Jogini : A fight for honour

Chp 3:- First Dance

"Akka, who was in your room, the previous night ?" I asked, filled with curiousity.

She turned and looked alarmed at me.

"Why is it of your concern?"she demanded in her stone cold voice.

"But akka in case it was a thief or ...."

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH."she ordered glaring at me. "It should never matter to you or anyone, what I do and what I say, because you have violated my privacy I'll make sure you won't have your dance lesson today."

"No, no, no akka please, no please don't do this, I just came to ask you what to do when you get a pimple." I sobbed trying my level best, to have pity on me and realize that I was innocent and knew nothing.

"What do know about the previous night?"she demanded gripping both my arm's.

Wincing in pain, and sniffing back my tears I whimpered "I.... I ....just don't know anything. I'm telling you the truth."

"If I find out that you have run away from this place or have told anybody about what you heard at night, I'll kill you and feed you to the wolves that prowl the earth and the crows of the air."

"P....promise ... I ... I'll s ....say ....n....nothing ....to n...no...o...one..." I sobbed and she shoved me.

Falling to the ground I quickly brushed off my tears and picking myself from the ground, I ran back into my room.

I washed my face, and decided to forget whatever happened and concentrate on my first dance. I dressed in traditional costume, jewelry and flowers that adorned my hair.

I reached the outer temple, which was a common place of worship. The idol of Lord Venketashawara Swami was at the center, garlanded by flower's and surrounded by lamps, and the heavenly fragrance of camphor.

"The dance that you'll will be learning is called Vilasini Natyam,"began Rajguru Venkata. "this dance will be slow and based on each beat of the tabla. The most famous dancers of this temple, Menaka, Tavarika and Chaitra will teach you this graceful art."

Saying this the Rajguru left.

"Vilasini Natyam, is the dance of the Devdasi's. Remember, not all Devdasi's get to dance during Venkateshwara Bramhahotsava, only the best dancer's, known as kalavantu will dance on this occasion."said Tavarika.

"A kalavantu, will have the previlage of dancing for the royal family during pujas and festivals."added Chaitra.

"Always remember, a dancer is accompanied by saani and bogum. They sing and play the music, and a dancer must be alert at hearing the beats and the rythem of the instrument."said Menaka.

"Let's begin now..."said Chaitra.

"Before we begin, we must pray to Lord Natraj the lord of dance...."said Tavarika.

Once we prayed to Lord Natraj, Menaka, Chaitra and Tavarika began showing us step by step ......

I wanted to master this dance and be the best dancer in the temple. I wanted to please my Swami in whatever way I could.....

My feet began mimicking the steps until I was perfect at it. Just then, a stinging pain shot up from my lower abdomen...

"OUCH....!" I yelped, falling to my knees, holding my stomach in pain.

"Chandramukhi, are you alright?"asked a concerned Tavarika.

"My stomach...." I cried out.

She helped me up and took me to my room. She helped me out of my saree and I found fresh blood stains on my under-cloth....

"Oh no blood !" I gasped.

"Its okay, you have got your menses. You have matured into a woman now and lots is expected from you."said Tavarika with a smile. "But remember, when you have menses you cannot enter the temple."

"But, how will I learn?" I asked worried.

"I'll come to your room to teach you."she replied reassuring me.

"Why can't I enter the temple?"

"When a woman has her menses she is considered impure."replied Tavarika.

"So, when you have your menses you don't go?"

"No."

I'm terribly sorry for the late update. Do watch the above video, which contains Vilasini Natyam, the dance of devadasis..... Do vote, comment and share ...