This is an ode to the mother goddess, that most of us in India learn when we are children.
有一首关于印度神母的颂歌,是我们大部分的印度人从小就学习的。
I learned it when I was four at my mother's knee.
在我四岁的时候也学习了这首歌,坐在我母亲的膝头上。
That year she introduced me to dance, and thus began my tryst with classical dance.
也正是那一年,她引导我进入舞蹈的殿堂,而这一开端正是我与印度古典舞幽会的伊始。
Since then -- it's been four decades now -- I've trained with the best in the field, performed across the globe, taught young and old alike, created, collaborated, choreographed, and wove a rich tapestry of artistry, achievement and awards.
从那时开始,到现在已经40年了——我师从这一行最优秀的舞者,在世界各地演出,教导年轻的和年老的舞蹈爱好者创造、合作、编舞,我编织了一个绚丽的挂毯,用我的艺术、成就和奖章。
The crowning glory was in 2007, when I received this country's fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, for my contribution to art.
2007年我获得了至高无上的荣誉,那一年我得到了印度授予公民的第四高荣誉,莲花奖(Padma Shri)作为我对艺术贡献的回报。
But nothing, nothing prepared me for what I was to hear on the first of July 2008.
但是任何事都不足以让我有心理准备,去面对我将要在2008年的7月1号得知的。
I heard the word "carcinoma." Yes, breast cancer.
我得知了一个词“恶性肿瘤”是的,乳腺癌。
As I sat dumbstruck in my doctor's office, I heard other words: "cancer," "stage," "grade."
我坐在医生的办公室里,呆若木鸡,我听到了另外一些词“癌症”,“期”,“恶性程度”。
Until then, Cancer was the zodiac sign of my friend, stage was what I performed on, and grades were what I got in school.
那时之前,癌(Cancer)是十二宫中的巨蟹座,是我朋友的星座,“期”(stage)是我表演的舞台,“恶性程度”(grade)是我在学校得到的成绩。
That day, I realized I had an unwelcome, uninvited, new life partner.
那一天,我意识到我有一个不受欢迎的,不请自来的,新终生伴侣。
As a dancer, I know the nine rasas or the navarasas: anger, valor, disgust, humor and fear.
作为一个舞者,我知道九情操(印度古典舞蹈中通过肢体或表情表达不同情绪的方式)愤怒、勇敢、厌恶、诙谐与恐怖。
I thought I knew what fear was. That day, I learned what fear was.
我以为我知道什么是恐惧。那一天,我学会了什么是恐惧。