Saskia, Ishaan and I are here in Edinburgh for the 2nd year in succession. After the wet experience we had last year, we were prepared totally with our umbrellas and poncho for Ishaan but what a surprise!!! We have had the best weather here--quite cold for the August we are used to but I am not complaining. After the summer in Delhi and the humidity of the monsoons, I am very happy that I am not sweating at all. Actually, that's not true because I do sweat it out when I finish my hour long tennis every day. Tennis and me? yes--that's one of my "naturally inspired" projects here in Edinburgh as I prepare for Wimbledon 2011!!
I have always loved tennis but never had the nerve to hold a racket and start playing. Something in the air inspired me to start finally after 45yrs 8 months and a couple of days and here I am, trying to replicate Federer and Nadal. Luckily I have a wonderful sparring partner in Kees Nooren, my brother-in-law. But I was quick enough to understand that maybe I would not be able to play as well as Federer or Nadal but I have to admit--for never ever playing the game, it's going quite well and my dreams of competing at the Center Court in Wimbledon might still come true in my next life. If I had not taken up Sitar and Indian Music, maybe I could have picked up a tennis racket and found my calling.
On to serious matters---Saskia and I feel great to have been invited to this wonderful project called "Naturally Inspired". This is an initiative taken by one of the festivals in Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Mela festival. We have been put up in a beautiful cottage in the country side of Edinburgh about half hour away from the city. It's an absolutely gorgeous cottage surrounded by mountains and it's wonderful to breathe fresh air. Lovely weather helps and it's great to have some of Saskia's family and friends around since they decided to join us for their summer vacations. Ishaan is having the time of his life--playing with his cousin and friend from the minute he wakes up till they all finally just fall asleep. After a week of residency here, we are supposed to perform our "new creations" on Saturday at the festival and Sunday at the beautiful Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. Saskia and I have indeed been inspired by the beauty of the nature around us and have finished composing 2 beautiful pieces. We have given the names "Bonney Fierey"(meaning Beautiful Fairy in Galic). Not too sure what to call the other one but I suggested that we call it "Amitabh meets Sean Connery" to the other one. Just joking of course. But its a beautiful Scottish song that we are both inspired from and from which we take off into a beautiful Indian folk tune and an Irish Folk tune in the Raga Khamaj that we learnt in 2001 when we are in Galway from one of Ireland's wonderful musicians.
Its just so lovely that we still have these wonderful initiatives taken up by people. Just such a pity that in India, we are still only dealing with negativeness. All we read is about the corruption, be it CWG or some other corrupt politician or sensationalize rapes, murders or gossip about the Bollywood. Is there nothing else that the media can write about? Cricket and Bollywood is all Indian media writes about but wonderful initiatives like the one we are in gets no mention. Too bad but I am happy that the internet still gives us the opportunity to share our experiences with those people who are still interested in our work.
Will share with everyone how the events go this weekend. Till then--Cheers!!
30 May, 2010
My summer in Delhi
I have been meaning to write somethings for quite some time now but the weather in Delhi has just been so horrible that I have no energy left for anything creative. Going to Italy and France for 2 weeks made it even worse since the weather there was just perfect for me. Getting back to Delhi in the peak of its summer is not the wisest thing to do but home is home and there is no place like home. Had a wonderful time in Italy sharing Saskia's and my music with the wonderful audience there. We were performing in Cabella, a small village about 2hrs from Milan for the Sahaja Yoga Centre, devotees of Mata Nirmala Devi ji. I have had a wonderful relationship with many of them for over 15yrs now since my first concert for her in Berlin in 1994. I love the respect and love they have for our music and our culture and it is always a special feeling for me to play for them.
