One year ago, three of us had the privilege of dancing at Kalakshetra in front of my teacher’s teachers. I can’t believe that a year has passed since that wonderful day that was so filled with emotion.
We were scared, but our teacher was terrified – she had to play the nattuvangam on the same stage that her teachers had played.
What would they say about her? What would they say about her students? Her choreography? Would they criticise her? Would they criticise us? Would they be upset?
And the three of us … Were we capable? Would we let our beloved teacher down?
Would we let our families down? They had all come for us – just for us! This was not a 300-rupee concert ticket. It was a ticket to Chennai and back, plus everything else.
And not just our family – our friends, incredible people, had come to watch us.
They did not live in Chennai and just drop in. We had friends coming all the way from Pune – to watch us dance, to share this special moment with us.
My teacher’s daughter, whom we’ve always admired as a dancer and a person, came from Bangalore. My teacher’s son and daughter-in-law came all the way from Singapore.
And the question persisted: were we worth it?
What would Jaya Teacher and Pushpa Teacher say? What would Miss say?
And then, it was over.
“They did well,” said Jaya Teacher.
And my guru began to cry. “You’re blessed,” she told us. “The words of praise that we never received have come to you.”
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