Udantya Issue 2 by Udantya *

Udantya* *dwelling beyond the boundary ÂŠ Udantya 2011

Welcome to the second issue of Udantya! ________________________________

This month on Udantya, we explore the idea of ‘Travel, without going too far’ through an exciting array of written and visual pieces! __________________________ Backstage Pass The essence of Udantya Megaphone A word from the Editors Spotlight Dobra Tea House Wisconsin Stands Up to Republic High-handedness: An Update Darkroom Explore the World on State Street!: A videographic journey Through Our Lens: Dobra Tea House Armchair Critic A review of Fatima Bhutto’s, ‘Songs of Blood & Sword’

©Namita Azad

Travel Without Going Too Far

Jam Session Under This Sun Wisconsin Film Festival 2011 Beat Box! This month’s music picks from Udantya Cameo Serendipitously, Under This Roof Down the Melodic Path India is I

BACKSTAGE PASS

The very essence of artistic expression is that, it is captured in many different ways. A picture, a word or a tune. Your rebellion, your journey and your destination. Here, we aim to capture it all. Join us or explore with us. Welcome to Udantya. Welcome to our creative space!

Udantya aims to be a collaborative effort. If you have any articles, photos or music you would like to share, please email us at udantya@gmail.com. Future themed issues will be announced a month in advance.

ÂŠ Udantya 2011

MEGAPHONE

From the Editors Is it possible to travel the world and experience a culture, without traveling very far at all?

are very excited to present; Udantya’s first video, ‘Exploring the World on State Street!’. We have experimented with photographs and stop-motion animation.

We live in a world today where a walk down the street becomes an experience. Cuisines, beverages, music and cinema can become a global encounter. A work of literature is not the only one-way ticket to an unknown place; there are many more roads to the journey of discovery. Without going too far, Madison, Wisconsin, our home, has created a platform for us to realize this very closely. The numerous ethnic restaurants, various religious institutions and on-going ethnic and social celebrations, pay tribute to the city’s immense cultural awareness and acceptance. This month we have decided to broach the idea of ‘Travel, without going too far.’ We take a step back and realize the travel we do everyday, and the diversity we experience through the simplicities of our day.

This month we also bring to you the ideas and visions of three very talented individuals! Samar Khanna explores our theme for this month from within the boundaries of his home with an exciting piece of visual and literary composition. Ranga Rajan introduces Sugato Nag, a world renowned Sitar player who bridges distances with his music. Aman Khanna shows us India through his poetic rendition of the intricacies of this colorful country.

This month Udantya showcases ‘Dobra Tea House’ in Spotlight; an ‘Armchair critique’ of Fatima Bhutto’s memoir, ‘Songs of Blood & Sword’ and the ‘Laya Project’ in Jam Session. Our Darkroom this month features a project that we

Come explore the world with us!

SPOTLIGHT

DOBRA TEA: An Oasis of Tea, Culture and Serenity! When you step into the Dobra tea room, away from the hustle bustle and occasional raucous of State Street you are instantly transported to a veritable oasis; of tea and serenity. The shelves are filled with beautiful hand crafted tea pots and tea cups in all shapes and sizes. The walls are lined with photographs of tea gardens around the world. The many carpeted platforms with low tables and cushions galore, are inviting to say the very least. This isn’t a place to visit in a hurry. In this tea room you are meant to kick off your shoes, shrug away your cares, settle in with a steaming cup of tea and be transported to lands far away. Tea drinking is an important social ritual in many countries the world over. The Dobra tea room offers the unique opportunity of being able to experience the culture of a

country through the product of its earth. Dobra tea rooms started in the Czech Republic and the Madison tea room is only one of three locations in the United States. It is owned by Adam Ernst and his wife Sarah Nettie. We sat down with Adam to talk about his interest in cultures and his experiences exploring the world through tea. And of course, the conversation was over steaming cups of delicious chai! Adam has a knack of instantly recognizing where you are from and invariably greets us with “Namaste! Aap kaise ho?” His thirst for culture is immediately apparent as he asks about the regions of India where we are from and he tells us where he has traveled in India. We trade phrases in Hindi. At that moment, we could be anywhere; even India. Adam grew up in Madison and moved to Vermont when he was sixteen. He tells us that growing up in a homogeneous society made him realize that he was just ‘crazy for culture’. He stumbled upon the Dobra tea room (in Vermont) one day and was intrigued by the ‘interesting looking people’ coming in and out. Adam says, “I walked in, sat down and said, “Just give me anything; take me away!””. His first cup of tea was the Puer tea from China; “dark and earthy”. Adam graduated from being a regular customer of Dobra to working in the tea room. He knew almost instantly that Dobra would be a perfect fit in Madison and two years later here he was!

It is clear that preparing a cup of tea is more than just a pedestrian act that’s all in a day’s work. He tells us about a lady from Taiwan who had stopped by the tea room. Her children were born and brought up in America and had never visited Taiwan. Adam was able to serve them tea in the style of the lavish Gongfu tea ceremony; something the family would’ve only been able to experience had they traveled back to Taiwan. “That was really special”, Adam says, “Here was this white guy from Wisconsin in his Bohemian tea room making Gongfu style tea for these Taiwanese kids! I was able to present them with a part of their culture that they had never experienced before.”. There is a lot of heart that goes into making the tea. Adam tells us of a dear friend from Sri Lanka with whom he had formed a deep and close friendship. “We were born on opposite ends of the earth on almost the same day.”. His friend had been away from home for a long time and came in to the tea room one day. “I made him this cup of chai; he sipped it and it took him back to his days in high school in his mothers kitchen.” After that, whenever his friend would come in, Adam would make sure he was the one making the chai. “I wanted to send him there (home)”, Adam says. The feeling of being home in the comfort of the familiar is one of the factors that draws us to Dobra on many a day. Though the Dobra franchise has established relationships with tea gardens all over the world, Adam and Sarah frequently travel to China, India and the Czech Republic to see the sources of their tea. “We go more for the cultural

experience and to see the processing of the tea.”. Adam recounts his first trip to China and explains why the cultural connection is important “I had been sharing the tea and prescribing these different cultures and I had never seen a tea plant in the ground!”. Sometimes these travels result in the introduction of a new tea to the tea room. Adam’s last trip to China resulted in him liking a new tea which is now being sourced and served in all of the tea rooms in the US and the Czech Republic.

The vast number of teas served at Dobra are diverse and we ask Adam if he knows exactly how to brew each one of them. “I put it in music terms; you can learn a song or learn music theory so that you can play all the songs. I like to teach brewing theory!”. When asked if he is an expert now, he jokes, “It takes ten years of practicing forty hours a week to become a master at anything; I have five years of more than forty hours a week, so I guess I am about half-way there!” Most impressive is that Adam can taste pretty much all the teas of the tea room and tell you exactly what type of tea it is. In our book that’s quite close to being an expert!

The list of teas served at Dobra can be daunting to a first time visitor to the tea room, but Adam and the team at Dobra will work with you to find a good place to start. “We like to have people converse with us. One thing we always like to implement is that it takes time to brew a cup tea. We want you to sit down; take your time with the menu. We ask you what flavors you like, whether you like tea that’s naturally sweet or tea that’s dark”. Memories of Prague, the chocolate-y tea concoction and Puer tea from China are two favorites that Adam mentions. Adam sums up the essence of Dobra and the bottom line, beautifully. “We’re taking it (the tea) from the garden, we’re taking the culture and bringing it (here) physically; we bring the rugs, the furniture and the music with all their history. The reason why the tea room exists all over Northern Africa, the Middle East, China and

India is that the tea room is where people meet, gather and talk; families and friends. I think it’s a piece that has been missing from American culture. I think that as people are waking up (to the tea culture), the tea room is where people will find themselves more and more. ”. ___________________________________________________ Namita and I would like to thank Adam and Sarah for taking the time to meet with us. We would also like to thank Jason and the team at Dobra for allowing us into their kitchen to snap away! Photo Series Concept and Credit: Namita Azad Interview (and conversation!): Namita Azad and Aparna Vidyasagar Text: Aparna Vidyasagar ___________________________________________________

Wisconsin Stands Up to Republic High-handedness: An Update On the day that the 14 senate Democrats returned to Madison, the city witnessed its largest rally. The festive spirit of the St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day parade mingled with the euphoric support for the Democrats.

ÂŠ Namita Azad

Over the past month, those of us living in Madison became accustomed to the thousands of protesters who had gathered and lived in the Capitol. After the bill abolishing collective bargaining rights was passed, the crowds simply disappeared. The Capitol has a mournful aura, as if it has taken in the collective angst of the people. The writing on the wall rings out clear and true; and a few peaceful protesters remain.

ÂŠ Udantya 2011

DARKROOM

Explore The World on State Street! Namita and I counted about twenty ethnic restaurants right on State Street! Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excluding the carts that come to Library Mall at lunch time. Even though we got some restaurants that were off of State Street, we know we missed a few. Vien Tiane (on Gorham St.) is probably the biggest one. Their Pad Thai will always remain the best in town!

Enjoy our video as we travel the world on State Street! - http://vimeo.com/21281629

ÂŠ Udantya 2011

The Photographic Dobra Tea Room Experience!

ÂŠ Udantya 2011

THE ARMCHAIR CRITIC

Songs of Blood & Sword A Memoir by Fatima Bhutto A memoir written by a daughter for her father, in the pursuit to discover the man who wasn’t just her parent, but also the bearer of a bloody legacy, and the face of democracy in what is today known as one of the most dangerous places on earth- Pakistan. ‘Songs of Blood & Sword’ is a look at the Bhutto dynasty through the eyes of a Bhutto. Fatima Bhutto; daughter to Mir Murtaza Bhutto, assassinated in 1996; grand-daughter to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, executed in 1979; niece to Shahnawaz Bhutto, murdered in 1985; and niece to Benazir Bhutto, assassinated in 2007. ‘Don’t you know?’ he said with a calm voice. ‘Your father’s been shot.’ These were the words that reached Fatima’s ears at the tender age of fourteen on the night of September 19th, 1996. Her father and six other members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were killed on Clifton Street, Karachi, in an encounter with the police. The impressions of that night and everything that led up to that moment, are not only the brutality of Fatima’s life but also a reflection of the changing face of the politics of Pakistan. The first seed of which, was sown by her grand-father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

The fifties were a time of change in the make-up of the world, when third world countries were being caught in the quagmire of the Cold War. It was during this time that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s attachment to the fate of the Muslim world strengthened and he entered Pakistani politics as the Minister of Fuel, Power and Natural Resources. By 1963 he was working as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Zulfikar’s vision of self-sustenance and power to the Islamic world gave birth to (PPP) in 1967, after his departure from the government. Even though Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the leader of the PPP, the ideology and work of the party was designed by members from all across the country ; the and the poor; secular and religious; men and women. The rise of democracy with the PPP continued to strengthen the divide in the beliefs of Pakistan until July 5th, 1977 when Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was arrested under General Zia’s regime. From his prison cell in Rawalpindi he wrote to his two sons; “If you do not avenge my murder, you are not my sons.” These last words began the battle that Murtaza and Shahnawaz Bhutto fought against General Zia’s governance and the supporters of the military regimen including their sister Benazir Bhutto; to eventually pay with their own lives.

