I was recently asked to partake in a film-exhibition taking place in October at the Mercury Theatre as part of The Only Way Is Ethics festival. The theme explores people's ethical views and questions what individuals would do in certain situations - particularly in times of desperation.

The theme is inspired by two plays that will be showing at the theatre during October - The Good Person of Sichuan and Man to Man. My partner and I are going to see The Good Person of Sichuan, and I'm hoping to book tickets for Man to Man soon - I'm really looking forward to it!

The exhibition will be in the theatre entrance and is composed of short interviews with local artists/councillors/teachers etc talking about their views and opinions on a number of topics including poverty, wealth and the corruption of ethics.

We only had up to 2 minutes film-time, which I found really tricky. How could I sum up the plethora of thoughts that fill my mind when I think of the words 'ethics'?! Of course it wasn't merely the one word we were asked to think about; here is the provocation we were given:

Where to start...! My contribution focussed on my upbringing as a Hindu and the moral and ethical guidance that my parents and my faith have given me. I do agree that a modicum of comfort is necessary for the practice of virtue; I think that a strong and stable background, with the ability to talk/question/debate about your actions and reasoning is the foundation for understanding. That 'comfort' provides the right environment to develop one's thinking. And in this western society, that 'comfort' requires a reasonable element of financial security...but I disagree that virtue and money should be 'inevitably' linked. I believe that an individual can be virtuous regardless of their financial status, religious views, cultural and social background. In today's world, where everything is money-oriented it is difficult to imagine a society that could be motivated without a financial reward - but I believe that you can achieve a balance; and that money does not always lead to corruption.

They are my thoughts in a nutshell - I spoke about my own actions in the interview, and had a lot more to say than I could fit in! Do try to see the exhibition and performances - I think it's refreshing to re-tune your moral compass every so often.

What do you think?

The day was fantastic - and the evening was magical.

The Minories Garden was lit up in all its splendour; the fairy lights twinkled whilst the Grand Union Band took us on a journey around the world - from China to India, the Caribbean, Africa and South America...and what a journey it was! Led by Tony Haynes, the seven extraordinarily talented musicians threw around upbeat and playful melodies, catching them with worldly instruments including the steel drum, Chinese flute, Indian tabla, Tenor Sax, Trombone, Bass guitar and Drum kit.

As I sat and listened, I couldn't help but feel happy and warm - and I forgot about feeling nervous for my Bharatanatyam performance! Soon enough it was time, and as the amazing Yousuf Ali Khan played his composition on the tabla I found myself absorbed in the intricate rhythms, my feet moving and responding with dance; I was improvising! It was something I had been so nervous about - and we had only met for 5 minutes before the event, so there was minimal time for rehearsals. But as the band played, I let go of my inhibitions and let myself dance. The music gave me energy - it was such a fantastic feeling!

We had a short interval and in the second half I performed with the band again - this time to Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast, an old Bollywood Song (from the film Mohra). It was strange that they played this song, as it is one of my all-time favourites. As a toddler I always used to dance around the living room to this song! So I felt a lot more relaxed and enjoyed dancing in-conversation with the band. I still danced in the Bharatanatyam style, and I didn't feel tired at all! The audience really seemed to enjoy it - and I loved every second of the experience.

Hopefully we'll collaborate again at some point in the near future...watch this space!

Yesterday was just GREAT. Beautiful weather, beautiful venue and lots of beautiful people! TACMEP's annual Festival of Diverse Culture's was a fantastic success. The Minories garden was the perfect venue - filled with food, music and (of course) lots of dancing!

I kicked off the event just after 12midday with a Bollywood workshop and performance...it was a little quiet but those who were there enjoyed shaking their hips and hands to the tune of Jai Ho. The afternoon went by with singing, dancing, drama performances from people of all ages and from all communities. For those who wanted a rest, there was plenty of hot food ad drinks available from the tasty Indian snack stall and the delicious Minories Garden Cafe itself. Who could want anything more?!

Soon enough it was time for my second workshop to take place...and by this time the place was buzzing. We did the 'Hero' dance, and it was brilliant to see everybody in the garden taking part! You can get a tiny taster of the fun and supportive atmosphere from the video link below and more on the gallery page :D

I had a lovely day at the festival. After some more Bhangra dancing with Indi Sandhu to end the event, I headed home to get ready for my evening performance with the Grand Union Band...

(excuse the pun!) but it really was a colourful evening...My other half and I had the privilege of attending renowned painter Shanti Panchal's opening night of his recent exhibition.

We made it through the winding country roads in to Maldon and the wonderful little Hayletts Gallery on the High Street. Shanti's work was accompanied by Moira Goodall's beautiful ceramics. What a fantastic exhibition!

The gallery was buzzing with lots of people; everybody was enjoying Shanti's intense and colourful paintings. Each piece tells a story. And what I love about Shanti's work, is that it is not 'watery'. He may use watercolours, but he transforms the medium - he has complete control over how he uses it. It is unique. The intensity and vibrancy of his work is something you can only appreciate when seeing it in the flesh; sometimes it is hard to believe that he has achieved the effect through watercolours - it looks akin to acrylics/oils. But I think it is the way he works in layers; that slow build-up of colour upon colour, which creates a deeper base to each painting and a sort of luminosity that oils or acrylics could not portray. His paintings remind me of Italian frescoes - each has a meaning, each character is positioned with purpose and significance. It is easy to get lost in the boundaries of every painting - there is something enchanting about them.

I cannot choose a favourite piece - I love them all for different reasons! The earthy colours bring a natural and spiritual element to the paintings, and although at a first glance they may seem two-dimensional and 'flat'...you soon become absorbed in the subtle tonal depths and drawn in to the characters: who are they? What is their situation? You feel like you are looking in through a window upon these people's lives; being a part of their moment.

If you can, then I really recommend going to see Shanti Panchal's wonderful exhibition. And if you can't make it this time, then keep a lookout - he is always exhibiting somewhere!

Our colourful evening ended with a scenic route back to Colchester (via a diversion) and a delicious Thai meal. Perfect!

These cakes are absolutely scrummy. I've been making them practically everyday!

It started when I wanted to try out some baking in our new oven...and what a result :D everybody loves these - and they don't have any dairy in them (unless you use milk chocolate), which is a bonus!

I found the original recipe here. It makes around 36 cupcakes, but I reduced it to 12 and added a few extras...

125g plain flour
130 caster sugar
15g cocoa powder
1/3 tsp salt
2/3 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2/3 tsp vanilla essence
2/3 tsp vinegar
60ml oil (I used sunflower oil)
165ml cold water
Handful of chocolate chips/mixed nuts - optional
Melted chocolate for topping - optional
Finely chopped almonds for topping - optional

• Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl
• Make 3 wells and add vanilla essence, vinegar and oil
• Pour cold water over the mixture and mix everything together with a fork
• Add chocolate chips/mixed nuts (optional)
• Spoon mixture into 12 cupcake holders
• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180c for 15minutes
• Remove from oven and put individual cupcakes on a cooling rack 
• Ice with melted chocolate and top with almond flakes (optional)

I've varied the toppings a few times - just go with whatever you fancy...