Mad Childhood Memories - Talent Nights!

Long before the talent shows on TV, we used to have live talent shows right at home, usually at 9 pm. That was the time when Mom was done with all her work. Also, that was still the time of single-channel TV and no internet, so the options for entertainment were limited.

For the three of us, this was the time to shine. Not that we didn't have other opportunities. But here there were no guests, no audience. We could do what we liked. So, we would ready all our props which included assorted dupattas and a 'mic' (usually an old pipe from the washing machine) and eagerly wait for dinner to get over.

Usually, Sappu and I would be too excited to wait so we would start off. Dancing madly, imitating Amitabh Bachchan's drunk comic scenes and performing all kinds of antics just to make Mom laugh. I would invent stories and narrate them, gesticulating wildly which never failed to make my family laugh. In fact, Jaya would laugh so hard I would feel like the funniest narrator on earth! :D

It would always end with Jaya picking up the mic and singing. She has always had a melodious voice and we would all enjoy her renditions of popular numbers. Of course, Sappu and I couldn't stay out of the limelight for long. So we would take turns with the mic too or if we were in the mood there would be a few rounds of antakshari.

But the best part of the night's entertainment usually was blind man's buff, if Mom was feeling up to it. She would tie the blindfold and then stretch her arms wide, swaying from side to side. To tiny us, it felt like she could span the room and we would giggle madly as we would try to duck and run from her far-reaching arms. 

There are a lot of entertainment options available now. And still, when we all get together, there is singing, playing and sometimes even wild dancing! :)

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