Beautiful Delhi Flora

I was recently in the capital to attend a conference on the value-based management practices inspired from India's spiritual heritage.  I came to the city with a certain apprehension based on the many media stories surrounding the recent attacks on women as well as a sense of shame from its leaders who are not able to take a firm stance in the face of these most horrific events.  Delhi, a city of rapist, Delhi a city of misogynist, Delhi capital of all that is shameful and ugly in the Indian man.  So it was with a pleasant and refreshing outlook that I discovered a city that is much more than what the recent media has painted it to be.  From its most efficient and luxurious metro service, to its colourful fauna and its love of arts, I found Delhi to be a grand old-lady that is striving to rejuvenate itself.

Yesteryear Ambassador parked on the road side.

My first encounters with Delhi in the mid-2000s was one of heritage of a glorious past with beautiful architecture, spacious roads and a love of antique monuments preserved neatly behind manicured lawns.  The Delhi I found today inspired in me an image of an island in north India aspiring to modernity under attack from forces of obscurantism that try to stop her relentless march forward.  Taking the world-class metro service on a daily basis to attend the my conference in Delhi University, I was surprised by the beauty of Delhi women and their sense of dressing.  Being a Frenchman and having worked and travelled in countless European capitals, I have come to appreciate the sense of dressing that Parisian woman display, often regarded as epitomising women beauty in Europe.  I can say that Delhi women have nothing to envy to their Parisian counterparts.  Their sense of dressing at times took my breath away, simple, elegant and detailed down to the shoes and accessories, yet not loud.  Sri Aurobindo, a great Indian seer, talks of the importance of looking after our bodies, of dressing it with care, for he champions the idea that the body is a living temple of the Divine.  Delhi women are beautiful temples.

I Touch a face and it murders me

Of course, one may argue that my perception is a skewed selection effect of the metro's flora, and no I am not mistaking with the fauna, I mean the flora, for surely Delhi should treat its women like an ardent garndener, with love and tenderness. What would be mankind without the love of women. 

On my last day, the conference ending early, I whiled my spare time with a visit to the Delhi Art Galley in Haus Kaas, coming across one of its artist on display, Amitava, I was startled by a canvas painted back in 1989 which expressed with distinct clarity the essence of the feeling of violence that Delhi inflicts on its women.  The painting was titled "I Touch A Face And Suddenly It Murders Me".

Artist are no different to scientist, they too seek to describe the world, only the language differs.

Leaving Delhi to return to my south Indian home, I reaslised that the changes Delhi is going through, its modernisation, love of art and heritage, and an aspiration by its women to be beautiful can only reflect a deeper sub-conscious and latent aspiration of a city striving to sustain its glorious past while embracing the future.  It will take time for the men to learn to respect and love the contribution of woman to this world, but it is ironic that behind such shameful and careless men lie a mother that has spoilt her male-child, and so it is important that women too take responsibility and change the way men are brought up in our society.

People actually queue in the crowded metro stations, a first in India!

It is surprising the number of peddle rickshaws that ply the small streets of the older city

An other pleasant surprise is the introduction of electric shared autos

Always a lemon juice vendor on the crowsded street corners

A look at life

An interesting little post celebrating Calvin & Hobbes.

Bill Watterson retired from writing and drawing "Calvin & Hobbes" about 18 years ago, but the timelessness of his message -- to always remain thoughtful, imaginative, and playful -- will stick in our culture forever, if we're lucky. Case in point: Cartoonist Gavin Aung Than, who pens comics on his blog Zen Pencils, created this tribute to Watterson that has struck a chord with the Internet over the last few days.

I think the cartoon speaks for itself, and an inspiration for all of us seeking to make a positive contribution to the world we live in.

Sustaining a multicultural heritage

An interesting article in the New Indian Express highlights the plight of Indian women of 2nd or 3rd generation based in the US and their struggle to balance their inherited Indian culture (from their parents) and their adopted one abroad.  The articles reports on a talk given by a Professor Salli Vargis of History at Georgia Perimeter College.  It really applies to all Indian women abroad.  It is a fact that the 2nd or 3rd generation are usually much more integrated than their 1st generation parents.  The article highlights how pressure to retain values from the mother culture often leads to conflict at home.

It is important on the one hand for the parents to accept that their offspring will inevitably integrate with the adopted culture to a far greater extent than them.  Resisting this is futile and only leads to exacerbated conflicts and further rejection of their home culture, a futile pursuit that is contrary to their original aspiration: that their children retain and embrace their inheritance.

On the other, 2nd and 3rd generation Indians need to be aware of the incredible gift they have inherited.  Having a dual-culture is the most precious aspect to their life, for it is a formidable arm for adaptation.  I speak from experience as I myself have a multi-cultural background, having been blessed with both Indian and European roots.

How can these women (and men) nurture their this gift, yet remain true to who they are?  There are now a growing number of online services that allow Indians abroad to stay in touch with their roots.  I would like to highlight a project on which I am involved, an online performing arts service that provide professional courses on Indian classic dance as well as singing and music instrument.  Ambalam, is a company based in Chennai that has a long experience in teaching performing arts in the heart of Kalakshetra Colony, where the famous Kalakshetra art centre is located.  Their web-site, eAmabalam, provides a wide range of courses which anyone with an internet connection and a computer can sign up for a course.  The courses are very detailed with extensive notes and video footage.  Weekly Skype sessions are on the program to 'Meet your teacher' through which the student can post videos of their own progression and get detailed feedback.

Amabalam also maintains a cultural portal, SaMaaGaMa, on varied aspects of performing arts in India, their roots and the intricately linked culture of the arts with society as a whole.

Sustainable sound?

It is interesting to note how quickly sustainable has come of age.  More and more the media is filled with reports of all sorts of sustainable efforts in all walks of life.  Here is another unexpected contribution from a French music band and a swiss engineer on a world tour to promote the message of sustainable growth and development.  Their contribution?  A sound amplifier system manufactured from sustainable materials.  Their message?  Promote the need for a sustainable world, by providing their sound system on rent basis to Indian musicians.  What's more, the system comes with its own battery source that can be charged with a solar panel, making it eco-friendly too.

Subtle subtitling

A nice piece on the art of subtitling South Indian movies.  Rekha Haricharan from Chennai has done the english subtitles of over 48 movies which such passion for keeping to the spoken word that it has won her much praise and following.  It is ever so important in world where the english language dominates and Hollywood blockbusters rule to have a alternative movies from non-english cultures to have good subtitles for this is the thin line that separates its success from its relegation into oblivion on the world stage.

Collecting History!

Nice article on a unique collector from Bangalore.  One can wonder what is so sustainable about collecting old papers and artefacts, but in  a world where virtual digital is the norm, it is heartening to see someone caring for old parchments and papers of historical value.  Today these collections may have little interest beyond a small circle of like-minded collectors, but tomorrow is another day and there will come a time when these collectibles will find a wider audience as our society develops a greater understanding of India's past.

Gods made in Spain!

An interesting article about a Spanish sculptor creating figurines of Hindu in Spain.  A clear case of Indian rebirth you might think!  Apparently, Raul, who shares his name with a more famous compatriot of his from Madrid, has been at it from some time and sells his work in India for quite a hefty price.  Anyhow, the great thing about this story is how it highlights the increasing diversity we read about in the news.  The more diversity the more we can hope for a sustainable future... who knows where this artist will go to next.

Indian Manga, sustaining cultural diversity

Great little book out on the shelves of Indian comic stores, a Japanese Manga writer on his tribulation in India.  Love the title!  Will pick one up and update with a review.