Monday, February 10th, 2014

Noida, India           
 
Temperature Getting Us Close         

 

At this time of year in India,  at least in this more northern region, everyone gets bitten. Not by dogs. Not by mosquitoes. By a chill.

 

In the soon to be inaugurated temple in Noida, all those present are wrapped  up in or under dhotis or saris with long johns, coats, chadars, toques and hoodies. There is no central heating so you live off the warmth of your own body heat.

 

Us Canadians, that is Maha Mantra, Fil and I, have a better immunity to winterism. Thank God! The other members of our theater troop for instance our two guys from Florida, Kish and Mukunda are a little more sensitive to the nippiness.  Finally, Godruma Goura from Pennsylvania can handle it alright.  Actually he could probably pass for a polar bear in terms of relishing the coolness. 

 

Apparently we have been all accommodated for our practices of drama, "Gita: Concise" , in a tight and relatively warm space.  The room is approximately a 12X12 space, ridiculously small.

 

I'm not really complaining.  I told the crew, "For starters, this space is and needs to be like an incubator.  In this snug area as actors we can develop the abhinaya facial expressions, the actual emotional side.”  As the director I get the opportunity to see more close up projected feelings.  Once we get that down then we move to a more spacious facility which permits more unrestricted physical movement. 

 

Busy we are with drama preparations for the opening night of the inauguration.  I see less chance for walking with time restraints and also lack of pedestrian friendly walkways.  Maybe we are in the wrong part of town where our guest rooms are located, but up to this point, it’s a hard place to figure out, although on some kind of grid system. The settlement of the city of Noida is a progressive, expansive place.  Too much of a car city for me.  As a redeemer though, I’ll give the place a 8.5 out of 10 for the people being so nice.  To be truly introspective though,  I have a ways to go to match that kindness I can be cold at heart.

 

May the Source be with you!
 
3 KM