07 February, 2025

Everything You need to know about getting ready for a Kuchipudi Performance

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Here is to the classical Dancers, students, and professionals -

It is not easy to prepare for a classical dance performance, right? 

Of course, practicing hard before performances and arranging music are the most important parts of the preparation process, but arranging costumes, makeup, jewelry,, and getting ready on time is still a bigger challenge. 


https://www.flickr.com/photos/kichus/33659381966



My students ask me about what essentials to buy, where to buy, what to wear etc., 

For every performance, I make checklists and share them with them. 

Even after doing so many performances myself, I always make checklists and get anxious before performances. 

So, writing this post for all such dancers about the essentials of a Kuchipudi classical dance performance.

We used to start with hair makeup, and face makeup, and proceed with costume, jewelry, snacking, and then alta. A few people prefer face and then hair, but it's really as per your convenience. 

Makeup Checklist:

The most important task is makeup. 

I recommend washing the face clean with face wash and applying the ice cubes on the face before applying makeup. You can do this at least 15 minutes before applying makeup to make the skin tight, and more absorbing.

If you are a beginner in makeup, please set 2 hrs aside. I suggest you spend more time on eye makeup than anything else. Choosing the right foundation is very important for the overall look.


https://flic.kr/p/5fzVoo



Initially, apply primer, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the same order before applying foundation. These are some items that I use, but please explore products that match your skin tone and suit your skin without any reaction. 

Primer 



Moisturizer 



sunscreen 



foundation

compact , smooth mousse foundation



blush

eyebrow pencil

eyeliner 



eyeshadow 


mascara 



Face sponge

lip balm

lipliner

lipstick

lip gloss 

bindi - Round, Cone shaped

Compact mirror

white paint to mark below bindi, color paints




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Hair Accessories:

Spend at least 20 to 30 mins time to prepare hair. First we set hair bun. 

Here is the video on how to do that. This beautifully explains both face and hair makeup.

Put a lot of U pins and slide pins. Then, attach the fake braid. Arrange flowers - white first from the bun and then, orange. 

Hair bun set

Jada billa in the middle of the bun

Fake braid 



U pins,

rubber bands/ hair ties

Ribbon ties

Slide pins

Fake flowers - Orange

Fake flowers - White


Costume:

There are no Amazon links to buy Kuchipudi costume. Here are some websites to custom order it:

Classical dance jewelry

Shanthi tailors USA

Readymade Dance costumes

Practice saree


Sweat pads are very helpful. You can stick them to the blouse. 

Checklist:

Classical Kuchipudi costume

Safety pins set

sweat pads


Jewelry:

You can buy jewelry sets or even buy them separately online. Jewelry to be worn after hair, and face makeup.

Jewelry set

Head ornament or papidi bottu or 5 step chutti

Surya , Chandra

Ear rings 

Nose accessories

Bangles

Long chain 


Necklace

Waist belt / vaddanam

Black thread to tie jewelry


Others:

Wear alta at the end after you eat and get ready completely. Let it dry. 

It is always a good habit to carry makeup pouch for touchup and tie ghunghroo only a few minutes before performance. For adults with knee pains, don't forget to pack knee pads.

As ghunghroo is considered sacred for a classical dancer, you shouldn't wear sandals while wearing them. You should remove ghunghroo while going to the restroom or any such place. 


Alta / paint for hands and feet

Makeup pouch for touchup with eyeliner, compact, lipstick, blush, safety pins, slides, u pins

Knee pads for adults

Ghunghroo - 4 line leather, 3 row ankle bells for small kids



https://flic.kr/p/2hm292e


Ooff... that's a long list. Did I forget anything? Please do let me know in the comments. Will add it.


Overall Checklist:

Face Makeup:

  • Primer
  • Moisturizer
  • sunscreen
  • foundation
  • compact, smooth mousse foundation
  • blush
  • eyebrow pencil
  • eyeliner
  • eyeshadow
  • mascara
  • Face sponge
  • lip balm
  • lipliner
  • lipstick
  • lip gloss
  • bindi - Round, Cone shaped
  • Compact mirror
  • white paint to mark below bindi, color paints

Hair:

  • Hair bun set
  • Jada billa in the middle of the bun
  • Fake braid
  • U pins
  • rubber bandshair ties
  • Ribbon ties
  • Slide pins
  • Fake flowers - Orange
  • Fake flowers - White

Costume:

  • Classical Kuchipudi costume
  • Safety pins set
  • sweat pads

Jewelry:

