I am here!

 Sang my heart with delight, as we arrived in Alfred Lord Tennyson’s house and grounds. 

Spent a good two and a half hours, in the gardens and grounds alone. 

What a fabulous day!

Veenu Banga

10:46 pm

April 22, 2025

Friends in far away places

 I first saw him from the bedroom window upstairs. He stood regal, and joyous. In the Spring of his life. I took a couple of photos. And then I thought I must give it a name. I looked at him again, and Alfred came to mind instinctively and immediately. He looked like an Alfred. 

Alfred. In that moment, I knew he too has recognized our friendship. Otherwise, how could something so appropriate as Alfred come to be. I think he chose his own name, and he chose me to christen him. It was so, because my favorite poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson’s house was on this island. It was no coincidence; I recognized this Alfred connection at a deeper level, a level I was not aware of till I spoke his name. I also knew that this being private property, my access to him will be limited. But that’s okay,  He will be one of my many friends in far away places. 

Alfred seems to be about 35 to 45 years old. He’s an oak tree, and flush with the new leaf green of Spring. The leaves are still very young, so while the canopy has formed, its density is yet to come to grow. Therefore one can see through its latticed surface and the layers of its branches are well defined and visible, like fine veins throbbing with life.

2) At The Garlic Farm today:

Walked the shorter of its two walks. And at the far end came upon a grove of young trees, neatly growing in rows. A wooden bench at the outskirts was home to moss, growing on the seat. Leave something alone, and Nature will inhabit it for you. Further down we noticed a little gap in the bushes that created a fence around this grove. Upon entering, I noticed a young tree with a very, very wide canopy, completely covered with white flowers, drenched in blossoms, there seemed no sign of green on it. I wrote the first two lines of this poem in my mind, then came home last night and completed it. Let’s call her Snow White . 

In the wilderness grows a tree

Blossoming uninhibited, unabashedly,

Spread out wide, out of view 

Wildly flowering not for me or you. 

Hidden in the grove, its canopy of white

In the dimness of the grove, the only light

Young in years, it’s spine slim and straight 

But like lofty dreams outstretched

It’s flowering branches, it's regal gait. 

Feeling safe and secure from prying eyes,

God’s gifts to us to appreciate and realize. 

Veenu Banga

April 20th, 2025.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The above was started yesterday, but was too tired to write, or sleep. Bludged (from bludger- idler, time waster; commonly used in Australia) about on You Tube. Should delete that app. So distracting. Had a hectic day. 

Had a wonderful time at the Garlic Farm- farm and all about garlic place, and purchased quite a few things, including a variety of  balsamic vinegars which I love over salads. Also found the sweet black garlic which Trader Joe’s used to import from Japan, but have sadly discontinued. (Which I still crave, theirs was the sweetest and creamiest, probably due to the variety used) Plus other items. Too tired to go into detail, as I want to finish and post this. Already have missed out on my whole Amsterdam visit.

After the Garlic Farm, went to the Dairy and produce Farm-shop nearby- they are a dairy farm. Got a cob of corm amongst the other food items, including seeded bread, and if of course, milk. Was curious if the island grew corn. The grocer said, yes, they did but it’s not the season now and this was from Africa. So I had to have it, even though it was almost two pounds for one. It was delicious and sweet. I like to eat corn straight on the cob, not washed, not boiled and definitely not roasted till it’s almost charred, and definitely definitely definitively not with masala or rubbed with lemon juice. Yikes! Why ruin a perfect gift from the corn plant?! Always knew oranges from Africa- Morocco and South Africa specifically are super sweet. Now I know corn too. Must be all the sun and it’s untreated m, I hope- soil. Had milkshakes and cake and English snacks at the cosy little restaurant. The lovely Natalia was the perfect hostess. 

Dinner was at The Seaview Hotel’s restaurant, as it’s one of six mentioned in the Michelin guide. If I had written this yesterday itself, I would have said it’s the best food we had in a very, very long time. It was good. However, today we ate at The Red Lion, and also mentioned in the Michelin, and proudly displaying their Michelin man. 

