I was in a haze of bliss a couple of days ago when I was talking to a college friend about the Naga way of life. It surprised me that I knew so much about my bro-in-law’s culture. This trip to Nagaland in November is going to involve a lot of research and I’ve also decided I’m going to learn a bit of the language- at least proper pronunciations of certain words and phrases.
My ex arrived in town yesterday. We are a long way away from getting into the R-word; and, it has become obvious to me and probably to most of you that I am on a search not for the love of somebody else but for self-love, which I am also a long way away from. It's also a combination of other things. Lately, I haven’t had any free time and it's difficult to find the time I need to write a post well. I also find myself wondering how much of what I feel really belongs on this page and how much should stay in my head. It's difficult to tell whether it's the mood disorders talking right now or common sense. Perhaps it's just one more of the things I find overpowering for no good reason at the moment.
I meant to post sooner but I got an unexpected call from my friend and blogger Abhi who told me he was in town and wanted to meet up before he left to Mumbai. I was introduced to him by my best friend Imcha a couple of years ago. Abhi, short for Abhishek, was this charming young man who spent hours talking to me about myth, history and art- I’m just very interested in it and he just happens to know loads about it. I know he’ll turn quite red in the face reading this but he’s one person I’ve always been in awe of. He is quite an inspiring person, a talented artist, an amazing singer and he speaks of art with such passion that it can literally get you high. If you have a minute and are in the mood for clicking and viewing unique pieces of art, click the link on the link is listed below!
http://www.abhiart.blogspot.com/
His recent work differs from the sketches he showed me when I first knew him. Now it’s more free form and fluid. To see his work in color with a more intuitive approach makes you wonder what he was thinking while sketching. The ability to paint his emotions is what I find so therapeutic about his art.
Under the ‘Blogged’ banner you will notice a slideshow of Ev’s Wish list, developed in order to help my friends figure out what to buy me for my birthday. Now come on, with a list like that, how can you guys not love me? I've been seriously planning my party from the decorations to the caterers to the seating arrangements and… I’m gonna have an inflatable bed. Talk about going all out! While I have an idea of what I'm going to do, I'm still kind of freaking out and nervous and excited and proud and brimming with all sorts of emotions about the whole thing. Cons- My nerves will probably take over me on the real day. Pros- Everyone will rush up to me after the party and stutter breathlessly that they loved it. I will thank them very calmly and tell them I had a great time. And the worry that my body would suffer would be worth it just to see them love my party.
And Dex is coming!
He’s had his priorities drastically misplaced for so long so I didn’t even include his name in the guest list but after his surprise call last night, he assured me that he wouldn’t miss the big day.
I feel kind of lame using this blog as a platform for publicizing my birthday, so I'm going to do my best to keep it to a minimum. That being said, next Friday, Sep 26th I’ll be throwing my birthday party as Wed (my actual birth-day) will just be too difficult for people to make it.
Hey, I might be growing out of being a youngster but I’ve got to come back as a star.
.....And I finally have the soundtrack to WALL-E. Sung by Peter Gabriel, here is ‘Down to Earth’
September 18, 2008
More Birthday
September 15, 2008
Counselling Myself
It would be a boring betty-friendly world if our flights of imagination were confined to only those whom we really held in high opinion and loved. I’ve noticed that at times people find themselves attracted to people who hurt them (such as ex boyfriends); people we know we shouldn't be fantasizing about (married ex boyfriends) and people we don't even know (movie stars and dead heroes who shaped history). It's totally fine, as long as we’re on the right side of the law. What fascinates a person is a difficult principle. Some of it I can understand and I’m able to draw assumptions from — I like guys with long hair coz my first real boyfriend was the first person I loved to bits — and some I won't. I have no idea why I still have the hots for Robert Redford. I mean, look at him. He's a hundred years old (or at least very close to it). Attempting to make sense out of it is pointless. It's random, like my dreams. All I’m saying is that I’m done with judging myself for it. I guess it's quite normal to go out with someone who looks like my ex. (Readers, you want to chime in here?) I've done it and I don't worry about getting stuck in a rut or anything coz if my taste has changed once, it'll alter once again. If not, I’ll just go with the flow. As long as people don’t mess with me psychologically, who cares?