As boys, Murtaza and Shahnawaz were the young rebels of their family and followers of Che; not knowing that twenty years later they would be writing the same propagandas to protect their father and his revolution. During this time they formed the Pakistan Liberation Army; later named Al-Zulkifar. Unable to stop Zulfikar’s death and with their own sister, Benazir, joining General Zia’s government, both Murtaza and Shahnawaz went into exile in Damascus for the next fifteen years. Both married during this time and Fatima was born to Murtaza, his first and only daughter. Benazir’s power grew in Pakistan and she continued to drift further away from the ideologies of her father; the ideologies for which the Bhutto name stood so high. It is also suspected that Benazir was involved in the mysterious death of Shahnawaz during a family reunion in France in the summer of 1995. This reinforced the growing bitterness in Murtaza’s mind for Benazir’s political agenda but the love for his elder sister kept him from returning to Pakistan. He was well aware that his presence would disrupt her political path. After Murtaza’s divorce from his first wife, his life in Damascus revolved around Fatima. They shared a bond greater than that of father and daughter and were each other’s confidants. The fifteen years Murtaza spent in exile were the most challenging of his life but for Fatima these were the most beautiful years of hers. Everything was shared between the two; whether it was a celebration or a daily activity. Fatima fondly remembers how they both would share their morning routine together; wash their faces and brush their teeth together. Her father would then gently smooth her face with

shaving cream. Fatima says her father would never scold her; never tell her that this was something she should not do because she was a girl. “Lathering up and shaving,” she says, “was just our little routine.” Every night he would tell Fatima how much loved her and if anything was to happen to her, he would kill himself and she would reply with the same. “He was the soul of my world,” says Fatima. Even as a young child, Fatima was well aware of the state of mind of her political activist father . She knew that he longed to return to his country and continue the work of his father. The words of Zulfikar Ali, “If you do not avenge my murder, you are not my sons,” still troubled his existence. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s political climate was changing lightning speed. With General Zia’s death, Benazir became prime minister and was reversing many of the PPP’s programs. Her husband Asif Zardari, current president of Pakistan, began to play a large part in these changes. Finally, in 1993, Murtaza returned to Pakistan with an electoral ticket to lead the PPP. He told the Pakistani Daily News, “My decision to return and contest elections is final. If the Pakistani establishment wants, they can hang another Bhutto – but will they hand my son, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and hundreds of other Zulfikar Ali Bhuttos across the country?” For the next three years, Murtaza Bhutto fought the battle he had been preparing for, all his life. Unfortunately for him, he stood armed against his sister and brother-in-law, Asif Zardari; but nothing could stop him from his duty as son of the founder of the PPP. He spent a year in prison cells across the country, as his sister made every attempt to thwart love

growing for him amongst the people of Pakistan. In 1994, Murtaza returned to 70 Clifton, the Bhutto residence, after seventeen years. “Mummy, Zulfi and I stood at the doors of 70 Clifton when we heard the chanting; joyous crowds approaching. Mummy and I were holding on to each other; Zulfi in Mummy’s arms. It was the home-coming we had been dreaming of, since arriving in Karachi.” The feud between Murtaza’s PPP and Benazir and Asif continued for the next two years with violent clashes occurring routinely. The end of 1996 was fast approaching fast with Murtaza’s popularity increasing. His dream of democracy was starting to become a reality.

The game of politics had victimized Benazir too. After hearing about Benazir’s assassination in 2007, Fatima said, “They can’t kill another Bhutto tonight.” Fatima Bhutto continues her life as a columnist, poet and activist in Karachi. She carries the loss of her father with her everywhere. She relives the night of her father’s death during every waking moment. It has given her the strength to stand for democracy and fight for it without entering the dirty political playground. ‘Songs of Blood & Sword’ is not her attempt to point a finger to killers of her father, grand-father, uncle and aunt, but rather to provide a perspective to the reader of what it is to live as a Bhutto.

September 19th, 1996 was like any other day at 70 Clifton; Murtaza was preparing for a large press conference that evening for which he was certain he would get arrested once again. Little did he, the PPP or the world know that on his drive back that night, the police force of his country would open fire on him, minutes away from his home.

