The Centinarian


 -   P.Krishnamoorthy

 The sky was clear on that day except for patches of dark clouds and the sun was playing ‘hide and seek’ between them. The  Senior Citizens’ Centre was busy with the morning  routine.  It had nearly four hundred  senior citizens  of both the genders of varying  ages from sixty  onwards. It had also a medical facility with ‘on call’ basis besides  a doctor everyday  visiting to check  on their welfares. To escape from mundane and monotonous daily schedules,  they  often visited  religious,  historical places and  picnic locations. In short they enjoyed their lives in the Centre, except  they were missing their loved ones.

Among them Ravinder, the only person who was ninety nine years old, was affectionately called ”Ravinderji” by others.  He was a miracle and a mystery  to them as he  never had any health issues, minor or major, so far in his life. Except for reading glasses and wheel chair that he used due to  security reasons, he was absolutely hale and healthy even at that age. A strict disciplinarian in diets and after nearly 2-hour daily walking inside the complex,  physical exercises formed part of his morning schedule. After his bath he would recite the various  Sanskrit scriptures for prayer. After a long meditation and yoga  he would close the morning schedules. He was a learned scholar  and a voracious reader of  classics. He was well versed in all the hindu epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha and others.  He was a competent conversationist in any subject of art, science and various cultures. Academically he held a Doctorate in aerodynamics and served as a senior faculty member in a leading University. He was earlier honored by foreign Universities for his various thesis and contributions.

The reverence  and  esteem of others towards ‘Ravinderji’ were remarkable.  He  was a ‘Guru’ for them for any advice or suggestion even  for their personal problems. His solutions to their problems alleviated them from many crises. His discourses in the Centre were thought provoking and convincing. He would explicate the characters of 'Rama' and 'Krishna' in the epics as they were all "fundamental to the cultural conscience of India and presented the teachings of ancient Hindu sages in narrative allegory interspercing phlosophical and ethical elements". These discourses had engrossed the audiance so immensely they wanted such sessions very frequently. 


His unique exposition of ‘ truth and fulfillment in life’  would give courage  and strength  in any personal predicaments.  According to him, there would be  numerous things in life that seem to be impossible at the start; but, would become possible when one’s heart and thoughts were  pure and chaste. Every person  born on this earth had some purpose in life.  Every task done with a clear and honest intention would  certainly bring positive results.  He made simple  to understand the realm of applied philosophy. 

The doctor on his usual visit, called on him  and enquired about his welfares  When Ravinderji’s  answers  for his  queries  were  positive and encouraging, he was amazed at his cheerful and energetic appearance that were strange to his age. His cardiological reports, orthopedic findings, ECGs and other periodical medical and blood reports, bear testimony for his perfcect health as everything  was unquestionably  normal. According to the doctor, Ravinderji’s sustained perfect health and super level of energy in that age, was unprecedented in doctor’s twenty years medical experience. After his personal examination, the doctor felt very happy and confident to assure him that with the findings of various reports and his personal examination,  there was no possibility for him to get  any cardiac arrest or other age-related  ailments in the near future.  He was even prepared to challenge his diagnosis with any expert in the medical field. He wished him all fun and happiness with his daughter and grandson  on his birthday. 

After he left Ravinderji went thru the messages received on that day. One important message he was expecting from his only daughter Aarthi in the States. She had confirmed her landing in India and that they would be in the Centre for his birthday. Ravinder was excited on seeing this as he would personally meet his grandson for the first time.  The memories  of  his son-in-law  Michael Richard’s. death in car accident,  his only son Sunil’s death  in a plane crash  and his wife’s demise after protracted  illness, still haunted him and  suffered often from mental anguish and emotional distress.