We rented a car from Milan airport and drove down to Saskia's parents in the south of France. Wow!! What a beautiful journey--through the French Alps and seeing some of the most beautiful sights of the world. Who can ever ask for anything better in life?!!! My music takes me to such beautiful places all over the world and to be able to share it with my 2 loves, my wife and my son, is indeed something that I could not even dream of. We spent 10 lovely days with Saskia's parents in what I call "paradise". All the creative games that Ishaan plays with his grandmother is triggering his imagination. To see him play with his grand father is always very beautiful. I miss the fact that Ishaan never got to meet his other grand father, my father, who I am sure would have loved him to pieces. My father passed away a few months before Ishaan entered this world and after having seen his relationship with my nieces and nephew and the beautiful bond they shared, I always wanted my child to build the same bond with his grand father. But I am sure that wherever he is today, he is looking down at Ishaan with a lot of love. Both Saskia and me attach a lot of importance to our families and it is wonderful to see Ishaan so comfortable in both the cultures and both families. Another beautiful thing to see was Ishaan's relationship with the dog there, Ursa. Ursa is a French Bria rd and one of the most gentle dogs that I have ever come across. For her to withstand the growth of 5 grandchildren who all adore her without any sort of anger is something admirable. If she gets annoyed by anything, she just walks away from the scene and comes back a couple of minutes later. Such control is what we all human beings should also develop. Is'nt this what meditation is all about? To control your emotions, not to show or express anger or other negative characters?
I also got to spend a couple of days with my brother in Geneva and enjoyed some great food with him. Bisibelebath with all the wonderful side dishes, Biryani--the way I like it--hot and spicy.
Since we were flying Emirates, we had to drive back to Milan to catch our flight. The journey back, we chose a different route. Drove through more exotic places like Nice, Cannes, Monaco, along the Mediterranean Sea. The international festival was on in Cannes but we decided not to enter the city and get caught in any traffic. I have to say that the Emirates is one of the best airlines I have flown. Wonderful and helpful staff, both at the airports and in the flights. The best thing was the way they looked after Ishaan. One of the gifts he got, a puppet called Pedro, the Parrot and Rani, the Tiger have become his favorite toys now. Saskia does an amazing interpretation of Pedro and Rani and its wonderful to see how much Ishaan learns through them. Saskia has almost created an "alter ego" for herself since she can say anything she wants as Pedro(the naughty one while Rani is the goody goody one). I do have some beautiful videos but she will kill me if I ever share it with you on YouTube!!! She hates it that I record all these videos but I am sure she will thank me when we both get older and only have memories of Ishaan's childhood to keep us occupied. The minute we stepped out of the airport in Delhi and the hot air hit us, I just wanted to run back and catch the next flight back!!
Well---I started writing with the intention of writing something different but have ended up writing something else completely. But that's what happens when I plan things out rather than be impulsive. So is the case with my music--when I plan something and work meticulously, sometimes they do not work out as well as I thought they would. But when I go with the flow of music and let the music dictate me, the feeling of joy inside me is something extraordinary. There are many times when this flow brings tears to my eyes even as I am performing. This feeling of joy to be totally one with the music is what I aspire for. I do not know when or what creates this feeling and what triggers it but whenever it does happen, it's sheer bliss that nothing else can give. Only the joy I get from seeing Ishaan is closest to this.
I do hope to be more regular with my writings since I do enjoy sharing my thoughts and experiences through this medium. Have a great time in whatever you are doing.
