Come tell us a story about what playing means to you and in return you can eat, look beautiful and star in a film! And do bring along any friends who live in Tippasandra (Bangalore).Mathinahalli: playing with stories is a festival of exchange and mutual gestures designed to document the neighbourhood’s stories about childhood, play and the city at large. These stories will help in capturing the evolution and dynamism in the way the residents of the neighbourhood have played in the spaces around them across generations.At Mathinahalli, visitors can eat, get quick beauty fixes and audition for a film in exchange for sharing their stories and experiences. All the stories so collected will be shared openly on the web for everyone to study.FROM: 26-30th August 09 at http://is.gd/2bCDx, Construction Site turned community space, 4th Cross, New Tippasandra Ward No 83, Opposite BBMP park and Shishu Griha/Govt Playground. A part of the Spirited Caravans (http://cityspinning.org/spiritedcaravans/ ) neighbourhood camp at New Tippasandra. For more details call Prayas at 9902591198.
Showing posts with label Bangalore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bangalore. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Playing with Stories
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Creative writing workshop in Bangalore
Please note:THIS IS AN OLD POST ABOUT CREATIVE WRITING. NEWER POSTS ARE UPLOADED HERE: www.storygram.in
I am happy to announce that I will be conducting a workshop in creative writing, one of my favorite things in life.
Writing is a tough and lonely job, not to mention thankless and confusing. At least thats what it seems in the beginning, middle and ......well...every single time one needs to lay me down on that blank page, it stares back mutely does it not.
But its also the happiest moment when I need nothing else in the world except to write the next word. To see a painting emerging out of just two colors, white and black. To hear the rhythm from just one instrument: the tapping of the keyboard. To see the story unfolding on the biggest screens of our time: the mind.
More than anything else, writing has cleared my mind and heart of an extra baggage: the self-esteem issue. Who cares if what I write is good or trash. When my written words are in synch with my path, I feel like I have a sakhaa, (dost, friend) to whom I can confide my darkest fears, who will never betray me, and who will forgive me everything except giving up writing.
And so, a workshop in creative writing is one of the best ways I can think of spending the weekend.
This is the announcement in Times of India:
Manjushree Abhinav, author of the recently published novel, 'A Grasshopper's Pilgrimage', will be conducting a Creative Writing Workshop on the last two weekends of June. This workshop would benefit beginners as well as those stuck in the middle of a book. It's main purpose is to fuel the love of writing towards an intense and natural discipline. For details, contact manjushree.abhinav@gmail.com or call at +91 9945192862.
Schedule: The next batch will be a weekend in July.
I will post the dates here as soon as I get them confirmed by TOI.
Venue: Times Of India , MG road, Bangalore.
Fee: Rs. 2,000/-
Author's profile :
I am a recently published novelist of A Grasshopper's Pilgrimage. This book should be available in most of the Crosswords and Landmarks. You can read reviews of this book on this blog. Just type the title in the search box.
I am also a film maker. I was trained at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune in Film Editing. I have made several documentary films, and taught the various aspects of film making at NID (National Institute of Design), Ahemedabad and also at the FTII. I have conducted a creative writing workshop at the Srishti School of Art and Design last year.
I write for the creative outlet, deep fulfillment and clarity of mind that sometimes comes as a gift with a good session of writing.
A tentative structure of the work shop :
class 1: in the beginning was the word
What is creative writing? How is it different from other kinds of writing? Creative writing is that aspect of writing in which the other, the reader, is not more important than the writer. All through childhood, we learn to write for the teacher. Our understanding of ourselves is rooted from what others think of us and tell us, again and again. An artist is a person who can look within for inspiration. The inner space has to be cleared of all the baggage, by emerging out of the layers of parental and societal conditionings. Writing becomes an art when, and only when, it comes from an unselfconscious space. Creative writing happens when the writer has transcended the need of appreciation of anyone except herself or himself.
We shall begin with an exercise, a ritual for overcoming the writers block, or to get started. Participants will be given blank papers, with a manageable word limit. Lap tops will not be needed.
We shall do more exercises to stretch the mind and work the writing muscle.
class 2 : the short story
The class will read out a couple of their favorite short stories and we will analyze the story-line and compare it to the structure. Then we will work on a short story structure. To begin with, we will write a short story with a straight narrative, and then we will play with the structure.
Those who have a story in mind will write their on their own. Others can follow a guideline.
