We Meet At Last!
The drive to Mogalvadi was captivating. The villages, fields and roads seemed relatively clean, and the earth appeared greener. Although I was clearly still in India, I felt enthralled by the view. I knew we weren't that far away from other leprosy colonies in our area, yet the world seemed different... it seemed fresh. After being in India for nearly 2 1/2 months it was high time I made this drive! According to the stories, there is a legendary man in Mogalvadi who is more than an ordinary man-- he is a dance master! I had heard of this man many many times, and I had been waiting all summer for this opportunity, for me to finally meet him!
The bus pulled onto a dirt road that led to the small colony, populated by only 7 people. I anxiously and excitedly anticipated my meeting with the dance master! The bus stopped. I gathered my things. The door opened. Fellow group members disembarked the bus. I followed. And there he was.
"I --AM --JAYARAJ!" He sang, his energetic voice carrying high into the trees around us. A grin spread across his face as he released gleeful sounds of laughter and cheering! I made my way over the small, yet large-in-spirit man.
"You are Jayaraj!" I exclaimed.
"Yes!" He replied, and again sang to me, "I --AM --JAYARAJ!", and he added a few little dance moves to his song.
"You are a dance master!" I said.
"Yes!"
"Me too!"
"Woohoo!!!"
I told him my name, and after several attempts at saying my name I accepted that he will know me as Richard, haha.
The remainder of my stay in Mogalvadi was a delight. I assisted the Medical Team, which went very quickly considering the fact that there are only 7 residents in the colony! And following the medical work, we danced :) With Jayaraj as the lead dance master, we had a marvelous time following his movement to the Tamil music. Everyone had a smile on their face! I pulled out the scarves to encourage dancing with the observers, and I was able to get a few darling women to dance with me :) The next thing I knew, Jayaraj had a scarf around his head! Brilliant :) I followed his lead! And I will tell you what-- Jayaraj is very deserving of the dance master title.
So the legend is true everyone! Jayaraj really does exist. He really does live in a colony of only 7 people. He really is a delight. And he really is a dance master! I am thrilled we met at last :)
Jayaraj and his wife, Jayamary |
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