We rented a car from Milan airport and drove down to Saskia's parents in the south of France. Wow!! What a beautiful journey--through the French Alps and seeing some of the most beautiful sights of the world. Who can ever ask for anything better in life?!!! My music takes me to such beautiful places all over the world and to be able to share it with my 2 loves, my wife and my son, is indeed something that I could not even dream of. We spent 10 lovely days with Saskia's parents in what I call "paradise". All the creative games that Ishaan plays with his grandmother is triggering his imagination. To see him play with his grand father is always very beautiful. I miss the fact that Ishaan never got to meet his other grand father, my father, who I am sure would have loved him to pieces. My father passed away a few months before Ishaan entered this world and after having seen his relationship with my nieces and nephew and the beautiful bond they shared, I always wanted my child to build the same bond with his grand father. But I am sure that wherever he is today, he is looking down at Ishaan with a lot of love. Both Saskia and me attach a lot of importance to our families and it is wonderful to see Ishaan so comfortable in both the cultures and both families. Another beautiful thing to see was Ishaan's relationship with the dog there, Ursa. Ursa is a French Bria rd and one of the most gentle dogs that I have ever come across. For her to withstand the growth of 5 grandchildren who all adore her without any sort of anger is something admirable. If she gets annoyed by anything, she just walks away from the scene and comes back a couple of minutes later. Such control is what we all human beings should also develop. Is'nt this what meditation is all about? To control your emotions, not to show or express anger or other negative characters?
I also got to spend a couple of days with my brother in Geneva and enjoyed some great food with him. Bisibelebath with all the wonderful side dishes, Biryani--the way I like it--hot and spicy.
Since we were flying Emirates, we had to drive back to Milan to catch our flight. The journey back, we chose a different route. Drove through more exotic places like Nice, Cannes, Monaco, along the Mediterranean Sea. The international festival was on in Cannes but we decided not to enter the city and get caught in any traffic. I have to say that the Emirates is one of the best airlines I have flown. Wonderful and helpful staff, both at the airports and in the flights. The best thing was the way they looked after Ishaan. One of the gifts he got, a puppet called Pedro, the Parrot and Rani, the Tiger have become his favorite toys now. Saskia does an amazing interpretation of Pedro and Rani and its wonderful to see how much Ishaan learns through them. Saskia has almost created an "alter ego" for herself since she can say anything she wants as Pedro(the naughty one while Rani is the goody goody one). I do have some beautiful videos but she will kill me if I ever share it with you on YouTube!!! She hates it that I record all these videos but I am sure she will thank me when we both get older and only have memories of Ishaan's childhood to keep us occupied. The minute we stepped out of the airport in Delhi and the hot air hit us, I just wanted to run back and catch the next flight back!!
Well---I started writing with the intention of writing something different but have ended up writing something else completely. But that's what happens when I plan things out rather than be impulsive. So is the case with my music--when I plan something and work meticulously, sometimes they do not work out as well as I thought they would. But when I go with the flow of music and let the music dictate me, the feeling of joy inside me is something extraordinary. There are many times when this flow brings tears to my eyes even as I am performing. This feeling of joy to be totally one with the music is what I aspire for. I do not know when or what creates this feeling and what triggers it but whenever it does happen, it's sheer bliss that nothing else can give. Only the joy I get from seeing Ishaan is closest to this.
I do hope to be more regular with my writings since I do enjoy sharing my thoughts and experiences through this medium. Have a great time in whatever you are doing.
07 April, 2010
Two ends of the Spectrum called Life
Today is the 7th of April 2010 and I wish to write about 2 people who are at the 2 ends of the spectrum called Life--my Guru, the Living Legend Pandit Ravi Shankar who is 90yrs young today and my little, beautiful son Ishaan who is 5yrs old.
90?!!! WOW!!!Happy Birthday Guruji. At an age when most people will be happy to get off the bed without help, this man continues to travel the world, sharing his music with people across the globe. He has been the strongest influence in my life since my childhood and I continue to look up to him like a son looks up to his father. There is not a single day when I do not think of him and count my blessings. The whole world is celebrating this genius and his life. I have been fortunate to have had his blessings all my life, my father being one of his closest disciples since the late nineteen forties when Guruji was in his late twenties. I grew up with all the stories my father shared with me--the many personal anecdotes---I could write volumes and books about him. He has seen it all and done it all and I wonder how it feels to be great Pandit Ravi Shankar.
