'My Name is Guts....!'
51 minutes ago
P.S.
*Slap* I missed out the real high point of the trip. Saw ORIGINAL Raja Ravi Varma paintings. Finally beginning to understand what makes him such a celebrated artist. Previously I thought that the sudden hoo-ha in the media about his works was only a passing fad (us Indians are rather inclined to such things). My sentiments stand changed.
Ahead of its time in India, his work shows an evolved mind that imbibes its realistic style from the west and depicts situations that are rooted in Indianess. Each one of them has a hypnotic quality; showcasing a society rich in traditions and culture; proud of its history; reveling in mythology; celebrating sensuosity.
His women, buxom, beautiful, with a unique blend of modesty and boldness portray the Indian woman in her full glory. Tall, curvaceous, graceful, they are at once divine and real.
An interesting thing about them is that none of his women look fragile. The softness comes through in their posture at the most. But none of them shy away from making eye contact, the weight is equally distributed on both feet and their height almost equal the men. My favourite is the mother and child (below). It's not hard to guess what made him such a controversial artist of the time. I suppose it depends on how you choose to look at it. It's not that hard to be perverse. But when you see things what it really is, you begin to realise the beauty of it.
His men on the other hand appear disinterested, lacking in passion or a willingness to go on. The only one which comes close to being likable, is that of Rama and Krishna. And even then, they don't appear half as charismatic as his women.
Here are some of my favourites (sourced from various sites), which of course, we saw in person. :-)
Here are some of my favourites (sourced from various sites), which of course, we saw in person. :-)
Krishna- the calm diplomat
The orchestra
Lady from the upper class giving alms to a poor boy
Mother and child 
Raja Harishchandra
Malabar Lady
Rama conquers Varuna (or was it Indra?)
Sunday
Kashmiri Dum Aloo
Healthy-fried hollow potatoes
stuffed with cashews, raisins and condensed milkand cooked in curds, elaichi and cloves
(without the red chilli powder)
Threadwork
Super Weekend
Spent a breezy weekend in Mysore with the family. Everything from the train journey to the food was perfect. The weather was a very pleasant change from Chennai- chilly, windy, comfortable. And the people (Surprise! Surprise! Hindi is acceptable) are very friendly too. But the best thing (well, one among the best things) were the DOSAS!!!
It's the first time since leaving Mumbai that I've had the best Mysore Masala Dosa. Dosas in Chennai taste every different and I've tried out all the possible places hoping to find that familiar mouthwatering taste. Well, Mysore is where I found it at last. Delicious, great looking udipi dosas. Mmmmmm!
The difference? Well, dosas in Chennai aren't as crisp. And it's more 'khatta' than the udipi kind. It's all that I ate in Mysore. Right from the chutney to the potato bhaji and sambar, the taste was a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. No one flavour was dominating. Red, rich, filling portions (and I'm salivating again :-p)
Of course, talking about Mysore without mentioning the main Wodeyar palace is like speaking about Mumbai without acknowledging the Taj. Featured in movies like Mehbooba, the public 'durbar' and the magnificent outer facade are a stunning sight. I wish the womens' quarters were maintained just as well. After the majesty of the main palace, one does not expect to see bare walls, cracks and leaks. I couldn't help feeling a little sad for their lives. It's a small, dark 'mahal' with uncomfortably low ceilings, too many 'jaalis' and a small central courtyard. I don't think I'd like to live there. Especially after sundown. It's almost spooky.
Walking around the palace, I almost heard 'aami je tomar' in the background. *eep*
The architecture merges Indian, Islamic and European styles quite well. Though at times it feels a little out of place. It was fun to imagine balconies full of dignitaries, royal guests and royal women in all their finery, the horse drawn carriages, portly kings, the golden bejwelled throne with seven steps that lead up to the high seat...how grand it must have looked in its heydays! :-) Though I do think the interiors of Tipu's Summer Palace looked far more ornate. Mughal architecture and design with all its intricate details, colours and beauty outshines every other structure.
