As the moon rises on the last day of 2014, I sat at my desk with charcoal in hand and began to draw a form that the paper was hiding and the graphite was hunting. In the end – this tree emerged, in solace and strength, protected and lit by the moon. The leaves are the gifts nurtured and created, the Moon the guiding … Continue reading Moon Rise, End of the Year, And Welcoming 2015 !
Martha Graham has been for many dancers a source of great strength, inspiration and guidance. Her work, writings, performances, choreographies, and dance style have been a beacon of light for me. So today rather than extoll the virtues of this extraordinary individual, let me present o you her 3 part narration titled “A Dancer’s Life” and allow you to go on that journey … Continue reading A Dancer’s Life – Martha Graham
The 1951 Film “The River” by Jean Renoir, was an adaptation of a work of the same name by Rumer Godden. The literary work was a slightly autobiographical coming of age story, where reality and fantasy merge to instil life lessons that go far beyond the mundane. In the film, this revelation of “life truths” is achieved in part through the dramatisation of the fantasy … Continue reading A Dance Story for 30th November 2014 : Radha’s Dance (1951)
The last two days have been a meditation on Sitara Devi, hence on Kathak. Her many performance on stage or then on celluloid for Films such as Baghban(1938), Roti(1942)and Mother India (1957) – Sitara Devi’s contribution to Kathak is one that has been well documented and is sprawling in its influence to inspire. True to her moniker – “Sitara” (which means Star in Hindi), she … Continue reading R.I.P. Sitara Devi (1919-2014)
As part of 45 Days Dance Stories, I’m still looking back at the body of work by the one and only Ruth St. Denis. she was one of the key proponents of Indian Dance and Hindu Philosophical thoughts through her meditatively choreographer pieces. Today I wish to share Ruth St. Denis’s depiction of the East Indian Nautch Dance, where the women is explorer and seductress, … Continue reading East Indian Nautch Dance : Ruth St. Denis
Over the next few days I want to celebrate the work and talent that was Ruth St. Denis, as part of the 45 Days of Dance Stories. Ruth St. Denis was not only applauded for her progressive choreography and the legacy of work she has left dancers world over, but for me it was her unique talent and insight that enabled her to bridge classical … Continue reading Incense by Ruth St. Denis
In India your second-hand book-store is usually the local bookseller on the pavement. He/She who has paid off the beat cops and has set up shop from gathering books and magazines from local sources – such as – housewives who want to get rid of their husband’s racy novels (or their own Mills and Boon Romances). On the other side of said book “donator” are … Continue reading To Judge a Book by its Cover
Delhi is a City that encourages transition, and one space within the City that has found itself re-inventing itself, based on the needs of its inhabitants is the area of Haus Khas. From a literal water-well, to a space of learning, to a creative hub. Haus Khas has had many versions. This is its centuries old journey compressed for easy consumption. Haus-Khas owes in equal … Continue reading Art Spaces in Delhi : Haus-Khas
This Chinese artist and his oil creations of self in commercial and collectible artworks that straddle the line between social commentary political criticism whilst simultaneously being creepy, confounding, confusing and comical I present to you an artist that is celebrated by alarmist Chinese galleria and Chinese art enthusiasts. Yu Minjun’s works are unfamiliar to the most educated of viewers. His character(s) create distance as well as a … Continue reading Saying au revoir to Chinese Art : the multiple smiles of Yu Minjun
D's Art Takes 