I have been dancing/performing on stage on and off since I was around 5. Over the years, I have seen enough backstage tears, smiles and fears. The one thing that stays in my mind is the backstage parent – the one dressing up the performer – a reflection of the pride and the joy of  parenthood. Most of the backstage parents miss the on-stage performance. Yet they do it. They see tears, anger and hunger and put up with it happily. I have often wondered why.

Another milestone in motherhood to be captured – I became a backstage mother and shook my head in disbelief. Where have the years gone? My baby on stage? Already?

Kuttyma had her first dance performance. I still cannot believe it happened. She started pre-ballet classes 2 months back with the Wendy Barker Dance School in Gladstone. I was quite surprised at how much she enjoyed dance and how hard she was ready to work for it.

The show – Curtain Up was on 17th November at the Gladstone Entertainment Center. It was the annual concert of the school.

I will admit as a dancer I have rather high expectations and ideas of perfection but as a mother I have none. I see her with her tutu and leotard trying hard. I see her observing her teacher with hawk eyes. I see her concentrating to keep her balance as she attempted her version of pointe. I literally cry.

I see her exhausted after practice and smiles all over her little face.  I watch with pride as she practices at home every night. I see her concentrate on ballet moves on those videos we borrow from the library. I know it is love – a love we both will share forever. I look forward to sharing the love, the joy and happiness dance brings to our lives.

On a totally different note, remember the scene in K3G, where Kajol gets up and whistles when she sees her son on stage? I think I am morphing into that kind of a mom.