Mansi Multani

Exactly a year ago, on the 15th of December 2023, my first time hosting the serendipity arts festival in goa, our grand opening night was the inimitable Zakir Hussain and his comrades. I remember feeling nervous to approach him before the show but what I remember more, is the immediacy with which his warmth and smile, took my nerves away.
Opening the evening to over 10000 people in the audience, I remember him looking at me and mentioning on stage that he was sad not to be performing 'Raag Multani' that night. I was so taken by that gesture, all I could do was giggle in surprise! He didn't need to include me or say anything like that at all. And yet, he made me a part of it, in his own way and made my shoulders drop, most unexpectedly.
My takeaway that night was not just his sheer relentless genius (because my god what a genius) but also his ability to be so utterly relaxed, easy, full of levity, banter and most importantly, love.
What we do with the art we practice matters a lot but who we are makes it all the more precious and forever memorable. I know that I will never ever forget.
Thank you for giving me the honour of experiencing your magic that night, in so many ways. This loss is inexplicable and bears too heavily on the world of music and the arts.

Rest in peace, maestro. This feels surreal.

What a privilege. To watch Cactus Pears and Shadowbox at surrounded by such a keen and warm audience. Such tender films with so much heart. They both left me feeling like a leaf in the wind - shaking and floating, in equal measure.
Congratulations to both teams. I had been looking forward to these two with much anticipation. Feels fitting that they both fit over the same weekend in such an unexpectedly beautiful way.
What heartbreakingly delicate performances
jayshri_jagtap31 in Cactus Pears and to see my dearest jaan captivate with every move and every act of stillness, in Baksho Bondi. Thank you for such quiet illumination.

And to the phenomenal torchbearers and creators behind these pearls, kudos
.pendurty .bagchi

Also, breathing in an aqi of 20 whilst frolicking on an actual pavement in the californian sun to both these theatres, for my Saturday and Sunday afternoon watch had me grinning stupidly the whole way.
Thanks for the delicious curation 🌞