'Twas my debut concert at the Academy!
And as Vedavalli mami sang her Madhyamavathi,
I became even more jittery, even more sweaty!
Soon she was done, and it was my turn
Going up on the dias, I felt my stomach churn.
My accompanists joined me -- eager to perform,
Happy, smiling, and oh, so calm!
At the stroke of twelve, the curtains went up
To hundreds of faces looking at me -- gulp!
First on the menu was Nattakurinji varnam
I opened my mouth to sing, but my voice wouldn't come!
To all the Gods I knew, I sent a silent plea:
"This is my biggest stage to date, have mercy!
Singing in the Academy is no joke!"
And suddenly my voice came -- alas, it was a croak!
Murmurs from the audience, rose in the air
As I sat there, croaking on in despair.
The mridangist sat frozen and dazed;
The violinist, bravely, tried to look unfazed.
And then slowly, but steadily, the curtains fell
Downwards, downwards, as if by a knell.
Enough the audience had heard and seen
Of the most shameful debacle there had ever been!
And then, through my anguish, I heard a sound
Fuzzy first, then clear, as I looked around.
"Beep, Beep," it went, "Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep"
Trying to rouse me from a good night's sleep!
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My apologies if you came here expecting to see a song list!
