Artworks by Anu Jindal at India International Centre, New Delhi for creating awareness of Environmental degradation & Climate Change

Labyrinth - Earth Environment Climate Change - Exhibition of Artworks by Anu Jindal

Labyrinth:  Earth × Environment × Climate Change

Exhibition of Artworks by Anu Jindal

ART GALLERY, KAMALADEVI COMPLEX

INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

MAX MUELLER MARG, NEW DELHI

31 OCT TO 8 NOV 2019, 11 am - 7 pm

Inauguration on Wednesday 30^th Oct, 6.30 pm

Guest of Honour - Sunit Tandon

Director, India Habitat Centre

Anu Jindal’s artworks draw attention to the present and future of planet earth and its environment - the beautiful and the threatened. Humanity’s continued and increasing carbon footprint is causing concern to some, while others remain insulated. Planet earth’s bounty would appear to be boundless but humans insatiable consumption is proving otherwise. The ubiquitous plastic remains an integral part of our lives. Emissions of greenhouse gases pervade our atmosphere. Permafrost is thawing, oceans are rising, pushing biodiversity towards extinction. Is there a way out, or will we remain mesmerized in a maze. The artist questions “whither next?” through paintings, mixed media & installations.

Anu Jindal, Artist, Art Historian & Educationist, Ph.D. in Art History from National Museum Institute, New Delhi, did a one year stint at Doshisha University, Kyoto as a Japan Foundation fellow

Initial extensive work in etching prints explored various facets of humanity from embryonic “amobae” to evolution of humans in the “hominidae” series. Art workshops under Prof. Paul Lingren of San Diego University and Prof. Krishna Reddy of New York University stimulated her to make prints in Colour Intaglio technique, breaking boundaries by treating etching plates like sculptures. Having explored various media from printmaking, painting, sculpture and pottery, she has expanded into mixed media and installation art, exercising the need to engage in larger spaces

Jindal combines artistic practice with writing and teaching, each discipline enriching the other. Her Ph.D. thesis’s theme - Japanese suiboku-ga and the art of Zen monk-painter Sesshū Tōyō, steered her to the path of minimalism. Her scholarly work in Visual Art & Design, particularly of Asia, has been presented at International Conferences & published papers. She has taught for several decades primarily at the National Institute of Fashion Technology & School of Planning and Architecture, and delivered lectures on Art History & Appreciation at National Museum and National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. As Research Professor for a year at International Research Centre for Japanese Studies, Kyoto, Japan she focused on a comparative study of Japanese Ukiyo-e with Indian Painting

 Her artworks have been part of several important exhibitions in India and abroad including the National Exhibitions at Lalit Kala Akademi and Festival of India in USA, the Berlin Biennial, and finds place in Art collections in India and abroad

 Jindal’s current creative expression is deeply rooted in the investigation and visual interpretation of nature and being, the interweaving of natural elements with urban life, of habitat and impact of climate change. The multiplicity of existence, the relationship of environment and psyche of humans, the giver and the taker, the profound and the facile.... visualized through mindscapes

www.anujindal.com    www.anujindal.blogspot.com  Email: purplestreakcentreforarts@gmail.com

Delhi's Election Office shone in the May 2019 Lok Sabha Elections

Dr. Ranbir Singh, IAS officer and currently Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, who was at the helm of the Delhi chapter of the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections gave an information packed talk under the title "Elections in India: A Carnival of Democracy" on 17th August 2019

It was an eye opener to hear about the elaborate planning, immense effort and dedicated work that was put in to ensure inclusiveness of all from 18 year olds who were first time voters to nonagenarians, from transgenders to those who were wheel chair bound and facilitate a fair and smooth election process

An affable and communicative Dr. Ranbir Singh answered questions freely and interacted with the audience post the talk




Particularly helpful was the line-up of his very pleasant and eager to assist staff members, complete with forms and data-banks to assist audience members who had any clarifications/modifications in relation to their Election Identity Cards, or any other related queries.

Vultures circling around - The sorry state of a Super-Senior Citizen in Delhi

Indian politician, former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away on 6 August 2019 in New Delhi...

My first reaction - I had just met her a few days ago, she looked so good, so healthy, was smiling and interacting with all so normally...what happened...why this sudden demise?

