Hello everyone,
Kolkata has officially become extremely HOT. I keep starting an email to you, and then stop because I find myself too distracted or tired due to the heat. But I'm finally hoping to make it through a whole email.
So many things have been happening in our life. Here's a quick recap of some key events:
Kolkata has officially become extremely HOT. I keep starting an email to you, and then stop because I find myself too distracted or tired due to the heat. But I'm finally hoping to make it through a whole email.
So many things have been happening in our life. Here's a quick recap of some key events:
| 1. Aakash and I had a four show "tour" in Kolkata and Bangalore. Aakash's quartet played his newest album and I joined in on the title track again, followed by three jazz standards. Each performance went well and it was a big week for me with lots of firsts. I performed jazz for the first time AND attempted scat singing. It was a really fun experience and I feel lucky to have been involved. |  |
2. My sister arrived in India before we left for Bangalore. Shantha was here in time for Holi, the holiday of spring and colors, and we were invited to "play" Holi at a friend's house. I was nervous at first, but, after showing my students pictures of us afterwards, feel confident that we did the holiday justice. Most notably, the two of us, along with my friend Alec, visited Kali Temple, which is not only the most famous temple in Kolkata, but the most notorious for pick
pockets and other bad experiences for foreigners. I'm happy to report that although it was one of the more unusual (meaning unexpected, crowded, sticky, and disgusting, to name a few) experiences of my time India, I found it to be a really positive and interesting experience .
pockets and other bad experiences for foreigners. I'm happy to report that although it was one of the more unusual (meaning unexpected, crowded, sticky, and disgusting, to name a few) experiences of my time India, I found it to be a really positive and interesting experience .
4. Aakash's sister Meera arrived two days back and we are really enjoying her company. Meera and I have already had two full shopping days and I'm looking forward to taking her to New Market, one of my favorite (but most insane) parts of Kolkata. Getting to know her better and reconnecting our friendship from high school is really special and I'm happy she'll be here for another week.
5. This evening, Aakash successfully performed another Indian classical concert, and he really did a superb job. He was invited to play at a house concert where he performed both Indian classical music with a tabla player as well as some original tunes with an Italian guitarist friend. Sadly, my camera was lost last week so I was unable to take any video. I'm hoping to get a copy of footage taken by someone else and I will share it when I do.
6. I've been doing a lot of exploring in Kolkata the last few days and am excited that in addition to finding a whole block of daab wallas with cheaper, incredibly delicious daab, I also rode the Kolkata tram for the first time. It was shockingly comfortable and identical to trams I've seen in movies from the forties.
Anyways, despite my infrequent emails, know that I am thinking of you all. I hope life in your respective homes is going well. For those of you in cold climates, I wish you warmth, and in return, hopefully you can send some snow clouds our way. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon.
Love,
Jayanthi
5. This evening, Aakash successfully performed another Indian classical concert, and he really did a superb job. He was invited to play at a house concert where he performed both Indian classical music with a tabla player as well as some original tunes with an Italian guitarist friend. Sadly, my camera was lost last week so I was unable to take any video. I'm hoping to get a copy of footage taken by someone else and I will share it when I do.
6. I've been doing a lot of exploring in Kolkata the last few days and am excited that in addition to finding a whole block of daab wallas with cheaper, incredibly delicious daab, I also rode the Kolkata tram for the first time. It was shockingly comfortable and identical to trams I've seen in movies from the forties.
Anyways, despite my infrequent emails, know that I am thinking of you all. I hope life in your respective homes is going well. For those of you in cold climates, I wish you warmth, and in return, hopefully you can send some snow clouds our way. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon.
Love,
Jayanthi
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