Visit of
Secretary Clinton
to Kalakshetra
on 20th July 2011
- Leela Samson
Director,
Kalakshetra Foundation
Secretary Clinton
to Kalakshetra
on 20th July 2011
- Leela Samson
Director,
Kalakshetra Foundation
"How should I address her?" I asked, just minutes before she was to arrive. Call her 'Secretary Clinton'.
This was to be her last official visit for the day. She arrived just as the sun was beginning to set on the horizon.
This was to be her last official visit for the day. She arrived just as the sun was beginning to set on the horizon.
It came as a pleasant surprise to us all that her itenary included Kalakshetra. It was not an official visit arranged through the Ministry of Culture. It was decided by some happy twist of fate and we were delighted.
Days before the visit, and once her coming and the venue was decided, we worked like Rama's army of monkeys cleaning and sprucing up in and around our beloved banyan tree.
U.S. Embassy officials, both from Delhi and Washington came by several times to tie up the little threads of timing, what she would do and who our guests would be.
There was also the one-off chance that it would rain! However, we crossed our fingers and toes, kept to the plan and arranged the two dance compositions that we would present. Forty minutes would be all that she could spare.
U.S. Embassy officials, both from Delhi and Washington came by several times to tie up the little threads of timing, what she would do and who our guests would be.
There was also the one-off chance that it would rain! However, we crossed our fingers and toes, kept to the plan and arranged the two dance compositions that we would present. Forty minutes would be all that she could spare.
When Secretary Clinton stepped out of the car, what hit me was a breeze of enthusiasm, a purposeful smile and a warm handshake.
I walked her to the Instrument Cottage to show her our instruments and a veenai class in progress. The sound of other music classes and dance sessions wafted over the evening air.
On the way, a class of students were doing their yoga along the banks of the Padma Pushkarini pond. It was perfect!
I walked her to the Instrument Cottage to show her our instruments and a veenai class in progress. The sound of other music classes and dance sessions wafted over the evening air.
On the way, a class of students were doing their yoga along the banks of the Padma Pushkarini pond. It was perfect!
In the Veenai class she looked around with amazement and mentioned the sitar. We explained the difference between the Northern and southern traditions. She listened carefully to the sounds of the veenai.
Coming out of the cottage, she was tempted to move towards another class of violin, but i guided her back to the function area.
There, she shook hands with every guest that I introduced her to, making each of them feel special. She seated herself on our humble cane chairs and the program began..
Coming out of the cottage, she was tempted to move towards another class of violin, but i guided her back to the function area.
There, she shook hands with every guest that I introduced her to, making each of them feel special. She seated herself on our humble cane chairs and the program began..
Time passed by swiftly. When she leaned over to speak to me or to Preetha Reddy on her left, it was to point out something she had noticed - the eye movements or the expression or the co-ordination of the dancers.
Her eyes shone in the darkness. I could feel her sitting on the edge of her chair at times! And this, after a long day of meetings at several venues.
Her eyes shone in the darkness. I could feel her sitting on the edge of her chair at times! And this, after a long day of meetings at several venues.
The show soon ended with a bright tillana and applause for the dancers.
She went up to meet them and the press went wild. They wanted her to shake the dancers' hands. She obliged and spoke briefly and to the point. She said she saw their dedication, their hard work and talent come through and was impressed by this at their young age.
She wished them well in their careers and thanked Kalakshetra for the wonderful work they were doing.
She went up to meet them and the press went wild. They wanted her to shake the dancers' hands. She obliged and spoke briefly and to the point. She said she saw their dedication, their hard work and talent come through and was impressed by this at their young age.
She wished them well in their careers and thanked Kalakshetra for the wonderful work they were doing.
There was a flutter as we moved towards her car. The Ambassador and other officials wished to thank me.
Once again in that evening I felt her absolute sincerity. She said as she left that she did not often get to be in the open at an arts college where so much beauty filled the air.
It was usually closed door meetings and stressful. "But this is what life is about."
Once again in that evening I felt her absolute sincerity. She said as she left that she did not often get to be in the open at an arts college where so much beauty filled the air.
It was usually closed door meetings and stressful. "But this is what life is about."
Beautiful words by a beautiful representative of her people.
