When a singer, who we have been listening to for more than five years, gets an opportunity to sing a Christmas song, with many artists from different places, it makes us feel very happy for him. I've listened to this song quite a few times already, from the day it was released.😊
So good to see Sheridan Brass in this video, by one of my favourite groups of brothers, who sing together.🎶💕
(Song posted from the 'Music Travel Love' YT page.)
December is still a few days away, but I've been listening to Christmas songs already, over the past 3 or 4 weeks. New ones, which I haven't heard before; and others, which are always good to listen to every year, as the Christmas season draws closer.
I'm sharing two songs from my favourite Acapella group today, because I love so many of their Christmas songs.🎶
I am also sure, that I have posted these two songs before, some years ago; but it's always great to start the Christmas season, with tunes we enjoy hearing, repeatedly.😊
(Songs shared from the Pentatonix YT page.)
The Prithvi Festival began on the 1st of this month.
Yuki Ellias and Akarsh Khurana were two names that I recognised, from back in Xaviers, among the many Directors and Writers, whose plays were a part of the festival.
Yuki's play was about growing old, and how people slowly begin to lose their memory, as they age. I watched a promo of the play, in which Yuki mentioned how the play, brings out, the muddle in the mind of older people, especially if they are affected by 'dementia or other age related illnessness, that affect the memory'. She said, that she drew inspiration for some of it, by watching her own grandparents.
I couldn't make it for that one, even though I wanted to; but will hopefully watch it, whenever they stage the play, in the future.
I heard some of the reviews after the play, and everyone mentioned, that it touched their heart. While it made them laugh, it also made them cry. So, this is definitely a play to watch, whenever it happens.
The Akvarious Productions play was about an environmentalist trying to be heard, in the midst of the climate crisis, which truly is a cause for panic and alarm. He happens to be unfortunately caught among people, who really don't think, climate change is that important.
One of the reasons, why I went for this one, was because I heard, there was music in this play. Most of the performers acted and sang very well; and it was good to hear some musicians accompanying them also.
The play had quite a lot happening, right through, with the many satirical connections that the script made, to people and situations, which kept the audience thoroughly entertained.
In my opinion though, the younger people in the audience, connected with the dialogues and the script, a lot more than the older ones; because you had to be aware of everything happening in the real and virtual world, to grasp the many references made in the play.
If you're in Goa, this first of its kind crochet installation in Goa, by my friend Sheena Pereira and friends of hers, is something you could go and have a look at.
An initiative of 'The Crochet Collective' Goa, it took 25 women, 3 months, about a thousand squares and a whole lot of love to put together. The tree stands 18 feet tall, as a testament to the love of crochet and the power of community.
It's currently a part of the Festivals of Goa exhibition, at the Museum of Goa; and is available for viewing, until the 18th of January' 2026.
(Post shared from the 'Crochetwise' FB page.)
It was good to be at the NCPA, for the 'Mumbai Lit Fest' for two of the three days of the festival, on the 7th and 8th of November.
I was at the festival on the first two days, and the second day, drew in very large crowds of people, who were there to listen to, some of the prominent celebrity authors and speakers. Even the large Tata Theatre couldn't accommodate, all those who had queued up, for an hour or two before the sessions; and so, there were quite a few people who were upset that they missed out, on sessions that they had initially wanted to listen to.
Of course, since there were many other interesting events, happening at the other smaller auditoriums of the NCPA, they still got an opportunity, to enjoy the other speakers at the fest.
One of the sessions that I attended, was a conversation between Amrita Raichand and Luke Coutinho, in which Luke spoke about the 'importance of sleep and reducing stress', among other things, which are simple, yet necessary things to focus on, as lifestyle changes that everyone needs to consciously make. These were based on his book 'The Calm Prescription'.
During the process of my mother's long illness, of going through two Cancers, which lasted for close to 9 years, from 2010 to 2018; I have realised, that these are two big factors, that can help us live a healthier life, and that could possibly prevent chronic, life-threatening sicknesses. They are probably equally, or maybe even more important, than controlling our food intake, and focussing on nutrition and exercise.
It was really good to listen to Luke Coutinho in person, after many years of learning a lot through his online videos on health, nutrition and making healthier lifestyle choices.
This session was one that I attended, because I have personally gained, so much of well-researched information and knowledge, from listening to Luke's videos, for the last 10 years.
His team of Doctors and Nutritionists, were also an unforgettable support to us, through the last few months of my mother's Cancer journey, back in 2018. So, I will always be Grateful to him and to them, for everything.🤗💕
Besides that, I also thoroughly enjoyed a very interactive conversation between Sumanto Chattopadhyay and Anuvab Pal.
I had discovered Sumanto's love for language through his weekly videos called 'The English Nut', back in 2020. It was great to meet this creative personality, from the world of advertising, and to get a signed copy of his book.
Anuvab Pal is someone, that I was hearing for the first time; and I can see why, he is known as the 'intelligent stand up comedian'. Together, these two made a conversation about the English language, very entertaining.😊
I was also pleasantly surprised to meet an old student, at the Kitab Khana book stall. I felt really proud to discover, that he was a winner of one of the contests, that was conducted on college campuses a few weeks before that, as part of the festival.😊
Marine Drive is much quieter in the afternoons, as compared to the evenings, when it is very crowded. Crossing the street, and standing there by the ocean for a few minutes, is something that I always do, whenever I go to the NCPA for an event.✍️
On days like today, we all remember loved ones, that we have lost over the years.😔
But when your entire family is in heaven, you can't help thinking and talking about Angels, 24/7 and 365 days of the year.
That's just how, I still try and hold on to my family, and to all the precious memories, even so many years, after they've gone.✨️💖
May all our family members, who have moved on from this earthly life, rest in eternal peace, wherever they may be.🙏🕊
(I found these songs on YT yesterday.)
(Was reminded of a memory from three years ago, posted on 2nd November '2022.)
'Somewhere up there', we all have 'Heavenly Angels', who constantly 'watch over us', from those bright blue skies. They'll always be a part of us, no matter how many years may go by, because 'Love Lives On'.🕯🕯🕯
'Somewhere out there', we all have 'Angels among us', who were probably sent to share this journey with us, and to fill our hearts with Joy and Love, like colourful rainbows of Hope.✨️❤️
'...And everywhere I am, There You'll Be'.
A lovely song 'For your Angels and mine'.😊
THERE YOU'LL BE ✨️🎶💖
- Faith Hill
(Song shared from a YT page.)
