The road I took
I chose not to rush into my Ranga Pravesham
Not because I fear the stage,
But because I wanted it to be a moment,
I could hold with pride, not one and look back and regret,
I chose to wait until my dance pleased me
Until every movement felt like my truth, not just tradition,
Until every moment reflected the dancer I wanted to be,
not just the one others expect to see
I chose to wait until I had learnt all I had to
Until every step held meaning,
and every movement was understood, not memorised
I didn’t turn away from the spotlight.
I just chose to wait for it to earn it to let it fall
on the right version of me, the patient
and your discipline, one I love that grew far from applause
I chose to complete my Visharada exams
And have earned the right to teach, but my age stands between me and a salary
To science in the morning to steps in the evening.
I chose both timetables and Talas
because only in that Balance could I truly dance
Still, I chose this path to become the dancer.
I dreamt of not rushed, not reduced
And like the poet, I took the road less travelled,
and that has made all the difference