Nothing much to say except this mad urge to write in a last post of 2009. From tomorrow, a new year, a new decade.
Yes. A new decade indeed begins tomorrow since the decades are labelled 60's, 70's etc. Um...so what do we call the 2010-19? The 10's? Doesn't sound right. Although Discoblog's logic as to why a decade ends tonight and a new one starts tomorrow does.
Goodbye 2009. Welcome 2010.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Time unravels all - Sanchi, Vidisha & Udaigiri
I had half a day off in Bhopal and debated - Sanchi or Bhimbetka? Sanchi won. Bhimbetka is for another trip, MP being a project state, I have to visit Bhopal frequently. And so Surendra, the driver from MP tourism and I went to Sanchi-Vidisha-Udaigiri.
First stop Sanchi. Chilly but not freezing. Green and beautiful. I made it. Afterall! The great Stupa, the four gateways. Ashoka the Great. 3rd century BC. Devi, Anuradha, Mahendra; Sungas; Here was an Ashoka Pillar with bits of the original smooth chunar sandstone still intact still carrying the famous edict of Ashoka warning against schism in the Buddhist community. (I can't ofcourse read it). The shaft of the pillar intact. The middle broken into two lying under a covered dias and the four lion heads in the archeological musuem, next door. Thanks to a blogger - I forget who - since I had read up so many before the trip - said not to miss the archeological survey of India Museum. Beautifully and painstakingly restored - a photographic record of the restoration is in the museum, Sanchi is a pleasant visit. And ofcourse the curious serenity I find around Buddhist places of worship or temples is here as well.
Outside in the parking were bored drivers, guides jostling each other to grab a foreign tourist party, vendors - wondering no doubt, what could be of so much interest that one thinks nothing of spending huge amounts to travel to Sanchi from great distances, on taxis, on guidebooks, on cameras, on guides and yet haggle about parking fees (I did), shoo away beggars.
Bija Mandal jayengi? Surendra sounded incredibly bored. Aapko pata hai naa, I ask? Haan, Vidisha main, he says. So, onto Vidisha which was once a super prosperous town, mentioned in Kalidasa's Meghdoot. Home town of Devi, Ashoka the great's wife. Really? Impossibly narrow, dirty crowded little town, could be anywhere in India. Garbage demarcating lanes, cross roads. Cows, pigs, dogs. And the seemingly random use of colours - green door here, yellow window there, a woman in a bright pink sari - colours foreigners would find eye catching and dutifully photograph. We went round and round while the roads became narrower and crowded. Finally, even my enthusiasm palled. Chalo. Surendra's relief was short lived. To Heliodorus' pillar, I said.
The pillar, standing sentinel from so long ago, now, in the middle of absolutely no where. No one around. A stray dog and me (embarrassingly touristy in jeans, windcheater, camera, mineral water bottle now containing local tap water filled at my hotel in Bhopal and guide book). The pillar stands in a fenced area with trees. There is a board of the archeological society of India. Surendra must have wondered at my choice of place. And might he be right? A pillar. Except that there is a thrill to think what it might have been around 110 BCE when a Greek ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas to the court of the Sunga king Bhagabhadra had it erected. According to some records, he had converted to hinduism (?) since it was dedicated to Vishnu. Having seen the pillars which took about 2-3 minutes, there was well, nothing much to do. And yet, having come here all the way, I could hardly make a hasty exit, could I? So I loitered around for another 5 minutes or so, frequently consulting the MP Tourism brochure before leaving for the last stop (while Surendra kept in turns looking at the pillar and at me, in puzzled amazement).
Udaigiri. Ancient rock cut temples on a dark hill from the Gupta period. The lone caretaker was quite happy to see me, the lone tourist and showed me around. No signs / tablets or whatever they are called - detailing history and information would have been helpful. The climb was painful. The descent excruciating. Thankgod for Surendra. He helped me down, step by painful and vertigo inducing step. Did he wonder what the hell was I doing there? He must have.
There were the obligatory "Sonu loves Pinky" graffitti in hard to reach places. God. Why do people deface these places so? And how do they reach those places and carve out these messages?Panting, gasping (me) and relieved Surendra left Udaigiri for our return back to Bhopal. Just a while back, in Sanchi, what a thrill it was to see slabs inscribed in pali / parakrit? Or was it just plain graffitti? Should I then be so upset with "Sonu love Pinky" modern variety. Who knows? A couple of millenia later, will a future archeological society be constructing guard rails and guided tours on "Sonu Loves Pinky"?! Maybe?!
As I made my way back to Bhopal, I think I got my answer as to who won. Not Sanchi, nor Bhimbetka. But Time - that mighty leveller. Man might make short term gains like in Sanchi but sooner or later, will have to bow done to time!
I found neat info on Sanchi here.
PS - The cam I took from my colleague was out of memory and I couldn't figure out how to erase all the old pictures. I could take only 4. Can you imagine my angst at deciding which 4 to take? And anyhow, am still waiting for my colleague to mail me those pix. In the meanwile, some neat Sanchi pix at Aaravind GJ's.
First stop Sanchi. Chilly but not freezing. Green and beautiful. I made it. Afterall! The great Stupa, the four gateways. Ashoka the Great. 3rd century BC. Devi, Anuradha, Mahendra; Sungas; Here was an Ashoka Pillar with bits of the original smooth chunar sandstone still intact still carrying the famous edict of Ashoka warning against schism in the Buddhist community. (I can't ofcourse read it). The shaft of the pillar intact. The middle broken into two lying under a covered dias and the four lion heads in the archeological musuem, next door. Thanks to a blogger - I forget who - since I had read up so many before the trip - said not to miss the archeological survey of India Museum. Beautifully and painstakingly restored - a photographic record of the restoration is in the museum, Sanchi is a pleasant visit. And ofcourse the curious serenity I find around Buddhist places of worship or temples is here as well.
Outside in the parking were bored drivers, guides jostling each other to grab a foreign tourist party, vendors - wondering no doubt, what could be of so much interest that one thinks nothing of spending huge amounts to travel to Sanchi from great distances, on taxis, on guidebooks, on cameras, on guides and yet haggle about parking fees (I did), shoo away beggars.
Bija Mandal jayengi? Surendra sounded incredibly bored. Aapko pata hai naa, I ask? Haan, Vidisha main, he says. So, onto Vidisha which was once a super prosperous town, mentioned in Kalidasa's Meghdoot. Home town of Devi, Ashoka the great's wife. Really? Impossibly narrow, dirty crowded little town, could be anywhere in India. Garbage demarcating lanes, cross roads. Cows, pigs, dogs. And the seemingly random use of colours - green door here, yellow window there, a woman in a bright pink sari - colours foreigners would find eye catching and dutifully photograph. We went round and round while the roads became narrower and crowded. Finally, even my enthusiasm palled. Chalo. Surendra's relief was short lived. To Heliodorus' pillar, I said.
The pillar, standing sentinel from so long ago, now, in the middle of absolutely no where. No one around. A stray dog and me (embarrassingly touristy in jeans, windcheater, camera, mineral water bottle now containing local tap water filled at my hotel in Bhopal and guide book). The pillar stands in a fenced area with trees. There is a board of the archeological society of India. Surendra must have wondered at my choice of place. And might he be right? A pillar. Except that there is a thrill to think what it might have been around 110 BCE when a Greek ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas to the court of the Sunga king Bhagabhadra had it erected. According to some records, he had converted to hinduism (?) since it was dedicated to Vishnu. Having seen the pillars which took about 2-3 minutes, there was well, nothing much to do. And yet, having come here all the way, I could hardly make a hasty exit, could I? So I loitered around for another 5 minutes or so, frequently consulting the MP Tourism brochure before leaving for the last stop (while Surendra kept in turns looking at the pillar and at me, in puzzled amazement).
Udaigiri. Ancient rock cut temples on a dark hill from the Gupta period. The lone caretaker was quite happy to see me, the lone tourist and showed me around. No signs / tablets or whatever they are called - detailing history and information would have been helpful. The climb was painful. The descent excruciating. Thankgod for Surendra. He helped me down, step by painful and vertigo inducing step. Did he wonder what the hell was I doing there? He must have.
There were the obligatory "Sonu loves Pinky" graffitti in hard to reach places. God. Why do people deface these places so? And how do they reach those places and carve out these messages?Panting, gasping (me) and relieved Surendra left Udaigiri for our return back to Bhopal. Just a while back, in Sanchi, what a thrill it was to see slabs inscribed in pali / parakrit? Or was it just plain graffitti? Should I then be so upset with "Sonu love Pinky" modern variety. Who knows? A couple of millenia later, will a future archeological society be constructing guard rails and guided tours on "Sonu Loves Pinky"?! Maybe?!
As I made my way back to Bhopal, I think I got my answer as to who won. Not Sanchi, nor Bhimbetka. But Time - that mighty leveller. Man might make short term gains like in Sanchi but sooner or later, will have to bow done to time!
I found neat info on Sanchi here.
PS - The cam I took from my colleague was out of memory and I couldn't figure out how to erase all the old pictures. I could take only 4. Can you imagine my angst at deciding which 4 to take? And anyhow, am still waiting for my colleague to mail me those pix. In the meanwile, some neat Sanchi pix at Aaravind GJ's.
