The Royal Albert Lady Carlyle Montrose Vase, The Scientia from Lladró, and the limited edition votive from Lladró too, that sit primly in my bedroom, on top of the two hundred-year-old rosewood bookcase that belonged to my grandfather.
Waitrose Packaging
I LOVE nearly ALL of the Waitrose packaging design. Every label, irrespective of the product, is like owning the finest art. Here is one such example.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini - The Life
Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) sculptor,
architect, painter and playwright was the most influential artist of
seventeenth-century Rome and indeed, one of the leading creative forces in
European art for most of that century. He is universally recognised as one of
the creators of the vastly popular Roman Baroque style, which was quickly
disseminated throughout all of Europe. His influence lasted well beyond his
death, and the popularity of his numerous works: fountains, statues, churches,
and public squares is today as great as it was during his own lifetime, if not
more so.
I am a great fan of Bernini, and this book that I am presently reading is fascinating.
The Woman In Black - 2012
I reckon it is now time to confess that the real reason our
family moved out from our house in Richmond Town was because we knew that we
were not the only ones inhabiting the place. As long as I remember, I
had always been acquainted with them right from the beginning and it was always
a comfort to have them around. Nevertheless, when I say that, it was
not that everything was hunky dory – they did provide their fair bit of
frightening us on more occasions than one. When my parents’ became aware of
them and decided to move out, I was crestfallen and much to the dismay of
everyone I received their pronouncement with great sadness. Perhaps this might startle
some, but I feel that when the parallel universe, as we customarily call them, begin
to grow fond of us, we form an inimical and yet an inseparable bond together.
For a long time after we left home we knew that we were never
alone, and so in order not to offend them, I refrained myself from watching,
reading or even discussing anything regarding the topic until I found myself
nearly beckoned (twenty years hence) by something deeply instinctive to watch
The Woman In Black.
It is not astonishing to become aware that it has been the
highest grossing film of the year 2012 so far. On a wider platform, the art of
playing on fear is what rings in the cash registers, but for those who have
gone through anything, however remote it may be, will tell you that they never
scare the wits out of you unless their intent is such. I say so with such confidence
because they troubled us less; were on friendly terms, yet I cannot but help
imagine the dread of those who happen to be in their path of wrath. Right from
the start it was lovely to witness Daniel Radcliffe delivering a stoic, and yet
stellar performance, as the young Arthur Kipp, an inexperienced London
solicitor who is dispatched right at the start to a swampy coastal area of the
Midlands to settle the affairs of a recently deceased widow. We learn that he
loses his wife at childbirth and bears the misfortune via his watery light haunting
eyes throughout the journey although one can assume that it is merely a figment
of his imagination that she periodically hovers around him. Puzzlingly, the
peasants treat Arthur with unexplained hostility, accusing him in instances for
having brought about the bad luck upon them by venturing into the house that is
a curse to their villages. Arthur finds in Mr Daily (who drives around a Silver
Ghost Rolls Royce) somewhat of a protector than a mere friend and an
intelligent and somewhat lost Mrs Daily is shown scrawling images, she claims,
the deceased communicate through her. I know cynics might consider such a
notion rather ridiculous, but the fact remains that indeed there are many
things in this world that we think reason and science might explain, but like
everything else they too fall short due to their limited capability and
capacity to prove. What survives ultimately is the belief and the faith that
life other than ours exists alongside us and the sooner we begin to accept it,
the better it is for our wellbeing.
Without giving away more, I would like to throw light upon how
Arthur spends the night at the gothic mansion with cobwebs on the chandeliers as
the things go bump in the night in the company of a chair that rocks, the
stairs that creak, the toys that begin movement and how once in a way, he sees a
face in the windows. If you are looking for meaningless blood and gore, as one
would expect from a movie made in America, refrain yourself from knocking on
this door. This is a story, depending on the level of ones tolerance that could
either creep you, or calm you.
The script by Jane Goldman is handsome in taking you along
the successfully long and wordless interludes. Direction by James Watkins is effective
as it veers you along the meandering hallways that seem alive with rasping and
murmuring. The director of photography Tim Maurice-Jones does not paint the
screen red but daubs it with a fine chromatic contrast with the assistance of a
white, black, dun brown and grey palette. The editing by Jon Harris makes sure
that something wicked arrives in every frame, but rather subtly and slowly, and
at times not without an element of disturbing effectiveness. The music by Marco
Beltrami is best suited to the setting – eerily soothing.
Many actors rely on dashing heroics to drive their point,
while my belief is that it is only the confident that leave it to their eyes which
Daniel delivers with utmost deftness. I have read critics making meaningless comparisons
to his present character with that of Harry Potter. I don’t know really what to
make of it other than saying it most blatantly that perhaps it is the inadequacy
of their limitations that are prodding them to draw such childish conclusions
rather than giving the kid, who is now all grown up, his deserved due.
