By Nandini Mandal,  Nandanik Dance School

e-mail: nandini@nandanik.com  

Santosh Gurlahosur, a young IT professional, approached me last summer with a request: “Ma’am, would you be able to choreograph for a music video emphasizing the importation of sanitation in village schools — especially for the girl child?”

Knowing that one of the main reasons for high dropout rates of post-puberty girls in schools in rural India is the lack of sanitation, I instantly said, “Of course, I would love to.” Santosh smiled a hesitantly, “Really Ma’am? Thank you, no one was convinced when I approached others.”

He was planning to shoot a video presentation with other footage with  a song along with a public message for use in India or elsewhere. After the initial planning, we—our dance school working with Teen Taal, Inc. —opted for an outdoor shoot. What else could be a better place than the Point, Pittsburgh’s very own Triveni Sangam?

It was a warm sunny July morning when dancers of our Nandanik Dance Troupe arrived at Point State Park. As we danced at different

L to R — Front row : Mythri Sundar, Antara Cleetus, Ashwini Walavalkar, and Janhavi Gan-gisetti. Second row: Kumudini Venkata, Jahnavee Mittal, Sana Mitra, and Sai Bhatte. Third row: Keerthana Lanka, Manasi Jadhav, Roosha Mandal, and Madhumita Mahes.

spots at the Point, the sun soared higher, the mercury climbing to the 90s by 11:00 a.m. It became increasingly challenging for the dancers to look at the camera, or keep dancing without taking frequent breaks for drinking water. But they never complained. Our audience — they were bystanders, bikers, tourists, joggers, and people from all walks of life – were enthralled.  They all had come to the fountain to enjoy a summer morning when they saw the girls taking their positions. They stopped and cheered after the dance was over. Many came up to ask what it was all about.

The lyrics by Santosh portray the regret of a girl child in India who is not able to go to school because of the lack of basic facilities such as toilets. The girl loves to study and wants to play with her friends in the school, but she is not able to do so. This song is sung by Indian Idol winner Anjana Padmanabhan and composed by an upcoming music director in India Nobin Paul of Bengaluru. The video was filmed by David Bernabo, a very talented film maker and artist from Pittsburgh.

The song also brings up a more serious question: When so much construction is going on all around India, why are toilets for girls in schools for the working poor not a priority?

The girls in my dance school felt very strongly about this and were happy to contribute to this noble endeavor through their dance. Many of them have seen the difficulties traveling in India because of the lack of sanitation facilities for women.

I was very touched by Santosh Gurlahosur, the motivated young man, and his young group of volunteers who are trying quietly and selflessly to help in the cause of girls’ education in rural India.   ♦