Given my hectic schedule, and the fact that most of my shows are scheduled for the end of the week, I hardly ever find myself with a free weekend on my hands. It?s only on the occasions when I go for a trip ? even if it?s work-related ? that I get the chance to actually chill out over Saturday and Sunday. In fact, I?ll be leaving for a trip to the US shortly for a Bongo Sammelan, and though I?ll be having weekend shows there as well, I plan to take time out to visit places like Niagara, New York and Nashville with friends.

On the rare occasions when I get a weekend off here, my friends and I head out to some place where we can be close to nature, and just relax and enjoy ourselves. Be it Raichak or Deulti, we?ve made trips to many nearby haunts, though my personal favourite is Shantiniketan, where I own a small house. The time spent there is great ? singing, reciting poetry, cracking jokes or just cooking and gorging on great food, after a week spent trying to stick to our regular diets. We?re back on Sunday with batteries charged, ready for the week ahead.

That?s not to say however, that I don?t have fun on my weekends here. I thoroughly enjoy my work, and love each and every moment I spend doing it. So, whether it?s my shows or taking turns to visit and teach at the 12 branches of my school Kabyayan, where I have students ranging in ages from five to 65, every little bit is extremely fulfilling.