I did not expect that New Years would be quite the celebration that it is here.
Having seen how folks celebrate
Diwali and other important holidays, I had thought that it would be something of that nature—loud and observed, but not over the top.
For this reason, we were in for a bit of a surprise when all of the revelry started around 9pm.
In the area where we live, all of the apartment buildings have large rooftop areas that can be used for different purposes—storing water tanks, hanging laundry, and in this case, holding huge parties with live bands.
Just in our neighborhood there were, at least, three different parties happening, each with their own (in typical Indian style) treble infused, ear shattering sound-system.
In our building, the Association Director had organized a party of his own with friends and family and they started off around 7:30 pm.
We were invited to join, but since we already had an invitation to attend another party, were only able to drop by for a short time.
By the time we made it up there the band was already in full swing and they had a
Rajnikanth impersonator dancing and doing his act.
It was quite entertaining.
What was perhaps the most remarkable to me, however, is how in a 6 piece band, they managed to have 4 percussionists!
You may not be able to tell from the photo, but they had a four different guys playing the electronic drums, a standard Western drum set, the
congos, and the tabla.
I addition to them, there was a keyboard player and a vocalist.
Amazing.
I guess in this country, you can never have enough percussion!
After this party, we made our way across the crowded metropolis and to our friends’ guest house.
There they also had a live performance by a more traditional singing duo.
As the prior post explained, Kaia goes into a hypnotic trance when listening to traditional Indian music and this case was no different.
He was captivated until midnight, upon which we moved outside to watch the fireworks and ring in the new year. The ride back home was filled with inebriated young men waving and cavorting around (not a woman to be seen) the streets.
More than once a group stopped our car to wave and yell.
Even Sekar couldn’t understand what they were saying to us because they were too wasted!
In all a very memorable New Years celebration.
Here is hoping that 2006 holds even better things.
Why I Love this time: Improving on his potty training skills to be “like papa”.
I did not expect that New Years would be quite the celebration that it is here. Having seen how folks celebrate Diwali and other important holidays, I had thought that it would be something of that nature—loud and observed, but not over the top. For this reason, we were in for a bit of a surprise when all of the revelry started around 9pm. In the area where we live, all of the apartment buildings have large rooftop areas that can be used for different purposes—storing water tanks, hanging laundry, and in this case, holding huge parties with live bands. Just in our neighborhood there were, at least, three different parties happening, each with their own (in typical Indian style) treble infused, ear shattering sound-system. In our building, the Association Director had organized a party of his own with friends and family and they started off around 7:30 pm. We were invited to join, but since we already had an invitation to attend another party, were only able to drop by for a short time. By the time we made it up there the band was already in full swing and they had a Rajnikanth impersonator dancing and doing his act. It was quite entertaining. What was perhaps the most remarkable to me, however, is how in a 6 piece band, they managed to have 4 percussionists! You may not be able to tell from the photo, but they had a four different guys playing the electronic drums, a standard Western drum set, the 
There they also had a live performance by a more traditional singing duo. As the prior post explained, Kaia goes into a hypnotic trance when listening to traditional Indian music and this case was no different. He was captivated until midnight, upon which we moved outside to watch the fireworks and ring in the new year. The ride back home was filled with inebriated young men waving and cavorting around (not a woman to be seen) the streets. More than once a group stopped our car to wave and yell. Even Sekar couldn’t understand what they were saying to us because they were too wasted! In all a very memorable New Years celebration. Here is hoping that 2006 holds even better things.
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