page 2 ( 45 ) Towards the end of Std VII

     page 2
           ( 45 )

     Oomman Sir had declared that the top scorer in the first quarterly examination would get a free chance to go on tour in that year.  Hearing that, I was excited.  But when the tour destination was fixed as Malampuzha, I became disappointed because I had already gone to Malampuzha in Vth Std.  My classmates asked, "why do you go to Malampuzha a second time ?"  After many thoughts and calculations, I decided to go.  The same place and the same sceneries.  The Teachers led us to a theatre to watch a film, "Kadinte Makkal" ( Children of the forest ), directed by P S Prakash, which was released in 1986.  The story was about the cruelties done by humanbeings to animals.  I still remember the last scene - I don't know whether it is correct or not - two monkeys, one male and another female, escape from their master.  Both of them had worn garments.  The male monkey easily pulled out his dress.  But the female monkey responded that she had a sense of shame to leave the dress.  But, at last, half - heartedly, she also abandoned her dress.  After seeing that film, I felt contempt towards those humanbeings who treated animals cruelly.

     The school year was approaching towards the end.  The students were preparing for different arts items to present before the audience and get prizes.  My friends were preparing for a dance item, "Oppana".  I was also included in one group.  My concept about education had changed by that time.  I had understood that to get involved in co - curricular activities also was a part of education.  In "Oppana", there were three or four groups to perform in that year.   "Oppana" is a popular form of wedding entertainment among the Muslim community in Northern Kerala.  In this dance form, the bride adorned with all ornaments, sits amidst the circle of dancers.  The other dancers perform the the dance, clapping their hands.  Today, "Oppana" is presented as a stage item.  For performing the dance, a red blouse was necessary.  In the presence of my parents, I insisted that I would take part in "Oppana" and I need a red blouse.  As I was strong in my opinion, a red cloth was purchased and stitched.  When performed on stage, our team stood first and got the opportunity to present in the Annual Day Celebrations.
     I think the artistic performances started at 03.30  p.m.  Therefore, I was in school from the morning itself.  The "Oppana" was performed but no one from my house had arrived.  After the performance, when I went out to wash my hands, my cousin Benny told me that he watched it and our performance was good.  It was my first and last dance performance in my life.  People were arriving to the ground because in the evening, the MLA, Mr T.H. Mustafa, other political leaders and high officials would come to attend the function.  When it was dark, I looked at the sky and started to watch.  Skywatch  without any fear !  I was standing at one end of the ground.  When I looked at the left side, I could see one of my classmates, Lijo standing there.  On the left side of Lijo, there was Sujatha.  On my right side, there were Riya and Baiju.  Suddenly it happened.  Baiju started running.  Then Riya, behind her I also joined.  Then, Lijo and Sujatha.  We didn't speak anything but we ran and where did we stop ?  I can't memorize.  The people arriving to the ground surprisingly looked at us.  A game which involved girls and boys !  They might have thought that we were the naughty students of that school.  Actually, the girls and boys in that game had not spoken till that time & after that time !

     We were sure that our parents would come in the evening.  It was the first time that I listen to the speeches of the political leaders with concentration.  I think the last programme was a drama by the students.  After the programme, when we returned home, I was watching the sky.  My mind was filled with the thoughts of "Halley's Comet".