Music in the fort

This Saturday J, me and Jameen, another colleague from pold office went off to the Old Fort to listen to Hariprasad Chaurasia and Shiv Kumar Sharma perform together live. We had though that we would be late, but luckily we were just in time. The last time we had gone for dance recitals in the old fort, the entry was free. So I assumed it is the same thing and we started off without any pass, ticket etc. At the entrance we were asked by the security guards to step aside and speak to these suited booted men who had satin sashes in their necks representing the 3 colours of the Indian flag.
I protested and said that the ad did not mention that we needed passes or anything... J was her charming self and said pleaaase let us go in. Finally the men could'nt resist her charm and relented and let us in.
As usual, I have never seen the old fort in the daylight, I have only seen it lit up at night. Ofcourse, I have passed the old fort on my way to court a thousand times and I frankly do like the old fort much more than the red (read new) fort, but i have not ventured in it. The old fort looks lovely at night and the lights have been placed in a way that brings the entire structure to life.
We found places to sit and just then Hari prasad Chaurasia started the recital. It was lovely... not that I undestand classical music that well, but just the experience was very relaxing and followed by santoor wadan and then 2 jugal bandis between the flute and the santoor were just too good. It was a bit too cold in the open, but i guess i was ok with that.
This is definately one of the things i like about delhi, the space and in recent times the way the space is being made use of... Music in the Park in another initiative by the Delhi Government which is always awaited. Then there are the SPICMACAY programmes that also take place in open areas which are also worth keeping track of.
All in all it was fun