For those of you who are interested in the recording below by David Usher and it is quite amazing. It’s worth listening to it just for the acoustic version of ‘The Music’ (and the rest of the tracks are equally compelling). I still love David Usher three years and a thousand playbacks since I heard it the first time. If you like this song then I highly recommend listening to ‘black black heart’. It sounds great. September 14, 2008
A Weekend with Ash
On Friday I went clothes shopping with my friend Ash, who has a terrific sense of style. Afterwards I went to her place to stay over for the night. One of my favorite things about Ash is that, she can and does make a diagnosis of people at the drop of a hat- My friends, men I introduce her to and people we pass on the street. It’s all very disturbing but true. So while I met her to get details of what she had been up to she ended up dissecting my life. After that we talked about how we had to figure out our lives; we discussed careers, what most of our friends were up to, and a plan to move to her list of most livable cities in India. Among our many pastimes, Ash and I count discussing our dislike for marriage as one of our favorites. This is because our approaches on the subject allow for maximum conflict and arguing with parents. Eventually, after a great many frustrating conversations, we have been able to reach a compromise: we will live together at the age of 30 when our folks have given up on us. This satisfies both my need for someone caring to live with and the desire to have a person that understands me completely. She has that look that makes you want to sit on her couch and tell her about your mother. Our friendship developed in college. She was a cheerful girl whose open face and sprightly demeanor allowed her to make jokes about anyone or anything. She spared no one, not even me and that’s why I was terribly fond of her. I realize my good friend will be highly uncomfortable with being discussed online but that’s just something she’ll have to deal with, on her own.
Though the continuous disappointment and relentless drama in my life, have been the core of this blog since its initiation, the permutation of good friends and decent drugs has meant that they are joined every once in a while by something impending, if not contentment, at least glimpses of it.
In a week and a half, I will enter my 25th year on this earth. I have been trying and trying to figure out how the hell to celebrate it. A couple of months ago I had the most brilliant idea anyone's had since slicing bread: I would invite my crew to join me at this local pub and they would drink in my honor to The Doors and Jimi Hendrix (okay, not so brilliant or new). But my heart isn’t in it.
My friends who are way past twenty five tell me that twenty five is much better than twenty.
I am full of hope that this is true. I mean, they could hardly be worse, could they?
Could they?
I went for the movie WALL-E in the morning with Tony, Runa, Ruan, Runa’s little sister and her friend. We felt like kids again (or I did, anyway) as we watched the movie. What’s not to love? The movie has cute little robots that make you go awwwww….
I did like one particular song performed by Peter Gabriel that played while the credits rolled. Until I get my hands on it, I guess I’ll have to stick to uploading this track by Keane on today’s post.
Alternative rock giants Keane was on the top of their form when they came out with ‘To the End of The Earth’ in 2001 that was part of the B-Sides not released on albums. True to the genre, the track, ranged from 3 to 4 minutes. This song encompasses a wealth of piano rock, with Tom Chaplin producing some of the best singing of his career. Click on the player and have a listen to ‘To the End of The Earth’. You’ll love it.
September 12, 2008
What I Feel...
...definitely a thrill that my best friend Imcha, is the first Naga fashion designer to be part of the illustrious Lakme Fashion Show. I've seen him work so hard all these many years and it's lovely to see that work come so far. He sent me a link - a feature on him on The Morung Express website.
‘Telling Stories through Experimental Clothing’
Kohima September 11 : “Telling stories through his experimental clothing” is what this young Naga designer firmly believes in. He is now the first-ever Naga fashion designer to be selected for India’s premier couture event, Lakme Fashion Week. This year’s edition commences from October 20 to the 24th. Lakme Fashion Week, a joint initiative by Lakme and IMG, is one of the biggest fashion events in India.
Imchatsung L Imchen, a recent post-graduate from the National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad reveals that translating tribal art into his graphic contemporary designs is for anyone who believes in appreciating ‘the untold stories’.
Growing up in a small town at Medziphema, Imcha studied in St. Francis De Sales School till his standard-X after which he pursued his pre-university from Kohima Science College. Being a science student venturing into fashion, Imcha reveals: “my parents wanted me to be a doctor. However, I had other plans in mind. I applied for NID right after my degree exams and I was blessed to be chosen among the first batch of Apparel Design and Merchandising. My family has been really supportive throughout this journey”. Imcha is the youngest of five siblings and is son to Prof. Lanunungsang Ao, from Mongchen village of Mokokchung district.
