journey

Thought behind the thought

To embark on a new journey is probably something that excites all of us. The anticipation of discovering new things, the sense of adventure it brings, and the enrichment and satisfaction that follows! Every road takes us through a new terrain, every turn opens our eyes to a new dimension and every obstacle brings out qualities that we never thought we possessed.

And the most interesting journey that we can make is probably the one inside our own mind! For, that is a place full of undiscovered hills and valleys, streams of reason and imagination and forests of feelings. What could be more fascinating than accompanying ourselves on a journey across the landscapes of our mind!

Film project “Imaginate”(year 2013) by street trials rider Danny Mac Askill.

( Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv3xVOs7_No)

About the art

"Project Imaginate" a trailer, and 5 episodes to promote the riding clip which is hugely popular, with  over 14 million views ! In this project, Street trials rider Danny MacAskill brought his child hood ultimate playground to life, only this time he rode it for real!

Danny MacAskill is a professional street trials rider for Inspired Bicycles Ltd, born and raised in Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. What he does with his bike, is nothing short of performing art! And the animation video above fully conveys the sense of adventure and excitement that must abound in his mind when he rides!

On April 19th, 2009, when he was 23 years old, Danny released a 5:30 minute street trials video on YouTubeset to ‘The Funeral’ by the Band of Horses. Little did he know, this video was about to change his life. Filmed and produced by his flat mate Dave Sowerby, “Inspired Bicycles” got a few hundred thousand views over night and as of today has been watched over 34 million times.

Since the video went online, things have progressed really fast for Danny. He found himself featured in theNew York Times and several other big publications and was nominated for sports award in the category “Action Sportsperson of the Year” at the Laureus World Sports Awards as well as for the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Award. Naturally he gave up his job as a bicycle mechanic and moved to Edinburgh to ride his bike full time.

(Text source: http://www.dannymacaskill.co.uk/about/)

Credit and source of informationhttp://www.dannymacaskill.co.uk/about/

wearing a face

Thought behind the thought

We face every new day with a new face! A happy one for a day we know is going our way. A worried one when we are unsure about the day we are going to meet. And we do this with practiced ease. Almost as naturally as we would choose our clothes to wear. 
Some people wear a happy face, no matter what. Does it mean that they are always happy? Or only that they are hiding their sadness behind it? And doesn't it eventually become cumbersome to carry on that way?
Is it not like being a part of a performance, where you are playing a role? The only difference being that the show never ends, but always goes on?

About the art
Actors get in to the skin of the characters they play in all performing arts, whether it is dance, or drama, or folk arts like the Bhand Pather of Kashmir, a dramatic from based on mythological stories incorporating contemporary social satire within its practical theme.

Born Hindus, but practising Muslims, the Bhands are secular in their outlook and that is reflected in this dynamic folk form that has incorporated many elements from the classical Sanskrit theatre as well as from other traditional folk forms of India. 

The plays of the Bhands are called 'Pather', a word that seems to have derived from patra, dramatic character. Bhand comes from the bhaana, a satirical and realistic drama, generally a monologue that is mentioned in Bharata's Natya Shastra. The Bhand Pather though is not a monologue but a social drama incorporating mythological legends and contemporary social satire.

Performed with traditional musical instruments and based on the traditional music forms, the acts communicate a strong social message. Masks are used by the actors to add more drama to their performances, making the satire more effective.

Masks used in Bhand Pather performances

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82nhwEwzl1E

Credit and Source of information
The Bhand Pather of Kashmir by M. K. Raina at http://www.koausa.org/BhandPather/http://www.discoveredindia.com/jammu-and-kashmir/culture-in-jammu-and-kashmir/dance-in-jammu-and-kashmir/bhand-pather-dance.htm
http://www.caravanmagazine.in/arts/other-kashmir-problem
http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/rekindling-classical-kashmiri-theatre/article4606265.ece
http://ccrtindia.gov.in/theatreforms.php
http://www.searchkashmir.org/2013/04/shikargah-pather.html

let go

Cirque du Soleil is a Quebec based company. It is recognized all over the world for its high-quality, artistic entertainment. Cirque du Soleil has some spectacular shows that leave the audiences mesmerised. A company that once had 73 artists now has 4000 artists worldwide. Close to 150 million spectators have seen a Cirque du Soleil show since 1984. Close to 15 million people are expected to see a Cirque du Soleil show in 2014.

Letting go needs faith and mutual respect. Just like a pair of trapeze artists. A complete tandem is needed to carefully execute an act. Just like in life parents and children need to give and receive respect and keep total faith in the other. Also the most crucial element is timing, when and how much is the whole matter of judgement.

Credits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElUqBGGCZYM