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MY KIND OF PLACE

PARVEEN SULTANA

CHERRAPUNJI

Oh, those lovely rainfalls!

People might wonder how the wettest spot on earth can be my favourite travel destination. But believe me, it's fantastic to experience the rains in Cherrapunji. Being almost 1,300 metres above sea level, you not only become one with Nature but also feel you are on a different planet. Away from the crowd, noise, dust, traffic and, of course, the chock-a-block schedule.

Adventurous drive

Cherrapunji is a two-hour drive from Shillong. En route you can get a beautiful view of small hills and waterfalls. Up above the hills or on the ground, I cannot be without music. And when in Cherrapunji, it is the Khasi folk songs that I love listening to.

Goa, my summer capital

Being from Assam, I have an affinity for cool places. We own a lovely bungalow in Panjim. It's actually in Vram on the Mandovi river. When it starts getting hot, I shift base to this land of beaches. I love Goa's heady mix of vibrant surroundings and laidback lifestyle. It's such a welcome change from the breakneck speed of Mumbai.

Globetrotter too

Concerts take me all over the world, and an annual visit to Europe is a permanent fixture on my itinerary. So when in Europe, I make it a point to visit Spain, my favourite destination outside of India. If a concert is scheduled in Spain, it is like icing on the cake. Even otherwise, I have been there many a time. I particularly love Spanish cuisine.

Complete foodie

I am hooked on sur, taal, laya and khana. I not only love to indulge myself but am an expert at wielding the ladle too. Many music maestros such as Ustad Bismillah Khan Saheb, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Alla Rakha have tasted my cooking. My speciality is Mughlai even though I make all kinds of dishes. When I am on the move, I know what I want to eat and where.

The vocalist spoke to

CHITRA SWAMINATHAN

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