For me, this memoir is more than a young woman’s story of her father; it is an eye-opening encounter with the brutality of a country’s politics, through the story of one family. There are many more such families and dynasties that exist in countries all over the world; who are still living within the ruthless power of politics. I would highly recommend this book to someone who enjoys autobiographies and a fly on the wall perspective of political history.

Mir Murtaza Bhutto was pronounced dead at 12:25am that same night. It is strongly suggested throughout the book that Benazir Bhutto and Asif Zardari are responsible for the assassination of Mir Murtaza Bhutto. This belief and everything that happened until that point has strained the personal relationships of the Bhutto family. Fatima still holds on to fond memories of her ‘Wadi’, her aunt Benazir, growing up.

- Namita

JAM SESSION

Painting the town red, black and white, and colors galore! A bonus for me during trips to a coffee shop, is being able to admire the work of fellow photographers. For those of you who feel just the same, I have an exhibit that beats whipped cream on a mocha!

This collection is the world I’ve seen through my lens. From the bustling streets of India, to the historic escapes of England and Scotland, with shades of those Madison sunsets, I see them all under my sun; Under This Sun.

I am very excited to announce that Udantya’s own Namita Azad will be showcasing her photographs at the Starbucks on University Avenue this April. The exhibit entitled ‘Under This Sun’, consists of vignettes of life and scenery, taken during Namita’s travels this past year. Here is an excerpt from her description of the exhibit. The display will be up through the month of April and prints will also be available for purchase.

The road is long The crossings many Trade your soul for many colors Bring along books for the ride Trace the path so mingled Leave a part of you everywhere

Under This Sun It is believed that the quickest one way ticket to your favorite destination is through a photograph. I believe that a photograph is the quickest trip back into a stash of memories. Cities, streets, and faces; Sites, sounds, and havoc; Ideas, art, and poetry; all in a frames work.

And patch together a lifetime.

Around Town

Beat Box

Don’t forget to check out the Wisconsin Film Festival!

It is a tragic coincidence that this month’s selection comes in the wake of the Tsunami in Japan.

March 30-April 3, 2011 Check out schedule and films at http://2011.wifilmfest.org/

Our music recommendation for this month is a noble effort called the Laya Project – www.layaproject.com.

Student tickets are only $5! Established following the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand, India and Sri Lanka, the Laya Project takes original recordings of folk music from these regions that have been enhanced in the studio while retaining the original essence of the music. The proceeds from sales go towards ongoing relief efforts. Our two favorites from the album are Sunrise in Injumbakkam and Tapatam, an energetic percussion number from India.

CAMEO

Serendipitously, Under this Roof We all long to travel to lands we’ve read about in books, stumbled upon in photographs or heard of. To breathe in the new cultures, vernaculars, experiences and cuisines as we allow those distant lands to enthrall us in their beauty. It’s that human urge which feeds on itself; for the more you see, the more you wish to see. We walk down bustling streets brimming with colors and detour down dwindling paths, far up on a mountain; capturing moments through our music, photography, poetry and prose; building a story as we move along the way. They remind us of the winds that smelled sweeter, voices that resonated louder and hearts that grow fonder. The sounds of pebbles trod upon, speak of our journey and echo our unquenchable thirst for wanderlust. However, there are days when I relinquish it all to travel with my thoughts; journey to a land that I built within the four walls of my home, to discover the stories hidden in its corners and serendipitously discover myself. After all, this is Udantya; dwelling beyond our boundaries. To uncover the ideas, energies, tunes and colors that I have kept hidden away. To take a step back to explore more in the peace of our homes. So slide on your favorite pair of pyjamas and wrap your fingers around the warmth of that perfect cup of chai, as we go on our own little journey, without traveling the distance, to reveal the richness that our life already possesses.

