Across the desert dunes

Set in the back drop of a romantic Arabian evening... It can happen in a haweli in Rajasthan, in a hut in a dusty Tamil Nadu village or a semi-urban home of Kerala hills. The basic instincts in men and women are the same anywhere.

Khaleel


The damp Night glistens ..
Rain retreats after an evening shower.
Clouds await to touch the earth again …
Warm golden glow stream out of the
Distant cottage …
Barqat, sits on the carpet of her home,
With gleam in her yearning eyes.
Khaleel is singing ….
He sings for his friends after years ….
Khaleel who sings for the world,
Touching emotions of lands,
Now, singing for the loved ones
They listen painfully, knowing
Khaleel has to leave by dawn.
Ruffled hair, sunken eyes,
Skin, weather-beaten …
The fire in the eyes weakly flickering,
Khaleel is singing ….
The cresecendo …
Khaleel coughs, voice shifts,
Breath. Struggles short,
Khaleel continues singing …
The music is over …
The song of the desserts ….
The strain of the night-flowers …
The rhythm of the war-horses….
Call for an encore !
Khaleel goes silent ….
Friends plead for more …
They touch his hands in request.
Khaleel raises his eyes …
A weak smile,
A transcending glance beyond Barqat's anguished eyes,
He whispers,
"Songs sung for you tonight are my best …
Now let the after-glow of them
Make your hearts radiant.
The most beautiful and treasured feelings
Should not be repeated and spoilt …."
Khaleel coughs ….
A strong mid-night wind sways the drapes !
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rtv
09-09-2002