Bharatanatyam for art, fitness and appealing to menfolk as well

 By Sreekumar Raghavan

What comes to your mind when you hear Bharatanatyam- classical, traditional, artistic? It may be true that not many know the fitness and wellness dimensions of this ancient dance form.

Bharatanatyam originated more than 2000 years ago in Tamil Nadu and was originally performed by dasis (maid servants) in temples and  it was known as Dasiyattam. It was in the 1930’s the legendary Balasaraswati, a Devadasi was invited to perform on stage before an elite educated class. Rukmani Devi became the first of the educated elite to learn Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Balasaraswati.



Anupama Thampy, Accomplished dancer, trainer at Beats 'n' Steps
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The Art of Bharatanatyam
There could be no other versatile dance form as Bharatanatyam. Bha denotes Bhava (emotion), ra denotes raga or music and ta means tala or rhythm and natyam means dance. Apart from bringing out the artist in you, Bharatanatyam is also capable of helping you maintain your body shape, health and vitality, says Anupama Thampy, accomplished stage performer and dance guru at Beats ‘n’ Steps, a dance fitness studio based in South Kalamassery, Kochi.

According to renowned dancer Anjali Nandan, learning Bharatanatyam and classical dance forms are very important to understand the essence of dance.

Bharatanatyam: The Fitness, wellness dimension
Bharatanatyam is capable of improving your fitness, concentration, memory power, weight maintenance, beauty and overall wellness.

It helps achieve overall balance, boosts memory power through remembering of steps, mudras, hastas and Karnas. Regular practice of Bharatanatyam will have the combined effect of doing aerobics, floor and stretching excercises and yoga. It’s good for a healthy heart as the feel good factor boosts blood circulation and keeps your skin toned and young.



Anupama Thampy, performing Bharatatatyam at Changampuzha Park in Kochi in 2014_________________________________________________________

Dances are proven to be useful for right-left brain co-ordination and hence helpful for children to do better in studies and improve their intelligence.

Bharatanatyam for menfolk
If you thought Bharatanatyam and Indian classical dances are a woman’s domain, you are mistaken. At the recent  Monsoon Festival of Dance on July 16-17 at New Delhi, four male artistes of Bharatanatyam proved how they too can make a mark.

"It is a misconception that classical dance is meant only for women and is effeminate. Indian classical dance is suitable not only for the female body, but for everyone," says S Vijay Kumar, an exponent of the classical tradition from Tamil Nadu.

And the best time to start learning Bharatanatyam no doubt is at a young age, preferably 7-8. So get your kids to put on the anklets and learn the first steps towards mastering this classical wonder.

Try combo dance routines, to keep boredom away!

By Sreekumar Raghavan

It is often said familiarity breeds contempt and this applies to many things in life including fitness and dance routines. Many a time, people simply abandon their walking, jogging, gym workouts mid-way just because it becomes monotonous and becomes just another daily routine.

In a day filled with work, family and social activities it may not be easy to juggle different fitness activities together. However, dance based fitness routines enable trying out different, exciting formats a week , get better results in terms of wellness, calories and overall health.

Prasanth S, Co-Founder and Director of Beats ‘n’ Steps, a dance fitness studio who pioneered this concept  said that although aerobics, Zumba Fitness and bollywood dance follow different steps and styles, they are essentially about music and dance with Zumba workouts being the most tiresome burning out more calories than the rest. Those afraid of falling into a routine and getting bored with dance-fitness routines can try out a combo of Aerobics, Zumba and Bollywood and get better results, he added.

However, he cautioned that fitness enthusiasts should opt for fitness centes that provide quality, licensed instructors in all the three disciplines. 

Aswathy Visweswaran, Co-Founder of Beats ‘n’ Steps pointed out that from a trainer’s perspective it is a challenge to master different routines but Zumba itself is an amalgamation of Merengue, Salsa, Bachata and Regaetton , hence it is good if trainers get additional training in those styles too. “ Hence I am going for Salsa training to further improve my Zumba skills,” she added. However, from a practitioners’s perspective it is great to do different styles to attain wellness and hence the introduction of combo routines.


Aerobics Dance
It is a great way to maintain your body shape and it’s lot of fun too, according to Seema Subodh, Reebok Certified Aerobics trainer at Beats ‘n’ Steps.  It should begin with a warm up, followed by  high impact and a cool down  and it is ideal for kids and teens. Fun, Excitement, music and fitness are the hall marks of Aerobics programme.

