My First Opera

Couple of weeks ago, my in-laws who run European Opera Tours, took me to see an opera. Basically there were two operas, which are normally performed together because they are short, CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA and I PAGLIACCI. I was very excited about my first opera. It was a wonderful introduction to our family business (European Opera Tours). We reached the theatre in Tampa, where I was impressed to see lots of young people among the spectators. Everyone was nicely dressed.

We had very good seats. That’s what you get when you go with specialists. The theatre was almost full with perfect ambiance. There was a big red curtain hanging over the stage, and I was eager to see behind the curtain. The curtain was removed slowly, with music paying in the foreground. I said to myself “wow” when I saw an attractive, elegant, three dimensional stage, lit up perfectly. Above the stage there was a screen. Subtitles were displayed in English, which was really good for a first time opera viewer, like me.

First they performed CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA. I have never experienced anything like that in my life before. It was full of music, acting and drama. Performers expressed their emotions through their singing. It was a kaleidoscope of colors displayed on the stage. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the music articulating the humorous and tragic emotions by singers with beautiful voices. It was a feast for my eyes, ears and my heart.

Reading up, I learned that the Western operas began in 1597, when the Italian Composer Jacopo Peri wrote DAFNE and EURIDICE, three years later. Then his contemporary, Claudio Monteverdi, with his brilliant talent of dramatic composition, supported by the Duke of Mantua, wrote 21 pieces of operas. They were exclusively based on stories from Greek mythology. Succeeding composers for the next hundred and fifty years used the same genre. The genius, Mozart, broke the mold with ‘THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO’, five years before he died at the age of 35. One day I would like to see it in Vienna, where it was first performed.

Since Mozart, hundreds of Western operas have been written by composers from Adolf Adam to Bern Zimmermann, including Philip Glass, who wrote SATYAGRAHA (shown above) based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Opera performances include efforts by many talented and trained artists including the conductor, musicians, singers, producers, costume designers, stage designers, lighting designers and even the prompter. The prompter faces the singers, hidden in a box on the stage, just below and behind the orchestra.

I can’t wait to join my in-laws this summer on one of their Opera Tours.

‘Back-to-Roots’ Shopping

Being vegetarian, it was a challenge for me to find varieties of fresh vegetables in the supermarkets. When, I immigrated to United States a year ago. I told my husband how I used to buy fresh vegetables from markets back in India. We decided that we could try the weekend farmers’ market for fresh locally grown products. We have been going to various farmers market during the past year. It has been a lot of fun. Vendors are very friendly. They tell you all about their products. It is good way to meet people. Here we can enjoy shopping with family and even can take our pets.

To provide fresh food and good nourishment is one the important functions of Indian women’s life. I remember, in my childhood during the summer vacations, every day I went to buy fresh vegetables, fruits and milk with my grandmother. It was not only fun for me to see colorful market activities, but also a part of learning, how to pick the right vegetables and fruits. It has taught me the importance of eating fresh and healthy food in life.

Farmers' markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by small farmers. Since the dawn of civilization, it has been a corner stone of society. Daily and weekly, growers from nearby local areas gathered to sell their produce directly to the public. Such markets were commonplace before the industrial age. But in the busy lifestyle of modern cities most were replaced by grocery stores and supermarkets. In these big markets food is usually processed, packaged and shipped from remote places, by air or refrigerated containers.

In the last decade, farmers’ markets have become a favorite marketing method for many farmers throughout the United States, and a weekly practice for many shoppers. Day by day it is becoming popular for many people. It is a relaxed way of shopping for fresh and organic food with family.

In a farmers' market, a group of vendors sell their products once or twice a week at a designated public place, like a park or parking lot. In these areas, individual vendors set up booths, tables or stands. Farmers markets add value to communities. It reflects the area's culture, economy and flavors. Consumers can buy fruits and vegetable from certified organic farmers. Farmers are not the only vendors in these markets. Various artisans bring their art work and products such as organic soaps, creams and lotions, candles, wooden toys, handmade glass articles, paintings, flowers, herbs, plants, fresh breads, cookies and other prepared food stalls are available. In some markets, live music is played by local groups.

Farmers pick their produce at the peak of ripeness, which preserves flavor and the nutritional content of food. Since locally grown food does not travel far to reach you, it has a smaller carbon foot print. Farmers get better price selling retail than at wholesale prices.

