TRILCE's first workshop's LAST DAY!!!

Heavy clouds engulfed the sky; there was quiet and peace. And the leaves on the trees wafted with a puff of wind now and then…it was about to rain. On farm number 10 of village Bhondsi, we were preparing for a grand finale of our 10 days workshop on personality development for rural children. Despite clear signals of rain going to come anytime, every heart prayed against it. Our team at TRILCE began working on stage set up, decorations, sitting arrangements and other preparations. The function had to begin at 10.30a.m sharp. During stage decorations, we had major difficulties putting up props and decorated creations made of thermacol, as heavy gushes of wind wouldn’t stop pushing them on floor. Finally we decided to put them up later and meanwhile finished other arrangements.

The sitting arrangement was done in semi-circle facing the stage. Fans were placed on each side. The exhibition hall was set up with all the beautiful and innocent work of children during these ten days. Tea and snacks were arranged in the exhibition hall itself. Everything was in place… except the stage! A disappointment was settling on our faces in apprehension of “Pack up”…”No Function Today”. The first ray of hope came in as children began trickling in, some one by one and some in groups. All dressed up in their best dresses, lehengas, lanchas, colourful shirts and trousers. Above all not forgetting their IDs! A second ray of hope followed as a tiny circle of light was seen on the floor. The rain gods must have thought of blessing us and choose to go somewhere else. Ah! What a hectic activity followed is hard to explain. In half an hour, we were ready with the stage, just 15 minutes before the deadline.

The function had begun. Children on the gate with flowers and tikka received guests and parents. The chief guests Mr C K Shrestha, a famous theater personality and Mr Singla, DSP of????? Presided the function. Little kids presented all the guests of honour with bouquets. Mrs Seema Khandekar, Scretary, TRILCE gave a welcome speech. Backstage, an excitement and nervousness was experienced in common by all of us. Finally, the welcome speech came to an end and the kids were invited to present their function themselves.

Two kids came up and presented the first item that was “Introduction of all the participants of workshop”. On the tunes of “aashayen mile dil ki…” the kids began coming on stage in group of fours. Introduced their names on top of their voice. They
bowed and waved and left with big smiles on their faces. Whole atmosphere was filled with loud applause. It was apparent that a difference had been made.

Children also presented next item. Beginning with “antra” of their song, they sang in a group a patriotic song “ Nanhe- munne bacche hai hum bharat ki santan…” They were a real sight to look at, especially for our team who knew them since ten days, Children who literally had no sense of music were singing melodiously! Harsh inharmonious shouting had gradually turned into a tuneful song! That also amazingly coordinated! It felt like we were experiencing seven long minutes of bliss. It was wonderful
Group song was followed by a speech from our chief guest Mr C K Shrestha. He began by appreciating the ambience of Bhondsi village, comparing its serenity with the peace and calm of paradise. He mentioned that TRILCE’s effort is the need of hour and that there are few people who work for underprivileged societies. He gave his best wishes to the society and concluded saying that he does not want to waste time on speeches instead he wants to watch the little ones perform.


Then came the fun-filled dance performance by all the kids who were participants in the workshop. Again children introduced it. They were all ready with Colorful birthday hats on their heads. Faces looking bright and happy in anticipation of another “Dhamaka” performance. Mostly, going on stage again, looking at their parents for appreciation amongst a crowd of men, women and children and feeling on top of world when people clap for them. Without a single mistake, they performed a good ten minutes dance number. It was “Bum- bum bole, masti mein dole”. People wanted to give their hearts out. We witnessed such loving expression in parent’s eyes, when their children jumped, turned around and emoted according to song. Loud claps, louder then the song, worked as rhythm throughout the song. Even people sitting on back jumped out of their seats to dance. It was really a fun time.


Next was a dance performance by our little volunteers for their little friends. It was a folk dance “ Dhol Baje”. A tough number for which they practiced for ten days after the kids had left.It was a surprise item, and our participants were all surprised to see their young didis and bhayias on stage. Again, a loud applause. The atmosphere had an air of happiness.

