final weekend in Jaipur
So now that my fever's gone, I can (slowly) resume schoolwork and prep for Monday's cultural performance. I have a series of exams for next week, which in total may require me prep maybe 4 hours. But I have 3 songs to finish memorizing by Monday too. Our whole intermediate class is singing (and doing group choreography to) "Yeh Dosti", the most famous Hindi song ever (from the movie Sholey), for the cultural performance (*rolls eyes*). It's also probably the most over-performed Hindi song ever by Hindi classes. Oh well. At least I already knew half the lyrics, so very little to memorize. Then with my singing class I'm going to perform a classical Indian piece from the Rag title "Rag Des." Not my favorite piece ever, and in fact I think its the piece we as a group are weakest at, but I was out with a fever when they chose it so what can I do. It just means I'll have to save my voice for Monday because I may have to sing a little louder to overcompensate for the others not hitting all the notes.
And finally I'm singing a solo piece, a folk song about the rainy season. I've been encouraged to do a solo piece by several of my classmates or teachers (those who have heard me sing.). One of our classmates who plays the tabla (drum) will be playing over me. When I told the head teacher of my intention and the type of song he was both suprised and pleased. I get the impression maybe most people venturing to do songs are doing more Bollywood style pieces. Which would definitely make me feel better. There's a first year student from the CLS program (same program, but funded f\through the Dept of State so they are mandated separated from us) who is singing 3 songs by herself. I've heard her sing before and she is good, but I think choosing to sing 3 songs solo for a cultural performance is a bit egotistical. It's a cultural performance after all, not a talent show! For one person to take up so much time in a program by herself seems rather selfish. It kinda bothers me. But whatever.
So tomorrow I should be going with some friends to see a few places in Jaipur I haven't yet seen included the "Monkey Temple" and another mandir (Hindu temple). Then our host mom is taking us to her brother's house (in Jaipur) to celebrate Raksha-bandhan, where a brother or other male figure ties a rakhi on female's armto symbolize brotherly protection. And then Sunday I'll be rehearsing a bit for the performance with my class. Then Monday is Indian Independence day. I think there is some small event at the stadium which I probably wont go to because we have to be at the performance place by 3pm for our 4pm performance. So I'll probably want to rest up and dress myself up.
Ready or not, Hindi Cultural Performance, here I come!
And finally I'm singing a solo piece, a folk song about the rainy season. I've been encouraged to do a solo piece by several of my classmates or teachers (those who have heard me sing.). One of our classmates who plays the tabla (drum) will be playing over me. When I told the head teacher of my intention and the type of song he was both suprised and pleased. I get the impression maybe most people venturing to do songs are doing more Bollywood style pieces. Which would definitely make me feel better. There's a first year student from the CLS program (same program, but funded f\through the Dept of State so they are mandated separated from us) who is singing 3 songs by herself. I've heard her sing before and she is good, but I think choosing to sing 3 songs solo for a cultural performance is a bit egotistical. It's a cultural performance after all, not a talent show! For one person to take up so much time in a program by herself seems rather selfish. It kinda bothers me. But whatever.
So tomorrow I should be going with some friends to see a few places in Jaipur I haven't yet seen included the "Monkey Temple" and another mandir (Hindu temple). Then our host mom is taking us to her brother's house (in Jaipur) to celebrate Raksha-bandhan, where a brother or other male figure ties a rakhi on female's armto symbolize brotherly protection. And then Sunday I'll be rehearsing a bit for the performance with my class. Then Monday is Indian Independence day. I think there is some small event at the stadium which I probably wont go to because we have to be at the performance place by 3pm for our 4pm performance. So I'll probably want to rest up and dress myself up.
Ready or not, Hindi Cultural Performance, here I come!