Rosecliffe Street

Hi folks,

日本語のブロッグはここ。。。

I've just moved into a well-known Brisbane house - 45 Rosecliffe St - home of my old compadre Alicia who is currently teaching English in Oman. Above is a photo of the current Rosecliffe Crew - Melissa (artist, art-lover, and previous housemate in both Brisbane and Varanasi), Sean (poet and fellow Rosecliffe newcomer), Jayne (earth-woman and shanti viber), and myself. You can just see the Brisbane river in the background, behind the wild growth that is our back garden, full of scrub turkeys, possums, carpet snakes and other critters. I sit on this balcony every day after work, drink a cup of tea and come back to now.

Here's a photo of our dining room, complete with mural by afore-mentioned Alicia-chan.


Otherwise, life is pretty similar to last year - working weekdays doing some web design, teaching a few tabla students, rehearsing EthnoSuperLounge (the Tibeto-Persian reggae group with tabla), and trying to keep my own practice up. Planning ahead too, for a trip to Japan July-October, and the festival season in Australia October-January, before the return to Mother India.

Love to all
Shen
Aum Mani Padme Hum

Concert with Shuji Yamamoto in Varanasi

On Saturday April 15th I performed with sarod player Shuji Yamamoto at the Raj English School in Pahariya, Varanasi. Shuji-san has been studying sarod for the last 20 years and has spent 10 months a year for the last 2 years in Delhi, studying with the great Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. Thanks to Bappa-da (Debabrata Bhattacharya) for organising this concert for us. Here are some newspaper clippings... The first headline reads "Foreign artists win children's hearts."

CD Release: "Rei-Mei" ("Daybreak") - Santoor and Tabla

"Rei-Mei" ("Daybreak")
Indian Classical Santoor and Tabla CD

Announcing the release of "Rei-Mei" ("Daybreak"), the 2nd CD of Setsuo "Jimi" Miyashita, a senior disciple of santoor's leading light, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma. Jimi-san is accompanied on this CD by tabla player Shen Flindell.

1) Raga Chandrakauns - "Ganges' Moon"
- Live recording in Varanasi, India

2) Raga Basant Mukhari - "Daybreak"
- Recorded at Shouda Gallery, Ena, Japan

Sound sample 1 Sound sample 2

To order "Rei-Mei", send an email to Mr. Setsuo Miyashita, or telephone +81-581-58-8262

Brissie folks please note: I will have 30 copies of Rei-Mei for sale when I return to Australia at the end of April.

Home concert with Jimi-san and Kathak friends

ヴァラナシは大変暑くなっています。この間、時々４０℃になった。疲れている！！！
It's really starting to get hot in Varanasi. A few days have been around 40, and it's hard to get much energy going for practice.

金曜日の夜に、ムンナハウスでコンサートをオルガナイズした。皆様は楽しかったらしい。最小はカタックダンスのトモミちゃんとカズミちゃん。伴奏者はタブラのナオトくん、シタールの鈴木さん、サラーンギのアツシくん、私。総出５０分だった。私はカタックの伴奏やったことがあるけど、その長い演奏は始めてだった。時々間違ったけど、笑ったらいつもよくなるね。
On Friday night I organised a concert here in Munna House, which was well received by all. First item was Kathak dance - Tomomi and Kazumi, who I've been practising with for the last couple of months, accompanied by myself, another tabla player Naoto, and lehera on sitar by Mr. Suzuki and sarangi by Atsushi-kun. It was my first performance with a full-length Kathak show, around 50 minutes all-up. Everyone said it was very enjoyable. We made a few mistakes, but a smile always fixes that.