Today is day 3, and we got home after a lovely day. First stop was the Isle of Wight Pearl, the Island’s Pearl jewelry center. They also have a cafe, and had delicious coffee-walnut cake, with just the perfect amount of sweetness- not loaded with sugar. 

Drove along Military Road, to spectacular views of the English Channel waters down below to our left, as we stood atop cliffs overlooking the waters. Hang-gliders paradise. Dinner at The Red Lion, and it was spectacular. I suppose more details tomorrow. Good tired and good sleepy. Have been writing with head nodding as eyes closing- just like yesterday. The delight is in the details, but even more experiencing it, so will go with that. Apologies blog, can’t regale you with the intricacies. 

Had started Friends in Faraway places so many times before, and really must talk of them. Feel all nice and warm and loved at just the thought of them. How many more are there? That too shall be revealed, just not today. Or tonite, rather I should say. For now, get acquainted with Alfred!

On that note, blog, au are original- and see you tomorrow.

Veenu Banga

10:06 pm

@ Isle of Wight.

March 21, 2025. 

Absolutely Spectacular

 Day two. 

The Gods must look down kindly upon us. No rain and a spectacularly sunny day. There was a not too wild of a wind. Yes, awesome day, even though we started it a little late.

Will have to update tomorrow. Too  tired and sleepy, dear blog. Meanwhile, I started a poem as we drove this morning. Remember only parts of it. Addressed to my muse. Created in my mind like a guardian angel, and a well wishing friend. Can’t believe I’m not carrying any of my notebooks with me. But here goes. 

First draft, from memory:

Where were you? 

Where were you, when I was being treated with unkindness?  

When I tried, but the words had dried. 

When all I needed was a glance of approval. 

Now you are here, and I write again.  

All those finer points, that so endear me to you?

And you to me,

They percolate down and disperse,

Taking up all the spaces in my heart. 

That’s needed I think, else where could I rest easy,

Whence weary from a day’s toil, 

I reach inwards, and see a house full

Of all the good emotions, the feelings

That include pleasure and Pain

That proclaims, 

I am alive. 

Veenu Banga

11:46 pm

April 19th 2025.

Came across on the Victoria

 To the aisle of Wight. Was reminded of our Australia days when the Easter long weekend was the busiest of the holidays. True to style, a busy holiday weekend it was here too, as lots of traffic in the roads, and compounded by the rain, we would have almost missed our Wightlink Ferry Victoria, across to Fishbourne from Portsmouth. 

Our cottage is on the grounds of a large Equestrian Center. We’re staying in the Red Rum. Very spacious and two Masters upstairs. Spacious kitchen for UK cottage standards, but then the bedrooms and bathrooms are huge too. So is the downstairs living area. 

They have a restaurant on site, but was closed today due to an event. It seems Martin Kent the old singer was playing today. Asked if they would be open tomorrow, and nope- not until Thursday next week. 

Nice little island. Constant English drizzle so we walked around downtown Newport in the rain. Made reservations for dinner at The Woodman’s Arms. Was okay, not exceptional. But pretty decent. 

It’s raining for the next two days as well, so let’s see what we end up doing. 

While driving over, as I saw the yellow fields of rapeseed spread down like a bright yellow carpet, stretching to the horizon. Love that there’s so, so, so much farmland here, everywhere. 

The other beautiful sight that gladdened my heart was the signs of Spring in the trees. The barrenness and the starkness of the trees is now replaced by the tender green shoots that spring between the limbs looking like a fine lace pattern, as the canopy has not yet formed. But the outlines of the trees against the sky, the perfect arch of their tops, gives it the impression that they are waking up to life, just at the cusp of youth. Getting ready for the vagaries of summer. It’s the productive time of year. The fruit trees are also blossoming, mainly apple and pear and probably a few others. The flowers are already boasting a rich harvest on the fruit trees. The pink and white blossoms. Are they excited to host the birds? Provide shelter, shade and food. The last time I had seen them starkly naked, and in my mind’s eye, shivering in the cold. I remember wanting to put a blanket on them. Today they were like pubescent teenagers. At the threshold of what will be the peak of their youth. Like new mothers with bosoms heavy with sustenance for the child they must nurse  and feed. The trees feed us too. 

