Pleasant surprises.

In the weekly newspaper this week they had talked about the "Shaw Library," a place with arm chairs and books on general reading (stuff from Bertrand Russell, et al) where you could relax. Actually a student had complained to "Aunt Agony" about too many people sleeping there in the comfy armchairs, who had consoled him in her reply btw. So after an all-nighter it seemed a rather nice place to visit during the rather long 6-hour gap between 2 classes today.

Now, Shaw Library is also the venue for mid-day concerts at times. As I sunk into an arm chair and started reading various newly-filed reports on the test match result, I realized preparartions were under way for a Indian semi-classical concert. A trained Indian classical vocalist who is "also lecturer in economics at Oxford," supported by London-based band comprising a tabla player, a keyboardist and a violinst, sang 3 ghazals which were to be followed by a couple of "bhajans,".

The highlight, as in most concerts, was the part the audience could most relate to. As words and music of "Chithee Ayee Hai" echoed in the room filled with a mixed South Asian and Western audience, the latter with their eyes closed and heads nodding as if to fake understanding of the lyrics, the cloudy weather outside complemented the feel of the moment. Quite refreshing.