We also visited the Chamundi temple- she being the presiding deity of the royal family and Mysore city- and had a very satisfying darshan of the Devi. ;-)
The biggest disappointment, however, was the over-hyped Brindavan Gardens. I seriously didn't see what the big fuss was all about. Even with the lights on, I thoroughly disliked it. The sea of people was frightening. The garden, drab with lack of maintenance. But we had to tick that off on our list of touristy things to do.
It was also the day of the annular solar eclipse. But I couldn't view it since I didn't have the necessary precautions. Caught the reflection on my phone screen. We snacked at the Garden Cafe at Royal Orchids Hotel in the Gardens. THAT was the only high point there.
Check out my yummiest pictures from the trip :-)
It's the first time since leaving Mumbai that I've had the best Mysore Masala Dosa. Dosas in Chennai taste every different and I've tried out all the possible places hoping to find that familiar mouthwatering taste. Well, Mysore is where I found it at last. Delicious, great looking udipi dosas. Mmmmmm!
The difference? Well, dosas in Chennai aren't as crisp. And it's more 'khatta' than the udipi kind. It's all that I ate in Mysore. Right from the chutney to the potato bhaji and sambar, the taste was a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. No one flavour was dominating. Red, rich, filling portions (and I'm salivating again :-p)
Of course, talking about Mysore without mentioning the main Wodeyar palace is like speaking about Mumbai without acknowledging the Taj. Featured in movies like Mehbooba, the public 'durbar' and the magnificent outer facade are a stunning sight. I wish the womens' quarters were maintained just as well. After the majesty of the main palace, one does not expect to see bare walls, cracks and leaks. I couldn't help feeling a little sad for their lives. It's a small, dark 'mahal' with uncomfortably low ceilings, too many 'jaalis' and a small central courtyard. I don't think I'd like to live there. Especially after sundown. It's almost spooky.
Walking around the palace, I almost heard 'aami je tomar' in the background. *eep*
The architecture merges Indian, Islamic and European styles quite well. Though at times it feels a little out of place. It was fun to imagine balconies full of dignitaries, royal guests and royal women in all their finery, the horse drawn carriages, portly kings, the golden bejwelled throne with seven steps that lead up to the high seat...how grand it must have looked in its heydays! :-) Though I do think the interiors of Tipu's Summer Palace looked far more ornate. Mughal architecture and design with all its intricate details, colours and beauty outshines every other structure.
We also visited the Chamundi temple- she being the presiding deity of the royal family and Mysore city- and had a very satisfying darshan of the Devi. ;-)
The biggest disappointment, however, was the over-hyped Brindavan Gardens. I seriously didn't see what the big fuss was all about. Even with the lights on, I thoroughly disliked it. The sea of people was frightening. The garden, drab with lack of maintenance. But we had to tick that off on our list of touristy things to do.
It was also the day of the annular solar eclipse. But I couldn't view it since I didn't have the necessary precautions. Caught the reflection on my phone screen. We snacked at the Garden Cafe at Royal Orchids Hotel in the Gardens. THAT was the only high point there.
Check out my yummiest pictures from the trip :-)
Grub at the Garden
At the Chamundi Temple
Mysore Morning
Wodeyar Palace
Quick Update
I shouldn't take so long between posts.
Not much to say except for fleeting ideas. Have been doing little things to amuse myself- made a decorative box, and came up with New Year gifts called Cheer Cards. No pictures as I've gifted them to office mates. So the blog has to wait until the next batch is ready (and given the sweet response, they should be ready soon).
In a dull-cum-blah mood since yesterday. Let's see how productive I can get. Though today I hope to get back to my acrylic on canvas. Also plan to make mood boards just for fun.