At the other end of the spectrum is Ishaan--just starting his life, not knowing what life will unfold for him. The innocence, the burst of energy, the twinkling eyes, the uncorrupted thoughts and expressions--that's Ishaan. Full of life and a thirst to learn, Ishaan is an "exceptionally gifted child" with an IQ of over 150. This is indeed a huge challenge to take in - along with the pride and delight in his abilities and eagerness to learn comes the burden of responsibility of how to provide him with what he needs. Saskia is reading a lot to understand how to parent a gifted child like Ishaan and we have endless discussions every single day. There is no perfect school for him since no school will be able to give him everything he needs. Like Guruji telling me last time we met, "Take care of him. He is indeed special". No greater blessing to Ishaan than these whispered words.
Right in between these 2 beautiful people is me enjoying their worlds with my eyes. Its a wonderful place to be in--looking up to my Guru, and guiding my little son through tiny steps that he needs to take to find his place in this world.
I am indeed blessed.
90?!!! WOW!!!Happy Birthday Guruji. At an age when most people will be happy to get off the bed without help, this man continues to travel the world, sharing his music with people across the globe. He has been the strongest influence in my life since my childhood and I continue to look up to him like a son looks up to his father. There is not a single day when I do not think of him and count my blessings. The whole world is celebrating this genius and his life. I have been fortunate to have had his blessings all my life, my father being one of his closest disciples since the late nineteen forties when Guruji was in his late twenties. I grew up with all the stories my father shared with me--the many personal anecdotes---I could write volumes and books about him. He has seen it all and done it all and I wonder how it feels to be great Pandit Ravi Shankar.
At the other end of the spectrum is Ishaan--just starting his life, not knowing what life will unfold for him. The innocence, the burst of energy, the twinkling eyes, the uncorrupted thoughts and expressions--that's Ishaan. Full of life and a thirst to learn, Ishaan is an "exceptionally gifted child" with an IQ of over 150. This is indeed a huge challenge to take in - along with the pride and delight in his abilities and eagerness to learn comes the burden of responsibility of how to provide him with what he needs. Saskia is reading a lot to understand how to parent a gifted child like Ishaan and we have endless discussions every single day. There is no perfect school for him since no school will be able to give him everything he needs. Like Guruji telling me last time we met, "Take care of him. He is indeed special". No greater blessing to Ishaan than these whispered words.
Right in between these 2 beautiful people is me enjoying their worlds with my eyes. Its a wonderful place to be in--looking up to my Guru, and guiding my little son through tiny steps that he needs to take to find his place in this world.
I am indeed blessed.
02 March, 2010
Bleeding fingers and broken wrists
Its been over 2 months since I last wrote anything on my blog page. Yesterday was Holi and I enjoyed a great celebration with Saskia and our beautiful son, Ishaan. Many wonderful things have taken place recently--my duet concert with my GuruBhai, Sarod player Partho Sarathy in Coimbatore. We were playing together after almost 10yrs but it seemed that there was never any gap at all. We played together quite often in the nineties but have gone our own individual ways the past few years. I am happy to see how well Partho Bhai is doing for himself. We were accompanied by the father-son duo of Pandit Anindo Chatterjee and his son, Anubrata Chatterjee on the Tabla and it was wonderful to play with someone as accomplished as Anindo da.
The other few good things that have happened recently are the international tours Saskia and I will be doing later this year and early 2011. In July/August, we have been invited by the prestigious Edinburgh Festival. After this, my adventures with my great friend Ty Burhoe and our month long tour of Japan. October is the month when Delhi will be hosting the Commonwealth games and I am happy that we will be touring South Africa during that period. Who wants to be caught in all the traffic jams?!!! But the biggest confirmation we have had is the concert at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC in March 2011. The Kennedy Center is organizing a 3-week long India Festival and we are billed as "one of the highlights" of the festival. Really looking forward to it.
