The reading we did and our discussions on this course inspired me to consider more deeply the relationship between music and dance, 'read' or more deeply analyse elements/attributes of the choreography, and explore/reflect on the defining characteristics/elements of Bharathanatyam.

There has been a definite change in the way I view the art form throughout the period of this course. As often discussed in class, dance is not just formal translation through movement but an interpretation that evolves over time with deeper understanding. The rigour helped me treat the piece not as a product to which an end is definitively seen through but an idea that progresses with a process of introspection.

Yes, this course has made me view dance in a completely different way than I had before. Through conversations in class and insights and guidance from Akka, I have learned to be a thoughtful dancer. Rather than just executing and simply dancing to make a final product, I have learned to think about every movement of my body, how it corresponds to the song, and what the effect is for the audience.

Yes it has influenced me outlook on art. For example, thanks to one of the sessions in which we reflected together on the importance of Carnatic music, I gained new stimuli and ideas on how attitude, devotion, communication, message, form, are the really important things of any artistic form. Much more important than understanding if you are talking about music or dance, a musician or a dancer. Now, thanks to this course, I see musicians as dancers.

I think I have learned to appreciate dance as a self exploration first versus a performing art only. I am more content practicing for my own self than just dancing for an audience. I see more depth to my practices than prior, though I am still anxious to see what dance has in store for me.

As we were learning the choreography hearing reasons for why a certain step or pattern was chosen because of the music or something else was really interesting. Often choreography is present as something you learn without much question, but being able to understand the reasons behind certain choices as expanded my knowledge of this dance form more.

I was never comfortable with the idea of jathi notations, always felt it was too complicated for me. Through this inside-out course, i learnt how to dissect and notate a jathi to better understand the adavu system involved in it. I was also never comfortable with adavus. Through this course, i learnt to not dread adavus anymore. I always had a love-hate relationship with dance and performances and this course has definitely made me a better dancer than before.

I've learnt more about the intricacies of aspects which justify why Bharathanatyam is classified as a 'fine' art. As an art form, I see that dance can showcase complex metaphors, and can explore universal human experiences in its own unique way. I also now see the infinite patterns in exploring adavus and Nritta. As a result, I've learnt that Bharathanatyam as an art form has limitless possibilities.

If this course has influenced any aspect of how I view dance as an art form, it is the heightened appreciation for each dancer and seeking to recognize the individual process they have gone through to bring us their art. In helping me become a better "communicator", it has also made me a better "listener". It has developed the audience in me, and an eagerness to seek the artist in every dancer - especially after recognizing that my own journey has been so individual, that there is an individual voice that has gone through their own journey within each dancer I watch as well. Being conscious of this and actively seeking that individuality has made the experience of watching dance that much more enjoyable!

A great deal of unlearning has been happening. Habitual ways of thinking and acting on it has been erasing, replaced with new, simple ways of looking. .used to run down the same rabbit-holes and before each session, would remind myself to enter the Study Room with a clear mind, devoid of notions lodged previously. I am now totally convinced about every "line" of dance that I have learnt in this course - meaning I feel it is "mine", so to say. And out of this has emerged a desire to share it! Something which was not present all these years, as I seemed to have learnt, danced a bit, but not convinced it was good enough to be presented. I did not have the desire to dance in public back then but now there is one to share.