Of Music, Of Teaching, Of Hope..

#sareespeak #womenofsareespeak #111

@SS 41/2021 #cotton #ayirambutta #handloom #chettinad

I have no idea what to write.
About my day?
Full on. Fried brains. Cross country driving. South to North.  East to West.
2 to 3 devices per client. Internet issues.
A 48 hour day packed into 24 hours?
I know I know.  First world problems.
True that.
So, let’s talk about my classes then.
8 little ones over 2 days.
Had chided. No that’s putting it mildly.
Reprimanded? That’s too PC.
Scolded. Yes, apt.
Scolded at previous class.
For disrespecting art, instrument, teacher, parents and themselves.
For not loving what they do, for not giving time to a commitment they’d made.
For underestimating their intelligence and capabilities.
And so this week, they returned.
And were they absolutely good..
They played the varnams they had learnt cleanly, clearly,  with the correct nuances, the thalam strings strummed go the correct rhythmic cycle.
And my heart puffed up with love and pride.
And my fatigue flew out the window. Literally. Spread its wings and flew..
And I understood, 
Once again, I was reminded
yet once more,
why I do what I do,
why we all do what we do.
I have hope.

Photos show 2 demure and 1 crazy me,
In an Ayiram butta saree – A saree that has buttas within each of the squares, amounting to approximately 1000 in the entire saree. My saree features my favourite woven Annapakshis/Swans and Rudraksham/circular pattern. A Chettinad pure handloom cotton. Purchased on a trip to India some years ago for intensive music lessons with my Guru for a few months stay.  Handcrafted, handwoven saree from weavers of Karaikudi. Perfect for the Chennai summer heat as the drape of the saree is so comfortable and lightweight that I would wear it without any discomfort the whole day. Incredibly easy to maintain by hand or home machine washing.
A favourite khaki body and borders, buttas in gold and orange, with stripes of Annapakshis and Rudrakshams in gold and orange running through the gorgeous olive green pallu.
And finally..
Though a little too fitting,
With its Matching green blouse with black and gold borders.