  • Jewelry set
  • Head ornament or papidi bottu or 5 step chutti
  • Surya, Chandra
  • Ear rings 
  • Nose accessories
  • Bangles
  • Long chain 
  • Necklace
  • Waist belt / vaddanam
  • Black thread to tie jewelry

Others:

  • Alta / paint for hands and feet
  • Makeup pouch for touchup with eyeliner, compact, lipstick, blush, safety pins, slides, u pins
  • Knee pads for adults
  • Ghunghroo 

Until next time,




28 January, 2025

Dragons Can't Eat Snow Cones by Amanda Sobokta - [Book Review]

 Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Book Details:

Title: Dragons Can't Eat Snow Cones: (A Playful Rhyming Adventure with a Fiery Twist)

Author: Amanda Sobokta

Genre: Children's Fiction

Reading Age : 2 yrs and Up

Publisher: Applesauce press

Print Length: 40 pages

Source: A free review copy from the publisher








Blurb:

Delicious snow cones and fire-breathing dragons don’t really mix – but don’t tell that to this dragon. With whimsical illustrations and a heart-warming story on the power of not giving up, Dragons Can’t Eat Snow Cones will delight readers of all ages!

Who can blame a dragon for wanting a cool and refreshing snow cone? They come in so many different flavors and colors! Sadly, as soon as the tasty treat is within reach, it melts. This dragon, however, will not give up.

After trying all it can think of to indulge in the slushy confection, the dragon seeks the advice of a colorful variety of friends. However, the chilly penguin, industrious squirrels, parrot pirate, and cave-dwelling bat just can't seem to help. Still no snow cone.

Will the dragon ever taste a flavorful snow cone that doesn’t turn to slush? Kids of all ages will enjoy this tale of persistence and see tenacity in action in our scaly hero.


Purchase Link:


My Review:

The central idea of the book is fun! Can dragons eat snow cones? Oops! The snow cone will melt before the dragon can taste due to the fire in its mouth. Isn't it?

Then, what should the dragon do? In this story, dragon asks his friends for suggestions and he tries all the ways. But, what happens at the end? You have to read to know.

It's a fun picture book to read at bedtime for little kids, especially 2 yrs to 5 years age. The story introduces animals and birds and their funny ideas. Some are really thoughtful, you know?

I really enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend it as a bedtime read for little kids. Unlike the other story books which finish quickly, it's lengthier. The illustrations are great and relevant.

My Rating: 5/5


Until next time,




15 January, 2025

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See - [Book Review]

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Book Details:

Title: Lady Tan's Circle of Women

Author: Lisa See

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Scribner

Print Length: 368 pages

Source: A copy from the library




Blurb:

From “one of those special writers capable of delivering both poetry and plot” (The New York Times Book Review) an immersive historical novel inspired by the true story of a woman physician in 15th-century China—perfect for fans of Lisa See’s classics Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane.

According to Confucius, “an educated woman is a worthless woman,” but Tan Yunxian—born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness—is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations—looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient.

From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose—despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it—and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other’s joys and struggles. 
No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom.

But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights.

How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? A captivating story of women helping each other, 
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a triumphant reimagining of the life of one person who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.

Purchase Link:


My Review:

First of all, this is a great book to read in the new year. This is my first book of the year. 

I love reading stories of women in ancient times. Nowadays, women get a lot of support from family and friends and we have a lot of opportunities to educate ourselves and do whatever we like. But, situations were not like that in ancient times. It is interesting to read about women of those times and how they achieved greater things with many restrictions from society and family.

The story is about Lady Tan's life from childhood, covering her family, education, marriage life, struggles, etc. This story represents a woman's life in the 15th century in China.

I would rate it 5/5 for many reasons. This story not only represents the everyday struggles of women in those times but also touches upon the solutions they chose and how they overcame the problems with their strength. 

There are a few scenes that touched my heart like:

  • When Yunxian mixes her blood in the concoction to heal her friend. 
  • Her love for her friend.
  • The foot binding process and how hard it is for women.
  • How the wives chose to live with their husband's concubines and made peace with themselves.
  • How well Grandmother Ru trains Yunxian not only with practical medical skills but with important life skills
As the name suggests, this story is about women lifting each other, supporting each other, and growing together. This message is clear and is very relevant even to the modern woman. 

I would recommend this book to all readers who love women's Fiction and Historical fiction.

