Anoushka Shankar: Traveller | Lost my heart to that Desi from up-west

Walked like a princess, she smiled like a goddess;

She took the stage, playing tunes of an enchantress |

Against all odds, through purple sky and crimson sunset;

Armed, I made way to the fortress, with a li'l luck and zest |


Heart was lost, when at last love was met;
I lost my heart to that Desi from up-west |

With poise so elegant, she swayed to the rythm;

Heart skipped a beat, at the tilt of her head |

She played that raag, doors to some cosmic affair;  

Lost, stories by a traveler, in telling tales of  journeys of far |

Soon hours went by, each hour did just a second last;
She played for a moment, life subsumed in such moments past |

Heart was lost, when at last love was met;
Lost my heart to that Desi from up-west.

Last evening was spent in the company of Anoushka Shankar, well technically. It was Delhi's (and with that my) turn to see Anoushka Shankar perform. Since nothing worth doing ever comes easy, this wasn't going to be much of an exception. However still, it was the perfect end to an otherwise not too great a weekend. Not  much can be said about the performance, except for the fact that listening to her, over the years on an endless loop even, did not prepare me for the sheer exuberance that seeing her perform live was going to be.  

Sitar was used with a virtuosity once exclusively the hallmark of her renowned father. While Pt. Ravi Shankar took Sitar to the world stage, Anoushka flourishes and thrives on world music. Starting the evening on a classical note - she soon ascended on to improvised compositions culminating at one point in a duet with spanish flamenco guitar.

It was worth the effort, and a bit more, may be next time you should come too. 

On a separate note, ReviewKaka along with some fellow travelers from 8/1 went on a certain expedition, titled 'Around the world in a tea-daze', and brought back some pictures which can be seen here: ChaoticOrder: Recursive Psyche. 

Here's wishing (and granting) you a great year ahead.

Bests,

ReviewKaka