Is art universal?

I have wondered,

as I encounter creations, 

in dances, paintings & songs,

and ways, stories were spun,

ones I consider as masterpieces, 

deeply moving my heart,

still, not stirring emotions, 

treated as just another work.

Is art universal?

We have learned it so,

admiring them without thoughts, 

for, every known human cultures,

have their journey of expressions,

in rhythms, narratives, representations, 

as if hardwired into our nervous system,

which have survived, flourishing,

timeless, transcending generations. 

Yet, they don't resonate with all,

ones standing outside the frequency, 

wouldn't perceive complexity & richness,

its artistic insights, philosophical layers,

without the contexts, and inclinations, 

having emotional requisite, or passion,

they only wander on the surface,

getting frustrated, losing interests. 

Is art universal?

We share the same physical space,

still live in different internal universe, 

having own aesthetics & perceptions, 

making us kindred spirits or outliers,

when things click, it's like a miracle,

if not appreciated, being acutely aware . . .

Solitude of inner world.

Does it make us lonely or grateful?

Dolce far niente

"The sweetness of doing nothing"

An Italian phrase,

with a deeper message,

a state of mindful relaxation, 

conscious enjoyment of moments. 

It's not mere idleness, 

but slowing down our pace,

appreciating the simple pleasure,

of our peaceful existence. 

Like sipping tea savoring flavors, 

Not distracted by screen or paper,

witnessing beauty of the sunset,

or breathing fresh air of mornings.

For a world rewarding productivity, 

constantly questioning our worth,

it acts as a gentle reminder,

valuing stillness & mental rejuvenation. 

Dolce far niente. . . .

Let us instill wisdom shown,

each corner of world knows,

we need peaceful interlude,

in between busy schedules.

 

On the fence

Chronic decisions, 

not being on positions, 

to assert my convictions, 

unfavorable situations, 

of higher expectations, 

or betrayal of trust.

On the fence . . .

Caught in-between,

thought paralyzed, 

choosing inaction,

as protective mechanism, 

weighing the choices,

for potential losses.

May be, it's about perfections, 

differentiating good from bad,

when stakes are higher,

by scrutinizing each flaws,

as conflicting values,

put hold on desires.

I tried to be neutral,

paying the hidden cost,

of draining my vitality,

in worries & concerns,

I was stripped of control,

as time took over the rein.

On the fence . . .

I need to make up my mind,

to avoid this slow decay of life,

showing trust, choosing actions, 

commit towards providing result,

for, sometimes, taking the risk,

gets the ball rolling!

Spirit of Dussehra

Triumph of righteousness,

the good over the evil,

they were not legends,

but story of human spirit.

Vijaydashami . . .

Lord Rama, the ideal man,

followed moral & ethical rules

willing to fight, make sacrifices,

for upholding dharma.

Ravana, the powerful demon king,

an epitome of false ego & arrogance,

even after mastering every knowledge,

had uncontrolled senses as vice.

It's an eternal conflict,

between wisdom and impulses,

spiritual struggle of every person,

which needs awareness & discipline.

So, let us invoke lord Rama,

an embodiment of honor & duty,

of learning virtue of composure,

for walking on the path of truth.

May we all win over our vices,

Keeping spirit of Dussehra alive!

Happy Dussehra 🕉 

Jai Shree Ram 🙏 

Durga Puja celebrations

Comes the auspicious month,

of invoking Maa Durga name,

in the Navratri, temples & homes,

last few days for community pandals. 

Every region have their own,

doing garba & Kanya pujan, 

some follow willful abstinence,

doing fasting of various degree.

Every person here is involved, 

even taking leaves from work,

to be together with their families,

welcoming home divine mother.

For, in this sacred month,

we surrender to Maa Durga,

immersing in the atmosphere, 

of chanting, aarti, darshans.

And here, the famous attractions,

were the medhas, artificial pandals,

built with elaborate artistic themes, 

craftsmanship of rich silver filigree.

As crowd throng in numbers,

eager to appreciate these works,

intricate designs seen in medhas(pandal),

admiring the sculptures and artworks.

It's like a festival outside,

but this space is for the devotees, 

connecting with sacred energy,

which emanates from the medium . . .

Be it home, temples, medhas, or idols.

We lose softness

We have opinions, and beliefs,

which we follow with conviction, 

there are leaders we support,

community or social issues,

which are close to our heart,

we promote, strongly defend,

using sarcasms & cynicism, 

being flooded with feeds,

pushed by the algorithm.

Have we ever wondered, 

we might lose something important, 

constantly dwellings in thoughts,

which were negative or endorse, 

selective views or judgments, 

even if morally, ethically correct, 

reduces interactions & exposures, 

to gentler, softer, inspiring contents,

by influencing perceptions & interests. 

We lose softness . . .

The more we indulge, 

fighting for perceived injustices,

burns out emotional reserves, 

there's no space for kindness,

when harshness becomes habit,

as if we block our tenderness, 

while sharpening our retorts,

and we stop listening altogether. 

P.S. 

Our softness is not only measured,

When thing are going well for us,

But how we respond or react,

Encountering contrary views.

Mental travelling

I have always wondered why,

real life outing & touring,

doesn't evoke same emotions,

which I could experience,

watching or reading travelogue, 

or when I fantasize journey,

seeing dreams or planning.

