This has taken me a couple of years to write and I still think I am not ready but I will give it a go.

After years of searching for our little corner in sunny South of France, we found one. Not before visiting countless houses, ruins and exhausting all the estate agents books in each town we visited. France spells a magic that weaves uncontrollably over you as soon as you step on the soil. The air suddenly feels different. The grub looks more appealing. Why am I saying that ? but yes, I agree. We are not the last to fall in love with a dilapidated house in France and dream of living in it.

Are we insane ? No. We are passionate about life in France.

But insane, we are. Why ? because I fell in love with a stunning house completely charred by a big fire. The rustic 15th century lime stones which stood unscathed just blew my common sense. And it beckoned me. Come and get me ! And so, I did putting all my mind to the pros and cons and debating it over my dear husband who was horrified at the tasks awaiting. Still is.And we bought our stone house in France !.

Artfront is now another blog that I am hosting powered by WordPress. It is an idea from a fellow ex uni class mate to put up an art show.  Picking up on the idea, we are taking the challenge of bringing our skills to raise funds through art shows across Europe. The mains aims are to develop and fund projects which will focus on children who have more challenges but fewer opportunities in life. We are thinking about children living in slum areas, orphans, children of prostitutes or children whose parents are addicted to drugs or alcohol anywhere in the world.

This a dream come true as an extension to my first experience in Delhi some 20 years ago. When I was a student at the Art institute there and had to work on a campaign on Child Labour and Prostitution. It took me to the streets of Old Delhi where I discovered a world of utter despair among an outer world of poverty. That of juvenile prostitution. Where I saw a child exchanging sexual favours for a small paper bag of street munchies. That was it. It got etched into my mind and heart. And I started understanding the meaning of poverty. This venture of ours is only a small extension of our limited powers of individuals who believe in a certain cause. That of children living in appalling conditions.

The course of my career took a positive turn at som epoint when I started working for UN agencies and traveling to post conflict areas acros the globe. Since, taking leisure moments to reflect upon some positive actions I can bring about in my daily life has allowed me to ‘rest’ my mind from unnecessary demands of the material world to a more peaceful one of contentment in the smaller joys of life.

This show will allow us to dwelve into our own persuits to make a practical contribution to a cause to help alleviate poverty hunger, war, conflict, sexual exploitation, abuse and psychological traumas.

Pl check our blog : www.artfront.wordpress.com or follow the link on the side bar.

I am a few days late to post this, but upon reflection, I think it is the right time to do so. As it is away from the main day when people have to remember about Aids, but doing so on a daily basis with enough awareness to protect oneself and support others who are affected by this terrible disease of the 21st century.

It reminds me of a recent conversation I had a few days ago with a friend. About a friend of hers who died from AIDS. And how the family was defensive about it and to protect their own position, told the rest of the world that their brother had cancer. Instead of accepting the idea of having Aids and the social stigmas that still keep growing each day in each community everywhere in the world.  In many societies, it is considered shameful to have AIDS…. It is OK to have cancer and die of it. I still cannot accep the candour and hypocrisy with which men behave towards their own loved ones when faced by this disease.

Anyway, I should carry on living my own little insignificant life thinking that somewhere, someone might be counting the numbers of months, days, hours, … minutes of life left to them. I should spare a thought to them now …. and at all times I can remember.

Amen.

Read more :

http://www.worldaidscampaign.org

Light.

Who can live without light ? Life giving and dispeller of darkness, light shines hope and love in our life, shows us our way.

While Divali is popularly known as the “festival of lights”, the most significant spiritual meaning is “the awareness of the inner light”.

Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace).

The gunas are the underlying forces or tendencies which one needs to have unaffected, direct relation with in order to find effectiveness and righteousness in life: they are lines of potential and illuminate thought and action, thus the inner meaning of Diwali being the festival of lights.

Deepavali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship. While the story behind Dipavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same – to rejoice in the inner light (Atman) or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman).

May all living beings rejoice in peace, joy and light.

I am back to my beloved blog after spending some lovely holidays in France and Spain.

My first thought goes to the victims of the tsunami and earthquakes in SE ASia and the Pacific. Help is being brought to them, but we cannot deny the huge suffering and loss these people are facing.

On a more cheerful note, cannot feel more excited and pleased for Brazil to have won the official hosting of the next Olympics. It means a lot to this nation. A lot of dreams to a forgotten and struggling continent. And a lot of work waiting !

‘Action’ is the word of the day for my beginning of this season’s blogging …

Let’s get to work.

I have to make a brief post about this little gem of a movie. Technically excellent, with a heart gripping story and realistic performances by a power house of artists, this movie not only moves you but warms the heart. It is very deep as an insight into what has become of a fertile, lush valley legendary of its beautiful people and landscapes.

Tahaan directed by ace cinematographer Santosh Sivan, is an excellent piece of film making. On a little scale, he puts this vast canvas of Kashmir. It has been ages since we saw Kashmir like this. My God !! What we are missing… After Dil Se, in which Santosh had captured beautiful Ladakh in his lense, here he beautifully uses his brush to color the canvas of the screen. Its like reading a fable from our school time story cupboard.

The Fog and smoke creates ‘wow’ visuals on screen. Love it.

Naturally, the story is somewhat based on militants and army. But moreover its a story about Tahaan – the central character’s quest to get back his beloved donkey, Birbal. And over this quest He gets to see and learn many things. Also a surprise too….Purav Bhandare who plays Tahaan, gives absolutely heart warming performance. Below is one of the scene, I loved of him.

Victor Banerjee as his grandpa is in a short but again touching performance. He reminded me of my childhood when we used to listen stories from my grandpa.

Sarika is always a delight to see on screen. She is mute mother of Tahaan. And she does talk with her eyes a lot.

Anupam Kher whose role I thought would be negative, but I was wrong. And again his character is well written and he performs well. And, who else can talk about pain of Kashmiri Pundits than him?

Rahul Bose, in an unusual one, is also too good. Everyone, just everyone has given a top notch performance. Even Rahul Khanna in his 5 mins. appearance, reminded me of the old time ‘lalas‘ [ala Mother India].

And above all, the endearing performance of Birbal-the donkey.

Technically this movie is so brilliant. Everything from production design to cinematography to outstanding sound design, is just too perfect. I loved these two little scenes with some lovely folk music.

All in all, its a must must see movie.

And lastly, here are some screencaps of the movie, featuring lovely people of Kashmir.

Time for a well deserved break.

Summer has been here for a while now, but it is only now that we are able to take our break. Looking forward to catch up with all the nice things that comes with going home. Plenty of sunshine is all we are wishing and hoping for. Not sure, knowing the UK and French Summers. Anyway, fingers crossed, we shall be balled.

I may share a ‘paquerette’ or two with some lazy cows in rural France, so blogging would not be on my finger tips. Explosion of themes and images will abound I am sure, hence loads to update my blog when I get back. Maybe, when I reach the metropolis, it will make sense to lighten the backlog.

Till, then all those who pass by this blog, thank you for taking time to read my ramblings. I appreciate your precious time and effort immensely.

Happy holidays !