MUSIC BRINGS JOY TO MY HEART 😊🎶

Lest the few people, who used to follow this blog at some point of time, think that I've gone into hibernation forever; I thought I'd put down a few lines on my blog today. 

This past month has been a month full of Music. I've been for some fabulous musical performances; and so I thought, there could be nothing better, than writing about those wonderful musical moments, to pick up from where I left off, so many months ago.🎶

I've kind of had an overdose of Music this month; but this is one, that has absolutely no negative side-effects. In fact, the only effect was, that my heart was filled with joy.😊

Unfortunately, for those of us who live in the Northern suburbs of Mumbai, most of these shows are held in South Mumbai, at the NCPA, in Nariman Point; and unless you have company, getting home after a show, can be a bit of a problem, since it gets a little too late to travel alone. Thankfully this month, I've had lots of friends who agreed to come along, which resulted in this being, a good 30 days for my ears.💕

I had an opportunity to be there for 2 shows by the 'Stop-Gaps', a choir that I've enjoyed listening to, over the years. Not only do they sing and perform well; but their shows are always very enjoyable, thanks to the great sets, costumes, choreographed movements, live music accompaniment and great vocal harmony that Alfred D'Souza, their counductor, puts together.

I've heard countless tales of him being quite a bit harsh, during rehearsals; but I guess if the outcome is as good, as what they eventually put up on stage, we could ask for nothing better.👍

The first show was very creatively titled 'Stop-Gaps goes to the Dogs - and other furry creatures', as it was a charity event for the Welfare of Stray Dogs. So, the selection of songs had many of my personal favourites, sung by the Stop-Gaps and some very well-known soloists, from all over the city. A lot of songs related to animals and many from the Animated movies that everyone loves, made it a thoroughly enjoyable evening. 

Their Second show, called 'The Swinging 60's' was even better, as the programme included the Best Songs from the 60's - an era that all of us love, in terms of the music that was created back then; and to give it that twist, that the Stop-Gaps are now known for, they also included a small selection of songs from Bollywood, from that period of time; which was also great to listen to, in harmony.

I have often been for the Stop-Gaps Christmas shows, where they invite many other choirs from all over Mumbai to perform at their 'Festival of Festive Music'. At those shows, one only gets a chance to hear a few songs performed by the Stop-Gaps. 

These two shows gave me an opportunity to hear much more of the Stop-Gaps; and I was so glad I could be there, to enjoy their wonderful vocal harmony. The kids in their Junior Ensemble are also pretty amazing; and that group of 'Little Wonders', ensures that the future of the Stop-Gaps, is in safe hands.👏👏👏

There were also these two frequently advertised shows, that had been running in Mumbai for many months; but somehow, even thought I kept seeing the advertisements in the newspapers repeatedly, I just couldn't make the time, or find someone to go along with me for them. 

Finally this month, I was so glad when my friends from my choir, agreed to come along for the two shows called 'Broadway and Beyond' and everyone's all-time favourite, 'The Sound of Music'.😄

Both these shows were produced by the renowned Raell Padamsee's 'Academy for Creative Expression'(ACE Production), and so automatically, the musical quality and standard of the show was something to look forward to.

After having gone for both shows, I can safely say that they definitely did not disappoint. In fact, it made me and my friends immediately wonder, about when we could go for shows like those again.🎶 

The Broadway show had a great selection of songs from Broadway, performed by some fantastic, well-established performers from Mumbai. One performer that stood out for me, among all the brilliant performances at the Broadway show, was Tara Sutaria, a 16 year old musical prodigy, who is already taking the city by storm, at such a young age.✨️ 

To be able to watch 'The Sound of Music' being performed on Stage, just a couple of days ago, was also a fantastic experience; and especially since Delna Mody, who played the part of Maria, did full justice to her role. Marianne D'Cruz Aiman who played the role of the Mother Superior, was completely out of this world too; and all the other performers, also added to the show and made it an absolute hit.🌟