Zumba Fitness

Zumba is a intensive workout that last for an hour daily and helps you burn more calories, keep your skin smooth and youthful, according to Aswathy Visweswarn, ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network). It can make amazing changes in your life not only in terms of weight maintenance but help you indulge in your favourite foods without being bothered about counting calories.

Bollywood Dance
The dances are a fusion of traditional and classical Indian dances with the influence of some jazz, hip-hop and modern dance. Timing and Rhythm, engery, and sharp controlled expressive movements are the important elements of Bollywood Dancing!  According to Anupama, accomplished dancer and instructor at Beats ‘n’ Steps, it’s a whole some offering that helps to bring out the dancing talents in you with enjoyable songs and music.

(For details regarding Dance-Fitness combo programs: mailto : prasant4444@yahoo.co.in)

Kerala’s obsession with the Salute and the Police uniform?

The two top controversies now being discussed in news papers both relate to Police- one the lapse of the part of a senior Police Officer who failed to salute the home minister at a passing out parade at the Police Academy  in Thrissur and the other the Ernakulam District Collector wearing his wife’s police uniform at home that appeared as a feature in a leading newspaper.

In the case of RishiRaj Singh, ADGP and senior IPS officer, he may not have seen Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala entering from behind the stage as the passing out parade of constables had already begun. Rishi Raj Singh also said that as per convention dignitaries on the dais stand up only when national anthem is played during passing out parade. Moreover he was only an invitee to the function.

People suspected motives behind Rishi Raj Singh’s apparent  ‘disrespect’ shown towards Home Minister at a public function as he was recently removed as Chief Vigilance Commissioner  from Kerala State Electricity Board for booking a corporate house for power theft in the state capital.
Strangely, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has no complaint against the police official leaving it to  DGP Mr T P Senkumar to decide.However, other ministers and politicians have taken up the issue saying that his conduct would foster indiscipline in the Police!

The salute itself is a vestige of the British rule and you can find constables at police stations been forced to life a heavy rifle to salute their senior officers each time they arrive and depart to the station. Some sensible officers have already suggested the removal of this colonial practice which is cumbersome for the newly appointed women constables too.

District Collector wears Police uniform

M G Rajamanickam, who was adjudged the Best District Collector in 2014 is now being criticised for wearing his wife’s police uniform for a human interest story in a leading newspaper. His wife Nishanthini, an IPS officer  is also a popular police officer  having served in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.

It may be recalled that Mr Rajamanickam was awarded for his exemplary work in Kochi Metro, Airport Seaport Road and launching novel projects such as Bhoomigeetham.

The State Government has issued a warning against the District Collector for the impropriety shown in wearing police uniform.  The crux of the newspaper feature was that Rajamanickam, an IAS officer was more fond of wearing police uniform while his police officer wife was interested in being an IAS official.

The public, the government officials and policy makers who have described the conduct as improper hasn’t questioned the motive of a leading newspaper in doing this story. Moreover, the collector did not appear in public in police uniform and the public wouldn’t have known unless the paper carried the story!

Kerala’s policy makers, the public and officials spend several reams of paper , correspondence and discussion on a topic that is neither socially relevant nor important leaving no time for developmental and social work to take place. 

How long will the electorate suffer all this in silence?

  

Trust not the news or newsmen, but the blog!

What constitutes a media person? The traditional view was that you need to work for a newspaper, magazine and later on with the advent of radio and television and the internet more categories were added to the list.

Recently, I saw an interesting discussion on election of CPM General Secretary in a Malayalam TV channel – there was  N Madhavan Kutty ( formerly Bureau Chief of The Indian Express) and Appukuttan Vallikunnu (Deshabhimani columnist), Ramachandran (formerly Malayala Manorama) and another person I don’t recall. When arguments and counter arguments heated up, each of them started blaming the other for lack of knowledge of inner functioning of CPM!

Blogs qualify as Media!
And one of them pointed out Mr Madhavan Kutty (NMK) is no longer in the media. NMK was aghast about lack of awareness of  the fellow scribes and writers. Haven't they seen the emergence of  New Media – including online publications and blogs. My head started spinning, blogging is also media activity and the world is now full of media persons!. No wonder and true that many former journalists are now confined to writing blogs. Pity others confined to retirement, unsung and unheard missing the golden opportunity to remain 'blogger journalists'?