The other thought that came to me recently after witnessing one of the most amazing concerts is a question that I am sure is asked by many. What is it that drives an artiste to such heights that one can even forget physical pain and go on to a plane where nothing matters except being totally one with the art. I have had a few occasions when I have cut my finger during the concert and its bleeding but I am completely unaware of it till much later when I take a pause in between my Ragas or during the intermission. On 29th Feb, I saw this same passion when I witnessed the concert of the great Kathak dancer, Saswati Sen. The concert was organized at my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar's Centre and it was wonderful to see the 2 great giants, Guruji and Pandit Birju Maharaj ji sitting right in front and enjoying Saswati didi's concert. Towards the end of her first item in Dhamar Taal, to everyone's horror, she fell down badly during her last Tihai. The whole audience was dumb-struck and a few people rushed on to the stage to help her. In just a few seconds, she was on her feet and apologized to the entire audience, continuing where she had let off as if nothing happened. I was sitting with Anoushka and we were counting the number of chakkars that she wanted to take and looked on breathlessly. To our great delight, Saswati didi not only finished the Dhamar without any more hurdles but went on to dance for over an hour after her fall. She even invited her guru, Pandit Birju Maharaj ji to sing the memorable Thumri that he had specially composed and as a concluding item, he even played the Tabla to the delight of a houseful audience. The full moon was a witness to this wonderful evening. Only next morning did I learn when I called Saswati didi that she had fractured her wrist when she fell down. Despite the pain, she did not stop even to take a breadth.
Its not money that drives passionate artistes to overcome bleeding fingers or fractured wrists but the deep desire to perform in front of an august audience and share all the years of hard work and practice with the audience. The need for recognition and respect is greater than the lure of the money and when I saw that same passion in Saswati didi's concert that evening, I was moved to tears. Thank you Saswati didi for re-kindling that feeling in me.
The other few good things that have happened recently are the international tours Saskia and I will be doing later this year and early 2011. In July/August, we have been invited by the prestigious Edinburgh Festival. After this, my adventures with my great friend Ty Burhoe and our month long tour of Japan. October is the month when Delhi will be hosting the Commonwealth games and I am happy that we will be touring South Africa during that period. Who wants to be caught in all the traffic jams?!!! But the biggest confirmation we have had is the concert at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC in March 2011. The Kennedy Center is organizing a 3-week long India Festival and we are billed as "one of the highlights" of the festival. Really looking forward to it.
The other thought that came to me recently after witnessing one of the most amazing concerts is a question that I am sure is asked by many. What is it that drives an artiste to such heights that one can even forget physical pain and go on to a plane where nothing matters except being totally one with the art. I have had a few occasions when I have cut my finger during the concert and its bleeding but I am completely unaware of it till much later when I take a pause in between my Ragas or during the intermission. On 29th Feb, I saw this same passion when I witnessed the concert of the great Kathak dancer, Saswati Sen. The concert was organized at my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar's Centre and it was wonderful to see the 2 great giants, Guruji and Pandit Birju Maharaj ji sitting right in front and enjoying Saswati didi's concert. Towards the end of her first item in Dhamar Taal, to everyone's horror, she fell down badly during her last Tihai. The whole audience was dumb-struck and a few people rushed on to the stage to help her. In just a few seconds, she was on her feet and apologized to the entire audience, continuing where she had let off as if nothing happened. I was sitting with Anoushka and we were counting the number of chakkars that she wanted to take and looked on breathlessly. To our great delight, Saswati didi not only finished the Dhamar without any more hurdles but went on to dance for over an hour after her fall. She even invited her guru, Pandit Birju Maharaj ji to sing the memorable Thumri that he had specially composed and as a concluding item, he even played the Tabla to the delight of a houseful audience. The full moon was a witness to this wonderful evening. Only next morning did I learn when I called Saswati didi that she had fractured her wrist when she fell down. Despite the pain, she did not stop even to take a breadth.
