Just as you know Dussehra is only a few days away, everyone has started preparing for the holidays. We host a cultural program in our community every year during Dussehra and this year I will be performing a traditional dance. Last year I recited a rhyme, but since I was very afraid I could not finish the rhyme. I was surprised since mumma and dadda didn’t get angry; they said it happens. When you get on the stage and see so many people, you feel nervous – that is perfectly natural, so we will try and do better next time.

This year I will be dancing on a traditional song wearing a ghagra and choli. It is a traditional Indian dress and is kind of a skirt and blouse but it is very colourful with lots of designs and decorations on it. A veil matching with the skirt has to be put on and it makes you look even more beautiful. I have seen mumma’s photograph when she was small; she was wearing a red and green ghagra choli and she was looking so sweet. Mumma got a Rajasthani song and she is teaching me the steps. This is the first time I am hearing a Rajasthani song, but I like it very much. Mumma said Rajasthani dance involves a lot of turning, but she will teach me easier steps so that I can perform well. I have seen them in movies and I liked the dance very much. I have two more friends performing with me, so they come down to my place every evening and we practice together.

We have performed on stage before, in school but this is different. We have to perform in front of many unknown people. People from all the neighbourhoods would come down to see the program, so there would be many people gathered together. Last I was alone, so I got afraid; this time I am performing with my friends, so I hope I will feel confident.

One of my friend’s mother stitches very well and she will be making the dresses for us. She has already taken the measurements and got the materials as well. Mumma said once the dresses are ready we will wear them once and rehearse on stage so that we will feel comfortable performing on the final day. We will also wear many ornaments like Rajasthani girls do and dance like them.

For the time being we need to practice very well; mumma said co-ordination is very important to make the performance look good. So we need to make sure, we make the moves together. It’s only the second day that we have started practising; as we practice more we can do it perfectly. I hope grandpa, grandma and nanu would be here; they would have felt proud about me. I will tell dadda to record the dance and send it to them so they can see me dance. I am sure they will like it.