Can’t complain, God is good and kind to me, to us. 

Butternut squash pie which I ate on the ferry, was excellent. The Woodland’s Arms was okay too. It’s nice to take a break and see a different part of the country. Though I had visited Portsmouth in 1977!

Well past my bedtime and sleep beckons, may I sleep well and have sweet dreams.

Veenu Banga

April 18 2025

11:56 pm

Humbled beyond measure, I stand corrected.

  About the Sitar. I am quite ashamed of my self as for years I’ve thought the sitar is overhyped. Sadly, this statement was not even thought out, or investigated, and came from a place of strong bias against a famous sitar player. All because of his personal life- which is no one else’s place to judge. Certainly not mine. What a shame that I stooped so low. 

I stand corrected and I feel terribly ashamed of myself for being such an arrogant idiot, and as my mum sometimes called me, “a first class fool” when I did something foolish, or was gullible enough to fall easy prey, and to be fooled- again! She would say, “Veenu, you are a first class fool; not third class, not second class, but a first class fool.” Very sternly. 

I was too afraid to say anything and agreed with her, and honestly did not grasp the full implications of this admonishment till only very recently. 

My mother was a busy working woman, involved in sensitive areas of the Central Government’s Defense Ministry, including in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) besides other very important departments. So she had no time or patience for niceties, especially not with her daughter, who she was raising to be wary of the big bad world. So I was an obedient child. Most of the time- especially in important matters. Important matters did not include playing group games, in New Delhi’s dry dusty playground without changing out of my while school uniform. 

Do I relay this to be judged less harshly for my “foolishness?” Or am I admitting to an inherent flaw that is part of my DNA? The foolishness bit? Am I canvassing for a less harsh judgement/ criticism, of what is clearly my bias and one of many shortcomings? Certainly not. A guilty verdict for all of the above will not be enough, and I certainly don’t expect any concession towards my stupidity and lack of appreciation of the fine things of life. And, I consider myself a lover of music? What a shame, what shallowness, what hypocracy. Eyes lowered, I stand ashamed and remorseful.

How this came about was quite unexpected. You Tube, usually an ally, presented a short Reel with a clean faced young man holding a sitar. It was the title of the reel that prompted me to listen to it- “Shiv Kailashon ke baasi,” and there was also something about the singer’s presence. I W A S smitten! 

Smitten, mesmerized, and in jaw dropping awe. I was also humbled beyond belief. Yes, I was also very ashamed for tainting the magic and the music of sitar, making broad statements against it, in favor of the flute. Yes, flute, shehnai, and all saxophone, all instruments of the breath are my favorites, but now the sitar is right there with them. 

Ironically, there is one version this young man plays with a small live ‘orchestra team’ which includes an amazing flutist, who of course works his magic- but, 

B U T- the sitar is clearly the star here. And after that I’ve been listening to the sitar more frequently, especially played by Rishab Rikhiram Sharma’s soul stirring sound coming through his fingers as he make love to the strings of his sitar. Clear half moons visible on the nails of his long fingers. Pure, spirited, blissfully seductive, he leaves one dreamily smiling and hungering for more of his magical sounds. 

Rishab’s  sauve appearance does not distract, in fact he gets away with henna on his hands and as if the music being made is not enough, his embellishments include precious jewels adorning his neck. Like a maharaja’s ‘haars’ reaching low. One carat diamonds in his ears, payal on his feet. His fair complexion, square face, and broad forehead give an indication of his Himachali heritage. He’s the Maharaja of the Sitar chords, the last and youngest disciple of Shri Ravi Shankar. 

There is a saying in Hindi, I heard from my brother, “Guru gur reh gaya, aur chela chini ho gaya.” A little crude, and possibly out of place in this context, but nonetheless it bears consideration, if only because the revival of the love of Sitar amongst the younger generation is solely due to Rishab Rikhiram Sharma. He comes from a family of Sitar makers, and upon being shown a video of the 10 year old Rishab, Ravi Shankar called his father, and offered himself to be the boy’s guru. 

