The First Time the Ghungroo Weighed on My Ankles

 As a Sri Lankan traditional dancer, I also had a strong passion for Indian traditional dance. That is why I constantly turned to watching Indian Films because of the Indian traditional dances they featured.

I fell in love with the dancers in those films and their dance moves. Because of that passion that I had since childhood, I started learning the Indian traditional Kathak dance with the determination that I would reach the top of that dance.

The Indian Kathak dance tradition is a classical dance form that originated in the Delhi state of Uttar Pradesh. It is characterized by graceful movements, use of gestures, and complex cycles. After learning and practicing this dance tradition for a while, the teacher determines whether the student is suitable to learn this dance and ties the Ghungroo on ankles. This gives new life to the kathak dance.

Luckily, I was lucky enough to tie that precious Ghungroo. It was another unforgettable moment in my dancing life.

The moment my Kathak teacher first placed the Ghungroo in my hands, I felt like a dancer who had a very beautiful dance tradition.

After the teacher put the Ghungroo on my ankles, I bowed to the teacher and began the dance. Although I felt a certain weight as I lifted my feet, I was able to dance with ease due to the immense joy, respect, and pride I felt in my heart.

And after putting the Ghungroo on my ankles
, I felt a strong sense of responsibility towards this dance tradition.

As I danced, the music of the Kathak dance, the sound of the tabla and the sound of the sitar began to blend with the sound of my Ghungroo.

Even as the day ended, the sound that I first heard from those Ghungroo echoed in my mind over and over again.

This day will remain in my memory every day as a special gift that dance gave to my life.

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