My Rating: 5/5


About the Author:


Ms. See was born in Paris but grew up in Los Angeles. She lived with her mother but spent a lot of time with her father’s family in Chinatown. 

Her first book, On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family (1995), was a national bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book. 

The book traces the journey of Lisa’s great-grandfather, Fong See, who overcame obstacles at every step to become the 100-year-old godfather of Los Angeles’s Chinatown and the patriarch of a sprawling family.

Until next time,




02 January, 2025

Gratitude list for 2024

Bye Bye 2024. It was a great year! 

Welcome, 2025. 

Hoping for more smiles and peace this year.

I wish you all a happy new year 🎈 🎊 





You know the drill. I keep blogging aside for some other important commitments and realize it's the end of the year already :-) poof! I can write a gratitude list at least.

Here comes the list!


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Travel:

This has to be the first point to be grateful for :-) 2024 has been a great year for travel even with a return to the office. I am grateful for our company's policy of Unlimited PTOs. If not, it would have been a boring year.

While the India trip has been great, we could squeeze in a small family vacation to Goa. Thanks to my sis in law. That has been both a relaxing and rejuvenating trip in 2024. We made many beautiful memories.

We could visit Niagara Falls and Washington DC with parents. This is my second visit to those places, but Niagara always makes me wonder in awe. This time, we hiked, unlike our earlier trip which was sightseeing. The monuments in Washington DC and the Statue of Liberty are worth the second visit. 


Image by Peter H from Pixabay



We finished the year by visiting Hot springs and Great smoky mountains National parks. I expected very less from Hot springs, but we all loved it. Weather is also great. I want to come back to Arkansas as we couldn't visit many waterfalls in the state. That's for another day.

Visit to Great smokies is amazing. We missed going to Clingman's dome due to road closures, but hiked some beautiful trails with great views and waterfalls. We also enjoyed the scenic drives of the park. Airbnb that we stayed was very good with mountain view and it's cozy and comfortable. 

Family:

2024 is great year for family bonding. With parents' visit and we vising our sister's family, it's all memories that we gathered. Due to India trip, and spending time with family, it's been a great year. 

We all worked together for our Annual Recital and enjoyed our vacations. I cannot ask more from God. Just happy and thankful 🙏





Dance:

I completed 2 semesters in MA Kuchipudi. It is a wonderful learning experience in 2024. It's a privilege even to interact with such great Gurus.

Dance classes went fine and we could do our Annual Recital successfully in November. It is a pleasure to see the dance school growing and more students learning Kuchipudi.

Personally, I couldn't practice much in dance other than focusing on teaching this year. Health problems took priority over dance, but Iam glad I took it slow this year, because health is the most important thing in my life.

Health:

Overall, it was good. I am grateful for the access to regular health checkups. I could focus more on health and slow down in my life. I regret wasting my mornings in 2024 without re-starting yoga. I cherish those days when I could walk in the evenings. 

I am grateful that I could hike to beautiful viewpoints in 2024. 

Not perfectly fit, but the fitness journey continues.


Miscellaneous :

Books:

Not a great year for reading. I could read around 13 books in 2024. But, I read many good books like Lessons in Chemistry, The Villa, The Homecoming, The House of Eve, The Magnolia Palace, None of this is true etc.,

I also became a review team member for Penguin Random House. I am receiving a lot of good books already. So, excited!


Image by Capucine from Pixabay



Work:

Work life is wonderful. I am thankful to my manager, I could maintain a healthy work-life balance in 2024. I could automate many new and complex scenarios in Cypress and could attend Cypress conference sessions. It has been a great learning experience. 

Return to work is stressful, but I have to see how we manage it in 2025. I am excited to learn and use AI tools this year like GitHub Copilot and Google's vertex AI. Hoping for more challenges and good learnings in 2025.

Amazon Vine:

I got accepted as an Amazon Vine member. So, I got a chance to review a lot of Amazon products for free. I have been an Amazon Affiliate for quite some time, but I couldn't earn much affiliate income. Basically, I didn't focus on this part in 2024 due to other priorities. 

Roses and thorns:

That's about the wonderful year. It was not all roses though. The beginning was tough with my family getting sick. The ending was disappointing with the stressful return to the office. Juggling between work, dance classes, and MA Kuchipudi has been challenging. 

But, we will get there. Hoping to face challenges with a smile and make 2025 better.


Image by HeungSoon from Pixabay



I wish you all the same. Make your 2025 better!

Until next time,




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