Second reaction after reading the medical reasons - she had a massive cardiac arrest and passed away within the hour - thank God she did not have to suffer a lingering, extended, painful, traumatic, draining hospitalization. If one must go, even if before one's time, this is the best way to go

Third reaction - she had people who cared about her (genuinely) around her - her husband and daughter

There's a saying "Health is Wealth" - when one is young, strong and healthy one has no reason to ponder on this or bother at all to understand this. Its only when one is ill that one realizes the true meaning and import of this saying. Not just health, when life slaps you with problems, is when one remembers God, begging for mercy, though one may have inflicted multiple others with vicious impunity

My vivacious, party loving mother till few months back was up to her usual merry go round of socializing, partying,

shopping, insisting on driving herself, in-spite of repeated admonishments by her doctor and me, that she must shun driving, taking care of her medicines, including daily insulin injections independently, managing her house beautifully



Its Shraavan Purnamashi - the monsoon full moon
starts off the Hindu festival season - Mom celebrates all the festivals with such deep belief and gusto

On Janamashtmi (the day marking the birth of Lord Krishna) she decorates her mandir at home, adorns the Radha Krishna-ji with new clothes and ornaments, the Bal Gopala-ji (child Krishna idol) gets special attention from her. Freshly bathed, dressed and ornamented with his crown topped with a tiny mor-pankh (peacock feather), she seats him in his jhoola (swing) and ties a rope of strung marigolds to the jhoola. In the evening puja and aarti she will sing bhajans in praise of Radha Krishna and gently rock the Bal Gopal-ji's jhoola

And now she is in a diaper...
begging for food, dependent on whoever will do even the littlest for her
osteoporosis and a debilitating lower back pain have confined her to her bed
exorbitant hospital and doctors fees, doctors on home visits are outdated
suffering a stream of inefficient, grouchy, pilfering, so-called attendants, charging unreasonable fees - these women and their "Nursing Agencies" are making hay when the sun shines

And the vultures are circling around - though she has been fleeced of practically all of her property and money, whatever little is left - they are waiting to scavenge

Shraavan Purnamashi 15 August 2019

Madhur Bhandarkar entertains with his down to earth humour

Madhur can I take a selfie with you please? with so many others milling around with the same idea, its difficult, however Madhur takes my mobile in his own hand with the words - "Laa, main leta hun na" and presto the deed is done 😊

Famed film director, script writer and producer Madhur Bhandarkar interviewed by Amit Goel, Group Vice Chair, The Pioneer, turned out to be an entertaining session, with Madhur sharing his journey of success in the film industry, to his views on various societal issues and his support of Indian Prime Minister Modi

  Madhur Bhandarkar against poster of his film "Indu Sarkar"

From rags to riches....better still from a delivery boy for delivering videos of films, to celebrated deliverer of highly successful films....today one of the top directors of the Hindi Film Industry or Bollywood (shouldnt that be Mollywood? now that Bombay is back to its original pre-British rule name of Mumbai). Though highly successful, and surely he knows it, when an audience member praised his film he was quick to express gratitude.

Awarded the prestigious Padma Shri and as many as three National Film Awards, he remains unassuming and without airs and thereby immensely likable

Some snippets -

I wasn't  particularly good at studies, wanted to study at FTII but minimum requirement was graduation so that was out

Not many people know my first movie was "Trishakti", not "Chandni Bar". But "Trishakti" came and went without being noticed, I had to struggle a lot after that

I research my subjects intensely both by observation of actual situations and by reading a lot...I love reading

An example of his observation incorporated in his movie "Page 3" - at a funeral ceremony, its bizarre that while the puja is going on people are discussing what they are going to wear at tonight's wedding, or which party they will be going to👀

He gets multifarious reactions for his films - some feel he has been responsible for their business suffering, while others feel it gave them direction to improve

His outspokenness against the recent anti- Prime Minister Modi tirade by several film fraternity, because he says - I admire Modi, have seen the good work he has done in Gujarat, I think he is good for our country, besides this is selective and unfair criticism by these buddhijivis (pseudo intellectuals)

A lesser known talent - he ends with a small dose of mimicry 😃😜

Unpretentious, matter of fact, relaxed, smiling, with witty humour....bindaas... that's Madhur Bhandarkar for you

Come monsoon blooms the Rajnigandha in Delhi

The Rajnigandha or tuberose is an ubiquitous part of Delhi gardens. The long spiky stems hold sprays of white blooms scented with a gentle fragrance

Immortalized in the 1974 hit Hindi movie "Rajnigandha" produced by Suresh Jindal, directed by Basu Chatterjee, these flowers became the inveterate communication between the film's protagonists. Sanjay, played by Amol Palekar, is disorganized, perpetually late, no hot shot in studies, in effect nobody's idea of Prince Charming, yet he charms Deepa, played by Vidya Sinha, by never forgetting to bring her flowers - a bunch of rajnigandha. His ordinariness is reflected in the bouquet of tuberoses, presumably fragrant, some drooping, nonetheless appreciated by her.
Watch film's title song "rajnigandha phool tumhare" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j5dRsWevdM