Water Lily In My Garden
Saw this blooming water lily in my garden this morning. Captured it on my iPhone and sharing my joy with everyone as the words of William Wordsworth from the lines that he wrote in the early spring of 1798 flashed in my mind - 'This my faith that every flower. Enjoys the air it breathes!
SCIENTIA By Lladró
This is what happens when you discover Instagram - you begin to 'see art' in art.
Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.
These are
photographs I captured of one of my favourites, the SCIENTIA by Lladró. When I set my eyes on it the
first time it reminded me of the Thinker by Auguste Rodin. Clearly, I, or anyone for that matter cannot imagine
myself owning the real one by Rodin, (of whom I am an ardent admirer). And since I am
not into collecting replicas, I decided that the SCIENTIA, which represents the mind and the reason that guides man in search of knowledge, and helps him achieve wisdom, juxtaposed with the essential formulas of physics
and mathematics was what it was going to be. This marvellous piece has been sculpted by master sculptor Ernest Massuet.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I
have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is
my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes
the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can
be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration; I can humiliate or humour,
hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a
crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized.
If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people, as they
ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Mélanie Laurent - my latest crush!
I watched Beginners directed by Mike Mills
and found myself head over heels over Mélanie Laurent. What an incredible element
of reserved intelligence she reflects in the movie. A charming way
of dominating the screen by doing nothing and yet lighting it up by her magic. She
is not a ravishing beauty, but she is very pretty, and very attractive. Somewhere,
she reminded me of the enticing exquisiteness of Marion Cotillard, the restrained
élan of Emmanuella Béart, the sensuousness of my all time favourite Juliette
Binoche, or the aloofness and mystery of Catherine Deneuve.
I am unable to resist myself from labelling her my present crush!
Be Back Soon!
For Ritz
Gone - flitted away,
Taken the stars from the night and the sun
From the day!
Gone, and a cloud in my heart.
Love you immeasurably, immensely and infinitely my bro. Have a great time in Napier and after a year please be back. I don't think all of us will be able to survive without you any longer than that.
Akshay Oberoi
When you observe today’s youth with the, “What’s up?” and “Dude!” culture you wonder whether they would by any chance have remnants of the manners that we were raised with, where to utter a thank you or a sorry was a way of life and not considered anything out of the ordinary, or, to rise from the chair when a woman entered a room and left the room was a custom, which most of the youth of today find rather old-fashioned and amusing. Just when you think there is no scope for transformation in a civilization so occupied with its own self, you, by mere accident, come across someone who is very much part of the, “What’s up, dude?” ethos and yet maintains a distinct thoroughbred approach to life.
Most recently, I was admiring what Martin Luther King Jr. had done to mankind and while seeking inspiration and direction from the life of someone older I had failed to realise that I did not have to look that far because inspiration and direction was only at an arms distance from me in form of the kids around me who I had taken for granted but discovered are great beyond words would ever express. That's when I found myself observing Akshay a lot more carefully and discovered that his humility was matchless. An epitome of polish, his attention to make sure that he conveyed what he had to, and yet not ever cross the thin line of respect regardless of not only being younger, but more like friends, was something that I truly admired in him. In time, I made out how the heart of people would swell with joy upon the mention of his name and how my mind would be filled with reverence when I saw the love people had for him because I knew he was someone who would give them, who loved him, much more than they could imagine – something that was elemental to his nature. At the same time too I could not but think that the tenderness and kindness I saw in him, as some would perceive them today, are not signs of his weakness and despair but clear manifestations of his strength and resolution, and this is something that is so easily a second skin to describe Akshay to those who do not really know him.
To go a little back in time, I would like to throw light on something when Akshay’s motion picture appeared on the silver screens. Despite the fact that it filled me up with delight so see that he had grown up into this admirable young man filled with candour and depth, I sent him a text one evening knowing that he was at a popular awards function that read thus:
“Bro, I can’t wait for the day I see you receive your first award. To say the least, as such I am proud of who you have made of yourself, but I will certainly be even prouder on that particular day since the world would then look up to you as it ought to with great pride. Let us see that day soon, my Kidd. Soon!!!”
And the response I obtained was this:
“My, bro, this is one of the nicest messages I have ever received. Will work my ass off to fulfil what I came here for. I hope I make you proud, in the years to come. Thanks for the encouragement.”
That’s when I figured that what a marvellous blend of both worlds these kids of today have amassed, and it would be very unjust if I didn’t conclude with the feeling that indeed it is so very true that our outward nature is nothing but a reflection of who we are inside and what a better way to see that in none other than Akshay.
I know you will make a great deal of difference to not only the people around you but to the world at large and as ever, I am PROUD OF YOU, Akshay!
I know you will make a great deal of difference to not only the people around you but to the world at large and as ever, I am PROUD OF YOU, Akshay!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)