because safety always comes first no matter which Indian city I am in
Hello from the Deccan!
I write from my lovely flat in Karvenagar, Pune. Outside the bedroom window and to my left are the Sahayadri hills. Currently they and the city of Pune are desperate for some heavy monsoon rains. The rains will cool down the city and bring out all the greens waiting to chamak. Though I’m not sure the weather can get much better than it all ready is. I’ve spent several summers in India and none have been as pleasant as the one thus far in Pune. Not to mention the summers in the scorching Texas heat. There’s almost always a cool breeze and it’s actually a tad chilly in the mornings/evenings. I have this amazing balcony that I sit out on every morning. Whenever I sit out there, I just watch the world go by and I get this intense happiness high. I feel so grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given and am able to pursue.
I also have a crush on Marathi culture and am trying to soak it all in. I’ve picked up some phrases here and there. It has similarities with both Sindhi and Gujarati.
What am I doing here? Studying Sindhi with the American Institute of Indian Studies. I hope to also collect Sindhi partition narratives while I am here. I am the only student and I have two part time teachers. The other languages taught at the AIIS Pune center are Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Marathi -Sanskrit attracting the largest number of students. My classes are at the beautiful Deccan College Campus. It’s spread out and full of my fave, banyan trees! Apparently Lokmanya Tilak was a student of the university. I’m very happy to be here and experience a new Indian city. Pune is much different than Lucknow so I’m getting re-oriented in India. There’s a lot going in Pune. A lot of old, a lot of new. A lot of nature, a lot of city. I went to go hear a Pink Floyd cover band last night and am taking a walk in the hills tomorrow morning! And hopefully fit in a visit to the Shanirwada fort sometime in between.
A dam south of Pune
the hibiscus plant I bought to make my flat seem more homey - it averages 2 blossoms a day!!
reflects the Pune vibe
my Sindhi classoom is in this building
