today was the beginning

of our work with Parijat, on the movement choreography and dance elements of Migritude.

We did a little blessing ceremony, Kim, Parijat and I. We spread the khanga I chose as a gift for Parijat in Zanzibar on the studio floor as an altar. The khanga is red and white, bordered with ambi shapes, combining both sharp geometric designs and fluid, round forms. We put out my small travelling aarti tray - miniature gold Ganesha, silver Lakshmi medallion, a red candle for courage, a purple one for creativity, a deeva. Parijat laid her dancer's ankle bells beside it.

We lit the candles and deeva. Parijat chanted Ganesha slokas. Kim sang an invocation to Elegba. I offered verses from the Devi Mahatmayam. Our prasad was a small chocolate cake, with eye-stoppingly bright pink and yellow icing.