Dashami is special. Each year, we have a small performance for all the children at dance class. They wear nice clothes and jewellery. Their faces glow with the anticipation of a dance programme. It's the one day in the year that parents are allowed to come for class and watch them dance! Dressed in their best, adjusting their bangles and dupattas, they are the stars of the show.Plus, there's food. It's like a party because our teacher, Mythili Mami, makes sundal for all of us. When I say 'all of us', I do really mean that. There are about 50 students in all, plus parents. There are workers in the society, who clean the hall and collect the garbage. There's the watchman and his family and other people who happen to be around. All morning, my teacher works towards making our Dashami special.Apart from sundal, we have chips and pedas. We dance and have a small ritual where we go … [Read more...]