Sen's Bucket

The British Council surrounding gardens When it was a chance to 'hang-out' for an evening at the British Council in New Delhi, there was always the strong inclination to take up the offer and make good. The building has always been a nice place to be in, and it proved to be nicer with the launch of 'The Gallery' with Julian Opie's 'Winter' collection of art pieces. His works, mostly dominated by themes from the British countryside, shows a lot of the winter one might get to see in selected parts of France. 

  A central art piece chandeliers comprising  droplet shaped hand-written notes A little late in the day, but people looking at the cultural scene in the capital are going to be having a gala time with the European Union Film Festival 2015 getting underway, at the Instituto Cervantes in Delhi. From the 8th April to the 20th of April, 2015, multiple nation states from the European Union will be showcasing their works of art, using motion pictures as their medium of creativity. A sure-shot go-to place for those who find delicacies of fine movie-making tingling their nerves, this festival is one of those noted cultural get-together that move beyond the obvious.

Dignitaries lighting the traditional lamp Cultural melting pots like India has always been significant for nations like Korea, considering the bond both share with their cultural past. Hanji Impression, an exhibition to introduce the traditional Korean paper Hanji, was organized at the Korean Cultural Centre in New Delhi. From the 16th January, 2015 to the 10th February, 2015, various works of art on Hanji paper will be on display, created by artists Park Yeo-Sang and Sharmi Chowdhury. Since, the occasion called for a cross cultural connect, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Lee Joon-Gyu was there for the inauguration.

In the great chilled winter, a great many seek intoxications; some from alcohol, and some from culture, music, and religion. The recent 'Rang-E-Khusro' evenings held at the Indian Habitat Center in New Delhi, proved to be a total intoxicator for the romantic, a dive into local Sufi culture, fulfillment for the souls deprived of poetry, and a view that goes beyond the usual scenarios of life today. Poetry, classical music, and a taste for the works of Hazrat Ameer Khusro, brought together a sizable audience in the cold of the Delhi winter, very suitably disguised by the enchantment of artistic display. For a wanderer, this was home-coming in the purest form.

Stacy Rodrigues  While the world is consumed by delusional notions of what is perfect, whats works, what life is about, the spirit of the human being is something which shows wonders from time to time. In such circumstances, life becomes a fight, a conquest at every nook and turn, in almost every aspect which every human is fighting in their own way. Stacy Rodrigues is one such personality, who has used the visual medium of painting to go through life, become an achiever, and make an artistic impression along her journey of fighting life's battles.

The International Dance Festival 2014 held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Bangalore (Bengaluru) on 29th November was a total treat for someone wholly into India's classical arts. The event was themed on 'legends', and  was a joint effort by the International Dance Alliance (IDA) and the Padmalaya Dance Foundation, which featured 30 artists from the city of Bangalore and Mysore, apart from some in the United States. There were 4 distinct dancing styles showcased with music compositions set over 4 centuries. This occasion also happened to be a tribute to Late Ms. Leela Shekhar, the Founder Chairperson, IDA.

Though debatable for many in the political scenario, but a lot of the North-East part of India remains unexplored. From natural beauty to mineral resources, to handy manpower, the 'sisters of the north-east' as they are sometimes called, remain in a psychological closet for quiet a few. One such treasure in that corner of the country, is Imphal, the capital of the Manipur state. Spread over the Imphal East and West districts, Imphal City exists with it's 264,986 (2011 consensus) residents.

The cars and homes are being done through, and have been done since quiet the while. However, one of the not so glamorous events, or rather a niche interest group targeted activity, are the art auctions. World famous auction house, Bonham's is conducting auctions meant specially for those who have a taste for rare Islamic and other Indian art pieces, that have centuries of history, and age-old craftsmanship imbibed in them. Here are a few pickings from the lot.