Lohri 2018

Karun Sharma ushers in Lohri with a box of gajak

Karun Sharma today ushered in Lohri with a box of gajak – the crispy sweetmeat traditionally distributed at the lighting of the ceremonial bonfire during this harvest festival.

Naseer Putani Shah in lungi

It was early morning still and there was no ceremonial bonfire. But that’s a matter of formality. What mattered to us was the irresistible appeal of the treat, just perfect to lift our spirits on an unusually cloudy day.
Karun’s gajaks set into motion the morning celebration as Shekhawat lived up to his promise of hosting a big party with a load of salties and fries (as well as gulab jamuns thrown in for good measure).

Shekhawat plays host of today's party

For a change, portions were neatly packed in poly bags to prevent littering the Garden. There was also chai for all at the Gate, before we dispersed for the day.
Harish Wadhwa was part of today’s celebration, having turned up on invitation to finalise the song recordings and technical backup for the Annual Function next week-end. Another invitee was Akhlesh, the tunesmith who will provide live music on stage.

Brainstorming for the Annual Function by back room boys and girls  

He has agreed to bring his key-board along and will be part of our dry run scheduled tomorrow.
By and large, it was a morning marked by work and pleasure as preparations for the January 20 show have got into top gear.

Arun Patil mans the tea corner

Barely a week is left and we need to make the most of our time together. While major issues have broadly been taken care of, some seemingly minor ones now need to be addressed.
For instance, Naseer Putani Shah who plays a bit role in the play, had to get his costume approved and today, presented himself in a checked lungi for our benefit. Also, some actors need to look unkempt, sporting a rough stubble on stage. They have been told to stop shaving their beard from today itself and in effect, get into character.
Hilarious as this may all appear, the coming week promises to be very hectic as we get our act together.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
It was a good beginning to the Lohri celebrations with gajak from Karun Sharma followed by the New Year's bash from our loving Kadak Singh in style. Keep it up.