KUMARTULLI - Anand
Doc, Sid, Usha, Christina, Damien, Laurent, Julia (3 French exchange students from IIM Joka) and I were the 8 at Kumartulli. I woke Lilly up on the phone and she came to her balcony of Statesman House to wave to us on the pavement. In Doc's car and a taxi we headed out to Kumartulli. Before we set off in the alleyways, Doc insisted we pay the camera charges of Rs.50 per camera that go to paying for an eye camp for the potters. Doc took loads of pictures as did the newcomers. The head of the samiti told me that there is some talk of making a building there for the potters instead of the ramshackle sheds they now have. We wove our way through the hundreds of idols till the waterside where Doc gave us his talk on the significance of Durga Puja that encompassed the Indian burial rites to yoga to the Surya Namaskar, and through the spice route. We were good listeners. We then tried our hand at rolling the clay but it was too sticky for me. Doc stopped at the Fish Market and we learnt to distinguish between the Hilsa and ruhi and Doc bought some live crabs. We even stopped to see the courtyard full of potters and the painting of rubbish bins. We were to have breakfast at Infinitea but as the tearoom doesn't open till 11 am Doc ended up buying tea. We then went to Anand for a South Indian breakfast. We suggested upma, idli, lassi, cold coffee and South Indian filter coffee (and lots of banana splits) for the French who aren't too keen on spicy food as they get enough in the canteen at Joka. We will plan a hash walk there in October.

I ascertained that Nitish has got tickets from ISKCon for his family, Sid, Carl, Usha, Doc, Christina and family, Lilly and Madhuri... for the trip to Mayapur on 17th September. Meet at the Iskcon Temple at 5:45am at 3/c Albert Road Kolkata 17 near Alpha Centauri nursing home behind Minto Park opposite Birla High School . The Hare Krishna deluxe Bus returns by 9 p.m.

As Sept 17 is Biswakarma Puja, I'll be flying kites in the TARA NEWZ office at lunch.

WEAVERS STUDIO is presenting a lecture and slide presentation on Tuesday 12th September, 2006 from 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm by Ms. Jorie Johnson a leading textile and Felt artist from the USA. They would like to take this opportunity to invite all to attend this very interesting textile technique of felt making followed by an interactive session with Jorie at 5/1 Anil Moitra Road, Ballygunge, Kolkata-19. Ph- 2440 8937/26/27 (Jolly our origami expert should attend as should Usha!)
Sasha is having a fashion show in their shop at 27 Mirza Ghalib/Free School Street on Wednesday 13th September at 4 p.m. (Julia was very interested but I don't know if she can get away from class at 4 p.m.)
There is a Ping Pong Table at the British Club and I think on Thursday we can have a tournament there to revive flagging interest in the Club. Britain vs. the rest of the world ;-D (well the French atleast who have been practicing at IIM Joka)
Gallery Rasa is having a retrospective exhibition of graphic prints by Ramendranath Chakravorty (1902-1955) at 828/1 Block P New Alipore Kolkata 53 from Sunday 17th September to Sunday 15th October, 2006 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily except Mondays. Special cocktail invite to hashers and friends from Ritika's brother on Saturday 16th September 6:30 p.m. onwards.
There is also a Taal Tantra performance by tabla maestro Tanmay Bose at Princetomn Club, Merlin, Prince Ghulam Mohammed Shah Road (Metro Tollygunge) on that Saturday evening. All are welcome.
Usha please do the write up for the 17th Sept. hash in Mayapur. If I don't see you at any /all of these events, I'll see on 24th Sept. at 7 am in front of Kalighat Metro for some pandal hopping. Breakfast at Taj Bengal
Season's greetings!
Neela
9830014934
www.calcuttahashgroup.blogspot.com