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<< COVER STORY >>
PRESERVING THE ART LINEAGE
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Art is the stored honey of the human soul, gathered on wings of misery and travail. It is a shadow of what a person is thinking, a small glimpse of what they hold inside. The artist is the opposite of the politically minded individual, the opposite of the reformer, the opposite of the idealist.? ?The artist does not tinker with the universe; he recreates it out of his own experience and understanding of life.?The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place:? from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider?s web,? had said Pablo Picasso.
He gazes at the reality and creates his own impression in the world of colours. George Bernard Shaw had once said, ?Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.??
According to writer, Bhupendra Narayan Bhattacharya, the artists of Northeast India too had a world of their own, distant from the reality. This unity in thought and pursuit brought them together. That which had begun as a group of like-minded artists, has now grown into the Gauhati Artists? Guild (GAG), a premier organization of artistic pursuit in the entire region. The very foundation of the modern art in Assam owes a lot to this cradle of creativity that came into existence with a group of artistes, art lovers, poets and writers at different stages and from different places of the State. The aim and objective of the Guild was to find a platform, to look for sponsorship and other financial aid, along with creating a conducive atmosphere to address various issues and problems of art.
It all started in July 11, 1976, from the drawing room of scholar-folklorist Prof. Birendranath Datta. The artistes then used to hold their meetings in a rented house at Silpukhuri.
?In the rented space of GAG, artists would gather, work, discuss their works, argue on issues about art, literature, cinema and other things in life during the day time and would join in the collective venture of raising funds for the Guild by working in various commissioned works, painting signboards, hoardings, designing book covers and other commercial works. During the evenings, they would go out to open spaces outside the studio to work,? recalls Harekrishna Deka, a prominent poet cum critic, during the 34th Foundation day celebrations of the Guild.
?The initial years were hard times, we were short of finances,? said Deka.
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<< FEATURE 1>>
THE POWER OF UNDERSTANDING INTELLECTUAL GROWTH
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We often think that we can make our children smarter by using educational toys like flash cards, computers or mobiles. We are then actually far away from the reality that true intelligence depends on the quality of their early emotional experiences and relationships, especially with parents. Children use their feelings in much the same way they use their vision and hearing ? as a way to understand and become more familiar with their surroundings and the world around them. The intelligence levels of the little ones depend on how well they are engaged in relationships and how their feelings are part of ongoing interactions.
The minds of our children go through six basic stages of development in the crucial first few years of life. Handling them well in these six stages will help us lay the foundations for intellectual growth.
STAGE I: When children are making sense of the world. In the first three months of life, babies learn to decipher the countless sensations that surround them, as well as their bodies? responses to these stimuli. A crucial part of their task is learning to stay calm so that they can focus on stimuli like people, objects and events in order to make sense of them. This ability to pay attention is the foundation for the rest of their intellectual development. As parents we need to understand that our voice, face and gestures will help the little ones discover their senses more effectively than leaving them alone for long periods of time with rattles, mobiles or other objects that have no emotional connection for them.
STAGE II: When children are developing intimacy. Upto six months of age, babies begin to take pleasure in relating to others. They mimic their parent?s grins and coos and experience a joy in intimacy that later develops into empathy and love. As parents we need to ensure that our little ones spend many hours each day with loving people ? us, grandparents or even a loving care giver. Often both parents are working these days, and we still need to make some unhurried time to cuddle and play with them.
STAGE III: When children are forming a sense of self. From three to twelve months, babies understand they can use communication to make things better. They smile to get us to smile back, and reach their arms up to signal that they want to be picked up. At this stage, we need to communicate with them, and also need to understand their signals!
STAGE IV: When children are discovering social problem solving. From twelve to twenty months, children discover more complicated patterns in their world and learn to figure out steps involved in getting what they want. As parents, we need to use their natural inquisitiveness as an opportunity for problem solving.
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<< VAASTU >>
USE OF MIRRORS IN VAASTU
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Almost every household uses mirrors in one way or the other. Modern buildings, shopping malls, offices use mirrors of various shades outside for architectural symmetry as well as protection from sunrays. Colourful mirrors are one of the simplest form of interior and exterior designing. But mirrors should be used properly keeping the vaastu factor in mind because mirrors can enhance the vaastu of a place as well as make the place defective if improperly placed! The owner of a household may have adverse effects on him/her if mirrors are wrongly placed.
SOME POINTS TO PONDER: Mirrors should be placed in such a way so that they do not block the entry of energy nor reflect back positive energy.
1. The basic idea of placing mirrors sometime is to block the negative energy from entering the household. For example, if there is a block or vedh in front of the main door, a mirror can be placed to reflect the poison arrows.
2. Mirrors should be placed to enhance the beauty of a room and increase the positive energy. Mirrors placed in the Northeast, East or North can achieve this.
