T-1 to Toorcamp

One day 'till the traveling to Toorcamp. In a classic occurrence, I did not pack as planned yesterday, and instead procrastinated and went to an Indian Music concert:

Padamashri Ustad Shahid Parvez

(Sitar)

Vidwan Lalgudi Krishnan

(Violin)

Vidwan Trichy Sankaran

(Mridangam)

Pandit Gourishankar Karmakar

(Tabla)

My parents, who are special donors to the Asia Music Society this year and automatically have front-seat tickets to every concert, went to the 3:00 performance and said it was unlike anything ever. This convinced me to go at a repeat performance at 7:00. My last name was recognized and in an unexpected present my seat was upgraded from row M in the back to the penultimate row B, which provided an excellent view of the performers.

First, Lalgudi Krishnan and Trichy Sankaran played Carnatic duo, two pieces. Then Shahid Parvez and Gourishankar Karmakar (sporting quite a fashionable 70s look with a 'fro and mustache) played a Northern Indian Hindustani set of two pieces. Then the string players had a duo, then all together, then each string player with their opposite drums player, then just the drums "speaking" with each other. All in one two-hour set. It was delightful, the interchange and interaction of each player. Never have I been to a concert with so much of what you would call "call and response" between Indian classical music instruments (which is common in performances as it is). Truly it was a great fusion concert.

Aside from Shahid Parvez the other star of the show was Trichy Sankaran, playing the Mridangam, which is like a tabla except unified (actually a double-headed drum). Turns out that Vidwan Sankaran is a highly-respected professor of music at various universities and one of the most accomplished percussionists alive today, and it shows. Listening to the microphone-amplified twang of his drum was heavenly, even if my heart lies with the tabla. Here is a performance by Vidwan Sankaran. I'm totally buying a CD or two right now.

In other pre-Toorcamp news, turns out there won't be a power connection to the tent. So the mini-crockpot is out. Instead I've purchased a bunch of things such as instant milk, dried potatoes, and fish in packets. The weather will be near 50 at night and low-mid 60s during the high point of the day, with a chance of showers later this week. Thus the packing will need to include warmer clothing. Hopefully everything will fit within 50 lbs and 20 lbs personal carry-on, which apparently is United's policy too.

Edit: Another thing. After some serious discussion it was decided not to build a mini-eruv, as the laws are simply too complicated. Instead, the LED lights will be draped around the tent. In a test at night it was seen that they provide quite a bit of illumination actually. The effect should be great!