My view on this issue is that blogs do not come under the purview of the news media. That is a platform to air your views and ideas for discussion to a larger audience or even a closed group or shared through social media. Google or any company that provides blogging platform free is providing servers, front end for free but are not publishers of the content nor endorse it. But they do have the right to reject objectionable matter uploaded by the blogger.

A news media can be defined as a system where there are trained journalists, cameramen and technical support team who gather news, check its veracity, maintain a library of data, information on various topics and disseminate news and analysis in an objective manner. Blogs do not fall in this category.

Blogs gain acceptability than news?
When it comes to business or products, consumers trust blogs or bloggers more than news, according to Brian Pittman (PR Daily) quoted in Entrepreneur.com.
"That's why blog networks such as BlogHer drive thousands-if not millions-of consumers to the products, services and issues they cover."

Again what Pittman says is a statement and I don’t know whether it has been empirically verified. There are people who believe in the news than adverts. But even if it’s partially true, this tells upon the credibility of our newsmen. Who's responsible for this fall?

Both Newspapers and journalists and the new breed of bloggers come under Article 19 (1) of the Indian Constitution- Freedom of Speech. There ends the similarity, but for all practical purposes, they need to be seen differently.

What’s the harm in former Journalists saying, “ I am a blogger.” Hasn’t it become a  more respectful activity than a  journo?

Beats 'n' Steps, dance-fitness studio launched in Kochi

KOCHI, INDIA: Burning calories, attaining fitness and remaining healthy are all goals most people have. Until now the options were going out for a walk, jogging, workout in the gym or at home. All these fitness routines are good enough but has a lot of limitations.

Key drawbacks:

1)Progress in walking and jogging activities may take a longer time to show results
2)Solo activities may be uninteresting and lead to boredom and abandonment
3)Rain or inclement weather can spoil the outdoor activity and hence impact daily excercise routine

It is here that dance based fitness routines score over conventional ones, according to Aswathy Visweswaran, ZIN (Zumba Instructor Network-www.zumba.com) and Prasanth S, Zin, co-founders of Beats 'n' Steps a dance-fitness studio in South Kalamassery in the commercial city of Kochi.

"We decided to launch this venture based on dance-based routines because people from all age groups especially late 30's and 40's genuinely feel a need to have some fun, entertainment and tangible results when it comes to burning calories and attaining wellness,"  Aswathy and Prasanth said.

Beats 'n' Steps provides training in Zumba Fitness, Aerobics, Bollywood dance, Hip Hop, and traditional yoga and Bharatanatyam. Zumba is capable of burning upto 800 calories an hour. Many people are initially shy or reluctant to join Zumba as they feel they require to be good at dancing. " Many of the students whom I studied with had no background in dancing but only a desire to be healthy and shed flab," Aswathy Visweswaran said in chat with CommodityJourno.blogspot.in. Presence of personal trainer and contemporary dancer, Ritin is a boost for Beats 'n' Steps, the promoters said.

Seema Subodh, is a Reebok certified Aerobics trainer now available at Beats 'n' Steps. She believes that dance based fitness sessions bring out the best in each individual raising their confidence level and outlook towards life. However, those having heart ailments or chest problems need to first consult a doctor and also need to inform the trainer about their ailments.

Anupama, bollywood and bharatanatyam trainer is an accomplished dancer who has done several shows in India and abroad. She believes Beats 'n' Steps has the right mix of offerings for anyone interested in the aesthetics of keeping fit and healthy in life.

Mehbooba, the yoga teacher said that awareness about the benefits of yoga is now spreading across the world. The mere fact that June 21 is observed as International Yoga day is ample proof this. It can work miracles on our body, mind, breath control meditation and body flexibility.

In due course, Beats 'n' Steps is planning several innovative programs on personality development and machine based workouts, promoters said. There are separate classes for ladies and kids.

For details: contact Aswathy Visweswaran 9744954607, Prasanth-9895611537
Beats'n' Steps is located at CUSAT Signal Jn, South Kalamassery, Kochi-682023

Dance based fitness routines are in, workouts aren't out but!

