What a fascinating lecture Dr Farokh Udwadia gave on art and mankind at the NCPA in memory of Jamshed Bhabha.
Was entranced by his amazing range and understanding of so many facets including music and literature , science and mathematics, their inter-relationships. I doubt if anyone who has spent years in the field of aesthetics could deliver such a wonderful performance. And he spoke extempore, from the heart with such lucidity and clarity on very complex ideas.
And such extraordinary memory in his eighties. He only had to take a little pause to recall the name of the not so well known poet Edna St Vincent Millay to quote her wonderful lines- My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - it gives a lovely light!
From Kalidasa to Mozart and Che Guevara and Castro, Byron and mathematician Hardy, he could weave all together so effortlessly to stress the theme of being humane and kind. And ended with a quote from John Donne’s poem - the bell tolls for thee to emphasise the point that we need to be interconnected for a humane world, no man is an island.
From Kalidasa to Mozart and Che Guevara and Castro, Byron and mathematician Hardy, Dr Farokh Udwadia could weave all together so effortlessly to stress the theme of being humane and kind.
What a pity only thirty six people were watching on the NCPA website last night. But as the organisers announced the lecture will be on youtube soon. In fact, it is already there, I just checked.
Of course Dr Udwadia is well known as a very humane and wise medicine expert. I heard him some years ago at the Convocation hall at the release of one of his books. Was impressed then of course but last night it was special.