ALARIPPU performed by Jai-Jagdeesh Khalsa

[FacilTodo]

im a dancer too please i wanna download the music pleease =D yes?

[JaiKhalsa]

@FacilTodo: Hi there! Sorry, I am not sure where you can download this exact music. I know there are many great BharathaNatyam CDs out there, though!

[Lisval20]

Jai who is the interpreter of the song: D Congratulations on your Dance

[JaiKhalsa]

@Lisval20: Thank you so much!! And to be honest, I am not sure whose piece this was - someone from Kalakshetra, I know that much. I received it from my teacher, who had studied there... Sorry I can't be of more help!

[coolelectromagnet]

@JaiKhalsa who did you train under? sorry if i am being dense, I am sure you have a website out there somewhere with all the details...

[JaiKhalsa]

@coolelectromagnet: Nothing dense about curiosity! And my website is under construction, so there's nowhere else you could go to find this information. To answer your question: I had the blessing of training under two Gurus, the first being Guruji C. Radha Krishna in Bangalore, and the second being Guruji Christel Stevens in Virginia. Most of my training is in the Kalakshetra style.

[coolelectromagnet]

17 idiots who dont like it..

[JaiKhalsa]

@coolelectromagnet: To each his/her own, right? Thanks for sticking up for me, though. I appreciate your support. :)

[littyranjeet]

i could never believe this .... i have never seen such a fine movement from anyone... i do not have any more words to praise u.. congtars for ur future works..

[JaiKhalsa]

@littyranjeet: Thank you so much - too kind! Bless you!

[JJOBZONE]

im so glad to watch this...

so when you been to south India??

I am from Kerala...do u know this place..

anyway excellent performance... shall i pass this on to the local media??

It will be really an encouragement for everyone there..

[JaiKhalsa]

@JJOBZONE: I grew up in Northern India, and spent some time in the South in '99-'00. I do indeed know Kerala, though I have never been there. Of course please feel free to share this with any local media, as you like. And thank you for your support!

[nyclear]

Very Powerful,Indeed!

[JaiKhalsa]

@nyclear: That's a very kind review - thank you!!

[nyclear]

@JaiKhalsa You are welcome but I think I was just being honest. Your dance is clearly not dance. It is a flowing of the Shakti and it's very clear by watching.......keep connecting as it benefits us all!

[JaiKhalsa]

@nyclear: Seriously, you're so sweet! And I will remember these words any time I'm experiencing a creative challenge. Thank you. :)

[meena2r]

beautiful....very..



[JaiKhalsa]

@meena2r: Thank you! Bless you!

[ksmanjunatha]

You are quite adept to intricate rhythm forms. Nice job dear. Keep it up.

[JaiKhalsa]

@ksmanjunatha: Again, thank you!!

[saal2k7]

Dont know why the camera decided to film the dance from dance.

[JaiKhalsa]

@saal2k7: The cameraman had never seen this piece performed before, so he had to improvise...!

[saal2k7]

@JaiKhalsa . I meant to say why the camera filmed it mostly from behind. I can see the person is familiar with the use of the camera but to position yourself from just one angle and as if from the back of the stage is somewhat unusual. seems to be concentrating on the centre missing the head and the legs altogether at times! I use a camera. Most topics I never see before. common sense to show what the artist is performing. Having acheived a good line the camera slowly moves to back again?

[JaiKhalsa]

@saal2k7: I see what you were saying - and yeah, it would have been nice if there were more wide shots of the front. Since the cameraman and I had never rehearsed this, he had no idea I was going to be turning around so much (to perform for the people behind me, since it ended up being a theater in the round), which meant he often caught my back, and had to work on a new angle. Oh well - live and learn! :)

[nngmb2]

Very nice! But I am curious to know, why you performed on streets.As far as I know it is not an art which needs to be shown on streets.It is something divine.But you have done a great job

[JaiKhalsa]

@nngmb2: It is indeed something divine; I couldn't agree more! That's exactly why I chose this venue: performing in an open-air market is an opportunity to share the beauty of Indian culture - or any foreign culture! - with people who would not otherwise have a chance to experience it. And I believe that the more we know about each other's cultures, the more we will be able to create peace on this planet.

Thanks for your kind words of support! I really appreciate it. :)

[nngmb2]

@JaiKhalsa

What you are saying is true.I really think that west should be open to east and vice versa.

All (or Most) of the foreigners think that Indian dance, is Bollywood dance.

