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Divya Dutta
This week has been an amazing one...loads of activities and events and the beauty was to see raw talent everywhere, a huge contrast from the very perfect professional set up filmy events I usually go to.
The first one was a new initiative called Udaipur Tales. Where all you do is narrate a story—in any form, be it drama, dance, poetry, anything. I had to narrate my story...and I mingled it with a short story written by Ma in her book titled, Qatra Qatra Zindagi.
The beautifully decorated venue in Udaipur with the perfect nip in the air was ideal for storytelling. After my narrative, I decided to attend the sessions by other artistes. The next in line was a mono-act by a theatre actor. He started and he owned the stage with his humour and performance. I hadn’t laughed that much in months! I hadn’t ever heard of him before but he stayed in my mind with his brilliant performance. The next was a Kathak performance narrating the story of Lord Shiva. Twelve amazing girls with faces with amazing expressions and stunning mudras. I sat mesmerized. Surrounded by so much talent, I was overwhelmed absolutely.
My stay at the City Palace was equally magical, an exclusive suite at the royal palace with a terrace. All I did was soak in the sun sitting outside, doing nothing. I put the phone off. That ‘me time’ with the peace all around, the amazing palace and the nip in the air was like a tonic to the soul. The icing on the cake was to meet His Highness Arvind Singh ji at his royal residence. What touched me the most was his graceful humble self, and the fantabulous host that he was. Coming back to Mumbai after that royal trip, I got a call from Anupam Kher. He invited me to give away certificates at the diploma ceremony at his acting school, Actor Prepares.
The moment I entered the hall, with my audio- visual playing in the backdrop, it was the loudest cheer I had ever heard—from students, who are full of enthusiasm and zest to go out there and own the world. It was so inspiring to see their positive energy.
The loveliest thing happened two days back when my doc brother Rahul, who has been taking vocal music classes as a hobby, invited us for a jam session. He’s always been a very good singer but what I loved was his inclination to learn more and keep his creative side intact inspite of his super hectic professional life.
As we sat in the cozy setup, there were musicians—teenagers, young people and old, all into music, who had never met before but they jammed to make music.
With my brother on vocal, another on piano and a young girl on guitar, the whole atmosphere was so elevating. As Rahul sang, everyone hummed and clapped with him. I sang too! Totally elated absorbing that beautiful moment, of people doing what they love doing, of celebrating their talents together, of living it up. I came out the happiest. If life is such, it sure is a party...
—Dutta is a Bollywood actress
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