Film and Art

I am watching this film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. All about young adult romance, friendship, misunderstanding. The same love triangle, age old Hindi Film formula. But the director has tried to use a different style, narration. Old content, new style. The dialogue is simple, some effort has been made to bring in modern music.

Lot of interspersing threads, which draw in the details. Friends retell a story of their two college friends who were best friends, but did not know that they were in love too. A bit like Kuch Kuch Hota Hain. Kajol and Shah Rukh, and then, Rani Mukherjee.

The effort is to bring in elements of the fantastic, like Arbaaz Khan and his brother, coming on horses, wearing felt hats. Then the director also touches upon issues like violence, police atrocity. Upper class Indian homes, partying, drinking wine, dating and numerous affairs.

The pace is slower than masala films, and difficult shots have not been used for super special effects. Realistic portrayal of modern urban life and people in Mumbai.

On being Unattached

Title: Mendicant, oil on canvas, 30"x20"

Original: $600

Giclee: 150

Print on paper: $70

Indian philosophy and religion have, over millenia, tirelessly pointed to one thing.

In religious discourses, public commentaries, cultural practices, that is the only thing that describes everything else. That of renunciation.

The yogis and the mahatmas have followed a lifestyle that is intricately connected to this philosophy. The general population too have not been too far away from this philosophy.

Take the example of Sri Krishna's teachings in the Bhagawad Gita. Krishna exhorted Arjuna to follow the call of duty, and renounce everything else. He asked Arjuna to ignore his feelings and emotions, and also any expectation of a fruit from his work, or labour. But just to do his duty, and participate in the Mahabharata war.

We have seen in art the theme of renunciation, not only among Indian artists, but also from other religions and cultures.