I was always wondered about the games and the winning attitude of a player when he holds and kisses a medal he acquired/ I want to become a player too. But wait… which game I want to pursue? Well, that was a big question for me throughout my life. I am not a person of one interest. I have many interests. Being worked as a journalist, I have came across many players, rather different types of people. I was a dancer in my young days. So I used to dream to take a training of Indian Classical Dance. But again the confusion came on the forth. This time the confusion was with the form of dancing. Yes. There are many types of Indian Classical Dances. Unfortunately, there was no one around me to guide me to decide and choose any specific dance form.

With these confusion I was little nervous also to go into Dancing. I have been struggling with an ailment called facial palsy. And till the age of 40 I have suffered with 12 attacks since I was only 11. I got many treatments like steroids, galvanic current and acupuncture etc. I got cured with those medicines but ultimately I lost the original and natural shape of my face. My face does not move properly as I want. So it was little heart breaking also. Because in dance you need to make different facial expression. After few years, a dear friend said that I should have taken Katthak as it makes a dancer to move her eyebrows and make many faces. If I would have taken it then I might have benefitted by it. Till then the age and the desire of getting into dancing went off. 

Gradually I found my interest in physical fitness. I started little exercise and yoga. I also joined Gym. It was a pleasure to exercise and Dance might pleasured me little more. Then I again started learning Katthak from tutorials on YouTube channels. But it never worked as I myself was not that sincere. Later on my niece got into Table Tennis. She was doing wonders in her childhood. Later on she stopped playing to pursue her studies. Then my other niece started playing badminton and my love of childhood arose. Yes, I always wanted to play badminton. And this time I decided to join Badminton to play at professional level. I don’t want just to hold racket and smash the shuttles. I want to pursue the game to get back my lost spark. I kept on confusing myself the whole life. Now when I am leading towards my fifties, I finally got my one goal to pursue atleast.  I want no one to get confused as I was. Though today there are many things that can help you to take proper decision, here are some tips to get into right career other than academics.



Choose a form of performance: India is the country of many art form. In yesteryears it was difficult to find a career and make it a big success. Art was such an undervalued thing that suffered a lot to many artists. This affected on society in a way that parent never wanted their children to pursue an Art. Money is another issue with this as there is very less money is generated through Arts, at least at the beginning phase. So people want their children to be good at academics and then pursue a Doctor, Engineer or a Government officer post. The back benchers mostly went to pursue an Art forms. And now those back benchers are doing history. Sachin Tendulkar was not good at studies. Shaharukh Khan, Amir Khan and many more artist and player were not good at academics. Of course, exceptions are there in every field and we respect them. As Singer Mahesh Kale is performing his duties as an Engineer in US and he is doing marvels in Indian classical music. Moral, don’t get scared of the form. Just take one form and get a proper training to be a maestro.

Don’t judge on more or little fees: A guru is a guru whether he charges more amount or less for his fees. Many people judge a guru or a teacher on their fees. They think if the Guru is charging less fees then he will not give proper training. But it is not always true. In ancient years, Guru was not supposed to charge money from the student and students were used to stay and learn at Guru’s home. It was called “Gurukul”. Students also need to perform home stuff in Guru's home. It was also a learning to become self reliant. Today also there are some 'Gurukuls' who are teaching children the academics and the values of life. 

Be patience: This is the main characteristic which we are losing now-a-days. When we start any music form it starts with Sargam. This is the basic of every Indian classical music form. You can’t play music until you do not understand this Sargam. Sargam has many alalnkars. You have to practice it for days, months and may be for years. This needs a large number of patience. You can’t learn any art form in a night. It needs to spend years, then only you can get a beautiful results.



Be honest and humble: There are so many reality shows are airing on Television these days. Sometimes an Art form make you arrogant, you feel like you are a supreme hero, you are in seventh heaven. You think that one day you will conquer the world. First you need to prove it. Otherwise this may affect your art. Even after you won many competitions be grateful that you got that opportunity.

Don't mind your age, just start: As I said in my case, I was confused till the date I got my final aspiration. But now I am on the path to pursue it. You must have family and responsibilities. You have only 24 hours. But remember you have 7 days in a week and 30 days in a month. Just sit down with a paper and pen and make a proper plan. Divide all your duties and responsibilities and your hobbies in those hours and days. Now can you perform all your responsibilities and pursue your dream? Yes. It is not that difficult.

You just need a start. Just kick start and you will be unstoppable. You will reach to your destination, I am also on the same path. I don't know whether I will succeed or not, but I will say good bye to this world with a satisfaction and lots of pleasure that I have pursued my Dream. Let's start then.... Start and touch your horizon… Take care and happy being happy….