THE ULTIMATE PREPARATORY GUIDE
Congrats! It's time for your performance, hours of hard-work and days of practice has lead to this. Be proud of yourself! You've done it! Just to be extra prepared and super precautious, because we've all faced that last minute fights with our best friend over jimikis, the dress being too tight (but no problem I can tuck in, ouch-off can't breath), the song being jammed on the player, pins going suspiciously missing and so many things that would never go wrong - get disastrous, we have compiled a checklist for every dancer, more importantly the anxious and inexperienced parent to cross off before a performance.
Dance Bag
This is probably the most under-rated yet super important one. You need to have a dance bag, sort of like a survival kit, which is always full and ready to go. The dance bag should preferably have separate compartments to store different items like make-up, costume, accessories and jewels. If this is hard to find, one could always get a large bag and use smaller boxes or bags for storage. The important thing here is that everything should have it's own space. Fix a part in the middle for your costume, cover the right corner with the makeup bag, left corner with the jewel box, bottom right with toiletries and bottom left with accessories. This will help you locate and identify each item easily and the last minute safety-pin hassle can be totally avoided.
2. Costume
Make sure your costume is ready and in cases try to get a spare. Alta marks, juice spills and Araimandi tears are real! Contact your teacher and make sure the costume is ready, well fitted and in your budget. Borrowed costumes, which are much common than stitched personal ones are often ill fitted and carry a dusty smell. Add a sprint of your favorite perfume and if needed, very carefully iron the material.
Your costume should be prioritized when packing the bag. Wrap it in newspaper or a towel for extra protection from leaks.
3. Jewels
Indian classical dances have their own sets of jewelry and usually they come well packaged with separate compartments or pouches for the jewels. But in case you've bought them separately, get a jewel box or an old wooden box, (plastic is fine but lets aim towards sustainability) and place them on top of soft old clothes. After each performance, I know how annoying this is, remove the jewels carefully and place them inside. The head and hip pieces always need extra thread. So keep a roll of black and gold thread inside. Before a performance check whether the jimkis are tight, the necklaces don't miss any stones and braid your wig or hair extension with little, just a little bit of oil. Ask your teacher or coordinator again, yes it's completely fine, if you require any additional jewels. This is usually bangles, nose rings or some type of a neck piece. If the jewelry is rented do not forget to return them in the same state as you receive, if possible take pictures of the jewels before you get them and make sure everything is the same.
4. Make up
Indian classical dances highly rely on excellent make up, one that might seem with far too many layers and far too many products. Some performances have professional make-up artists and some others especially the virtual ones prefer your hands. Professional make-up artists might pose a threat of allergies and usually you are helpless at this time. Try to talk to the make-up artists about the products but do not interfere in their work.
Make sure you've watched plenty of make-up tutorial videos, depending on your style of dance and have all the products listed if you're planning to do your own make up.
Nevertheless here are some products you should always have in your make-up pouch.
Moisturizer.
Foundation - several skin tones lighter.
Foundation - in your skin tone.
Lip Balm.
Lip stick - note that lip stick is preferred, not in matte rather than lip gloss or tint. Dark red or maroon are your go to colors.
Kajal
Eye liner - water proof. You never know when Karuna hits you and you start sobbing.
Rouge/ rose powder - emphasize your cheek/ cheek bones. You could also use shimmery tinted highlighter.
Bindi - A must in all Indian performances, the bigger the better!
Mascara or fake eyelashes - Don't forget your glue.
5. Toiletries
Here are the essentials, make sure you use the restroom before make up and costume.
Face wash
Extra towels
Wet wipes
Tissues
Napkins - if needed.
Mints/ mouth refresheners.
6. Accessories:
Hair pins including bobby pins.
Safety pins in silver and gold.
If you need wig or hair extension or fake buns.
Plastic flowers- white and matching the color of your dress. Ask your teacher or friends if there is a color co-ordination to follow.
Alta - mehendi might not look as good on camera.
Remember to take your CDs, pen-drives or connecting chords in case you are going to a competition or performance outside. Make sure the device syncs with the speaker prior to the performance as they always are trouble.
Also do not forget the special category for salangai and other important or particular items that your teacher would have required. This might include flowers for pushpanjali, kavadis, diyas or pots and plates.
For your guide to online performances, refer this / /
Honestly, how overwhelmed are you right now? It might seem too much but remember that all of these are one-time investments. I hope this helped you and good luck with your performance !
By Varsha Ramgopal,
Founder.
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