Small Means and Purposeful Living: A Personal Story

Dr. Rohini Dandavate June 26, 2013

Turning pages of the past brings fond memories of innumerable people who contributed to my professional growth and progress in life. I feel blessed and privileged. Every passing day brought new experiences and food for thought from parents, teachers, neighbors, family, colleagues, friends, associates in school, and work. The 55 years of my life reverberate the proverb it takes a village to raise a child. It would be difficult to list and describe every individual I crossed paths with, however I hold utmost gratitude for each one of them for reaching out to me in different ways. In this essay I am surmising some valuable lessons I learned from a few who had a profound influence on me. My parents stand foremost in the lot. No words can describe the care, love, encouragement and nurturing I received from my dad and mom in every stage in my life. They came from humble backgrounds and work opportunities led them to settle in Cuttack, Odisha. Away from their homeland, Gujarat and their families they had their share of trying times, however they stood firm in their values and principles and so my brothers and I grew up grounded in simplicity, honesty and hard work.

My brothers were my rocks. With their affection and support I could face challenges and tide over obstacles that came my way. I treasure every moment I spent with them. Besides my immediate family three other personalities who had a reflective influence on me were: Babulal Doshi, the man who spent his life in the preservation and promotion of the arts of Odisha and the founder of Kala Vikas Kendra, College of Indian Dance and Music in Cuttack, Odisha; Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, the dancing phenomenon who put Odissi dance on the world stage, and the third was my father-in-law Professor Madhu Dandavate, the socialist leader and parliamentarian of India, who devoted his life in the betterment of the poor. In different phases of my life I had the opportunity to live with them. Passion for their chosen field, perfection in skills, and dedication to their ideals were the hallmark characteristics of these three men. Their life and work echoed a distinct message of small means and purposeful living. My long association with them provided me the chance to observe and understand their perspectives. They followed simple and focused living. Material pleasures of life meant little and it was astounding to see their perseverance and fervor for the paths they had chosen to tread. Babulal Doshi was a businessman and an active member of the Praja Socialist Party (PSP) before he took to the arts and its promotion. In the early part of his career he and his wife lived with all the comforts any businessman would possess; a bungalow for a home, a chauffer driven car,

housekeepers and other helpers at home. He established Kala Vikas Kendra (KVK), College of Indian dance and music in the year 1952 with the goal of taking the arts of Odisha beyond its borders and worked incessantly to generate revenues for expanding the activities of KVK.

Kala Vikas Kendra founded by Babulal Doshi He brought together scholars, theater personalities, leading musicians, and dance Gurus, like Kalicharan Pattanaik, Dhirendra Pattanaik, Bhikhari Chandra Bal, Rakhal Mohanty, Nilamadhab Bose, Pundit Bhubaneshwar Mishra, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Guru Raghunath Dutta and Guru Ramani Ranjan Jena to name a few to teach in the institution. Much like he aspired, KVK became the premier institution for training in the arts in a brief span of time. Scholars, musicians, theater artists and dancers from outside of Odisha were invited to offer research opportunities, lectures, and classes. The turning point in his life came after the death of his wife when he renounced all material comforts and chose to settle in a small room in KVK with bare minimum necessities and follow simple living. With resolute determination he continued his work in KVK. He used no footwear till the last day of his life, as a pledge to meet his goals for KVK. Today Odissi dance has found place on the world stage due to the hard

work and sacrifices of Babulal Doshi, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and many others who accompanied them in their work. Guru Kelucharan Mohapatras contribution to Odissi dance is invaluable. At the age of ten, when I was enrolled in KVK for learning Odissi dance, I was introduced to Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. As a young student, I had spent many hours and days observing Kelu saar (sir) while he taught Dr. Menaka Thakkar and many other senior students. Later I got countless opportunities to learn and perform under his direction until his death in the year 2004. As a recipient of the Government of India Scholarship I spent two years in his residence, a modest home, which he built. Kelu Saar was not just a dance Guru he was proficient in construction work, painting and many other activities. Born in a family of painters and khol players, he honed creativity and the art of music, dance, painting, and stagecraft from his early childhood. His simplicity reflected in every aspect of his life; his home, living habits and attire, willingness to adjust in any given circumstance, and in his travel needs. He was a very easy guest to host. No material pleasure could stray him from his work and the commitments he made to his students. Leonardo Da Vinci said, Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Gurujis life and work echoes this thought and his mark is evident in the incomparable sophistication, lilt, flow and grace he added in the Odissi dance form. The third person who influenced me profoundly was Professor Madhu Dandavate, my father -in-law. His friends and colleagues described him as an idealist, an academician, an intellectual, a politician, an eternal optimist, an excellent parliamentarian and a valiant fighter for social

