28th March 2009

I was busy writing the five-page experience I had in this studio with the house lizards when the housekeepers came. I was not disturbed by their presence. I am to read this evening at the Open House for the writers and dancer. Everybody suggested I should writer about my experiences with the lizards. I knew it was going to be fun tonight.

After lunch, Jane and I printed out our script from Devena’s printer. Jane refused to use the desktop computer in the computer room downstairs. She complained that the machine is loaded with virus that nearly damaged her laptop the last time she insert her USB key, which she’d previously used on the desktop.

Mulinar had no choice than to allow us to print from Devena’s printer. O.P Jain met us there. He sat in the corner. He was so quiet that one can feel uncomfortable with his presence. Quickly Jane left me there. I guess she could not stand the man.

It’s fun, seeing how two old people behave, really?

A man came in. He sat with O.P Jain and they started a heat discussion. I used that opportunity to print out my script. Jane came in too. We hurried up with her printing. Ofra came and complained to Mulinar about the sound system in the conference room. She will be dancing tonight and with the poor sound, she is not happy.

Everything was fixed before the night. O.P Jain and few friends came over to the hall at 6:15pm. Niriti was there as well. Ofra started first. She danced four times. She had the fifth to go but unfortunately, the CD refused to play.

Too bad for the DVD player!

Jane started reading her autobiography script. Maybe she took so long with the introduction and the length of the script because in the middle, O.P Jain stood up and went out.

I began to pray in my mind that Jane will not stay too long. In the beginning, Ofra had stayed longer than expected, with four dances. Believe me, the CD refused to work for our sake, the machine fought for us in order to save time.

What if the DVD player did not stop? Who knows, Ofra may danced until daybreak!

And now Jane, it seemed to be so long. I was about to give up about thinking of my own reading tonight when Jane, probably aware of the long script stopped and ended it with a quick speech.
Honestly I was glad that my reading came last. It was filled with humour since it has to do with me and the house lizards. It was impressing!

Everybody left the conference room, laughing.

What matters is that I ended the long stressful day well in their minds. We dined at O.P Jain’s house. It was well organised. Heavy rain forced us to stay indoors while eating.

We dispersed. All the artists with Anna Kubinyi, the Hungarian textile artist, we all went into Jane’s room. She brought out a bottle of wine she purchased from the village she went to during her last trip. We drank to our friendship. Ofra went back to her studio. Katherine accompanied her.

Remember, Ofra leaves tonight at 1am. Her flight will be at 5am Sunday morning. One after the other, we bid Ofra goodbye, before we went to sleep.

19th March 2009

I was busy writing through the morning. At lunch time, l went to join the others. Leoni came to distribute some of the goodies she wouldn’t need anymore. I phone Dr. Tewari to book appointment with him for tomorrow at 15:00hrs

My sleeping pills finished last night. I dare not do with it tonight; you know my phobia of the Chipkalis.

Well, l notice one or two around in the toilet, sometimes near the staircase. It seemed they understood I don’t want them. Once they sensed my presence in the studio, they fled. Or it may be the peacock feathers that drove them.

17th March 2009

I went out after lunch with Jane to the Khan market. My camera memory cards are filled up. I bought 8GB that I am sure will last longer than the 2GB with me.

I bought some noodles and soft drinks as well. Jane went in search of her rotring pen. You should be there to see how happy she was to have gotten it. It will be a gift for her a friend of hers.

Later, we went in to check on boxes at a Samsonite shop. I need another box to pack my stuff back to France. I can do without a new box at least there is nothing wrong with the other box. We bought a nice one at 7,600 rupees. I love it very much.

We got home early to see the visual artist running helter-skelter while preparing for their Open House.

I love seeing them all at work. Interesting, you know!

The chipkalis are still in my studio! Impossible. I ran after them with Baygon spread this night. You should have seen my face filled with the horror of seeing them.

I just can’t stand them.

