My visit to Philadelphia has been an enriching experience in many ways.

I went there along with Mahalakshmi Bharathan for the Natya Dance Camp 2001 conducted for the students of Shoba Sarma, Director, Natya, Philadelphia, from July 23rd - August 19th. About 23 students in the age group of 8-18 years attended the camp, conducted in Betsy Daily's Ballet school in Berwyn, Philadelphia, throughout the day.

The morning sessions commenced with Yogasanas, which helped students develop their stamina, flexibility and concentration. The rest of the day was devoted to adavu-practice, learning of new items, Sanskrit, nattuvangam, theory of dance and folk dances. The 9 - 5 schedule was pretty hectic and tiresome, but the enthusiasm and response of the students made our efforts worthwhile.

Perhaps the most striking difference I noticed in students there was the open manner in which they questioned us. They are not afraid to ask questions and have their doubts clarified. I also realised that teaching students there was very different from teaching students here.

Every word, gesture, emotion and story had to be explained at length to help them identify with the underlying spirituality, which is the essence and depth of the art form. Students are also more conscious of the value of money and time. They are aware that it is luxury to have so many hours of concentrated attention from a teacher and they utilize the opportunity given to them to the maximum.

The students do their home work so that they are well prepared to receive new lessons the next day. This is to be appreciated specially in view of the fact that many of them have to travel for nearly an hour or more to reach class. Nevertheless their commitment to learning this artform was amazing thanks to the tireless efforts of the parents (who drive their children back and forth).

The students have also imbibed the Indian traditional values and code of conduct coupled with the American work culture and ethics. Constant exposure to teachers from India has indeed broadened their vision.

The evening of August 19th was marked by a presentation by the participants of the Natya Camp, followed by a programme by Mahalakshmi and myself at the Stratheaven Auditorium, Wallingford. The programme was well attended and appreciated.

During the course of our stay in Philadelphia I had the opportunity to attend few arangetrams as well. Each arangetram seemed to be an extensive affair that would have required a minimum of a year's planning if not more.

Right from fixing the date to the auditorium, everything had to be done well in advance to make sure that it does not clash with other programmes.

Vocalists and accompanying artists are mostly invited from India and hosted by the students.Costumes are tailored in India and many students have their photographs and brochures too done in India to minimise the cost of printing.

Details like display of the artist's photographs at the entrance, stage decor, sound and light arrangements and compering are planned meticulously.

The arangetram is a great family event with every member participating in some way or the other. They are held mostly during the weekends and commence as early as 5 p.m. to make it convenient for people coming from far distances.

Invariably an elaborate dinner follows and this does not seem so strange in view of the fact that people have to spend a good half a day to attend the long programme!

When on the one hand I was appalled by the expenditure involved in conducting an arangetram in the U.S., I realised on the other that it is not a mere display of pomp and splendour as it apparently seems.

In each of the parents out there, one could see a strong need to cling to their roots, a longing to cherish the Indian culture and tradition and to pass it on to their children...

The rich resources of the U.S., the educational opportunities and work culture have lured several families to settle down in that continent. But, nevertheless, many miss the people, the family, the festivity, the culture, the spirituality and tradition all so intrinsic to India.

For many, music and dance classes serve as a means to be a part of our culture, but then one has to be lucky to be in the right hands.

The children face the problem of being accepted by the Indian and the American society. To confront this, they attend music and dance classes to please their parents at home, besides learning to play the piano, violin and choir singing, to secure additional grades that will make admission to higher education easier "a tremendous pressure on them indeed"

Having lived with them for over a month I realize that the NRIs are not spending easy money in teaching Indian arts to their children. There is a lot of sweat, toil and endless hours of hard work on part of the children and their parents. But I hope that all the time, money and effort does not end with an arangetram. For many an arangetram seems to mark the culmination of a learning process, and for others it is just the beginning of a learning process' what one needs to understand is that this great art is a way of life...