a stage. Unfortunately we cudnt be in the same dance 😦 she was with her age group and I was with mine. It wasn’t possible for the dance school to put us together. Maybe some day we both can be together in the same dance.

It truly was a proud day. She has improved a lot since the last year and you could see it in the performance. The look on her face was totally different and I see the enthusiasm she had to go for her classes. She has completed 2 years in the dance school and it was not easy initially. There were times when she refused to go to class and I had to push her even though she was in tears. I kept telling her, this is like school and attendance is compulsory. I cannot do anything but send you. It’s not a choice. And I’m glad I did it.

Many would say at that time, if she is not liking it don’t send her. But I could see that it was not like she did not like it, it maybe was a bit boring at times because it’s classical dance. I have been there and done that. I was 6 when I started learning Kathak and I know that it can get boring. Bollywood or folk dance is more exciting because it is fast paced and there are words expressing you. Here there are no words when you are learning the ‘tukdas’. So yes…… it needs a push. And the children need that push from their parents.

She had started learning guitar also but I could clearly see that she was not liking it. She would just sit in the class not budging while the poor sir would keep telling her to play. There I could see that she has no interest whatsoever. It was no point pushing her.

I have seen parents around who say lets make the children do what they like. Let’s not force them. True. That should be. But at the age of 6 & 7 they really don’t know what’s good and bad for them. We as parents have to think for them. We have to visualise what they will want to do in life and what not. Will they be the kind who will dance or sing or paint or play some sport? Which of these suits their personality? Which one will they be able to cope with along with school and studies? While doing that activity now does it bring an excitement in the child?

Think and make the right choices. It’s the choices we make now which will influence them later in life. It’s how seriously we take it, will influence how seriously they take it. I can say…. oh big deal if she doesn’t learn this maybe something else, or sometime else. But it is a big deal. Let them early on understand the meaning of commitment to something. And I feel this age of 8-10 years is perfect to start teaching them that. They will thank you later for that.