PERFORMANCE

All students looked forward to the annual function at the college and

planned extensively for it. One of the function’s main attractions was the

dance competition. Over the years this event had gained popularity

amongst the students. Judged by well-known personalities of the city, the

event had become a symbol of prestige and pride for the college as well

as the participants.

Each year, a committee was set up by the college administration to

oversee the participation and inter-college representations. Judges for the

event were chosen with great care. The college principal, Ram Naresh

Mathur, was understandably flustered. It was his last year as principal,

and he wanted the event to exceed everyone’s expectations. If he

succeeded in creating a mega success of the show, he hoped his request

for a year’s extension would be considered.

Mathur sat at the head of the conference table, flanked by the trustees

of the college and their nominees. He took a quick glance around, noting

the different expressions playing on the faces of the trustees. The slightly

built fifty-seven-year-old principal knew he was no match for the lobby

working against him. For the sake of his daughter, who was in her final

year of graduation, he had to work out a strategy to continue as principal

for another year. He was known for his straightforward and sincere

approach, but he also knew that honesty alone never paid the bills.

To make matters worse, Raviraj Singh, the most powerful of them all

and someone he could count on, was absent from this crucial meeting.

Many trustees had tried to manoeuvre the admission process to

accommodate their relatives and simultaneously mishandled the college

funds. Mathur had invariably acted as a roadblock in their schemes and had therefore made enemies within the circle of board members and

trustees.

Knowing fully well that most of the trustees were predominantly

narrow-minded Hindus, he tactfully chose the theme of the unique love

of Radha and Meerabai towards Lord Krishna for the main dance event.

Amidst applause and murmurs of approval, he first read out the names of

other participating colleges and then the names of participants

representing his college. Heading the list of participants was Mitali as

Radha and Sehmat as Meerabai. He was about to take his seat when A.V.

Shastri, one of the oldest and most troublesome trustees, interrupted. His

sharp nasal voice was filled with sarcasm.

‘Isn’t it a fact, Mr Mathur, that Sehmat comes from a Muslim family?’

Mathur straightened up slowly and thoughtfully. ‘Yes she does, Mr

Shastri,’ he said, his voice tinged with respect and fear. Here was one of

the troublesome trustees who could make or break his chance of an

extension.

‘Then how has she been shortlisted for the all-important role of

Meerabai? This will hurt the sentiments of all the students and is quite

unacceptable. Many Hindu students could be offended and may take to

the streets in protest. We must select someone who belongs to a Hindu

family, who can relate to the character of Meerabai. Can a Muslim girl

do that? We must shortlist someone else, otherwise we stand the risk of

becoming a laughing stock in the eyes of our own people.’

Mathur looked around and, to his dismay, saw that all present were

echoing the old man’s opinion. Smelling defeat, Mathur was quick to

salvage the situation. ‘If all the trustees agree with Mr Shastri’s views,

then we have no choice but to look for another student to play the role of

Meerabai.’

‘You do? Well, thank you, Mr Mathur. It is not often that you agree to

our suggestions and opinions.’

Mathur felt a twinge of pain thinking of Sehmat. He had attended the

auditions, and none of the hopefuls came even remotely close to

Sehmat’s performances. While he was struggling with his conscience,

the trustees were wolfing down the remnants of their tea and snacks.

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