From a book I'm reading

From "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi
"That first day I asked my students what they thought fiction should accomplish, why one should bother to read fiction at all. It was an odd way to start, but I did succeed in getting their attention. I explained that we would in the course of the semester read and discuss many different authors, but that one thing these authors all had in common was their subversiveness. Some, like Gorky or Gold, were overtly subversive in their political aims; others like Fitzgerald and Mark Twain, were in my opinion more subversive, if less obviously so. I told them we would come back to this term, because my understanding of it was somewhat different from its usual definition. I wrote on the board one of my favourite lines from the German thinker Theodor Adorno:
"The highest form of morality is not to feel at home in one's own home."
I explained that most great works of the imagination were meant to make you feel like stranger in your own home. The best fiction always forced us to quesotin what we took for granted. It questioned traditions and expectations when they seemed too immutable. I told my students I wanted them in their readings to consider in what ways these works unsettled them, made them a little uneasy, made them look around and consider the world, like Alice in Wonderland, through different eyes."

Anish Kapoor in Paris

Yups, I was in Paris recently.

And I got to see the latest Anish Kapoor exhibit in the Grand Palais at Paris.

It was very unique and thought provoking. The Grand Palais itself is a lovely structure, built in 1900. Anish Kapoor's work dominated the structure, and I was glad that I made the effort to see it. I almost didn't - thinking I'd trade in my last evening at Paris and watch television instead in my hotel room. Even when I write this it sounds so stupid!! What was I thinking!!

I took a guided tour - and believe it or not, I got the nicest girl from the museum to translate for me! Plus there was a talk by Anish Kapoor which I also attended. I got back to the hotel pretty late - 10:30 PM, but it was well worth the visit, the effort and the walk back to my hotel down Champs Elysees!! :)

Chores in Delhi

I had some work around Lodhi Road yesterday. As I was walking around getting things done - moving from the post office to the metro station, within my eye's reach was Safdarjung's Tomb. I've passed it many many many times, but usually I've been in a car or in a hurry.
Today neither was the case.
So I said, let's go in and see it. I regretting not having a camera, but since this was an unscheduled visit I thought, there will always be photo opportunities later!!
It is a small structure - but magnificent none the less. The gardens that surround it are lovely, and yes, here you will find heroes and heroines sitting under the shade of palm trees romancing eachother (towards the back of the mausoleum, in case any one is interested).
It's always a little eerie seeing a tomb. The dome above echoes all the little noises that surround it, and you feel like you are intruding on someone's slumber.
You almost forget that you're in the 21st century.

Bharat Rang Utsav 2011

Yesterday me and a friend (or a friend and I) went to see a play which is running as part of the Bharat Rang Utsav 2011. I must say, that I've never seen a play at LTG on Copernicus Marg, but it was a decent enough auditorium.
The play was "The Dragon" and it looked at the impact of totalitarian rule on a populace. Lancelot, the knight in shining armour, would be the saviour of the town from The Dragon, an omnipresent and ruthless dictator, personified as a dragon.
The play was in Sri Lankan.
The entrance was spectacular, and it sent chills up your spine. I really liked the way they showed through music, art and acting how affected people were by The Dragon.
One disappointing aspect was that even though subtitles were promised, there were none. Just a summary of each scene was posted on the LCD screens that were positioned on either side of the stage. (That's btw how subtitles run in a play.) This was in stark contrast to Mareechka, where every line was translated.
A lot of people left as a result, which was unfortunate, considering the time and energy that had gone into the performance.
In Sinhala, the play translated means "Makaraakshaya".
The playwright is Yevgeny Shvarts. The director was Dharmasiri Bandaranayake. From the Director's note
"I decided to do a new production of this play in the year 2010, because I believe that we are still not too late to understand the catastrophe faced by the whole society. Today, are we not submitting ourselves and applauding the same old fascism that the whole world once united to turn to ashes? Does this play make us think? If not, then what else does it do?"

A spectacular photo

Courtesy National Geographic Magazine, I came across these pictures of a spectacular cave structure found in Vietnam.
I've always wanted to visit Vietnam and Cambodia, and funnily enough a comment on the website also said that these two countries were a must-see if anyone was interested.
New Years Resolutions:
1. Eat less chocolate
2. Walk for at least half an hour every day
3. Lose some weight!!
4. Cook well
5. Learn about my craft
6. Destress a little
7. And Travel Widely!!
:) :) :)

Sleep

Sleep glorious sleep
I know that we humans spend a considerable time sleeping in our lives. And that sleep is important for our bodies.
It's so difficult waking up in the morning sometimes!! I wish I could just sleep sleep sleep.
That's why I love weekends. You can get up relaxed. These days I've started experimenting with cooking as well. I'm going to try and make chidwa on Saturday.
My Mom and Nani are great cooks. I wish I were more like them! It looks effortless.
Notice how the topic has veered from sleeping to eating. I think they're both synonymous in a way!!
Sleep glorious sleep

Too much food & Robin Sharma

Lately I've found myself eating a lot. I think it's cuz of the harsh winter and the fact that I'm just not controlling myself. However, I have made a resolution to lose weight, which I shall be doing soon.
I came across a website on Robin Sharma's blog which had been recommended by a friend. It is entitled 60 Tips For a Stunningly Great Life.
Some of the ones I liked:
- Exercise Daily
- See your work as a craft.
- Expect the best and prepare for the worst.
- Keep a journal.
- Plan a schedule for your week
- Know the 5 highest priorities of your life.
- Drink a lot of water
- Improve your work every single day
- Get a mentor
- Get up at 5 am everyday
- EAT LESS FOOD
- Spend time at art galleries
- Have five great friends
- Read daily
- Unplug your TV
- Pursue your dreams
- Be authentic
- Be passionate
- Clean up your messes
- Travel more
- Spend time in the mountains
- Make your life matter
Thanks Robin for the tips. Will try and follow the same!!