“Cosmic Dancer” A poem by Tribute to Birju Maharaj

          “Cosmic Dancer”

                              ✎Renu paul

Maharaj,

you are now the epitome

of the cosmic dancer.

Your worship altar 

now readily receives

the garlands you offered 

at the feet of Nataraj,

the god of dance.

The flowing movements of

your hands and thunderous feet,

the disciplined body and detailed 

expressions on your face,

so intricate and measured

 that only careful observers 

can apprehend and appreciate,

your lightening anklets,

they summon me to heed your call.

I am wrapped in the garment of bliss,

simply lost in the heart of gratitude for

the art you shared with numberless millions

and nameless souls like me.

 

Maharaj,

you are now the consummate cosmic dancer.

There is no sound you need to make,

no words you need to speak.

How can this be?

Your graceful gestures,

 like a white swan swimming gently on its course,

tell the story (katha) on the stage without fail.

Your versatile abilities

touch every aspect of human emotion

by bringing voice to the voiceless

and clarity of sound to the muted.

I am simply captivated by all

I have seen in your cosmic dance,

simply lost in admiration

for all you are, were, and ever will be.

 

Maharaj,

you are now the cosmic dancer on the divine stage.

Your fingerprints and footprints

now find its abode among

the coveted seat of the celestial gandharvas.

The god of dance, Nataraj,

now calls for the curtain to rise.

Why, there is no need for

grief-stricken cries of mourn',

no dread of the final curtain call

because the body's end is a continuation.

The dancer and dance are now one.

Maharaj,

you are now the quintessential cosmic dancer,

continuing your dance across

the planes of existence in subtle form.

("Cosmic Dancer" is a poem renu paul wrote in tribute to the late Padma Vibhushan Pandit. Kathak dance hero Birju Maharaj has passed away.)