Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Cosmic Energy - Beautiful Paintings by Artist Machcha Gangadas
Very rarely do we find real life figures who inspire and after that surprise you with their grace, humbleness and talent. Had the pleasure of meeting someone personifying all the above words earlier this month. His name is Machcha Gangadas, a painter, an artist, a poet with colours who showcased his works at the Jehangir Art Gallery earlier this month.
These are not paintings, these are concepts.
His right leg is affected by Polio, but that has not stopped Mr. Gangadas from spending every single Sunday in Bombay, touring various art galleries and exploring and appreciating other artists' works. It is this insight and dedication that shows through his work and amazing techniques, which he was gladly sharing with onlookers and connoisseurs.
You can see more of his paintings here
These are not paintings, these are concepts.
The concept that there is one and only one energy that flows in our soul. It is the origin of our soul and the collective soul of the world as well. According to the artist Mr. Gangadas, he's depicted the flow of energy of the entire universe. He says we carry this energy within ourselves and it is also the basis of the scientific term of "aura".
Every person has a distinctive aura. Also, the flow of energy can be controlled by proper meditation and thereby "activating" chakras. There are seven chakras in the human body.
A lover of the art of art for the past three decades, he currently works in the State Bank of India. Ask him how he finds the time to paint, while working in a Bank, he says that passion always finds a way.
He rises early, and often paints till wee hours of the morning. He gives the credit to his family who has supported him throughout and mostly, his wife, who often prepares tea for him as he paints in the night. He has a son and a daughter-in-law and is based in Pune.
His right leg is affected by Polio, but that has not stopped Mr. Gangadas from spending every single Sunday in Bombay, touring various art galleries and exploring and appreciating other artists' works. It is this insight and dedication that shows through his work and amazing techniques, which he was gladly sharing with onlookers and connoisseurs.
Apart from the concept of cosmic energy reflected in his works, an important part of his paintings is the technique he employs. The concept of the flow of energy may be old, but to portray it in a radical way catches your attention. Even in his paintings you can feel something is alive, creating ripples around you, within you.
For those interested in seeing more of his work or better still, buying it, please email Mr. Machcha Gangadas at ggmachcha@gmail.com.
You can see more of his paintings here
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Movie Review
Sorry, it took me a long time to write this review... but I had been travelling and now that am back in my turf, my fingers feel comfortable. Well, I didn't miss the movie even in my travels-- saw it First Day Second Show (2D) and caught the show in my own city as well (3D) -- all in a span of 4 days from the day of its release. Yes, am bragging.
So, well, yes, it's definitely worth a watch, as expected.
Jack Sparrow at his disgusting, deviously charming self, as expected.
Penelope Cruz looking splendid and acting the part, too, as expected.
Geoffrey Rush, tantalising as a seasoned actor, as expected.
The beauty-meets-beast aura of the lovely mermaids is entertaining, as expected.
Hans Zimmer's score, engrosses your mood all the way till your soul, as expected.
What was different is this is the first time the movie was directed by Rob Marshall, taking the heavyweight crown of expectations from Gore Verbinski (Director, Pirates: Parts 1-3). Marshall's incredibly talented: his last claim to fame was the magnificent Chicago. He does a fine job, if not perfect, and brings out a different shade to Captain Jack Sparrow altogether. Perhaps this is the first of the Pirates film that showcases Sparrow's philosophical take on life, death, eternal life - and even love. You actually see his sensitive side.
From the moment go, the film is a continuous series of events, packed with action, laughter and thought provoking matters like compassion, "sterlings" (Sparrow's equivalent for "feelings"). But make no mistake, despite the mushy interventions, there's lot of action and adventure.
Penelope Cruz displays a character that's gritty, realist despite being vulnerable. Her natural stunning yet vulnerable looks do justice to the role. Johnny Depp walks the walk and in some scenes you are treated to see him genuinely brooding. Ian McShane, as Black Beard, looks his part of voo-doo villain, and Cruz's father. They actually look related. There are talented actors like Judi Dench and Roger Allam in a blink-and-miss roles. Everybody knows five seconds of act in Pirates movie is never a bad move.
The first scene of a chaotic London embracing the paranoia of Captain Jack Sparrow's trial is awesome, as is the light-house explosion combating the beautiful and deadly mermaids. The cinematography is one of a kind. The treatment in the form of colours - turquoise, yellow and light blue is simply enriching.
It's intriguing to note Sparrow's fascination slash obsession in finding the fabled Fountain of Youth, racing with the Spanish and the English, yet he doesn't want the prize for himself. Ultimate sacrifice for a love that he refuses to acknowledge, or just the carefree nature of a pirate, taking every fascination as nothing but a journey for pure caper?
