Rubble Kings

Who knew the movie The Warriors was actually a pretty watered down truth of the reality in South Bronx in the late 60s/70s! American imperialism and capitalism igniting fury in the oppressed, violence and gang culture were strife.

Netflix have commissioned some great documentaries, this is one of them - highly recommended.



shanti shanti

I never saw a place so full of life...

Diwali in Jaipur...

India feeds my soul

Veda

"All that exists is One. People only call this One by different names." 

"God is love, and he that abideth in God, and god abideth in him."

"God is one whole; we are the parts."

INDIA

There's something about India, I mean I know it has many faults (the rich/poor divide, the cast system, rape etc.) but there's something about this place... the life, the colour, the vibe. It just feels nourishing in someway, not so much in the busy towns but in the small rural villages near Ranthambore and Bharatpur; I feel like these places are nourishing to the soul somehow. I can't wait to someday go back to India, and explore vast landscape I haven't yet seen. It has a piece of my heart.

Blurry picture but the only group shot I have with all of my family who came, plus our new extended family thanks to my sisters marriage to Pratham (back right)

I went to meet my family in India for a few weeks of traveling, chilling, experiencing real Indian culture, soaking up all the sun and all the love. We started in Dehli, then we complete the Golden Triangle over 2 weeks before spending 1 week in Goa. It was a good mix of exploring, relaxing, soaking in the culture and catching up with family, some I'd never met and some I hadn't seen for 6 months while I'd been in Australia.

I found this great summary of India on worldtogethertravel.com, it's well worth a read if you're unsure about going there:

"India’s astounding diversity of religions, languages, and cultures is unique and unparalleled. The society of vast subcontinent, varied and complex in its rich heritage, is among the oldest in the world.

Five thousand years of history have nourished the growth of a great civilization. It has been vitalized through cross-cultural contact and characterized by unity in diversity of culture and race, caste, religion, and language. In India there are examples of virtually every known type of societal division; six major religions- Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism; two major language families- Aryan and Dravidian, with 18 official languages and innumerable dialects and tribal languages; three racial strains- Aryan, Dravidian, and proto-Australoid; and over 4000 castes, hierarchically ranked, endogamous, and occupational.

Gandhi’s dream had always been to create a modern India that would offer Asia and the world a living example of his social ideals. To his followers, those ideals still constitute a lifebuoy thrown out to mankind by a strangely sane old man in a world going mad. The Mahatma was wholly opposed to those who argued that India’s future lay in imitating the industrial and technological society that colonized her. India’s salvation he argued “lay in unlearning what she has learned in past decades.” He challenged almost all the Western ideals that had taken root in India. Science should not order human values, he argued, technology should not order society, and civilization was not the infinite multiplication of human wants but their deliberate limitation to essentials that could be equitably shared by all.

Culturally diverse and complex, with mainly rural, traditional, and agrarian population, India now is also a major industrial power experiencing rapid urban growth and rural-urban migration. The shadows of a vibrant consumer society are taking shapes and urban population is exposed to massive change in life style, consumption habits, and cultural conditioning. 

These are certainly the times of doubts and chaos as what is on the big move is not merely an economy but also a society that represents one of the most ancient civilizations of the world. India is not simply the largest democracy in the world; majority of its population is of young people with ever growing aspirations. In her 5000 years of history, Indians never failed in creating a definite order in the psychic vibrations of their younger generations and the generations to come, but now in an era of Globalization and rapid economic growth, what course the history takes remains to be unfolded."

 

Old Dehli

The boy not quite blown away by that white building over there...

 Aryan not interested in the detail on the marble walls of the Taj Mahal...

Being part of my sisters Hindu wedding was a special experience:

The beautiful bride!

Loved these colourful trucks!

The food that introduced me to the term 'Dehli belly' - makes me feel quite sick even looking at it now. At one point this guy came over and poured melted butter and sugar over different areas of my plate... I thought I'd better try it ya know...

I tell ya if you're a white girl and want a bit of attention - go to India. Flocks of children, men and women randomly gather around you asking for photos, strange.

Making up for lost time with this little stud!

Having Aryan on my lap while I sit on my mum's lap on the bumpy ride back to the hotel.

Puppies everywhere!

It was great catching up with my friends Kate and Tom. So great!

Good times exploring Goa on a moped.

Those long train rides...

When Aryan first became friends with his shadow.

My little Aryan taking in the new sights, saddened by the poverty.

Jainism

...exploring different beliefs cont.

Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul toward divine consciousness and liberation.



Jains believe that to attain enlightenment and ultimately liberation from all karmic bonding, one must practice the following ethical principles not only in thought, but also in words (speech) and action. Such a practice through lifelong work towards oneself is called as observing the Mahavrata ("Great Vows"). These vows are: Ahimsa (Non-violence)

To cause "no harm" to living beings (on the lines of "live" and "let live"). The vow involves "minimizing" intentional as well as unintentional harm to another living creature. There should even be no room for any thought conjuring injury to others, let alone talking about it or performing of such an act. Besides, it also includes respecting the views of others (non-absolutism and acceptance of multiple views). Satya (Truthfulness)

To always speak of truth such that no harm is caused to others. A person who speaks truth becomes trustworthy like a mother, venerable like a preceptor and dear to everyone like a kinsman. Given that non-violence has priority, all other principles yield to it whenever there is a conflict. For example, in a situation where speaking truth would lead to violence, it would be perfectly moral to remain silent (for you are neither being untrue, nor causing violence by way of truth) Asteya (Non-stealing)

