I’m still amused by the events that transpired last night. My day was pretty shitty. I couldn’t finish doing my internet things (including trying to finish uploading all of my backposts for this thing) since they were recording in the other room and *apparently*, my *typing* (of which I wasn’t even doing) could be heard. Of course, this happens *right* before I’m able to read this Facebook message from my cousin answering a question from me. I figure, to stay out of the way, I can go find a camera shop, since my digital finally died it’s impending death. This was not meant to be. Other things came up, and I ended up running about doing whatever it is that I do here.
In the evening, it was brought to my attention that there was an impromptu Sufi music performance going on at a hotel nearby. One of the groups from the performance that I missed the other night was doing a last show in the hotel. You know, just for kicks. Clearly, I was in. Plus, there was a wine reception afterwards.
I got to the outdoor pavillion where the concert was and it was nowhere near ready to start. There were a few people milling about, people setting up the stage, and some of the musicians were being interviewed. I noticed a younger guy, who looked pretty German, talking on a mobile a little ways away. I noticed him because he bore a striking resemblance to Britt Daniels. I spied on him and entertained a fantasy that it *was* Britt Daniels and he had come to India to ask me to marry him. Yes. I know how ridiculous that sounds, but I prefer to live a rich fantasy life. Thank you very much.
The organizers moved the audience members inside so they wouldn't just be hanging about while the set-up finished. This turned into the wine reception. A dozen or so really rich looking people sitting around awkwardly and complaining loudly about the wine. In their defense, the wine was really fucking awful. For serious. I should have gone with juice.
Finally, the show started. I know it's not likely that you'll ever get the chance to see a Sufi performance. But, if you ever get the chance, go. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GO!!! I could never do the performance justice to try and descibe it. It's an intensely spiritual process for the performers. In my opinion, song and dance is the most wonderful expression of religious belief. It contains a kind of joy or euphoria that spreads through the viewers. They also did a "fusion" (which is a term I loathe) piece involving a digeredoo which was very cool. Plus, there were whirling dervishes, which is probably my all-time favourite form of religious expression. Especially when there are two guys (one of whom bore an strange resemblance to a curlier haired version of my brother) spinning and dancing while simutaneously playing great big drums. So cool. I ended up standing at the back (better visibility, plus if you *heard* it, you wouldn't be able to sit either) and sort of dancing/freezing. I noticed my Britt Daniels siteing was the only other person doing the same. Except he cheered much more.
After the performance, I went back inside to collect myself before getting a cab home. Next thing I know, my Britt Daniels look-alike is sitting next to me, sharing a cigarette and chatting me up. Turns out, Lionel's a Finland-born musician (electronic and Eastern) who's been living in Delhi with his Bharat-Natyam dancer wife for 13 years! One of his bandmates was the guy playing the digeredoo, and they actually made friends with the band at another gig last year. He gave me his card, made me promise to call and hang out some time, and we went out seperate ways.
As I'm headed down the walk, Lionel calls me back and asks me if I want to have dinner with him, his friends, and the musicians, apparantly at the bequest of the musicians who were being fed by the hotel anyways. Clearly, I had never been more in. Plus, I'd get a free ride home. I ended up seated across from the most intense looking of the musicians, so I sat their pretty quietly in rock-star awe. Plus, the group was mostly speaking Hindi and Urdu, so I couldn't exactly be chatty. One of the musicians gave me a rose from the centrepiece, which started a trend of everyone passing the roses to everyone else. So cute.
Dinner ends, and we all prepare to head our seperate ways, when Lionel mentions that some people, including a couple musicians are headed back to his place for some tea, and I should come. At this point, I figure 'what the hell?' and head over to his car.
I have to sidebar here and mention that Lionel has one of the *sweetest* cars I've ever seen. It looks like a modernized (read: streamlined) silver version of the old Ambassadors that you see around here. It's very new and very shiny and you feel very secure in it, which is key when you're driving in India.
He also has a beautiful wife and apartment. I'm actually totally in love with their apartment, it's just so...... special.
The rest of the night consisted of drinking particularly nice tea, filling the room with cigarette and hash smoke, and the men pulling out all kinds of instruments and jamming. It was the two Delhi musicians and the two Sufi drummers making beautiful music together. It was really really special. The musician that had earlier reminded me of my brother showed us all pictures of his family and his group's recent tour in Japan. In most of the pictures, he was The Dave W. Sunglasses. Hands gestures. "Pure sex" faces at the camera. New pictures were taken (me, all the while, cursing the death of my camera), much merriment was had, albiet in Hindi and Urdu.
In case you don't already know, Hindi and Urdu are *related* languages, but their not the same. For this reason, everyone (except for me) could somewhat communicate with the use of sign language (which helped me). My new favourite piece of sign language is the one that was used for 'sitar'. Hands positioned like their on the fingerboard of a sitar held up, then lower the entire upper body into the proper position. For some reason, I find it hilarious.
After much merriment, I crammed into a car of musicians for the ride home. It turns out that the musician that was sitting across from me spoke English (which I wish I'd known about 4 hours earlier) and we made idle chit chat.
All in all, it was a very special night. Plus, I made friends in Delhi! Woo!!
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