Latest news with #CloudsHill
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Singer-songwriter Ditty's new album is all about environment, society, gender and everything in between
Verse by verse, chorus by chorus, singer-songwriter Ditty unfolds the uncomfortable layers of society in a sonic space so melodically comforting that it lulls the listener of her new album, KĀLĪ, into a dream of an ideal world. Alas, the escape only lasts 10 songs, but the impact of her lyrics casts a long shadow on themes related with her migrant past, race, gender, spirituality and sense of environmentalism. In the making for nearly five years, the idea of the album was conceived during the pandemic. 'The pandemic made us pause and reflect, and it initiated the creation of the album for me. At the time, I didn't know it was going to become this big piece of work. I wanted to write about slowing down as a society, patriarchy, dehumanisation, I wanted to speak about hope, freedom, collectivism and simultaneously comment on political mishaps, because these are all interconnected. We are living in a climate emergency and the structures around us are collapsing. These themes are ever present in the record,' she says. Based in Berlin, Ditty has recorded all the songs of the album in two languages: Hindi and English. It has been mounted on the label, Clouds Hill, in Hamburg, Germany. 'Writing and making the record was quite organic and evolved with life circumstances. I wrote most songs on the guitar, which happens to be my primary instrument. Then I would make demos, add trumpets and keys and take it to the band. In these years, a lot changed — my old band with Bowls and Karan doesn't exist anymore, although they were an integral part of producing the record. I moved to Berlin meanwhile, and found musicians here to work with. We arranged the songs together, and I recorded the album half-half in India and Europe,' she adds. Ditty tags KĀLĪ as an audio-visual record. It features her long-time collaborator and producer Bowls, known for his work in the Indian indie band Peter Cat Recording Company (PCRC), alongside drummers Andi Haberl, of Germany's legendary indie-electronica band The Notwist, and Karan Singh of PCRC. Also on the record is Johannes Weber, who plays bass. Apart from voice, guitars, trumpets, cello, synths, double bass, electronic bass, drums and percussion like ghungroos and coco/toca seeds, the album also has several samples and field recordings from forests like Aravallis (Rajasthan and Delhi), Pomburpa forest (Goa), Mollem forest (Goa) and Plänterwald forest (Berlin), informs Ditty. The album is named after its title track 'KĀLĪ', which has a deeply personal lyrical undertone. Ditty explains: 'When I started writing the song, 'KĀLĪ', it was clear to me this would be the title of the album. KĀLĪ translates to several meanings, including darkness, black woman and goddess KĀLĪ who slays demons in Hindu philosophy. I am drawing from my experiences with racism and colourism, writing about the climate catastrophes of the times that we live in, singing in praise of the natural world and working with making recordings outdoors on this album.' The song does not just make it to the title of the album, but also to her list of favourites, only followed by 'DUNYA (For our children)' and 'Mamma'. While 'DUNYA (For our children)' propounds the impact of genocide, hyper capitalism and dictatorship on the future generations, 'Mamma' is all about becoming one with Nature. With themes and songs consciously curated, Ditty has been mindful of packing her music in an eco-friendly avatar too. KĀLĪ has been released on recycled coloured vinyl as a limited edition pressing with only 500 copies. The album's cover showcases Menty Jamir's photo of Ditty in the forests of Aravallis. She was styled by Caroline Zeliang in her own wedding sari and grandmother's jewellery. The album's layout and design was done by Ditty. 'It is important to me that all the work I do is ethically sound and consciously created. I just wrapped up my 14 city tour here in Europe, and I am really proud that we were able to do this without any flights or oil and gas. I never wanted to make CDs or Vinyl Records because they were plastic. After a lot of research, I found a press here in Germany that's working with waste and is creating 100% recycled records for me. I am really thrilled about this,' she says. The album, KĀLĪ, is now streaming on all music platforms. You can order the vinyl, starting at €28 on or
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic Dorset site to feature on BBC series airing tonight
Clouds Hill will be in episode one, in the third series of the BBC's Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, airing at 9pm tonight. The hugely popular series shines a light on the experts and volunteers who look after the properties and collections in the National Trust's care. Returning to BBC Two and iPlayer, the series will feature other National Trust places in the south west – Dyrham Park, Corfe Castle and Lanhydrock. Scheduled for 9pm, the programme will explore the work going on behind the scenes to look after the incredible objects and properties in the charity's care. The series introduces viewers to the passionate staff and volunteers who care for some of the 500 places in the Trust's care, all narrated by actor and national treasure himself, Toby Jones. Clouds Hill, the small cottage used as a retreat by T.E. Lawrence or 'Lawrence of Arabia', has been cared for by the National Trust since 1937, following his tragic death 90 years ago this year. The episode explores whether a beautiful youth depicted in one of the paintings on display is in fact Lawrence. The painting by Henry Scott Tuke, an artist that Lawrence very much admired, hangs above the fireplace in Lawrence's tiny four-room cottage. Following the painting as it is cleaned and conserved, the episode also captures the detailed research undertaken by Senior National Curator for paintings, John Chu, as he tries to discover once and for all whether the man in the painting is indeed Lawrence. Visitor Operations & Experience Manager, Rachael White, says 'it is a beautiful painting and our team of volunteers have often wondered whether the painting had been altered to look like Lawrence, or whether it was actually based on him. It is great we now know – but you need to watch the episode to find out.' We would also like to thank the National Trust South Dorset Association supporter group and the T.E. Lawrence Society for supporting us with funding towards the conservation of the Tuke painting' Amanda Goodman, Commissioning Executive BBC Arts, says: 'It's a joy to bring another series of Hidden Treasures of the National Trust to life, showcasing all the intricate and specialist work going on behind the scenes. And to hear from the passionate staff and volunteers who help care for these incredible objects and buildings for us all to enjoy.' Tarnya Cooper, Conservation and Curation Director of The National Trust, says: 'Each of these programmes provides access inside our incredible historic interiors, gardens and parks for everyone to enjoy and offers truly inspiring moments of curiosity, wonder and joy. 'Our conservators and external specialists spend thousands of hours every year looking after the places and collections in our care. Hidden Treasures of the National Trust is a brilliant way of showcasing their expertise, patience and passion. 'This series has particularly highlighted the research that goes into understanding the meanings of our collections, their places in our lives and their national significance.' Clouds Hill is open to visitors on Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun until 30 October 2025 for visits by guided tour. Booking is recommended to join a guided tour. Tickets can be booked via the National Trust website or by phoning the booking line 0344 249 1895.
Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Mysterious painting of army cadet identified as Lawrence of Arabia
A painting of a young army cadet on a beach has been identified as TE Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, who was famously portrayed in a 1962 film starring Peter O'Toole. The work by Henry Scott Tuke has been kept in Lawrence's Dorset cottage, Clouds Hill, for 60 years, gathering bat guano and urine, after his home and painting were bequeathed to the National Trust by his family. Lawrence himself was killed near by in a motorcycle accident in 1935. The trust has long wondered whether the painting of an army recruit, stripping off to go into the sea, could be of Lawrence. It was signed by Tuke, a Cornish artist and Royal Academician, who gained notoriety for portraying young men in the
