photo courtesy of tourmyindia.com
Your mission is to write up to 150 words inspired by the location–be it fiction, essay, or poetry. Once your piece is polished, please share it with others at the linkup below. Reading and commenting on others’ work is part of the fun!
Jhamakda : Time To Dance
‘Nana-ji – come sit down next to Pritifor, here’s chai for you. Mama-ji’s coming too. So what have you seen, what’s happened around here ?’
‘Mr Bindi, he’s been visiting people, giving little ‘gifts’. Why do you think ?’
‘To vote for him next month – ha ! He thinks we don’t know this. He’s a donkey, I won’t vote for a donkey !’
‘Oh, uncle-ji hit my son when I wasn’t there.’
‘And the Koor’s daughter, due to marry a boy – his parents boasted great wealth. Liars – they have only one field.’
‘Do they think we have yoghurt for brains ? !’
‘Tomorrow it’s Jhamakda dance time – it’s so good to make fun of these silly people. They think we don’t understand their pranks, huh. In the dance we’ll have fun at their expense.’
We smile, we dance, it sets the balance right again.
*
To see more, click on the link of Himachali Ladies dancing.
June 7, 2018 at 11:34 pm
Such a wonderfully written tale.
June 9, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Thank you Lisa – appreciate your feedback.
June 7, 2018 at 11:31 pm
This is marvelous! Feels so real.
June 9, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Thank you Karen, most kind feedback. I wanted it to feel real.
June 4, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Love that chitchat tone, the gossip passed round the village, the insider knowledge. I feel like I know the people a tiny bit after your story. Really good writing
June 4, 2018 at 2:04 pm
Thank-you so much Lynne – I’m pleased you liked the story, and the people’s chit-chat.
June 5, 2018 at 1:23 pm
My pleasure
June 3, 2018 at 8:31 pm
Wow, I love that! You conjure up a lovely picture of village gossip. There are no secrets in a place like that!
June 4, 2018 at 11:34 am
Thank you Penny, for your appreciation. Definitely no secrets in that community.
June 3, 2018 at 3:47 pm
Fun story. Gossip and small-town politics are the same all across the world, aren’t they? I like the idea that they will get back at their rivals with the dance. That must be some dance!
June 4, 2018 at 11:36 am
Thanks Joy- glad you enjoyed the story. Got the idea from background reading about local customs in the Kangra Valley. I think it’s a great way to let off steam !
June 4, 2018 at 12:07 pm
This challenge is a great excuse to do some background reading!