Young Paru realized her love for singing.Her parents and Dr.Malini encouraged and guided Paru towards devotional and classical singing. Paru excelled academically as well.The Kumars became more involved with the community activities.
** ** ** ** **
“Life is a song – sing it. Life is a game – play it. Life is a challenge – meet it. Life is a dream – realize it. Life is a sacrifice – offer it. Life is love – enjoy it.” Sai Baba
3.
Malini held her silence for few seconds, put the empty kheer cup on the nightstand and turned to Shantha. “Look at me Friend, if this pregnancy wasn’t planned, so be it. You have confided in me. So I will say this to you. As per God’s words, children are plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope,” said Malini to Shantha.
Malini then gently held Shantha’s hand, “I understand your thoughts. You should not feel that it’s going to be one too many children. God is great. He will lead us. So you make a decision after thinking some more. I am always here for you,” she added with concern.
** ** ** ** **
Seven months later…..
Shantha gave birth to a healthy baby girl. They named her Mansi. Three-year old twins and seven-year old Paru were all very excited when the new little bundle of joy arrived into their family.
** ** ** ** **
Young Paru’s mellifluous singing got her recognition at the temple and church gatherings. Both, church and the temple music group leads made Paru the presenter during music festivals. “People seem to like the child’s diction, her rendering and the maturity with which she presents the devotional aspects of music. Some even think she is a child prodigy. Paru is becoming good draw for these events,” said Mr. Mathew of the First Community Church.
Sai Sarma of the temple organization expressed the same about Paru’s position with the temple music group.
The Kumars took much pride in their seven-year old daughter. The three-year old twins loved their sister’s newly found fame and the attention they got as Paru’s siblings. But felt shy when outsiders asked them if they too could sing like their sister.
** ** ** ** **
5 years later……
Malini and Joseph squeezed themselves into the overly crowded school auditorium to attend Paru’s first public singing debut as part of the school’s silver jubilee celebrations. The auditorium and the school premises had no standing room with parents and grandparents, friends, and hundreds of students attending the event.
The evening was a tribute to those outstanding students who excelled in academics, sports, and arts. Paru stood first in Mathematics and Sciences as she graduated from middle school. She was granted the Governor’s medal and a state sponsored scholarship to complete high school education.
Ram and seven-year old Punit joined Joseph and Malini who were seated in the second row to watch the remainder of the event.
The music program which included Paru’s singing was just magic to the ears of the audiences. They praised her golden voice and flawless singing to the skies. Paru sang a mix of popular and private tunes and ended the event melodiously with her favorite bhajan ‘yanagaanu Rama bhajana’.
** ** ** ** **
“What’s wrong Maalu? Didn’t your godchild make you proud and happy tonight? Why do I not see it in you?,” Joseph asked Malini while driving home after the school function.
Malini said nothing until much later.
It was a little after 11:00 in the night and Joseph was in his recliner sipping his green tea before retiring to bed. Malini got into bed after a long and tiring day as well.
“I don’t have any doubt in my mind about Kumars affection for their oldest kid, Jo,” she said to her husband, “but in the past four years, I have seen Paru take on responsibility of many chores in and around the house. She practically does everything in the house from kitchen work to bringing groceries. Babysitting the youngest one to cleaning up after the rest of the kids is also Paru’s job. She even cleans utensils, cooks rice and feeds her siblings sometimes.” Malini seemed very upset.
“The child is only twelve for god’s sake. I strongly feel that in the name of discipline both parents, especially Shantha behaves ruthlessly towards Paru. It seems to me like Shantha is struck by ‘son-stroke syndrome’, because she adopts ‘let go’ attitude towards her son Punit. And eight-year old Janvi and five year old Mansi are forever crawling babies in her eyes.”
Malini paused a bit, “ I am very worried about Paru, as to what might follow for the young girl with all the recognition for her talents from now on..,” she sighed in despair and sunk low under her soft white sheets. Joseph kept quiet as he tried to understand what Malini saw in the situation.