Single flowers of rajnigandha strung together forming long white strands are often used as decoration in Indian weddings. Famed aromatherapist Blossom Kochhar has used rajnigandha flowers for calming therapy

Many other flowers burst forth in Delhi in monsoon - the spider lily with its lantern like buds, the aromatic motia (jasmine) used for garlands and gajras (hair ties), the crimson hibiscus which presents a stunning contrast against its own shiny dark green leaves, champa (frangipani or plumeria), fireball lily among others

Spider Lily

Fireball Lily

Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 2019 had “beaten two opponents” aptly described by The New York Times

A match lasting 3 minutes less than 5 hours, not so rare a sight in tennis grand slams when two aces clash. Looked forward to an exhilarating Sunday, stationed in front of TV screen, to view Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer playing in the Wimbledon 2019 final. The players did not disappoint but the spectators punctured the entertainment somewhat with their constant, raucous, one-sided bias towards one player - Federer, even to the extent of clapping at the Serb's mistakes. Tennis is considered a gentleman’s game (not a ladies?) but in this match, the non-favourite needed to muster all his mental powers to ensure the creepy crowd’s come-uppance. As Novak stated in the after-match interview, when the crowd yelled “Roger” I heard “Novak”.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have been my favourites forever…..all three superb  players, they have given such great joy to viewers, over so many years, through their sheer genius. One wants to see a battle of talent, a balance of artistry, which is what normally happens when two of these are playing against each other, and triumphing on the basis of who scored more winners, not a virtuoso routing a weaker opponent, as happens when they play in the opening rounds.

For whatever reasons the English crowd preferred the Swiss, over the Wimbledon defending champion Djokovic, how hurt Novak was, showed through his expressionless face on winning. None of the falling to the ground, covering one’s face etc. all he did was look joyously towards his own team. As is his greatness he thanked the ground and the heavens, but refrained from his customary greeting to the audience after every win, where he spreads his arms, turning in all four directions, showering love and gratitude.

The New York Times has summed up this match very well in the link given below:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/14/.../novak-djokovic-roger-federer-wimbledon.html

4 Sixers - Nothing Succeeds like Success

In the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (non-going for India, sadly) in England, India stumbled losing by 18 runs in the semifinal played vs New Zealand, at the Old Trafford in Manchester spread over two days due to rain on the first day. The Dream Team touted as the contenders for the world cup are out of the world cup

Much ado had been made of this ouster

analysis, criticism, news, anger by analysts, critics, media, public, ex-cricketers

The middle batting order failed, why was Rishabh Pant sent in at number 4, why was the highly experienced Mahinder Singh Dhoni not sent in earlier or why is this senior citizen playing here at all ?X%$, why were this and this players included and why this and this players excluded, where was the need for Rishabh Pant to make that irresponsible shot, or for Hardik Pandya to emulate him?

The inimical Mohamad Azharuddin could only find faults. Why was bowler Shami excluded, Dhoni is old and should not be playing, even questioning Virat Kohli’s captaincy and if at all he should continue as captain

blah blah blah

Few brought forth the achievements and accomplishments of this team. This is the team which won a whopping 7 out of 9 matches played, lost only one match (to England, who are now in the finals) and one game washed out, topping the league table. Only one other team (Australia, who have now lost to England in the other semifinals) has equaled this remarkable record in this tournament.

Rohit Sharma's centuries garnered him 648 runs and a batting average of 80, Jasprit Bumrah has been exceptional, the flamboyant Jadeja made a career best 77 with 4 swashbuckling sixers under enormous pressure coming in at number 8 with India tottering in the semifinal. Shikhar Dhawan continued to play for several hours with a fractured thumb in the first match against Australia leading India to victory with his 117 runs. Hardik Pandya had a groin injury but valiantly batted against New Zealand in the semifinal. Are these tales of valour and accomplishments not worth reflecting on.

Sachin Tendulkar remained balanced with an all encompassing analysis, pointing out that every team has a bad day, preferring to highlight Team India's overall achievements in the tournament.

In the semifinal against New Zealand, 25 runs were needed with 10 balls left, a gargantuan but not impossible task with the seasoned Dhoni still at the crease. Dhoni has come up muster with his steely nerves in earlier ODI’s, his late entry was warranted to take control of a bad situation and effectively take on the challenge of the run chase. Dhoni may well have managed that, if not for the accuracy of Guptill’s direct throw on the stumps, running out Dhoni and running out India’s hopes.

