TIME SET FOR A HEADSET

As Bharatanatyam dancers, owning this piece of jewellery is a dream for some, an achievement for some, a far fetched reality for some and a prized possession for some. Across age, experience and fetish lies this piece of jewellery's travel itinerary. 

My first association with this beauty was when my teacher called me and gave a set of extra jewellery that she had. As a 10-year-old it was undoubtedly me in a candy store. I would prefer a sports shop though :D

My second encounter was when my teacher, who is a total empath and a giver, sensed that I couldn't buy one and gifted me, what is called an 'original temple headset. A senior student of hers had an extra set of the Headset, Suryan and Chandran-The sun and The moon (other parts that come with the headset)and gave it to her to be given to me. I used to be amused that Days and Nights and their representatives are on my head. Oh, Lord! A big responsibility at this age!

Foraying into full-time dancing, I realised that most of my savings went into procuring jewellery and make-up for dance. No regrets back then! I finally bought a headset that I still own which I will eventually pass on just like how my teacher did. I Spent 16,000 rupees in doing that and paid it in instalments to a kind seller from a small town in Tamizh Naadu.

We all have stories that we cling to just like we do to memories associated with them. Some share, some bury.  

As I sat down one afternoon, a few days ago, I wondered what is a headset's philosophical presence in this colourful world it exists in?

The image above that I illustrated came as a thought to me. On the one hand, the self-luminous sun is the ray of hope and joy to the young and energetic. When young, our actions, reactions, sensitivities, goals matter so much and we record everything, perhaps mindlessly even. But that's just us. No complaints.  However, we never stare straight into the sun. We never look inside for we are subconsciously afraid that we may be blinded. 

Contrast this with the moon which is so beautiful on the other side. The greys are almost leaving way for the clarity of white to take over. Our eyes instinctively open wide to look inside and we are left with awe and wonder.

As they say, experience in any field is like a bottle of wine. It takes time to enjoy it but it is worth the wait. The headset to me is a time-check between two worlds that each of us will eventually be a part of. Worlds that are connected by a strong learning curve.  Just like the curve of the headset itself. Firmly tied yet bends as it sits just right on the head. 

A division of sorts. Division of ideas, thoughts and actions.

Well, yeah.  The headset is indeed more than what meets the eye (and perhaps the head too!)

Image Source : Pinterest

Krishna and Woh Saat Din

KRISHNA AND WOH SAAT DIN

My first role on stage in a Dance-Drama was that of a Cow. And I thoroughly enjoyed being one. As a 9-year-old, I was only asked to frantically run around the stage shaking my head. I felt I had those horns every time I ran and was scared that I would hit someone in the rush. So I had this clever plan of having my own little gala time amidst the chaos. Come on, we were lots of cows, children, Gopas, Gopis running around anyway. I never thought that my teacher would notice me amidst this mayhem. But she did! She went on to tell the whole class that I was the best cow she had seen till date. *covers face*

Two decades later, after many versions of the same story, through different songs, I found myself back in the same episode. This time as Krishna. Not dancing at a rehearsal or on stage, but at a friend's portico taking shelter when Bangalore had it's heavy monsoon showers. I wondered the plight of this young boy. Getting wet in the heavy splashes of rain for 7 days and nights. I remembered the pose we were taught to depict this episode(lifting of the Govardhana Hill) and it instantly hit me.

KRISHNA IN TIMES OF HIS NEED

Poor thing, getting wet in the rain and not being able to pee. The idea for the image came to me when I went back to the mudra we used to hold for the pose, the humble pinky finger :D

All's well that ends well. In my monsoon clad evening, I could not help but imagine Krishna, post 7 days and nights, running to a nearby bush.