二回目はサンツーアのいつもワンダフルな宮下節夫「ジミー」さん。今度も二人のタブラがあった　－　ナオトくんと私。　ジミーさんもナオトくんもとても心がいいで、自分のグルジーも楽器も音楽ものための純情があって、一緒に演奏でたらいいと思った。「変な日本語、ごめん！」　私は紹介者でしょう。。。セッションはとてもラブリーだった。ミュージシャンとお客様は皆、一緒になった。音楽を弾くと、心がはっきり見えるようになる。だから、ジミーさんとナオトくんみたいに誠心誠意がある方と一緒に音楽を弾くと、当たり前いい感じになる。それはインド古典音楽の心髄です。
Second item was the always-wonderful Setsuo "Jimi" Miyashita on santoor. I played with Jimi-san in last year's Ashu Babu Concert, and he released a CD this year featuring myself on tabla. I also invited Naoto-kun to accompany on tabla as well as myself. Both Jimi-san and Naoto-kun have such clear hearts and so much devotion to their Gurus, instruments and music, that I thought they should play together. Introducing people is an important role for me... It was a really lovely session; I think we created a very beautiful energy which everyone naturally tuned in on. When one plays music, it is like opening one's heart for all to see. So playing with such loving and devoted people as Jimi-san and Naoto-kun naturally created a very special atmosphere. That is the essence of Indian classical music.

３０日から、ナヴァラトリーという祭りです。ナヴァラトリーの意味は「九日の夜」。ヅールガという女真のためです。私はムンナハウスの一階の暗い部屋で、夜９時から、黎明まで、始終に練習する。大変でしょう。。。エネルギーを送ってくださいませんか？
Goddess-worshippers will like to know that Navaratri - the nine nights of the Goddess - begins on March 30th. I will be locking myself in a dark room in the basement of Munna House and practising non-stop from 9pm til dawn in front of pictures of Durga-maa and Guru-ji. It's going to be hard... Please send me some energy.

Concert report

グルジーコンサートは大成功でした！ たくさんの人は「雰囲気はとてもすてきで、純情可憐だ」と言いました。シュジャートフセーンカーンさんはとても輝かしくて、本当にシタールマスターなの事が見えました。マヅップムヅガールさんもすごく妙技でした。とても純情可憐で、声がピュアです。そういう方の前演奏できる事なので、南沢さんと私はとてもうんがよかったでしょう。新聞でいい言葉が書いてありました。一番いいコメントはサンマールグという新聞にあった：
The second annual Ashu Babu Memorial Concert was a great success. There were many comments that the overall atmosphere was really nice, devotional and music-focused (as opposed to spectacle-focused). Shujaat Husein Khan was absolutely brilliant and showed himself to be a complete master of sitar. Padma Shri (like "Sir") Madhup Mudgal was likewise wonderful - so devotional, such a pure voice. And my friend Hiro Minamizawa and I were privileged enough to play before both of them! Lots of positive feedback, and good press too. Here is the nicest quote, from Sanmarg newspaper:

Japanese artist Yasuhiro Minamizawa astounded everyone with his rendition of Raag Puriya Kalyan on sitar. In this raag, he firstly played alap, jor, jhala, and then with compositions (gatkaari) in Teentaal completed a successful programme. The purity of the notes was praiseworthy in his performance. With him, Australian artist Shen Flindell, giving close accompaniment (saath-sangat) on tabla with complete maturity, made the programme attractive to the ear.

他のコメントはここで読めます。イギリス人のシタールのニックさんの批評はここです。

It took me a few hours with my Hindi-English dictionary just to translate the parts about us, so unfortunately I can't share the whole reports with you, but anyway you can read the press about Hiro-san and I here. Also, English sitar player Nick posted a review on the chandrakantha.com Indian music forum here.

私のタブラについていいコメントが多かって、もちろん私は嬉しいですけど、一番満足していることはこれです。グルジーの家族は南沢さんのシタールがすごく好きでした。それと、南沢さんは「これは自分の生活の一番すごい経験だった！」と言いました。
Of course I'm very pleased with all the positive feedback on my playing, but most of all I'm happy that Guru-ji's family were so happy with Hiro-san's sitar playing, and that Hiro-san himself said "This was the greatest experience of my life!"

次は、ナヴァラトリーというプージャー。九日間の夜で練習するつもりです。３０日からだと思います。
Next big event for me is Navaratri - 9 nights' non-stop practice in honour of Goddess Durga-maa. I think it starts on March 30.

Post-concert press comments

Here are the comments in the Varanasi Hindi press about Minamizawa-san & my performance at the Ashu-Babu Memorial Concert. It took me a few hours with a Hindi-English dictionary just to do this... If any Hindi speakers can improve my translation, please help!

There is also a review by English sitar player Nick on the chandrakantha.com sitar forum.

