Symphony of Tangled Tape - By Priya Darne

Written By: Priya Darne

Category: short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Discover the evocative short story "Symphony of Tangled Tape" by Priya Darne, a participant in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Priya's narrative beautifully captures the theme of rediscovering lost passions through the lens of family and nostalgia. Her story is a testament to the enduring power of music and the unexpected ways life brings us full circle.

About the Work

Priya Darne's "Symphony of Tangled Tape" is a captivating exploration of personal growth and rediscovery. Her narrative weaves a rich tapestry of nostalgia, illustrating the transformative power of music and family. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt storytelling, Priya unveils the journey of reconnecting with a long-lost passion, inspired by a daughter's innocent enthusiasm.

" Symphony of Tangled tape"

Original Submission by Priya Darne

The Symphony of the Tangled Tape: How My Daughter Dragged My Singing Voice Back Out of Retirement

🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶

Back when I was first beginning to understand what an art form truly meant, my soul seemed to hitch a ride on the nearest melody. During my school days, my entire musical setup consisted of a vintage tape recorder, a stack of cassettes, and an almost unreasonable amount of patience. I would write down lyrics by frantically pressing play, pause, rewind, and play again, trying to catch every word. And, more often than not, the tape would eventually get mangled, spitting out a tragic, curly ribbon of magnetic tape at precisely the worst possible moment. Uff!! 🎶

Fast-forward to today, and I look at this generation with a mixture of admiration and profound jealousy. Kids today are ridiculously lucky! They have technology for almost everything-karaoke tracks at the touch of a screen, sophisticated microphones, recording systems, and enough gadgets to make practically anyone sound like a superstar. 🎶

Back in my day, our version of high-tech audio engineering was blowing into the cassette player, tapping it a few times, and praying that the tape heads weren't dusty! My school years were always filled with singing competitions. I almost always managed to secure a place in the top three, and those little victories slowly built a tiny but important spark of confidence within me: “Yes, I can actually sing” 🎶

Eventually, I even began classical music training. I was excited to learn and eager to continue, but life had other plans. We had to shift houses, and my lessons came to an abrupt stop. My music journey was put on pause. Looking back now, I often think, If only online learning had existed back then! Oh, how lucky today's learners are! 🎶

Then came the grand transition into adulthood-studies, college degrees, work, responsibilities, and the never-ending hustle of everyday life. Life began moving at breakneck speed. In the marathon of adulting, I kept marching forward, but somewhere along the way, my music and my passion quietly fell behind.

Not deliberately. Not dramatically. They simply got lost in the shuffle of life.

Years passed, and eventually, life brought me full circle in the most unexpected way.

I found myself completely engrossed in raising my daughters, getting them ready for school, managing their schedules, and preparing them for competitions. Somewhere between cooking in the kitchen, finishing household chores, and getting everyone ready for the next event, I would casually hum or sing a tune. I never realized I had a little audience, my younger daughter. Those songs were quietly being absorbed by little ears. My melodies were picked up, repeated, and eventually returned to me in the sweetest possible way-through my daughter humming right along with me.

Then she started formal music lessons and gave her very first stage performance at the tender age of five. “Every time I watched my daughter perform, it felt like a light at the end of the tunnel, guiding me back to a part of myself I had unknowingly left behind.”

And that's when things took an unexpected turn. 🎶

To help her practise, I had to sing along with her. Again and again. And somehow, without even realizing it, my long-closed music books began opening themselves. Every practice session became an excuse for me to sing. Every performance of hers gave me another opportunity to step back into the world I had once left behind.

Sometimes, I genuinely feel that she was sent into my life as my very own musical wake-up call. She didn't just learn music. She reminded me that I had once loved it, too.

And before I knew it, the woman who had quietly shelved her singing years ago was participating in competitions again. Music was officially back in my life-loud, clear, and apparently not willing to leave again!

Today, the tradition continues. We both participate, we practise together, we sing together, and, of course, our final song selections till date passed the most important approval process of all-my elder daughter's lovingly delivered verdict!

Funny how life works.

Sometimes, we think we have outgrown a passion, when in reality, we have simply been too busy living to notice that it is still waiting for us.

So don't ever let a hobby or passion disappear completely into the shadows. If something once made your heart sing, give it another chance.

Because you never know.

The universe might just send you a tiny, musical messenger to drag it right back out of retirement-for you, whether you're ready for the comeback or not! 🎶

But what if that miracle never comes? What if your hobby doesn't happen to match your child's interests? What if they never discover the little passion you tucked away?

Then that passion might remain behind a closed door, gathering dust, with no one coming along to find the key.

So, dear moms, go looking for that key yourself. 🔑

Sometimes, you can be your own miracle. ❤️🎶

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the diverse voices of writers worldwide. It provides a platform for showcasing literary talent and sharing unique narratives that resonate across cultural and personal experiences. The competition fosters creativity and encourages writers to explore various themes and genres.

Thank you, Priya Darne, for sharing your heartfelt story, "Symphony of Tangled Tape," with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches the tapestry of narratives that inspire and connect us all. We appreciate the passion and authenticity you bring to your storytelling.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.