KOCHI: Are you bored of workouts, jogging early in the morning or found the morning walk uninspiring? Then Perhaps, dance based fitness routines may be just right for you. Beats 'n' Steps, a dance-fitness studio was launched in early May in the heart of Kochi to provide the fitness enthusiasts with an alternative choice of dance-based fitness routines, according to promoters S Prasanth and Aswathy Visweswaran, both qualifed ZINs (Zumba Instructor Network).

Many people find walking, jogging difficult to continue after a few days, according to Prasanth. On the other hand he has seen treadmills and excercise cycles being used as cloth hangers in many houses while Gym activities are not group based and hence difficult to sustain interest.

With Zumba one can see the results in terms of weight loss, fat loss and toning of the body in a few months time and the music and dance lifts the spirits making it easier for participants to continue with the programme, according to Aswathy Visweswaran, a pharmacist turned Zumba fitness trainer. Zumba Fitness was started by Colombian fitness trainer Beto Perez - it's a dance based fitnesss routine inspired by world rhythms of salsa, cumbia, merengue, hip hop, belle and reggaeton. No other workout is capable of burning upto 800 calories in an hour.

Zumba-magic! Zumba sessions can bring out the best in you in terms of looks and outlook towards life, says Aswathy Visweswaran, ZIN (Pix Courtesy: Beats 'n' Steps)

Many people are hesitant to take up Zumba because they are shy of dancing or that it is difficult to learn the steps. However, in a group based activity no one bothers to find the mistakes of the other and gradually beginners learn to copy the steps of their masters, Aswathy Visweswaran said. Moreover, performing in front of a mirror also allows them to see their mistakes and correct them, she added.

Zumba has now many specialities including Aqua Zumba (swimming pool based), Kids Zumba for children and special routines for toning. Only licensed Zumba instructors certified by Zumba.com are expected to take classes.

Zumba classes are held in 180 countries, 15 million people are attending a Zumba class around the world and tried out in 2 lakh centres. "The Zumba fever is really catching up in the country with international master trainer Beto Perez's performance in Mumbai in February 2015" according to Arunima Gupta, co-founder of The Floor, a contemporary dance and fitness school in Kochi. "Happiness is the second name of Zumba Fitness. It's a great therapy in these times of stressful living. So now, what are u waiting for? asks Arunima, who has trained over a dozen ZINs in Kochi and helpe them start their own venture including Aswathy-Prasanth's Beats 'n' Steps.(www.facebook.com/beatsnsteps, http://www.aswathyvisweswaran.zumba,com).

Who can join Zumba & Aerobics
Any reasonably healthy person can do Zumba, aerobics and other dance based fitness routines, But Seema Subodh, a qualified aerobics trainer at Beats 'n' Steps has a word of caution for people with heart ailments. Get the advice from your physician before starting the programme. And those wondering what's happened to multi-gyms- there are still there - you may need it for toning and muscle building though!

Panangad: The pictorial delight of the Kochi backwaters

Kerala offers the best getaways to beat the heat, but our day out in the backwaters of Panangad in Kochi was so enchanting except for the scorching heat that only lessened after heavy rains a few days later. Coconut trees are quite universal in Kerala but you find it in lesser numbers in this place. Surrounded by lakes, and minimal human habitation, this place gets its food from submerged pokkali rice and fish catch- chemmeen, the premium fish variety.

We may burn out but not the enthusiasm of kids and this time our little Dash Zoe was also around to enjoy in the grass and sun.  (With Diyah, caretaker of Zoe)

Fishing provides food and livelihood for the people here. With a little bit of luck and a good net, you can have a sumptous lunch and dinner. But these days fish catch is falling.

Kakka meat (Clam)  is one of the favourite dishes here and cooking is done using fire wood or offshoots of coconut tree- leaves or kodumbu

People usually wear lungis, dhotis which can be either folded into half above the knee or worn down to the ankle. They wrap around a towel in the head and they hold beedis or match box for convenience.

Tiled and thatched roofs were common earlier but they have been replaced by concrete roofs even in this area.

The water you get here is salty and you need rain water harvesting to get quality drinking water or get them from across the shores in sintex tanks transported on vanchis (country boats).

(We are grateful to Rajo Devi and family for facilitating this tour in their family location in Panangad covering around 75 acres)