SANMAARG

Japan ke kalaakaar Yasuhiro Minamizawa ne sitaar par Raag Puriya Kalyan ki avataaranaa kar sabko achamti kar diyaa. Inhone is raag men sarwapratham aalaap, jod, jhaalaa ke pashchaat teen taal nibaddh gatkaari se kaaryakram kaa saphal samaapan kiyaa. Aapke vaadan men swaron ki shuddhataa kaabile taarif rahi. Aapke saath Australia ke kalaakaar Shen Flindell ne table par poorna paripakvataa se saath sangat kar kaaryakram ko karn-priya banaaya.

Japanese artist Yasuhiro Minamizawa astounded everyone with his rendition of Raag Puriya Kalyan on sitar. In this raag, he firstly played alap, jor, jhala, and then with compositions (gatkaari) in Teentaal completed a successful programme. The purity of the notes was praiseworthy in his performance. With him, Australian artist Shen Flindell, giving close accompaniment (saath-sangat) on tabla with complete maturity, made the programme attractive to the ear.

AMAR UJAALAA

Dhrupad Tirth par sthaaniya srotaaon ki khachaakhach upasthiti ke bich kaaryakram ki shuruaat deshii kalaa ke videshii saadhakon ki shaastriya prastuti se hue. Japan ke Yasuhiro Minamizawa ne sitaar ke taar par anguliyaan pherin to tablaa par anguliyaan thirakaane ke lie Australia ke Shen Flindell unke saath the. Donon videshii kalaakaaron ki deshii kalaa men siddhahastaa dekh kuchh achraj kar rahe the to kucch aanand le rahe the.

At Dhrupad Tirth, amidst the burbling of local listeners taking their places, the programme began with a classical opening by foreign (videshi) devotees of Indian (desi) arts. Japan's Yasuhiro Minamizawa's fingers bent his sitar's strings and then Australia's Shen Flindell's fingers beat upon the tabla with him. Seeing both of the foreign (videshi) artists' great skill in Indian (desi) arts, we were quite astounded and received quite some enjoyment/bliss.

HINDUSTAN

Kaaryakram ki shuruaat Japan ke kalaakaar Yasuhiro Minamizawa ke sitaar vaadan se huaa. Unhone Raag Puriya Kalyan men sitaar ke taaron ko jhankrit kar sabhi ko bhaavavibhor kar diyaa. Unke saath table par Australia ke Shen Flindell sangat kar rahe the.

The programme began with the sitar playing of Japanese artist Yasuhiro Minamizawa. With his sitar's strings resounding in Raag Puriya Kalyan, he gave inspired emotions (?) to everyone. He was accompanied on tabla by Shen Flindell from Australia.

DAINIK JAAGRAN

Kaviraj Ashutosh Bhattacharya ("Ashu Babu") ki dwiteeya punyatithi par aayojit sangeet sandhyaa ka aagaaj Jaapaani kalaakaar Yasuhiro Minamizawa ke sitaar baadan se hua. Unhone Raag Puriya Dhanaashree ko sadhe andaaj men pesh kar logon ki jamkar vaahavaahee lootee. Iske baad Raag Puriya Kalyan ke saath guru vandanaa ki. Unke saath table par Australia ke kalaakaar Shen Flindell ne sandhe andaaj men sangat ki.

The second musical evening in the memory of Kaviraj Ashutosh Bhattacharya ("Ashu Babu") opened with a sitar performance by Japanese artist Yasuhiro Minamizawa. He presented Raag Puriya Dhanashree in perfected style (sadhe andaaj) as the gathering assembly delighted (in the music). After that he gave homage to the guru (guru vandaana) with Raag Puriya Kalyan. With him on tabla, Australian artist Shen Flindell gave accompaniment in united style (sandhe andaaj).

AAJ

Kaaryakramkaa sriganesh Japan se padhare Yasuhiro Minamizawa ke sitaar baadanse huaa. Unhone Raag Puriya Kalyan men sitaarke taanonko chhedaa. Unke saath tablepar Australia ke Shen Flindell sangat ki.

The programme was "opened in the name of Sri Ganesh" with the sitar playing of Yasuhiro Minamizawa from Japan. He tuned his sitar's strings in Raag Puriya Kalyan. He was accompanied on tabla by Shen Flindell from Australia.

