Can you hear the drums?
Our arrival to Shri Tilok, our host school, we shared discussion, samosas and sweets with the trustees. Our host teacher, Shrikant Kilkhoe asked " Can you hear the music?" ...the faint pounding of drums in the distance.
Greeting us at the main gate of the school were young students in beautiful saris. They placed a Tilok, or red mark on our foreheads, denoting a special occasion and we walked down a the long driveway closer to the school there was a phalanx of drummers and students lined up for us. Students sat in rows on the ground. We were lead to the stage, and bedecked with garlands of flowers, medallions with India colors, and seats of honor.
And this was only the beginning, in traditional Maharashtra custom a man wound a Pheta or turban around our heads. Students and teachers gave speeches in English about the honor of having Americans and the power of a teacher. On the first full moon they honor the power of the Guru Purnima.
And this was only the beginning, in traditional Maharashtra custom a man wound a Pheta or turban around our heads. Students and teachers gave speeches in English about the honor of having Americans and the power of a teacher. On the first full moon they honor the power of the Guru Purnima.
And of course we had a lunch and then started a whirlwind of tours and hosting. A student band and dance ,trees planted in our names, special seating, chai, sweets , bananas and more. We went to a one room tribal school four PK-k for tribal schools. There 4 boys got up and danced for us and we taught a mini English lesson on head shoulders knees and toes.
The final school was a residential school and one tha touched my heart. Rangoli ( chalk drawings) greeted us. Students were from the age of 6 years to about 12. It is hard to tell age because overall students are smaller than Americans. The students were there because families were not able to take care of them, because of deaths in family or imprisonment of a parent. The dining ceiling had blown off in a cyclone, and was going to be replaced by a local patron. In America this could be a grim situation, but I did not feel that there. The students were attentive and focused, staff was appreciative.
My head was spinning at the end, I had been invited into a new world that is 6000 years old. The people and culture was rich and warm. The next days were going to be a new story that I couldn't wait to read.
My head was spinning at the end, I had been invited into a new world that is 6000 years old. The people and culture was rich and warm. The next days were going to be a new story that I couldn't wait to read.
Comments
Post a Comment