That is not the case.There are hundred of traditional dance forms in India which I really feel, is more graceful than bollywood dance.

I appreciate your effort in learning a foreign traditional dance form.

[JaiKhalsa]

@nngmb2: And I appreciate your support - thank you!!

[tulasidharan]

Learning a distant culture so well, it is i believe definitely not so easy as it looks,really appreciate your effort, and you are truly an amazing dancer,specially the expressions, picture perfect, being a south Indian i am not exactly a fan of classical music,but I am truly touched by your performance, and I wish, some day I can see your performance live...

You are just amazing!!

Best Regards!

[JaiKhalsa]

@tulasidharan: You're incredibly kind, thank you. I am really grateful for your support. And I will find some way to let everyone know when and where I am performing, so that I can express my gratitude in person!

[RadheShyaamHare]

We learned this in my class too! It was so wonderful to watch it and proved to be very helpful! You are very talented! Thank you for posting this!

[JaiKhalsa]

@RadheShyaamHare: I'm so glad to hear it helped! You're very welcome - and thank YOU for such sweet words!

[appoothy]

Wonderful performance! Wish you great laurels in future!

Appoothy

[JaiKhalsa]

@appoothy: Thank you!

[mkc2710]

@JAIKHALSA

I EAGERLY WAITING AND LOOKING FORWARD FOR UR NEXT PERFORMANCE,AND I HOPE I CAN SEE IT SOON....wat u doing is a wonderful service for the divine art....keep doing!!we are there to support and cheer u up...

[JaiKhalsa]

@mkc2710:  :)

[JaiKhalsa]

@ShiyaRaj: I am sorry to hear you feel that way. We're going to have to agree to disagree, though, because I really love it. It was made for me by a very well-respected dance school in India, and I always enjoy performing in it.

[jyothika12]

beautiful footwork....

[JaiKhalsa]

@jyothika12: Thank you!!

[mkc2710]

hey jai i was astonished and surprised to see the best eastern classical dance from the western....keep doing and posting ur videos ....m eagerly waiting for ur next performance videos......kalicharan

[JaiKhalsa]

@mkc2710: Thank you so much! You're so kind. I hope to post more videos soon... stay tuned! :)

[krishniks]

Jai,,,Only one word,, u r juz "amazing".

u r really talented.

wondering how u learn such a difficult dance from from INDIA.

really hats off.

[JaiKhalsa]

@krishniks: Thank you! (Belated...!) To answer your question, I went to boarding school in India and spent some time down South studying with a master of Bharatanatyam. It was a blessing, I feel so lucky. Again, thanks for your support!

[dreamsunlimited7]

Hi Jai, amazing performance, you expressions, timing is just great. where was this performed? Keep up the great job..

[JaiKhalsa]

@dreamsunlimited7: A very belated thank you to you! The performance in this video was done at the 3rd Street Promenade, an open air market in Santa Monica, California. Lots of fun out there. :)

[dreamsunlimited7]

@JaiKhalsa

Thanks for the reply Jai. I very much guessed so, coz my husband and I often attend the shows on weekends on 3rd Street, as we stay close by. We would love to catch up your performance. Please let me know when is your next performance. Take care,

[JaiKhalsa]

@dreamsunlimited7: For sure! It will probably be a few months from now... I'll make a note to tell you about it. :)

[kichathedelver]

Your timing is excellent..! lovely dancing,..! good luck JAI.! :)

[JaiKhalsa]

@kichathedelver: Thank you, SO MUCH! Very belated, I know; but I appreciate your support. Blessings!

[0927lisa]

ohh I wanna see you dancing live... don't know will this happen! you are one of the best classical I have ever seen. since how long your dancing?

[JaiKhalsa]

@0927lisa: A belated thank you to you! I've been dancing for most of my life... studied classically for 6 years within that lifetime... and I love it! :)

[JaiKhalsa]

@anumehaxo07: Yes. But I grew up in India... so I'm sort of a hybrid... ;)

[anumehaxo07]

@JaiKhalsa oh nice.... how long did you live there?

[JaiKhalsa]

@anumehaxo07: 12 years. Long time!

[federerroddickhero]

i think i must learn from u being very peaceful and serene

[JaiKhalsa]

@federerroddickhero: I do a lot of yoga and meditation - that helps!!

[federerroddickhero]

u r the most humble.........

