Street Art (ST+ART) in Delhi

I saw a notice sometime last weekend about a street art festival, WIP (works in progress) that was going on this month and sponsored by the ST+ART foundation which strives to "create an art-hub in an unexpected space to offer diverse sectors of society newer experiences, especially to people who are usually excluded from the reach of art" according to their website. Today was the last day of their temporary exhibit at a dry dock in Okhala, where artists had been painting on shipping containers to create their works. When the show closes, these shipping containers will then continue their normal lives in transit, bringing a bit of art across the country, and maybe even the world. 

As we got to the space we saw that often these works were across multiple containers stacked 3-4 high or across. In addition as we walked around I realized that some artists had chosen to decorate the inside of a container, a special surprise for workers I would guess. I particularly liked the one of a face made of faces.  

Wandering around each corner revealed something new, given me new appreciation of how the artists were able to wrap their work around corners or buildings, using space in somewhat unusual ways. It was a definitely a different way to enjoy an afternoon out and about in Delhi. 

Surajkund Craft Mela

Shopping at the mela

Just one of the many decorations

Last weekend I went about an hour away to Haryana to experience the Surajkund Craft Mela. The mela, which claims to be the largest in the world, is only open for two weeks. During that time it draws in nearly a million visitors. You might think that would mean that there are so many people you can't really shop or appreciate the work on offer, but if you arrive early, and head further off the main thoroughfare you can actually take the time to wander and admire the crafts for sale. What surprised me was that it is actually more than just a craft sale. Around every new section there were stages set up with a variety of performances going on - a drum circle one place, a sample of dancing at another...it is a celebration of the variety of culture in India. I was equally surprised by the large displays set up ranging from replica gates to carvings, to flower covered structures to self proclaimed "selfie spots" the couple of hours we spent there was about much more than shopping.

Music box player

Sacred geometry

Completed madala

This past week the elementary school has been celebrating India week. Each year the school brings in a variety of craftspeople, performers, and other individuals that are just samples of what make India such a varied and fascinating country. This year we were particularly lucky to have 3 Tibetan monks stay for a few days and create a sand peace mandala. A symbolic form of prayer, where each individual element has meaning, it is also a work of art made all the more impressive by its impermanence. The monks spent a day and half carefully allowing sand to fall out of specially made metal cones, creating a design that not only had great detail but also had a three dimensional aspect to it. How they can create such a thing with sand is still beyond my comprehension despite watching them work for about half an hour with only each other and their mental plan to reference. Then to watch them sweep it up at the end of the second day releasing the work as prayer for peace and the happiness of all things sent home the message of impermanence.

Laying down sand carefully

Each piece of the mandala has its own meaning. The middle with the lotus flower is a symbol of purifying passion into awareness. In each direction from there are seated the retinue of Avalokiteshvara (who represents freedom from attachment), purified aspects of hatred (blue), misery (yellow), ignorance (white) and jealousy (green).  The outermost circle with its burning flames are for protection and to burn away the delusion and darkness of ignorance. The process of visualizing and meditating on the different meanings embedded in the mandala brings about change in the psyche of each individual as it helps to lead them to a more purified state. In fact it is believed that just a glimpse of the mandala can create a positive impression on an individual, touching them for a moment with the potential for perfect enlightenment.

Detail of the mandala

And so I wish you a week filled with peace and happiness as symbolized in this mandala for so short a time period.

It's official!

It's official. I'm leaving Delhi at the end of the school year. Over the winter break I was lucky enough to find a new job and I will be moving to Manila in the Philippines to work at the International School of Manila. I'm excited to have a new adventure on the horizon, and pleased that I will be moving on to work at another highly regarded school in the international circuit.

Since it is a transition year, I decided to revive my photo a day project to document the difference between where I am now and where I'll be at the end of the year. If you'd like to follow it you can check out my new blog, or even subscribe to get it by e-mail. I also decided that if I was going to set it up this way I'd consolidate photos from the years I moved between Turkey and Paraguay as well as Paraguay to India. So in a way you'll get 3 transition years in 2016.

Jaisalmer Fort

I have to admit that when I agreed to go to Jaisalmer for Diwali I had no idea what I was going to see there. I had heard from several people that it was well worth the time to visit. I knew there was a fort but that was about it. In my mind I was picturing another empty fort that had been restored and I could explore, wandering into each corner as I desired. I was not at all prepared for the vibrant, busy, packed living fort that Jaisalmer was. A fort that is not a cleaned up preserved historical site, but a glimpse at what it might have been like originally - intricate details on buildings, shops on the ground floor, apartments above. A main square where people still gather and talk. Animals that roam the streets, causing people to scurry out of the way. Canons overlooking the walls, aimed at whatever comes out of the desert. Jaisalmer has a living, breathing fort.

Diwali in Jaisalmer

I took the opportunity of five days off to head to Jaisalmer for the Diwali break. I realized (after a couple of nights of disturbed sleep due to the load bursts of fireworks going off in the middle of the city streets, echoing from the city walls) that this was the first time I had actually spent Diwali in a city that was celebrating it. Usually I head to someplace where I can escape. It was neat though, to see the small traditions that go along with the holiday, and get beyond the overwhelming noise of fireworks that accompany it as well. To see women setting out small oil lamps on their steps to light the night and drive away the darkness of evil spirits. The brightly colored rangoli welcoming the Goddess Lakshmi into homes. The the next morning when I went out early, watching the women carefully shaping mud into designs in front of their doorsteps, adding an incense stick, some rice, flowers or other items to show their wishes for the coming year. Then later, admiring the fancy dress as people took the day to visit their families. Yes, Jaisalmer got a bit crowded with Indian tourists for the holiday, but I am glad that I had the opportunity to see some of the small traditions that accompany the five days celebration.

Viewing the Matrimandir

While staying in Pondicherry we took a half day to go out to the town of Auroville, an intentional living community which is focused on developing human unity. According to the website "Auroville is recognised as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity and transformation of consciousness, also concerned with - and practically researching into - sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind." A living community that is founded on the beliefs of the Mother, influenced by Sri Aurobindo's philosophy.

For people visiting Auroville on a day trip the highlight is the walk out to the center of the community to overlook the Matrimandir. Before being allowed to walk out you are required to watch a 10 minute video which outlines some of the beliefs that are encapsulated by this community and by the Matrimandir in particular. As a focal point for meditation, containing a large man made crystal ball in its center and meditation rooms around the outside, it is a space for those who are willing to renounce all religions to take the time to connect to the diving consciousness. 

In the words of the Mother:

"The Matrimandir represents the Divine Consciousness. All that is not said, but that is the way it is."

"Matrimandir is here to teach people that it is not by escaping from the world while ignoring it, that they will realise the Divine in life. Matrimandir must be the symbol of this Truth. I don't want it to be made into a religion; with all my force I refuse. We don't want dogmas, principles, ritual, absolutely not, absolutely not."

As a day visitor we only reached a point where we could overlook the impressive spherical structure that is modeled after a lotus in bloom. Taking in the sense of focus and peace that it contributes to the community while appreciating the unique architecture of the Matrimandir.