One of the things I did on New Year's day was go to the temple- two reasons-One to start the year offering our thanks to God for the year that went by and to pray for a good year ahead- the other reason was that there was a wonderful Bharathnatyam programme organized by the temple in which two cute little girls- the daughters of my friend and past neighbor were participating.
The open air auditorium was packed with the audience- mostly parents of the performing kids and some interested temple visitors.
There were about eight programmes first by really tiny tots- perhaps 5 years to 8 years old ; then there were a couple of dance recitals by young girls in the prime of their adolescence; then there were one of two recitals by the dance master himself.
Now, the thing that struck me was- the kids were so so so innocent and kept darting at their master for his approving glance after every dance move- they were really cute- the energy and the exuberant smile that came to their faces spontaneously as they glanced at each other in the course of the recital- something worth millions!!! And then the young girls- one truly could discern the Glow of Youth in their faces.. These were neither girls nor women yet- the transition phase made them look so beautiful... a vague maturity could be seen on their faces, but they were still kids at heart... a suppressed giggle as they moved on to the stage- in an attempt to be lady-like, the coy expressions, the talk with their eyes, the grace of their hands.... enchanting...
Finally- the expression of triumph on the faces of the mothers- who had toiled along with their daughters- in shuttling from home to class, in getting the costume, embellishments and make-up in place, in soothing many a jittery kid that was going up the dais the very first time, the subtle encouragement they provided as the child performed on stage= that expression I saw in every mother's face there- including those who kids were still taking only baby steps- including my very own face....it was a shared triumph of motherhood- strange but true...
Evidently in one single moment I had visions of my daughter singing, dancing and doing all kinds of art performances... oh! the power of our thoughts... As I came out of my reverie, here was my daughter, by my side, wanting to climb up the stage so we both could dance like the other akkas!!! some day, she too will perform... on her own terms, in her own way, along the path she chooses for herself.......Till then its me, my girl and my dreams!!!
The open air auditorium was packed with the audience- mostly parents of the performing kids and some interested temple visitors.
There were about eight programmes first by really tiny tots- perhaps 5 years to 8 years old ; then there were a couple of dance recitals by young girls in the prime of their adolescence; then there were one of two recitals by the dance master himself.
Now, the thing that struck me was- the kids were so so so innocent and kept darting at their master for his approving glance after every dance move- they were really cute- the energy and the exuberant smile that came to their faces spontaneously as they glanced at each other in the course of the recital- something worth millions!!! And then the young girls- one truly could discern the Glow of Youth in their faces.. These were neither girls nor women yet- the transition phase made them look so beautiful... a vague maturity could be seen on their faces, but they were still kids at heart... a suppressed giggle as they moved on to the stage- in an attempt to be lady-like, the coy expressions, the talk with their eyes, the grace of their hands.... enchanting...
Finally- the expression of triumph on the faces of the mothers- who had toiled along with their daughters- in shuttling from home to class, in getting the costume, embellishments and make-up in place, in soothing many a jittery kid that was going up the dais the very first time, the subtle encouragement they provided as the child performed on stage= that expression I saw in every mother's face there- including those who kids were still taking only baby steps- including my very own face....it was a shared triumph of motherhood- strange but true...
Evidently in one single moment I had visions of my daughter singing, dancing and doing all kinds of art performances... oh! the power of our thoughts... As I came out of my reverie, here was my daughter, by my side, wanting to climb up the stage so we both could dance like the other akkas!!! some day, she too will perform... on her own terms, in her own way, along the path she chooses for herself.......Till then its me, my girl and my dreams!!!
:-)
ReplyDeleteTill then, its the beautiful journey (not forgetting the innocence) of a mother n her daughter learning new things about each other, about each other's expectations, about believing in each other and growing older together... :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure... its going to be one sweet experience... ;)