Mermaids, Zombies, Penelope Cruz, blue, green, yellow, Hector, Fountain of Youth and Captain Jack Sparrow -- you feel like a kid in a candy store.. with ample of things to do for adults, too ;) if you know what I mean...
The script dwells into various factors of good and evil, magic sword of Blackbeard, Sparrow's descent into the manipulative and sensitive zones and whole load of adventure. It does justice to your time. And imagination.
Stepping out tonight to watch Kung Fu Panda -2 :) Review, coming up :)
So, well, yes, it's definitely worth a watch, as expected.
Jack Sparrow at his disgusting, deviously charming self, as expected.
Penelope Cruz looking splendid and acting the part, too, as expected.
Geoffrey Rush, tantalising as a seasoned actor, as expected.
The beauty-meets-beast aura of the lovely mermaids is entertaining, as expected.
Hans Zimmer's score, engrosses your mood all the way till your soul, as expected.
What was different is this is the first time the movie was directed by Rob Marshall, taking the heavyweight crown of expectations from Gore Verbinski (Director, Pirates: Parts 1-3). Marshall's incredibly talented: his last claim to fame was the magnificent Chicago. He does a fine job, if not perfect, and brings out a different shade to Captain Jack Sparrow altogether. Perhaps this is the first of the Pirates film that showcases Sparrow's philosophical take on life, death, eternal life - and even love. You actually see his sensitive side.
From the moment go, the film is a continuous series of events, packed with action, laughter and thought provoking matters like compassion, "sterlings" (Sparrow's equivalent for "feelings"). But make no mistake, despite the mushy interventions, there's lot of action and adventure.
Penelope Cruz displays a character that's gritty, realist despite being vulnerable. Her natural stunning yet vulnerable looks do justice to the role. Johnny Depp walks the walk and in some scenes you are treated to see him genuinely brooding. Ian McShane, as Black Beard, looks his part of voo-doo villain, and Cruz's father. They actually look related. There are talented actors like Judi Dench and Roger Allam in a blink-and-miss roles. Everybody knows five seconds of act in Pirates movie is never a bad move.
The first scene of a chaotic London embracing the paranoia of Captain Jack Sparrow's trial is awesome, as is the light-house explosion combating the beautiful and deadly mermaids. The cinematography is one of a kind. The treatment in the form of colours - turquoise, yellow and light blue is simply enriching.
It's intriguing to note Sparrow's fascination slash obsession in finding the fabled Fountain of Youth, racing with the Spanish and the English, yet he doesn't want the prize for himself. Ultimate sacrifice for a love that he refuses to acknowledge, or just the carefree nature of a pirate, taking every fascination as nothing but a journey for pure caper?
Mermaids, Zombies, Penelope Cruz, blue, green, yellow, Hector, Fountain of Youth and Captain Jack Sparrow -- you feel like a kid in a candy store.. with ample of things to do for adults, too ;) if you know what I mean...
The script dwells into various factors of good and evil, magic sword of Blackbeard, Sparrow's descent into the manipulative and sensitive zones and whole load of adventure. It does justice to your time. And imagination.
Stepping out tonight to watch Kung Fu Panda -2 :) Review, coming up :)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Targets and Poetry
She comes as the rain, in a township of clouds.
The heaven tumbled upwards, waiting for a new ruler.
The brown earth could never make love to the green.
He was waiting for her to rain down.
Kritika looked at the random lines she'd just written. Lot of clouds, rain, heaven, she thought. Well what can you expect when you've been flying non-stop for over 72 hours, she lamented back. She sighed, looked around the almost empty flight. There was nothing much to notice on this afternoon flight. To her right sat a girl with long hair, and longer nails, presumably first time on her flight: she asked a woman sitting in front where the lavatory was.
In front of her, there was a woman with a child, a girl of about seven, paying devious attention to Kritika: she asked her about her lipstick, her finger ring, rows with blue trapeze diamonds, and her mystery-shade-of-blue shoe. To her back, sat yet another woman with a child, a boy of about ten, voicing the effect of the altitude on his stomach every time the plane gained or lost a few feet.
Kritika sighed. The window seat bored her; it was bright and sunny outside and most of all, her migraine was nagging her about her writer's blog. She soon spotted the problem: the businesswoman in her was handling her artist's targets. She sighed again. There was nothing she could do about it.
The heaven tumbled upwards, waiting for a new ruler.
The brown earth could never make love to the green.
He was waiting for her to rain down.