Completing this story will be the take home assignment for the week. You can mail me the drafts and we can continue to work during the week.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
class 3: Writing a novel
Everyone has a novel inside. Lets write ours. How does one write a novel? The masala formula. Or, the nine rasas.
The kind of education we have had, the information overload, the media inputs, have made intellectual zombies out of us. We think with our brains, not with our minds.
Which is why, the first step is to become aware of what 'rasa' one goes through when writing something. Writing is a lonely job. Words have to become alive, they have to gain the power, a power more intense than a human ear, a sense of fulfillment more satisfying than an orgasm.
Where do novels come from? What is the essence of the novel?
class 4: Elements of the novel:
Characterization: The back bone of a good novel. Class will read out the characters and discuss their difficulties in creating an imaginary human being from words.
Exercises: Two different approaches to creating your character.
Understanding the synergistic effect of music, dance (or any physical activity) and writing. Identifying the enemies of writing: the idiot box. Replacing old habits with new ones. Sell your TV and buy a pen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: There is a limit on the number of participants, so please register by calling me @ 9945192862.
I am happy to announce that I will be conducting a workshop in creative writing, one of my favorite things in life.
Writing is a tough and lonely job, not to mention thankless and confusing. At least thats what it seems in the beginning, middle and ......well...every single time one needs to lay me down on that blank page, it stares back mutely does it not.
But its also the happiest moment when I need nothing else in the world except to write the next word. To see a painting emerging out of just two colors, white and black. To hear the rhythm from just one instrument: the tapping of the keyboard. To see the story unfolding on the biggest screens of our time: the mind.
More than anything else, writing has cleared my mind and heart of an extra baggage: the self-esteem issue. Who cares if what I write is good or trash. When my written words are in synch with my path, I feel like I have a sakhaa, (dost, friend) to whom I can confide my darkest fears, who will never betray me, and who will forgive me everything except giving up writing.
And so, a workshop in creative writing is one of the best ways I can think of spending the weekend.
This is the announcement in Times of India:
Manjushree Abhinav, author of the recently published novel, 'A Grasshopper's Pilgrimage', will be conducting a Creative Writing Workshop on the last two weekends of June. This workshop would benefit beginners as well as those stuck in the middle of a book. It's main purpose is to fuel the love of writing towards an intense and natural discipline. For details, contact manjushree.abhinav@gmail.com or call at +91 9945192862.
Schedule: The next batch will be a weekend in July.
I will post the dates here as soon as I get them confirmed by TOI.
Venue: Times Of India , MG road, Bangalore.
Fee: Rs. 2,000/-
Author's profile :
I am a recently published novelist of A Grasshopper's Pilgrimage. This book should be available in most of the Crosswords and Landmarks. You can read reviews of this book on this blog. Just type the title in the search box.
I am also a film maker. I was trained at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune in Film Editing. I have made several documentary films, and taught the various aspects of film making at NID (National Institute of Design), Ahemedabad and also at the FTII. I have conducted a creative writing workshop at the Srishti School of Art and Design last year.
I write for the creative outlet, deep fulfillment and clarity of mind that sometimes comes as a gift with a good session of writing.
A tentative structure of the work shop :
class 1: in the beginning was the word
What is creative writing? How is it different from other kinds of writing? Creative writing is that aspect of writing in which the other, the reader, is not more important than the writer. All through childhood, we learn to write for the teacher. Our understanding of ourselves is rooted from what others think of us and tell us, again and again. An artist is a person who can look within for inspiration. The inner space has to be cleared of all the baggage, by emerging out of the layers of parental and societal conditionings. Writing becomes an art when, and only when, it comes from an unselfconscious space. Creative writing happens when the writer has transcended the need of appreciation of anyone except herself or himself.
We shall begin with an exercise, a ritual for overcoming the writers block, or to get started. Participants will be given blank papers, with a manageable word limit. Lap tops will not be needed.
We shall do more exercises to stretch the mind and work the writing muscle.
class 2 : the short story
The class will read out a couple of their favorite short stories and we will analyze the story-line and compare it to the structure. Then we will work on a short story structure. To begin with, we will write a short story with a straight narrative, and then we will play with the structure.
Those who have a story in mind will write their on their own. Others can follow a guideline.