My New Year
After a gap of three long years, I'm back to my first love- painting. Not that it's ever been 'art' for me (I'm no good at it). But colours are always fun. And what better way to begin the New Year than to paint my world bright.
For a change, I decided to ditch the cartridge paper for wood. Got myself a small charpoy for 240 bucks and after a good two hours, that *points down* was the outcome. Not very great. But not all that bad either (Yes, this year I'm going to love myself first). Of course I ended up with a mean backache. But I still feel smug about it. Added a few more touches to my new room (it's rented so no holes in the walls and no major furniture as we move around quite a bit). Still I like itPerhaps I'll throw in a floor mat just for fun.
The latest addition to my desk :-) Surprised to think I could actually have room for needlework in my life.
Footer
New Year's eve. 2010 is going to be special (it better be. God, I know you're listening). I am hoping it will be mine. I wish 2009 didn't end on a sour note, but I suppose that's more of a reason to OWN the coming year.
There's simply too much I want to do. And I have this strange nagging feeling that I'm running out of time. What's worse is that I really am and the fear keeps me from trying to get out there and achieve my goals. It makes me immobile. I hate that. So this year I promise myself that I'm going to step out more often and do things that make me happy. I'm going to be selfish (without the guilt. Well, I'll try), I'm going to let myself experience new things with or without company.
Taking stock of the past year, or two, I wonder if I've lived up to expectations. Mine and others. And the answer still evades me. Have I been responsible enough? Tactful, smart, wise, creative, confident? (No...)
There are a few things however that I have managed to figured out:
1. I've burned out. Mentally. For some odd reason. I feel saturated. I can't focus on writing alone. And the lack of time to do anything more is proving to be a real bitch!
2. I want to paint. And I don't want to paint metaphors. I want to paint fun, pretty stuff. I want to paint walls, canvases, furniture, crockery. I want to fill up my room with vibrant colours. Yes, even fuschia!
There's simply too much I want to do. And I have this strange nagging feeling that I'm running out of time. What's worse is that I really am and the fear keeps me from trying to get out there and achieve my goals. It makes me immobile. I hate that. So this year I promise myself that I'm going to step out more often and do things that make me happy. I'm going to be selfish (without the guilt. Well, I'll try), I'm going to let myself experience new things with or without company.
Taking stock of the past year, or two, I wonder if I've lived up to expectations. Mine and others. And the answer still evades me. Have I been responsible enough? Tactful, smart, wise, creative, confident? (No...)
There are a few things however that I have managed to figured out:
1. I've burned out. Mentally. For some odd reason. I feel saturated. I can't focus on writing alone. And the lack of time to do anything more is proving to be a real bitch!
2. I want to paint. And I don't want to paint metaphors. I want to paint fun, pretty stuff. I want to paint walls, canvases, furniture, crockery. I want to fill up my room with vibrant colours. Yes, even fuschia!
3. I want to stitch. After spending all of my school years passing on my needlework to my mother and other women in my neighbourhood, I actually want to sit with a piece of white cloth, thread, paint and sequins and let my imagination run loose.
4. I want to surround myself with potted plants.
5. I have no imagination. Not the way I think imagination should be. I've spent years learning how to do things the 'right' way. As a result I've forgotten how incredibly cool, smart, and fun it is to be a child. And this comes from a person who has been told she can never grow up :-)
6. Good friends are the ones who help you discover yourself and simply add more glitter to your life. Thanks T! for helping me find a few missing pieces.
In 2010 there's a lot that I need to work out for myself, and the people around me. I hope to snap out of life the way it is. But for now, I'm going to end this year of anxiousness, mopiness and confusion with a picture of what I want to year ahead to be like.
In 2010 there's a lot that I need to work out for myself, and the people around me. I hope to snap out of life the way it is. But for now, I'm going to end this year of anxiousness, mopiness and confusion with a picture of what I want to year ahead to be like.
25th December 2009, Gujrat Festival, Dakshin Chitra, Chennai
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