Chennai city one December evening:
It was a pleasant evening in this major metropolis of the south. This city has a reputation of being more or less not a very 'happening' place when compared to the other major hot spots in the country, but things have started to perk up. Many more shopping plazas including malls, chic restaurants, and other means for time pass entertainment besides the traditional movies, classical music and dance shows had added more columns to the city's CV. The noveau riche from the professional 20 - 30 some things had started showing interest in spending rather than saving their sizable incomes, which was diametrically opposite to the Pravachans of their fathers and forefathers, but then who cares?
But there were some things that hadn't changed and perhaps never would such as the welcoming of each new day with the haunting chant of 'Suprabhatam,' on the radio, the unique and refreshing aroma of South Indian filter coffee, the size of the humongous crowds lining up outside cinema theatres to watch Rajni God's movies, and the ritual congregation of our 'Gossip Ammas' every evening at the corner temple. As Schools, colleges, government offices and banks closed down for the day; children, youngsters and adults gathered themselves up and made their way back home to relax, and rejuvenate.
One among these was a sprightly young woman in a bright blue green cotton salwar kameez, riding one of the innumerable Scooties which plastered the busy roads daily. She made her way down Cathedral Road, and then turned left on Binny Rd to head towards Stella Maris College, one of the premiere institutes of higher education for young women in Chennai. She stopped in front of the gates and frantically searched the faces of the young women drifting out, hoping she had not missed her cousin again. She removed her helmet and shook out her thick wavy black mane, while pulling out her mobile.
As she waited for the call to be answered her wandering eyes spotted her cousin's familiar slim figure across the street at a bus stop apparently enjoying a tete- a- tete with someone who appeared to be a tall young man dressed in standard office attire of shirt, pants and the proverbial tie. Relieved yet angry at the same time she carefully crossed over and tried to catch her attention. When several attempts were not met with success rather stirred up unwanted male interest she hollered;
"Shreya!" Then louder, "Shreya!!"
Shreya stopped her chatter mid sentence and looked up to find Madhu looking her usual bright and beautiful self not so subtly waggling her eyebrows at her.
Pakdi gayi! Ab kya hoga? she thought as she hurried up to her cousin without even so much as a goodbye to her good looking companion.
"Sorry di, but when you didn't show up I thought I'd take the bus home," she blurted out in a hurry wanting to ward of the inevitable questions which were bound to follow.
But Madhu was too sharp to be dissuaded so easily. Turning her scootie around and indicating her cousin to take her seat behind her she said sternly,"Accha bahana dhoondha hai! Hadn't I called just 10 min ago to say that I'm running a little late? Mr. Cool Dude ko dekh kar sab kuch bhool gayi kya?"
"Nahin di woh.."
"Woh..woh sab chod! I was just teasing!" Madhu laughed, "par tum badi chupi rustum nikli! Never mentioned your bus stop buddy! Kya baat hai?"
"Madhu! (Relieved,) Baap re! You and your dramebaazi! You really had me scared there for a while! I was just advancing my Swayamvar!"
"What? Are you planning to get married? Or run away from home? Shreya what will mom and dad say when they find out or do they know already and am I the only one steering blind?"
"No Madhu it's not what you think! Anyways these things wouldn't make sense to a crackpot like you who always is in favor of 'Life taking its own course.' But that's not me, I believe in action. I've already started the procedure of audition and elimination. It may take a few years before I find him but I anticipate loads of fun in the process! What say Miss. Dancing Doll, shall I start one for you too? Will surely get applicants in plenty with your incredible allure and out of the world talents!" She said giggling, her excitement infectious.
Madhu laughed but shook her head vehemently, "Thanks but no thanks! You are not going to change my mind. In fact you are sure to get into trouble soon yourself! Better abandon these foolhardy projects! How do you get these ideas, watching too much TV? Concentrate on your studies and work on standing on your own 2 wobbly feet first, everything else will follow. As I have always said, for every person God has made someone somewhere. Believe me, he works in mysterious ways!"
