My colleague Atul and I were chatting yesterday about the new Radio City RJ, Mehak, who recently took over from the insufferable but, for some reason very popular 'Aage P, Peeche P - Pratap! ("Something quite endearing about the guy, even though he talks a bit much.” I have been told).

While we began on the subject of who made for better (or worse) listening, from among the two, the subject quickly drifted on the why and how of the need to introduce female voices during the morning prime time hours.In my opinion, a couple of years ago, in absence of any clear programming differentiation, and attempts to confuse brand recall with listnership were giving Mirchi an advantage over the 2 other private channels.

RED FM was perhaps finding itself particularly badly hit, with brand presence/ and resultant recall/ perhaps being the lowest. However, it felt that it had equal listenership, but every-time anyone on the street was asked the question about which channel was playing or they played, Mirchi would be the most often quoted brand (who cares about or remembers the frequencies anyway!)Advertisers were flocking to Mirchi.

Listening to Pt. Ravi Shankar play, as I work on my computer, I am reminded of a performance that I attented recently at Sirifort - Pt. Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka in concert.

I hadn't heard Anoushka perform earlier and had so far written her off as a much hyped, pretty face, in news because of her legendary father (not that I understand Indian classical music and its intense depths and soft subtleties, but I believe that I can tell good music from bad when I hear it).

The auditorium full to capacity - it was an ICCR event. Anoushka appeared in her shiny pants, short kurta attire, lending further credence to my aforementioned opinion of her. I quickly realised how biased AGAINST looks and how unfair to genes you were born with can one be.Her fingers moved effortlessly as they matched her father's and the accompanists in their rendition. Her sitar didn't quite sound the same as Panditji's. It had a unique, young, sound to it.

There was energy in how she sat erect, held the sitar and played it, or in pointing technicians to manage the sound, she kept the rythm even as Panditji would pause momentarily to adjust his sitar. The accompanists and her father would challenge her by increasing the pace and she would join the game, much to everyone's delight.

Genes? Talent and training? Perhaps all, either ways I stand corrected and she has earned herself a new fan. I am going back next time she is in town or I am in one where she is performing!

Original post here.

Armed with my latest purchase 'Trees of Delhi - a field guide' by film maker turned naturalist- Pradip Krishen, I have been going out for tree walks :). Actually the book has become my permanent companion - with me as I drive around town, in office (where I promise myself to find time and read at least a page during lunch,but that never happens) and of course during the walks...

The tree journey started while I was at Habitat. My friend Arshiya Sethi would organise Tree Walks on Sundays, with Pradip himself. Fascinating it can be to discover the survival tactics that trees deploy to win over another and yet it's mutual dependence on other flora and fauna that keeps them going. And hugely satisfying it is to finally be able to tell which tree is it, that stands tall in front of you - the book is fast becoming my bible!

Last Sunday I went to Lodhi Gardens and, after some persuation, was able to convince a maali to show me around. Turned out to be fruitful visit. I was richer by knowledge on 20 + varieties and then today I drove to Defence Colony to see one of the rare samples of Sita Ashok that we have in the city.

I am hoping to pick up one of these babies someday to capture the images. Magic it will be!Meanwhile, the walks continue...

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