The inmates were keen in celebrating his birthday lavishly. Posters and banners displaying the wordings “Ravinderji - Age cannot wither you nor steal your different capabilities - HAPPY BIRTHDAY”  were seen all over the Centre. What sort of a gift they could give him was the bone of contention among the inmates. They made arrangement with  the Centre’s  Management  for a special lunch  and dinner along with cultural programs.  According to them that day was very important as their beloved Guru completes not only  ninetynine years of age but significantly entering  a century as well.

While the whole Centre was in rejoicing mood, there was a ray of regret reflected on his face as the tragic  memories overshadowed his happiness. He had not still recovered from the grief till that day. After all his commendable  success  in his life, his remorse was, his  prolonged life was destined only to personally go thru the agony of the tragedies. They indelibly got into his mind, compelling him to offer prayers for his speedy end; but that also appeared a mirage to him. He felt the belated end was a way of punishment for any of his unintentional sins, and the destiny decided that he had to bear the cross for some more time. One could say  it was more of agony than the ecstasy of living long..

The late evening and the night were cold and the mild breeze accelerated the chill clime.  After the dinner session everyone dispersed to their respective rooms. The complex was very quiet with  all the inmates in their rooms. Ravinder returned to his room and eagerly checked his phone for any further message from Aarti.  The doctor’s assurance  that there would be no cardiac arrest or any age related ailment to him in the near future, was still echoing in  Ravinder’s ears. He was brooding over it. Contrary to doctor’s diagnosis, he was thinking as to whether he could in any way hasten his own end. With a confused mind he went to sleep.

The next morning all the inmates assembled before his room to greet him with  birthday wishes. He used to be an early riser everyday; but that day, the room was locked inside. Apparently Ravinderji had not got up and they were surprised. They knocked the door for any response. As there was no reaction for a long time, they decided to open the door with the master key from the office.  As the door was opened, they found him lying on the ground with no sign of life in him. Immediately the doctor was summoned and he confirmed that his end came sometime after midnight. Nobody heard any noise for help from his room and the cause of death was a mystery to all. Doctor was sure that he did not die due to any heart attack or brain hemorrhage or any other serious ailment. His recent medical reports undoubtedly cleared him from happening of such ailments. He was even recollected his challenge on his diagnosis. It was a big unsolved  puzzle for him. As the doctor was confused on his death and pondering over as to how the death had occurred, he saw two live electrical wires with their ends non-insulated and connected to power source near his bed. Obviously Ravinderji would have come in contact with these open wires and got electrocuted. On investigation it was found an electrician was working in his room  the previous evening and left with the wires open.

The celebration arrangement was cancelled and among the mourners Aarti and her son were there to see him lifeless. As per Ravinder’s wish, he himself hastened his death by unknowingly touched the live wires, but he got  relieved from the memories of his family  tragedies. However his last wish to see his daughter and grandson remained unfulfilled.  He was a CENTENARIAN for all, as he had entered into his 100^th year before he died. 

Courtesy: PURE FIX....

-     

P.Krishnamoorthy

It was the late afternoon of a Friday when the summer drizzle  played games with the beads of the sunlight. The government co-ed high school in a village in South India was busy with all classes in session for  the last period. Being a weekend, students were happy that they would have two days holidays when they would have their own free time without a strict schedule.  All students  in the eighth grade were busy in copying the homework  from the blackboard.  Keshav was the only guy breaking his head  as how to get money to play card game in the weekend. Swiftly his eyes focused on the gold chain that was in  Sunitha’s neck, the girl  sitting exactly before him in the front row. Also favorably for him the chain  had loosened from its holding hook. A flash of an idea struck him to quietly snatch the chain from her as she was concentrating on copying. He executed his plan very successfully and kept the chain in between the pages of his book to avoid any detection in body search later.   Being the last period, on hearing the bell, the  students were rushing to leave. Along with her friends Sunitha also was to leave the class when she found her gold chain missing. She shouted for help and started crying.  John Peter, the class teacher immediately stopped everybody from exiting the room, as according to Sunitha, she was sure she had the chain when she came to the class. A body search was conducted on all students. Since the chain was concealed in a book, Keshav escaped in the body search. When leaving he was caught red-handed as the book fell down from his grip and got  opened  with  the chain. 

