Small wonder

Ready and packed! An order of 30 newspaper pens for an exhibition... :D Look who's in demand ;)

Perpetual beggary?

A few months back I was cribbing to my theatre teacher, expressing my fears of thoughts of never being able to earn a living owing to my wandering mind and expensive 'hobby' of art. I was told to pick up a biography of any artist, and I picked up Lust for Life. And here we have Vincent describing his state of perpetual beggary along with many other artists. * holding my stomach and laughing* [not on them ofcourse, but on my silly fears... holding me back.] I have got my lesson, hope you have got yours! =)

Two birds sit on the golden bough

of the pippal tree

One eats

the sweet fruit

The other watches.

Both are happy

One is happier.

Which?

-Svetasvatara Upanishad IV:6

drawing inspiration: The Art of Looking Sideways

"You show me Me, and then I show You more of Me..."

What do I know 

of you and me,

of who gets caught 

and who goes free?

-Kabir

Power of Swar

I have always felt this strong connection with sounds/words/speech, also as previously mentioned in a post, connects me to my name and has taken me to to spaces unknown and undiscovered by my Self. The power of 'swar'/note can be reverberating... seeping into your soul never really making you forget the Feeling itself. there is a strong connection with words and sounds that can almost tie you up to people and ideas. I might have left my training in hindustani classical music, but I live in music and sounds. The communication it holds is beyond imagination...

No wonder classical Sanskrit language, the language of the sages and mantras emphasizes on swar and it's accurate pronunciation to create a vibration in the Universe.

My quest for Self and swar/words/sounds brought me to experience a beautiful rendition of Katha Upanishad and Dhrupad music (which stresses more on sounds than words). I got goose-pimples when i experienced it live and recently again while viewing the webcast.
These moments of 'anand' is all that we live for?

'Seek and ye shall find...'

Sharing Swar Katha Upanishad by Sunaad, tale of the Kathopanishad, a dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama (the God of Death).

Pls do follow the link and watch the beautiful rendition. =)

swar-katha-upanishad

Love and Light

A Wonderful Gift

Gifts are such amazing means of expression! Aren't they? Well they are certainly my favourite means of expression, because that’s what I do most of the time. I love giving gifts, whether they be the stupidest and smallest things as a bookmark or anything else. But off late I realized that i feel a little awkward ‘receiving’ gifts from somebody unexpected. Not that healthy is it? Making me all conscious and further messing up things by making me think more, about why A) particular person wants to give me a gift? what is the intent? do they expect anything in return? bla bla. Ah, us humans really know how to make things complicated, don’t we?

But I’m learning to shift perspectives. If i didn't put any thought while ‘giving’a gift, why should I while receiving one?

Incidentally, today was also one of the concluding sessions of a workshop we were having at the centre on self awareness, and i have been chiseled and thrashed with some of the most primal (yet oh-so seemingly difficult) concepts/tools such as free will, love energy and handing over to the universe etc.

And as if i was being tested... Just around noon, i reached home, and was reflecting on the morning i just spent..., the doorbell rang. There IT was, a Wonderful Gift ! As if my inner being smiled just on seeing the yellow packet with a US stamp, I knew it! My ocean home was here. And in an instant i realized, that there is nothing more to gifts than JUST the intent of LOVE. It is the unconditional love energy that the gift carries with it, from the giver as well as the receiver. I most generously thank Brad and Kiki Thome for this beautiful piece of art and their gesture of love. I am exhilarated and most happy. And though Brad told me not to tell anyone :D Here, i am keeping  it ‘safely’ Mehfuz... ;)

Love with Gratitude Brad, keep changing and creating new designs!

It's up and it will be there on my cupboard to always remind me the meaning of gift and gratitude =)

A big thank you to Christopher too, for acting a secret agent of friend, philosopher and guide ;)

And...

A big Thank You, to also a very dear friend, Sreepriya for the most beautiful ‘farewell’ gift, (though i’m not quite sure if farewell would be the right word). Technically she was a junior in college, but personally she has been a co-creator in the most wonderful journey of adventure, philosophy and theatre (i am not sure if i Thanked her well enough earlier :S owing to my awkwardness when i ‘got’ the gift, in truest sense i, received’ it today! =).

A beautiful hand painted Lord Theyyam, there, reminding to pursue Sadhana always and forever  

I hope i will be able to give back so much art and love as much as i’m receiving...

Discovering the joy of life in attitude of gratitude... =)

Thank You.

Love and Light.