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A thousand thank yous!
While I’ve been busy with the Malaysia project, Every Day Adventures in Asia (Mostly!) crossed the 1,000 comments (and likes) threshold!
That friends, family and complete strangers take the trouble to read AND share their thoughts too – I am most appreciative – truly!
There is only one request – keep doing it!
Related posts:
Catching the horses mane! CNY in KL
Pavillion mall decked out for CNY
Thank you client! I nearly missed welcoming the Year of the Horse! Chinese New Year (CNY) is completely absent India… and I was missing the celebrations…
After being in Singapore during CNY, this time of year is incomplete without all the gorgeous red lanterns everywhere, the loud drums and cymbals heralding the coming of the dragon or lion dance… and then the crazy antics of the lion dance acrobats!
I was beginning to feel like I’d completely skipped what is a seriously big festival in Asia!
But thanks to the latest project in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia, every where I go, there are signs of celebrations. (more…)
Hair today, gone tomorrow!
As shared, my Mumbai theatrical ‘debut‘ had two challenges:
-
Sonam’s soiree cut… When my hair was LONG!
Costume Crisis – The brilliant Belinda Bawa rescued with a fabulous 1890s western women’s costume!
- Short hair – For ‘outdoor’ scenes, Belinda’s instantly crafted hat was perfect! However for my indoor scenes… something had to be done about my scandalously short locks!
I’m lucky to have a talented young stylist friend. When learning her craft, I was her ‘guinea pig’ (model) – and she even won her final exam ‘soiree’! (more…)
Zero to Hero Week 4: Final stretch… take 2!
Aaakh! Have you ever accidentally hit publish!?! Instantly realized the error and deleted a post?
What happened? I scheduled several posts, was making a few last edits and hit “Update” button… except oops! In this case, had barely started the draft let alone ready to “publish”…. gulp! DELETE!!
So now, as well as being late to WordPress’s “Zero to hero: 30 Days to a Better Blog” have a blogging blooper to recover from too! (more…)
Zero to Hero Week 3: This ain’t wonderland (more blog stuff)
“I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date!!”
Clearly I’m late to WordPress’s “Zero to hero: 30 Days to a Better Blog” given that it is officially over!
My efforts to fast-track screeched to a halt – distracted by the play, preparations for Malaysia and oodles of other activities to be revealed in due course…
And honestly? I found the steps less than stellar. At risk of boring you, here is my compressed 3rd week: (more…) ∞
Costume Crisis!
Word of warning – before saying ‘yes,’ find out what’s involved!
While my Mumbai theatrical ‘debut‘ was a success… I had two challenges:
- Costume Crisis – 1890s western women’s costumes are not easily available and – ahem – fuller figured females limited in what they can borrow!
- Short hair – Not exactly ‘fashionable’ in the 1890s…
Costume Crisis – Help!
So what? With our theatre connections – surely someone has something that will work! (more…)
Mumbai to Malaysia
Watch out Kuala Lumpur… I’m on my way to you!
As shared, I’ve been distracted lately… and not just with the play…
Good news! First consulting project of 2014 – yippee!
Even better news! I’m finally going to Malaysia. Though technically a country I had some responsibility for in my earlier work avatar, this is my first time physically in Kuala Lumpur.
Not so good news…. It will be a hectic project. From now until I get on a plane 16th February, there is one day ‘off’ – which I know will be used to catch up on preparations for the balance.
Even worse news… No scope for explorations outside of KL and likely limited within.
So… KL experts, what can’t I miss? The one or two absolutely under any circumstances must be experienced?!
Kuala Lumpur (Photo: http://www.geeksonaplane.com)
Related posts:
Mumbai Theatrical Debut!
Part of my recent blogging ‘disappearing act’ is because I made my Mumbai acting ‘debut’!
Most would know that stage and film is my partner’s profession.
Onno Vivekananda
Few would know that there was a time when I flirted with this too. Waaaay back 30 years ago, along with regular school, I also attended Prairie Theatre Exchange‘s theatre school. Acted in a couple plays, did a TV commercial, taught drama education as a summer job and even landed a Drama Award.
No I wasn’t a drama queen – just enjoyed stage work. You could say I came by it naturally as I grew up hanging out backstage as my mother donned costumes and make-up to go under the bright lights to sing her operatic heart out at the concert hall.
However I left that all behind decades ago until a friend persuaded me to help out a local Bengali community theatre group with a play on Swami Vivekananda. An amateur production with a director who has spent 20+ years writing & putting on plays raising charitable funds for both a cancer patients and girls education – worthy causes indeed! (more…)
Zero to Hero Week 2: Trying new things (blog stuff)
As shared, I’m rather late to WordPress’s “Zero to hero: 30 Days to a Better Blog” so attempting to fast-track my way through select steps. This is a compressed version of the 2nd week… For the 1st week, check here.
Screening of “Jai Bhim Comrade” – Postscript
Update after screening:
What a remarkable experience! Over 1,000 people came… first came the friends and supporters of the film maker then as dusk fell, quietly at first a few then hundreds from the nearby slum quietly filled the back, side until every scrap of space was fully occupied. For nearly three hours, the audience was transfixed by the powerful thought-provoking film with its tough insights into our society, politics and people.
The inspiring Sheetal Sathe of the Kabir Kala Manch (Photo: Jai Bhim Comrade)
At one point, the power cut and I’m sure more than one person feared the viewing was being halted by ‘the authorities’… so strong the message. A few minutes later, everything was back on track. When it was over, most silently moved on yet were clearly moved. A few older women from the slum came up to Anand and tried to touch his feet in reverence for sharing their story. He would have none of such obeisance and instead a lively discussion ensued until 10pm.
It is heartening to think this film could have such a special public showing – Fountainhead donated the screen, the sound system provided by another company for a nominal fee and the committee responsible for the venue charged no fee and several members came, sharing their support for more such events. Yet the cultural activist Kabir Kala Manch members remain in prison on suspicion (no proof) of being naxalites while the police responsible for the atrocity at Ramabai remain free…
I just discovered a WordPress blog and recommend you read specifically Sheetal Sathe’s story.
I’ve shared how there seems to be a subtle shift in India… a frustration with crippling corruption and ridiculous red tape of bureaucracy… and a will to see tangible change. So when a friend – Anand Patwardhan, well-known activist and documentary filmmaker – approached my partner for help organizing a public showing of his politically charged film “Jai Bhim Comrade” (naturally with no budget!), my partner was undaunted and determined.
He was also very clear:
- If he could get all the permissions needed through sincere effort and above-board application process, duly providing legitimate documentation for requirements, he would go ahead with the event.
- If one single hand reached out for money to line their personal pockets, he would not only halt the process immediately, he would make a very loud and public stink too!
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