    

Keshav looked very dazed as he was  held by others. He was wondering what punishment he had to undergo for this crime.  Earlier he had done similar minor offences in the school but he would do them so cleverly that its onus would finally land on someone who would be punished. His outside activities include cheating in card games with a gang for money and  other illegal activities. One of the students reported the chain incident to the Principal, as he was very much offended by the body search.  In minutes the Principal was in the scene. After  extensive enquiries along with the evidence and insistence by other students,  the Principal had to decide to handover Keshav to the local police. The only support he had was from John Peter who was a missionary besides a school teacher. He felt very bad at  the unfortunate incident. Keshav could not be exonerated as a juvenile for this crime as it was done wantonly by him.

Orphaned by Keshav’s mother’s death in child birth and his father’s  mysterious absence, he was deprived of paternal love in his early years. He was under the care of his uncle who was ill-treating  him all the time. Due to severe berating and harassment, he used to slip away often from home and got exposed to violent culture. Academically he was below average and was detained in every class.

John Peter was confused  as the students and the Principal demanding on Keshav’s punishment through police. By that the future of Keshav would be ruined forever even if he gets the minimum punishment and gets into a criminal record. For this consideration he suggested to the Principal, his temporary suspension from the school instead of reporting to the police. According to John, Keshav was not to be blamed alone for this scenario, as by fate, he was deprived of a lovable upbringing by parents and subsequent torture he was undergoing at home by his uncle. The total neglect and uncaring he experienced from his childhood had manifested to his present state of behavior. The people at home were also equally responsible for such a situation. Arguments followed on both sides and on personal pleading by John  with his drastic step of resigning his school job if he had to be handed over to the police, it was decided that Keshav to leave the school permanently.

John took Keshav to his church as Keshav was scared  to face his uncle after this incident. After a prayer to the Lord, John gave advice on various virtues in  life and how he should adapt to various  circumstances and challenges as they come. Above all, not to forget the people who would help him in trying circumstances? He was imparting ‘sermons’ on  values in life. It was very late when they returned to John’s place.

Keshav was totally confused after his thoughts of various decisions about his future. John’s advice on life had strongly imbedded in his mind. Tossed by various thoughts whether to stay in the same village or otherwise to seek better future elsewhere, he was tormented emotionally in deciding a conclusion. The tip of the scale finally favored him to leave the place for good. The next dilemma was whether to inform this decision to John or not. His inner conscience indicated that John may not agree with it. He was  not inclined to be a burden on him in future.

It was past midnight and as everybody in John’s place was sleeping,  Keshav walked out of the house. Next morning when John came to his room, he found Keshav missing. Instead he had left a note to him indicating he was seeking his future elsewhere and profusely thanked for saving him at the critical moment. He assured him that he would become a new leaf with his good advices and blessings for a better future. John prayed to the Lord to bless Keshav all success in his future life.

As Keshav walked some distance he saw the rail station and a train ready for departure. He rushed and boarded the train. He later found that he was in upper class unlocked compartment. A middle aged couple was the occupants in it. On seeing the intruder, they were about to shout for help.  Keshav, in tears convinced them that he was an orphan seeking asylum for future living. The couple was returning to Mumbai from a temple in the south where they finished the first year ceremony for their only son Suresh who died in a car accident in Mumbai. The couple got moved by his pleading.  Also on seeing Keshav, they were surprised to find him with the same resemblance of their deceased son. They offered to take him to Mumbai and  help him for his future. Keshav was very happy and again he thanked John  for his timely help.

