An idea can be born anywhere and anytime and we must never underestimate the power of coincidences. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. There is a reason why people meet and a reason why they dream an identical dream. Nalanda Dance & Research Academy is not an unknown address for me, so I was flattered when scholar, dancer and founder of Nalanda, Dr Kanak Rele invited me over to discuss her forthcoming book Me & My Mohiniyattam.
A few days later was her book release, a joyous occasion surrounded by dancers. A few months later was the Ganpati festival and I was invited home for the deity darshan. We were getting to know each other and stimulated in each other’s company but as yet unaware of God’s plan for us. Then I was launching my new book, Letters to Self and invited Dr Uma Rele, Principal, Nalanda Dance & Research Mahavidyalaya and her dancer daughter, Dr Vaidehi Rele for the event.
It was a glorious evening and when at the end of the event, mother- daughter were leaving, Uma Rele casually asked me if I had thought about adapting the translation of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s poems into a dance ballet. I hadn’t but now that she had put an idea into my head, I was super excited and that was the beginning…
To be concluded