We were treated to a birthday party for Nikesh today, this evening. Ten years old. His Mum had brought the cake, travelled all the way from Darjeeling, and we were promised dancing.
There must have been 20-odd people in the house: all to celebrate, eat cake and do dinner. Twenty people who for this evening at least were family in a lovely shared home: PD - Gautam's father, three of Nikesh's teachers, some of the girls from class 3 in their best dresses, and us, soaking it all in , and joining in (well, all except the tucking into snacks of "chicken's innards" which we politely declined). It was like the perfect Christmas without the materialism.
Khudas and gifts were given, cake cut, 'Happy Birthday' sung (twice to ensure it was captured on film), and it was evident that Nikesh's Ma had prepared some feast.
But before that, dancing. A couple of what are fast becoming our favourite Indian beats, and up we were, Dad dancing with the kids in Gautam and Suchita's bedroom-cum-lounge. Then, like a switch being flicked, the music was shuffled and we were transported to what I can only describe as an underage - very underage, Aryan is only 7, and certainly not the youngest there - rave. As Akon hammered out 'I just had sex' and Eminem f'd and cursed, the dancing simply got more energetic as the sugar from cake, sweets and snacks all took the little ones up to a furious frenzy of youthful exuberance. I can only assume that the tiny little chap who scampered outside mid-song was not in fact interested in some air or a pee, but in fact was shooting up some candy or snorting a line of sugar. Nikesh, initially shy, son found his form and he and the gluttonous Aryan (sporting a surprisingly similar new pair of shoes to Nikesh's) performed in perfect synchronisation to 'Jai-Ho' and numerous other Bollywood favourites, before the sugar wore off and they were carted away for Birthday rice and dal.
What an evening, and after a verbose download from Samrat, and Sarah not only receiving a kiss from each of her students present, but also gaining the accolade of 'favourite' teacher, we both finished (read : chucked) our 'Honey Bee' whiskeys and retired euphoric, reminiscing beautiful moments from the loveliest evening to date at KCS. Wow.
Yet again we find ourselves lost for words at the friendliness, welcome and generosity. All the children had dressed up, brought beautifully wrapped presents, and in that unique Indian way kept tabs on each other, both providing care, and mature, proportionate discipline amongst themselves when required. The oldest wasn't more than 10.
Watching the teachers (Samrat, Anmol and Parsuram) lead the kids in the dancing was simply enchanting, as PD directed from the rim of his glass of brandy. Even he danced a few athletic steps to some entirely inappropriate but thankfully misunderstood lyrics.
It was all a little awesome, in fact inspiring, and encouraged by Sarah, I found myself fully enthused by the whole situation, furiously penning the outline to a story, perhaps a book. We'll see.
Really, who needs Downton and Strictly when such drama, entertainment and dance is presented like this?
With the promise that one of the girls' fathers would trim my beard, and that for our efforts teaching English and science, we will be rewarded by personal tuition from class 3 in Nepali, we go to sleep tonight with happy hearts and hope; to see such contentment really is priceless.
Pictures: the party, Sarah leading the dancing, and Nikesh throwing some shapes. The girls.
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