** ** ** ** **
Next morning at breakfast, Malini looked worried and weary. Jo sat next to Malini and poured her a cup of hot tea. “Don’t you think that Shantha’s being hard on Paru is due to her need for help at home with household chores?. It could also be Paru doing her share to be helpful. Not to forget that Kumars cannot afford to hire too much of domestic help. So, think and understand their situation Malini,” said Joseph to lighten up her gloomy mood.
** ** ** **
Dr. Malini’s clinic ….
At the ‘Well Baby’ Pediatric clinic, Malini was in between patients. Suddenly there was much commotion in the front office area. She heard crying kids and yelling adults. It was all too loud to ignore. Nurse and secretary came in asking for immediate attention. Malini rushed out and was very surprised to see Shantha holding her son close to her. Punit was crying.
And there was also a young boy, whose nose was bleeding profusely. Along with him were his parents. Shantha and the boy’s angry parents were bickering at, and blaming each other’s kid for the mishap.
Malini turned towards the arguing adults. “Excuse me,” she said. “Please stop the commotion. This is a clinic. There are sick children here. You are disturbing their peace and quiet. We would appreciate if you can calm down and help us attend to the needs of your kids as well,” she was very stern.
Malini then took the children in and first attended to the boy with the nose bleed. After exam and x-rays she gave them medicines and follow-up instructions. Dr. Malini then attended to Punit who had bruised chin and cheek close to the eye area. She assured Shantha that all is well with her son Punit. The other parents complained that Punit had beaten up their son badly on the playground. They said that they would take the clinic reports to support their complaint against Punit to the school board.
** ** ** **
Malini dropped by the Kumars after work. She called for Punit and made him sit by her. She enquired about his bruised cheek yet another time. Malini held the young boy’s hand gently, “you should be very careful Punit. It could have been you with nose bleed and in pain. Your friend is in discomfort and might have to miss school for couple of days. His parents might say unkind things about you because their son is hurt badly. So, people might point their fingers at you. I know you are a good boy. But such incidents will only put you in bad light. So, Punit, be your sweet self and avoid these quarrels. Okay?” she said to him calmly.
Malini then handed Punit a squabble game she brought along from her clinic. After Punit ran out with the game, Shantha made some ginger tea for Malini and herself.
** ** ** ** **
5 years later….
Sri Venkateswara Temple announced a three day ‘Kumbabhisheka’ (establishing new deities) mela, (festival) also to commence the construction of Community Center on the five acre premises to serve the community and Hindu youth activities. The event was to kick off with a religious ceremony and ‘Bhagavadgita recitation’ followed by ‘Veda chanting’ on the morning of February 15th. Activities were scheduled to start as early as 6 AM in the morning and go on till midnight each day.
** ** ** ** **
Thousands of devotees from many villages and towns around Guntur & Vijayawada cities arrived for the event. The devotees woke up to the melodious ‘suprabatham’ (sacred hymns sung at the crack of dawn) over the temple’s special audio relay, and each festive day concluded just as divinely and melodiously with ‘divya mangala geetham’ (praises of Almighty) at midnight.
During the inaugural, fourteen-year old Paru recited a few slokas from Bhagavadgita and even narrated the meanings after each sloka. Adults and kids alike were very impressed with the young girl’s flawless sweet rendering of the slokas with so much ease and comfort. Devotees and visitors wanted to meet and know about this young person before they returned home.
On the concluding day, a special event was held outside the main prayer area to recognize and appreciate hundreds of volunteers and thousands of pilgrims for their help and participation.
The chief Executive officer came up to the podium and addressed the large crowd, “Dear devotees, Thank you for being here. Your support and presence is what made this mega event a grand success. We will do our best to serve you even better every passing year. A very special thing happened here this time. Usually at an event like this, we are flooded with many complaints. This time around we received more enquiries about the young singer who rendered Bhagwad gita slokas, suprabatha and mangalageetham,” Continued the executive officer of the temple.
