Meeting my breasts for the first time - by Swaati

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"In the spirit of “show, don’t tell”, the heroines of Odissi taught me quietly, instinctively, experientially — like a sakhi who speaks your inner language — that the body is a beautiful thing," writes Swaati Chattopadhyay."As is usual in my life, epiphany of the ideal was followed by that of the what-is. The wrecking ball oscillated from art to life. After the discovery of great pleasure, came the eruption of great rage."

Listen to this gorgeously candid and boldly vulnerable essay by the multi-talented Swaati: 0:00 -9:14 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. "Swaati, are your breasts in front of your waist?" "No." "Then keep your hand where your breasts are, not in front of your waist." That was my Odissi teacher to me, while I danced in our class. Me, suitably in culture shock. I was only 18. All my life I had been taught - through a strange kind of social osmosis - that a woman shouldn't draw attention to her breasts. Never ever. Peeping bra straps must be hidden away…

Meeting my breasts for the first time - by Swaati

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