“Shiv Kailashon ke bassi, dhaulidaron ke raja, Shankar Sangat harna,” here with the flute at a live show. https://youtu.be/Onb6_bRJ0Bw?si=10Rf842qjb_Lm7so

The first video of Rishab Rikhiram Sharma in which I heard the sitar with new ears: https://youtu.be/Onb6_bRJ0Bw?si=10Rf842qjb_Lm7so

Singing with his mother: https://youtube.com/shorts/thDzV5tMBnY?si=632zyx7qzfC7Q7qA

Love the classical elements of this next composition, Chanakya: https://youtu.be/KBYSpR8N6pc?si=gNVt8xYYuw37BR2V

Another longer video of Chanakya, live in Nepal with an enthusiastic young crowd: https://youtu.be/o7uMWQIpnKU?si=Cn07k2ObDoqbtRTp head shakingly and body swaying, toe tapping worth watching! 

Saving the Best for last- Engaging oneself fully, head and heart swaying, toe tapping, shoulder shrugging involvement. Raga Hamir: https://youtu.be/jMcMLAyddzU?si=RJrykTqvEjaVAlqz for a serious conversation between the strings and your senses. Worth every second of the losing yourself to the sitar’s strings for 21 minutes. 

Rishab lives in New York. I am hoping to see him play at a live concert. 

Veenu Banga

2:38am

April 2, 2025

Sunday, it continues..

 And the thunderstorm on Sunday had something to do with it as well! 

However, this post must wait, as there is something which is long overdue- an acknowledgment of how I stand corrected, so I will revisit and update this after I get that off my chest. 

The kindness streak continues..

 On Saturday, (March 29, 2025) it was at another big store. I was there to buy a particular brand of drink sachets which contain no additives, not even sugar, just the fruit concentrate. I was looking for Lime and Lemon. It was a request from someone living at one of the places I was traveling to. I went to the aisle where it was supposed to be, walked up and down and did not see them. Then walked around to the adjoining aisles and  again, no luck finding them. 

As I was exiting the adjacent aisle, I spotted a young person from the store, and together we looked up the aisle again, yes. It was indeed A14. So I pointed out the area where all the drink mixes are kept, and of course, it wasn’t there. Let’s call him K, and he said sometimes they are on the opposite side, and he turned around. It was filled with baking supplies including sugars. There, nestled next to sugar, K spotted the very thing I wanted! Though I do not understand why a no sugar item would be placed right next to a bag of sugar! Oh, well! 

As I thanked K, I mentioned that I was carrying this overseas with me. So he told me what he was studying and that he would graduate this year. He showed an interest in working overseas. So we chatted, this young boy of no more than 18-20 years, and yours truly, this older woman with miles and miles of experience behind her. It wasn’t hard talking with him. He had a clean face, clear dark eyes, and a firm handshake, as he introduced himself to me. 

K is the one of the many, who stand at the threshold of the future of this country and theirs; which are not different. How he turns out and what he does with his life, what experiences and opportunities he has will influence the lives of those around him, and the outcomes of his progeny. It’s our duty to nurture this generation which is waiting in the wings of their future, and which way that turns out, could affect ours- my generation. After all, everything and every one of us- is connected and affected by what happens to and with the rest of us. He was impressed by some of the opportunities I told him about, and he said that his world view has just been expanded. It was probably a boost to my ego, and if it was flattery, I lapped it up, and while encouraging him, also enlighten him on the importance of vetting his resources and sources, because it’s now a very complicated world. 

At his request I gave him my phone number, not least because I’ve had angels in my life. Not saying I’m one, but can certainly emulate the generosity of spirit accorded me by fellow beings. 

Wishing him all the very best- I responded to his text. K promised to keep me updated with his progress. I wish him all the very best in life. His mother, rather his parents must have done a good job with him. It is my wish a prayer he does his family proud. Every young person, standing on the cusp of adulthood, needs as much guidance and encouragement as they seek to find answers to life’s big challenges. 

In a fast paced world where automation is taking up the opportunities to grow human potential, life can seem confusing and unfair. It is our duty to support those that expect it from us. There is no greater joy nor sense of accomplishment than knowing our life has made a difference. 

Good luck young man-K! 

Veenu Banga 

12:41 am

April 2, 2025.