On that lazy summer day, when the sun’s rays fall perfectly on the contours of your room, you unwrap your shoe box full of memories. Let your fingers run over these memories, as you smile and reminisce over all these pieces that have made you; they tell a silent story. They speak of your life, your deepest secrets and your fondest memories. Pull out those photographs, key chains, cards and even those insignificant objects which bring the most interesting anecdotes flooding out. The dust layered on them bears witness to your history. Start your day with that perfect bath you were wishing for; where you can just stand under that hot shower, till your fingers wrinkle letting all your worries drip away. You wonder why anyone would bother visiting the Niagara falls when you could have it right here in your home. For those few souls who love tranquility, indulging in a bubble bath with some music is truly meditative and will surely set you up for the journey you’re about to undertake.

After emerging from the room full of steam, find a comfy corner in your home. If you don’t have one, it takes seconds to set one up – all you need is lots of cushions, a lamp and your imagination. It’s that one place in your world where you can shut your eyes, throw your head back and breathe the air in before you take a sigh out. It’s your languid corner, where you can appease the more lethargic part of you. Perhaps sit with some chai and that book you’ve never really got down to finishing. Books are like having conversations with yourself through the eyes of another being. Lying on those cushions, your mind is an empty canvas waiting to be filled with lies, truth, complications and beauty of it all! “The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die…” – Three Cups of Tea ‘Three Cups of Tea’ is an inspiring account of Greg Mortenson’s quest to build schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan’s most unforgiving and desolate terrains. These regions were infamous for being the birthplace of the Taliban. The story speaks of his struggles and endeavors in this humanitarian journey, as he learns about life and everything in between, from the simple yet prudent people of those areas. With the turn of every page, I delved deeper into the lives of these people, as my mind had conversations with their thoughts and emotions.

“Together, the two began the kind of conversation that flows seamlessly, unstoppably, each fork begetting another branch of common interest, a conversation that continues until this day.” – Three Cups of Tea For those not inclined towards the literary world, maybe a dash of color could humor you. So pick up that brush, dip it in hues that please your mind and paint that canvas. It may not make you a millionaire at the next auction, but it’s yours. More importantly, it tells your story. I put my amateurish skills to use a few days back and this is what my talent (or lack thereof) came up with. Unlike what some artistically challenged people may claim, I didn’t have to break a sweat over creating these pieces. I know they’ll stick with me and maybe on some other sunny day, many years from now, I’ll pull them out of my shoebox and smirk and maybe even smile at my attempt to be the next Van Gogh. Self- expression through any medium gives a sense of satisfaction that no other endeavor can provide. There are days when I pull out my striking blue guitar and strum tunes that I once heard with the green plectrum which I so carefully carry in my wallet. It doesn’t matter how my voice sounds, because I

sing to let go of my frustration, celebrate happiness or even mourn in sadness. They’re not your words and they’re not your tunes either, but they definitely are your emotions; emotions that pave the way for the journey you take, in your domain. If musical talents have deserted you in your travel with your thoughts, a pen and paper are your saviors. Penning down your thoughts can be cathartic, while also helping you understand things you hitherto didn’t.Craft that story and birth those characters, build your plot and express your words! If you try your hand at poetry, it doesn’t have rhyme all the time. They can just be words on love, lust or that perfect crime!

culinary arts – Always experiment! If you think two things should go together, they probably will! The first one up is ‘Spicy Cashews’. Saute whole cashews on a low flame, with very little oil, until they take on a golden hue; then take them off the flame and start preparing the mixture that goes over it. With two teaspoons of chili powder, a teaspoon of salt and cumin powder each, four teaspoons of powdered sugar and a dash of olive oil; you have the perfect blend of spices. Mix these up nicely and toss them up with the cashews, ensuring all those golden beads have specs of red, white and brown. If you don’t have cumin, it doesn’t matter, perhaps try something else which suits your taste! Cooking is an art which involves all your senses, making it the perfect medium to discover who you are. After all, we are what we eat.

