Art Ichol Journal

The Furnace at Uchhehra
He promised us a unique recipe for ‘Gajar ka halwa’, which was a huge hit. Especially
with Arshiya and Ambica, the grand dames of Punjab, who wanted to add this to
their repertoire of Punjabi cooking. Feigning complete innocence, we waited in
anticipation for the promised recipe of this favoured ‘Indian Dessert’ and then
slipped into helpless giggles as the sonorous voice of the poet recited with deadpan
seriousness –
“Clumps of wet-smoke simmer in the pan, and slowly
lift to caress the outline of your breasts”
And as he continued, so did the giggles, while Sapna and Maggie, looked on
incredulous - at the rest of us, helplessly uncontrollable with laughter. But Sudeep
continued, unperturbed -
“the silk of your shirt – now transparent in heat –
painting the outer circle of nipples”,
Reciting the rest of the carefully crafted poem, he finished with: “to a creamed
mouthful of untampered delicacy.”
And everyone doubled up again, as Arshiya naughtily asked: “but where are the
carrots?”
I don’t think any of us had been so irreverent at a poetry reading before. It was a first
for Sudeep Sen too, but he was an amazing sport and took our ribbing with élan.
The banks of the Tamas, its serene waters didn’t seem to inspire the poet in Sudeep.
Being more interested in people, he was captivated by a bejewelled chin. But, being a
photographer too, he spent considerable time capturing the textures around him. His
photo of an aging pandit doing a yogic posture inside a pond garnered much interest.
And so impressed were Sudeep and Panditjee with each other that we were all invited
to Panditjee’s home for tea. As we were leaving Sudeep was seated beside Salamat in
photo credit: sudeep sen