 They collided at the narrow entrance to the green room. Each glared at the other. Even as they stood there debating on the next move, Rajamanikkam Pillai came out, followed by a disciple. He nodded a greeting and then the disciple bent down to remove Pillai’s shoes.
Both Sir VP and Ramanathan smiled. Pillai’s bulk was such and such was his height that he could not have seen his legs in quite some while. The mridangist and the ghatam vidwan followed and soon the trio had gone on to the stage.
Both Sir VP and Ramanathan made a dash for the green room. This time they managed to squeeze in at the same time, almost running over Semmangudi as he stood in front of the mirror.
"There you are Seenu, admiring yourself in the mirror," said
Ramanathan.
The maestro smiled.
"I may not be GN, but still I must take care of my appearance," he replied. "But I am forgetting myself. I am indeed honoured that Sir VP and Ramanathan, two of my greatest rasikAs have come today. It will be a special occasion."
Sir VP had found his breath.
"Srinivasa Iyer, I have come to you with a request. As you know.."
"Sir VP, pardon me for the interruption. But before I left Tiruvangur for the December season, both the Maharani and Sir CP conveyed their regards to you. Sir CP was saying that after him, you are the brightest star in the court."
Sir VP was stopped in mid-track.
"They are both very kind. I can only thank them for remembering me."
Ramanathan was getting impatient.
"Look here Seenu, what is all this about Ta.."
"Anna, permit me to interrupt you also. At the Tiruvangur station I met Pattom Thanu Pillai. He was talking about the way you were enthusing everyone at prison recently. He went on to say that after Satyamurthy, you are the greatest leader in Madras."
"Pillai is an equally dedicated person. When you meet.."
A shadow fell across the door. It was KVK. He appeared agitated.
 "Srinivasa Iyer, the second bell has gone. We cannot keep the audience waiting. I must say Sir VP, and you too Ramanatha, that this is simply not done. You cannot engage the artistes in conversation before the programme. Also, you must take your seats. Don’t you know the crowd outside is enormous? I simply cannot keep the places vacant."
He looked around for Semmangudi, who had by then made his way to the stage.
Sir VP gnashed his teeth and was startled to hear an echo. He realised that it was Ramanathan. In any case, he had foiled the other fellow's plan. They were now one square. After the concert, he would take Semmangudi aside and...
The sound of deafening applause woke them both from their reverie. They rushed to the hall. Sir VP walked as fast as he could. He did not want to appear undignified and run. But he did manage a sort of walk and run and made it to his seat just as the curtains went up.
He turned to see who was sitting next and sat open-mouthed as he saw Ramanathan lowering himself into the chair. It was then that he noticed a sticker on the chair which said 'T N Rajarathinam Pillai'. He turned to KVK on the other side.
"I say, KVK, this is a bit too much. I cannot have this fellow here."
"What can I do, Sir VP. It is all TNR’s fault and yours too."
"Mine?"
"Yes. If only you had handled him properly at the gate, all this would not have happened."
The shock had Sir VP speechless. He could feel a blast of bad breath from Ramanathan and was aware that he was saying something.
"Eh?"
"Round one to you. He is singing
vAtApi."
Sir VP sat stonily listening to the music. This was too much. Now he had to suffer this fellow’s bad breath as well. Must be all that goat milk of Gandhi's, he reflected.
To be continued...
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Once Upon A Season-VI
