Dagger Drawn

A couple of weeks back I was a guest at Ranjan Poddar8217;s fiftieth birthday at their elegant, luxurious farmhouse in Delhi. The gathering of friends and family including Dr Naresh Trehan, the famous heart surgeon, who shared a birthday with Ranjan 8212; except that I hadbeen to his fiftieth birthday a couple of years back. When I arrived, the living room was bustling with guests. As I stood talking to Aroon Purie we were interrupted by Aman Nath, who asked us follow him to the adjoining den. In the room, was the back of an oblong, antique, crystal mirror which all Ranjan8217;s friends had ingeniously autographed, as a naughty reminder of the fiftieth day celebrations. We adjourned upstairs for a sit-down dinner for 50. I was seated opposite the two birthday boys and we made up the centre of a U-shaped table. The plated vegetarian dinner was one of the finest meals I have ever had, a visual treat made to the exacting standards of one of the finest hostess8217; in India: Lekha Poddar.

I have known Lekha since the mid-eighties, yet it is only in the past couple of years that a true bond of friendship has developed between us. I admire her keen intelligence and understanding of our culture and tradition. She personifies the vivid canvas life can be if one imbibes the rich, culturalheritage of our nation. Her untiring effort at restoration of monuments and revival of dying arts and crafts is testimony to how enriched a persona she has evolved to be in the last decade. Ranjan has a keen understanding of the arts himself and has indulged Lekha in her creativity. Their farmhouse is a testimonial to how simple and artistic a home can be when there is an exemplary understanding of colour, balance and harmony. Lekha recounted to me at the dinner how she and Ranjan were stopped by a virtual stranger on a street in London and complimented on her lovely home, as it had been featured in Sunil Sethi8217;s book on interiors. She said the embarrassing incident had made her vow to keep away from the public eye. But I think it is women like Lekha who epitomise what good taste and breeding combined with warm hospitality achieve. In the short speeches and revellery around the table that night there was ample proof that Ranjan and Lekha had a group of caring friends and family who shared in the joy ofRanjan8217;s milestone birthday.

IN the West, proms and coming-out parties are where debutantes are presented to show their coming of age. In India, especially in the South, the culmination of a childhood and adolescence steeped in culture and tradition through music and dance is celebrated by a Ranga Pravesh or Arangetam. Last week, Shravanya Rao, the sensuously attractive daughter of Rajyalakshmi and Papa Rao, my fellow neighbours, had her Kuchipudi Ranga Pravesh at the Sophia Auditorium. Though I was unable to go to the performance it was by all accounts an amalgamation of Shravanya8217;s dancing prowess and the dedication of her guru and family to this rich tradition. In propitiating the Gods and her Guru through the Ranga Pravesh, the Rao8217;s have brought the essence of South Indian culture to the heart of Mumbai. As we come into the computer age of the millennium, it is the culture and tradition of India that will make us stand apart as a nation with thousands of years of a rich heritage and tradition that willbe passed from generation to generation through the Arts.

In recounting two simple celebrations that invisible thread of solidarity is re-emphasised and with it a fervent wish: May our unique culture triumph always through the untiring effort of enlightened citizens.