I was 15 when I had the opportunity to attend a belly dance session conducted by one of India’s finest belly dance artists – Meher Malik. It was my first time and truth be told – I was awestruck and in that moment I wished to have that kind of grace and beauty in me. That was the day I decided to learn this beautiful dance form and become good at it.

Reality check of the world we are living in – my heart pains to see how Bollywood and the music industry is selling their item songs by showcasing belly dance in such an inappropriate light. Half the women don’t want to learn this because of the vulgarity associated with it. It is sad, that as humans while some of us have the courage to learn dance as an art form, there are thousands more who are waiting to commericalise and sell that art form packaged in labels like item numbers and attract lakhs more humans to take a jab at this art and treat it as cheap entertainment only.

It is such a graceful form where a woman expresses an aspect of her personality and beauty through dance. And to those ignorant about what it takes to get even one move of belly dance right, let me tell you – this dance form is not for the faint hearted. It requires hours of back breaking practice, patience and perseverance. And deserves to be treated with respect, appreciation and applause, not with whistles, hoots and lewd comments.

The next time you watch a belly dance performance, may this post remain in your memory and remind you to see the dancer with the eyes of appreciation and applaud with respect for their art form.