Pleasant Lull

In a limbo: Mulling over Saturday's big show

The weather complemented the mood in the Club today. A sharp drizzle minutes before the exercises had brought down the morning temperature in the Garden. But it was far from gloomy. There was a certain stillness in the air, much like the easy languor that settles in after a major event has blown over.
After all the high jinks of the Annual Day function (ref post of September 10), suddenly we found ourselves at a loose end today. There was nothing to look forward now.

Vishnu Kukreja

All the planning and preparation that went on for weeks – the many heated discussions outside the gate over Mallika Kagzi's tea, the late afternoon rehearsals day after day, missing the afternoon nap and memorizing song lyrics and dance moves, the sporadic ego clashes and tiffs, special clothes stitched for the occasion…all that was over.

Banoo Apa's repeat performance this morning

What remained now were memories of a grand event.
Time and again, Santosh Tyagi broke into reciting her lines from the play with others like Nahid Khan and Arun Patil joining in. Some pointed to the goof-ups and slip-ups (nobody else had noticed) while at Khatoon Baig’s request, Banoo Apa repeated the dance number she had performed at the function. “I cannot get over her facial expressions and the sublime grace she invests in her performance,” noted Khatoon.
Many outsiders (read non-members) dropped by to compliment the ‘artistes’ and thank us for putting up “an enjoyable show”. Some wanted to know “the procedure” for obtaining Big Laaf membership. One gentleman, Vishnu Kukreja insisted that we should have four such shows every year and he would foot the bill each time. “If not four, at least have a repeat performance of this one in a proper auditorium and I will sponsor the expenses. I can get you Maheshwari Hall any time you want,” he said.
Obviously, he was getting emotional and this was his way of expressing his appreciation. We understand such sentiments but for the present, well, our response had to be a polite ‘Thank You but No Thank You’.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
The morning showers were blessings from the Almighty on the efforts made by everyone in celebrating the Annual Day in a befitting manner. How well-coordinated and well-presented the events were has been adequately proved by the fact that people are requesting the members to organise more such events in the future. It also shows the latent talent of our members. Good show!