3. Mirrors can be fixed on doors and windows in the Northeast, North or East.
4. Coloured mirrors should be avoided as far as possible which may block sunlight into the house from east and north.
5. However, light green coloured glasses can be fixed on the window panes and doors in the east.
6. Similarly, light blue coloured glasses are permissible in the windows and doors in the north.
Negative energies enter from the south and the west. So dark coloured glasses like black ones can be fitted on the windows and doors at west and south to block the negative energy from entering. Aesthetically also, they are good to look at.
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<< FEATURE 2 >>
Exploring the depths
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He is just nine years old, but his little eyes saw the wonders of the under-sea world. Mayank Ohma Ekka, a Class IV student of Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti School in Guwahati, became the youngest boy to dive in the Indian Ocean six times and complete his Junior Scuba Divers course.
Mayank, who had been snorkelling and skin diving for the last two years with his mother, a deep sea diver herself said, ?I was impatiently waiting to be allowed to dive in complete diving gear ? the wet suit, BCD (Buoyancy control device), oxygen cylinder, masks and fins.?
Mayank was exposed to the wonders of the sea by his mother Anjali Tirkey. A specialized scuba diver herself, Anjali would tell stories of the sea world to Mayank and this is how he developed an interest in scuba diving.
Said the proud mother, ?Mayank would listen with rapt attention as I would narrate my underwater experiences with him. Besides this, he loves watching programmes on deep sea on Discovery. We buy him DVDs of BBC undersea documentaries. He likes watching cartoons but he is more hooked on to these TV programmes.?
His instructor, Anne is a French woman, who had worked in Indonesia, Mauritius and Maldives before coming to Havelock Island in the archipelago of Andaman Islands. She said, she was teaching such a young boy for the first time in her life and was amazed by the pace in which Mayank grasped the skills. ?It?s a pleasure to see Mayank comfortable at diving and his sheer joy of identifying the sea animals is something to watch,? she said.
On the young scuba diver?s hobbies, Mayank?s mother said, ?Mayank is more of an outdoor person. He likes trekking and camping. As a parent, I have always been anti-gizmos and the internet. Children lose touch with nature in this way. So whenever we get the opportunity, we take him out. Parents, I feel, should encourage their children to move out of the house and get involved in outdoor activities and sports.?
?Mayank has a scientific bent of mind. He likes to experiment. He initially wanted to become a scientist when he grows up. But now he wants to join the Army and go to Afghanistan,? laughed Anjali.
Revealing more aspects about her son, she said, ?Mayank loves promoting anything that is Indian. So he prefers Amul to Baskin-Robbins. It is his dream to unfurl the Indian flag underwater on January 26. Maybe it will not be possible on that day but the next time we take him out to the sea, we will ask him to unfurl the Indian flag.?
So what does it take to be a scuba diver? ?You should just be fit and yes, you should not be afraid of the water. Other than that, you should not have sinus problem because then it become difficult to equalize the pressure. Scuba diving is not such a dangerous adventure sport. Parents should not hesitate to allow their children take up this kind of sports,? said Anjali, who plans to take up a Diver?s Master course soon.
?I am an advanced and specialized diver but I intend to do a Diver?s Master course for my son. At present I cannot take Mayank underwater. It?s only after I do the course that Mayank and I can together explore the deep sea waters. Maybe after I finish the course I might become a scuba instructor. But as of now I want to take up the course only for my son,? she said.
However, Mayank is looking forward to 10th birthday when he will get the opportunity to dive as deep as 12 meters and then for his 12th birthday to take his Junior Open Water Diver?s course. Mayank says, that although he loved swimming with turtles, he especially enjoyed being with the clown fish, Nemo, octopus, eels and to watch the variety of star fishes.
?Yes, I love the sea and love to kiss my mother underwater. She is a deep sea diver. The next time she goes for her Diver?s Master course, I will go for my next level. The beauty that lies hidden in the depths of the sea is like heaven. You all can do it if you love water, adventure and fear no fear,? said Mayank. .. |
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<< SIGN LINE >>
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'Birthday Forecast'
Jupiter sextile Uranus on your solar return chart indicates good beginnings. Those involved in modeling, sports or event management will shine during this period. Some sudden and positive opportunity will boost your morale and confidence. There will be frequent travel connected with your work which will also keep you on your toes. Betterment in career or switchover is also a likelihood or possibility. If looking for a job through exams or interviews then you will not be disappointed. Financial matters need to be taken care of properly. New investments should not be made on impulse. Health of someone close to you could be a source of tension. Romance will be stellar and you could also decide to take your wedding vows.
Aries: (March 21 - April 20)
You need the energies, companionship, and support of other people, and they too draw upon you a great deal. You need space and contact with others in order to feel content. You are blessed with intuition and foresight which leads you in the right direction. You seem to need a good friend with whom you can share your ideas. You focus on balancing your personal interests and objectives with what would be best for a significant other. It's important to give others credit and recognition, and to attempt to harmonize and include others rather than to go solo for the time being.