Friday, December 25, 2009
A Kolkata Christmas
Ah Kolkata! And its festive spirit and its traditions! If it is 24th of December, it has to be cake for the Bengali. Fruit cake, plum cake, almond cake etc --- better known as Christmas Cake. First ofcourse sampled from gifts from Christian colleagues at work and ensured by frequent reminders from about couple of months back, say right after the Durga Pujas!!!! Next, also bought from shops which suddenly stock enormous quantities of this "christmas cake".
24th sort of brought in a holiday mood although till the new year, there is only one official holiday - 25th! Never mind. Our ladies club met out of schedule to watch first day, night show of Three Idiots (one of our triad thought my SMS was referring to us), while the suddenly excluded hubby of S went to the Sri Lanka - India one dayer. We met up at 12:15am when our movie got over and he had made his way back from Eden Gardens, for ofcourse the other great Kolkata tradition - head for Park Street. While rest of Kolkata is slumbering (and rightly so), snug in bed, Park Street is ALIVE. Every one is there. Wearing santa caps (this years model had a blinking bulb on top - the "tuni" variety). And rest of Kolkata might verily be quiet, dark, cold and empty as a December night would be.
Tired of the enormous tub of popcorn and jaws and forehead aching with chewing the aforementioned corn, we need food. So we head for what seems to be the only place open - Flurys (we ignore OlyPub). Houseful and an ever growing waiting list, all seriously tucking in the not so inexpensive fare! Ah!
Bone tired (I was just back from MP on 23rd night and a full work day on 24th + late night movie) I crashed out at 3am at S's house and slept right through the freezing - OK not freezing but the serious chill - that crept in through windows! And on to 25th. And lucky lucky me - I get to celebrate the third tradition - the traditional Christmas Lunch. Good pal Anne had just come in from Delhi and invited me over to her large and warm family - aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews - all welcomed me in and stuffed me with a great lunch which lasted over a few hours. Sated with all the good food, sleepy from all the ginger wine, laden with gift, another christmas cake, rose cookies, I crawl home.
Merry, Merry Christmas!
24th sort of brought in a holiday mood although till the new year, there is only one official holiday - 25th! Never mind. Our ladies club met out of schedule to watch first day, night show of Three Idiots (one of our triad thought my SMS was referring to us), while the suddenly excluded hubby of S went to the Sri Lanka - India one dayer. We met up at 12:15am when our movie got over and he had made his way back from Eden Gardens, for ofcourse the other great Kolkata tradition - head for Park Street. While rest of Kolkata is slumbering (and rightly so), snug in bed, Park Street is ALIVE. Every one is there. Wearing santa caps (this years model had a blinking bulb on top - the "tuni" variety). And rest of Kolkata might verily be quiet, dark, cold and empty as a December night would be.
Tired of the enormous tub of popcorn and jaws and forehead aching with chewing the aforementioned corn, we need food. So we head for what seems to be the only place open - Flurys (we ignore OlyPub). Houseful and an ever growing waiting list, all seriously tucking in the not so inexpensive fare! Ah!
Bone tired (I was just back from MP on 23rd night and a full work day on 24th + late night movie) I crashed out at 3am at S's house and slept right through the freezing - OK not freezing but the serious chill - that crept in through windows! And on to 25th. And lucky lucky me - I get to celebrate the third tradition - the traditional Christmas Lunch. Good pal Anne had just come in from Delhi and invited me over to her large and warm family - aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews - all welcomed me in and stuffed me with a great lunch which lasted over a few hours. Sated with all the good food, sleepy from all the ginger wine, laden with gift, another christmas cake, rose cookies, I crawl home.
Merry, Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Not a Kitty Party
And we met up at Dolly's Tea Shop. Three of us this time. Our second Ladies night out. (A bit euphemistic since its was only a couple of hours in the evening)! Our girlish glee, tinged with a guilty pleasure at taking time out for our very own selves. Darjeeling Makaibari roasted for me; Autum for K and Iced tea for S. And ham and cheese sandwiches and one tiny apple tart. And loads of girl talk. And we had fun going triple dutch. And we had even dressed up.
Last month I took S (a very close friend) out to dinner on the eve of her birthday instead of spending it with her and her family like last year. Her hubby, also a very close friend, was quite taken aback and tried to inveigle an invitation. I don't quite know why, but I refused. And so did she! We met up at Mirch Masala in Gariahat at the end of what had been a very busy and long day for the both of us. Both dressed up (a departure from our usual comfy rags)! And suddenly, shy and tongue tied, having rarely met out of family or work settings in recent years! And as the Bloody Mary and Mili Juli Kebabs did their trick, we hestitantly found that there are things to talk about beyond the usual home, hearth and work. Other stuff. And believe me (this is an aside to myself and perhaps S because we were the ones who forgot) that there is a world of things to talk about, out there!