"Okay Di! Tumse koi nahin jeet sakta! By the way, how are the preparations for the grand finale tomorrow night? Isn't it going to be Kalakshetra's first attempt at performing this dance drama? I'm so excited, I can't wait and you in the lead role would be like icing on the cake!! Haina di?"
Madhu smiled, yes she had been waiting in the wings for too long. And tomorrow she would get her long awaited dues.
''
Dakshin, Park Sheraton:
Rishabh was in a bit of culinary paradise as he worked his way slowly through the South Indian sampler at the popular Dakshin restaurant. His palate had never before savored so myriad a blend of exotic flavors and heady combination of fresh spices. Everything was so different from his native fare yet still very much Indian. He was glad that he had taken his friend's advice and gone easy on his Breakfast and lunch for an empty stomach was a prerequisite to do justice to the sumptuous spread.
As he slurped up the savory Sambhar and took another bite of the unusual yet delicious Banana dosa, Abhay his friend chipped in, "maine kahaa tha na? Now you owe me one!" He chuckled.
"Oh Definitely! I wouldn't have wanted to miss this for anything! Waah! This beats continental any day! Maybe I can send Dibubhai here to get trained. Wonder if they'll part with their recipes? Thanks for insisting on bringing me here! What a wonderful week we've had. Great music, dance and food! I am already having withdrawal symptoms and we haven't even left yet," he said, a look of profound regret coming over his classically handsome features.
"Hahaha! Tu kabhi koi chance nahin chodega! Kabhi to aam logon jaise behave karna seekh le!"
"No Abhay! I'm serious! I swear! After coming here, thanks to you, I've realized that our country has so much more to offer that a lifetime may not be enough to explore it. We should celebrate our culture so the whole world sits up and pays attention! In fact I'm thinking of including some Bharathnatyam in our show, what do you think Abhay?" His eyes reflected his excitement.
"That's a great idea Rishabh! It'll be a first, but how?"
"Yes, how?" Rishabh repeated pensively as he watched the musicians play live mellifluous Carnatic music and his hands and feet involuntarily kept rhythm with the talam.
"Let's sleep on it tonight. Meanwhile if we don't hurry we are sure to miss the opening act of the Grand finale performance."
"Oh Yes, I almost forgot! Kalakshetra putting on Shakuntala for the first time! What a way to end the season!"
"Yes, isn't it? I'm curious as to who would play the title role!"
"Me too. Let's go!"
~~
The next morning on the day they were supposed to return to Mumbai, Abhay woke up to the strains of guitar coming from the adjoining room. It was unusual not only because Rishabh was up before 10 but also because he was strumming his guitar and singing too! Though his guitar always tagged along wherever he went he rarely found occasion to play it. When asked his usual reply would be that he was waiting for some inspiration.
Hmm..seems like he did get what he was looking for! Abhay smiled when he recalled Rishabh's demeanor during the show last night. He had sat still throughout, spellbound, his eyes fixed on the stage, more so on just one particular performer, the strikingly beautiful star of the show. In fact almost the whole audience had watched the whole 1 and a half hour dance drama in perfect silence. The dancers had brought the classic tale of love, loss and redemption to life. But the heroine had stolen the show and captured all their minds by her heart rending performance.
Tune mujhe pehchana nahin
Jana main koi anjaana nahin
Aashiq hun main tere naam ka
Deewana hun main deewana nahin
Rishabh did not have the remotest idea why he was singing the song, he felt compelled by an unknown yet irrepressible force. He knew it had something to do with the intense emotional experience he had undergone the night before, something with almost no parallel. The image of Shakuntala--he hadn't paid attention to her real name had taken a permanent residence in his mind. He had never before come across such a deadly combination of beauty, grace and talent, not even in his own well known dance company. She seemed to breathe life into her art and that was the best compliment he could give anybody.
Just then his mobile rang and he picked it up reluctantly and soon the bliss on his face evaporated.
''
The Bustling Shopping District of T- Nagar:
"Don't worry Rishabh, things such as these do happen and we have to be prepared for it. So what if Natasha has broken her ankle, it's a shame yes, but we still have her understudy. What's her name...?"