After the bombs, pre-Holi

Hi folks,
　
ヴァラナシの生活は普通に行っています。先週のテロから、イスラムの方はたくさん手伝っています。U. Bismillah Khanのような有名な演奏者とコミュニティーリーダーはアタックを責めました。ヒンズーリーダーは「一緒に静かにいよう」と言っています。
Varanasi life goes on as normal. Since the bomb blasts last week, I've read so many stories of Muslim kids giving blood and helping victims in the hospital, famous musicians like Ustad Bismillah Khan and other community leaders condemning the attacks, and Hindu leaders calling for continuing communal harmony in this ancient spiritual city.

今夜ホーリカという祭りです。明日はホーリーという「色の祭り」です。皆はお酒とバーングを飲んで、中にいるゴリラがフリーします。でも私は静かに自分の部屋で練習すると思う。。。明日のお昼から、皆は新しい洋服を着て、親戚知己に会いに行きます。
Tonight is the Hindu festival of Holika. In the middle of every crossing, large and small, there is a small tree and goddess image. Tonight lots of people will be drinking alcohol and bhang and compared to the light-heartedness of Shivaratri there's a much more menacing tone. Tomorrow morning is Holi, festival of colours, and the city (and the whole country) will become a battle zone. Everyone will be letting their inner gorilla out and throwing coloured water with water pistols and water bombs. Personally, I prefer to stay quietly in my room... From the afternoon, everyone gets polished up, puts on new clothes and goes to visit all their family and friends.

遂に、金曜日と土曜日は私の今年の一番大切なイベントです。グルジーのMemorial Concert。最近毎日７－８時間の練習していて、タブラが大好きになって、とてもゲンキです。京都のシタールの南沢
さんと一緒によく練習していて、いい関係になりました。私たちのために祈ってくださいませんか？！
And of course on Friday and Saturday is the biggest event of my year - my Guru-ji's Memorial Concert. I'm fully psyched and full of energy, been practising about 7-8 hours a day for the last week or so and loving my tabla. My sitar buddy Hiro Minamizawa and I have been practising together lots too, and making a really good connection. Please pray for us!

Mar 17/18 Varanasi - Ashu Babu Memorial Concert

Please note the following concert in Varanasi featuring yours truly...

Late Pt. Kaviraj Ashutosh Bhattacharya "Ashu Babu" Memorial Concert

Memorial Classical Music Evening - FREE CONCERT

Fri/Sat March 17/18, 6.30pm

Dhrupad Tirth, Tulsi Ghat, Varanasi

Fri March 17:

1. Dr. Debabrata Bhattacharya - Tabla Solo - Varanasi

2. Sri Yasuhiro Minamizawa - Sitar - Japan

3. Smt. Shubhra Guha - Vocal - Kolkata

4. Pt. Deepak Choudhury - Sitar - Delhi

Sat March 18:

1. Pt. Deepak Maharaj - Kathak Dance - Delhi

2. Padma Shri Pt. Madhup Mudgal - Vocal - Delhi

3. U. Shujaat Husein Khan - Sitar - Delhi

Accompanying Artists:

Sri Parimal Bhattacharya - Tabla - Kolkata

Sri Govinda Chakraborty - Tabla - Delhi

Sri Pundlik Krishna Bhagwat - Tabla - Varanasi

Sri Vinod Lele - Tabla - Varanasi

Sri Arunanshu Choudhury - Tabla - Delhi

Sri Shankar Devanath - Tabla - Delhi

Sri Shen Flindell - Tabla - Australia

Sri Santosh Mishra - Sarangi - Varanasi

Sri Vinaya Mishra - Harmonium - Varanasi

Sri Jai Kishan Maharaj - Parhant & Pakhawaj - Delhi

Sri Indu Prakash - Vocal - Delhi

This event is dedicated to the memory of Late Pandit Kaviraj Ashutosh Bhattacharya ("Ashu Babu") and is organised by his sons, students, friends and relatives.

Book Release: Hindustani vocal compositions (Devashish Dey)

Posted on behalf of Devashish Dey...

