Kamala the Dancer A Lotus that sprouted A Thousand petals The clouds casting a shadow on the south Indian dance Christened anew as Bharathanatyam hadn’t quite drifted away When she appeared on the horizon, bright as a jewel She was an overnight star. A morning star. Shooting across the firmament, she reached the zenith in a flash. And stayed there a long time. Shining brightly. Swallowing the shadows. Lighting up the path to glory for a thousand and more dance-maidens. But even heavenly bodies aren’t exempt from the pull and Push of time. She had appeared stationary in the high sky but Traveled with time. Dawn was new stars in the firmament, rising high, Attracting attention with their youthful glow. She felt Her trajectory dipping…and jumped out of her natural orbit…