Dancing my dream

This post was picked as a WOW post by BlogAdda in the Write-Over-the-Weekend initiative ! :-)

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”

– Martha Graham

Source : Google Images

She craned her neck to take a better look. The hall was bustling with people. Mainly children. As she carefully descended the side stairs, one step at a time, she noticed how the stage gleamed in front of her. Everything was huge and grand.

From the flower decorations adorning the walls of the stage to the hanging banners of the institute’s name. From the never-ending list of sponsors to the countless trophies neatly arranged at the base of the auditorium.

The lights were soft and dim but the crowd was overwhelming. So many kids – girls in particular, from all ages and all walks of life. It took her several moments to accept the fact she was part of this grand event. That she had lived to witness this day. She draped the red silk sari around her shoulder and reached the foot of the long stairway.

“Hello Teacher!” Someone called out from her left. It was Anju, one of her senior students. “You are early. Didn't anyone escort you from the entrance?”

“No, that’s fine. Don’t bother. I am here to help you all with the preparations.” The teacher said with a caring smile.

“Absolutely not !” Anju reprimanded the teacher. “You have taken care of us enough all these years. Now it’s our turn. Have a seat here and just enjoy the function. I’ll send some refreshments right away.”

The teacher was seated in the front row, right at the centre so she could watch the event peacefully with no peaking photographers or videographers.

Source : Google Images

Meanwhile, junior girls flocked around her showing off their classical dance attires and jewels. “Teacher, see my new dress. Teacher, is my hair ok? Teacher, we need your blessings.” The teacher carefully attended to each one of them with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.

Thirty minutes later, sharp at 6PM, the function commenced. The hostess of the evening started speaking.

“Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen and a very warm welcome to you all. We are present here this evening to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of our classical dance institute – The Little Steps. But before we go any further, I would like to call upon our chief guest for this evening. In fact, the word ‘chief guest’ would seem so small when we talk about this individual’s contributions and achievements. This person has been the reason we all are gathered here. If it wasn’t for her guidance, we would have never seen this day. Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in welcoming onto the podium, our very own, loving and caring – Teacher.”

The teacher got up from her seat and turned to the audience with folded hands. She bowed slightly to thank everyone for all the love being showered on her. Standing in an ovation, the entire audience filled the auditorium with their clapping. The glow on all of their faces seemed to increase by the second.

As she made her way slowly and steadily towards the stage, her senior students escorted her. They helped her climb the stairs leading the stage.

The clapping increased as she walked her way to the centre of the podium and smiled. The hostess said – “On all our behalf, I would like to profoundly thank you Teacher for coming here today and blessing us with your presence. Please, please we want to hear so much from you today.” The hostess made way for the teacher to come over to the mike.

The teacher walked over to the mike and spoke slowly in a soft voice.

“Thank you everyone. I am truly humbled by this love and affection. Today is indeed a special day. But this day is more special for me than you all…… Do you know why? Because today’s the day I met you all. I thank God that He made me fortunate enough to celebrate this day with you – my students.

“50 years ago, I had a vision in my mind of how I want to open a dance institute, how I want to preserve this art and teach it to my younger generations, how I want to help students connect with their souls – both musically and spiritually. If it weren’t for the numerous people who helped me in this journey all these years, this vision would have remained unfulfilled and this 80-year-old woman would have died much earlier.

“Today, I want to speak to you and tell you certain chapters of my life; I want to introduce you to certain people who helped me in the birth of this small institute…..”

**This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.**

**This is a story which evolved as result of my dreams for this week's BlogAdda prompt. I dream of opening my own classical dance institute and take it to soaring heights. Thank you BlogAdda for making me think and realize my dream.**

Yours' truly,

                **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**