i did not expect swagath- our university’s official welcome to her freshers- to happen this year. but most of my doe-eyed juniors were incredibly optimistic, and when the date and theme were officially announced, their excitement knew no bounds. with the freshers’ happening right before pratibha, the joy in the air was at its peak. the usual cute makeshift stage was set up on the university grounds, and panel discussions and debates on costumes were conducted. a couple of them did ask for my advice, while all i had for them was to follow the university dress code.
i had my permission letter signed and ready as a reporter for epigram publications as i walked into the ground with the notes app open on my phone. i talked to a couple of people about their costumes and noted that there were more than 10 shah rukh khans. he truly is a superstar, with his characters influencing many youngsters and oldsters. every small dhaba and salon (or saloon to stay true to the emotion) has a picture of a young, handsome shah rukh with a guitar on one shoulder and a mischievous smile. i wondered whether king khan’s best pair would be around, as i saw a cute girl with a pretty hair bow and her long hair tied up to replicate kajol’s iconic bob from kuch kuch hota hai. i wanted a picture of the iconic duo together but the one kajol was very shy, and the multiple shah rukhs were too eager.
the above mentioned image (courtesy- pinterest)
the event was much better and well managed compared to the freshers’ last year. people had the chance to actually attend the event, with the main ground being big enough to accommodate all the freshers with some space still left. i was a bit bitter about this fact, but i was then preoccupied with watching the performances. there was a fashion show and a dance by the official fashion team and mrityunjaya- the official indian dance team of the university. i have a friend who was part of the dance team, but she quit this year, and she is one of the best dancers i’ve seen. then mima, the theater team put on a mock-rock performance, which was really fun. i remember auditioning for the team last year and not making it. everybody who came on stage was so talented, and i found myself constantly comparing myself to them. i watched all the performances in a daze, and the crowd started to get to me as i was alone. i’ve never been able to enjoy crowded places alone; it’s very different compared to taking myself on a solo date to a café or a bookshop. the musical performance was the best part of the whole event. they played a variety of songs, and i found myself bobbing my head along to a few. a couple of my juniors pulled me into their group and forced me to dance along with them. i might not have been the best dancer, but my years of bharatanatyam training came in handy as i grooved along.
we all went to get dinner at a nearby restaurant after. all the girls had taken off their heels at this point, and the guys were busy discussing something. i looked around and saw everybody having fun in their own groups with their own friends in their own little worlds. they all looked excited; their foreheads glistened with sweat beads, and their faces shone with tired happiness. i was reminded of myself a year ago, younger and more innocent. swagath happened earlier for us, way before the realities of adulthood hit us. we were given time to dream, the time being snatched from us as soon as we got a taste of what happiness is supposed to be. one of the juniors who was busy eating her chicken fried rice turned to me and asked me whether i had any advice for them as a second-year. i pinched her cheek and reminded her of how i was the same age she would be in two months.
as i was writing this piece, i looked back at my notes that i had made during the event. most of it was just gibberish—descriptions of outfits and hairstyles i wanted to recreate. but somewhere in the middle, hidden between “baby pink churidar with white shawl and lose braids” and “navy blue dress, white sneakers, and ponytail,” was a small pointer that said, “shah rukh khans counted till now: 10.”