Kritika looked at the random lines she'd just written. Lot of clouds, rain, heaven, she thought. Well what can you expect when you've been flying non-stop for over 72 hours, she lamented back. She sighed, looked around the almost empty flight. There was nothing much to notice on this afternoon flight. To her right sat a girl with long hair, and longer nails, presumably first time on her flight: she asked a woman sitting in front where the lavatory was.
In front of her, there was a woman with a child, a girl of about seven, paying devious attention to Kritika: she asked her about her lipstick, her finger ring, rows with blue trapeze diamonds, and her mystery-shade-of-blue shoe. To her back, sat yet another woman with a child, a boy of about ten, voicing the effect of the altitude on his stomach every time the plane gained or lost a few feet.
Kritika sighed. The window seat bored her; it was bright and sunny outside and most of all, her migraine was nagging her about her writer's blog. She soon spotted the problem: the businesswoman in her was handling her artist's targets. She sighed again. There was nothing she could do about it.
Coming up...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
The US makes Hitler look good
"[...] So I am told this is the Golden Age
And Gold is the reason for the wars we wage [...]"
- A song
A decade ago when the media all over the world screamed as to how some obscure "terrorist" Osama bin Laden had bombed the Twin Towers, little did we know that the world was heading towards a Third World War.
It might be recalled that a nondescript incident had triggered the First World War with the assassination of one Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It was a curious incident, completely irrelevant: No body saw the coming of the World War I with the assassination of the Austrian crown prince.
Ditto with 9/11. The only differentiating factor is the magnanimous quantum and reach of Media and Communication in our times. Our decision was ready-made for us: why the US should attack and bring to "justice" the very shabby looking, jehads who ruined the picture perfectness of the great American Dream. They won. We were sympathetic. So much so, we forgot the "eye for an eye" doctrine of retribution which Gandhi warned us about.
If there is a thing such as a United Nations or the International Court of Justice or some other fancy sounding International Community or Forum, with a spine, back-bone or even neck, the US would have been stopped from taking the matters in "his" own hands. Just a George-Orwell-like reminder of how much eye-wash everything really is, in this world of ours.
Three years after the 9/11 incident, there were hushed voices in the form of documentaries and articles which said that the destruction of Twin Towers and devastation of Pentagon were orchestrated by the US and bin Laden was only an excuse to enter West Asia and re-organisation of oil trade around the world. Our parents thought that conspiracy theories were getting too much attention and after all, America was beloved by all.
The great American Dream was, and unfortunately still is, lust-worthy: Engineers, Bankers, Lawyers, Accountants, Executives, Models, Actors, Astronauts, ... everyone wants a slice of that life.
No one cared to read or find out some ridiculous revelations- back in the US, in the aftermath of 9/11, bars were filled with youngsters craving for sympathy sex and one-night-stands. An excuse for a one-night-stand, are you serious??
The Bill Clinton administration relied on the "intelligence" of bin Laden and his "terrorist" aides for news from Afghanistan and Russia borders. The US then decided it was time to go after the big fish.
For a nation filled with the smartest cops and finest operatives and researchers in the world, finding a man or his outfit should have been a matter of days.
Now we read of war crimes committed by US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Prisoners (read civilians at the wrong place, wrong time) are stripped naked, and forced to masturbate in front of US officers, one of them being a woman (Lynddie England).
All of this is widely reported. The guy who leaked this news "Classified millitary intel", Bradley Manning, is awaiting a probable death penalty. Well known organisations such as WikiLeaks, and well renowned international newspapers like The Guardian have all carried in-depth, detailed reports as to the crimes that US has committed.
Prisoner Kasim Mehaddi Hilas testifies regarding his experiences at Abu Ghraib, telling investigators that Private Charles Graner had cuffed him to the bars of a cell window, after Hilas had asked Graner what time it was because he wanted to pray. Graner left him, feet dangling above the floor, for almost five hours. Hilas also detailed events he had witnessed of Graner and some of his fellow soldiers sodomizing and otherwise abusing other detainees. These events were also detailed by other prisoners including some of the victims themselves.
According to Hilas, Graner also "repeatedly threw the detainees' meals into the toilets and said, 'Eat it"
This is just a small account of US' supposed "War on Terror" It's official: the US is in the same league as Hitler, and probably much worse.
Petitions, letters and mass-movements have begun, even in the US, but what will be the outcome of that? A lot of reports have been written and published and read and sympathised with; investigative journalism has been carried out, but what will be the final outcome? Is there a court strong enough to try Donald Rumsfeld, Bush, Tony Blair and Obama?
