Saame Ninne has literally been ingrained in my head. Not to mention some of the other carnatic pieces that I have been attempting to memorize and ensure that my shruti (pitch) blends in with the other singers. Well luckily, from what I could make out of it, I think the singers did a fairly good job at our 2nd Annual Recital. So where should I begin? Well perhaps I won't make this into a critique. Maybe I'll just ponder about the things which unfolded today and at the rehersal yesterday. A quickline so that you get an idea of what I was thinking and then I'll delve into more of the specifics:

May 28th -

9:30: After contemplating on going to work to collect my on-call phone from Tonya, I was happy to note she was going to pull of I-85 near Meadowcreek High School. I got up, showered, had my morning coffee, and headed out driving knowing that traffic should be much nicer at this hour.

10:00: Realizing it was only 10ish, I didn't feel like driving all the way back to Alpharetta. I decided to check out some of the sales at the Gwinnet Mall hoping to pick up some business shirts for work. It seems that all I end up buying now is outfits for work. Do I really not have a great social life? Looks like after work, my life revolves around Tech, my piano class, and my carnatic class. I guess I should include my music troupe as well but recently there has been a hiatus with everyone's end-of-year exam schedules. Anyway, point being I went to the mall (usual stores for work stuff: Gap, Express, American Eagle). Had a bite to eat after picking up some clothes at the Panera Bread Company.

11:45: Went to Meadowcreek High - as much as I am never went to high school here, I have visited this school's premises more times than I visited my school (Milton) - not literally but definitely more time on weekends! GATS should sadly take most of the credit.

12:00: Tested the mikes, got my speeches ready, obtained the walkie talkies from the not-so-helpful Meadowcreek person (for a lack of a better word).

Sometime between 12 and 4, we practiced our music pieces starting with the prayer song compromising of the geetham, Vara Veena, and Vande Matram, Janani Vaishnavi, Panthuvaraali varnam, Ek Dantham. Honestly, none of the pieces were exceptionally great. Either the pitch was off, or the taalam (beat) was too fast or it just wasnt flowing well together as a group.

The dancers, on the other hand, I think did a much better job. I enjoyed the Tandavam, Lasyanga, and Ayappa Charanam.

4:00: Went home - feeling anxious about how things would shape up on the actual day of!

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Well, on a greater note, today's performance was quite well. No one lost their voice. None of the dancers were uncoordinated. The mikes messed up a little. The lights were great. On the whole, there were more positive results and impressive performances compared to the small glitches, which are always bound to happen. I am glad I was a part of it. My parents were outside before the program started with the jewelry stall. The audience wasn't as a packed as it could have been but it's ok. All the hardwork. All the practices. All the preparation. It's over now - time to get a good night's rest and learn from all the good things and not-so-good things.