Date: Mon Mar 5, 2001
Subject: Concert season, Sivaratri, Holi and more Japanese friends

Hi folks,

Well things have been completely hectic around Varanasi in the last month - very busy indeed, what with the millions of folks dropping in after bathing at the Kumbh Mela just a few hours away. I've never seen Varanasi so full of people looking for rooms.

Peak season in Varanasi is also concert season - there have been many concerts lately, the highlight being the concert on Sivaratri (Shiva's Night) on Feb 21, with Hariprasad Chaurasia and Kishen Maharaj. (For those of you not in the know, Hariprasad is the number one flute player in India and probably the world; Kishen Maharaj is the most famous Benares tabla player of his generation still around - he and my guru-ji learned together from the legendary Kanthe Maharaj.)

Sivaratri is certainly a favourite festival of mine (along with Saraswati Puja). In Benares, the city of Shiva, it's celebrated very enthusiastically. Many folks take bhang (an oral cannabis preparation) as prasad (blessed offerings), so there is a very cheerful atmosphere all around. This is in big contrast to Holi, coming soon on March 9/10, where many folks drink alcohol and engage in coloured waterbomb warfare - the atmosphere can be quite threatening.

Following Sivaratri, there was a mini-exodus of tourists, many of whom had stayed here for a month since the peak of the Kumbh Mela. Among them were my friends from Brisbane, Ruth and Donna, along with several of the long-term stayers at Munna House. So now there's a new crew in my home - quite an interesting bunch so I thought I'd share it with you once again.

The new Munna Crew are:
Me - you know enough I'm sure.
Mischa - German tabla student who's the only resident to have been here longer than me. His practice is coming along nicely - he's a lot more focused on his sounds than when I first met him. Still quite a freak, though.
Nick - my new guru-bhai from England who started learning from Guru-ji in November. He's come along so much since starting - I'm proud to have recommended him.
Evan - my next-door neighbour, an American sarangi/vocal student who's been around town longer than me but just moved in here after Sivaratri. He also plays flamenco guitar and speaks Spanish and has been jamming heaps with...
Xavi & Naomi - Spanish couple travelling on their way to Australia. Xavi sings flamenco songs very passionately, which adds a lot of atmosphere to the place.
Liz & Baz - Liz is a student of mine from Brisbane and I'm so happy to have her here learning from Guru-ji. She's staying with Baz who's learning flute and a very nice lad. Liz has also improved heaps since she came - after the initial spell of getting used to daily lessons and practice, I feel she's getting right into it. I'm also proud to have recommended her to Guru-ji.
Tomu - older Japanese man who's been coming here and learning tabla for about 5 years. He's managed to score the best room in the house, which has become the scene of some very nice impromptu concerts.
Noriko - Japanese girl learning Kathak dance and a good friend I've been lucky to meet.
Mami & Oren - dreadlocked Japanese/Israeli couple who are also lots of fun.
Kyla & Jordan - Australian couple hanging out, but funnily enough I've known Kyla for years, since she was a Semper editor at the University of Queensland
Gauri & Purva - Some of you would know Gauri as Jena or Jennifer - another old friend of mine. It's been quite unusual but very pleasant having so many faces from home around lately! And aren't there a lot of couples here?!!!

Since playing at Guru-ji's Saraswati Puja concert at the end of January I've found my energy for tabla playing has had a huge boost. I'm really enjoying my playing and practising - everything's coming quite easily and if it's not I know that it's just a matter of more practice.

I've also made a lot of new Japanese friends after a long time (since November) without. This time I'm meeting a lot of more experienced musicians which has been great - there's nothing like playing with a good sitar player. I'm now looking forward even more to visiting Japan some day and playing music with folks there.

Well I've certainly typed a lot tonight - I'd better leave it at that.

Love to all,
Shen
Aum Mani Padme Hum