9th March 2009

The housekeepers drove out few of the chipkalis still in my studio. It became a chase. I saw one chipkali’s tail broke when it was hit with the broom. It fled, leaving behind the parted tail.

I watched the tail dancing in circle on the floor. One housekeeper carried it with a stick and threw it out.

All these while that they pursued these lizards, I was at a safe distance. If any of the pursued chipkalis ran in my direction, I would run for my life. The housekeepers found this funny.
For me, I love the fun of it but I can’t leave with the chipkalis. I just can’t.

6th March 2009

With the aftermath of the yesterday send-off party for Deter and Ellinor, everybody was quiet this morning.

I am beginning to suffer from Insomnia. Maybe it has to do with my phobia for these chipkalis. While others were fast asleep, and definitely snoring, I found it difficult.

Corina said she was sure I am suffering from Jet lag. Katherine disagreed with her. You won’t believe what Katherine said to me?

She suggested that I try to make FRIENDSHIP with these Chipkalis! Imagine that! I thought she was joking. Then later she spoke seriously on this. For her, she advised I should give each of them a name, and TALK to them whenever I see them.

Even if I am not insane, then I don’t think I should go right ahead and lose my mind now because of house lizards.

The Netherlands embassy staff came to Sanskriti today for their private get-together.

3rd March 2009

I slept throughout the entire morning.
You ask me why? I could not sleep last night. My whole attention was on the CHIPKALIs. I feared they will come to my bed.

These are just harmless lizards. I think I have to check myself. Have a look at its picture .

I started a battle with them today. I pleaded with the room cleaners to send them out. These men are helpful. I watched as they kicked out many of these chipkalis.

I still have my fear anyway.

I am back at writing. Writing as usual, really; at least this is the major reason why I’m here, right?
A new Artist arrived today; Leoni Oostvogel (Photographer) – Amsterdam-Holland

It’s quiet interesting to have a new face with us, in person of Leoni. She is very lovely.

On the other side, Annette is preparing to leave us. She has been here since 10th February and she leaves tomorrow.

So sad!

I said goodbye to her this evening before going to bed. She is leaving early in the morning.

2nd March 2009

I met other artists later in the day when I went for my dinner. They were;

Corina Gertz (Fashion designer) and Kris Schloz (Photographer); the couple from Dusseldorf-Germany
Heather May(Clay Potter) – Australia
Deter Aurand (Potter) & Ellinor Euler (Fashion) both from Berlin-Germany.
Annette Leyner (Painter) – Dusseldorf-Germany,
Katherine Keefer (Fashion designer, and Sculptor) – California, USA
Ingvild (Writer) – Oslo-Norway
Ofra Hoffman(Dancer) – Israel
Jane Hoskins (Writer) – UK

They are comfortable to be with. Everybody work during the day or for their respective outings. We meet together usually at meal times.

Everything started so nice. I had fallen in love with the environment. The chanting of the birds, the little squirrels that go round playfully and the peacocks; all are terrific to behold!

My only fear is the CHIPKALIs (House Lizards) that hang almost everywhere in the house. They are not a threat in every sense. As an African, I have seen enough of them in Nigeria. I grew up with them. All my entire life in Africa, I have slept under the same roof with these creatures. They are no trouble. In fact, back home, there are times we kill them for game or whatever.

In France, there are none of these creatures in the house. For the past years of my residence in France, I have never seen them anywhere. Now, in India, I am seeing them and also having to share my duplex studio with them.

This gives me the nasty feelings that I personally could not understand. I knew somehow, I have to get rid of them or else, my attention will be divided against the reason why I was here.
There was Breakfast at 8:00 hours in the morning, Tea-time at 11:00hours, Lunch at 11:00hours, Tea-time at 16:00hours and Dinner at 20:00hours.

There was a big bell that stood out at the centre of the residence, right opposite the main gate. At each meal time, one of the staff will come and ring the bell twice for the three major meals and once for the tea-times.