Taurus: (April 21 - May 21)
This is an especially introspective phase during which you have the chance to truly uncover your personal strengths and talents. On a more practical level, you may be dealing with joint finances and shared resources now more than usual. This is an excellent time under which you bring more harmony and pleasant interactions in your relationships with loved ones. All which is deeply personal comes into focus now. Intimate matters are especially important to you during this period. Just how well you are handling your life comes up for inspection. You are more willing than usual to explore life's secrets. Research uncovers new material that allows you to develop a better overall picture of the events.
Gemini: (May 22 - June 21)
You feel fun loving, energetic, and willing to explore new ideas. Financial benefits may come your way. Stress may crop up at unexpected turns and this would require you to look at some lifestyle changes and even incorporate some techniques like exercise and meditation. You would focus on intimacy with a partner, or simply retreat a little from the hectic pace of life. This is an excellent time to create a budget or financial plan, or to rid yourself of bad habits that undermine your sense of personal power and self-mastery.
Cancer: (June 22 - July 22)
You display great skills in sports, competitive exams, physical activities and this wins appreciation and brings about new opportunities Close relationships continue to be in focus. Emotions run close to the surface. You may also see the culmination or fruits of a personal project at this time. This week is good for foreign affairs and education. Personal relations are satisfying and you have plenty of goodwill and friendships around you. You are likely to get back to fitness routines and diet programs to enhance health and energy.
Leo: (July 23 - August 23)
You are ambitious, authoritative and courageous. This period is excellent for career and business income. Extra care should be exercised when it comes to negotiations and one-on-one communications. Be as non-judgmental as you can with a partner. There may be the need to revisit old issues in a partnership, or there could be some communication problems with a partner. Misunderstandings with your partner now can do some damage if you focus on words said instead of the meanings behind the words. Stick to regular exercise routine and regular pattern of nutritious diet.
Virgo: (August 24 - September 22)
If you need to talk through problems, do your best to be as non-judgmental as possible, and don't over-react to what your partner has to say either. Re-thinking a partnership arrangement is possible now, but you should avoid jumping to any premature decisions. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating with people, take time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely. Communicative abilities will largely be applied to professional world ambitions where knowledge and education are pursued in order to enhance career prospects and financial matters.
Libra: (September 23 - October 23)
This week brings entertainment, communication and popularity among people and harmonious relations in personal and professional life. Intimate connections can be especially meaningful. Intensity appeals in your relationships. It's a good time to work out money problems or other issues of sharing with a partner. You may get the backing you need now--financial or emotional. An event may occur that expands your career or professional interests, and you derive pleasure from these activities. More freedom is likely to be experienced in your career. Integrity and honesty will be the keystone. |
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<< QUIZ >>
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<< FEATURE 3 >>
Night Show
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Every weeknight at 10 pm, Neal Caffrey comes into my bedroom. I?m in my pjs by then, and not really dressed to receive visitors. But being the uber-cool guy that he is, Neal doesn?t mind. In fact, he doesn?t even notice. Finally there?s something my daughter and I agree on. We both agree that Neal Caffrey is the most handsome con man on TV. No! strike that! Make that the most handsome man ever on TV. Period.
Those bluer than blue eyes, that chiselled face, that voice. I am, of course, talking about that dapper Adonis in a designer suit and hat who?s ?attached? with the FBI?s White Collar Crimes Division for his very intimate knowledge of the modus operandi of white collar criminals, seeing that he used to be one himself. That is, until he?s offered a deal by the FBI to ?lend? his considerable expertise in return for commutation of punishment.
It?s only recently that I was introduced by my daughter and niece to the charming, Mr Caffrey, played by Matt Bomer, in the serial ?White Collar? which airs on Star World.
I used to pity the poor souls who couldn?t get through the day without their daily fix of soap operas. Yet, here I am now, another addict. This serial has me totally hooked. The storyline is fast-paced, there?s intrigue, there?s humour and there are the FBI agents in their cool suits and even cooler shades. What?s there not to like about that?
Some folks have their saas-bahu serials, others their 24x7 news channels. Though these days the food shows seem to be proliferating like barnacles on a sunken ship. These are hosted by photogenic chefs who seem to know their onions, though one must exclude the middle-aged, sweaty and balding Floyd of ?Floyd?s India?, who tries to teach Indian cuisine to Indians. The cheek of the guy!
Honestly, though, I don?t know how many people actually try out the recipes shown on these shows. I know I haven?t, but then cooking is not my strongest suit. I do, however, envy the large and immaculate kitchens, especially since in my kitchen, more than one person would constitute a crowd.
There?s a quirky food show on BBC called ?Come Dine with Me? where four strangers compete with each other to host the perfect dinner party and win a 1,000 pounds cash prize. The comment, mostly uncomplimentary of the contestants about their host?s culinary skills and the irreverent background commentary by Dave Lamb is what sets this show apart. |
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