Its not money that drives passionate artistes to overcome bleeding fingers or fractured wrists but the deep desire to perform in front of an august audience and share all the years of hard work and practice with the audience. The need for recognition and respect is greater than the lure of the money and when I saw that same passion in Saswati didi's concert that evening, I was moved to tears. Thank you Saswati didi for re-kindling that feeling in me.
29 December, 2009
Welcome 2010
As the world gets ready to welcome another year with great anticipation, maybe its time to do a little reflection about the past year. The Indian music world saw the loss of some of the greatest musicians of this century--Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Smt. Gangubai Hanagal, Smt.D.K.Pattamal being the most famous of them. Each of these greats are institutions by themselves and their loss leaves a huge void in the music world. What however saddens me is to see how the media in India in general reacted to this loss. A few lines, a small announcement in maybe Page 8, a couple of minutes from the news channels, was all they could think of as a tribute to these legendary musicians. These same people had pages after pages, hour after hour devoted to the demise of Micheal Jackson so much so that months later, people are still getting news about him. Have we become so corrupt mentally that we are unable to recognize our own "jewels" unless its "news" that increases the TRP ratings of the news channels or sells more copies of the publications? This is not to undermine Micheal Jackson or his standing in the popular world. What he achieved in his life time was equally laudable but please, do appreciate and respect the contributions of the great masters of Classical music too. International newspapers had bigger articles on Khan saab than what was written by the media in our own country.
I come from the same state as the great Gangubaiji did---Karnataka and one of my interactions with her is something that will always be fresh in my memory. She had invited me to perform in the annual music festival that she organized in memory of her Guru--Sawai Gandharva in Kundkol near Hubli. This is a unique music festival that is held in the house where her Guru lived and where she and her Guru Bhai, the great Pandit Bhimsen Joshi ji learned. The whole village becomes your audience and people travel from nearby places for these 2 nights when artistes come to pay homage to the great musician. The year was either 1991 or 1992 in Oct and I had just started performing a few years ago. My turn to play came around 4 or 5am. There was not an inch of space anywhere and I remember playing my Guru's composition, Parameshwari that morning. As I always do, I was totally engrossed in my playing with my eyes closed and opened my eyes only after finishing my Alap and Jod portion. My Tabla accompanist that night, Shri Ravindra Yavagal asked me to look behind me. There was Gangubai ji sitting right behind me on stage. I was completely floored that such a great musician was sitting behind me on stage and listening to me. I immediately told her, "Amma, why dont you please sit in front or on a chair nearby?" She said that there was no place and she was more interested in listening to me rather than think that it is below her dignity as a senior artiste to sit behind me on stage. Such humility towards music where she taught me that "art" is greater than the "artiste". The blessings she gave me after my concert that night is something that I cherish and value. A truly great musician is always the most humble too.
So, as we end another year and get ready to welcome the next, let's all sensitize ourselves a bit more where we can give equal space to Classical Arts and Popular Arts.
A very happy 2010 to everyone!!
Shubhendra
I come from the same state as the great Gangubaiji did---Karnataka and one of my interactions with her is something that will always be fresh in my memory. She had invited me to perform in the annual music festival that she organized in memory of her Guru--Sawai Gandharva in Kundkol near Hubli. This is a unique music festival that is held in the house where her Guru lived and where she and her Guru Bhai, the great Pandit Bhimsen Joshi ji learned. The whole village becomes your audience and people travel from nearby places for these 2 nights when artistes come to pay homage to the great musician. The year was either 1991 or 1992 in Oct and I had just started performing a few years ago. My turn to play came around 4 or 5am. There was not an inch of space anywhere and I remember playing my Guru's composition, Parameshwari that morning. As I always do, I was totally engrossed in my playing with my eyes closed and opened my eyes only after finishing my Alap and Jod portion. My Tabla accompanist that night, Shri Ravindra Yavagal asked me to look behind me. There was Gangubai ji sitting right behind me on stage. I was completely floored that such a great musician was sitting behind me on stage and listening to me. I immediately told her, "Amma, why dont you please sit in front or on a chair nearby?" She said that there was no place and she was more interested in listening to me rather than think that it is below her dignity as a senior artiste to sit behind me on stage. Such humility towards music where she taught me that "art" is greater than the "artiste". The blessings she gave me after my concert that night is something that I cherish and value. A truly great musician is always the most humble too.
