Saturday, March 29, 2008

God is still working on her!

You must already have read on my cousin Pratibha, about whom I once wrote in one of my previous posts. This time I would like to repost it.She has achieved something this month which is for sure an inspiration to all of us. It reminds us on the infinite potential hidden in each one of us.This month she did her Arangetram, which lasted for 1 1/2 hours on stage.Arangetram is a graduation ceremony and a defining moment in a dancer's life.Read more on Pratibha and what she has to teach us......


As the Macro cosmic Omnipresence rejuvenates into the microcosmic creations ,
as Nature replays itself in its myriad forms,
as the first ever flower receives its first sunshine and enlightens the plant,
as the first reptile soars up in the sky freeing itself from the fetters of the gravitational pull tasting freedom,
as the carbon transforms into a diamond, the precious gem:
Consciousness unravels itself !!!

While Nature is still at its play creating and recreating, its flora, its fauna and its infinite variety of creatures,we do fumble upon mutations. Yes,mutations,that are still full of Nature`s artistry yet having a pronounced difference. Yes,different in form but still an embodiment and expression of Nature. Yes,different because of a surplus or lack of the building block,the chromosome.

Let me share with you this real life story of a gift of Nature,who is different and who is special. I am fortunate to have her as my dear cousin. I still remember the day she was born, when my uncle walked into our house with a beaming face of a proud father. I remember peering into her tiny little eyes, when I was a little scared yet wanting to hold her feather like body. She grew up in a warm atmosphere surrounded by love and affection. Her tiny legs refused to take her first step even at the age of three,her mouth unable to produce audible meaningful sounds! I witnessed the silent pain endured by her parents and the whole family .... They were unable to accept that they were blessed with a special bud, which will also bloom in its own special way. She was diagnosed by doctors of various disciplines, and she also accepted alternative therapies.... She slowly started to walk,started to talk....
I still remember clearly,the way she snuggled in my lap and stared at my face trying to decipher the sounds that I produced ...the way she swayed her body to any melodious music!

But time passed,she grew into adulthood, yet untouched by its complexities. Those legs which once refused to walk slowly took rhythmic steps of classical dance. The perfection and grace she rendered would not be measured according to regular standards , but still she danced,she danced before audiences without inhibitions. Her in born talents today unravel when she cooks,stitches ,memorizes phone numbers!

The child in her still alive : still frustrated on missing out something about the adult hood,She is God's rare creation, He still working on her. Don't we also yearn for the innocence and heart of a child,faded away or buried in our process of attaining maturity? Like the consciousness which is ever flowing in all the
creations, in you and in me and in all that we see around,the same inherent consciousness is latent in my cousin and all the special gifts of Nature too. Let us not read each others labels but rather look beyond it,to read something divine and sublime , reflections of our own consciousness.

Watch this vedio of Pratibha's Arangetram!

12 comments:

Pooja Na(i)rayan said...

A great post. She is lucky to have a cousin like u who looks beyond labels.

Dhanya said...

I'm not surprised. I have seen many kids like this - special ones in the true sense. Their talent is beyond comparison. This that's God's way..
Btw, not able to watch the video

mathew said...

I remember reading this post..and as mentioned infact we have lot of lessons to learn from it..

P.S.The video doesnt seem to play..

mathew said...

oh and btw you are tagged. :-)

Pooja Na(i)rayan said...

Where are u nowadays? DOnot see u? Will call u

dharmabum said...

what a wonderful post, a perfect tribute to your cousin :)

J said...

I just watched the video, Nanditha, and she is wonderful in it. The confidence she portrayed in the performance is commendable. I can imagine the proud smiles on her parents' faces watching that splendid performance.

Rajeev S said...

Yes Nandu, God is still working on her, and She too worked very hard to preform the way she did... Most people we invited came with far lower expectations... and they expressed so at the end of the performance... as jyotsana put it, we had proud smiles on our faces... Some of the comments from the audiences were: chief guest: 'stunning...'; Principal of Dilkhush school: 'last time when i saw her performing, I am surprised, but this time, i am searching for words to express myself'; Pandit Nayan Ghosh: 'I am amazed to see her performing with perfection of laya (rhythm) most of the time'; Jyoti Ghosh: 'She is involving in each and every thing and was enjoying herself on stage'; Others: 'She look gorgeous in different costumes'; 'we thoroughly enjoyed eventhough we are seeing a bharatnatyam performance for the first time'; 'I have seen few arangetrams, but the spark I have seen here is very different'; 'Dance is in her genes, you have to encourage her to do more'; 'thank you for inviting us for this splendid performance'.... But pratibha was enjoying the attention she was getting, and not sure whether she really understood what everyone said... Anyway she is enjoying life... Involving in everyday life in her own way...

Sig said...

What a great post! And what a splendid performance... Pratibha is truly blessed with talent and more importantly she is blessed to be surrounded by such loving people...

Susan said...

Has it been a year already? Feels like just hours ago that I read about your cousin, but this precious girl is growing up with much talent and confidence. We should all be so lucky to live to every potential. Thanks for sharing the update, Nanditha. Keep us posted with more as time unfolds.

Lakshmi said...

amazing and truly inspiring..tells us not to crib in life ..thanks

Pradeep Nair said...

Pass on my felicitations! Let me tell you, most often unsung champions look more original than the others. Let us be grateful for the blessings that we all enjoy in some form or the other.