I’ve got talent

I collapsed…right infront of them.Not something that I am proud of even today but what the hell it was my first time….Sudhams

Everybody from my class were super excited when the announcement came that there was gonna be a dance competition in the school. It was when I was in my 7^th class.The Annual Sports meet became the second most exciting thing of the year. When I first heard of the announcement I laughed at the people who were interested. I mean how can they shamelessly dance infront of the crowd..All our teachers would be watching and most of all dancing is so girly… 😛

But when a few people from the class began practicing and bringing the audio cassettes to classes,  I kind of got attracted. Moreover I was the captain of the Green house and I cannot possibly be a good example to my teammates if I did not take part. Also one more reason is that there was this girl it the class that I always tried to impress and what better way than to show her my dancing skills.. so yes I gave my name for the selections…

Training:

First things first, Dancing kind of came naturally to me. I never had any formal training or anything. I watched a lot of movies and television and somehow I had the grooving in me 😉

So I did not practice much for the competition. I wasn’t really aiming at winning the prize. Impressing the girl was the primary objective. I was more into training my friends and helping them choose good songs. I myself chose this song from an old Venkatesh film. I thought that it was cool enough and I did not even practice for that.I did not even fell like buying a costume for that. I wore a t shirt reverse(so that it’ll look like a turtle neck) and on that wore some other shirt with a pair of jeans to go along with that.. that’s all. So everything was set for the selections..

I bunked the school on the day before the competitions coz I had to attend a function at my uncles house.

As a child I always liked Hindi music probably coz there were no Telugu music channels back then. So as I was watching M Tv that day, I saw this absolutely awesome song from Dil Chahta Hai…

“Koi kahe…kehta rahe.. kitna bhi hamko diwana…

Koi kahe…kehta rahe.. kitna bhi hamkoooo diwana…”

Aamir, Saif and Akshay was dancing like crazy…The song’s got the right mix…

“Yes….this is it!!” I was sure that it was the song I was gonna dance for. I begged my mom for the money and immediately bought the audio cassette(there were no cds back then).

I was just playing the song for the second time when a friend of mine came home and told me that the selections were to be held that evening during the study hours. The very next day was the competition.I had no other option except to hurry up. Even while taking a bath I was still confused which song to choose. Finally I thought a Hindi song would make me look cool infront of the girl and so I picked up the Dil Chahta hai cassette and went to the study hours.

Selections:

There is no need to mention about the Hungama in the class that evening. Everyone was doing their part in creating a scene. There was this girl “Jaya” who was supposed to be the best dancer of us all. Everybody was sure that shez gonna win the first prize. I thought even she knew that… looking at her confidence. Anyway I wasn’t looking to win prizes, I was just gonna impress my girl.(For the record… that girl didn’t participate in the competition)

“Sudhams!! Madam is calling you.. take your cassette along with you to the lab!!”  a senior announced..

What?? Why should I be the first one?? I should atleast know what it will be like.. It was the first time ever the competition is being held and I was called to dance infront of Annie Madam and Sushma Teacher!!?? and the worst part is I wasn’t even sure what I was gonna perform infront of them…Aaarrgghhh.. cudn’t  believe my luck.. 😦

Everybody shouted and wished me luck as I nervously left my classroom and walked towards the lab.

“Good evening ma’am..good evening teacher…”  I wished them both..

They smiled back at me. I knew they always loved me. They knew me from a long time. There was nothing to be afraid of. Just need to keep my cool and do my best.

“Koi kahe…kehta rahe.. kitna bhi hamko diwana…

Koi kahe…kehta rahe.. kitna bhi hamkoooo diwana…”

I began making a few moves but I could sense my legs shivering.

“What am I doing??They’re my teachers!!What if I am not even selected for the event??Am I making a fool out of myself??” all these and a thousand more questions ran through my mind. I was even surprised my mind cud process that much information all at the same time..

I collapsed…right infront of them.Not something that I am proud of even today but what the hell it was my first time.

“Are you nervous Sudhams??Are you alright??Shall we try again??”  my madam asked.. isn’t she wonderful!!??

“I’ll just have some water and come ma’am” I said..

“Ok lets do onething.. we’ll call you again and meanwhile you stay back in the room and feel free.. call Jaya when you go back.Shes next in the list”

Ahh man… I cudn’t believe I freaked out infront of two of my favorite teachers. Atleast I got another shot at it. When I came back to the class I did not look at anybody.Everybody was asking questions..I did not answer any and when I told what happened inside I became the laughing stock of the class.Things became worse when Jaya came back.She was so confident that her body language made me think that they wont even call me for a second try. 😦

But they were my fav teachers and as I told..they loved me. So they called me again..

Everybody began to laugh again but I was not bothered..

I went in..

“Are you ready Sudhams?”

“Yes ma’am!!”

And for the next 60 seconds or so.. I never looked at them. I imagined that room to be my bathroom and I began to dance..

“Ok good!!Wait for the results..you can go” she said with a smile.. I knew I was in \m/

Competitions:

It was a delight to watch all the participants in their costumes and make up. Everybody was super excited and the three judges were all my fav teachers who always liked me. Annie ma’am, Sushma teacher and some other Hindi teacher I don’t remember her name.

Everybody danced really well which really surprised me. I was just standing behind the stage making sure the girl was watching. But when Jaya danced.. it was really discouraging. I mean I even thought it was not even worth going on to the stage after her performance. She was indeed a good dancer.

When they announced my name.. I kinda felt very relaxed this time. I simply went on to the stage and looked at the girl just to make sure she was watching and as soon as the music began.. the entire school became my bathroom again. 😛

“Even to this day I don’t have any idea what I did on the stage that day.There were no videos unfortunately but I sure do remember the girl giving me a shake-hand after the program is over and a couple of teachers from lower classes called me personally to their class to appreciate me.”

Aftermath:

Yes like anybody after reading this would expect… I won the First prize 😛 😀

They gave me a big shield that I proudly took home and even today I keep it in the living room shelf right in the center of several other prizes that I won and every time I look at it.. I remember the entire story like it was yesterday.

And ya…Jaya got the second prize 😀 😛