Another guilty pleasure I spoil myself with; is food! We’ve all got that odd recipe under our sleeves that we just love making. It could be the comfort of bread dipped in warm milk with sugar sprinkled on top or your peculiar (and hopefully successful) way of making an omelette. It might leave your kitchen looking like it has just survived several napalm strikes, but that’s the joy of cooking! I’ll let you in on a little secret and share with you two simple yet absolutely incredible dishes, which would leave your mouth watering as you’re making them. I tried my hand at them last week and they were as amazing and simple as I had imagined. A word of advice before you step into the world of

The first dish is definitely not as original as the second one. I picked up some nachos the other day and wanted to make that delicious yet healthy dip for it. Take a bit of yogurt and add finely chopped tomatoes and onions to it. Throw a dash of salt, pepper, chilli powder on it. The secret ingredient being lots of

garlic powder. Ensure the proportions are right so that you end up with a thick dip rather than loose yogurt. Mix it up well and serve with the nachos. The magic definitely doesn’t stop here. If you’re feeling very adventurous and have the required materials, you can try your hand making some ‘boondi-dip.’ Boondi is essentially a fried Indian snack made from chickpea flour which can be soaked in yogurt to make a scrumptious snack. Add hot water to the boondi and leave it for about 10 minutes. Drain out all the water while squeezing the boondi very gently to ensure that all the excess water is taken out. Add this to some yogurt with salt, pepper, red chilli powder, cumin powder and coriander thrown in. Mix well. I tend to keep the dips a bit more spicy, because when I start feeling the heat from the chillies, I usually cool off my taste buds by dipping the nachos in some honey. It may sound as if I’ve taken my philosophy of experimentation a bit too far, but you’ll only believe me once you’ve actually tried it. There are a few things in this world which can match up to the magic of spicy nachos and honey!

quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.” – Audrey Hepburn - Samar

Every journey does have a solemn end. With every song strummed, every stanza written and every stroke of color the stories only grow richer. Our homes tell us our story, with the echoes of our tales tucked away in those corners and boxes. Sometimes the sweetest journey is the one we take alone. “I have to be alone very often. I’d be

Down the Melodic Path Music is magical. It has an immense power to influence moods and actions. It can bring a sudden spurt of happiness to the most miserable of personalities or plunge one’s soul into the deepest trenches of sadness and melancholy. Even the most brutal dictators in the history of mankind have found solace in music. Closer to home, intense grad students become hip-hopping dancers, apparent introverts expose a hitherto hidden side and people discover meaning in what could be coarsely seen as just a convoluted set of frequencies. Music also has the power to transport one to distant worlds, the destination being reflective of his/her personality and outlook. Having made the long journey from the burgeoning metropolis of New Delhi to the sleepy environs of Madison almost two summers ago, I have had countless occasions when I missed family, home and India. On many such instances, music has been the force that pulled me through. Be it the latest Bollywood number or a composition of one of India’s legendary classical musicians, it has brought fond memories back and taken me to where I truly belong. The subject of this piece is one who has used the ‘magic carpet’ of music to travel far and wide, quite literally and symbolically. Pandit1 Sugato Nag is an accomplished exponent of the Etawah2 and Senia-Shahjahanpore2 schools of Hindustani3 classical music. Having had his tutelage under highly respected musical personalities like Pandit Radhika Mohan Maitra and Shri Buddhadev Dasgupta, Sugato Da’s

music is a mellifluous blend of the sitar4 baaj of the Etawah gharana and the sarod4 baaj5 of the Senia-Shahjahanpore gharana. Let me tell you how I met Sugato Da. A rather harrowing period of time a few months ago, meant that I had an unusually long absence from playing my sitar. On hearing this, Rajiv, my friend and first sitar mentor, nudged me into joining him for his next sitar lesson. And that is how I met Sugato Da; through a conference call between Madison and Amar Shonar Bangla6. His gregarious (albeit virtual!) presence put me at ease instantly! All images of a no-nonsense disciplinarian-music teacher just vanished. Though I was quite rusty with the strings, I remember thoroughly enjoying getting introduced to the ascent and descent of Raaga Desh7,8. I remember feeling liberated after the class, and until then, I had thought that that was something that only great musicians could feel! Sugato Da presents a wonderful vibe as a teacher and has unbelievable levels of patience with beginners (like yours truly). However, the most striking aspect of his teaching is that almost all his classes are held through the web. Most of his students are located thousands of miles away in other countries, and interact with him online for most part of the year. As Sugato Da says, learning music through the internet is not difficult for someone with a keen sense of the art. In fact, he believes that this is an example of technology contributing to the preservation of our musical heritage.

