Bha – Ra – Tha

“Bha-ra-tha, Bha representing the emotional intelligence… It is about finding a beautiful expression to human possibility versus being a winning rat.”

—Sadhguru

In the last fortnight have hopped through five different nations and time zones and of course a variety of activity. Bit zonked but enjoying it. A very productive four days in the East Coast, particularly Washington DC; this being the first time I am paying a visit and attention to the capital – as it is not in my agenda to attend to the socially and politically important ones, unless it is truly needed. London was a relief and a wonderful time, schedule being very compassionate towards me. Above all, being at three dance concerts of Radhe on consecutive evenings and not to mention the fourth at a live football game of the initial phase of the premiere league.

This trip to the USA and UK has been personally wonderful, after many years, being under the same roof with Radhe for over four weeks. Having been an absentee-telephonic father the results are wonderful to say the least. She has shaped up into a wonderful young woman and a vibrant dancer. Bharatanatyam as a dance form has made strong visitations to my life a few times. When I was 18 after I was forced by my aunt to accompany her to a sappy Telugu movie in which the protagonist was a Bharatanatyam dancer, the fluidity and the intricate geometry of the dance form sort of grabbed me, and I seriously considered learning the dance form. Fortunately, could not find a serious enough teacher and me trekking, hang gliding, motorcycling and other enterprises also did not allow for perceiving the Dance elsewhere. Have saved the audiences of my thak—thai. Later Vijji made an attempt to bring it in unsuccessfully.

It is heartening to see that Radhe has taken to this beautiful and profound form of dance as a full time pursuit and able to mesmerise the audience with the wonderful geometry of the dance form and a grace which is all hers.

Bha-ra-tha, Bha representing the emotional intelligence, which is an embracing form of intelligence unlike the intellect which is more of a dissecting kind. The Eastern cultures have always held the emotional intelligence as more significant as it is inclusive in nature. It is more life oriented and less about being better than someone else. It is about finding a beautiful expression to human possibility versus being a winning rat.

Ra – represents Raga or the tune of life. This is not our business but set by the source of creation or the Divine. Just learning to keep in tune with it is the ultimate form of knowing.

Tha – represents the rhythm, to find a rhythm that makes us individuals but all playing by the same tune. Knowing the universality of our existence at the same time giving expression to an individual exuberance that is unique.

This is not only the Dance form but the name taken upon by a culture hence the very nation has always been referred to as Bharata Varsha meaning a shower or cascade of Bhava, Raga, Thala.

After just a two day stay in India, I am in lands of intrigue and turmoil. My breakfast has gone cold being on the spot. Not a good prospect having been pampered from early childhood with steaming hot food.

Love and Grace,

Sadhguru