Earlier this month, I also had a chance to listen to a group of 4 singers from Kolkata, who go by the name 'Dhwani'. I have followed this group for the past 4 years. They put up a show for Teachers every year around 'Teachers Day', at the St. Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra, called 'To Teachers with Love' - which is their way of paying tribute to teachers in many Indian cities.❤️ 

What is unique about 'Dhwani' is that these four singers, who have primarily been trained in Indian Classical Music, sing in many different languages. This multi-lingual group, has evolved and grown over the last four years, that I have watched them perform. 

I marvel at the research that goes into their song-selection, and love the way they look for the original songs, of so many Bollywood favourites, and then sing those songs in the original languages, along with the Hindi counterpart. 

It's a very 'unique concept', which I haven't seen anyone in Mumbai do before. It makes the show 'enjoyable' as well as 'informative', as it helps to increase one's musical knowledge. 

What is also special about this group, is the way in which they can just switch into the 'accents' of the songs that they are performing, at the drop of a hat. You wouldn't even know, that the song is being sung by an Indian Classical singer. It's wonderful to hear them use their very strong base in Indian Classical music; and then branch out from there, into World music.👏👏👏

So, as is very obvious from my extra-long post, I've thoroughly enjoyed this month. I've been swamped with work right through this month; but these musical interventions, have made these last 4 weeks, so much fun.🎶

One might say, that it was a little too much for one month. It sure has been hectic to come back late from the shows, and then go to work the next morning, and look fresh and chirpy in front of my boys in school, even though I've been exhausted.😊 

Of course, considering how much fun I've had in this one month, I'm not complaining one bit. I'm just so glad I had the opportunity to go for all these shows. I'm happy my friends from my choir agreed to come along as well; and together, we've had some wonderful evenings. I'm glad I have friends who share my love for music. I look forward to many such musical moments with all of them.💕

I cannot conclude this post, without a word of thanks to God for this past month, which I have loved so much. I'd also like to Thank the Lord above, for all the performers who were a part of these multiple shows, that I was able to enjoy. It is He who has blest them with these wonderful talents, and it is He who gives them the strength to persevere through countless rehearsals and long hours of practice, which are an absolute must, for shows that turn out to be so enjoyable eventually. 

I pray that God may bless each of these performers and their families, and all those people who work behind the scenes, to turn these shows into a reality. It's thanks to the whole lot of them, that my friends and I, had such a great time at all these shows. I may not be able to thank each of them personally, for filling my heart with joy; but I can definitely whisper a prayer for them, and ask the Lord to bless them, in all that they do. Looking forward to many more musical moments in future in the company of my friends.✨️❤️

  

TO ALL MY WOMEN FRIENDS ✨️❤️

I was sitting around aimlessly a few days ago; and a random thought just happened to cross my mind. 

I suddenly realised that most of the girls I used to know, during my school and college days; were now not a part of my immediate friend circle anymore, because most of them had moved away from their parent's homes, when they got married.😔

On the other hand, all the guys I've known over the years, are still very much a part of the group of people, that I meet and see around regularly. Their wives have now become good friends, and they've very easily and comfortably replaced all the girls, who used to be my friends in school.😊

Now while this isn't a very amazing discovery that would make me shout, 'Eureka', it definitely made me ponder on something, that is a reality in our country and probably in most parts of the world. 

A woman has to literally uproot herself, from the place she has grown up in; and move away from the people and friends, who have been her closest companions, in the first phase of her life, if and when she chooses to get married. 

Along with all the other changes, that marriage eventually brings to her life; she has to also adapt to a new set of friends. She has to foster new friendships, with the people in her husband's world. She has to blend into a world, that has been existing for a long time, before she popped in; and get used to a completely new set of people, with all their quirks and idiosyncrasies. 