Not to take into possession, anything that is not willingly offered. It is the strict adherence to one's own possessions without desiring for the ones that belong to others. One should remain satisfied by whatever is earned through honest labour. Any attempt to squeeze material wealth from others and/or exploit the weak is considered theft. Some of the guidelines for this principle follow as under:
Always give people fair value for their labor or product.
Not to take into possession materials that are not earned or offered by others.
Not to take materials into personal possession that have been dropped off or forgotten by others.
Not to purchase materials as a result of being cheaper in value, if the resultant price reduction is a result of improper method of preparation. For instance, products made out of raw materials obtained by way of pyramid schemes, illegal businesses, stolen goods, etc., should be strictly prohibited Brahmacharya (Celibacy)

To exercise control over senses (including mind) from indulgence. The basic intent of this vow is to conquer passion, thus preventing wastage of energy in the direction of pleasurable desires. During observance of this vow, the householder must not have a sensual relationship with anybody other than one's own spouse. Jain monks and nuns practice complete abstinence from any sexual activity. Aparigraha (Non-possession, Non-materialism)

To observe detachment from people, places and material things. Ownership of an object itself is not possessiveness; however, attachment to the owned object is possessiveness. For householders, non-possession is owning without attachment, because the notion of possession is illusory. The basic principle behind observance of this vow lies in the fact that life changes. What you own today may not be rightfully yours tomorrow. Hence the householder is encouraged to discharge his or her duties to related people and objects as a trustee, without excessive attachment or aversion. For monks and nuns, non-possession involves complete renunciation of property and human relations.

(wiki)

Grobak Padi

Very excited about a current project I've been working on with Multicultural Arts Victoria on for the Melbourne Festival:

GROBAK PADI (AUSTRALIA/INDONESIA)

AN INTIMATE EXCHANGE BETWEEN CULTURES AND CITIES THROUGH A MULTIMEDIA FUSION OF FOOD, FILM AND DANCE, GROBAK PADI IS A LITTLE PIECE OF JAVA MANIFESTED IN THE HEART OF MELBOURNE.

For five days of the Festival, a delegation of gerobak food carts from the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta wend their way through Melbourne, bringing the flavours and culture of Java’s bustling street scene directly to our CBD.

Based at the vibrant Foxtel Festival Hub, grobak Padi brings together free multimedia art installations and contemporary dance with authentic Javanese street food – sold at modest prices – creating a cross-cultural dining experience like no other.

Like a staple diet for the soul, the rice of the padi field symbolises a way of life in Indonesia. Its humble sustenance reminds us to say thank you for the abundance we already have. While several gerobaks remain at the Festival Hub displaying video art inspired by the padi, others set out across the city, dispensing delicious Indonesian food. As they serve the hungry people of Melbourne, the carts show live video of gerobaks plying their trade in Yogyakarta, fostering an amicable culinary and cultural bond across the Timor Sea.

After sunset, the roving carts return to the Hub to serve up a free outdoor event featuring accomplished dancers Agung Gunawan and Tony Yap, with video-art by Michael Hornblow, transforming the space through the imagery, sound and movement of Indonesian life.

A deliciously cross-cultural performance piece, grobak Padi provides a unique opportunity to discover an ancient culinary tradition first-hand, and to experience the spirit that lies at the heart of today’s Indonesia.

(www.melbournefestival.com.au)

I've only recently begun working on cultural projects since arriving in Melbourne. I really enjoy learning the differences and combining traditions, creating art and entertaining people through unique combinations of cultures. This is my second project with an Indonesian core and i've not yet been to Indonesia!

Michael Hornblow devised the project while spending time in Indonesia, inspired by the street culture and the tradition of roadside food carts and street vendours, a humbling tradition that brings the people of Indonesia together through food, I don't think this tradition could be accepted long-term in the western world - so many rules and permits to overcome and obtain just for the 4 days Grobak Padi is live. Michael spent weeks filming on the streets for the video display on the gerobaks and has actually implemented tablets onto the gerobaks here and gerobaks in Jakarta so that the people at either end can wave to each other and eat their food together through visual technology. Very cool idea, such an exciting project to have watched develop - from the initial idea, to the actual gerobaks and bikes being delivered by sea freight straight from Indonesia, getting them fitted and painted, testing the cooking methods and tasting the food produced (yum) and now sourcing volunteers to help out during the festival.

Get down to Melbourne CBD sometime from the 17th - 21st October for some delicious food and an amazing cultural show!

Photos to follow soon...

Saya cinta kamu (I love you)

E Flyer: http://issuu.com/multiculturalarts/docs/eflyer_grobak_27_09_12?mode=window&pageNumber=1

Hinduism

My special friend Kate reminded me that seeing as we are going to India we should probably do some research into the cultures and religions that we will be coming into contact with, so that we can appreciate the country and the people.

Kate: "I came across this teaching in Hunduism that I thought you would like it too: it is in honour of Ganesh (god of wisdom) you know the elephant man with lots of arms

'wise men, holding wisdom highest,scorn delights,
As false as fair,
Daily live they as Deaths fingers twined already in their hair.
Truly richer than all riches, better than the best of gain,
Wisdome is, unsought, secure-once won,
None loseth her again.
Bringing Dark things into daylight,
Solving doubts that vex the mind,
Like an open eye is wisdom - he hath her not is blind.'"

What I liked: "Hinduism grants absolute and complete freedom of belief and worship. Hinduism conceives the whole world as a single family that deifies the one truth, and therefore it accepts all forms of beliefs and dismisses labels of distinct religions which would imply a division of identity. Hence, Hinduism is devoid of the concepts of apostasy, heresy and blasphemy. Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include (but are not restricted to), Dharma (ethics/duties), Samsāra (the continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth), Karma (action and subsequent reaction), Moksha (liberation from samsara), and the various Yogas (paths or practices)" sounds like goodness to me.

Here's my girl...



Maybe less of that in India!

Huichol

Beautiful Huichol art...

Mexican art is so colourful and exciting. Even when they have a deep/dark meaning...