Yayoi Kambara, ODC company dancer
I loved your piece. It was like watching a beautiful translation and directed interpretation of an epic narrative and traditional form. You created a common vocabulary which is universal and meaningful. It reminded me of why I love making art. I was deeply moved. Thank you.
Neil Eggleston
I remember that to see you dance was one of the most magical times, with the flash of your eyes, that of a spirit, almost more than could be from a single person - like connections through generations of dancers and spirits and rhythms to a world I had hardly even imagined yet instantly recognized. I feel that time was a glimpse into the inner world that you create/enter with dance...this gift you have and give is the highest and most noble purpose for your existence at this time...even if no-one was to see you dance, somehow there is a link through this energy to all those who are open to it.
Sanjay Mathur
Jaysi and her musician-friends have created a fine sushi, and yet, selling it like an ordinary fish. I do not think anybody who has not seen the show really understands the positioning and meaning of the show. It is far beyond JAC (just another concert) in a SUH (small unknown hall). This is a pathway to involve our kids in OUR culture--No overtone of Eastern or Western culture, just OUR culture. A fine mix of poetic interpretation and full of positive energy. Pragya was so impressed watching the show. She wants to calls several of her friends to the proposed show. We want our friends to watch it too. Life is too short to plan such thing in a formal way, let this expression happen in the South Bay on an asap-basis. This is what I feel, and speak my heart out loud.
Simmi
... 'Lamps on Lilypads' - it was AMAZING!!! This is the second time I've made it out all semester and once again it is to see a dear friend perform, and it was worth the outing. Jaysi is SOOO talented! With heart and soul, experimenting bringing Indian classical dance and storytelling, and romancing it with themes of success and self, challenging these notions, speaking to social justice, to love and a tribute to all the great teachers that have come before. Choreographing dance to her poetry, to Mexican and Indian influences and to EE Cummings. Jaysi is a student of Chitresh Das, Ali Akbar Khan and Swapan Choudhri. She plays tabla, dances Kathak, sings and plays laughter, brings laughter. I'm going to skip a class to see the performance again! VERY INSPIRING!!!!!!
AT
I was just remembering a conversation I once had with an Indian friend of mine who was telling me about how Indian actors and actresses necessarily were also singers and dancers. I was just thinking about that conversation because seeing you perform helped me to begin to understand that intriguing concept. Here you were praying, dancing, singing, reading poetry, creating laughter and tears, acting yet living, storytelling, playing tabla, and more, integrating the body within itself and without itself, encompassing the audience, meshing the fabric of tradition with the essence of the modern moment, all in the transcending name of Love. It's very amazing what the human being can do, and there you were showing just all that. What a feat! Congratulations!
Masae Kawamura
I just wanted to congratulate you on the most awesome performance ever by a single individual that I’ve ever seen. I was really in awe, and it was just so beautiful...I thought you were just fantastic! It should be taken on a worldwide tour.
Raju Nadimpalli
Lamps on Lilypads is a conscientious and dedicated effort by a group of extremely talented performing artists, expressing their spirit of love, compassion and humility. For one of the artists, it is the joyous liberation of soul.
Vinay Chaudhri
a unique fusion of traditional Indian classical dance forms with poetry, and song, this performance will invoke deep emotions in you, and leave you with feelings of contentment, peace, and unbounded love. The performance is dramatic, fast-paced, engaging, and will touch your heart, mind, and soul alike no matter who you are, from what background, and what orientation.
Virender Goswami
Namaste, Salaam and all the other greetings of the universe. I want to thank and congratulate you on a most delightful and magnificent performance on Sunday evening. Frankly, your performance with the message of peace, love, true success really uplifted my spirits and gave me a sense of joy. Also, for the first time I really understood something about kathak dance. Please continue to manifest the great treasure of your spirit and heart through your performances I believe you have a great mission in this regard. I will attend your next performance in the Bay Area. I remain your fan...