Mental travelling . . .

I used to daydream,

transporting self into scenes,

whenever I immerse,

in novels, television, & songs,

even memories lights up,

reminiscing fond moments, 

spent in golden old days.

Yet, when travelling for destinations,

I do enjoy those explorations, 

still, somewhere they lacked,

having some struggles & gaps,

which dampens the sensations, 

influenced by moods & situations, 

affecting my perceptions. 

Mental travelling . . .

It may never compete, 

real life excitements of visits,

still I cherished these wandering,

providing me joy and felicity,

sans the stress and fatigue, 

while saving time and money,

letting me traverse . . .

Without leaving my room.

Selling assumptions

It's so common, when we see,

how some creators, build theories,

presenting them as hard facts,

to manufacture panic or outrage,

influencing viewer's lifestyles. 

Selling assumptions . . .

They don't have the expertise, 

of different field or insufficient practice, 

still they exploited curiosity gaps,

taking advantages of the audience,

to present hypothesis as realities. 

They rely on sensationalism, 

target prevalent norms & practices, 

showing them as ignorance or risky,

damaging health or future prospects,

giving advices on better alternatives. 

Yet, they rarely verify, with peer review,

using words dressed as definite proofs,

or use snippets from larger researches,

which were inconclusive but favorable, 

to provide credibility to their content.

Selling assumptions . . .

They are playing a dangerous game,

just for attentions and ad revenues, 

eroding ability of critical thinking, 

with skewed perception of reality, 

locked in an algorithmic loop . . .

Reinforcing their biases!

P.S : 

There are many genuine voices,

being better than popular figures,

offering data, reasons, arguments,

helping us learn from their knowledge. 

How people resonate

There will be limited understandings,

If we have different state of mind,

Like ones prefering slow, melodic tunes,

Don't resonate with loud, heavy music,

For, one pursue peace & tranquility,

While others prefer power & swag,

Our nature is influenced,

From things that we crave,

Matching or breaking harmony,

Be it aesthetics or vibes,

So, let's be aware of our true self,

What attracts, where we gravitate,

For better communication,

Clarity of our purpose. 

Noble lies

Spoken by elites,

falsehood that multiply,

for the greater good,

of the society. 

Noble lies . . .

They had to justify,

make people comply,

accepting roles given,

respecting ruling authority. 

For, we need shared purpose, 

believing in the narratives, 

bring diverse population,

under common values & identity. 

The foundations are strong,

when there's stability & order,

preventing factionalism, unrest,

by securing faith of the public.

By promoting social cohesion,

the state creates the hierarchies,

limiting potential of individuals,

they prevent social mobility. 

Noble lies . . .

They demand respect and sacrifice,

but once people trust gets broken,

it triggers cynicism and polarization, 

paving the way for newer lies.

Wish, wish, we would wish

 Wish, wish, we would wish,

buried in recesses, not in lips,

drop by drop, making an ocean,

difficult to swallow or spill.

Every time we come closer,

we falter, making it harder,

fighting our fate or surrender, 

to our fears or constraints. 

Wish, wish, we would wish,

going blank, when desires conflicts

expectations clashes with dreams,

and realities suppress our screams.

We are disillusioned, going numb,

follow the routines, collecting crumbs,

maintain a facade, of calm & diligence, 

as we dive, into bottomless abyss.

Wish, wish, we would wish,

to make our hurt, cease to exist, 

to be saved from misfortunes,

by knight in shining armor. 

And we regain, spark in the eyes,

with abundant love, and blessings, 

we don't have to fight, lowering guards,

enjoy the moments, memories that last!

Making the organization fail

How do competitors prevail,

when power remains unchanged, 

where following the system, 

doesn't reward them points,

for, they couldn't convince, 

being known for incompetency, 

and contrasts were very clear, 

giving advantage to the ones,

who won trust through work.

The competitors have no answers,

so they keep blaming others,

using every trick in the book,

to gain advantages for their side,

from harmless, to plots sinister,

they try to bypass placed systems,

undermining the voice of majority,

by using underhanded tactics,

which have long-term repercussions. 

Nothing happens in isolation, 

they rely on weakness displayed,

using the fractures & loopholes,

to set the stage for performance, 

from defiance to the resistance,

building foundations for rebellion, 

where small factions act as diversion, 

putting pressure to gain attention, 

manufacture crisis for reaping benefits.

We have seen many examples, 

where the majority remain ignorant,

when selected few destabilize,

already functioning administrations, 

for, they were swift in their actions,

evade accountability by riding on emotions,

overwhelming even the robust systems,

if not checked by rule and regulations, 

making the organization fail.

Evening sun

Returning home from work,

I saw it in mirrors reflection,

stopping for a second,

I marvel at the view.

It was a mesmerizing sight,

a perfect, unblemished disk,

molten gold in honeyed light,

suspended in a softening sky.

A gentle breeze streams,

cooling the warm surface,

in the hushed rustle of leaves,

daytime noise fades.

And I exhale, forgetting the rush,

soaking in the serene atmosphere, 

gazing the vast expanse of sky,

dipped in delicate shade of periwinkle. 

As the daylight thinned,

casting long and lazy shadows,

air grew still, night takes over,

I witnessed the steady decent . . .

Of evening sun!