Reading Roars!

Something was happening today at The Shehnai, half-way up London Street where the ill-fated Matrix club used to be. I was eager to find out what The Shehnai was exactly and what was taking place there (the human billboard wasn’t able to answer my question).

Removing my shoes at the entrance, I was greeted by the delightful Bhunum (now the spelling of this could well be wrong, so please excuse my ignorance), who agreed to show me inside.

Immediately, I was struck by the elegance of it all: the elegance of the colourfully-dressed visitors and the simplistic beauty of the venue (which at first glance looked like a 5 star hotel). I felt out of place, like someone arriving at a posh dinner party in Havaianas. Should I be here?, I thought. Not for the first time, I was joining a party without a ticket.

I cast my Timberlands to one side, contributing to the growing mass of footwear by the wall.

The long corridor where I was standing sparkled with a marble floor and imported Indian art, and led to a large white hall complete with modern bar (and champagne). A lone figure sat on a stage at the front of the hall against a starry backdrop, presiding over a Sikh ceremony to bless the venue. Rows of guests sat on the carpet.

 

I entered the hall - tentatively. Not wishing to cause offence, I’m always a tad nervous when I join religious ceremonies.

Somewhat generously, Bhunum asked if I wanted something to eat or drink, so we entered a crowded room by the entrance where there were tantalising Indian treats on offer. Meanwhile, guests continued to enter the building.

Bhunum explained that The Shehnai was a banqueting suite for special events like weddings and so forth (I later found out that a shehnai is a pipe used in weddings) opening today, that the bar was available for guests only and that the whole project took 9 months to develop. I drained my Chai.

Returning to the corridor, I was then told by somebody to return at a later date, as a religious ceremony was taking place. I was supposed to have my head covered. The end was nigh at The Shehnai. I thanked Bhunum for her time, slipped on my shoes and left the building, only to discover another cultural treat down the road…