STAGE

Sehmat had been dancing on a wooden frame on the stage floor, from

where an iron nail had protruded due to the repeated stamping of her

feet. Her concentration was so intense that she had neither felt the pain

nor noticed the blood. Mitali was stunned into disbelief. Looking at

Sehmat still dancing with abandon, she felt an overwhelming desire to go

up to her and bow down in defeat. Instead, she went to the spot from

where the wooden plank had broken loose and knelt down, covering the

nail with both her palms. She sat there gazing with admiration at

Sehmat’s performance. And what she saw from close quarters convinced

her that this was divine grace on display and not a competitive dance

show.

Volunteers sneaked to the wings of the stage to investigate, wondering

what had made Mitali stop dancing. The audience too sensed that

something was amiss. Moments later, the word spread in the hall like a

jungle fire, making the entire crowd stand up and hold its breath in

disbelief. Many stood up on chairs in an effort to take a look at Sehmat’s

blood-stained feet. But such was the grace in her movements that no one

even made an effort to stop the music.

Sehmat continued to dance, her feet stamping the floor in rapid

succession. Her body and her dotara swung rhythmically, keeping pace

with the music. The volunteers’ faces were beginning to change to that

of horror. They tried to catch Sehmat’s attention, but she appeared to be

completely oblivious to the world around her. It was as if Meerabai had

reincarnated as Sehmat Khan, taking the sarcasm, taunts and abuses of

society in her stride, calling out to her beloved lord to take her into his

fold. There was passion in her movement, love on her face and pleading

in her expressions. Her attire was simple, but her movements were divine

and soothing, touching the hearts of everyone present in the packed

auditorium.

Sehmat’s performance was at its peak as the music reached its full

crescendo. Her braided hair majestically swayed to her lithe movements

as she ended her dance by kneeling down. She had tears in her eyes, not

because of her injured feet, but for the love of Krishna to whom

Meerabai had given herself.Her eyes were shut, as if taking in the blessings that were being

showered upon her by an unknown, heavenly force. She opened her eyes

to deafening applause, only to realize that she was on the college

auditorium stage. She hurriedly turned towards Mitali and then towards

the audience before bowing in acknowledgement. It was then that she

noticed her bloodstained feet.

Mitali was smiling at Sehmat with tear-filled eyes. She was defeated

hands down. But in her defeat she had won the applause of the entire

audience who had instantly recognized her gesture. Mitali walked up to

Sehmat and held her in a tight embrace. The hall broke into another

round of applause. The roar grew louder as the two stepped towards the

seated judges and bowed before leaving the stage.

When Sehmat reappeared on the stage to receive the trophy, the glow

on her face was brighter than the gleam of the trophy. Sehmat requested

Mitali to stand with her while receiving the award. The two dancers

stood together, hand in hand, holding the trophy high with pride. The

crowd continued to applaud well after they had left the stage. It was

evident to all that both the girls had emerged victorious. They had won

something more valuable than a mere trophy. Goddess Radha and

Meerabai had been united with their Lord Almighty.

The only person who did not join in the frenzy was Aby. His eyes

were transfixed on the face that had bewitched him for so long. Her

enthralling act touched him as deeply as most of her other attributes. He

had never seen her dance before but had imagined she would dance

beautifully. Her performance erased the fine line of religious divide and

strengthened his conviction that she was an exceptional woman, worthy

of taking on as a life partner.

While the spectators in the hall continued chatting about what they

had witnessed, Aby slipped away unnoticed. His mind was now racing in

all directions, looking for a means to get closer to Sehmat. He was

determined to remove the social barriers of caste and creed that had kept

him away from her. He had now begun to dream of a life with his

Kashmiri princess. Shutting his eyes ever so briefly he murmured and

then amidst another round of deafening applause emerging out of the hall, looked skywards and said, ‘I hope you will hear my prayer, dear

Krishna.’

Sehmat and Mitali were invited to the backstage room specially meant

for guests immediately after the performance and showered with more

praise. With his decision of selecting Sehmat vindicated, the principal

felt elated. He put his right arm around her shoulder and introduced

Sehmat to the board members and the judges. The same trustees who had

earlier wanted Sehmat out of the competition were now giving her

compliments. It was then that she learnt from a repentant Shastri about

Aby’s intervention in ensuring her selection. Touched by Aby’s gesture

and emboldened by her victory, she decided to personally thank him.

Later, holding Mitali by her arm, Sehmat walked back with a slight limp

to her hostel room with her bags and costume. Filled with a surge of trust

in her new friend, Sehmat shared with her what Shastri had said about

Aby.

‘You should meet him, Sehmat. You are aware of the fact that he is

attracted to you, aren’t you?’

‘I don’t know, Mitali. I have seen him look at me at times, but I

haven’t given it much thought,’ Sehmat said hesitantly.

Mitali placed her hands on Sehmat’s shoulders. ‘I do not know how

you will react. But everyone in the class is aware that he is madly in love

with you. In fact, it is common knowledge in the entire college. But are

you attracted to him?’

Sehmat flung herself across the bed with a sigh, ‘I do not know,

Mitali. He is indeed handsome, and I think a decent man too, but there

are times when doubts overcome me and I cannot decide.’

‘There is only one way to find out,’ Mitali said and picked up a bunch

of roses from one of the bouquets that were presented to her. Handing

them to Sehmat, she winked, ‘You can thank him. What better way than

to say it with flowers? And I will help you look for this handsome young man'

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