In most cases, she does this completely effortlessly; and within no time, the new friendships that she develops, are as strong as the ones she had before, in the place where she grew up.🤷🏻‍♀️

In a way, these changes in a woman's life are what make life interesting; because she gets an opportunity to befriend new people, and have two sets of friends that she can fall back on, in times of need. 

However, I couldn't stop myself from thinking that these changes in her life, are actually thanks to the 'norms laid down by culture and society'. Now, while there isn't a rule that she 'has' to follow all these norms, almost all women do; which accounts for the steady change of the women in my world.😔 

I know this is going to make me sound like a real feminist; but I can't help saying that these societal norms, are very unfair on women. Not just for the women, who have to move into their husband's world and accept his friends as her own, or make new friends of her own in his world; but also for women like me, who haven't made that choice as yet. 

Even for people like me, these 'norms' are just as hard to digest; and my ever-changing circle of female friends, bears witness to my loss. Of course, I do have a steady set of women friends at my work-place; but even that, is in danger of being snatched away from me, by the big bad wolf called marriage, whenever it does come knocking at my door.

There are solutions of course. I mean, it's not that every norm has to be followed; but this is just something that I've been thinking about, over the past few days. So I decided to put down my thoughts. 

I just wonder about how much 'my world' is going to constantly evolve and change over time. I wonder, whether I will also have to adapt to a new world, and a new set of people that I am not familiar with at all.🤔

At the same time, I am also glad to be blest with so many new pals, in the wives of my male friends. Of course, I really miss all the girls I used to call friends, who are now far away in different places, making their husband's world their own. No doubt the internet helps us to stay connected; but in some strange way, my world in incomplete without all of them in it.

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY to all my women friends, both old and new. Enjoy life wherever you are today.🤗❤️

BABY BOOM!!! 👶

Is it just me or has there suddenly been a steep rise in the number of babies around these days? 🤔

Over the past year or so, I've suddenly realised that almost everywhere I go, I'm interacting with little kiddies. I guess the reason, is because many of my friends and cousins, have now started families of their own; and that accounts for me coming across babies, wherever I go. Whether it's among my colleagues at work, my cousins, my choir and among friends in general; babies seem to be the 'in-thing' at every turn.👶

Of course, this 'Baby Boom' does come with it's perks. When there's a baby around, you cannot help but Smile. Babies have this uncanny knack of bringing people together and spreading joy, just by being themselves. 

Their level of eloquence, may be nothing more than a babble, or words likes ga-ga, goo-goo, etc; but somehow, they are able to draw a larger audience, than even the most well-spoken speakers, you've ever heard. 

Everything they do is like front page news, even if they just wave, or smile, or utter a sound that makes absolutely no sense. A baby is the centre of attraction the moment he or she enters a room. All eyes are suddenly directed towards the tiny tot, and all work gets suspended, for as long as he's holding sway there. 

A person may be tired or exhausted from a long day's work, or may have a million things on his or her mind; but somehow, the little kid manages to banish all those blues away, just by his very presence. 

He's not a counsellor who gives you a listening ear, while you share your problems with him. He or she doesn't even give any advice, to help you out; and yet, he seems to alter the mood in a room, within seconds.😄

I wonder what makes babies so eternally attractive to us. They seem to have some magnetic power in them, that just draws us towards them. They seem to possess the ability to bring joy to the world around them, without even knowing it. I guess they could be called the 'biggest super-heroes of all time', because the power that they possess, is limitless and has no bounds; and more importantly, they can change the world.

I'm just happy, that I've been coming across so many new 'little persons', over the last few months. My life has become so much more beautiful, because of their presence in my life. My interaction with them lasts only for a few brief moments, every other day or week; but in that short time they brighten up my world, and I'm grateful for the little encounters I have with them.

I pray that all these little angels may grow up, to make their mommies and daddies proud of them. I hope they can become whatever they hope to be in life.For the moment though, I'm just glad they're a part of my life.✨️❤️