They
promised Meera, an education.
Her first class - no school, no chalk, no pencil, no teacher. Just a kitchen filled with utensils and gas-less cylinders. And a wicked mother-in-law.
16 months later, after her in-laws and her husband passed away in an accident, they decided to remarry the then 14 year old Meera.
With Mehendi on her palm, ‘Alata’ on her feet and fake jewellery adorned on her neck, she finally mustered the courage to call it off.
Thanks to the persuasion of the local music teacher, they decided to send her to a music school.
A child prodigy – They called her. An incarnation of Maa Saraswati, they added. On the day of the concert, she gets the stage fright and chokes.
She felt naked, for the very first time.
6 years later.
Meera delicately cradled her infant’s head, fondling and suckling him. She hummed his favorite tune. The child then traced M, O, R, and E on her tummy.
26 years later.
Samar Sharma walked on to the stage in a shiny black Armani suit. At 27, he had just won the best Musician of the Year Award at the Filmfare. Again.
He was the 2009 recipient of the Mauritius National Award for contributions to music. He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for his first West-End production. A two-time National Film Award winner and recipient of three Maharastra State Awards , for his music and scores.
He had aimed for the stars and he had touched them alright.
After receiving his award, Samar was asked to speak a few words. A mere formality. He suddenly felt overwhelmed by the uncertainty of what he had and what not. Like living in some kind of horrific perpetual dream state yet still able to interact without anyone knowing; just browsing through emotions on automatic.
Her first class - no school, no chalk, no pencil, no teacher. Just a kitchen filled with utensils and gas-less cylinders. And a wicked mother-in-law.
16 months later, after her in-laws and her husband passed away in an accident, they decided to remarry the then 14 year old Meera.
With Mehendi on her palm, ‘Alata’ on her feet and fake jewellery adorned on her neck, she finally mustered the courage to call it off.
Thanks to the persuasion of the local music teacher, they decided to send her to a music school.
A child prodigy – They called her. An incarnation of Maa Saraswati, they added. On the day of the concert, she gets the stage fright and chokes.
She felt naked, for the very first time.
6 years later.
Meera delicately cradled her infant’s head, fondling and suckling him. She hummed his favorite tune. The child then traced M, O, R, and E on her tummy.
26 years later.
Samar Sharma walked on to the stage in a shiny black Armani suit. At 27, he had just won the best Musician of the Year Award at the Filmfare. Again.
He was the 2009 recipient of the Mauritius National Award for contributions to music. He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for his first West-End production. A two-time National Film Award winner and recipient of three Maharastra State Awards , for his music and scores.
He had aimed for the stars and he had touched them alright.
After receiving his award, Samar was asked to speak a few words. A mere formality. He suddenly felt overwhelmed by the uncertainty of what he had and what not. Like living in some kind of horrific perpetual dream state yet still able to interact without anyone knowing; just browsing through emotions on automatic.
“I never knew my father. After my mother passed away, life seemed bitter and cruel. But I dealt with it. There is a Hindi dialogue, 'Mere paas Maa he' which means, even if i have nothing, i still have my mother here," said a tearful Samar Sharma, pointing to his heart.
"Music is in my blood. My mother is my music"
"This is for Meera Sharma, my mother."
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