Completing this story will be the take home assignment for the week. You can mail me the drafts and we can continue to work during the week.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
class 3: Writing a novel
Everyone has a novel inside. Lets write ours. How does one write a novel? The masala formula. Or, the nine rasas.
The kind of education we have had, the information overload, the media inputs, have made intellectual zombies out of us. We think with our brains, not with our minds.
Which is why, the first step is to become aware of what 'rasa' one goes through when writing something. Writing is a lonely job. Words have to become alive, they have to gain the power, a power more intense than a human ear, a sense of fulfillment more satisfying than an orgasm.
Where do novels come from? What is the essence of the novel?
class 4: Elements of the novel:
Characterization: The back bone of a good novel. Class will read out the characters and discuss their difficulties in creating an imaginary human being from words.
Exercises: Two different approaches to creating your character.
Understanding the synergistic effect of music, dance (or any physical activity) and writing. Identifying the enemies of writing: the idiot box. Replacing old habits with new ones. Sell your TV and buy a pen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: There is a limit on the number of participants, so please register by calling me @ 9945192862.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
the healing tower
I attended a Kalpataru on 1st October last year, and 75% of my health problems were solved within the next two months. Mysterious things happened, like I became a partial bare footer, etc.
Some other miracles include surviving in Bangalore without a proper job, with the freedom to stay at home and watch swamiji's u tube videos to my hearts content. :)
On a serious note, Swamiji has done some incredible healings. Day before yesterday I heard of a first person narration of an old man, an ex serviceman, who had been suffering from insomnia for the last forty years. He was not allowed to go out of the house alone, because he was extremely short tempered and picked fights with unsuspecting people. Swamiji gave him three healings over a month and this fellow now sleeps without medicine, goes out alone, walks around the city to test his physical fitness levels.....
Healing, by the way, is just the hook, he is much much more than a doc.
Kalpataru with Paramahamsa Nithyananda!
A wonderful opportunity to be in the Master's divine energy field for a whole day ... culminating with darshan to each participant from Paramahamsa himself...! Kalpataru is being conducted by Swamiji himself at the Ashram on Saturday 13 June 2009.
Important Information: To save waiting in lines and to get direct entry into the enclosure, Kalpataru contribution passes (tickets) of Rs. 1000/- each are now available with all Yogam host families - see attachment. More locations will be posted to this newsgroup very soon...
Yogam and several other programs in and around Bangalore have created significant awareness of the Master and His mission... many new seekers are keen to be in the presence of the Master... so please get in touch with all you know - tell them about Kalpataru with the Master...and ensure your ticket books are are all sold out...
For Kalpataru tickets please get in touch with the Yogam host family nearest you... or call at the numbers below...
For more information and tickets please call:
Some other miracles include surviving in Bangalore without a proper job, with the freedom to stay at home and watch swamiji's u tube videos to my hearts content. :)
On a serious note, Swamiji has done some incredible healings. Day before yesterday I heard of a first person narration of an old man, an ex serviceman, who had been suffering from insomnia for the last forty years. He was not allowed to go out of the house alone, because he was extremely short tempered and picked fights with unsuspecting people. Swamiji gave him three healings over a month and this fellow now sleeps without medicine, goes out alone, walks around the city to test his physical fitness levels.....
Healing, by the way, is just the hook, he is much much more than a doc.
The countdown has begun... just 2 days to go for Kalpataru ..... please call the numbers at the end of the page for tickets.
Kalpataru with Paramahamsa Nithyananda!
A wonderful opportunity to be in the Master's divine energy field for a whole day ... culminating with darshan to each participant from Paramahamsa himself...! Kalpataru is being conducted by Swamiji himself at the Ashram on Saturday 13 June 2009.
Come! Be blessed with the kalpataru darshan from living enlightened master, Paramahamsa Nithyananda.
Kalpataru is a unique one-day meditation program that guides you to blissful living. Through special guided meditations, Kalpataru prepares you to directly receive blessings and boons from a living enlightened being. It empowers you with the energy to align your intentions with your actions so you can live an beautifully integrated life with both 'outer' success and 'inner' bliss all at the same time!
Kalpataru sows in you the seeds of:
· Shakti – Energy... to change the things you need to change
· Buddhi – Intelligence... to know what need not be changed
· Yukti – Understanding. .. that whatever you may change, Existence itself is a continuously changing dream
· Bhakti – Devotion... to the eternally unchanging Truth
Mukti – Liberation... that happens when you experience the above in your life!