SWATAH-SFURT SWARACHIT
Author Devashish Dey
Language: Hindi
Hardcover, 84 pages with two accompanying CDs
Copyright: Devashish Dey
Published by: Adinath Publication, Varanasi

Description:
A collection of khayal, tarana, thumri, Kajri, and
dadra compositions by Varanasi based vocalist
Devashish Dey, this volume is divided into four main
segments. The first segment contains khayal, tarana,
chaturang and ragamala compositions in traditional
ragas, while the second segment is devoted to
"swaraarth prabandh" or special and innovative
compositions where the song text is constructed from
the notes used in the composition. The third section
of the book focuses on thumri, dadra, jhoola and kajri
compositions, while the fourth and last segment of the
book features compositions in ragas created by the
author.

Ragas featured in the book range from Yaman,
Vachaspati, Shuddh Kalyan, Bihag, Hemant, Malkauns,
Kirvani, Kalavati, Bilaskhani Todi and Puriya, to the
author's creations such as Renuka, Natwar Malhar.
Nandini and Rajat Jayanti.

The two CDs that accompany this collection contain
renditions of the compositions by the author Devashish
Dey.
Book+2CDs
Indian Rupees: 450
US Dollars: 15

Subject: Newsletter - Underscore Records - February
08, 2006
Namaskar,
We would like to introduce you to young but
accomplished performer-composers whose work is now
available on www.UnderscoreRecords.com.
Hindustani vocalist Devashish Dey has added his book
of compositions titled "Swatah-Sfurt Swarachit" to the
print catalogue distributed by Underscore Records. Two
companion CDs with the author singing his compositions
complement the book, which offers khayal, tarana,
chaturang, ragamala, thumri, dadra, kajri and jhoola
compositions in several raags.
For more information on the artistes and their work,
visit www.UnderscoreRecords.com.
Greetings and regards from
Shubha Mudgal, Aneesh Pradhan and the team at
Underscore Records.

Devashish Dey
D31/46 Madanpura
Varanasi (U.P.) India 221001

Tel: 0091-542-2-450915, 450916
Mobile: 9839097503
Log on to www.underscorerecords.com

Van life & Tibeto-Persian reggae

Hi folks,

Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice & New Year, and general good festive-season vibes to everybody!

I'll be heading off to do a 10-day Vipassana meditation course tomorrow, so for the next 10 days I won't be able to respond to email or phone-calls.

日本語のリポートがここです。

LIKE SANDS THROUGH THE HOURGLASS...

Since my last report a couple of months ago, my life has changed radically, but as regular change is an integral part of my life it's all good. Just days after that last report, Orie & I finally broke up. In writing these reports I'm now trying to keep more moderation in revealing my personal life, but in sharing experiences of interest to all I find that my love-life always has a big influence on where I'm at... Anyway, in a nutshell, the break-up was a result of my own actions but I wished for more understanding. (Note to mutual friends of Orie & myself - if she starts badmouthing me, please ask for my side of the story.)

VAN LIFE

So, for the last couple of months, I've been living in Hilary, my great old 1976 multicoloured Ford Transit (or maybe a Bedford). What a wonderful van - thirsty for petrol, but always getting lots of smiles from passers-by. Gotta post a photo soon. It's actually been really nice for me to go from place to place, staying with different friends or occasionally in the car-park at work, living a nomad's life. I've been able to see a lot more of my friends than when I was staying out in Ferny Grove, the outer suburbs of Brisbane. I've fixed Hilary up, at some expense, so when I get back to Brissie in April I'll still have a home and vehicle. Special thanks to Tenzin, Bronwyn & Tashi, Kevin, Kylie & Kenzie, and River, Masayo & Naima - three couples with young kids who've welcomed me into their families with open arms.

TIBETO-PERSIAN REGGAE WITH TABLA

On matters musical, I haven't been so busy the last few months. Lots of work at Padma Imports, moving big boxes of incense and dependably saving cash for the next trip to India. The main musical project has been getting a group together with Tibetan singer Tenzin Choegyal, Persian singer & multi-instrumentalist Cieavash Arean, and singer-guitarist Marcello Milani. It's been a real good-vibe song-band - a bit of a change from the long instrumental improvisations I usually get into. We performed at Joyfest, an alcohol-free festival on the Gold Coast in November and then again a week later at Pulse, a monthly world music/percussion event in Brisbane.

