Anish Nadh’s Blog

 Day 1 started early at 6:00 am. We prepped the farm, made sure that the cottages were set up while Felix cooked. I had pancakes with mango we made the previous day. It was incredible and tasty. While the kids played treasure hunt, Prerna and I made sure they were getting the clues in the correct order. After treasure hunt, I taught Durga, Rahul and Baha to play Oye Como Va and Put your lights on. We had a lot of fun.  Then I spent time with Konarak. We discussed methods of arranging music for guitar and he showed me how he arranged “Favourite Things”  and “Presto” on guitars. I also showed him how I worked on the Ilayaraja’s song and he was all encouraging.  Then it was time for lunch. Sambar rice,  carrot beans and bhindi. Felix did his magic again. Then I went to the rehearsal place and the girls asked me to play some Taylor Swift song. We jammed through the evening and the thunder and lightning arrested our jam. It did not rain so we started the camp fire and the kids performed.  W

I woke up early on Thursday 30th May! I spent time playing the guitar through the waking hours lying down on my bed, with no audience.  Then I dozed off for a bit, woke up and packed to camp. I then got a call from Kirtana regarding the camp breakdown, she also shared a pdf with the script. I also put together the lyrics to the songs we are learning and went and took the printouts. It was also mom’s birthday, I couldn’t wish her as she was on call with relatives who were wishing her.  I finished packing and then drove to the farm. I stopped in between to share the newsletter to all students, and to inform them about having classes only after Monday.  I reached the farm at around 1:00 there was no signal, I was on a call with Andy while driving and the phone signal kept going. The farm invited me with mangoes, goats, chicken, dogs and a lot of blooms. Everything just thrived here. Then I met Felix, Prerna and Mity with Kuki and Kirtana. They had gone shopping and came in late. Then I sa

I remember the time you sat by my piano. The hair on your shoulders, I moved them, to memorize how you looked. I saw how your eyes glowed, the colour of your fingers, the tiny marks on your face, your neck. Then you picked the guitar to strum, I was drawn to your eyes and your lips! I shook hands with you, your hands were not as strong as mine. I remember how soft your hands felt in mine.  I remember when you broke a clip, I said, “let me fix the clip” a couple of times and then it became, “let me kiss the lip”, you blushed.  I remember how we hugged our last goodbye, but goodbyes are not easy. I will not miss you, I will have this sweet memory with me forever!! 

I got back home today! Back to my place. Home. I took a bus from the airport and an auto home. It was not so tedious but I went do this again. I just wanted to experience the bus ride. It was just meh! I was happy to meet my niece after a long time. She starts school tomorrow. I met Ujwal, Solomon, spoke to Andy. Mom was extra loving seeing me after a long time. 

I spent my day packing, chit chatting and going to relative’s places, shopping. I managed to take one class. I met Seeta aunty today, she studied with my mom, I spent some time with her she looks much healthy and active. She told me she can’t sleep, she stays awake till 5:00 am and gets 2 hours of sleep everyday. I spent some time chatting with her.  My flight is at 10:00 and I booked an auto in advance to pick me by 8:00 am. I’m done packing now it’s time to go home. I missed some people. I must catch up in person with them. Looking forward to that and the camp. 

I suddenly had an impromptu guitar lesson today. I was happy listening to the student doing so well. Shes going to be performing that to an audience at her office soon. I hope she does well and plays amazingly to her colleagues.  I’m packing my bags, I’ll be leaving to Bangalore on Tuesday. Tomorrow is the day to shop and all the last minute shenanigans. 

 9:00 am we left TVM to the Padmanabhapuram palace. We stopped for refreshments at Exit Cafe and reached the palace at 12:00. We had to leave the foot wear outside, I felt the sand, rock, wood and the traditionally polished floors through the tour. It was weird to be walking with no foot wear on.  We were just in time, Suresh, the security guard tried to chase us through the palace quickly but upon knowing that we were quite curious, he patiently explained each and every room. We saw art on the ceiling, floor, walls urns, chairs, beds. I was quite enamored with the vibe the place exuded. We captured some of it in pictures, I wanted to share this cool experience so I did it in my insta stories.  I really missed someone with me to discuss the paintings, carvings and architecture in detail. I had lot of fun.  Abin asked me if I wanted to drive, I was excited, and I drove them to a hill full of wind mills and also drove back. I enjoyed driving now especially after the 3 month accident brea