[JaiKhalsa]

@federerroddickhero: Still learning a lot about humility... thank you though. ;)

[paddbadd24]

OMG!Youre ossum....Perfect movement!!!!Loved it....Treat and very happy the way your propagating Indian culture!!!God Bless you :)

[JaiKhalsa]

@paddbadd24: Thank you so much for your kind words and blessings! I appreciate them, and I really appreciate people like you who share such love! All my best to you. :)

[Jugalbandhigroup]

nicely done

[JaiKhalsa]

@Jugalbandhigroup: Thank you very much. :)

[deutschrouquine2]

this is just wonderfull... i did not now these dances before but i think its beautifull(and i am sorry for my bad english im from France)

[JaiKhalsa]

Bonjour! Your English is perfect, and your words are so kind. :) Thank you!!

[kavi666699]

im sorry to say your dance lacks the indian flavour... your movements are inclining towards western dance..and why are you wearing the costume exposing your navel...it looks terrible...

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you for your input and your opinion. Both are always welcome. My best to you.

[CheekyMulattress]

@JaiKhalsa Very graceful response to a completely ignorant and boorish comment....I gave you a thumbs-up for it.

[JaiKhalsa]

@CheekyMulattress: Thanks for your support. :)

[bababbay]

so did u start learning dance when you starting living in india...? how much time did it take you to learning Alarippu?

[JaiKhalsa]

No, I lived there for a long time before I moved to the South and began studying. And, to be honest, I can't remember how long it took to learn Alarippu; time flies when you are having fun! :)

[bababbay]

nice job!...that was amazing..that was really nice how u did that in the middle of the road....very inspirational!...i hope u dont mind me asking...are u like half indian r sumething?

[JaiKhalsa]

Don't mind at all! And to answer: Not on the surface, but I suppose I am half-Indian in some ways. My parents are both Caucasian, of European descent, from America, but I spent 12 years of my life in India. So the culture is very much a part of my life - in dance as well as many other ways.

[SuperHappyface101]

My daughter made me apologize it seems my comments have caused and uproar

[JaiKhalsa]

No worries. I respect your right to your opinion, however different it may be from mine, and I didn't take it personally. But I appreciate the apology. Thank you. :)

[SuperHappyface101]

just to clarify jai khalsa's commnets don't hurt evryone elses do. shukriya

[SuperHappyface101]

guys my name is saruja paudwal and my father is prakash paudwal, he is very old and very mean. i appreciate that u accepted my apology jai khalsa he means no harm he is just so used to always being the only brown man at white places and has turned discmfort into hate i am so embarrassed but please don't take ur hate out on him please your comments hurt me even though he deserves them. he apologizes for his bad behaviour and wishes jai khalsa a wonderful life. i am sorry.

[SuperHappyface101]

Divinedancedivas i am so sorry about my father, he is too proud of an indian man i apologize deeply, jai khalsa i love ur dance it was amazing and i apologize he is an old indian man with no soul, again i am sorry

[JaiKhalsa]

No worries at all, my dear. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and he's had certain opinions for a long time - a lifetime! - and, of course, old habits are hard to break. I respect his feelings in the same way I respect those of someone with whom I agree, but I do I hope that at some point in time he is able to see how beautiful it can be to weave different cultures together. Such a big world, so many possibilities! ;)

Thank you for clarifying things, and for your kind words. Blessings to you!

[JaiKhalsa]

He's right about my name, by the way. It isn't Jai Khalsa. It's actually Jai Jagdesh Kaur Khalsa.

;)

[SuperHappyface101]

hey i am a very proud indian and it would please me if you white people would stay out of our culture and stick to your own. my family found this insulting and we spit on you. ur name isn't even jai khalsa even, stay out u suck anyway

[Divinedancedivas]

SHAME ON YOU super unhappy ugly face!!!! If you and your silly, racist family are so insulted you should go live under a rock where you belong. Jai Khalsa is to be applauded for bringing Indian Classical dance to the masses. That is why Indian dance was created in the first place, you ignorant fool! Read the Natyashastra. Bravo and good for you Jai Khalsa. Rise above the village idiot. I am so ashamed for him and so proud of you. Keep doing what you do. True success is already yours.

[kumarsa108]

@SuperHappyface101, yeah well I am from a Indian Hindu and Sikh family and It would please me immensley if dim witted idiots like you would keep your narrowminded barrel scraping opinions to yourself. You have no monopoly on Indian arts and never were they for the purpose of Indians only.

