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Sunny sunday in KL
It was a perfect Sunday.
My home away from home!
No alarm… lazily woke up… wandered to the hotel lounge where settled down comfortably to sip several cups of espresso. Gazed out the window on a bright sunny day… After two weeks of non-stop work, having nothing that really needed to be done other than pack was pure bliss!
Best of all? Knowing that later that night I would be back home in Mumbai with my partner. That alone prompted a great big smile!
And just when I was ready to surface and do ‘something’ of my own volition, a call came from my partner’s friend asking if I wanted to get out for a couple of hours.
Less than an hour later we were off for a little drive around Kuala Lumpur (KL). Half the enjoyment came from not having a specific agenda… we just let circumstances, whims and fancies craft a lovely afternoon. (more…)
Urban Village – Motor Meows
A common sight in India are families of 4 or 5 perched precariously together on a motorcycle. Dad driving with another kid in front of him. Mom at the back with a babe clutched on one side and daughter squished between her parents.
Yet the ‘seat’ space is limited… And it turns out, just enough for a cat to comfortably stretch out and have a nice nap! (more…)
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…)
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…)
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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What is your most memorable multi-lingual story?
This is a “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours” type posts… as I really do want to hear your best multi-lingual story…
Wanna go to school in Ireland? (Photo: Carissa Hickling)
My most memorable multilingual experience was in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in the early 1990s. I was there for an academic conference, staying with relatives and catching a bus to the campus each day…
On one bus trip, the driver had a wide smile, jovial manner and a comment or two or three for just about everyone getting on and off the bus… in different languages! By the time it he was on to the 5th language… I simply had to ask his story. (more…)
Kicking corruption – Screening of “Jai Bhim Comrade”
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! (more…)
Mute – Screaming Silently
I love this crazy maddening country India that I live in… however, as a ‘firangi’ (foreigner), I cannot vote and therefore, have no say.
Often this makes me feel mute – not having the right to voice my opinions and frustration at certain situations. Or more positively, am restricted against playing a direct role in being part of any kind of political change. Fair enough, I chose to retain the citizenship of my birth – Canada, so this is the result.
This morning, my partner forwarded a marvellous film short that speaks to this. “Mute” is by a new company based literally around the corner for us called Handloom Picture Company. And while it directly talks of our circumstances in Mumbai, there is a universality to many elements in the message – it is worth checking out. (more…)
The government owes me money!!
The new year greeted me with first one then two communications notifying me that the government owes me money! This should be cause for celebration, right? After all, its like a bonus $20 found in an old pair of jeans or shoved between the cushions of the sofa… Ah… not quite so simple here in India my friends… (more…)
Everyday Asia 