Meera Syal presents an evening of programmes celebrating the monsoon and I its profound impact on the life and arts of India. The monsoon is one of the most dramatic climate phenomena on earth, sweeping across India with a generally uncanny precision - hitting Kerala by 31 May, Bombay by 5 June and Delhi by 29 June. Anticipated by a period of intense dry heat, it creates an overwhelming effect on landscape and culture, providing over 90 per cent of India's agricultural water and a vital proportion of the nation's electricity. It also inspires the creation of the most poignant and lyrical music, poetry and writing. In India the monsoon is viewed as a returning relative, with an individual characterfor every region and every person - often late, sometimes malevolent, but always life-affirming. Monsoon Night marks the season in song, classical music performance, poetry, documentary and discussion.
7.00 Mark Tully examines how India manages its water resources. He visits the controversial Narmada dam site and explores smaller-scale water harvesting projects in Gujarat.
8.00 Kathakali dancers in Kerala describe the impact of the monsoon on theirdaily rituals and working lives.
8.30 The monsoon in Bengal, from the delta of Bangladesh to the sewers of Calcutta.
9.00 Sitarist Nishat Khan performs the great monsoon raga Miyan Ki Malhar. Monsoon Night also features newly commissioned writing from around India, including "monsoon letters" from film director Mira Nair , novelist AmitChaudhuri and tiger expert ValmikThapar. Music comes from Rake'sh Chaurasia on bamboo flute and Girija Devi , who sings live in the studio. Jatinder Verma explores the influence of the rains on contemporary film and theatre. Plus reflections on responses to the monsoon from different communities around India, from kathakali dancers in Kerala to Tibetan refugee monks and Calcutta slum dwellers.