Free Like A Bird

Village Balapur of Orissa is decorated with colourful lights and gaiety. The village is welcoming Lord Jagannath and everyone is seen celebrating the Rath Yatra, the car festival of Odisha. 

Rajesh, the son of Odisha lives in the village Balapur in Odisha. He is a trained Odissi dancer and wishes to perform on stage. He is one of the first male dancers from his area. 

Diary: Page 78 Today is Rath Yatra, the first day of July 1990 in the calendar. For the years I have been writing this diary but today I am really excited as I will be performing on this auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra. It was my dream to perform one day on Rath Yatra. We welcome Lord Jagannath every year but this year we are going to perform before him. This is really great and I am grateful to all. Today I will be presenting the Odissi dance from Basant Pallavi on stage. 

Someone: Rajesh Mahesh is calling you. 

Rajesh: Yes I was just finishing my daily habit of writing. Tell him that I am coming. 

The stage has been set up and decorated with colourful lights and flowers. A beautiful idol of Lord Jagannath is kept on the stage. There is a hustle and bustle as the dance programme is about to start in a few hours. Every participant is busy with the dance programme and some participants are rehearsing their roles backstage.

Rajesh: Yes Sir. 

Sir: This is a very special day for all of us. We have been lucky to get such an opportunity of dancing on stage on this Rath Yatra before Lord Jagannath. All the best. 

Rajesh: Thank you, Sir. 

Sir: Wear your costumes we are about to start. 

Rajesh: Sir it's inside the Green Room. I am hurrying to change my costumes. 

Rajesh goes to the Green Room. He cuts off his moustache and applies makeup on his face. He applies lipstick on his lips and eyeshadow on his eyes. He then wears his costume. He is in a 'dhoti ' and wraps his body with a cloth. He opens a jewellery box from where he takes out his necklace and earrings and wears them. He then wears the 'jhoomar' on his feet and walks towards the stage. 

Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balaram are worshipped on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra. They are welcomed by all the members of the troop. People have come to worship and pray to Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balaram. 'Arati' is performed by the group members. Drum. beats are heard and colourful lights are seen through the lanes. 

The programme begins. The opening dance form is a tribute and honour to Lord Jagannath. It is followed by a Radha Krishna act which is beautifully presented by the members. Then 

Rajesh enters the stage. He prays to Lord Jagannath and beautifully presents Basant Pallavi, the Pallavi raga in Odissi dance. He with his footwork and 'Mudras' awed the expressions of the viewers. Everyone applauded after his performance. In the festival of Rath Yatra, people hold the rope tied to the Rath and take out Lord Jagannath and the Rath in the lanes. This forms a mark of worship to Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and his brother Balaram.

Rajesh sets for home. As he comes towards his house his neighbour Rishi's mother mocks and laughs at him calling him devoid of manliness. The neighbours used to mock Rajesh as he was a male dancer in the village and as no man is allowed to put lipstick on his lips neither cut off his moustache nor dance on stage. 

Rajesh enters home. He is deeply hurt. After reaching home his sister-in-law, Tara starts shouting and mocking him. 

Tara: What is it? Why are we going to hear all this? Can you not change your profession? We have told you a hundred times that no man is allowed to apply makeup and dance on stage. It's only for females. Girls look beautiful while they dance but men are not supposed to dance.

Rajesh's brother and Tara's husband come in. He angrily shouts at Rajesh for cutting his moustache and applying make-up. He tells Rajesh that the people in this world are not going to accept him in this way. 

Rajesh is deeply hurt. He keeps his diary on the table and starts writing on it. The diary is his only friend who has no complaint against him and accepts his wishes. 

Diary: Page 81 Today I was excited about the programme but now. Why is there such a stigma inside the people of the world who do not consider a male dancer? Why are such stereotypical ideologies grown inside the minds who cannot accept a male dancer and thinks him devoid of masculinity. I feel that masculinity comes from human deeds and not from being born as men in the world. After so many years of Independence from India, we are still on the banks of primitive thoughts. We are still bound by the old customs and ideologies where there are gender-based differences. We have faced many rulers and many have ruled here on this land. But now when we are independent, why we are ground and stamped on the heels of the stereotypes and why we are still bound with the shackles of folkways and mores when we are free. What is the meaning of an Independent Country when we are still far away from achieving it? What is my fault? I just wanted to become a dancer. My only ambition was to be a dancer and dance on stage but the people since my childhood have created obstacles while hearing that I want to become a dancer. Why professions are created as male and female and not equally measured by the capacities of a person. 

Rajesh cries and tears run down his face. 

The next morning Rajesh leaves the house and sets off for a new journey. For some time he gets trained in Odissi dance and earns money setting up different shows on stage. He joins a big troop named NityaKala which earned through setting up stages and dance programs across India. The dance troop 'Nityakala' became renowned through their talents and Rajesh has now gained an important position in the group. They are now called in a TV reality show, The Dancers. They got selected in the audition of the show and started their journey. Among the troop, there were many male and female dancers who were on their dance journey on the stage of 

The Dancers. On the first day, they presented an Odissi dance form and robbed the hearts of the audience. They performed on different songs and themes alongside Odissi. They danced to different songs and folk dances such as Sambalpuri, Bihu, Jhumur dance. Each day was tough for Rajesh. He not only has the ambition to win the show but also prove himself as a dancer. Rehearsals took place every day and every contestant of the show practised with concentration. Nityakala also worked hard and Rajesh is trying hard to establish himself. 

