Jan Brouwer does it again, with the relaunch of his popular and well regarded: Cottage Chamber Concert.
On the 14th February, in his home in Mysore we were entertained by Faleen and his sister Falisha.
Falisha age 13
Imagine you’re in a lovely house, tastefully decorated and well designed but it is a home. You meet the other guests in the downstairs hall (Lounge) for snacks and politely talk about the concerns of the day, in this case, no surprise as it was about vaccinations and the pandemic. Promptly, on time you’re invited upstairs to the Music Room where a Yamaha C2 concert grand piano is centre stage. You’re seated on attractive 19th century Dutch furniture, surrounded by paintings and images of some of the featured composers.
We were entertained by two young people to the music of Burgmuller, Chopin, Shostakovich, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Prokofiev, Grieg, and Moritz Moszkowski. Phew, yes, all that.
Faleen age 13
It’s as if many years of training, practice and performing as concert pianists had been crammed and concentrated into two small , young bodies who gently teared across the grand’s keyboard to provide a wonderfully unexpected experience. A musical talent demonstrating a sensitive maturity way beyond their years. You just had to close your eyes to imagine you were in a concert hall in one of the European capital cities but with the comfort and intimacy of visiting a favourite auntie and uncle.
Congratulations to Faleen and Falisha for a wonderful concert and thanks to the Brouwers, as we look forward to more entertainment from the jewels you find.
One of the greatest challenges facing we humans is friction.
So what do we mean by friction?
A dictionary will refer to the resistance encountered when two objects or surfaces come together and try to move. Such as a tyre on the road.
The insights and opinions we offer are about the friction that comes between different people, between people and their institutions or their communities and also between people and the wider world.
Our first offering refers to a particular form of lubrication. It counters the friction we experience in our day to day lives and helps make things happen.
In its simplest form the lubricant is a gift, a thank you.
The team that collect the rubbish and clear the leaves received a tip this morning. A thank you gift. Nothing wrong with that.
In my view when it becomes a requirement for service it starts to become a problem. An example of this is in the US and Canada where the level of tip to someone waiting your table in a restaurant is carefully calculated and absolutely expected. That feels like a supplement to the wage, required because the employer is a cheapskate and underpays their staff. It becomes an extra tax.
In India where I’ve lived for over eleven years we have a lot of experience with a particular form of lubrication, known as bribery.
This takes it to a whole other level.
If you’re a business applying for a business permit from the corporation or a liquor licence for a bar, pay your fee and a whacking great bribe otherwise absolutely nothing will happen.
Politicians do it all the time. Jump ship to another party and be paid with a ministerial berth or some other juicy position with money making promise.
Here are two more examples I’ve discovered just this morning. In my view they are quite unbelievable.
Want a job?
Someone has bribed to get a job at a state run business. On her rate of salary it will take three years to have earned the equivalent of the bribe she has paid.
Want a driving licence?
Don’t bother with lessons or even turning up at the test centre, you never have to get in a car, ever! Just send a bribe through a broker.
This is expected in most situations to one degree or another, it is so ingrained that no one ever expects it to change.
a new problem in Mysore are children riding scooters (two wheelers means motorised) with the obvious dangerous consequences.
A policeman stops three children age twelve on a scooter. Two of them run away (not a lot of respect for the Police) as he’s asking for personal details from the one who’s riding.
The Policeman telephones the father and demands a bribe or he’ll report it aunders an offence. A bribe of 5000Rs is paid. That’s the equivalent of half of someone’s monthly pay.
Bribery and corruption is inherent. Does it have the desired effect of stopping dangerous under-age driving? who knows?
made me lighter. No not in weight, let’s not go there.
Usha, in the middle here, kindly invited me for a Thai Massage as guinea pig as she’s currently training here in Mysore. I’m over-dressed as I’m about to bike it back home.
It’s one of those wishing differently days so great to announce more of Manjula’s gifts.
Divya on her new bicycle. Niece of the night watchman Malesh who we know from ten years ago when he was night watchman for the building site next door to our house. Sowbhagya helping me deliver the bicycle.
Manjula gave gifts to Divya, Naveen, Tanuja and Jossica.
Driving on a double road this morning a ten month old bullock stepped into the path of my Ambassador
A group quickly developed, as is usual in India.
Satish came to handle the situation. Compensating the owner with 4000 Rs (£40) in theory for the poor bullock’s leg to be fixed up and he to be taken to the old cow’s home.
But I wonder if the owner will just pocket the money and sell the poor bullock to become meat even thought just recently that became illegal.
Confident with all sorts of people and good at building relationships?
Experience of social media?
Can bring the woman’s perspective?
Able to challenge and change?
Willing to learn?
This role is open to women, of any age residing in or near Mysore. The successful candidate will be familiar with computers, using social media, writing content and confident with people from different backgrounds with an open attitude and interest in meeting new challenges.
..
Based in Mysore this is an opportunity to work with and assist Stephen. He’s a YIndian, Yorkshire (it’s in England) by birth and Indian by marriage. Together with Manjula, he set up Mysore Bed and Breakfast and MYCycle tours.
Over the next year, he needs help in researching for a book to share their story, publishing and promoting it (mailing list, mailouts, online presence) and other things that will arise depending upon the interests and ability of the person.
This might include: interviewing people and transcribing, researching a locality, writing for the internet, creating an online community linked with Mysore Bed and Breakfast, assisting with other aspects of the business such as the Homestay and cycle tours.
What do you gain?
Recognition of your abilities and experience, learn new things.
It depends on you.
Stephen has a range of experiences and his approach is to learn from each other.
Expenses are covered.
Further details to be negotiated and agreed.
Please note: Manjula is unfortunately no longer physically with us but is, in spirit. The business will continue in her memory but is likely to be closed for most of this year due to the pandemic. If you’re interested to discuss and find out more:
there’s also presence on Instagram, twitter (meandmycycle) and Trip Advisor (mysore bed and breakfast and mycycle).
Manjula and Stephen
Spot the mistakes in this posting and you’ll begin to see how and why he needs help.
If you re interested, here’s more detailed information.
For this to be successful, we share equal responsibility to determine if you have the skills and aptitude, that it’s an appropriate and suitable placement and determine whether we can work together. It’s essential to be absolutely honest and realistic.
Here’s a few ideas of what is required to help you decide if it’s a suitable opportunity for you. Some of it will require you to be present in Mysore
Create an action plan.
A simple initial project: interview a local maid in Kannada, write up the interview, create post in English, link to other postings about maids in India.
Visit our two web sites, Instagram and Twitter, provide a report analysing them, what works, what doesn’t and what you would do to improve their impact and following.
Role, together with Stephen, might include some or all of the following, subject to negotiation and agreement:
create summary pages highlighting current ‘top’ blog posts, these might in due course become newsletters to mail out: Manjula, life in India, Tips for Tourists: first timers, old hands, Maid in India, Why India is like is it like this
target audience
create e-mailing list from gmail account
set up form for site visitors to join the mailing list
grow the followers: twitter, facebook, instagram, web sites
suggest ways to promote offline
e mail : target audience 3/4 times over the year
interviews: friends, family
promote book
investigate how to self publish: Ebook, POD
What questions do you have? What do you need to know to help you decide if its something you will enjoy, suits your skills and you will learn from?
How will you be able to bring the woman perspective in you’re not a woman?
Can you base yourself in Mysore if you don’t already live here?
What do you want to get out of an internship?
Feel free to contact me with any of your questions.
Me and MYCycle 