The sound of laughter became louder when an infuriated teacher came on stage and unceremoniously dragged me away.Nandini (TV series) This is the first South Indian Serial to be aired in 4 South Indian language by Sun Network channels and same time except for Udaya TV, which is half hour earlier. By now the audience was rolling with laughter. He raised his sword and I screamed in terror, “Don’t kill me, I am not Hanuman.” I pulled off my mask as I spoke. “Who is this puny creature who dares to intrude into my kingdom?” I was supposed to answer in a proud voice that I was the son of Pawan- dev, the wind God, the worshipper of Rama, the immortal Hanuman. He said in a thunderous voice that made me tremble. I was struck dumb by the huge figure in six-inch heels, which 1 didn’t know about until that time, bearing down on me with a shining sword in hand. Just then everyone on stage began shouting, “Maharaja* is coming, Ravana the Great is here!” Seeing the startled expression of the whole cast I bit my tongue, realising my mistake too late. “Not you, you idiot,” I repeated what the tea-Ĭher said. “It is because of my beauty that the wicked Ravana wants to marry me.” Since Sita was not saying anything I decided that it was my turn to speak.
Suddenly I realised that the teacher was prompting while Sita kept sobbing. She hid her face in her hands and began to weep. Sita said some beautiful lines about Rama’s greatness and how much she missed him. I showed Rama’s ring to Sita to convince her that 1 was Rama’s messenger. I was feeling less nervous now and said my lines well. There and then the teacher cut short my role as much as possible, but I had to be on stage in the last act. Then realising my second mistake I began to jump like mad and the curtains came down to the sound of laughter. The teacher now whispered, “Jump, jump,” I shouted, “Jump.” “I meant my tail, I have forgotten to pin on my tail.” “I am sorry, my Lord,” I said trying to make up for my mistake. You’ve forgotten yours.”‘ I touched the spot where the tail should have been. “”Watchman.įorgotten to pin your tail.” “Don’t be silly,” hissed Rama, “I am not supposed to have a tail. “Victory to Lord Rama, Victory to Lord Hanuman. “No, your voice is too squeaky,” was the teacher’s reply. “Can’t I at least get the role of Hanuman,” 1 asked timidly. You’ll be one of the monkeys in the Vanar Sena.” ” I was terribly disappointed when the drama teacher smiled and said, “I have a role for you. How surprised my parents would be! I could almost hear my father saying, “Imagine we had such a talented daughter and we didn’t even realise it.” I went around for a few days, imagining myself on stage with a bow and arrow slung on my shoulders, giving a brilliant performance as Laxmana. But I wouldn’t mind being Rama’s brother Laxmana, I decided. Since I was shorter than Radhika and had a shrill voice I could not hope to be Rama. Radhika, the prettiest girl in our class, would certainly get Sita’s role. I had never acted in a play but was sure that once on stage I would give a brilliant performance. I was hoping with all my heart that the drama teacher would include me in die cast. The senior section was to enact ‘Merchant of Venice’ and the junior section, ‘The Story of Rama’. Preparations had begun for our school annual day.