#natyamnaatak – Just When You Think You’ve Heard All the Questions…

Navaratri is here – which means Kala Vandanam’s annual Natya Sadhana celebration on Vijayadasami day is just a few days away. It’s the 22nd time we celebrate together!

The final prep can be tense for students. And the teacher. And aspirational parents, hoping to see their child have their “star” moment on stage. 

But there is always amusement to be had.

As a teacher, I dream of the day when students (and parents) focus first on their practice, having fun, and dancing with love. Many do, to their credit. But some get derailed with other matters.

Just when I think I’ve heard all the possible questions prior to the program… there is something new. You guess if it was a student or parent who asked the question in question. 😉

❓“What do I wear?”

❓“Can our dog come to the show?”

❓“Will the food be good afterward?”

❓“What if my dupatta falls off and I trip?”

❓“What if I faint on stage because I’m hungry?”

❓“What if my mom doesn’t know how to dress me up?”

❓“What if I run into someone else and we both fall down?”

❓“If you forget to announce my name, should I still dance?”

❓“What if I forget the entire dance when we are ON STAGE?”

❓“What happens if we get blinded by the lights and fall off the stage?”

❓“Can you make sure my mom sits somewhere where I can’t see her?”

❓“What happens if there is a fire alarm in the middle of the performance?”

❓“Is it necessary to be at the theater a whole 30 minutes before the program?”

❓“Where are the instructions for the costume?”… as they show me the email with the instructions.

❓“Can we go first and get it over with?”… followed by “No, we should go in the MIDDLE so no one will remember our mistakes.”… followed by “We should go last so everyone will remember us.”

Still holding down the spot for best question after all these years…

“Do you think we will be famous after this performance?