The transformation for Keshav was more of providential that made him to believe the divine faith. His thoughts were more positive that directed him to concentrate in his studies. Not a day passed without thinking John and his foster parents who later legally adopted him. From the  portraits at home, Keshav was astounded at the similarity between him and Suresh. Both in the school and college Keshav was an outstanding student and came out in flying colors. His faster parents were also very happy at the progress he made from an orphan child. Finally Keshav  had to leave them to take up a senior position in World Bank, Washington. Though they were not  happy to send him, they reluctantly agreed for his decision considering his future.

Though Keshav’s job was challenging and he had to devote more time in office. Often he was  feeling home sick and longing to see the foster parents,  but his profession kept him very busy. Time rolled by with the years passed and emotionally he became depressed with lonliness as the foster parents died due to health issues. He came to Mumbai to do the final ceremonies for them. An inner urge prompted him to make a visit to his old village and meet John Peter after a long spell if he was alive.

After completion of all ceremonies he made a down south visit to his village. It was evening when he entered the village. The setting sun was hiding behind the clouds in the crimson sky making a spectacular scene. The green fields in contrast  were a feast making everyone a silent spectator. Keshav enjoyed the natural beauty and compared  to the mundane metropolitan life. He was recollecting the old memories where he used to hang out in these fields with his friends. The rail station was as important to him as it opened a new page in his life book by  transforming a  reckless individual into a civilized soul.  Above all, the various virtues and values of life imparted to him by his mentor John Peters that were strongly carved in him, were recollected by him every time. As he was enjoying the nature’s unbounded  splendor, he had a sudden shock of his car suddenly stopped when it hit someone crossing the road. He got down and found a young girl was knocked down by his car. She was unconscious but stable. Keshav immediately arranged an ambulance to take her to a nearby hospital.

Though he had seen her for a brief moment, he got enticed with her beauty. Impelled by his inner impulse to see her again he made a visit to  the hospital. He felt relieved when the doctor said she was fine and normal and able to recognize others.  He introduced Keshav to the girl Diana as the man who arranged immediate ambulance  to the hospital in time. She had only external injuries and a hairline fracture on the right leg. He was eager to know about Diana’s parents and whether they had been informed about the accident. Diana was able to guess Keshav from an affluent family. But for no rhyme or reason  a sense of attachment with him was going thru her. Only the name ‘Keshav’ sounded familiar to her from the school days.  

Keshav heard some human voice crying “Diana” again and again. Followed the voice there entered a bearded gray haired old man. When the doctor informed him that his daughter was doing well and normal, he was relieved. Keshav introduced himself and enquired about the old man. Keshav’s ecstasy  was well manifested in his face when he knew that was his mentor, philosopher and guide John Peters and Diana was his daughter.  Reciprocally John Peter was also happy to see Keshav in a good shape after a long time since that night. Both happily hugged together. He also recollected Diana during school days as a minor girl. Decades have elapsed since then and now he saw her as a blooming beautiful adolescent. 

Keshav accompanied John to his home where they discussed everything happened during the years passed. John said his only unfulfilled commitment in life  was  his daughter’s marriage and he was on the lookout for a suitable alliance for her. Instantly Keshav seized that moment as he was pondering all along as to how to initiate his offer to John. He continued the conversation and conveyed his desire to marry Diana. This was a pleasant surprise for John as he was not expecting this from Keshav. He instantly expressed his whole hearted consent for his offer as  John knew that Diana had nobody in view of her own.  By this wedding Keshav was also blissful on his fulfillment of one of  John Peter’s ‘sermon’ that one should develop the ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE in life. 

                                              

                              

culture conflict 

                                                    - P. Krishnamoorthy

When the culture angles differ, the result of conflict has always been an enigma to be solved. This problem arises among families of immigrants living in foreign countries. As a good example, a reference to foreign nationals living in the United States can be cited.  United States of America was born only out of migrated people.     Even today the United States is the only country in the world that has not shut its doors to      millions of people who wish to immigrate here. This great country,    while regulating     the numerical count of   immigrants    based on   various considerations, has not totally pulled down the shutters for immigrants to settle here.  In the process, the society that was built-in, obtained a diversified and mixed culture. The American society, while attempting to absorb the cultures of many countries by peaceful co-existence, failed   in its     attempt to save    some other cultures from perishing, due to the hegemony and dominance of other cultures. Some became isolated while others survived with their cultural identity intact, in the subliminal process. Within this backdrop of   renaissance of cultures, the class that suffers is the younger generation. While balancing between traditional or conservative and progressive or liberal dogmas, they are caught in between      two different cultures –    one at home in the traditions of their motherland, and the other, the progressive or liberal American culture.

