Dance Competition

Priyadarshini is clapping with the taal she said while her students danced on the learned steps of Bharatnatyam. Neha and Supriti swayed very daintily to the music making their dance Mam smile. After the lesson completed Priya said “You two are gems of my dance academy. One day you two will be the pride of this school. I’ve something interesting for you two. Please ask your moms to meet me” Both ran towards the lounge where the students’ parents wait. Their ghungroos tinkled when they ran out and the sound made them look at each other with a smile. Both announced at once with same delight “Mam is calling you” Their mothers said to one another “Come lets’ see what is the reason of her summon”

Priya said “Both of my students and your daughters have turned into competent dancers. I wish them to enrol in the test for dance competition to be held by XYZ television channel for junior dancers”

Neha’s mother Bhavna said “Will she be able to compete?”

“Why not, I’m sure for both of my students. And they are going to become skilled some more on the subject”

Supriti’s mother Sunaina asked “From where we have to collect the forms?”

“Please come here next Sunday. The representatives of the channel are going to come with the forms”

Both thanked the teacher and left the academy with their wards. Sunaina said to Supriti while walking back home “Mam has selected you to represent the academy before a big audience, so you have to practice enough to be selected in the first round itself”

Supriti said “Mam has selected both of us”

“I know but I feel you are her first preference”

Supriti couldn’t figure out when her Mam declared such choice. But she did not argue more because she is very much aware of her mom’s bad temper.

On the day of the first audition Supriti was surprised to see the huge number of participants. She whispered to Neha “I’m feeling very nervous”

“Why?” asked surprised Neha.

“What do you think will we get selected?”

“Lets’ think for the best”

Supriti advanced her two fingers (index and middle) towards her and said “Please hold any one immediately”

Neha caught the middle one. Supriti smiled a little “Thanks we both will get selected” and she folded her hands to say her little request to God. They got to show their talent one by one for two minutes and their happiness knew no bounds when they really got selected in the first round. Now the short-listed candidates will get the chance to perform before the renowned dance masters and a big audience. The whole show will be telecasted in the popular television channel. Supriti and Neha were very thrilled to go through the first barrier and hugged each other in joy. Priyadarshini was very pleased at the performance of her students. She exclaimed “I was sure that both of you will make your place in the main contest”

But Sunaina wasn’t satisfied with the result. She said to her daughter “It’s good that you too got the opportunity to achieve a place in the competition but Neha’s performance was much better than you. Now you have to promise me that you will try to do better than her. As you are going to stay with the other contestants for the training see how they perform and try to learn more from your teachers”

Supriti just nodded her head in approval. They were divided into small groups and each group was to be guided by one choreographer. Supriti and Neha got the chance to learn from two different masters. They were good in bharatnatyam but now they started training in western type.

The competition was divided into three levels. The competitors performed and judges gave their verdict on how each one did and the best ones were gifted with chocolates and candies. After the second level, the elimination round started to select the best among the better ones. Now Supriti got very anxious. She feared if she got eliminated what will be her mom’s reaction. Until now she was enjoying the new dance techniques and their stay out from home because she had Neha, her best friend beside her. Now as the competition got tougher Supriti became more and more nervous. Sunaina called her up every night on phone and said only one thing “Both of you are selected up to the quarter final round. Neha is doing better than you. I’m quite sure that both of you will be there in the final round. But you have to win the competition and keep my prestige before my relatives and neighbours. Do your best”

Supriti couldn’t share these words with anyone and it created pressure on her mind. Neha saw her friend’s sad face and asked “Why are you so stressed?” She couldn’t say her mom’s words to Neha. But her friend understood something is going wrong. Their dance teacher often spoke with them on phone. This time Neha told her everything about Supriti. Priyadarshini told her to be with her friend.

On the day of final round she visited her students. Supriti was happy to see her teacher but her worried face did not lit up with joy. Priya asked “What happened dear? This is the time when you should be calm and concentrate only on your performance. But your face is revealing that you are not well. Tell me what is troubling you? I’ll try to solve your problem”

Supriti revealed everything her mom has said. Priya answered “You should always set a goal for your work then you can succeed in reaching it. In your case your mom has set the goal for you. Don’t think the difficulty of reaching the goal but think how you will feel when you reach it. Just keep on practising and perform your best” Supriti bowed down to touch her feet.

Both the friends performed on the final day along with four other competitors and waited for the announcement of the result. At last the result was announced. Neha has won the award while Supriti has bagged the second position. Sunaina was furious. She was among the audience watching the final round. She forgot that all others are watching them. She shook her daughter and screamed “You are a loser a total loser. I told you should concentrate more on your steps but you....”

Priyadarshini stopped her. She too was in the auditorium. She said “Mrs. Bharghav this isn’t the only competition. She has got a chance to perform in one and will also in the future. She has also learnt a lot. She will surely succeed in the next ones”

Supriti said “I’m very happy that my friend has bagged the award. And I promise I’ll do better the next time and will make my parents happy”