either / or

Thought behind the thought

Many a times, we stand at crossroads, staring at a seemingly difficult situation. Its either 'this' or 'that'! Tough choice. But it need not be so. So many things are seemingly complex, and if you think comprehensively from a totally different perspective, you discover that we could actually have the best of both worlds. We need not choose between 'this' and 'that'. We can have 'This' and also 'That', both at the same time!

Because things, situations, people, life ......  is always a composite of opposites, as most oriental cultures acknowledge. Be it the Yin-Yang of Chinese philosophy, or the Maya-Bramha of Hindu thought, the fusion of opposites to form a 'Whole' remains a dominant theme.

About The Art

Hindu philosophy is replete with examples of the fusion of two seemingly opposite concepts, the most well known of them being 'Ardha Narishwar' the half-male, half-female form of Lord Shiva.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research

An early Kushan head of Ardhanarishvara, Mathura Museum

http://picasaweb.google.com/injamaven

http://www.shaktisadhana.org/images/Ardhanarishwaripage/adhanari.JPG

Ardhanarishvara (Sanskrit: अर्धनारीश्वर, Ardhanārīśvara), is a composite androgynous form of the Hindu god Shiva and his consort Parvati (also known as Devi, Shakti and Uma in this icon). Ardhanarishvara is depicted as half male and half female, split down the middle. The right half is usually the male Shiva, illustrating his traditional attributes.

The earliest Ardhanarishvara images are dated to the Kushan period, starting from the first century BC. Its iconography evolved and was perfected in the Gupta era. ThePuranas and various iconographic treatises write about the mythology and iconography of Ardhanarishvara. While Ardhanarishvara remains a popular iconographic form found in most Shiva temples throughout India, very few temples are dedicated to this deity.

Ardhanarishvara represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe (Purusha and Prakriti) and illustrates how Shakti, the female principle of God, is inseparable from (or the same as, according to some interpretations) Shiva, the male principle of God. The union of these principles is exalted as the root and womb of all creation. Another view is that Ardhanarishvara is a symbol of Shiva's all-pervasive nature.

relief in stone from elephanta caves, near Mumbai

relief in stone from gangaikonda cholapuram temple

view of the Ardha Narishwar temple, Velapur, Maharashtra, India, built around 1300 A.D

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/51200107

http://ardhanarinateshwar.blogspot.in/

Credits and Source of information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardhanarishvara


Do also visit  http://youtu.be/nhmxRyMG3A8 for a mesmerising recital of the Ardha Nari nateshwar stotra by Pandit Jasraj.

jump

Thought behind the thought:

We are assuming too many things all the time. That too from only one standpoint, namely ours. We unnecessarily jump to conclusions and draw baseless inferences causing us more harm than anyone else. Martial arts are forms of dynamic art that teach us patience, forbearance and disallows being offensive. It teaches us to strike only when provoked. The single most important thing it teaches us is to always focus and concentrate on what important. It makes you circumnavigate a problem before attacking it and in this way one gets less harmed or hurt in the process.

About the art: 

Kalaripayattu is an Indian martial art which originated in the state of Kerala. It is considered to be the oldest fighting system in existence this martial art technique is taught in the payattu kalari, meaning fight school. Kalaripayattu includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods. Different exercises in Kalaripayattu are as follows:

Meipayattu means body exercises. It is a series of 18 different lessons designed to achieve peak physical fitness and flexibility of the body. They include specific exercise for legs, hips, hands and the torso areas in the body.

Marichilukal means Acrobatics. The acrobatic moves ensure that the body is fit, it’s a regular and good exercise regimen, helps in building and improving concentration and focus, and imparts confidence to the student. It also tones the body, makes it agile and improves reflexes.

Kaikuththippayattu means exercises with hands on the floor. Kaikuthipayatttu strengthens the body and conditions the student for proper breathing control. Breathing control is vital in offensive as well as defensive combat. All Kaikuththippayattu exercises are structured on the movement of snakes. Punches, leg moves, stretches, twists and jumps and 18 such lessons of exercises are there in this kalari practice.