Among  the immigrant families that came here three decades ago, ours was one among them.  I was born here, and I am the only female child born to my parents. While growing up, enduring their anxiety that I should not miss the traditional Indian culture base, I was compelled by them to learn the classical Indian dance. They made arrangements for me to learn that age-old-art. Out of fascination I also evinced a very keen interest and fidelity in the art. To a great extent, it helped me to adopt myself to the Indian cultural background. During my college education, I devoted time to learn that art and reached an acceptable level by its standards. On completing my last year of college, I was proficient enough in various types of dance that qualified me for the inaugural performance on the stage called “Arangetram” or the graduating ceremony. Folks who sponsored the performance also invited the media to cover the event. There were some American reporters, among the group, who attended the function.

 For me, the long awaited glorious evening had arrived. I was going to perform before an audience, my first classical dance of ‘Bharathanatyam’ that involved the use of fast rhythmic footwork, ‘lasya’ the gracious body movements, hand gestures and facial expressions. Initial nervousness surfaced, but I was able to overcome it through my motivation and dedication. For the event, I arrived on stage wearing colorful costumes and make up. Among the celebrities in the first row, I was attracted to an American reporter who seemed young, handsome and smart; his eyes were powerful and they radiated his inner energy. His dimpled cheeks added extra forte to this personality. He was incredibly placid, beyond my expectation. I felt compelled to see him again and again, and a strange feeling evolved gradually within me that I had never before experienced.  I would not call it mere infatuation or attraction. There was this strong inner urge that I continually wanted to be with him. This strange new emotional feeling was unprecedented. To my surprise, he also reciprocated. I absorbed an invisible understanding in unspoken words that began developing between us.

 After offering the initial prayer to the dancing God Nataraja, I started my initial steps to begin my performance.  I could not imagine any other reason for the exceptional  perfection in my performance except the inner feeling that I must impress and convince this young reporter who had suddenly become ‘someone’ dear to me. I would say that, in my mind, a sense of belonging to him had already developed. I finished the ‘bavas’ and ‘mudras’ so well, I could hear the chorus cheers from the audience. This instant kudos exhilarated me so deeply that I felt my eyes welling up in tears.  Applauding with the audience, the young reporter’s eyes were focused sharply on me; he was concentrating on my colorful costume. At the end of the performance, I rushed to exit the stage to meet and thank him in person for his appreciation. To my surprise, he was also waiting for me. He introduced himself as Arthur of the “Daily Mail”, and he attended the performance to record and review the event. When he said my name, “Nandini”, I was taken aback. However, he instantly justified the source of knowing my name by the invitation. In reviewing my performance, he praised my personal beauty and the excellent rhythmic footwork and movements of my body. This maiden public performance of my recital ended in great success. My parents were very happy and proud that I was able to cling so strongly to the Indian cultural background in spite of my birth and upbringing in a foreign country for more than two decades.

 On that night, a new kind of obsession dominated within me. I could not explain my sudden involvement with Arthur. However, as much as I tried to account for this strange feeling, I was defeated in my quest. I was unable to forget his face that my mind had registered so indelibly. I began to feel a kind of attachment toward him, and a longing to meet and talk with him.  I have read many romantic novels with descriptive narration of such feelings. I realized that I was experiencing these feelings and reflected on this new state of mind. I felt the personal chemistry between us to be very compatible. I was very sure that this was not just a feeling of infatuation or friendship, it went beyond that.  It was more a mental debate; my trying to assess the reasons for my attachment to him. Probably, this is the feeling they term ‘love’.  In short, he was the driving force behind my laurels and glory. To sum up this strange feeling, it haunted me mercilessly and fuelled my confused mind. The biological requirement of my youth also joined this coup, urging to strengthen the relationship between us.

