Posted by kp (210.211.178.8) on October 02, 2005 at 00:01:00:

 Yesterday I attended a Bharatanatyam programme in the Mylapore Fine Arts Club organized by RASA.
Despite the fact that one of the dancers, Shrithika, is an exceptionally gifted dancer, I was surprised to find so few spectators there. So, what was the problem?

After I took my seat, I realized what was the matter. Many spectators were being continually 'shifted' in and out of the hall. They were shifted into the hall, as they did not have the slightest interest in watching the dance, so, excelpt for a few, they would try to get out as soon as possible. Moreover, some of them could hardly walk by themselves, so they required help sometimes of 2-3 "caretakers". Some of them would stand just in front of the stage and make wild gestures until they were removed by their caretakes.

But this was not the major nuissance. It is only when a young man persuaded his caretaker to to move just next to me that I realized that he was possessed by an evil spirit and was drawing the energy (prana) from my body 'like mad'. Even though I am normally not a stingy person as far as sharing of some prana goes, the outflow of prana felt so strongly that it felt like a presence of a black hole. I thought that I had had enough, stood up and left.

I noticed the banner outside: "RASA - centre for arts... and special children". "Well, artistic children have always been special", I thought, but when I heard and saw a few mental patients wildly shouting and trying to climb over the fence, I realized what wild assortment of "special spectators" the bus parked there had brought. Some of the "specials" were obviously possessed - in different degrees - by evil spirits, and were circling around the hall along with their caretakers. Some of these "specials" simply had severe attention or movement coordination disorders.

All in all, I wonder how the young dancers felt. Of course, every dancer decides if he is or is not going to perform in a mental hospital, a jail or a casino (especially if they pay well), but... centuries ago Bharatanatyam used to respected and performed for the more appreciating rasikas, who did not stand with their backs turned to the stage, chewing chips and chatting on the mobile phone.