Speaking of Obama.. Here's what he said when the US Press asked him to comment on Bradley Manning's detention during the trial for letting out "sensitive information" to WikiLeaks:
"... I have actually asked the Pentagon whether or not the procedures that have been taken in terms of his confinement are appropriate and are meeting our basic standards. They assured me that they are. I can't go into details about some of their concerns, but some of this has to do with Private Manning's safety as well."
Now that Osama is killed, the US is eying Pakistan. It's the new villain. Obviously, India is politically hurt. The US might want to "occupy" Pakistan, just as it occupied Iraq and Afghanistan, and "set things right." If that happens, Pakistan will become just another sorry place like Iraq. And considering some of the radical religious outfits are there in India as well, it will be a matter of time when US might want to step-in here and "set things right". India has always played the gracious, nervous host to the US (who doesn't?) and we might as well be seen as a country committed to fighting terrorism.
But will our Government be able to protect innocent civilians from becoming just another victims of US army boys and girls, who hunt and torture for pleasure?
And Gold is the reason for the wars we wage [...]"
- A song
A decade ago when the media all over the world screamed as to how some obscure "terrorist" Osama bin Laden had bombed the Twin Towers, little did we know that the world was heading towards a Third World War.
It might be recalled that a nondescript incident had triggered the First World War with the assassination of one Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It was a curious incident, completely irrelevant: No body saw the coming of the World War I with the assassination of the Austrian crown prince.
Ditto with 9/11. The only differentiating factor is the magnanimous quantum and reach of Media and Communication in our times. Our decision was ready-made for us: why the US should attack and bring to "justice" the very shabby looking, jehads who ruined the picture perfectness of the great American Dream. They won. We were sympathetic. So much so, we forgot the "eye for an eye" doctrine of retribution which Gandhi warned us about.
If there is a thing such as a United Nations or the International Court of Justice or some other fancy sounding International Community or Forum, with a spine, back-bone or even neck, the US would have been stopped from taking the matters in "his" own hands. Just a George-Orwell-like reminder of how much eye-wash everything really is, in this world of ours.
Three years after the 9/11 incident, there were hushed voices in the form of documentaries and articles which said that the destruction of Twin Towers and devastation of Pentagon were orchestrated by the US and bin Laden was only an excuse to enter West Asia and re-organisation of oil trade around the world. Our parents thought that conspiracy theories were getting too much attention and after all, America was beloved by all.
The great American Dream was, and unfortunately still is, lust-worthy: Engineers, Bankers, Lawyers, Accountants, Executives, Models, Actors, Astronauts, ... everyone wants a slice of that life.
No one cared to read or find out some ridiculous revelations- back in the US, in the aftermath of 9/11, bars were filled with youngsters craving for sympathy sex and one-night-stands. An excuse for a one-night-stand, are you serious??
The Bill Clinton administration relied on the "intelligence" of bin Laden and his "terrorist" aides for news from Afghanistan and Russia borders. The US then decided it was time to go after the big fish.
For a nation filled with the smartest cops and finest operatives and researchers in the world, finding a man or his outfit should have been a matter of days.
Now we read of war crimes committed by US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Prisoners (read civilians at the wrong place, wrong time) are stripped naked, and forced to masturbate in front of US officers, one of them being a woman (Lynddie England).
All of this is widely reported. The guy who leaked this news "Classified millitary intel", Bradley Manning, is awaiting a probable death penalty. Well known organisations such as WikiLeaks, and well renowned international newspapers like The Guardian have all carried in-depth, detailed reports as to the crimes that US has committed.
Prisoner Kasim Mehaddi Hilas testifies regarding his experiences at Abu Ghraib, telling investigators that Private Charles Graner had cuffed him to the bars of a cell window, after Hilas had asked Graner what time it was because he wanted to pray. Graner left him, feet dangling above the floor, for almost five hours. Hilas also detailed events he had witnessed of Graner and some of his fellow soldiers sodomizing and otherwise abusing other detainees. These events were also detailed by other prisoners including some of the victims themselves.
According to Hilas, Graner also "repeatedly threw the detainees' meals into the toilets and said, 'Eat it"
This is just a small account of US' supposed "War on Terror" It's official: the US is in the same league as Hitler, and probably much worse.
Petitions, letters and mass-movements have begun, even in the US, but what will be the outcome of that? A lot of reports have been written and published and read and sympathised with; investigative journalism has been carried out, but what will be the final outcome? Is there a court strong enough to try Donald Rumsfeld, Bush, Tony Blair and Obama?
Speaking of Obama.. Here's what he said when the US Press asked him to comment on Bradley Manning's detention during the trial for letting out "sensitive information" to WikiLeaks:
"... I have actually asked the Pentagon whether or not the procedures that have been taken in terms of his confinement are appropriate and are meeting our basic standards. They assured me that they are. I can't go into details about some of their concerns, but some of this has to do with Private Manning's safety as well."
