(Fig: very kind old lady)
Old lady: Let’s go to my home. I want you to record the song that I will sing to you.
Me: I wish I could grandmother. I really don’t have time right now.
Old lady: but this is not an ordinary song. This is a traditional song of my ethnicity.
Me: Can I come next time?
Old lady: sure. Please don’t forget to come to my house. I really want you to record my song and preserve it. You are like my granddaughter. I really like you. Please do visit.
(I was assisting one research back in 2013-2014. That was the time I met this grandmother. She was so sweet and kind to me who was always asking me to visit her place. But due to time constraint I couldn’t visit her place and record her song which I regret till date). I love people from the village.
They are so kind, generous and welcoming.
(here she is teaching me how to make things out of bamboo)
This is just one conversation out of many from that tour. I am always attracted by the generosity and politeness of the people of the villages (esp of Highlands), and that’s their beauty. Their welcoming nature, their love, giving nature and respecting their guest as the god makes me crave more for village life.