What triggers a memory? The senses - the smell or the taste, the sound or the sight. And some memories are more vivid than others. Every Maha Shivratri I am reminded of the year of my Boards. It was 2nd of March - exactly two days before the Class X exams started. As was my…
A birthday-anniversary weekend in September last year also turned out to be a musical weekend - an evening of classical music and another of classical ballet. The Royal Russian Ballet had flown in with their swans for a treat for Delhi audience. For me, this was a maiden experience of watching a ballet live -…
Those who know me know that I am fond of Indian classical music, it's a music that I work on, walk to or just play it when mood strikes. And perhaps, it was just a question of time that this would have led me to Western classical, and it has finally happened over last few…
The obituaries and eulogies on social media for Kishori Amonkar is what I woke to this morning. And I remembered a recent debate as the year 2017 began with few people on Facebook. A recent convert to Hindustani Classical Music, I could not enjoy listening to her in the last decade, which baffled most of…
Sundays are laid back, with an agenda of reading newspapers, finishing house chores and relaxing with a good film or a book. And Monday blues usually sets in as the day progresses. Rarely, there is an announcement of a music concert for a Sunday morning and even rarer for me to be able to catch…
As I promised myself yesterday, I am back! And keeping another promise to self, had a lazy day ... Well almost, apart from couple of calls, few emails and some whatsapp messages with other people who were sadly working!I had music on my mind, and as I rummaged in the shelf found a 1960 Akashvani recording…
Sunday morning... It is not easy to get up early, get ready and go out at 9 am in the morning. I made the effort today! After a cloudy, chilly and windy day yesterday, I was praying for a sunny Sunday. And it turned out to be a sunny, slightly windy but beautiful Spring morning.…
Another classical musical evening, a slice of Banaras, and memories of time gone by. Listening to three generations of violin player playing together, N Rajam with her daughter and grand-daughter, transported me to my childhood days, when she shared the boundary wall with my masi, and we could hear the strains of violin almost throughout…
It was an eventful day today, first half being at an event which was semi-organised by me and later half of the day at another event as an audience. As i began my day at 4 am, having driven from Delhi to Gurgaon while it was still dark, reaching the venue almost when the dawn…
I am a purist, a traditionalist – in lot of ways. And, especially when it comes to music. I am drawn towards Indian Classical Music though Bollywood music gets its due share. The beginning of the New Year, I got a promotional email sent by one of the sites I subscribe to for a fusion…
Yesterday night as I was surfing through the TV channels, the remote stopped at a music channel that was showing old Hindi film songs. And I was transported to the past – bringing alive myriad memories which had somehow gotten lost in the present stressful life. Some songs transported me to peaceful long summer holidays,…
An audio and visual seduction – by Manganiyars – a hitherto unknown group of musicians from Rajasthan. And the setting perfect – against the backdrop of Purana Qila – just the beginning of winter season, slight chill as you walked inside the gates for an open air performance. Flower rangoli with diyas welcomed, the scent…