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 love this quote from T.S. Eliot’s The
Wasteland: “We shall not cease from
exploration, and the end of all our
exploring will be to arrive where
we started and know the place for the fi rst
time.” This is how I feel about India. I started
exploring the country in 1976 and worked
there during my years with the World Bank as
an architect and project offi cer. Each trip has
revealed new insights, and I feel as I return that
I “know it for the fi rst time.” This was exactly
my reaction when I journeyed to India this
summer with my twenty year-old son, Banks,
with another mission in mind, and as the
chairwoman of the Opera’s Midwinter Gala.
We enjoyed the bazaar in Mumbai, attended
an Indian wedding at the Taj Exotica Resort in
Goa, went on a tiger safari in the Ranthambore
National Park, visited sites including The Red
Fort in Delhi and marveled at the sight of “the
Taj.” All the while, we kept a sharp eye peeled
for anything and everything that might be
exciting for the gala.The night it takes place is the Saturday
before Valentine’s Day, February 9 at the
Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. When it came
time to choose its theme, I pondered what
would be the most romantic spot in the world
to represent
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love – our love for one another
as human beings and our love for the Opera. Of course, with my previous fascination with
India, the obvious answer was the Taj Mahal –
the great wonder of the world built out of love
as a tribute to Mahal, the dearly departed wife
of the Shah Jahan. After drinking champagne
by full moonlight in the garden, I knew this
was the theme I wanted.
Luckily for myself – and for the Women’s
Committee of Washington National Opera
–our honorary patrons, Indian Ambassador
Ronen Sen and his wife Kaplana, have
embraced the idea of “the power of love” and
have given us their blessing.
Gala Vice Chairwoman Kim Nettles and
I have been working tirelessly to bring the
beauty and culture of India to Washington. We
have great hopes that this evening, “The Taj
Mahal by Moonlight,” will transport guests to
a magical place where they can leave all cares
behind and discover the romance of the Taj, be
intrigued by our Indian Bazaar and delighted
by authentic Indian cuisine.  |
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