It's a new year, it's a new day, and i'm feeling GOOD

I'm a month and a few days shy of crossing my 1 year anniversary in Mumbai and i'm not entirely certain how to feel about it.

The good parts are that I have not been starved for art or poetry and the sad parts are I miss home and friends and family.. But that is a constant ache when one is constantly uprooting and starting over.

Apart from my pursuit for finding art, I have been fulfilling a lot of personal pursuits as well - in the time that I've been missing, I've published a book of poetry, found a wonderful new venue to resume my poetry workshops in the new year AND will be launching my very own open mic gig as of 29th January 2015 :)

So you can see why I have been MIA and hopefully forgive me.

The book is called "A Converseation in Four Parts" and you can purchase it from Landmark if you live in India or Amazon if you live overseas. The book can be picked up as an Ebook or Paperback depending on which you prefer. Do check it out and tell us your thoughts.

My next workshop will be held on the 18th January 2015 at a wonderful space called The Collage Collective Studio. It has received a lot of positive interest and feedback and I look forward to making this a monthly occurrence.

More info about the gig will ensue when I have the poster up and ready so stay tuned for that one.

You can also stay update with my poetic going ons on my website :)

Much love,
Rochelle 

Can you hear the drums Fernando

Well if you were anywhere within a 2 km radius of our drum circle yesterday evening you would have definitely heard the drums Fernando.

Alright first things first, I apologise for being a lazy blogger but there's been a lot happening and between poetry and writers meets and more poetry I seem to have forgotten about this here beautiful thing.

So I heard about this drum circle event on-line on The Hives Facebook page and it reminded me of my darbuka that I've been ignoring so I contacted the facilitator, Arthur Fernandes whose enthusiasm and passion for music absolutely grabbed me.

Arthur is based in Pune but runs these drum circles pretty much everywhere. He is the founder of Music Matters - According to their FB, Music Matters pursues the one path we know would make the optimal difference. Music from any part of the world, language, or genre, would make a difference till the end of time - surpassing borders, uniting hearts, with unending joy. Music matters unbinds the body, releases the mind, and quenches the soul.

There were about 16 of us adventurous souls who showed up to the event, we were seated in a circle of course with a big jumble of djembes in the middle. Arthur took his place in the middle grinning wildly and telling us that we were about to engage in an experience that would uplift us from the drudgery of our every day lives to a place of possibility and music. I swear at one point he was jumping and still playing a rhythm! 

I don't want to give away too much because I want more people to experience it and to be open to it but we went from timidly tapping our drums to a frenzied rhythm and closed the circle with a little bit of meditation to the magical sounds of a Tibetan music bowl.

My hands are still a bit sore but I am looking forward to the next time Music Matters comes to town :) 

Boom

This is not a hiatus

Hello Bombay,

I’m still around – knee deep in a new job and commuting via the infamous Virar local is making it very hard for me to pursue my artist endeavours. But rest assured there is more to come. This is my version of a thank you for your invisible support and stayed tuned for more message. Guest bloggers shall be entrusted with keeping the search going and I will find a way to seek out art on Sunny Sundays.

Until then re-read a few of the previous posts hey? J

Cheers,

Rochelle