I was wondering how I would convince my parents on the issue of taking him as a life partner when they were totally traditional and conservative in their attitude and outlook. I knew that my proposal to marry Arthur would not elicit any consent from them. What was puzzling, I had lived with my parents for so many years and had never thought of doing anything against their wishes. Now my mind was suddenly focused on marrying Arthur, and that would be a big blow to them. It occurred to me that the younger generation could only think about themselves when they wished to choose a partner for life.

At that stage, I was caught between my responsibility toward my parents - to satisfy them in their aspirations to have a traditional marriage with an Indian - and the love that I was developing toward Arthur. I had to confront my feelings for both of them. After extensive thinking, the scale finally tilted on Arthur’s side. I had to inform my parents of my love for him. But going against their wishes would be a colossal crime that they would remember forever. The dictates of my conscience warned me of the injustice to be carried out against my loving parents, but the emotional and impulsive drive being experienced led Arthur and I to meet discreetly and frequently.

In our dates we discussed everything. Our initial conversations covered each other’s physical features as part of the love syndrome. Our deliberations also included review of our conflicting cultures. During one conversation, I was able to understand Arthur’s poor opinion of Indian culture. This hurt my sentiments very seriously. According to Arthur, the Indian culture and connected disciplines totally deprived women of individual rights and entitlement under the label of “restrictions”. Their personal feelings and thoughts were never allowed to be expressed by men folk on any issue and unilaterally were against women. Such decisions were strictly confined to conventions. Any amount of legislation passed to make laws on equality issues were to no avail; the society was still clinging to its age-old sentiments. According to him “the highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others," than just blindly following what they preach. Behind the common man’s everyday living, the society visualized divinity to hold the age-old sentiments. Anybody who violates their philosophy was considered a ‘sinner’ from a divine point of view and lampooned. To hold to one’s own intellectual thought and expressing it openly was considered a sin.  

  Besides this point of view, according to Arthur’s theory, all Indian arts are connected to Indian divinity to make them popular among the people. This notion is nothing but a bequest over generations. For instance, the dance art was connected to Lord Nataraja, an incarnation of the God Shiva. According to Arthur, even the flaws in the art were viewed in blurred vision and condoned. Such flaws or irregularities have not been manifested or magnified or even pointed out; they were overlooked with divine dimensions or religious disciplines. His arguments were centered to the point that Indian culture used religion to make various arts popular with the people; this could not be roped to the moorings of reasoning.  It is better to live as a hero for a day than living as a coward forever. Without bending to the blind laws of the society, if the individual becomes a rebel and exposes the flaws of blind faith, he was branded as a sinner. Then he would become rock solid in his uncompromising advocacy against societal sentiments. When he was punished with death he becomes a martyr.  He was citing the example of the Greek philosopher Socrates who held strongly to his dogmas even when he was punished with death and became a martyr in history.

  The religious sword forever hanging on one’s head, the performers or critics of various Indian arts never had the courage and freedom to point out certain unacceptable norms of the art. However, with the passage of time, the society finally objected to making changes to the art. They were strong enough to punish such critics openly and labeled them outcasts and hostile to the society. This was Arthur’s explanation as to why he was not totally in favour of Indian arts. He liked the various movements in any particular piece, its speed compatible to rhythm, sweet melodies and the accompaniments as pure art. He also liked the rich appropriate costumes connected with the art and the beautiful performers in the role, but he was against such arts painted in religious faith. He used to compare western ballet and other folk dances which were more realistic and simple.