“I admire works of international designers and the list could go endless. I also take inspiration from the works of great artists like Piet Mondrian, Monet and Beethoven. Sabyasachi Mukherjee is one Indian designer I really admire…observing ‘normal’ people in the streets. Nothing feels ordinary to me.” says this young designer when queried on his inspiration. His talent in design varies from being a photographer, a graphic designer to that of a fashion designer. Professionally trained in piano till the 5th Grade, he proved immense drive by being a scholarship recipient of the National Talent Search in Academics when he was 12 and folk music when he was 10. Creative Arts as interdependent as it is on each other, Imchatsung Imchen crossed that fine line from being an artistic science graduate to a fashion designer after his Bangalore rendezvous with the creative arts (he took up Multimedia programs simultaneously for two and half years while doing his B. Sc.). He then and moved to NID where his talent was further honed.
As a modern day maverick, he has designed face masks and gloves with nanotech fabrics (showcased at the first Design Idea Fair 06, Delhi) and yet is able to bring his love for the traditional arts, crafts and the rich tapestry of folktales from the North East of India, especially Nagaland, into his designs. He pays homage to handloom works and the dying art of traditional dyeing. As a person who firmly believes in the storytelling aspect of art, whether in terms of fashion, music, fine arts or literature, he works closely with craftsmen from different fields from the North East in order to preserve valued traditions as well to promote the diverse cultures of the region.
A science graduate from St. Joseph College Bangalore, Imcha has done freelance work in branding and corporate designs. He has interned with United Fabrics Bangalore in Home Furnishings. He has also worked on a diploma project with Weekender, Gokaldas Images for Jeanswear Spring/Summer ‘07, and had his final garments sold at Weekender as well as Central and Shoppers’ Shop retail outlets.
Imcha, being one of the few to be selected out of 189 aspiring designer-applicants for the Lakme Fashion Week, believes in promoting the rich folklore, diverse culture and colors of the tribal hills, into mainstream consciousness. When queried on the future for youngsters in the fashion industry, Imcha disclosed: “Firstly, for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the fashion industry, it isn’t as swanky as it appears. There is so much hard work and dedication one needs to put, besides honing one’s creative skills. I know lots of Naga people who are in the creative industry and we will see them rise. I am proud of being a Naga, but more than that, I know I am a human being trying to make a difference in this world like any other. It just starts with a dream and whatever situation one may be in, it is never impossible. It is never too late”.
“My theme is titled “Mangko Akir” (Headhunter). My inspiration comes from the symbolic valiant colors and distinctive textiles of Nagaland. We were once known to be fierce warriors. We took pride of our identity and transparency that ruled the system. And I aspire to bring this aspect to the forefront through my collection. All the fabrics used in the collection are woven by local weavers in Nagaland.”
A man who is influenced by the arts, crafts and colors of the Naga world, Imcha has found a way to translate these influences of his homeland and culture into young, modern and contemporary interpretations of wearable art. Headhunters and their colors of valor, meshed into a fusion of Naga legends and designs, Imcha believes in the promotion of the hand-woven textiles and traditional dyeing methods of the Nagas through his collection.
To My best friend,Imcha- our song!
September 11, 2008
Ryan Star and My Thoughts on Marriage...Again
My dad’s sisters and brothers came home the other day and while my Khasi side of the family is pretty cool, the pure tamilians aren’t. They’re always asking me why I don’t have a boyfriend that I can settle down with soon. I always shock them by telling them I’m involved with someone casually and we try to keep it fun and effortless. That always leaves them convinced that my soul’s been sold to the west and its wild ways. Why I don’t have a boyfriend? Hmmm… right now, I can say that my life’s reasonably busy and I know from experience that having a serious boyfriend is something you have to be ready for and something that one cannot get into nonchalantly. It takes some effort to do it right and make sure everyone’s happy (that doesn’t just include you and him but your parents, siblings and most importantly, your friends). I’m getting used to the idea that I don’t need someone in my life at all times. Being single is becoming more my natural state but as I get older that is changing (in a week and a half I hit the big two five). I imagine I will get married at some point in time when I loosen up on the fact that marriage is a trap that a lot of people get caught in. Did I just sound preachy?
I’m off to Ash’s place tomorrow. Its girl’s night tomorrow. It’ll feel just like the old days when I was stuck at her place to finish advertising projects and we’d crack up on men, fashion and food. I’m bringing Xanax and she’ll probably get Valium. Endless tea sessions. Music and my humor should get the party started. Yay!
He wasn’t only hot but he had a voice that was raw, the one that can hypnotize you until the set is finished. Ryan Star is a treasured hero in my collection. Eliminated in the 9th week of the show, moving on, seemed a daunting challenge but he has built a remarkable fan base with his music that strips everything down to the essentials. Go ahead listen to it. 
Thank you for meandering through this meandering meander. I will return to rationality at some point soon. Good night.
Ryan Star with ‘Back of your car’
