The 'Lehenga'

The 'Lehenga'

A Story by pia
"

a Lehenga is a skirt worn by women in the subcontinent on wedding occasions. Its made of heavy materials and hence here it represents hardships and problems hindering my abilities and desires

"

  My only concern at that exact moment was my ‘Lehenga’ … that it is too heavy to hold onto and too long to walk in. How was I supposed to perform in something I could barely move around in? There was a huge probability of me tripping, a predicament I wasn’t looking forward to.   

   However, despite my wardrobe complication, I made my way to the wooden stage, a stage that stretched from one end to another, beautifully adorned with flowers and ornaments. At the top, spotlights of all colours lit the stage, along with everyone’s face, as they watched me enter.

   With a pounding heart and nervous breath, I stared into a vast crowd of unfamiliar faces. All of them watched me standing alone, expecting magic and wonders, and that’s exactly what I wanted to give them.  

   I was an artist, and this stage was my canvas. With the liberty of free space and all the tools and paints, I was ready to show the crowd what I was capable of. But, most importantly, show myself what I could do.

  With the beat of the music, I felt myself gracefully swaying across the stage. My mind had now lost all control to my body. It was my heart that was syncing itself to the rhythms and beats. My expressions locked with the words of music and the rush of adrenaline in my blood, and I danced my heart out.

   I was no longer perturbed about the weight of my ‘lenhenga’. It had a motive of its own now; to add beauty to classical dancing, by swirling around like an animated ‘Mandala’.

   I could hear the vibrant crowd cheer me on … an art I created and they approved. They welcomed it with beaming smiles and contented applause. With my confidence in the clouds, and the encouragement from those around me, I continued to move with the blissful music.

   It was the first time I ever attempted classical Indian dancing, the first time I ever stepped out of my comfort zone to explore the virtuosities concealed behind my doors.  

  The best part about trying something new is realizing the fact that you have the ability to attempt it, regardless of weights and problems holding you back.

   Along with that, the best part is when others realize you’re capable of something, you feel appreciated, valued, and for once in your lifetime, free of severe self"doubt, and you feel accomplished. That’s how I felt, and at that very moment, my long lost love for dancing was reborn.

  By the time I was finished, all eyes were on me as I stood at the center of my stage. I could call the stage mine now. I had conquered it and left on it a memory that would be unforgotten; a reminder to my future self that I was capable of unlocking artistry dwelling within me … abilities ready to just burst out and make an impression on this colorless world … skills just waiting for recognition and appreciation.

  And, after I was finished, the weight of my ‘Lehenga’ concerned me no more.

© 2017 pia


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Featured Review

Most excellent comparison: "No more was I perturbed about the weight of my ‘lenhenga’. It had a motive of its own now; to add beauty to classical dancing by swirling around like an animated ‘Mandalas’ . . . You've done an amazing job of tying together the ideas of burdensome attire & the lightness of dancing. I was swept away by your descriptions of how it feels to dance. I've never been much of a dancer, so it was awesome to have your words put me into a stretch of knowing the dancer's feelings. There's also a childlike quality to the experience, as it's not described in a sophisticated way, but rather as the simple, gut-level excitement of a child.

Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

i absolutely love this. i love the imagery, the building up of confidence and i love everything abilene this

Posted 7 Years Ago


rowan.taylorrr

7 Years Ago

*everything
pia

7 Years Ago

Thanksss!!
Pia, I gotta say this is such an amazing piece of writing, it has alot of creativity too, nice work!

Posted 7 Years Ago


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N.
To me Lehenga symbolizes the weight of caring for what others think of us. Once we go out and accomplish things worthwhile, the weight of Lehenga or the opinions of others become irrelevant. This piece has a very value lesson for anyone who want to accomplish anything in life. Amazing work. N.

Posted 7 Years Ago


pia

7 Years Ago

The symbolism behind the lehenga has so many vast meanings it can let the reader interpret it in any.. read more
This is a beautiful writing...

Posted 7 Years Ago


Well described.... Traditions mean so much across the world .... you allowed the reader enter your world for a moment... amazing!

Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

pia

7 Years Ago

Thankss !!
Most excellent comparison: "No more was I perturbed about the weight of my ‘lenhenga’. It had a motive of its own now; to add beauty to classical dancing by swirling around like an animated ‘Mandalas’ . . . You've done an amazing job of tying together the ideas of burdensome attire & the lightness of dancing. I was swept away by your descriptions of how it feels to dance. I've never been much of a dancer, so it was awesome to have your words put me into a stretch of knowing the dancer's feelings. There's also a childlike quality to the experience, as it's not described in a sophisticated way, but rather as the simple, gut-level excitement of a child.

Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

A beautiful and inspiring work, pia......
Symbolizing Lenhenga with hardships and doubts is a creative idea.....
Great work!

Posted 7 Years Ago


pia

7 Years Ago

Thank you so much !!
Hope

7 Years Ago

My pleasure...
I like the foreshadowing and I could already see the ending as the she still continued despite the heaviness of the skirt. Actually, this one could also be a great story about a girl's journey through life. Could be a great book also. ;)

Posted 7 Years Ago


pia

7 Years Ago

thanksss!!
Aloha Pia, a brilliant write. I enjoyed learning the artistry of another culture and the symbolism of the lehenga. When we push boundaries no obstacle can take away the freedom of breaking through and realizing that beautiful things are born of breaking shackles. That's a great tool for life in general. Izzy

Posted 7 Years Ago


pia

7 Years Ago

Thanks for your amazing analysis !!! Glad you liked it
Island Hippy

7 Years Ago

You're very welcome
A powerful message. One of spirituality and just how we can continue to shock ourselves by confronting fear and crushing it to achieve something beautiful. This is great. Nice job.

Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

pia

7 Years Ago

im glad you liked it !!
duff

7 Years Ago

I definitely did!

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1529 Views
31 Reviews
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Shelved in 5 Libraries
Added on May 2, 2017
Last Updated on June 2, 2017

Author

pia
pia

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan



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