  “Arthur! You have misunderstood our Indian culture. Life is a period between birth and death of an individual. This period is divided into various phases under a natural process; each phase differing from the other but leading to the next one.  Under a society that was formed on common disciplines, these individuals live; forming families through wedlock that contribute to their wellbeing and others. In the struggle they confront many problems and deal with them effectively to sustain themselves, and bear children as wards for the future. Whereas your culture has no basis at all, it is barbarian in character.  Under ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ labels, your culture insists on isolationism without any consideration or importance to family values and human bond. We can see your culture’s open manifestations in separation of families in huge numbers.” That is how I responded to his serious allegations about Indian culture. Arthur was unhappy about my substantive explanation of his culture.

“Nandini!  You cannot degrade our culture.  Only when an individual is isolated, he thinks on his own, and he is not influenced in any way. Even if he faces defeat in his activism of his personal views, he is still considered a victor and not vanquished. He is not compromising himself for the sake of others.” Repeated discussions along these lines finally left both of us feeling that neither of us would give up our personal conviction.    

 Arthur invited me to attend his birthday celebrations. Regrettably the date clashed with my dance programme that was already fixed. He kept insisting on my personal presence at his birthday party; he even advised that the dance performance is not that important. His words carried a tone of anger that he repeated very strongly. The dance recital was important for me. It would be presided over by Swarnamuki, a well known exponent from India. He again reiterated that I should participate in the birthday function and cancel the dance programme. I then felt that I had to explain to him what was important to me. I made it very clear to him that my life’s aspiration was only to reach the highest level in the dance discipline. In that process, my own personal marriage would have to take a back seat.

When Arthur ordered me to participate in his birthday event, my ego did not allow me to accede to his request.  My parents never ordered me around, and Arthur had only recently come into my life. With differing personal opinions, in particular our cultures, I felt married life with Arthur could never be smooth sailing; daily bickering would be the end result. Domestic harmony seemed to be more a mirage than reality. In view of this, I decided against marriage with Arthur and informed him accordingly. He was in great shock about my decision to break our relationship; it was indeed a surprise to him. But after perceptive thinking, he wanted me to reconsider the decision. He would still be expecting me to attend his birthday party. Indeed, I became confused between two matters: the short span of time I’d spent in Arthur’s company, and the quick progress I was making in my dance career. After deep consideration, I decided to continue with my dance career over our relationship.

The dance recital, presided over by Swarnamuki in the presence of selected celebrities, was a great success. I performed every number: Alaripu, Jatiswaran, Shabdam, Varnam, Padams, Javalis, Kirtanam and Tillana so well that Swarnamuki showed her appreciation for all of them. She mentioned that on retiring in India, she was looking for someone who could take over her position there. She had now made that choice, and was asking for my consent. I explained that I would require some time to think as it involved moving to India.

As I exited the stage, a young man came running toward me bearing a bouquet of flowers. He inquired if I was Nandini, and I answered in the affirmative. He responded that Arthur had sent these flowers with greetings and congratulations on my dance performance. It was a big surprise to me; the flowers were brought by a young man instead of Arthur. I asked him where Arthur was. He responded that there was a serious car accident and Arthur had been admitted to the hospital. I immediately rushed to the hospital with the young man where I learned that Arthur was in a critical condition due to extensive head injury. They then took me to the room where he was lying.

Except for his face, from head to toe he was covered with bandages. I whispered my name to him, and he instantly opened his eyes. Despite his inability to speak, he managed to utter personal wishes for the dance recital and appreciated my cultural bond and determination. On finishing his birthday celebrations early, he was driving to attend my dance performance when, because of speeding, an accident occurred. He had sustained serious head injuries. In his dying stage he wished me much success with future performances and that I continue my implicit faith in the cultural bond. Echoing those words, Arthur’s life came to an end.

Despite our differences, Arthur was a good friend, philosopher and a guide in my life. Having lost him, I informed Swarnamuki of my decision to move to India. In dedication to Arthur, I offered myself a career in dance.