Tri(y)vial Pursuits

With every new calendar year, I get older. Duh! That makes me pause and realize that there are more and more things that I would not be able to do in this lifetime. Climbing Mt Everest or even a corporate ladder? Not happening. Running a marathon or some local election? Not happening. Changing the world? Dreaming, but not happening. But then there are other pursuits albeit trivial that are enough to give a sense of accomplishment and joy.

This year has been exceptionally great for teaching me that doubts are self-created. All it takes is those first wobbly steps to overcome any obstacle. “Well begun is half done”—good to remember that.

I managed to dance (sort of!) on stage. Anyone would think that is no big deal. It was for me. One of the greatest fears of my life is dancing. What better stage than a joyous occasion like Sangeet to confront the dance demons in the land of lavish weddings? People would be focusing their attention on the soon-to-be-married-couple and young dancers. Me in a group dance—hiding behind sunflower props—would just get the job done and disappear.

The story behind my dance-venture started when our group met the choreographer purely out of guilt. He was showing up and leaving every day without even seeing us. I had emphatically refused to give it a try. Not dancing. Not for me. Nope. Not here in India or in the US. But then feeling bad for the young chap and others who wanted to test it out, I agreed to show up and listen to him. Hari did the impossible. He was kind enough not to expect us to do anything close to “Naatu Naatu.”

Perhaps dancing is nothing as great as it is made out to be. How hard can it be? I started brainwashing myself. After all it was a group dance and I’d be somewhere at the back. Then the dance master insisted we were better than a lot of other people he had seen at weddings. His sweet talk and easy dance steps made me believe that I could dance. A few rehearsals in, and I was kind of ready to get up on stage with the group. I silently applauded every kid who has ever danced at a school event.

When the moment came, my heart started racing ahead of me. Somehow I managed to take my place in the formation. The whole performance that lasted a few minutes neither left the audience stunned, nor shocked. Did I hear a few claps? Oh, it’s important to mention another detail. The smoke guns were quite aggressive. Did anyone even see what we did? I have my doubts. I managed to grab the microphone from the anchor and blurted out “We may have screwed up but it’s the spirit that counts!”

I couldn’t be prouder of my shaky legs that evening. Simple victories, small and big celebrations, new experiences ….a year that was!

Here's to better performances in the new year. Happy New Year!!