Durban, South Africa
Katha Dance
African born Jambulani, affectionately known as Jabs, accepted a new name today through diksa initiation. His new name is Jambavan. In the ceremony held in the temple tent to local monks, Bhakti Chaitanya and Kadambha Kanana Swamis and I, initiated several candidates. It simply means that the spiritual family is growing in South Africa.
On the schedule and in demand was more of the Dance Master stuff at the Bhakti Cloud tent. With the presentation of “Little Big Ramayan” the night before, the details of avatar, Ram, and His pastimes, are fresh in the mind. So, the djembe drums triggered some creative juices which lead to my rapping out the story. This compelled participants to dance it out. If you didn’t drum the site, you ended up standing and clapping, if not dancing and repeating the rap.
This approach attracts major attention as on goers outside the marquee stood in delight and awe. Many of the dancers were relatively new to the story of Ram’s great heroism, of love, of devotion, loyalty and dharma. This technique, dancing out the story, is a remarkable learning curve and great substitute for mundane dance.
I’m hoping that this katha dance (story dancing) will really take off and become mainstream one day, because it is wholesome and takes the practitioner to a metaphysical level beyond this world of maya (illusion).
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
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