The Dance

The Dance

Restless chatter fills the hall

We wait for the show to begin

The curtains part, the lights are dimmed

A hush falls over us

She walks on to the stage

Resplendent in her silken attire

A large red bindi* on her forehead

Large, doe like eyes lined with kaajal*

Her long hair is braided with flowers

Jewelry winks as it catches the light

Ghungroo* gently sound at her ankles

With each delicate step she takes

She begins by folding her hands

In a namaste*, head bowed in respect

A little smile playing on her lips

She nods at the musicians to begin

Music reverberates all around us

She dances gracefully to the beat

Every nimble movement perfected

Each mudra* a page from mythology

She is Durga* now, the Goddess calm

And then Kali*, when so transformed

Angry , raging at Mahishasur*

Who wreaked havoc in his regime

We gasp as we are transported

To a world of demons and Gods

Trishul* in hand, as she depicts

The slaying of the Asura* king

A strange peace seems to fill us all

Good has triumphed over evil again

The story told, the lights come on

We return to our Godless world of fiends

Swati Chandran

Bindi: a dot on the forehead traditionally
sported by Hindu women
Kaajal: Black kohl,
Ghungroo: anklets with bells worn by
traditional Indian dancers
Namaste: traditional Indian greeting,
Mudra: dance pose,
Durga: A Goddess
Kali: angry form of Durga,
Mahishasur: A demon king in Hindu mythology - slain by Durga
Mahishasura Mardini - the one who killed Mahishasur
Trishul: trident , Asura: demon

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