Hummingbird
Shilpa Rao’s sprawling balcony, perched on the 12th floor, is a riot of colours. All kinds of flowers – marigold, jasmine, roses – are in full bloom. And wonder of wonders, a hummingbird floats by, flitting from flower to flower, sipping nectar. We both stare at it spellbound. There are crows and falcons outside. But the little bundle of energy, seemingly unaware of the bigger birds, is lost in its own dance.
“GHUNGROO (WAR) IS A GROOVY DANCE NUMBER. I WAS GROOVING TO IT IN THE RECORDING ROOM. IT WAS A ONE-DAY RECORDING. WE DIDN’T EVEN GO BACK TO CORRECT IT”
Shilpa is used to this scene. Her father worked for the Tata Group. She grew up in Jamshedpur, in company houses surrounded by shrubs and trees. This scene reminds her of home. She remarks that her father never trimmed his garden, allowing and . She rues the fact that classical music isn’t getting its fair share of listeners. “We’re so enamoured by the West. Recently, I attended a concert by Jacob Collier. It was a sold-out event. Why this isn’t so when an Indian classical musician performs?” she asks. “When you’re born into a certain culture, the intrinsic elements come free. Like music, cuisine, hospitality. But we sadly take them for granted.”
