Hello. I'm a 23 year old woman who is desperate to learn an Indian classical dance. Odissi is what I've decided upon. However, I'm starting to doubt myself as I've heard Odissi is the hardest dance form to master. Can I still do it? Will kathak be a better choice for me? (As I'm too old?) Please help. Thank you.

I started Odissi when I was 25 just as an intro to know something of the form, my guru (Padmabhushan Kelucharan Mohapatra) said I learned faster than any student he'd had before and taught 3 dances in 2 1/2 months. After over 40 years on stage, screen and television, I am still performing. All classical dance forms require effort and you will definitely get out what you put in. Don't hestitate, take the plunge. If possible, visit different performances, studios and take a trial class by different teachers and even different styles. Once you commit to a teacher you'd like to be happy with your choice and not wish you'd picked another teacher when you see other performances. No one is too old and dancing is for joy, sharing, learning, not for becoming rich or famous. Sharon Lowen read less