Some Meetings are Just Too Good

 Ok, one such meetup happened yesterday, with old friends, Prachi Jain and Pratishtha Batra, of IIM Indore fame. There was a new member too in the party, new to me- Mayank. And it was a memorable evening, with all the right ingredients, from different parts of the world-will not mention all of them, lest I make you jealous.

The conversation ranged from Pratishtha's intro to Japanese refreshments (including their Single Malts), and Chinese colleagues, while she worked at the U.N. in Manhattan, no less. Her trysts with snowy work-days too. I countered with stories of my adventures at midnight on 42nd Street, and coming out unmugged. From long ago, of course.

We also remembered funny incidents, not all of which can be quoted here, from their life at Indore as Doctoral students. Seems to have been a fun life, including some special experiences of the faculty there. Reminded me of my MBA days, when we used to draw cartoons about some of our classes and profs.

We also dissected the 'Delhi boys,' and the guys who eat things that grow over the ground- you can draw your own conclusions. The missing team members- Akansh, Neeti Ingole, Geeti, and Vartika and hubby were fondly remembered. Had just met a few of them at Indore at their coming out party..coming out of IIM Indore, I mean..

Random Stuff-Here and There

 Just a collection of random clicks from here and there- last few months..

The Merchant of Venice Comes to Indore

The canals and mansions of Venice came alive, through the unusual love story of Bassanio and Portia, and a couple of other couples, at the IIM Indore auditorium last evening. A brilliantly assembled ensemble cast performed the Bard's immortal play to perfection. Shylock, the Jew, contrasted well with the generous Antonio and his gentleman friend Bassanio.

Some of the cast was changed to female characters in this adaptation, to good effect. The Duchess of Venice (Kiara), for instance, replaced the Duke, and Lancelot, the servant who switches jobs from Shylock to serve Bassanio, was also played by a female, and quite effectively portrayed by Prachi. Students from the IPM, PGP and FPM came together to play all the roles. Shreya Surana played Portia like a veteran.

The major characters- Shylock, Portia, Antonio and Bassanio, and the supporting characters- friends of these two, the Princes of Morocco and Bombay (a change from the original), and the lady in waiting, and others, were just right for their roles. The set design, lighting and sound added to the impact, not to mention the wardrobe/dresses which made the women look beautiful, and the men elegant. It was a hat-trick of sorts for Shweta Kushal, the director, who earlier directed Where There is a Will, and The Importance of Being earnest at IIM Indore. Some glimpses of the play-

 The diabolical Shylock casts a menacing shadow..

 The court of the Duchess of Venice. (above)

 Dramatic moments involving Bassanio (above), and the servant and her mother (below)

 More drama involving Portia and Antonio (above)-

 The cast (above) with the Director (centre) and a couple of backstage supporters.

 The backdrops of Venice were effective in creating atmosphere

Portia (in disguise) with Shylock, and her/his clerk and accomplice while pronouncing the judgement.