Fiddler in the Train

There was nothing particularly unusual about my Monday evening train ride from Bandra to Andheri or so I thought when the train crossed the first station. It wasn't a particularly hot evening and the crowd on board the train was bearable. 

Then all of a sudden, as the train stopped at Khar Road, a teenager walked into the first class compartment with an Indian violin in hand. Within the next 10 minutes, the compartment was electrified by the quality of music he played. This handsome young man had the features of a Rajasthani gypsy and there was definitely wear and tear on his face. He was in the city to escape a life of absolute poverty in his culturally-rich yet materially-poor and backward state. 

As he played on, the passengers in the first class compartment stopped talking and listened to the wonderful music. For once, I was rather sad that the train reached Andheri and the music stopped. The musician was rewarded by almost everyone on the train. I so wish that some Bollywood somebody discovers this young man and his life turns around like a perfect Hindi film script.