If only Dhoni had not been runout, if only 4 sixers had been struck, even if it was a tie with New Zealand, India by virtue of better run rate and topping the round robin stage with only one loss vs New Zealand's 3 defeats, would have been through the Final. Then the same critics would have gloating, none of the talk of the middle order, selection of players etc. would have been expounded on

Nothing succeeds like success
If only
4 Sixers

"Come On"...Tennis Anyone...How about the Australian Open

Nadal, Federer, Djokovic all three at Australian Open 2019!

Bonanza for tennis fans - all these three great, exemplary players who have entertained tennis fans for a decade and half are at Melbourne, overcoming all injuries. So too are the new kids on the block Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, raring to oust the greats.
First three unsuccessful, but the twenty year old from Greece, Tsitsipas with his entire family - parents and younger brother and adorable little sister Elizabeth cheering on, defeats Roger Federer to utter disbelief and grief of us Federer fans. No doubt he played well, has a very strong serve, athleticism and young energy, but his win was compounded by an unusually distracted Federer making unexpectedly high number of unforced errors, especially on his backhand and at the net. Well, when Federer burst on the scene he did defeat the giant Pete Sampras. So the old must make way for the young. We tennis fans hope that the tradition of new genius emerging has happened. However, its not going to be so soon.
As Nadal expressed "maybe they can wait another year"
And Nadal fructifies that by decimating Tsitsipas in the Semi-finals! Not just in straight sets, but allowing only a handful of points to Tsitsipas on his (Nadal's) serve.
So tomorrow its Nadal versus Djokovic in the finals - will it be a repeat of the 5 hours and 53 minutes duel they engaged in, a few  years earlier here at the Australian Open. Both are in top form, probably it will be a five setter, but as Djokovic says, after the enforcement of the super tiebreak (the fifth set will also have a tiebreak) it wont stretch for that long.

What way will the Ladies go
Womens tennis remains, as it has for so many years, wonderfully mysterious. The days are over when it was a toss between the artistry of just two players - Stefi Garf and the ruggedness of Monica Seles with the Spaniard Arantxa Sánchez Vicario relegated mostly to being third, and being allowed to win only once in a while, along with others like Maritina Hingis. Before the start of the Australian Open, as many as eleven possible contenders were projected for the crown. Sans Serena Williams with 23 Slam titles the various winners of Slam titles have rotated between young and old, newcomers and mothers. So we saw the Italian prime minister flying down to the the US especially to watch two comparatively lesser known Italians competing in a US Open final. Some stunned by entering the Australian Open early on...e.g. Anna Ivanovic, who lost and cried on losing in the finals. As a child she practised with Djokovic in a deserted swimming pool in their war torn country. Maria Sharapova won the Wimbledon in 2004, displayed great talent and tenacity yet turned out to be taciturn. Similar case of Victoria Azarenka. In recent years the imposingly tall Spaniard Garbine Muguruza on losing to Serena Williams in a final, was applauded and consoled by Serena "you will win next year". Serena withdrew to have a baby, but Muguruza did not fulfill that prophecy.
Kvitova and the tenacious Naomi Osaka clash in the finals today. Kvitova has battled injury caused by being knifed in the arm by an intruder in her home, which also led to fear of being alone in closed spaces. She shared that talking to Monica Seles who was knifed while in a match, helped her overcome her fears, making her emerge stronger. Naomi Osaka's unsmiling, implacable, samurai like countenance, belies the nervous energy she packs in, evidenced by her constant twirling of the racquet, banging her clenched fist on her thigh and the cries of "come on". A short lack of concentration cost her the second set against. Pliskova in the the semi-final. If she can stay focused and channel her energy into her playing, my bet is on Osaka

As to the men, Nadal is raring like a raging bull!!!

Recovering from injury and sensibly playing in less competitions he is insistent to add at least one more AO title to his solitary one win. Even in that win his glory and adulation from the audience was stolen by the losing finalist Federer weeping at the crowning ceremony, forcing Nadal to spend most of his time consoling him. Nadal has strategized with tutelage from his coach and "improved" his forehand (is that possible??). How, he's not giving away that secret, maybe he'll cough up after wining. Both Djokovic and Federer have won the AO title, 6 times each, 2019 may well belong to Rafael Nadal.

Fashion anyone
As always the king of clay Rafael Nadal also remains trendy, adorning the colours of the spring summer 2019 - sunshine, mango and turmeric. Fashion conscious Sharapova and many others donned hues of blues, while several sported the subtle charcoal grey brushed denim look

"Come On".....
German or Spanish, Serbian or Japanese, Russian or Belgian, and of course American....when it comes to self encouragement all players seem to favour the same takiya kalam (oft repeated word or phrase) - "Come on"