Dear Blog,

How have you been? August is here, and the beige months are behind us.

So, what have I been up to since we last spoke? A few things. Not too much. But enough to leave a mark. Let me tell you.

I had the chance to perform through my Guru and our dance school in a grand production, Sita Charitam, a musical retelling of the Ramayana from Sita’s perspective. We performed in one of Bangalore’s largest auditoriums, and not just once, but twice. It was an experience in every sense of the word.

Even being a small part of something that big felt like a blessing. I loved everything about the lead-up, the practice sessions, the rehearsals, the laughter and banter with my fellow dancers. It’s funny how dance keeps finding ways to heal me.

You know, when Sita Charitam first happened earlier this year, I couldn’t perform because of my back pain. That hurt. But I got a second chance, and I can’t even begin to describe how happy that made me.

So yes, while June may have been beige, it quietly gave me something beautiful to hold on to.

We also appeared for the next level of our Kathak exams, both M and I. It’s such a joy sharing this experience with her. Maybe she doesn’t fully get how much Kathak excites me (yet!), but I’m hoping that as she grows, she falls in love with it in her way.

I love that this part of my life is something I get to share exclusively with her. I’ll keep gently coaxing her to continue, because I know just how much dance nourishes the soul. It’s not just about the movement, it’s about the community it builds. A space where you can be yourself, let your hair down, and just dance together. That in itself is precious.

Here’s hoping the results are good this year, too. Time will tell.

I also got the chance to attend a Kathak workshop under Guru Rajendra Gangani ji. Yet again, all of this has been possible thanks to Shalini Ma’am and Sunatya. I was able to make it this time because the workshop was happening closer to home, something that hadn’t worked out during earlier opportunities.

What it made me realise is just how much I still have to learn, and how far I have to go. I’m trying to work towards it, step by step, and hopefully, one day, I’ll be good enough.

Until then, I just want to soak in everything I can.

So yes, it’s been quite a busy time on the dancing front, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I missed it at the start of the year. You wouldn’t have wanted to be around me then. I was miserable, and I made everyone around me miserable, too.

So let’s just hope I can keep dancing.

On to other things. A few months ago, I decided to read Menstrupedia Comic: The Friendly Guide to Periods for Girls to M. I’ve been reading that girls are hitting puberty earlier these days, sometimes even before the age of 10. So I thought it was time to start preparing M.

To be honest, I’ve never hidden the fact that I use pads or that I have periods. I never wanted “period” to be a taboo word in her world. So she already had some idea that something called “periods” exists. I took the plunge and read the book to her, and it was well written. A great introduction to the subject for young girls. I hope it gave her a basic understanding, at least. Hopefully, when it happens, she won’t be scared.

I wish we had something like this when we were growing up.

I also came across another comic by the same author and got it for M, TruBuddy Comics: How to Deal with a Bully. This one, I didn’t read aloud. I let her read it on her own. And do you know what she told me after reading it? She said, “I did everything the book says I should do, but what happens at the end doesn’t happen in real life.”

So I picked up the book and checked, and she was right. In the book, the bully’s parents eventually behave like parents should. But, as M pointed out, that’s not always how it goes.

What could I tell her, except the truth? That sometimes kids learn to be bullies from their parents, and in those cases, there’s often not much you can do, except cut off those elements like a rotten limb. And honestly, good riddance.

Still, I love that she was mature enough to notice this. As long as she’s safe and happy, I’m satisfied. I think she now knows how to handle such people when they cross her path.

Also, our house has officially been taken over by the K-pop demon hunters. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I think it’s the new Gen Alpha sensation, and we millennial mothers are just along for the ride, witnessing it all unfold.

But honestly, I get the craze. The songs are brilliant, the energy is infectious. I could totally get on board with this trend. Absolutely!

Moving on. Tell me, if you’re in a meeting with about 10 managers in 2025, in the Indian corporate setting, how many do you think will be women? Any guesses?

One!

Nothing changes.

Although, of course, you’ll still receive invitations for Breaking Barriers and Women in Leadership panels. How ironic.

Honestly, I think these sessions should be directed at senior management, maybe teach them how to stop promoting only each other and finally realise that “manager” isn’t a masculine-gendered word.

Anyway.

It’s been sweater weather in Bangalore these past couple of weeks, and all I want to do is curl up with a book under a blanket. But then, adulting!

Honestly, there should be a statutory limit to this. Like, if you’ve worked for 10 to 15 years, the universe should take over and let you coast for the rest of your life. You should get to spend it doing what you love, or just being a couch potato without guilt.

I know, it’s wishful thinking. But hey, one can dream.

Well, that’s all I have for now.

Until next time!

Ciao!