So, I mentioned previously how I was going to be taking violin lessons from my host mom, Tai; however, what I failed to mention was that she’s one of the top classical violinist here in Pune. Because of that, she knows every renowned classical performer, and with that, comes a lot of free musical concerts and dance programs for the four of us living in the hostel. We also have a “buddy” that the Alliance program matched us with, who took us to a few performances. Overall, I’ve been here for about 2.5 weeks, and have already attended 6 programs.
(Moment of clarification: classical = Indian classical, not European classical)
The first program Tai took us to was a huge dance exhibition of several types of classical Indian dance. It was the first weekend we got to Pune, so it kind of felt like a welcome performance =) Very interesting to see the performers acting through their dance forms and to realize how dancing/acting transcends language barriers.
Second, the entire Alliance group had a private concert with some of the top dancers and musicians in Pune/India, dancing, singing and playing tabla, the waterbowls, and violin to show us the different options for our expressive culture classes. All of the performers were friends of Tai, which is probably how the Alliance program got them to teach us Americans
The next day we went to a concert of a singer (one of Tai’s close friends), tabla, and another instrument.He was fantastic as well, singing for two hours straight. Beautiful voice – very talented.
The following Sunday, our buddy (Palavi) took us to a dance recital her mom was in of Bollywood dancing throughout the decades as well. The dance program she’s in is called Dancersize and seems similar to the Jazzercise of the US. Most of the people in the program were middle-aged mothers or workers who just were looking for some relaxation and a good workout to relieve stress. Such a great show – so lively and the audience was hilarious – whistling and everything at their moms/wives. So cute =)
After her mom’s number, we left to attend a concert we didn’t even know we were going to. Turns out, her dad got us all VIP TICKETS to see a WORLD RENOWNED sarod player – Ustad Amjad Ali Kha. (check him ouuuttt!!) Yeah. That’s right. VIP passes! It was an outdoor concert – completely gorgeous night and a beautiful stage set up. Easily the best performer I have ever seen – such a great night with beautiful music! We got to sit on these couches in the front, very close to the stage, but far enough back where we didn’t have to strain our necks to see. So grateful to have seen him live – fabulous sarod player and very talented performer.
The last concert we went to was this past Tuesday, and was a compilation of a few different performers – a couple of tabla players and a few stringed instruments including a sarod player.
I’ve been noticing a few differences between concerts here and in the US. The main difference is that the audience here is much more interactive with the performers than audiences in the US for classical performances. For instance, as a musician is playing a portion of music here, the audience will clap, waving their hands up and down (informal conducting in a way), sigh, let out a little yelp at the climax, etc… Very interactive with the performer in a way I haven’t experienced before.
I’m really excited to be taking violin lessons from an AMAZING violin performer and teacher and look forward to the improvements in my playing.More to come as I start my lessons/see more performances!
PS – I FINALLY GOT MY OWN INTERNET! Hopefully I’ll be able to stay in touch more =) <3
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
A Dirty, Beautiful Place
End of Week 2 – time is already flying by!
We’ve spent our time in India so far just adjusting to the new sights and sounds around us. While part of me has wanted to start jetting around the country, I’m thankful for the time I’ve had here to get used to the area. I’m quickly getting acclimated to crossing the streets and knowing where I am.
Other people in the program are starting to look to me for two things – technological help and directions. While I feel like I’ve always had a good sense of direction, it’s funny to me that I’m now the top person to help with technology. At home (as the boys will surely tell you) I’m the technologically illiterate one in my group of friends – it’s weird to hear my name called when the Internet goes down or someone’s computer is messing up!
I guess it goes along with me being the only engineering/math major here. There are a couple of economics majors here, but that’s the closest thing to a math sided brain that I’ve come in contact with for the past two weeks! While I love the friends I’ve made here dearly, there’s definitely a something missing in my life – nerd jokes. So, if someone wants to let me know some good ones they’ve heard lately, I’d probably love you forever!
Anyway, for those of you that don’t know, I’m living in an apartment with 3 other Americans and 2 Indian students. Everyone is really nice and I’m really excited for the semester to come. Classes started a week ago for the most part, and all seem interesting. The courses I’m taking are “Contemporary India”, “Beginners Hindi”, “Nation, Caste, and Gender through Film” and “Issues in Political Economy and Development”. I love learning Hindi and had my first test this morning on the alphabet (fairly sure I aced it!). IPED started today and I love that class as well. Contemporary India is also awesome – it’s pretty much discussion based, talking about the current events and issues happening in India as we speak. Awesome so far and should bare more fruit as the semester continues.
Aside from my academic classes, the program provides us with “expressive culture” classes. It took me a long time to decide what I wanted to do, but I think I’ve decided on violin. On top of one they pay for, they also let us take both Marathi (the local language) and Bhangra (a popular dance form) lessons, free of cost. Basically, soon I’ll be starting Indian violin, Bhangra, and Mararthi lessons =D Did I mention all for free? Awesome? YES! Violin lessons are with my “host mom” who we call Tai (Hindi and/or Marathi for sister). She helps her parents run the apartments where we’re staying and lives in the apartment above us. She’s the cutest, nicest little lady ever – I love her so much! She always is inviting us to meals and helping in any way she can. I can’t wait to take violin lessons from her!
All things considered, I’m completely loving my time here. Of course sometimes I think I’d do better without some of the pollution, hard sights, and noise, but I can’t imagine being here without all of those things. Everything together makes this city what it is –beautiful in a dysfunctional yet way more functional than any other city kind of way. Hard to describe the way it feels, but in short, it’s nice to feel at home so far away from the other homes I’ve created. While I miss the home I made in Ireland last semester, in CT before that and in NY for the rest of my life, I really do love it here and am grasping every moment possible.
