Feeling like in this song from 'Delhi-6'... ;)
Hey, I'm back to LJ :) and because I need to share things, I want to share what I have now and what have happened along with a warm summer breeze...
I was really worried that I couldn't get confirmation of my tickets until the very last day before departure, but from the moment I got to the airport the things finally started going smoothly. People I met were friendly and helpful, a lady searching my bag made a compliment regarding my kurta, had good neighbours in the plane who were trying to fix my TV that refused to work, so in the end I even got a seat at the window and with a working monitor :D I didn't stare at it much though except tracking the flight - where we were flying, what was near etc. I like maps!
I don't think it would be interesting to anyone to read a plain diary, so I''d better include some nice episodes.
Episode 1.
I came to Kathak Kenrdra (Kathak school) to met my teacher Harish without even knowing that guruji (his brother, Rajendra Gangani) is also there! I was just standing at the office in the empty school, and then a guy came - in bright green D&G t-shirt, jeans, chain on the neck... He asked what I was doing there. I said I was waiting for my teacher. 'Which teacher'? - 'Harish Gangani'. - 'Oh, Harish? He's my uncle! and Rajendra Gangani is my guru! I''m a Kathak dancer!'
I never thought I could meet a dancer in Kathak Kendra (the most 'Kathak' place!) dressed like this :) Especially if he's from such a traditional family! Anyway, we waited for Harish, and then went to guruji''s class (by the way, quite a few girls there were dressed like Europeans: tight jeans, tight tops or T-shirts... Impressive. Even 2 years ago everyone was wearing kurtas and salwars/churidars! Westernization... I felt so old-fashioned in my salwar kameez!)
Episode 2
Meeting with guruji deserves being mentioned! He's always so kind, so radiant, and completely into dance! well, it's his life... Guruji immediately sent me with Harish to see a performance (Bharatnatyam + contemporary), but we didn't get in as we came a bit late (an hour late I suppose:) ). the next day guruji gave me his phone (the second one) with the SIM-card - just for me to use while I'm here. Can you imagine? By the way, he didn't change at all! I think since the very first time when I met him - he''s still the same! His students do change though (not all of them, but mostly...Time...).
Episode 3
While sitting in the class today (students are getting ready to their exams in May) I suddenly remembered a guy (I think his name was Apsar) who used to be one of the best ones in the class. He looks... well, like guruji - the same type of face, the same type of body structure, even the same sunny smile! He probably knew it, and consciously or unconsciously was very successfully copying guruji's movements; noone could do new guruji's tukras better than him! Well, I just thought what he could be doing now... Guess what happened next. Of course: in some 10 minutes this guy came into the classroom, and after the students touched his feet it became obvious what he's doing now. He''s among those who hadn't changed, by the way! And it was nice to see he remembered me!
Episode 4 (series of emotions/ stream of consciousness :D )
The air smells of flowers! The city itself became cleaner. The cold coffee is still the best! It was raining at night, and it's raining today as well. Peacocks 'sing' - even though it's not moonsoon time yet... i do wish some people (in fact, quite a crowd all together) to be here with me to share smells, tastes, sights... But at least you may read it. Lots of love to you, friends!
(to be continued)
I was really worried that I couldn't get confirmation of my tickets until the very last day before departure, but from the moment I got to the airport the things finally started going smoothly. People I met were friendly and helpful, a lady searching my bag made a compliment regarding my kurta, had good neighbours in the plane who were trying to fix my TV that refused to work, so in the end I even got a seat at the window and with a working monitor :D I didn't stare at it much though except tracking the flight - where we were flying, what was near etc. I like maps!
I don't think it would be interesting to anyone to read a plain diary, so I''d better include some nice episodes.
Episode 1.
I came to Kathak Kenrdra (Kathak school) to met my teacher Harish without even knowing that guruji (his brother, Rajendra Gangani) is also there! I was just standing at the office in the empty school, and then a guy came - in bright green D&G t-shirt, jeans, chain on the neck... He asked what I was doing there. I said I was waiting for my teacher. 'Which teacher'? - 'Harish Gangani'. - 'Oh, Harish? He's my uncle! and Rajendra Gangani is my guru! I''m a Kathak dancer!'
I never thought I could meet a dancer in Kathak Kendra (the most 'Kathak' place!) dressed like this :) Especially if he's from such a traditional family! Anyway, we waited for Harish, and then went to guruji''s class (by the way, quite a few girls there were dressed like Europeans: tight jeans, tight tops or T-shirts... Impressive. Even 2 years ago everyone was wearing kurtas and salwars/churidars! Westernization... I felt so old-fashioned in my salwar kameez!)
Episode 2
Meeting with guruji deserves being mentioned! He's always so kind, so radiant, and completely into dance! well, it's his life... Guruji immediately sent me with Harish to see a performance (Bharatnatyam + contemporary), but we didn't get in as we came a bit late (an hour late I suppose:) ). the next day guruji gave me his phone (the second one) with the SIM-card - just for me to use while I'm here. Can you imagine? By the way, he didn't change at all! I think since the very first time when I met him - he''s still the same! His students do change though (not all of them, but mostly...Time...).
Episode 3
While sitting in the class today (students are getting ready to their exams in May) I suddenly remembered a guy (I think his name was Apsar) who used to be one of the best ones in the class. He looks... well, like guruji - the same type of face, the same type of body structure, even the same sunny smile! He probably knew it, and consciously or unconsciously was very successfully copying guruji's movements; noone could do new guruji's tukras better than him! Well, I just thought what he could be doing now... Guess what happened next. Of course: in some 10 minutes this guy came into the classroom, and after the students touched his feet it became obvious what he's doing now. He''s among those who hadn't changed, by the way! And it was nice to see he remembered me!
Episode 4 (series of emotions/ stream of consciousness :D )
The air smells of flowers! The city itself became cleaner. The cold coffee is still the best! It was raining at night, and it's raining today as well. Peacocks 'sing' - even though it's not moonsoon time yet... i do wish some people (in fact, quite a crowd all together) to be here with me to share smells, tastes, sights... But at least you may read it. Lots of love to you, friends!
(to be continued)