So, as we end another year and get ready to welcome the next, let's all sensitize ourselves a bit more where we can give equal space to Classical Arts and Popular Arts.
A very happy 2010 to everyone!!
Shubhendra
31 October, 2009
Sydney Opera House
I have been meaning to post my first blog for the past few months but have just not been able to do so. But today, sitting here in Sydney in my hotel room, seeing the beautiful Sydney Harbor, the morning after my show at the famous Sydney Opera House, I thought that this is as good a day as ever to start sharing my experiences. Wow, what a show it was. Weird in many ways but highly satisfying to get a houseful audience at such a prestigious venue. Why do I say that it was weird? Well--never has my main string on the Sitar broken twice nor have I ever seen the Tabla break during my Alaap without even a single stroke!!!! Ty said that it was the Hallowen weekend in the States and perhaps, the spirits were out there in the hall. No wonder we call our music "spirit"ual music!!
What does it feel to make this long journey to such prestigious venues? Honestly, these are dream venues for all artistes to perform in and when I started out as a Soloist about 23yrs ago, I did also think that it would be wonderful to be playing at the biggest of the big venues---Carnegie Hall in NY and the Sydney Opera House was on that list. Yesterday when I sat in the Taxi and the Taxi driver asked where I wanted to go, there was a smile on my face when I said Sydney Opera House. Seeing my instrument, he asked if I was going to perform there and when I confirmed it, he said, "WOW. That's great, mate. So, you must be a famous musician?"
Do I consider myself a famous musician? I know that its a long journey but I have started taking the small steps by playing at such venues. I don't know whether just becoming "famous" is all I want but I also enjoy playing for the more intimate and small audience like I did a couple of days before Sydney Opera House. It was in a small place just north of Sydney in a place called Matcham. Most people living in Sydney have never even heard of this place but the love that the small audience gave me and my music in Matcham is also very special.
So, if I am asked to make my choice---Sydney Opera House or the small community in Matcham? Why do I have to even make the choice? I love performing at both the places and will always do both the Sydney Opera House and the Matcham type of shows.
Well---I have finally broken the ice by writing this blog today and now, will keep writing whenever I have interesting things to share. Have a great day.
Signing off on the morning of the first day of November and getting ready for my show this evening.
What does it feel to make this long journey to such prestigious venues? Honestly, these are dream venues for all artistes to perform in and when I started out as a Soloist about 23yrs ago, I did also think that it would be wonderful to be playing at the biggest of the big venues---Carnegie Hall in NY and the Sydney Opera House was on that list. Yesterday when I sat in the Taxi and the Taxi driver asked where I wanted to go, there was a smile on my face when I said Sydney Opera House. Seeing my instrument, he asked if I was going to perform there and when I confirmed it, he said, "WOW. That's great, mate. So, you must be a famous musician?"
Do I consider myself a famous musician? I know that its a long journey but I have started taking the small steps by playing at such venues. I don't know whether just becoming "famous" is all I want but I also enjoy playing for the more intimate and small audience like I did a couple of days before Sydney Opera House. It was in a small place just north of Sydney in a place called Matcham. Most people living in Sydney have never even heard of this place but the love that the small audience gave me and my music in Matcham is also very special.
So, if I am asked to make my choice---Sydney Opera House or the small community in Matcham? Why do I have to even make the choice? I love performing at both the places and will always do both the Sydney Opera House and the Matcham type of shows.
Well---I have finally broken the ice by writing this blog today and now, will keep writing whenever I have interesting things to share. Have a great day.
Signing off on the morning of the first day of November and getting ready for my show this evening.
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