smittenbyu | Our first out-station ride

4-7 December 2008

While Mumbai was in chaos and fear, we headed out to Pune, as our tickets were already booked. MIL had tickets for the three of us to celebrate a well-known Bharatnatyam performer's 60th birthday - Dr. Sucheta Chapekar. It was a mesmerising 3 days. The first day had performances by her disciples; second day by other well-known performers in other Indian classical dances (Kathak, Mohini Attam, Manipuri, bharatnatyam) and third day was by the birthday girl herself!

Four of us: in-laws, N and I headed to Pune by train. It was 4 hours by train (small black squiggly line on the map) around 220km southeast of Mumbai. During the day we visited a few friends and family we both have there in Pune. FIL returned to Mumbai that first day evening itself and the three of us started our attendance at the festival. During the day of the second and third day, we spent it with family/friends in the city and evenings we were at the festival.

I will leave the critique to the more experienced and share a bunch of pics. All pics were taken by my hubby and so no individual pics are shown - just a collage of pics.

I really enjoyed the Mohini Attam by Deepthi Bhalla (in white saree). It moved me so much! And then to see CV Chandrashekhar perform was just wow. I don't think words could describe the art that was seen. It's an experience to live by! Pictures of Sucheta Chapekar will come next.