And we were so thrilled with ourselves. Do you think he (friends hubby) was very upset? I asked. No, she said and then after a while added, "not very much"! And then we both laughed! Let's meet next month.
What shall we do next? Where shall we meet? Breakfast at Flurys?! Why ever not? After all, the operational word out here is a ladies outing or should I say, ladies only outing. We'll take turn with the logistics - which simply means fixing the time, day and venue. That is so difficult, we both agree! Every mundane thing seems more important. But no men! And there is such a nice feeling saying no to any men who might want to butt in (presently only one - S's slightly puzzled husband since he is always the jolly fourth in all our outings and plans and addas)! Haha!
Anything else? Yes: Will not laugh at kitty parties. I used to look down upon them. All this kitty party things (so behenji, so aunty, so inane, so meaningless, so.....) then has something to say for it! I will try and not sneer!
PS - It is still a ladies only outing. And NOT a kitty party.
Last month I took S (a very close friend) out to dinner on the eve of her birthday instead of spending it with her and her family like last year. Her hubby, also a very close friend, was quite taken aback and tried to inveigle an invitation. I don't quite know why, but I refused. And so did she! We met up at Mirch Masala in Gariahat at the end of what had been a very busy and long day for the both of us. Both dressed up (a departure from our usual comfy rags)! And suddenly, shy and tongue tied, having rarely met out of family or work settings in recent years! And as the Bloody Mary and Mili Juli Kebabs did their trick, we hestitantly found that there are things to talk about beyond the usual home, hearth and work. Other stuff. And believe me (this is an aside to myself and perhaps S because we were the ones who forgot) that there is a world of things to talk about, out there!
And we were so thrilled with ourselves. Do you think he (friends hubby) was very upset? I asked. No, she said and then after a while added, "not very much"! And then we both laughed! Let's meet next month.
What shall we do next? Where shall we meet? Breakfast at Flurys?! Why ever not? After all, the operational word out here is a ladies outing or should I say, ladies only outing. We'll take turn with the logistics - which simply means fixing the time, day and venue. That is so difficult, we both agree! Every mundane thing seems more important. But no men! And there is such a nice feeling saying no to any men who might want to butt in (presently only one - S's slightly puzzled husband since he is always the jolly fourth in all our outings and plans and addas)! Haha!
Anything else? Yes: Will not laugh at kitty parties. I used to look down upon them. All this kitty party things (so behenji, so aunty, so inane, so meaningless, so.....) then has something to say for it! I will try and not sneer!
PS - It is still a ladies only outing. And NOT a kitty party.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
In search of a context
'In search of a context' is essentially about the relation of art to its setting of time, place, social and historical moorings..." went the beautiful invite to the latest exhibition of CIMA Gallery, Kolkata . 17 artists have recontexurised some selected artworks.
I usually avoid openings and pick up a quiet moment to visit art galleries - the crush of beautiful folks dressed in their glad rags obscure the art works usually by conversing loudly right in front of them! Today, I made an exception. The beautiful people were well behaved. Interesting art - all media, paintings, sculpture, video and installation art. I met one of my most favorite artists - Shakila and spoke to both her and her husband.
But the highlight of the evening undoubtedly was a performance art all for me! A tall young American dressed all in shiny black and a mass of carefully careless curls walked up to a small note on the wall which was coincidentally pinned just above a garbage bin now full by empty tea khullars, dumped there by the visitors! He kept reading the note and glancing down at the bin! All the while the art accompanying the note was playing on an adjacent wall! It was a video on war!! No doubt he was trying to connect the recontexturising!
It was SO Funny. I had to share it with some one. And I did. With one of the attendants - in grey T-shirt and black pants. And soon, three others came up and we all had a hearty laugh! Now that was recontexturising!
I usually avoid openings and pick up a quiet moment to visit art galleries - the crush of beautiful folks dressed in their glad rags obscure the art works usually by conversing loudly right in front of them! Today, I made an exception. The beautiful people were well behaved. Interesting art - all media, paintings, sculpture, video and installation art. I met one of my most favorite artists - Shakila and spoke to both her and her husband.
But the highlight of the evening undoubtedly was a performance art all for me! A tall young American dressed all in shiny black and a mass of carefully careless curls walked up to a small note on the wall which was coincidentally pinned just above a garbage bin now full by empty tea khullars, dumped there by the visitors! He kept reading the note and glancing down at the bin! All the while the art accompanying the note was playing on an adjacent wall! It was a video on war!! No doubt he was trying to connect the recontexturising!
It was SO Funny. I had to share it with some one. And I did. With one of the attendants - in grey T-shirt and black pants. And soon, three others came up and we all had a hearty laugh! Now that was recontexturising!
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