Chuvattadi means stances and attacks. Mastering Chuvattadi helps the student to minimize injuries during combat. Chuvattadi exercises are based on Kalarippayattu techniques. They are performed in such a way as to respond to attacks in all four directions. Divided into 18 stages, it consists of punches, cuts, throws and blocks. Chuvattadi is practiced with intense speed and power.

Kaithada means blocks with hand. Kaithada comprises of bare handed fighting sequences and helps the develop a student’s instincts. Kaithada involve blocks to fearlessly defend against both, armed and unarmed attacks. Kaithada comprises of blocking attacks using physical power, avoiding or dodging attacks and utilising the opponents speed and power and turning these attributes to defend oneself.

Weapon Combat: This is the advanced program for persons interested in the practical use of martial arts. Training in weapons begins at the intermediate level, when there is a better understanding of the mechanics of movement and improved coordination. A weapon becomes an extension of one's body and a further test of one's skill.

The Kalari Asan or Gurukkal will start weapons training only after the guru is convinced of the students dedication to the art. Also the guru needs to be confident that the student will use this art and partake in armed combat only in self defence. To begin the advanced course one must prove that they will never misuse the combat techniques of Kalaripayattu.

Cane weapons are the first weapons that one commences with. Followed by the Short Stick (Cheruvadi), Curved Stick (Ottakkol), Mace (Gada), Dagger (Kattaram) and Spear (Kuntham)

Once the spear is mastered, the student starts with the glorious combats with sword and shield.The ultimate weapon is the Urumi, a six feet long flexible sword that is considered the most dangerous weapon in the Kalari system along with the human body.
Empty handed fighting techniques impart training in what is called Verum Kai Prayogam. This is a unique method of offence and defence with various holds, grips and locks combined with knuckle and elbow hits directed at Marmas or vital points of the opponent's body. One can disarm and disable an enemy completely using this technique. Usually, knowledge of this kind is not passed on indiscriminately and is imparted only to those with a disciplined life who guarantees that the knowledge will not be misused.

Watching a Kalaripayattu combat is no less engaging than a choreographed dance sequence. the graceful moves of the participants, beautiful lines of movement, graceful stances make it a visual delight. the speed and agility leave you speechless.

Credits:

http://www.kalarigurukulam.com/html/kalaripayattu.html

http://www.kalari-belraj.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalaripayattu

experience

Thought behind the thought:

We see so many things around us each day but we truly experience only a few. Lots of people, events, places and situations are opportunities for us to learn and grow. Our minds are actually processed to take in as little and relevant information as it can in order to keep it uncluttered and tangle free. So in the process we miss a whole number of details and finer aspects of experiences. If could fine tune our brains in such a way that experiences could be savoured correctly we would be a lot more enriched and a lot less judgemental.

About the Art: 

Body art is not considered a serious form of art by most art enthusiasts. It has probably not garnered enough attention and importance mainly because of our own judgemental attitudes. Johannes Stötter is artist born and based in South Tyrol, Italy. He is a self taught artist who joined the body painting artist community in 2009. He has numerous remarkable works to his name yet the one that needs to be specially mentioned is his legendary creation of a tropical frog consisting of 5 human bodies which he made in 2013 .He became world famous for it and made headlines and was featured in newspapers, magazines and online magazines across the world. Johannes teaches Bodypainting at the World Bodypainting Academy, at the WBF (World Bodypainting Festival) as well as Anatomic Bodypainting at Yoni Academy.

Credits:

http://www.fubiz.net/2013/07/10/body-art-inspired-by-nature/body-art-inspired-by-nature-10/#main-header

http://www.fubiz.net/2013/07/10/body-art-inspired-by-nature/body-art-inspired-by-nature-6/#main-header

http://www.fubiz.net/2013/07/10/body-art-inspired-by-nature/body-art-inspired-by-nature-8/#main-header

http://www.fubiz.net/2013/07/10/body-art-inspired-by-nature/body-art-inspired-by-nature-11/#main-header

http://www.fubiz.net/2013/07/10/body-art-inspired-by-nature/body-art-inspired-by-nature-9/#main-header

http://www.johannesstoetterart.com/johannes-stoetter-artist-musician-fine-art-bodypainting.html