If stories could stir

Updated on: Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Lincoln Room of American Center wore a different look on the eve of January 13. The room full of people of all age groups waited with bated breath for Zuleikha, the American international dancer/performer who was in town from January 1-15 holding workshops and conferences across the city.

An exceptional teacher who inspires people from all walks of life, she was here for a special performance, the art of story-telling. Wearing a mask, she descended on the stage and for the next one and a half hours kept the gathering mesmerised with her flawless performance. At one point where she hid herself beneath the voluminous layer of clothing only to pop out her head from the open ends, she resembled something extra-terrestrial. The dexterity with which she moved from one role to another was incredible. From the restlessness and anxiety of modern life to the greater understanding of our beings, she traversed the journey from ‘innocence to experience’ through her unique narrative in the form of a dance recital. Her celebration of Gandhi and his philosophy drew the loudest cheer and was indeed a proud moment for every Indian present there. Taking a break to interact with the audience, she also taught them a trick or two to release negative energy and welcome positivity.

The best was reserved for the last. Amongst those who were present, the swirling that she did for close to half an hour was truly sublime. Jennifer Monteiro, a college teacher was simply amazed, “I am not going to forget this for a long time.”

This performance surely reinstated the faith in story-telling in an age where stories seemed to have lost their charm on an urban audience fed on soaps and reality TV.

If stories could stir

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