justice, who stood out for his simplicity, sincerity, honesty, integrity, humor, and tolerance. For my husband, Uday, my daughter Isha and me he was a doting father, a loving grandfather and a caring father-in-law.

On my first visit to his apartment in Mumbai, before my marriage, I got a glimpse of what living with bare minimum meant. After my marriage, I noticed how many of his colleagues and their families enjoyed the beauty and luxury of well painted, meticulously decorated, electronically equipped large homes and air-conditioned cars, while he and his family lived with the bare minimum necessities and traveled in public transportation. In the initial years of my marriage it was difficult for me to understand this simplicity and appreciate his values. I have to confess that his honesty and simplicity wasnt always easy to live with. It was hard for me to consume grains from the ration shop. Being a man of the masses, he would only take for himself and his family what he could provide to the common man of India. These were the practices that were difficult to become accustomed to. His simple living was understood and perceived differently by the people who visited his home. Some appreciated and honored him for it while some felt he was not savvy enough and got expensive gifts, which he gracefully returned. Even during the scorching summers in Delhi, no air conditioners were installed in his home (allotted

by the government of India). Like the common man, water coolers were used. The 22 years that I spent being a part of his family until his death was education of a different kind. When I decided to marry his son I was oblivious to what was in store for me but today as I reminisce the days I spent with Nana (Professor Dandavate), I consider myself to be fortunate and honored. Especially in the last four years of his life, after my mother in laws death, while he was ailing with cancer I stayed with him more often and got the opportunity to observe and understand his ideals. He had immense concern for the poor and the needy. In the foreword of his memoirs he wrote: If they are made to suffer in silence for long, that silence may one day explode with all its fury and destroy the gains of the technological revolution sweeping across our country today. Many examples in history, like the Russian and French revolution and the increasing conflicts in different parts of the world, confirm this belief. A nation cannot continue to ignore the needy while furthering the economic prosperity of a few. As the Railway Minister of India, he introduced cushioned seats similar to the first class in all trains. Nanas convictions reflected in the policies he introduced, be it the introduction of cushioned seats in the third class or the reinstatement of thousands of laid-off railway workers. In an over populated country like India, where resources are few and takers are more, he thrived to work towards introducing policies which can bring equity in peoples life. His motivations, priorities, and objectives were deeply rooted in long-run development for the poor. Professor Dandavate personified compassion, honesty, hard work, and simplicity.

The common message I draw from the lives of these three men is simple living and high thinking. Inner peace, satisfaction and happiness for them was not tied to material luxuries but to their pursuits. Fewer possessions, small dwelling spaces, simple diets left more time for pursuing larger goals in life. Following the principles of Gandhi and Buddha, they set examples for others who worked and lived with them. I treasure the years I got to experience and recognize the value of their principles.

Rohini Doshi-Dandavate holds a doctoral degree in Cultural Policy and Arts Administration from the Ohio State University and presently resides in San Francisco, CA. She earned her graduate degree in Odissi dance from Kala Vikas Kendra, College of Indian Dance and Music, Cuttack, India. Her gurus are Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Guru Raghunath Dutta, Guru Ramani Ranjan Jena, and Dr Menaka Thakkar. As an artist in the Arts in Education Program of the Ohio Arts Council, she has conducted workshops and lecture demonstrations in Odissi dance for students in schools and colleges in Ohio since 1994. She offers courses in Odissi dance in educational institutions and community organizations. Rohinis research papers/articles are posted at www.scribd.com/rohinidandavate