In this TEDx Talk, Aishwarya Ravindran shares her personal journey as a storyteller through the ancient classical Indian dance form, Bharatanatyam. Aishwarya, who identifies as both Indian and American, explores how Bharatanatyam has shaped her identity and allowed her to break stereotypes associated with Indian women. Through the elements of this dance form, she has learned empathy and has been able to use storytelling to take a stance on important social issues.
Connecting with Her Indian Roots
Aishwarya’s journey with Bharatanatyam began at the age of four when her parents sent her elder sister to her first Bharatanatyam class. As a curious child, Aishwarya would watch her sister’s classes and became enamored with the intricate movements and rhythms. Despite being told that she was too young and physically incapable, Aishwarya persisted and eventually became the youngest person to learn Bharatanatyam in her community.
Navigating Her Dual Identity
Being both Indian and American, Aishwarya found herself at a crossroads, not fully Indian nor fully American. She enjoyed French fries, listened to Western music, and embraced aspects of American culture, while also maintaining her Indian heritage through Bharatanatyam. Through this dance form, she was able to communicate the complexity of her identity and break the stereotypes associated with Indian women.
Empathy and Storytelling
Bharatanatyam served as a medium for Aishwarya to delve into the perspectives of various characters, including those from different races, religions, genders, and even species. Her sense of empathy grew as she portrayed characters she had no personal experience with, such as peacocks and bees. This sense of empathy extended beyond her performances and allowed her to resonate with stories that were important to her, even if they didn’t directly pertain to her own experiences.
Aishwarya highlights how storytelling is all about empathy and using that empathy to share narratives, whether through written words, performances, art, music, or poetry. In today’s digital age, where outrage dominates our attention, it is crucial to take the time to listen to narratives that are unfamiliar to our own. By doing so, we can broaden our perspectives and start asking the right questions.
Sharing Her Own Story
Aishwarya emphasizes that everyone has their own story to share and encourages the audience to find their own medium, their own form of expression. She believes that stories have the power to inspire change, even if they can’t solve all the complex problems we face. Stories can be a way to ask the right questions and provoke deep thought, leading to a more empathetic and understanding society.
The Story of the Goddess Devi
To illustrate the power of storytelling, Aishwarya shares the story of the goddess Devi. Devi represents various attributes of a woman, embodying strength, nurturing, and empowerment. The legend recounts how Devi mounts her lion and avenges the murder of millions by slaying the demon Mahisha.
For Aishwarya, Devi serves as a symbol of her own strength and femininity, conquering inner demons and vices. Devi’s story inspires Aishwarya to stand up, show up, and tell her own story, no matter how challenging it may be.
The talk concludes with a powerful performance by Aishwarya, showcasing the grace and beauty of Bharatanatyam as a storytelling art form.
In a world of polarization and distractions, Aishwarya’s TEDx Talk reminds us of the importance of empathy, storytelling, and embracing different narratives. By embracing our own stories and listening to those of others, we can start to bridge the gaps that divide us and create a more harmonious society.
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