My last gig was held last week - the EthnoSuperLounge Christmas Party. I got 9 musicians together in a yoga centre for a no-mics session, home-concert style. First up was Matthew Noone on sarod, then Mbira Myoyo, a trio playing the Zimbabwean thumb-piano, mbira. Next up was our little Tibeto-Persian reggae band, and finally Lansana Camara from Guinea playing kora and balafon, with a lovely jam session. Of course I was playing tabla all along - about 3 1/2 hours in all. There were lots of smiles and good vibes all round. The big musical up-side of being in Australia is to be able to play with all these musicians from different cultural backgrounds in such a cafefree atmosphere.

On the Indian classical front, I've been having weekly sessions with Matthew Noone, an upcoming sarod player, in a local cafe. But apart from that, I'm sorry to say that opportunities in Brisbane have been scarce. It is quite hard for me here in this respect. I really miss the energy that Indian music devotees in Japan give to their music. I'm really looking forward to getting more inspiration in India next month and also to visiting Japan again later next year.

COMING UP

Tomorrow I'm heading to Pomona, on the Sunshine Coast, to take part in a 10-day Vipassana meditation course. Ten days of no speaking, no eye-contact, no activity at all really except for learning this deep meditation technique and hopefully eliminating some suffering. It's the first time I've done anything like it, although I suppose 9 nights of Durga Puja non-stop tabla practice is in some way similar. The timing is great, being in between work and heading to India. Another new phase begins...

I fly to Bangkok on Jan 16 and then Kolkata on Jan 18, where I'll attend the annual Dover Lane music festival - 3 nights of Indian classical superstars including Ali Akbar Khan-saheb, one of the greatest ever. Then it's on to Varanasi for more lessons and practice; other highlights will be Saraswati Puja (ceremony for the goddess of music) on Feb 2, and the second annual Ashu-Babu (Guru-ji) Memorial concert on March 17. This time I've invited excellent Japanese sitar player Yasuhiro Minamizawa. If you have any plans to visit India next year, please consider being in Varanasi around March 17.

I'll be back in Brisbane from mid-April to accompany Indian vocalist Raka Mukherjee in her concerts in the region. Japan from July-October, Brisbane after that, and then the cycle begins again with another now-annual trip to India.

Love to all,

Shen

Aum Mani Padme Hum

バンの生活、チベットとペルジアのレッゲ

メーリークリスマス、ハッピーな夏至、お正月おめでとうございます！！！

この間、私は日本語が殆ど喋っていないから、今日本語が大変難しくなりました。。。でも、がんばります！！！間違いたら、ごめんなさい。はっきりの意味が分からなければ、英語のバージョンを呼んでください。

English report is here

テレビのドラマみたい。。。

　 １０月に書いたリポートの後で、私の生活が大変変 わりました。でも、自分の生活がいつも変わっているから、大丈夫です。そのリポートを書いて、すぐ後で、遂に織絵ちゃんと別れました。こういうリポートに 私事を書くのがちょっと悪いですけど、ガールフレンドの事は自分の生活に幅か利きます。。。まあ、別れるのが私の所為だってのに、もっと了承が欲しかっ た。　（織絵の友達にお願い。。。もしかしたら、シェンの悪い事が聞ければ、私にも聞いてくださいませんか？）

バンの生活

　だから、この間の２日月間、Hilaryちゃんというバンで住んでいます。Hilaryちゃんはすごいカラフルな１９７６のBedfordです。すごい嬉しい気分があるバンです。皆がHilaryちゃん見れば、必ず笑う！（すぐ写真を送ろうとしる。）

　 このバンの生活がとても楽しいです。いろいろの友 達がよく会えて、ノーマッドの生活が面白い。来年またブリズベンに帰って、Hilaryちゃんに住むつもりです。特別な友達にありがとうございます：　テ ンジンさん、Bronwynさんとタシくん、　Kevinさん、KylieさんとKenzieくん、　Riverさん、まさよさんとナイマちゃん。本当 に、この３つの小さい子供がいる家族に優遇もりました。

