"Shailendra, come fast!"
Standing near my daughter's room, I secretly saw her enjoying some music on the headphones.
"What is it Pallavi?"
"Shh....."
Our ten year old daughter couldn't speak and was dumb from birth. Nonetheless her hearing was very sharp and I didn't want her to know that we were observing her. Pointing out to Shalini, I motioned my husband to watch her quietly. Her back was towards us, but we could see her hands move in varied mudras, along with the music. We both kept looking at her and identical smiles spread on our faces.
When we were back in our room, Shailendra said,
"Hmm, she loves music and how much she was enjoying it!"
An idea clicked me and I sat next to him eagerly.
"Shail, let's enroll her in a dance class. What do you think?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Pallavi, what exactly do you have in mind?"
"How about Bharatnatyam? Shalini can't speak, but she loves music. Dance will be a great platform for her to communicate and express herself. I think it will boost her confidence also."
Shailendra kept looking at me wordlessly and his silence confused me.
"Shail? Yes or no? Are you with me in this or not?"
He sandwiched my hand in both of his and puffed.
"Darling, of course I'm with you. But who will convince my mom, your dear sasuma! Huh?"
I rolled my eyes and was saddened wondering why she was such an old school of thoughts.
"Shail, have you ever wondered that even her loudest cry can never be heard! I want to give an expression to that voice of hers."
"Hmm." He became thoughtful.
"What hmm?!?"
I stood up to go to the washroom and before closing the door, pointed a finger at him with determination.
"Convincing mom is your headache. I want Shalini to learn Bharatnatyam. Period!"
"Have you both lost your mind? How can a girl learn dance, showing off her body to the world. Impossible!"
Mom's predictable reaction at the breakfast table made me glance at Shailendra helplessly. He beckoned me to stay mum and continued to persuade his mother. Thank God Shalini was in school, and not there to witness the drama.
"Mom, dance is a beautiful form of expression and there are many advantages to it, especially for our little girl. She will not only enjoy it, but it will make her confident and add meaning to her life."
"Shailendra, dance is not part of our culture. What will our relatives say?"
"Mom, I don't care about the world, for me, my daughter is of prime importance and I'm only doing what's best for her."
He patted her hand and said gently, but there was finality in his voice.
"As time goes, you'll see for yourself how fruitful it's going to prove. Okay?"
Shalini was thrilled and jumped with joy when we told her about our plan. She hugged and kissed us and ran to tell her grandma. We enrolled her for Bharatnatyam classes. Mom may be angry with us, but Shalini was her life. On the first day, before leaving home, she touched mom's feet and took her blessings.
"God bless you my girl. I only want to see you smiling."
It wasn't easy. Not to forget my daughter couldn't speak. If many showed sympathy and understanding, there were others who ridiculed, teased and laughed at her. Shailendra and I actually had to sit with her dance teacher and explain the sensitivity of our situation.
"Mrs. Nair, Shalini cried yesterday and didn't want to come. I want my daughter to look forward to this dance class and we need your cooperation in that."
Slowly and gradually things improved. Shalini made friends and began practicing at home as well. We bought her everything required and she even started watching dance videos on YouTube. Mom wouldn't say anything, but we caught her watching Shalini dance and enjoyed it as well.
Two years down the line, mom surprised all of us and came up with a brilliant idea. One Sunday, over lunch, she put her arm around Shalini and said lovingly.
"I want my granddaughter to become famous. Let's shoot short videos of you dancing and upload them on YouTube. Let the world know that I'm proud of you. What do you say my little princess?"
When Shalini hugged her grandma, mom commanded,
"And by the way, I'll shoot your videos myself. We don't need to disturb your parents."
Shalini gestured with her hands and eyes, letting us know that she wanted new costumes and jewellery for the videos.
"Of course, we'll go shopping and buy everything required. Alright?"
Shailendra and I exchanged a deep satisfying glimpse, not believing mom's transformation.
Shalini was over the moon with all the likes and comments she was receiving. My daughter was blooming and it gave us hearty contentment to see her so happy.
But our objective came a full circle when another year later, her teacher told us that she had selected Shalini for a solo Shiv Tandav stage performance. Immense amount of hard work went into it and Shalini practiced with all her heart. She would become tired, nevertheless she didn't give up and kept dreaming of being up there on the stage. By now mom had bashfully announced to all our relatives that her granddaughter was going to give a stage performance. Shailendra and I couldn't believe mom was so enthusiastic about the whole thing.
Shalini was looking like a young beautiful goddess in her blue and golden dance costume, with all the ethenic jewellery. Mom was there with us as we sat glued in the auditorium, eyes cemented on the stage. I prayed hard for all to go well. But I needn't have worried at all. Truth be told, it was actually mom who boosted my daughter's confidence. The YouTube videos had worked wonders, and today, Shalini had conquered the stage as she danced gracefully, in perfect poise and with amazing expressions.
Tears of happiness flowed down my cheeks when I heard a lady behind us say these words,
"My God! This girl is excellent. I love her expressions!"
Shamim Merchant, Mumbai______________________________________
Shades of Simplicity
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