Kalpataru bestows upon you the energy to imbibe the right intentions in life & align every action with those intentions, so you live a conflict free life, what is called ‘Living Enlightenment’or Jeevan Mukti.
Important Information: To save waiting in lines and to get direct entry into the enclosure, Kalpataru contribution passes (tickets) of Rs. 1000/- each are now available with all Yogam host families - see attachment. More locations will be posted to this newsgroup very soon...
Yogam and several other programs in and around Bangalore have created significant awareness of the Master and His mission... many new seekers are keen to be in the presence of the Master... so please get in touch with all you know - tell them about Kalpataru with the Master...and ensure your ticket books are are all sold out...
For Kalpataru tickets please get in touch with the Yogam host family nearest you... or call at the numbers below...
For more information and tickets please call:
- Ma Nithya Akhila: 98802 03654
- Ravi 99808 44309
Friday, July 25, 2008
Bangalore Bombs
Scene: Creative writing workshop, day 3.
Location: Sristhi School of Art and Design, Bangalore.
Time: An hour after lunch.
White board Graffiti : Thought, feeling, Visual and IncidenceLocation: Sristhi School of Art and Design, Bangalore.
Time: An hour after lunch.
Assignment under discussion: Childhood.
Student 1
When I was a kid, I once got burned badly on both hands because I touched a burning stove. And, a few days after that, I saw my mother ironing clothes. She switched off the switch and went for a nap. And I, well, I knew I would get burnt, but, I had to go and touch that iron! So I touched the iron, and I got burned!
Me
That is an incident. A visual. What is the feeling behind it?
Student 1
I don't know. I guess I just wanted to see if the iron was really hot.
Me
This is a thought. What is the feeling?
A writer should always be in touch with the feeling behind every little scene that is written. What do you feel now when you look back at your childhood. Anyone?
Student 2
Nostalgic?
Me
Yup, that is a feeling. What else? What did you feel when you told us the story of burning your hand on the iron?
(Student 2 walks out of classroom)
Student 3
Stupid?
Me
Adventurous?
(Student 2 walks into the class)
Student 2
I hate to disturb the class, but I just got a news alert, that there have been two bomb blasts in the city.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Much later.
After the kid and I are safe at home.
Me
Student 1
When I was a kid, I once got burned badly on both hands because I touched a burning stove. And, a few days after that, I saw my mother ironing clothes. She switched off the switch and went for a nap. And I, well, I knew I would get burnt, but, I had to go and touch that iron! So I touched the iron, and I got burned!
Me
That is an incident. A visual. What is the feeling behind it?
Student 1
I don't know. I guess I just wanted to see if the iron was really hot.
Me
This is a thought. What is the feeling?
A writer should always be in touch with the feeling behind every little scene that is written. What do you feel now when you look back at your childhood. Anyone?
Student 2
Nostalgic?
Me
Yup, that is a feeling. What else? What did you feel when you told us the story of burning your hand on the iron?
(Student 2 walks out of classroom)
Student 3
Stupid?
Me
Adventurous?
(Student 2 walks into the class)
Student 2
I hate to disturb the class, but I just got a news alert, that there have been two bomb blasts in the city.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Much later.
After the kid and I are safe at home.
Me
How do I feel? How do I feel? This should not have happened. No, that is a thought. How do I feel? Do I feel scared? A little, but it passes. How do I feel? How do I feel? Angry. Because this might disrupt my plans to go to Tiru. This passes too. How do I feel? How do I feel? Sad, for the woman who lost her life. Pass. How do I feel? How do I feel? Nothing, at all. Seven bombs and only one woman dead? And this is supposed to scare us? I am not scared. I feel brave! I am an Indian! I have gone through Gujarat! I have gone through Mumbai! Bangalore blasts are a chill pill. How do I feel? I feel brave!
A terrorist somewhere plants explosives. And the ego here explodes.
A terrorist somewhere plants explosives. And the ego here explodes.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Six hours to the mountain
Day before yesterday, my feet tingled big time. And the thought which inspired the nerves to go hyper was, boy, oh boy, I am six hours away from the mountain. Bangalore being five hours from Tiruvannamalai. My house being an hour from Bangalore bus station. And that means I live in a space that is six hours from my beloved Arunachala.