チベットとペルジアのレッゲ、タブラと一緒に

　音楽の事について、あまり忙しくなかったです。殆どPadma Importsの仕事していました。お香の大きい箱とかを運んで、インドのためのお金を溜まっていました。メーンプロジェクトは新しいユニットを作る：チベットのTenzin Choegyalさん、ペルジアのCieavash Areanさん、ギターのMarcello Milaniさんと一緒に、本当にいい感じがあるユニットです。

　 １２月１７日にこの間の最後のライブは EthnoSuperLounge Christmas Partyでした。９人のミュージシャンを呼んで、ヨウガーセンターで、マイクはなしコンサートをやりました。メンバーはサロッドのMatthew Nooneさん、ジンバブウェーのムビーラのMbira Myoyoというトリオ、Tenzinさん、Cieavashさん、Marcelloさん。最後にアフリカーのギンニーのLansana Camaraはコーラとバラフォンを引きました。もちろん、私は皆と一緒にアカンパニーやりました。そで、３時間半ぐらいでした。皆さんが一緒に合わせ て、すごくいい感じでした。笑いがよく見えました！！！オーストラリアのいい事は、簡単に伸び伸びに、そんないろいろの民俗音楽のミュージシャンと一緒に 合わせれます。

　 インド古典音楽について、サロッドの Matthewさんと毎週カフェでセッションやっていました。でも、ざんねんながら、ブリズベンでチャンスはあまりありません。これについて、私はここで 不満足します。日本のインド古典音楽のミュージシャンの方が、すごいエネルギーがいい。これに対して、私は日本にいなくて寂しいです。来月インドへ行くの が楽しみにしています。もっとインスピレーションが欲しい！！！それに、来年の７月からまた日本に行くのがすごい楽しみ！

次は？

　明日、Sunshine CoastのPomonaに、１０日間のVipassana　Meditatioｎ　のコースを受けに行きます。こういう活動が始めてするけど、前やったDurga Pujaの９日間のタブラの練習が似ているかな？

　 １月１６日にバンコックに行って、１８日にコルカッタに行きます。Dover Laneのインド古典音楽の祭りに臨めます。そこで、Ali Akbar Khanさんが聴けます！！！すごい有名なミュージシャンです。二十世紀の一番上手なミュージシャンでしたかな？？？

　 その後で、ヴァーラナシに行って、もっと練習するつもりです。ハイライトは２月２日にサラスワチプージャと、３月１７日にAshu－Babu Memorial Concertです。２００６年のコンサートに日本のシタールの南沢やすひろさんに呼びます。インドに来れば、３月１７日にヴァーラナシに来てくださいま せんか？

　４月からブリズベンに帰って、インドのシンガーのRaka Mukherjeeさんと一緒に演奏やります。７月から１０月まで日本にいるつもりです。

皆さんにラブ、

シェン

オームマニパドメーフン

Welcome to ShenLand

Namaste, G'day, 今日は！！！

Welcome to my new personal blog.

Brief update on where I'm at now:
I've been living with my partner Orie in Ferny Hills, in the outer north-west suburbs of Brisbane for the last few months and will be staying here until January. We're staying with my old tabla student, Dan Prasad, who also works with me at Padma Imports, an Indian import warehouse in West End (inner city), moving boxes and putting together consignments of incense, Indian handicrafts, etc with a view to saving for India in January.

Soon after our arrival in late July we picked up Hilary, a 1976 Bedford van which was once an Australia Post delivery van but is now painted in flowers and many colours, with some rust here and there. The engine still goes just fine, although it is quite thirsty and I'm spending about $60 a week on petrol. It gets a lot of attention and kids especially love it.

More tabla students have been coming my way. On Monday evenings I drive out to Springfield and Middle Park in the western suburbs to teach 7 kids and 2 adults in a few group and private classes. It's lots of fun and very satisfying to see everyone's improvement. I now feel some responsibility to spend more time in Brisbane to continue helping their tabla.

On Sunday mornings Orie & I have been getting up at 4am to go down to the local markets and set up a Thai massage stall. I sit in front of the stall and play tabla for a few coins. Orie gets quite a few customers for 15 minute massages and a few more who come during the week for 2 hour treatments.

Not too many gigs but they're happening occasionally. Please see my Brisbane events page for news of my gigs and others around here. I also have a Japan events page with my friends' events there (and my own when I get there next).

Love to all
Shen
Aum Mani Padme Hum