It bought back the pleasure of shopping to me. I have an inquisitive personality. When I came to America I wanted to know more about culture and traditions. I believe, if you want to know a city, or a country ,you must interact with local people. Here in these markets, I got the chance to talk to natives and tried various flavors. It was a good introduction to American culture and food.

Kite Flying is Passion for Life

St. Pete Beach, Tampa Bay, Florida

Holiday season is now over in America. We are back at home after long holidays and celebrating the New Year. It is another sunny weekend here in Florida. My husband and I were walking along the beach at sunset. We notice a bunch of kite surfers and stopped to appreciate their acrobatics. It took me back to my memories of Jaipur. We were celebrating kite festival this time of the year.

                                           

Usually right after Diwali festival, you begin seeing kites in the sky. From the winter break until now, it is unbelievable to see how the sky is full of colorful kites, and the terraces full of people. Some people fly kites, some enjoy watching them. Women make delicious snacks such as Pakoras, Gajar Halwa and Til Laddus. I remember in our childhood, how we were looking forward to winter vacations. In India we have joint-family system (Grandparents, Parents and Grandchildren live in one house). Grandparents teach the children to fly the kites, and how to cut the opponent’s kite down. When we cut the other kite’s string, we screamed “Woh Kata!!!” This means “I have cut a kite”. Every year we try to cut more kites down then the previous years, always having competition among brothers, sisters and cousins. Cutting opponent’s kite is the fun part, and often you don’t know whose kite it is you are cutting.

Every festival has its own special food and sweets to celebrate with. As this festival is celebrated in mid-winter, the food, prepared for this festival, is such that it warms the body and gives a boost in energy. In Jaipur, Rajasthan we have Til Laddu (made with Jaggery and sesames seeds) which is a specialty of the festival. Many more varieties of sesames seeds and Jaggary sweets like Gajak(world famous Jaipur's Sesame Brittle), Rewadi and Til papdi. Feeni is another sweet vermicelli delicacy mainly served on this day. Pakoras, deep fried hot dumplings made of vegetables and lentil paste area also a crowd favorite.

Many kite competitions are organized during the month of January by various Kite Clubs. The state government organizes "International Kite Festival" in Jaipur for three days in which kite lovers participate, from all over the world.

Everyone in my family is very passionate about kites. My grandfather has taught us to fly kites and shares stories of how his father had inspired him. His father used to organize events at his terrace on kite flying day. He invited all his friends, relatives and their children to enjoy. They were having competition among children to see who could cut the most number of kites, and to see who wins. My grandfather explained how this became passion for him and he started participating in kite completions in Jaipur, Luckhnow and Kanpur and won lots of trophies. He now has a large joint family, where four generations live together in one house. He tries to give same opportunities to his grand and great-grandchildren to preserve our traditions, heritage and culture.

I am now married into an American family, and was astounded to know that my father-in-law also loved kite flying. My father-in-law is from an Indian Parsi family. He lived in Mumbai and used to enjoy kite flying from his balcony as a teenager.  He also shared something very special in that he made his own special string (Manjha) to cut opponent’s kite, because when he was young, everything was self-made. Two years ago, he was in Jaipur during the kite flying festival with his friends and family from America. Even after 60 years, he was still thrilled to fly kites and especially to cut other’s kites down. Enthusiasm for Kite flying is a passion for life.  

India is the second biggest nation in population with diversity of geography, faith, culture, climate, and where they celebrate lots of festivals and fairs. Makar Sankranti is one of them. It is also known as Kite Flying Festival. India’s multiplicity gives reason to celebrate Makar Sankranti in different ways in different regions. Traditionally, this has been one of many harvest days in India as well as regarded as the beginning of an auspicious annual phase in Indian culture.

Makar Sankranti : Makar stands for Capricorn in Zodiac. Sankranti describes the transition of the Sun. Therefore Makar Sankranti means the transition of Sun into Makar rashi through its celestial path. It is the only festival celebrated on a fixed date, January 14th.The traditional Indian Calendar is based on lunar positions. This is the reason why the dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing in the Gregorian calendar. Makar Sankranti is a solar event, and therefore remains constant. It is the festival of the Sun God who is regarded as a symbol divinity and wisdom. Millions of people take a dip in holy rivers such as; Ganges, Yamuna, etc., to bathe and pray to the Sun God for enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness.

On this day, every year, the sky above India resembles a kaleidoscope all day long. As customary with many days of festivities, the day ends with fireworks into the late night.