I wore the blazer again and again and looked at myself in the mirror. I would have tried all the combinations of 3 shirts and 2 trousers with the blazer my father had bought taking an advance loan. All the preparations were on for the day when the India’s Best Singer contest was to come to the Royal College in Gangapur, Rajasthan. I started singing at the age of 3 and all of the rest 20 years I only worshipped was my Guru – my Father, music and singing.
The D day arrived; there were not many participants as were observers. Half of Gangapur’s modest population of 25,000 came to watch the celebrity judges whom they had just seen on posters or on television. I braced myself and tried to sing a classical, the anxiety over came my performance. I was selected as a waiting list participant meaning if someone did not turn up, I would be called. Rest few days went as usual; my mom had packed the blazer and even spoken of selling it to a relative who was to get married soon. Father would day and night think of replaying the loan and I myself had taken up tuitions to help father repay the loan. The only good change the let-down brought in me was I doubled up my riyaz (practise) and started living music.
An unexpected call on 21st November 2010 to the c/o neighbour’s number changed my life. I never knew this call would take me to an unexpected turn in my life and what the future held!
“I am speaking from India’s Best Singer. We need you here in Mumbai, can you make it tomorrow?” An eager young voice shouted over the cacophony that surrounded her. I was dumbfound to answer anything, going to Mumbai meant more expenses upfront even if it was paid later by the company. I also knew it was my last chance to make it big. Leaving a note under my father’s pillow and some cash from a friend, I left for the Maximum City!
Reaching the quarterfinals was a breeze. I knew I was the heartthrob with my sweet chocolate boy demeanour. I got close to a fellow contestant, Rajshree. Before the finale, all participants were taken to their home town, but I refused. I was a top contender finalist competing with Rajshree and Asit a boy from Asam. The contest had a nail biting finish and along with the title I won 50 lakh cash and a singing contract with the channel. I was an overnight star, a sensation, I received calls from unknown people congratulating me on my success, I chatted with girls to increase popularity, gave interviews in leading newspapers and radio channels and was the star to every party I was invited. People just wanted me. The importance and the recognition I was gaining I knew the world was at my feet. I knew the way to be in limelight was through my rich young friends. I vaguely remember when at a star studded after award party, Rajshree wanted to sing and I in high spirits grabbed the mic, “I will sing, I am the star, this party is for winners! Give it to me.” “Aaj jaane ki zid na karo ….” I fell to the ground and rest I read in the news papers, “Rags to Riches and now Young but Finished!”. However such things cannot dampen my spirits, media always tries to bring people down. “Alcoholism, loud music, parties and now drugs, is all you have with you now.” Rajshree never understood me, why do those people give a lecture on success … who have never seen success. I left her.
A year had passed; my first album had created record sales. My dates for the next one year were booked and my first solo stage show was over booked in Rajasthan. My mega posters were all over the city, with people piling around my car to get an autograph. I knew I was the best but anxiety hadn’t let me sleep for a week now in spite of the anti-depressants I took. I selected my leather jacket from the best of brands that wanted to sponsor me. Talent sells…is all I can say. I needed the energy and wanted to be on a high, I sniffed some more marijuana pumped up some protein shakes kissed Anji, my girlfriend passionately before hitting the stage. The crowd was going mad wanted to hear me, even a word was enough. I could barely see the crowd just a hazy layer of black heads! My first half of the performance had girls fainting, wanting to touch me, grab me! The second half, I called some girls on stage against the security orders and a small explosion in one of boom boxes led to a chaos. I was frisked away by security and after that I am blank even today as to what happened. Next day’s newspaper made me pay the price of my success. Among the 18 people who died in the stampede, were a couple in their 70’s. I was called for recognition and the only thing I recognised on the mutilated body was the blazer the man was wearing. It took me no time to join the dots to my how being in Rajasthan. It’s been two years since the incident; I am convicted and lost the court case of the stampede episode proving me guilty of not adhering to security measures. My hired top lawyer proved me a hard core drug addict to avoid jail. I am in a rehabilitation making baskets and earning 100 rupees a day. Rajshree is a top play back singer now; she comes every week to meet me. Drugs took away my singing ability however I do hum songs when Rajshree is here.
It is quite rightly said, the people you meet when climbing up the steps of success … are the same you meet when climbing down!
This post is part of A significant turn.. on WriteUpCafe.com<
22 Comments
Very good depiction of the other side of life which evokes pathos!
Here is the link Uppal ji http://www.sunshineandzephyr.com/2015/01/happy-new-year-and-very-inspiring-blog-award/
Brilliantly written Shweta!
http://www.hautekutir.com
http://www.numerounity.com
Thank you Ekta 🙂
Hi Shweta, thanks for the nomination.However I’m not able to get to the post as it shows that there is some error. Pl.check the URL.
It’s a harsh reality Shweta, so many youngsters/ young stars fail to find out the way in the maze of fame and popularity….they end their career in a rehab like your protagonist. Nice gripping story…love it 🙂
So true Maniparna (i never took permission before calling you Mani 🙂 ) i mean just a look around and so many young stars either wasted or in controversy, latest I heard was Ankit Tiwari or Miley Cyrus or Justin Bieber!! As also I am super happy that you liked it.
lovely story
Thank you Sweta 🙂
nice post, as usual
Thank you Aroraji for your constant motivation, helps be do better.
Lovely story, I like the way you play with words beautifully:)
Thank you so so much, glad you noticed it and liked it 🙂
All the phases of life are in this story from success to down. or down to success. In Hindi you may say फर्श से अर्श पर या अर्श से फर्श पर
Thank you Yogi ji, as they say there is no road to quick success and money, glad you liked it 🙂
You have ended it nicely Shweta .. the last line summed up all … It a great take on ‘A significant Turn ‘ ..
Success is really heady and definitely not for all to handle.
So many talented lives this rash rage of success has engulfed and still continues to do so . Hope your piece will set the mutilated body with the blazer on as a grim reminder of this unguided success … A realistic piece .loved it 🙂
So true babe esplly when you get it at a very raw age….Am happy you loved it 🙂
Thought provoking story, everyone cannot handle success with the same grace, with feet firmly on the ground. A nice read about the darker shades of success. And loved the last line. Apt.
Thank you Vidya, really happy you liked it 🙂
Beautiful story…and soul touching as the way you presented it bring down tears in my eyes. Really…one needs to be humble at his/her success to sustain it.
Beautiful, heartwarming and touching story dear…
Very beautifully penned Shweta. The rise and fall are always in the same proportion as you said in your finale. It is the journey that matters more than the peak and this needs lots of maturity.