The rural women also joined in and performed a true rustic haryanvi dance with folk songs. It was a “without music” performance. But , it was one of the best, the ladies had such melodious voices that audience felt thrilling. Some werefacinated by their dance and others were engrossed in their songs. All in all, a powerful and a earthy performance. Not to mention here that their involvement strengthen our roots in Bhondsi.

At the end, Our other guest,Mr DSP???/ Gave a brief speech saying that he is happy to welcome TRILCE in Haryana’s rural area, that they are putting great efforts unearthing talents hidden in far areas like Bhondsi. He concluded by giving his support to TRILCE and announced “Certificate Distribution”

A happy ending- kids were distributed with certificates and small token gifts. All faces looked like winners. Even our slowest children had something to say ...”Mam , please come again”…and in our hearts journey wasn’t over…Only words of Robert Frost’s poem rang in our ears…
“Woods are lovely,dark and deep, And I have promises to keep
,I have miles to go before I sleep, Miles to go before I sleep”

A moment close to my heart!!

I love dancing.It was sometime in 2002 when i finally joined Kathak classes.I was very happy,spending hours tapping on the rythem and todas. Wah! What Days!Many people came to learn from jaipur gharana.Our class was a mixture of 3 years to 45 years olds.

It was after two three days of my class when i realized a petite little girl getting distracted..the reason.. she kept looking back at me while doing todas. This ritual went on for days and finally i broke the traditon. I said "hello" as she entered the classroom, my hello was never returned. Again, next day i did the same thing but this little almost mute baby of about seven years of age at that time never responded. She just practiced her ritual...looking back at me while dancing, that too without a word!! Now all this looking back bussiness was getting too much, about two months have passed practising a nonverebal hide and seek game. I even thought if the child has some kind of problem (given to my psycho background..:)). Finally i decided to meet her parents next day, not that i wanted to complain but that i really really wanted to know about my so called "mute admirer" as she was known among my friends. So, the next day came. I was prepared to talk with her parents when they come to pick her up after class. Class went on, ritual repeated, smiles exchanged and finally class was over. We all packed our belongings and started going downstairs. I with my friends and that sweetie with..???.. wait..where was she? i never saw her descendiing! i ran ... i ran till the gate in apprehension that i must have lost the chance. But there! there she was ...that little figure standing alone,hands tightly clasped together and eyes on road. She was waiting for her parents. Hmm.. peace at once! We also waited while passing our time gossiping about boys, university and movies. 15 minutes passed...no sign of her parents...20 minutes passed..no sign again,my eyes kept wandering in her direction and in my heart or stomach i'm not sure which, i had a feeling she wasn't alright..anyways.. an hour passed.... no sign. I began worrying and couldn't stop myself going down till the gate and ask her what happened, not even sure she would respond or not. Her eyes were fixed on road when i came and asked " hi, whats ur name? Can i stand here with you and wait? ( what the hell, i should have began with saying something else to comfort her..but see how i'm.. straight on point).. long silence.. It felt like an hour must have passed as i waited for an answer but she didn't say a single word. She just looked at me intently..i don't know for how long, i didn't know what was on her mind...and then slowly held my hand.Her hold got tighter and tighter and i realised she was very scared. No words were needed, no verbal communication happpened, it was just me and her standing on the pavement holding hands. I felt her tension ease away whiule i tried to make some conversation.I' m Eknoor, i study in 1 st class, i live in sector 21..she said those words ! She spoke to me..i was elated .. i don't know when time passed away and her parents came and she ran as fast as she could to hug them.I was standing where i was , not wanting to meet her parents anymore but we introduced each other anyways. While leaving she waved back at me..i waved back and suddenly this usually silent creature asked me if i'm going to be there for class t'morrow and i said yes.Yes! it was ! i suddenly realised that it was my frist date with trust! For the frist time in twenty odd years i had never known what Trust is! This little girl who just went by had tought me something i was never capapble of understanding. I would not like to give a definition out of my experience but only what i learned. I learned that trust always come with a risk and life is adventurous. Also that actions speak more about your behaviour not the words. Finally, i learned that i have to learn trusting people. I don't know if she learned anything or she remembers me but I will always miss Eknoor wherever she is now. For me our friendship will always fill my heart and everytime i remember Kathak..i remember my mute friend.