30r364 boek.qxd:awards book 11 - Prince Claus Fund

Extract 1 from The Moth-Eaten Howdah of the TuskerWhen she had first come to this sattra from Pathaldia, after her marriage, a jatra party had come.Their performance had started… Men and women sat separately with a cloth stretched betweenthem serving as a partition. She was made to sit down with the other ladies. She had witnessed forthe first time the acting and dancing skills of Vishnu Ojha from Haramdo. A bright pertromax lampnearby sputtered and hissed loudly. The old lady who sat next to her was one of the women who hadcome to her village to look over the prospective bride. She had opened her hair, measured the lengthand felt its texture. She had made her walk to and fro and tested her grace. This lady now took herhand, made her get up and took her to a place nearer the stage, away from the noisy lantern.She had watched Vishnu Ojha, her eyes fixed on him, bewitched by the graceful, sensuous move -ments of his arms and body. She felt something stirring inside her; a wave of sexual excitement passedthrough her body! The drum beaters, their torsos bare, wearing flower garlands, were dancing andbeating their drums with abandon. The Ojha wore a long wide skirt with gold embroidery, which swirledand waved round his body. There was a white turban on his head and gold earrings shone in his ears.He danced and weaved between the drum beaters, never stopping even for one moment, and sang:Mukhe geet hate mudraPawe dhare talGaruda sadrisha bhrameSehi ojha bhal.(Song on the lips,Gestures in the hands,Rhythm in the feet,In motion like an eagle,Such an ojha is the best.)…Yes, yes! Vishnu Ojha is the best! A warm sensation passed through her breasts. Her nippleshardened. The Ojha’s words became flowers and fell on her body. His eyes became swords andpierced her. This play of flowers and swords lasted for a long time…(Indira Goswami, The Moth-Eaten Howdah of the Tusker,New Delhi: Rupa & Co, 2004, pp. 216-217)362008 Prince Claus Awards