Debajyoti Mishra, music composer

nMy work has taken me to so many different places, both in India and abroad, but whenever, I think of my favourite holiday of all time, it’s Digha that comes to mind. I was barely 20 then, and had just completed my first independent musical arrangement. So, to celebrate, my friend Soumitra Ghosh ? now a well-known photographer ? and I, decided to head for the sun and sands of Digha.

We met up with other friends there and checked into a hotel, changing several along the way, to find one that suited our budget. But, living as we were, splurging and ordering like kings, within a few days we ran out of money! That trip also happened to be the first time I’d taken my violin along ? and it proved to be a godsend. Before I knew it, we’d started a hat collection while I played ? and at the end of it, we’d collected a good Rs 3,500 ? a huge sum 22 years ago! Our problems solved, we stayed on in Digha for a total of 11 days ? a week more than actually planned. What’s more, hotel owners actually heard my playing and invited me to perform and stay on at their establishments. What a time we had! In fact, I don’t think I’ll ever get to experience a holiday quite as carefree as that one.