Diary: Page 400 Today is the finale of the show. I am really excited. I have never thought of getting such an opportunity to dance on such a big dance show. I am happy that I have chosen this profession. I cannot express my feelings today but I'm really happy to be a part of the show. But the only thing I am thinking about is my family. It has been years since I have gone to my village. How are they now? Should I go and meet my family? 

The Dancers show is set to start their finale. Everyone is busy in the Green Room and a commotion is heard as everyone is getting ready for their performances. Rajesh is busy with his attire. Somebody knocks at the door. 

May I come inside the door? 

Rajesh: Who are you? 

Your Tara didi. 

Rajesh: Come inside. 

Rajesh's Sister-in-law: Rajesh it has been years since we met. I am your Tara didi. Really sorry for what I have told you. You have made our village Balapur proud by performing on such a huge platform. I have always shouted at you at a bad pitch and mocked your talent for dancing but can you not forgive me for that I am regretting it. I have learnt that no profession is gender-based rather talent-based. You have proved your talent and acquired your ambition of becoming a dancer. Today I have come here to cheer you up on the stage.

Rajesh: No, Tara didi. It is really kind of you that you have come. I am really thankful to you for being here. I have been a dancer but people really did not accept me but I am thankful that finally you are here . Really thankful to you didi. Where is my brother? Is he still angry at me?

Rajesh's Sister-in-law: No he is outside. Everyone is very happy to see you in the Dancers stage. Our neighbours have also come to meet you. Once they mocked you and said bad words to you but today they are proud of you.

Rajesh: Tell them to come inside the room didi.

Tara calls the neighbours and Rajesh's brother inside. The neighbours come inside and regret the behaviour they had made to Rajesh for being a male dancer. They say that they are really proud of him as he is the only one who has represented their village in such a big show and the villagers are proud of Rajesh. Rajesh is spellbound with the neighbours' affection made towards him and welcomes them. 

The Dancers stage is set and the curtains are opened. Nityakala group enters the stage. Today they are performing an Odissi dance act Mangalacharan, Vandana. Rajesh touches the ground and prays. The stage echoes with a few words as the group Nityakala sets off to perform the Odissi dance from Mangalacharan. "Mangalacharan is an Oddisi dance form which is also known as Vandana or prayer made to the Gods. " As the song begins the dancers of Nityakala enter the stage and invoke blessings from Lord Jagannath and pray to him.  They beautifully dance and through each dance step presents their act of prayers. Within the dance, they beautifully show the life of Lord Ganesh and pray to him. Everyone enjoyed the dance and applauded. Rajesh's villagers cheered and Rajesh smiled at them. Other dance forms were also presented by the other groups and each and every dance had its beauty. After all the performances the people waited for the judge's decision. Rajesh wants to speak a few words to the judges and he gets permission to speak on stage. 

Rajesh: On behalf of the group Nityakala I want to say a few words. Today as we all know is the last day of the show. Our journey of this show is about to end. We, the contestants, have been practising hard and performing on the stage. This stage has been a huge platform giving us an opportunity to showcase our talents. Thanks to the show who gave us, the group, Nityakala the opportunity to perform on this platform. We are really thankful for the show, The Dancers. Since childhood, I have wanted to be a dancer but I was discouraged from being a man. People said that females look beautiful while they dance but men should not choose a profession like dance because it affects manliness. Living in such conditions I preferred to dance being a man and breaking such stereotypical thoughts that creates differences between men and women. Today I am not waiting to become the winner rather waiting to gain recognition and freedom, freedom from the shackles of society. 

Rajesh's Sister-in-law, Tara waves her hand from the audience crowd and asks the judges if she can get a chance to speak in return for Rajesh's words. The judges gave her permission to speak and she stepped on the stage. 

Rajesh's sister-in-law: I want to speak to the audience today. Since early days, I have been very rude to Rajesh, my brother-in-law and shouted at him for being a male dancer. I have never thought that I am creating differences between gender and binding Rajesh with the shackles of stereotypes. But why are we still inside such primitive thoughts? India gained freedom on 15th August 1947 from 200 years of British colonial rule and our beloved Rajesh of Balapur has also gained independence today from such stereotypical ideologies. He has acquired his ambition of becoming a dancer and has broken the gender differences. The neighbours of our village who mocked and said bad words to Rajesh have really changed their minds. Today they have come here to cheer him on. Rajesh has finally succeeded and gained freedom from the societal norms that once dominated his dreams and wishes. 

Independence does not mean colonial independence but independence to choose one's own dream. Rajesh is an inspiration to many who get dominated and treated unequally on earth. His independence is not only his but also to millions. Since my childhood, I also had a passion to get a job but this dream was washed by societal pressure and marriage. After marriage, I became busy with married life and never thought of my wishes. We all are really thankful to Rajesh as we have realised that we have our ambition. 

Rajesh: I cannot express my feelings to you. I am really happy that society accepted a male dancer. I only want to say #freeindia as I have really got freedom today from the stereotypical ideologies of gender-based professions.