Then why oh why am I so concerned with getting the house in order, why do I keep changing the arrangement of the drawing room, why on earth am I waiting for the broadband connection, why don't I get on that bus on which the conductor hangs on the door and yells, Thrvnnamalaai, Thrvnnamalaai, Thrvnamalaai?
Is it time, or is it repetition that erodes vowels out of a word, and urgency out of devotion?
Then why oh why am I so concerned with getting the house in order, why do I keep changing the arrangement of the drawing room, why on earth am I waiting for the broadband connection, why don't I get on that bus on which the conductor hangs on the door and yells, Thrvnnamalaai, Thrvnnamalaai, Thrvnamalaai?
Is it time, or is it repetition that erodes vowels out of a word, and urgency out of devotion?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Time travel in Bangalore
The best way to deal with the fatigue, confusion, and excitement of shifting to a new place? Dig out an old favorite novel and forget the utter mess your house is in.
I got this fat book, The time traveler's wife, as a gift from a seeker I met at Ramesh's. One of the most romantic stories that I have ever come across, it has childhood love, wedding, partings (because the fellow time travels to past and future) and, it also has the classic sad ending.
I always wonder, when I read western novels that talk of characters who suddenly meet ghosts, etc., why they don't consult eastern mystical bullshit.
I mean, time travel is not new to our saints, is it?
Here there is a fellow who is utterly at a loss to why he suddenly vanishes and lands, naked, in a past or a future space, he knows not for how long. He is hungry, and to survive he steals, beats people, picks locks, etc. That he also meets his wife, when she is six, is what gives the sweet taste to the otherwise worrisome nature of time travel.
To reduce risk of getting caught, the one thing he does in his everyday life is jog, to keep running fit. Why does he not come to India? Or at least look up some of our exported experts?
Having said that, its beautifully written. I wouldn't even say it is convincing, because I never doubt. This is God's world, not ours. He can beat his own logic, if he so pleases. As Ramesh says, if God can create beings with bodies, he can create them without bodies too. Not a big deal.
What is nice is the expansion of space, of time, the rest, the pause that these thoughts give to a mind on a roll of mundanity.
I got this fat book, The time traveler's wife, as a gift from a seeker I met at Ramesh's. One of the most romantic stories that I have ever come across, it has childhood love, wedding, partings (because the fellow time travels to past and future) and, it also has the classic sad ending.
I always wonder, when I read western novels that talk of characters who suddenly meet ghosts, etc., why they don't consult eastern mystical bullshit.
I mean, time travel is not new to our saints, is it?
Here there is a fellow who is utterly at a loss to why he suddenly vanishes and lands, naked, in a past or a future space, he knows not for how long. He is hungry, and to survive he steals, beats people, picks locks, etc. That he also meets his wife, when she is six, is what gives the sweet taste to the otherwise worrisome nature of time travel.
To reduce risk of getting caught, the one thing he does in his everyday life is jog, to keep running fit. Why does he not come to India? Or at least look up some of our exported experts?
Having said that, its beautifully written. I wouldn't even say it is convincing, because I never doubt. This is God's world, not ours. He can beat his own logic, if he so pleases. As Ramesh says, if God can create beings with bodies, he can create them without bodies too. Not a big deal.
What is nice is the expansion of space, of time, the rest, the pause that these thoughts give to a mind on a roll of mundanity.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Wish I could go
Home Catalogue Audio/DVD
WEEKEND TALKS WITH AN ADVAITA MASTER IN BANGALORE
Ramesh Balsekar
Saturday 26th April and Sunday 27th April 2008 From 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
At Cardboard Factory, Bilvardahalli Village, Gottigeri - Post, Off Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 560 083
Just 2 kms. from the Country Club
Lunch will be served. All are welcome.
For further details, please contact : Jaya Nagarkatti. Tel : 080-28429800
Click here to view the books by Ramesh Balsekar
Click here to view the audio/dvd by Ramesh Balsekar
WEEKEND TALKS WITH AN ADVAITA MASTER IN BANGALORE
Ramesh Balsekar
Saturday 26th April and Sunday 27th April 2008 From 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
At Cardboard Factory, Bilvardahalli Village, Gottigeri - Post, Off Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 560 083
Just 2 kms. from the Country Club
Lunch will be served. All are welcome.
For further details, please contact : Jaya Nagarkatti. Tel : 080-28429800
Click here to view the books by Ramesh Balsekar
Click here to view the audio/dvd by Ramesh Balsekar
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