Now that Osama is killed, the US is eying Pakistan. It's the new villain. Obviously, India is politically hurt. The US might want to "occupy" Pakistan, just as it occupied Iraq and Afghanistan, and "set things right." If that happens, Pakistan will become just another sorry place like Iraq. And considering some of the radical religious outfits are there in India as well, it will be a matter of time when US might want to step-in here and "set things right". India has always played the gracious, nervous host to the US (who doesn't?) and we might as well be seen as a country committed to fighting terrorism.
But will our Government be able to protect innocent civilians from becoming just another victims of US army boys and girls, who hunt and torture for pleasure?
Movie Review - Fast and Furious - 5
For a long time I wondered if I should spend some time reviewing Fast and Furious -5....
It's a crazy film... but the first two scenes are worth it. One is the opening shot, depicting the skinny Mia and blue-eyed-boy-cop-turned-hero Bryan rescuing always-the-hero Dom, who is en route to prison for a really long time. Followed by the scene where these guys are thrown off a bridge into the sea in a car. That was totally crazy.
The plot is.... nevermind. Here's what must have transpired between Chris Morgan, one of the screen-play writers, and Justin Lin, Director:
Morgan: But tell me.. If Dom is really the family guy why does he care about getting a heist job done, rather than actually concentrating on his pregnant sister's future???
Lin: Beat it, Morgan... how many times do I have to tell you... I have cars, Paul Walker's eyes, Diesel's body works. and good blasts... a bikini... why are you bothering me??? Jeez, Dexter Morgan is better than you!
The performances are mediocre, but then it's the cars that perform in the film. However, sometimes you feel the lack of racing in the film. But the last scene more than compensates for it. The film seems intelligent in bits and pieces, some of the sequences are well orchestrated.
The glorification of the anti-hero in the film is really great. The cops are the enemies, and the long ranger "Last Testament Guy" Johnson decides to side with Dom, thanking the latter for saving his life and trying to side with ethics and "code" of the hero-in-the-villain. The perspective is amazing. And you see it coming.
Everytime Dwayne Johnson appeared on the screen, my jaw just dropped. His one, lone, singular muscle is like a wall.
There is about fifteen minutes of total action footage in the film that is worth a watch. The other thing to notice is the beautiful city of Rio de Janerio. Guess Rio is the flavour of Hollywood this season. The animated scenery of Carlos Saldahna's Rio is much preferable than the dark, actual depiction of the city.
The soundtrack is good, but the best one to come out of the Fast and Furious franchise was the one from Tokyo Drift.
All said and done, I guess the making of the movie will be more fun to watch than the actual film. Watch the film, and go high on cars, ammo, and cars.
It's a crazy film... but the first two scenes are worth it. One is the opening shot, depicting the skinny Mia and blue-eyed-boy-cop-turned-hero Bryan rescuing always-the-hero Dom, who is en route to prison for a really long time. Followed by the scene where these guys are thrown off a bridge into the sea in a car. That was totally crazy.
Morgan: But tell me.. If Dom is really the family guy why does he care about getting a heist job done, rather than actually concentrating on his pregnant sister's future???
Lin: Beat it, Morgan... how many times do I have to tell you... I have cars, Paul Walker's eyes, Diesel's body works. and good blasts... a bikini... why are you bothering me??? Jeez, Dexter Morgan is better than you!
The performances are mediocre, but then it's the cars that perform in the film. However, sometimes you feel the lack of racing in the film. But the last scene more than compensates for it. The film seems intelligent in bits and pieces, some of the sequences are well orchestrated.
The glorification of the anti-hero in the film is really great. The cops are the enemies, and the long ranger "Last Testament Guy" Johnson decides to side with Dom, thanking the latter for saving his life and trying to side with ethics and "code" of the hero-in-the-villain. The perspective is amazing. And you see it coming.
Everytime Dwayne Johnson appeared on the screen, my jaw just dropped. His one, lone, singular muscle is like a wall.
There is about fifteen minutes of total action footage in the film that is worth a watch. The other thing to notice is the beautiful city of Rio de Janerio. Guess Rio is the flavour of Hollywood this season. The animated scenery of Carlos Saldahna's Rio is much preferable than the dark, actual depiction of the city.
The soundtrack is good, but the best one to come out of the Fast and Furious franchise was the one from Tokyo Drift.
All said and done, I guess the making of the movie will be more fun to watch than the actual film. Watch the film, and go high on cars, ammo, and cars.
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