A Dream To Realize
On a grand , decorated and well furnished platform , she had to make her debut as a dancer - a performer.She had been trained and instructed for over
three years by pandit Somanathji at the special request of Dr. Rajeev, the dancer, Suman's husband.
Since her childhood days Suman had a strong passion for dance and it's various gestures and mudras, which she cherished as she grew up into a beautiful young woman.
As chance would have it, Dr. Rajeev happened to see her for the first time in the hospital where she had called on her close friend to enquire about her health
condition.
The young doctor instantly fell in love with her and decided to marry her. He proposed through his patient's family ; and Suman's parents were very happy to get their
only daughter married to such a reputed, dedicated surgeon, whom people praised a lot for his efficiency and humane treatment
of patients.
Suman who wanted to develop her flair for dance induced her husband and that was how a renowned dance master agreed to train her.
She became an expert in the different forms of dance such as the classical Bharatanatyam , Kuchipudi and Kathak .
She had the rare talent to imitate the movements of animals , and even the in-animate things like the breeze, flowing water, thunder, lightning
and all such phenomena in Nature.
More than was expected , Suman performed so well in her debut show ,that as she returned to the dressing- room after the event a crowd of excited
entrepreneurs and others, who styled themselves as great producers and directors of movies and TV serials knocked on the door.
Suman was overcome with ecstatic happiness as bouquets , and garlands were presented to her.
So much so that she even forgot to consult her husband and also her dance master before consenting to act in a mega movie.
Though her husband was flexible enough to let her have her own way, Pandit Somanathji , her dance master severely objected to it when he came to
know that she had already signed the performance contract without consulting him or even her husband.
"Dance is a noble art ever demanding dedication and sanctity..... Those who practice it do it for pleasure or in the service of some divine agency or for
some social or religious cause. "
He said as she zealously told him about the opportunity she got to perform on a public stage , and later in a movie.
He briefed her about the purpose and effect of Art - especially dance.He said that Art is purely for a good cause and effect inducing social service and
cultural stability. A performer goes on attaining sublimation and perfection only when the Art is pursued with a noble intention and yogic perseverance.
A performer has always a great cultural message to communicate .Bringing any Art, especially dance within the domain of profession, or business is not only wrong but also a Sin . Ambitious that Suman was, she would not accept any of these observations.
To her, dancing expertise was just a creator of a platform for glamorous prospects and renown .
So she proceeded on her own impulsively and regardless of the views of others who were of significance in her life.
Many an avenue opened up with her debut performance at the City Cultural Festival.
She was in cloud nine finding her name and pictures occupying the front pages of all newspapers.
The TV and the media pictured her as a super star - A new star for the immediate future.
While her husband was busy pursuing his research work in plastic surgery and endocrinology, including problematic diseases, she busied herself in creating a place for herself in the glamorous industry - the cinema and the soap opera.
The world famous research institutes and organizations came to know of Dr. Rajeev' s findings through his papers presented and published in
different countries.
He came to be known as a brilliant surgeon and a noble doctor because of his dedication and concern for all the suffering community. He worked
round the clock. He was happy and contented to be able to serve mankind to his full ability- an idea, a dream ,he had cherished since his boyhood
days.
The suffering poor and helpless people received due attention and help under his observation and treatment .All the time he presented himself with
a cool nonchalant and confidant smile which instantly motivated his patients to regain their lost strength and hope.
In fact he was a real model.
Suman soon became a super star and signed a handful of movies at the same time.
Her over -ambition was such that it didn't allow her to think about ,or regard her family prospects. It may be said that she was reckless in a way. One
often wonders why beauty and brains do not go together.
May be , one is effective in the virtual world , the other, given it's due prominence could work like a divine mentor
---------------------------------------------------
Suman was extremely busy and at the peak of her success and popularity. With a very hectic schedule she worked day and night.
In recent times the husband and wife rarely , or almost never ever , met each other.
Some two years passed on , and Suman was settled in the wonder land of colours and charm.