"Simran' she's alright but not as good as Tash, and this is not some run of the mill kind of set up, it's our piece de resistance, and Tash is our show stopper. But now she's out of commission and I am left high and dry! And WTH have you brought me here, this fish market?" Rishabh muttered, the melee around rendering sane thought impossible.
They were at a humongous Jewelry store where Abhay had come to purchase a token gift for his wife, in order to placate her for leaving suddenly without notice.
"Sorry man! But if I give Sush some gold she wouldn't ask questions. And I had heard this store was one of the best in town. Tell me, will this 'jhumka' suit your bhabhi better or this one?" Abhay held up the precious trinkets to his own ears.
"May all women in the world have husbands like you! Mein to chala!" Rishabh retorted and wandered off to find some relative peace and quiet. He took the stairs and strode in to the next level, receiving admiring glances from most everybody who came across him, his suave appearance unaffected by his internal turmoil. His eyes skimmed the brightly lit displays without actually seeing them. He leaned over the balcony overlooking the main floor of the store when he heard the sound of loud feminine laughter. Smiling he shook his head, Women! He thought without looking behind.
"Ma! You are too much, itni jaldi kya padi hai meri shaadi ki? My talent's finally been recognized. Didn't you see how many encores, I got? Hmph! I won't stand here anymore listening to all your rubbish!" A soft musical voice resonated.
He whirled around to see her retreating back, and hurried to follow, desperate to confirm his suspicion. She walked like a gazelle, swift, graceful and light. She skipped up another flight of stairs and zeroed in on a display of shiny gold bangles. Curious he stood back and watched her interact with the attendants who were immediately at her beck and call. She tried on various designs. He noticed that she had the most delicately expressive hands. She turned slightly but enough for him to recognize her lovely face. She was his Shakuntala! Thrilled at seeing her again, wishing to establish some sort of connection he bade his time waiting for the right opportunity. She turned away and walked towards a set of long end to end mirrors and started to adjust her brightly colored dupatta. As she patted her thick wavy hair her eyes met his in the mirror and when he didn't look away, she turned around obviously annoyed and directed her blazing eyes at him.
If looks could kill, He thought amused and smiled.
This seemed to incense her even more..
"What's the matter, pehli baar koi ladki dekh rahe ho kya?" Her hands clenched into tiny fists.
"Nahin! (laughing,) I'm just a fan. I saw you on stage yesterday and what a mind blowing performance. You are indeed a phenomenon! Congratulations!" He said.
Immediately her anger vanished and was replaced with a shy pleased smile and a becoming flush crept over her cheeks. "Thank you," her voice was much softer, almost a whisper.
"By the way, I am Rishabh,.. Rishabh Kundra!" Extending his hand.
"I am Madhu Mishra." She hesitantly let her hand be gripped by his and withdrew it almost right away. "I must be going; my family is waiting for me!"
"No, please wait; I have a proposition for you?" A wild idea suddenly struck him.
"What, what kind of proposition?" She asked with some fear and trepidation.
"No, it isn't anything to be concerned about; I was just wondering if you'd be interested in displaying your talents on a much bigger platform. I am the owner of 'Jhankaar', a big music and dance company in Mumbai and I just came to know that our lead dancer has broken her ankle. It would be awesome if you would consider taking her place." He blurted out in one breath.
"But I can't do that! This is my home, besides I don't dance contemporary!" She dismissed his suggestion with a shrug of her shoulders.
"It's just for a month, that's all and I believe that a great dancer like you could dance anything if she puts her mind to it, your basics are all in place, all you need is a little practice and yours truly here can provide that for you. What say, it is something you can't refuse!"
She stood dumbstruck as she caught the full force of his charm. All she could do was stare at him, bewildered.
"Here's my card! I will wait for your answer. Please call me no matter what you decide. I will be expecting a yes!"
He knew that he was taking on a big risk as he walked away, but it was well worth it.
tbc
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