In addition to possessing a purist sensibility and perfectionist approach, he is also blessed with a wonderful understanding of the capabilities and limitations of his students. This ability to interact at the level of his students makes him a rather inspiring teacher. The responsibility of carrying forward the thread of Hindustani classical music is one that Sugato Da seems to take on quite willingly. His belief in being happy with what he does rather than pursuing tangible rewards is one that speaks volumes of his confidence in himself. Do join us to experience Sugato Da’s magic in an evening of music. Visit the following links for more information about his Spring’11 U.S. concert tour:

Glossary 1. Pandit: An honour conferred on a scholar or expert in any field. 2.Etawah and Senia-Shahanpore: Two historic schools of Hindustani classical music, whose roots can be traced to the Bangash tribe in Afghanistan and the court of Mughal emperor Akbar, respectively. 3. Hindustani: North Indian school of music. Evolved to the North of the Vindhya and Satpura mountains. 4. Sitar andSarod: Two plucked string instruments used ubiquitously in Hindustani classical music. 5. Baaj: style of play 6. Amar Shonar Bangla: Bengali for ‘My Golden Bengal’, one of the most culturally rich states in India. It is also the title of a song written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore. 7. Raaga: A traditional melodic pattern with characteristic notes, intervals and rhythms. Each raga is said to have a unique expression of thought and emotion. 8.Raaga Desh: The melody that the Indian National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ is based on. Its said to sound best between 8 pm and 10 pm and is enjoyed most during the monsoons.

http://www.sugatonag.com/Sugato%20Nag%20Concert.htm -Ranga

India Is I It’s the Hope, the Prayer. The Song and the Despair. It’s the Calm in the chaos. The Chaos is the charm. India is the Rain. The Forests and the Farms. The Kisaan and his Yield. The Hunger, the Strife. India is the need to have an identity and still be part of that Billion. It’s the Land the Air, the Hope and the Despair. The Song and the Dance. The Death after life. The Life after death. The wisdom, it’s the Wise. The Kill or be Killed, the Nirvana the Navratana. India is the Contradiction, the Exception, the new rule. The reason to Live, the cause of Death. The joy, the tear. The Roads with people, the People of the roads. The high rises, the slums. The stories, the success, the failure of some. The brutality, the charity. The pranayam. the ghats. India is the Divine. The Virtue and the Vice. The Relatives. The Families. The joy to spread. The sadness withheld. The Moksh. The Kaam Krodh Madh Lobh.

The Spirit. The breath naked. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Spice, the wealth. The Educated, the swell. The kicked and trodden. The old and forgotten. The kept and revered. The even for the odd. The noticed. India is the lime light. India is the fall and then the flight. The kin for the kin. The family within. The Gossip traveled. The gossip heard. The kiss, the touch. the sex and the tabboo. The mother, the wife. India is the Sati. The change and the old. The wheel and the reinvention. The children. The Billion. India is politic. The Minister who killed. The Minster, killed. The Dictat the Uprise, the British surprise. The godhra , ayodhya. Yet the City of Joy. The helping hand. Asoka, the Buddha .Ram hare Ram. The diseased. The cured. The enlightened. The Gandhi, his salt. My salt. The soil and the dirt.

ÂŠ Udantya 2011

The mother that bears, feeds the Billion. The holi the diwali. My Allah. My Ram. The Cross. The Kind. The Need. The Will. The Hope. The Prayer. The Song and the Despair. My life. Existence. India is I. - Aman

ÂŠ Udantya 2011