TWO-BROWNGIRLS

#MIDWEEKINSPO

Back in Leeds up in the North of England after a whirlwind weekend in London. It seems like the city just keeps pulling me back. When you’ve lived in the capital for three years and made connections, it’s sometimes annoying how you can’t seem to get away. Even when you do, it feels like you miss out on so much!

Anyway, here are my reflections for the week :)

1. Darbar Festival 2014

So I was in London because I was volunteering for the prestigious Darbar Festival of Indian Classical Music. It’s the largest festival of its kind in Europe and brings big names, lesser known ones and showcases UK musicians all of a high-calibre every year. I’ve been involved for the past couple of years, but this year I got really stuck in. Taking care of artists, speaking to audience members, setting the stage and playing taanpura were many parts of the job. It was an incredible experience and getting to meet and listen to one of my favourite singers, Dr. Prabha Atre up close was unforgettable. Photos: Ravi Chandarana Photography

2. Manjari Sharma Photography - ‘Darshan’

Kajal Nisha Patel, a fantastic social documentary photographer, recently told me about the 'Darshan’ series by Manjari Sharma. The series is so surreal and mesmerising. Manjari used intricate and detailed photographic portraits to interpret Hindu iconography that she grew up with - painstaking work with jaw-dropping results!

3. 'Growing into Music’

I’m so glad I came across these films documenting incredible research by a team of scholars. At various points across three years, these six films followed the families and lifestyles of Indian classical musicians and dancers and their students or children. It shows how the art forms are passed on and transmitted through generations. I mean, I’d heard about these traditions but to see them in reality was huge for me. I was so inspired by the environment and ethos that these families follow. Just check out this dance studio…!

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- S