[JaiKhalsa]

Oh my goodness. Much has happened while I've been traveling! Greetings to all from India; and now, on to the topic at hand...

Let me start by saying how much I appreciate the kind, generous and supportive sentiments that have been expressed by DDD and Kumar. Thank you both so much! As for the original comment, it seems it came from someone other than the owner of the YouTube account that was used, and I think I'll just say "Oh well" to the opinion that was expressed. To each his own, right?

[craving4suga]

absolutely amazing! definitely makes me proud to watch this as an indian.

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you, thank you, so honored by these words. :)

[aka4512]

WHERE do you get the confidence from coz i'm a dancer but i would back out on something like this. you made me proud (and i'm sure you made you and parents and guru proud too)

[JaiKhalsa]

It definitely took some time for me to gather the courage to do this series of performances, since I was going into unfamiliar territory. I also wasn't sure if I'd even be able to enjoy it, since I was bringing myself to an audience that may not be interested! But with the support of some wonderful people (including my parents and Guru, who are indeed very proud), I gave it a try and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding and important things I've ever done as an artist.

[JaiKhalsa]

And so I would say to you that you too could do something just like this, and I would be very proud of you. ;)

Thank you for your kind words and for your support!!

[jiley4ever321]

HIHI!!!!!!! im 12 and i LOVE this dance,and i jst finished learning it, after watching u,u've inspired me and im in love with this dance

[JaiKhalsa]

So sweet! I'm glad the video was able to help. Congrats on learning it! What's next?? ;)

[jiley4ever321]

im now learning the pushpanjali and then we're going to learn the jathiswaram :) ur AWESOME

[JaiKhalsa]

Very exciting! Have fun!

[jiley4ever321]

thx ur seriously a role model for me!!!! we're almost done learning the pushpanjali and i alwayz use ur video to practice at home!!!!!

[JaiKhalsa]

You're so precious. Thank you, my sweet! Congrats on almost being done... can't wait to see a video here on YouTube! ;)

[tharaanup]

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you! ;)

[vjpillay]

Can i assue you are a one woman show.set the video infront of you and the recorded music and dance to music?

[JaiKhalsa]

No, I had help. I have a friend who owns a camera, and he recorded everything for me. (Thanks Dan!!)

[vjpillay]

why you were boarded in india? were you sent by hare Krishna movement? Just a thought but you have take the culture of dance and musicv of india top your heart .god bless you.

[JaiKhalsa]

Just a choice my parents made, and one I'm grateful for.

Thank you for your kind words!

[nilavannan]

jai kalsa .... yhur a bautiful dance :) Keep it up :)<3

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you!!! ;)

[gargikhiste]

Beautiful !!! i am amazed that in spite being form different country you learnt a most beautiful dance of India what made you learn this dance ?? you are very graceful Girl keep it up!!!

[JaiKhalsa]

I actually went to a boarding school in India for 11 years, so I spent a long time immersed in the culture, and during that time, I fell in love with the music, the dance, the art. So I pursued it, and now here I am! And I promise to keep it up! ;)

Thank you for your sweetness - I appreciate your words very much.

[punjabimonkeyz]

i love your style! pure beauty! do you ever come to houston?

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you! Haven't been to Houston in a long time. I have family there, so I'm due to visit, but it's been a while. I'll be sure to let you know the next time I go on tour - and hopefully TX will be on the schedule!

[ramananarjun]

this is jsut great,,,you are really good dancer,,u r just perfect ,,fast dance but u did it so perfect,,,, u r so talented..keep it up,,if u come by Canada for performance let me know,,i'm ur new canadian fan

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you so much, my new Canadian fan! Very kind of you. ;)

I was in Canada for performances at the end of last year; in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. What area are you from?

[ramananarjun]

i'm gonna hate myself,, i live in Montreal,,how did i missed ur performence...next time when u come to montreal let me know..

[JaiKhalsa]

I certainly will!

[TheJudeau]

namaskar jaiji -

this was the first flowerbud performance I've ever seen and yes, it was remarkable. How long have you been practicing and what language does your guruji speak?

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you so much! I've been practicing for about 9 years, since 2000. I started with a guru in India who spoke Tamil (and some English for me!), and continued in the States with an American woman who studied at Kalakshetra. Both were wonderful; I'm so grateful to them!

[TheJudeau]

koi baat nahi! Indeed! I'd suspect. :) what's the American woman's name btw?

