I awoke on Sat to the arrival from Paris of Duniya, daughter of the most fascinating Mimlu. We had a lovely breakfast where she filled me in on her family history. Mimlu is just finishing a book about her life and I can't wait to read it. Born to Tahitian/Indian/French parents, Mimlu has had a few husbands and many children and they all get along. Most Christmases are spent in either Paris or Calcutta all together. Her husband Paban is the most exquisite Bengali musician and they are all performing at the festival.
Duniya works in Paris for the film production company that produced La Vie En Rose (Edit Piaf's biopic) and they're soon to release the director's next film which stars Renee Zelwegger and Forest Whittaker. We had lots to talk about, as you can imagine, but she was exhausted from her flight. So, William and I accompanied Adam to his football game.
On arrival, we watched the end of another game where the parents were shouting and getting in the way. After giggling at them, Adam and his team took the pitch. William was instantly transformed, forgetting his half eaten blackberry (thanks to Albinia's jealousy, she had pecked out the A, E, W and S to his immense, but good natured frustration) he paced the side of the pitch shouting encouragement and instructions. I joined is as Adam chased down the ball fearlessly. It was such fun. And his team, the Royal Falcons beat the Red Devils 3-0.Back at the farm, Paban and Mimlu had arrived and would you believe that when I told them about Emma's film in Calcutta, they remembered meeting both her and Cam. It turns out that Paban sings a song for the film and had been on set the one day that Cam visited over Christmas to lip sync his song. What a crazy, small, wonderful world it is.
Olive and her friend Claire arrived back from Jaipur full of stories about their week there. It was wonderful to finally meet Olive and everyone in the house was overjoyed to have her back. We ate a delicious meal, in between practice sessions where Paban played various instruments, as did Mimlu while Duniya sang with Paban. We all jangled bells and sang a bit and it was a gorgeous eve.
I was staying out in the Arabian tent as the house was full and woke up to the sound of thunder and lightening, which was rather surprising. A misty morning greeted me as I made plans to head to Jaipur, as William insisted I get involved. The ever patient Sanjoy put me in touch with his spitfire number 2, Sheuli and along with the lovely Shupta, the 3 of us ladies zoomed along the packed highways into Rajasthan.
Poor Sheuli's phone didn't stop, as she's the main point of contact for all talent and there are endless issues with visas and travel arrangements, but she handled them all with incredible efficiency and a warm manner. I tried not to gasp and jump as we avoided vehicles of every shape and size, silly me sitting in the front.
Sanjoy has asked me to blog for the festival site, which is such a welcome request. It means I can attend the readings and lectures and events and will be just like the old days when I used to work as a journalist covering film festivals. The only drawback is having to write everything up at the end of very long days, but it's all for a wonderful cause. I am absolutely delighted to be involved and Sheuli has sorted a laptop for me. So, I might not get a chance to blog on my site this week. Apparently my blogs/diaries will be on the festival site.
Driving into Jaipur last night was incredible. The city is divided into three sections, we drove through Old Jaipur first which was choking with people and animals and general mayhem. We passed the floating palace and some beautiful forts and buildings. Then we entered the gobsmacking Pink City. Everything is a dusky, rosey pink and the gates that signal your entry and exit are astounding. Then we zoomed into New Jaipur and I was dropped off at my guest house where the lovely Laxman greeted me warmly and I zonked out almost immediately.
This majestic capital city of Rajasthan has already captivated me. I had a few errands to do on the way to Diggi Palace (where the festival is being held) so I decided to walk. Walk?!?! It was hard to get rid of the rickshaws and people following me but I was resolute to find my own way. Finally I reached the palace, but it was the wrong one - City Palace instead. So I relented and jumped in a rick as I couldn't resist Kaif's charms. Indian really know how to joke with you and your frustrations just melt as they good naturedly try to charge you double the going rate!! Gosh it was fun battling the streets and getting to know the city a bit. I arrived to find Sheuli and Shupta melting in the hot sun and sitting on the front lawn where Vikram Seth will be in a few short days.
The Dalrymple clan arrive tomorrow and the madness will begin. If you're reading this and you happen to be in India, come to the festival. It's going to be so much fun.
Better scoot. More photos and things soon.
Lxxxx
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