Bang Bang Galore!
A Filmmaker’s BLOGELLA
Written by Steve Rosenberg
Blog 42 (Planning the Party)
It is a matter of days before I leave India and I want a treat the children to a farewell party. John and me bandy around the name of a few restaurants and imagine a final night replete with delicious food, guitars and dancing; no cameras or questions; just a good old- fashioned goodbye party I agree to sponsor. Before, I leave I also want to photograph a few more of John’s acclaimed public sculptures, he designed and dedicated to working children.
John and I meet at the gates of the City Hall where many of his sculptures are on display. The sculpture gardens are due to open to the public in a matter of months. John and I hop the fence and only to be shouted down by the angry middle- aged female groundskeeper, who has been given strict orders to keep the public away. “What are these gardens for?” he asks the groundskeeper. When the security guard intervenes, and learns that John is the proud sculptures, all the shouting ceases and we are free to roam the grounds.
John has good news for me today. Faisel called. “Tell me! What did he say?” “He said hello John and then promptly hung up.” I am anxious to hear about Faisel, but there is not much more learn from this abbreviated broken call. “Do you think he was high?” I inquire. John recognizes these repeated patterns and assures me Faisel will call again. I am wondering if I am making a mistake by leaving so soon. I am thinking that I should hang around a few more days to find Faisel. The choice is made for me, since Singapore Airlines does not have any more space on alternate days.
Our final party night plans are revised to include an elaborate home cooked dinner at the Born Free Youth Hostel. “Why spend 3000 Rupees on a restaurant?” says John. Before leaving the sculpture garden, John requests money from me so that he may buy the necessary food ingredients for dinner. We ride together through the city on his motorcycle and it seems we are good friends again, never at a loss for conversation, even while riding a bike.