[JaiKhalsa]

By "the American woman" do you mean my guruji who studied at Kalakshetra? If so, her name is Christel Stevens. She's wonderful. ;)

If not - let me know what you meant!

[TheJudeau]

Yes, that's the one! The Liza Dalby of Classical Indian Dance. Have you taken in any other styles?( I was going to ask if you have since you had a Salwar Kameez picture, so I figured that was from kathaki)

[JaiKhalsa]

My formal training is only in BharathaNatyam. I've been a fan of Kathak forever, and so I have picked up some of the steps along the way - and then used them in my choreography. I love it all! ;)

[TheJudeau]

Niceee! which language did you learn at boarding school? I'm guessing Tamil. :)

[JaiKhalsa]

Good guess, but no - I was up North for school, so we studied Hindi and Punjabi.

[TheJudeau]

lol uh haan | aur aap abhi aapke bhashaae saath kaise hai?

[JaiKhalsa]

Not too bad, but very rusty. I'd like to become fluent again though, and I found a friend who is willing to teach me. ;)

[TheJudeau]

Wow! kya devanagari paati bhi? (and should I stop typing in hindi for the viewers sake? ;) )

[JaiKhalsa]

Yeah, probably a good idea...

[TheJudeau]

sorry lol still learning.

[easwary24]

veri touched and honoured by this video as e bharathanatiyam dancer

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you!

[LifeIsaTrain]

This is some very nice dancing... I also love your choice of performance space. I like what you said somewhere about how it is good to be able to bring this dance to people who might not normally see it or who can't afford to go to the expensive dance concerts, etc.

I hope that some day you'll be able to do some bharatanatyam in the streets of my town, New York. :)

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

Not everyone agrees with my sentiments about "dancing in the streets", but I see the value in it every time I go out there - which is about once a month. Haven't made it to the streets of NY yet, but maybe that's next.... ;)

[dinesh2002]

Simply marvelous... gave me the goosebumps..!! though i might not know what is the dance actually about, but 1 thing for sure, u were excellent in them :D.. please upload more of ur videos please. Its a fan's request ! :)

[JaiKhalsa]

I promise to upload more soon! :)

Thank you again for your kind words!

[MangoSowmya]

This is awesome! What style of bharatanatyam is this?

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you! It's the Kalakshetra style...

[chikita39]

is this bharatnatyam or kuchipudi? both hav rlly similar styles

[JaiKhalsa]

You're certainly right about that!

This is Bharatnatyam.

[chikita39]

my pushpanjali and aalaripu are SO similiar to this :-)

good job btw

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you!  ;)

[varsha5667]

thank you anyway

[JaiKhalsa]

Varsha, my apologies for not getting back to you right away. I've had several performances this week and was not able to spend any time on a computer for the past few days. I'm grateful that Nina was able to tell you correctly. Have you now finished learning this dance??

[varsha5667]

In 2:25 which finger did you fold? is it the middle finger or the secong smallest finger?

[ninabhatt]

she folded her ring finger to make a 3 pataka

[JaiKhalsa]

Nina thank you so much for replying on my behalf!!! :)

[ninabhatt]

your welcome! you are doing such a great job with the dancing.

for my arangetram, i am doing the Misra Allaripu. it's so much fun

[JaiKhalsa]

Oh wonderful! You'll have so much fun with that. Will you post videos? And if (or when) you do, will you let me know?? :)

[ninabhatt]

I sure will =D

[varsha5667]

thank you , you're a great helper!

[rickiedickerson]

Fantastic! I think you are an amazing dancer. Thank you for bringing this art to us.

[JaiKhalsa]

Thank you for coming out to be in my audience so often!! :)

[varsha5667]

i'm learning this dance. i've had really fun watching this

[leoeyez810]

No problem sweetie and if u want me to dance with u! Hit me up! loll

[PerfectionistGoneBad]

I love this one!!

[oneidafish]

So graceful and difficult! Classical ballet has nothing on this!

[ranjistudent]

cool !

[leoeyez810]

I love that fact that you did it in front of everyone without caring what they would say about you...I love ittt and ur so beautiful!!!

[JaiKhalsa]

You're so sweet; thank you. It was a lot of fun to get out there in the middle of a bunch of unsuspecting strangers and just keep dancing no matter what. I met a lot of really cool people too. I plan to do it once a month from now on, so stay tuned for more video! ;)

[yuwenfamily]

Very nice dance.