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The setting for the mega movie of the year, nay ,the whole decade , had come up in the commercial city, a few miles away from the National Highway.
The complete village in the vicinity was busy structuring the setting. It was a huge project and some four entrepreneurs had invested their capital in it.
The film shooting with all special effects had been completed ; but two dance performances relevant to the plot of the movie had to be completed.
The final setting was made and Suman made her entry to the stage.
Her dance and performing gestures were so apt and effective that the shooting team and the director were completely lost in praising her.
Late in the midnight she returned to her house. The doctor was miles away attending a surgery session.
Feeling ecstatic, complacent and confident, Suman got up and moved into her kitchen .She felt like cooking some thing after a long time.
She had not done it since her new pursuits kept her busy ; for at least four or five months she had not entered her kitchen .
She ignited the gas and then decided against using it .
Instead ,now she used her oven to prepare a cup of coffee of her taste. She then moved into the room next to the kitchen, of course with the cup in
hand, and sat in a comfortable chair, sipping and enjoying the hot drink.
Just one sip.... and she didn't know what happened there was a huge blast and the entire mansion, it's drapery, furnishings and the dispersed lot was blown out and was on fire.
Suman opened her eyes all the time groaning to find herself - her body, covered with the ventilating curtain .
She was in a well equipped ICU.The shocked doctor , her husband rushed to the hospital to find his dear wife in a precarious condition. _____________________
It took a little more than two years for Suman to come back to normalcy. After many a plastic surgery and advanced medication her health and appearance
was restored.
But she looked a somewhat different person - never again the same charming Suman .
Even her voice had changed ; she could not move now as elegantly as she used to , before .
Slowly under the guidance of her husband and also the mentor, she was rehabilitated despite her changed look and outlook .
One afternoon on a holiday, after the lunch ,prepared and served neatly and elegantly by Suman, the three of them sat comfortably for a casual chat and relaxation.
Some minutes of silence and betel leaf munching passed.
Suman, broke the ice. She pleaded guilty and was apologetic. She softly uttered:
"I was wrong.... I didn't heed to your words Master ji...... May be
God punished me for that... "
The Master, still chewing his mouthful, only lifted his right palm. He then retired to the washroom and in a minute returned half emptying his mouth.
He began afresh turning towards Suman :
" Look Suman.... I only wanted you to make proper and perfect use of the noble Art. You know even Lord Shiva as Nataraj also dances only with a purpose and only when the world needs reconstruction,destruction, or annihilation of the Evil , So the scriptures say " .
' Yes Master ji' said Suman,in a pathetic voice .
Dr. Rajeev, who had been listening to them intervened saying:
' I do not accept wholly what you have been saying..... Master ji.... '
The latter raised his eyebrows and turned towards the doctor who continued :
'Any work or job - even any form of art for that matter ,maybe chosen for either entertainment or livelihood or for a social cause.
The master was intently listening; so the doctor added :
' Everyone who chooses to do any work - be it a performance, or a manual work or even a machine - guided work, needs to remember that it is a natural
execution of a virtual design in the mind or the world outside it. '.
He paused for a few seconds and continued:
' Success or failure, pleasure or pain, formation or destruction - are immaterial. The mind must not be preoccupied with ego-centric engagements
nor be prejudiced against anything disagreeable ' .
The great dance teacher now sat leaning his back against the cushion seat and nodded explicitly :
" Yes,..... I agree with you fully... Nothing better could be revealed about the use of art for a living ".
The doctor now concluded his words saying:
' Whatever one does wherever, one must be aware of what one does and have patience and presence of mind- it may be a little work or a great task. '
The master was really impressed with Dr. Rajeev's view point. After some time when he got up to leave, he reset his shawl on his shoulder and turned to
Suman.
"If you could......, I would like you to make use of your knowledge, talent and experience for training ,willing and dedicated aspirants. "
The couple looked at each other significantly when the dance master added:
" Suman I would like you to run a dance school and impart your knowledge and talent and be of real great service.... "
Suman, brought a contented smile on her face and said:
' Yes.... I will.... '.
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