Should be getting Internet today, which will help in updating more often. I have so much I want to write and tell you all about, but I feel like this post is getting long.
I hope all is well, wherever you’re reading this. Know you each have a special place in my heart that is irreplaceable, no matter how far I go, or how long we go without talking.
Miss you and love you – look forward to catching up soon.
Love always <3
We’ve spent our time in India so far just adjusting to the new sights and sounds around us. While part of me has wanted to start jetting around the country, I’m thankful for the time I’ve had here to get used to the area. I’m quickly getting acclimated to crossing the streets and knowing where I am.
Other people in the program are starting to look to me for two things – technological help and directions. While I feel like I’ve always had a good sense of direction, it’s funny to me that I’m now the top person to help with technology. At home (as the boys will surely tell you) I’m the technologically illiterate one in my group of friends – it’s weird to hear my name called when the Internet goes down or someone’s computer is messing up!
I guess it goes along with me being the only engineering/math major here. There are a couple of economics majors here, but that’s the closest thing to a math sided brain that I’ve come in contact with for the past two weeks! While I love the friends I’ve made here dearly, there’s definitely a something missing in my life – nerd jokes. So, if someone wants to let me know some good ones they’ve heard lately, I’d probably love you forever!
Anyway, for those of you that don’t know, I’m living in an apartment with 3 other Americans and 2 Indian students. Everyone is really nice and I’m really excited for the semester to come. Classes started a week ago for the most part, and all seem interesting. The courses I’m taking are “Contemporary India”, “Beginners Hindi”, “Nation, Caste, and Gender through Film” and “Issues in Political Economy and Development”. I love learning Hindi and had my first test this morning on the alphabet (fairly sure I aced it!). IPED started today and I love that class as well. Contemporary India is also awesome – it’s pretty much discussion based, talking about the current events and issues happening in India as we speak. Awesome so far and should bare more fruit as the semester continues.
Aside from my academic classes, the program provides us with “expressive culture” classes. It took me a long time to decide what I wanted to do, but I think I’ve decided on violin. On top of one they pay for, they also let us take both Marathi (the local language) and Bhangra (a popular dance form) lessons, free of cost. Basically, soon I’ll be starting Indian violin, Bhangra, and Mararthi lessons =D Did I mention all for free? Awesome? YES! Violin lessons are with my “host mom” who we call Tai (Hindi and/or Marathi for sister). She helps her parents run the apartments where we’re staying and lives in the apartment above us. She’s the cutest, nicest little lady ever – I love her so much! She always is inviting us to meals and helping in any way she can. I can’t wait to take violin lessons from her!
All things considered, I’m completely loving my time here. Of course sometimes I think I’d do better without some of the pollution, hard sights, and noise, but I can’t imagine being here without all of those things. Everything together makes this city what it is –beautiful in a dysfunctional yet way more functional than any other city kind of way. Hard to describe the way it feels, but in short, it’s nice to feel at home so far away from the other homes I’ve created. While I miss the home I made in Ireland last semester, in CT before that and in NY for the rest of my life, I really do love it here and am grasping every moment possible.
Should be getting Internet today, which will help in updating more often. I have so much I want to write and tell you all about, but I feel like this post is getting long.
I hope all is well, wherever you’re reading this. Know you each have a special place in my heart that is irreplaceable, no matter how far I go, or how long we go without talking.
Miss you and love you – look forward to catching up soon.
Love always <3
Monday, January 17, 2011
The First Week
Here's what I've learned - the do-s and dont-s... (not necessarily from experience)
Don't
- make eye contact with men
- let rickshaws (taxis) rip you off
- wear sleeveless shirts
- smile at anyone as you walk down the street
- come home past 10
- wear anything that shows your knees
- ignore your host family
- think that any form of law is applied to the driving/pedestrians
- get ice in your drinks
- drink the water
- get rabies from the dogs
- breath when walking past the dumpsters
- use your left hand... ever
Do
- wear pretty clothes
- eat delicious food
Don't
- make eye contact with men
- let rickshaws (taxis) rip you off
- wear sleeveless shirts
- smile at anyone as you walk down the street
- come home past 10
- wear anything that shows your knees
- ignore your host family
- think that any form of law is applied to the driving/pedestrians
- get ice in your drinks
- drink the water
- get rabies from the dogs
- breath when walking past the dumpsters
- use your left hand... ever
Do
- wear pretty clothes
- eat delicious food
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Start of a New Chapter
Once more I finding myself sitting in NYC, a city of historical change and new beginnings. It seems like just yesterday I stepped off the plane from Ireland with mixed feelings of excitement, fear, nervousness, and joy.
Once more I find myself with these feelings as I head to a place of totally foreign language, food, and traditions. I do not know what this semester has in store for me. I don't know what plans God has for me in India or who's lives I will impact and visa versa. All I know is that I'm about to embark on a journey and a chapter of my life I will never forget, and look forward to grasping it by the horns.
"See you on the other side..."
Once more I find myself with these feelings as I head to a place of totally foreign language, food, and traditions. I do not know what this semester has in store for me. I don't know what plans God has for me in India or who's lives I will impact and visa versa. All I know is that I'm about to embark on a journey and a chapter of my life I will never forget, and look forward to grasping it by the horns.
"See you on the other side..."
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