“Some of you even left large currency bills in envelopes for that young person as gifts. I will be very glad to bring the ‘golden voice’ of this mela, fourteen-year old Ms Paru Kumar Varma to the stage.” He called Paru on to the stage.
Paru felt very nervous about this unexpected recognition and adulation. She dragged her dad Ram along to go on stage with her. The tremendous applause lasted for ever, and Paru was asked by the temple executive to say something to the gathering. Paru knew not what to say. So she took to singing her favorite ‘Yanaganu Rama Bhajana….’ After which, she bowed down to the devotees with a humble Namasthe (greeting with hands in prayer position). The temple executive officer then presented to her a cash gift on behalf of the devotees and the temple.
** ** ** ** **
After all the festivity, Kumars returned to the temple dormitory accommodation. Dinner was on the table for them. Punit, Janvi and Mansi ran to the table and uncovered the food trays. Paru went to her room, freshened up and came to the dining area.
Paru saw Shantha and Ram sitting on the sofa in the living area. She strolled down to where they were and sat in the space between them. “Are you both not hungry?, I feel starved, I haven’t eaten all day. I know for sure daddy didn’t eat, and mom,” she said turning to Shantha. “You were running around caring for all of us, you must be tired, let’s eat and get some sleep, please,” she said to her.
Paru then moved closer to lean on her dad’s shoulder, as she was tired.
“I cannot believe the kind of attention this skinny girl got today. The voice I thought, I might never hear, now sings melodies and rings bells in many hearts. We are truly blessed to have a child like Paru, ” said Shantha and turned towards Paru.
“You are truly my little angel,” said Shantha and hugged Paru as tears rolled down her face. Kumar’s eyes got misty as well, as he recalled the entire episode with disbelief. He quickly pulled out the gift envelop of twenty thousand rupees that was given to Paru, from his vest pocket. ‘That’s my four month salary, for heaven’s sake’, he thought counting the monies.
** ** ** ** **
A week later, at home….
“Stop it Punni, don’t pull my hair,” cried Paru as Punit held her tresses of curls and dragged her across into mother’s bedroom. Paru was crying and vehemently trying to fight punit off. Shantha saw the barbaric act as she stepped out from the dressing room. She slapped the boy, pulled Paru out from his clutches, and taunted him never to do that again.
Paru was in pain but when she saw Shantha slapping Punit, she ran to Punit’s rescue. “That’s okay mother, stop it now. He is hurting,” she cried. Paru laid her hand on Punit’s shoulder to console him. But Punit turned away and asked her to leave him alone.
“Nobody touches me or talk to me, I want a bicycle and I want it now. You can’t say we don’t have the monies now. I know that Dad has lots of money too,” screamed the nine-year old Punit. Paru understood the reason for his anger and did not like what he was saying or expecting.
***
A disappointed and confused Paru went into the living area to finish up her homework as Ram walked in very happy, and excited with quite a few newspapers in hand. It took the family sometime to read in the daily newspapers about how the fourteen-year old Paru Kumar impressed thousands of devotees at the Temple event.
There was mention of mother Shantha Kumar, her singing talents and teaching job. They wrote about father’s interest in Paru’s singing and how he encourages her to sing at places of worship.
Some of the papers even praised the family’s involvement with the church where Paru Kumar recites from Bible on special occasions, and helps the special needs children at the church Sunday school. They commended the father of the young singer for his embracing all religions and letting his daughter serve the community through her talent. Paru felt overwhelmed with all the attention she was getting even from music critics and total strangers.
After the newspapers commotion, Paru went back to her homework and even helped her sister with her reading.
** ** ** ** **
- Uma bharathi Kosuri
END OF PART 3
TO BE CONTINUED………….
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first thing I did was to begin reading this story! doesn’t look like a story to me… may be it looks more like a real life portrait, Uma garu you already know how to take away your audience before they know it! love the writing!
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Thanks Uma garu…. very much… aren’t all stories a little like life? who ever writes….
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