An interesting point was printed at the bottom of the pamphlet, in bold letters. "In a final attempt to seduce the Sage,
Menaka thinks of dancing naked before him.Will she? Won't she?""Be there in the front rows to observe it for yourself. The first ten rows, two hundred fifty seats, are ticketed @ Rs.15/- per seat. "**********The Nautanki ground was a conglomeration of fields after corn, wheat etc.was harvested and until yesterday, the stubble was burning on them. A quiet, chilly night in Meharana! The time 7.00 p.m.Three nakkaras summoned the spectators to the Nautanki
grounds.With the sudden beat of the nakkaras, the sky was full of birds wheeling back and forth. The ditches beside the fields became alive with the croaking of frogs.The temporary stall owners, hawkes around the Nautanki grounds became extra vigilant to sell their wares! The candy-floss sellers were on their sweet announcements!As the sound waves of the drums reverberated through the dark-green trees and fields of Meharana, the village women
stopped their household chores for a while! The kneeding of nthe dough stopped. The children stopped playing, looked around, and raced towards the direction of the sound of the nakkaras.The dogs barked in response, the birds chirped and flew without destination. Directionless, round and round.Insects began to twitter among the trees. The chorus of frogs in ponds and wells was audible..The physically sick, turned mentally sick, wishing but unable to reach the Nautanki grounds. The shopkeepers readied themselves to down the shutters. No more business for the day. Many cycle riders peddled faster, to the common destination. To enjoy Gulab's Nautanki. To observe her victory in the defeat, before the spiritual power of the Sage! The vibrations of the nakkaras brought such happiness to people, as if the gates of heaven were thrown open!The vllfgers arrived in ones, twos, in groups and a good number of them, pre-present before the announced timings, were overjoyed to hear the rhythm of nakkaras. They had occupied the best possible angles of the free seatig zone!...the huge bullock-carts, packed with human beings, like sardines, lumbered along the mud-paths leading to Ramlila grounds, which was a conglomeration of farms!Nakkaras would stop for a while, only to continue with added vigor!