The Backstage Artist

There was a live music concert in town that day.

People of town were thrilled and were eager to attend the concert.

They were so excited because it was the first concert of Rocky in that town. Or should I say in his home town.

Rocky, who was born and raised in that town, whose real name (before he got famous) was Rakesh Sharma. He was coming to the town for the first time in three years ever since he achieved fame. So the people of the town were excited.

The concert began at around 8 PM that night. The auditorium was flooding with the crowd.

Rocky’s family and other close relatives and friends were allotted the front row VIP seats.

Auditorium was buzzing with the chitter-chatter sounds of all cheerful audience.

Rocky then got on stage. “Ahoy! You People! ” he raised both his hands and shouted a welcome to his town people.

“Hoooooooooooooo!” People were over the moon already.

Rocky raised his guitar in air, and then wore it down and around his left shoulder. In an artistic fashion he then clutched the guitar with his left hand. And his right hand fingers moved flawlessly over the strings to give a gentle wave. Entire hall pulsated with the harmonic waves.

Rocky began singing his first song. And then song after song.

It was awesome and so good that crowd was now shouting and hailing for him- “Hohohohohohohohoooooooooo”

Everybody was so lost in his songs and his magical voice.

There in the same auditorium in one of the last rows, an old man was sitting.

There was a smile on his face.

But his eyes were moist.

Perhaps he was so overwhelmed by the crowds’ reaction for the artist, that he began crying. Though his face looked so peaceful and serene for some reason.

And for some reason, it seemed as if he wasn’t there in the auditorium for that moment.

There he was, sitting there in his flesh and blood on that chair. But his soul wasn’t there anymore.

That old man, Mr. Murthy, had somehow gone back in his time ten years back.

Ten years back when he was a music teacher in Sharda Convent School of town. Rakesh was one of his students.

Rakesh was a below-average student in his class. And he always felt so demotivated in front of his friends in school.

That day, Rakesh was crying silently in his music class, which was an optional hobby subject. Rakesh chose the class because he could understand it easily. And he had this feeling of satisfaction within him every time he played music.

When Mr. Murthy figured that Rakesh was not focused that day in class, he looked at his sad face and understood the reason for his melancholia.

It was that day when he decided to tell Rakesh something which will change his life forever.

Mr. Murthy, in his calm and confident voice, told him-

“You shouldn’t feel sad and hopeless my boy. You are a rather gifted child.

So what you can’t get good grades in exams!

Your grades won’t matter one day!

You are born to be a Musician, Rakesh!

I have always seen that sparkle in your eyes when you play music.

It is something extraordinary.

 Don’t be sad by these grades and exams.

Your talents lie here, In Music.

And remember my words Rakesh: One day you will be one of the greatest singers and musicians in the whole world. All you have to do is trust me and keep practicing music.”

The flashback ended.

Mr. Murthy returned back to his chair in that very concert, once again in his same old body.

He couldn’t control his tears anymore. And he felt so happy that night.

His student had finally achieved his dream. He had finally become a famous singer.

He doesn’t expect anything in return from his student. Not even a front row VIP seat.

He is happy being a backstage artist in his student’s life.