Letter from India

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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

My life with Jagjit Sight

I first met Jagjit Singh on a LP (long playing) record in Calcutta’s New Market, in the late 1970s. I was living in the US at that time and on my periodic visits to India, I would go over to the area of the New Market where the music shops would let you hear the latest music. This is where I heard... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Anugunj (The Reverberation)

Delhi is host to a travelling exhibition of the tribal myths and stories through paintings, pottery, collages, terracotta and metal work. Almost all myths and stories of the tribals are linked to the environment – water, earth, sky, trees and plants, birds and animals – and the stories are woven... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

The Art of Story Telling

We all hear stories from our parents and grandparents. And we tell stories to our children. But, is there an art to storytelling? It seems there is. At a weekend in Bangalore, Acoustic Traditional, a group of people dedicated to revive the art of storytelling and more specifically, indigenous... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Sunday with a Thumri Master

Today, I spent a good part of the day in a Music Masterclass conducted by Savita Devi, a renowned Thumri singer. It was rather exhilarating, as I was not sure what to expect. It was at the India Habitat Centre in Delhi, is a cosy well lit room. There was a platform for the accompanists and... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

The nature of condolences

Yesterday my two sisters and I went to condole with one of our aunts, whom we called Sheela Aunty. Her husband, whom we called Manohar Uncle died on August 19. We did not know about his death. My cousin in the US sent all three sisters an email, a few days after his death. I knew Uncle had not been... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Dastangoi: Reviving the lost art of Story Telling

Last evening my husband and I attended a Dastangoi presentation of the great Rajasthani folk story Chuboli. The story is as follows: Princess Chauboli has vowed that she will only marry a man that can make her speak four times in one night. Seventeen times twenty-four princes have tried and failed... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, August 29, 2011

August in the Hills

August is a wicked month, at least in the plains of North India. It’s hot and rainy. So setting out for the hills is always a good idea. However, the downside is that it’s also raining and those who don’t like the rain may want to stay away. My sister doesn’t like the rains in the hills so complains... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Gaps and gaps

I did it again. After swearing I would be more regular with Blogit, I have lost the battle with myself. There are so many reasons - other writing, FB, Twitter, etc. I am back to the blogit archive to retrieve an entry on my mother as someone I know lost his mother and I thought I would send it to... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

February: Life in and around the Terrace

We have a beautiful terrace. South facing, first floor, it captures the sun all day long. Great in the winter, not as great in the summer as it really heats up the upper floor. However, from November-March/April, it is a delight. There are flowers in the pots which Ramu, the gardener plants in... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Grapefruit in the Backyard

Its happened! The grapefruit in our backyard is now in our stomachs! A few months ago, I saw this fruit on the plant. This was October. I did not look at it too closely in November and December. I was ill and then it was too cold to go outside. We followed the progress and wondered when it would... Sign in to see full entry.

About this Blog

I started this blog in mid-March 2006 when I moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, for a four-month assignment. In mid-July I moved back to India, and am continuing the blog.

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