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...typically associated with drugs/chemicals..."a temporary euphoric state induced by a foreign particle/object/body"...

Concert's are like this as well..

I frequent a popular restaurant in this city, known for it's 'karaoke nights' that happen through the week...these guys know the art of manufacturing high's...i mean, right from the MC to the choice of songs to the steady build up to the high that culminates in a truly memorable evening for any visitor on any of the karaoke nights...it's quite a marvel

This evening i was at a concert (nothing to do with the restaurant) with some of the better known singers from the city, 'strutting their stuff' as part of a live western music concert....overall i thought it was a fun evening...though i wasn't 'high' by the end of the concert...

I guess that my first association with live western music are the karaoke nights...but then this isn't a bunch of casual performers trying to hold a tune...there was some serious talent on show tonight...some had tremendous stage presence...some could've smiled a bit more...that 'zing', however, was missing...

The end was quite messy...in that it looked a bit 'off the cuff'...not really planned - or, if planned, maybe not practised enough...and instead of ending on a 'high'..it sorta petered out like an untuned trombone...the MC did the best he could to keep things seemless....but the low crowd turnout might've had something to do with the 'petering out'...

For the kind've talent that was on show, i'm pretty sure i expected more...and i think, outside of being sentimentally attached to all the hardwork and the time spent in putting together a show of this kind - if the performers were to really look at the show critically, i'm sure they'll agree that there were areas that needed work and before they do have another show, they need to - in my mind - gel as a troupe, and not just individuals having individual connections with the band and the one other person they are singing with...this could be the reason why the last (and only) group song, didn't work...

I realize that my 'observations' and 'criticism' aren't very specific in this case, but that's purely because i don't profess to knowing a whole lot about live music....i have sung live, on occasion, and really enjoyed it too...but i don't know what it takes to 'perform' to a paying audience in a 'singing' sort've scenario. Theatre is a different story...

That's it for now...a little tired...need to get some Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Firstly, if you haven't read my opinion on a play i watched some time back, do so at the following link:
http://typolis.net/karn/stories/8023/
The piece is called 'Bad Theatre'.

I've been involved in theatre for the last 7 years in Bangalore and i started out in theatre only because of a workshop conducted by a well known and established theatre group. I owe a lot to that one workshop - and the subsequent plays i did with that theatre company - all that has shaped me into the person i am today.

Having said that - I stick by what i said in the post. I think the main issue is not what i said, but that fact that - I - said it. I've been known to not have an opinion (in the past). As you can tell, that isn't the case anymore.

I ran into one of the actors of that play earlier this evening. I was at RS to watch a play from Bombay (which, incidentally, was pretty good....i kept zoning out when the hindi bits started, but all in all - great energy, production value and some really cool innovation on stage with props and body) and i ran into her before the start of the show. She told me how the cast read my 'critique' at their cast party and people weren't happy with my opinions on the subject (and from what i could tell - she was putting it mildly). It really is ok - like i said at the start of my piece, i stick by what i said. I probably haven't won any brownie points and ....stretching it....might not get to work with this particular group again - but if that's the way it is, then that's the way it is.

There's more to life than discussing Karn Malhotra's opinion of a play.

Xian Islamic market

...I'm listening to a song from 'The OC soundtrack' (they have 5cd's apparently)...'Hallelujah'...

I've always been fascinated with religion. How people believe so completely, unquestioningly...absolutely....in something that's formless, something they only speak and share...or go to a place of worship and experience...

There's a famous mosque in Bombay...in the middle of the sea - "Haji Ali". Whenever we drove past Haji Ali in a yellow fiat taxi, i'd look at it with a distant look in my eyes...especially in the monsoon..it's quite a sight. The waves crashing all along the long path that is the only thing that connects the mosque with the mainland...when it's raining heavily and the sea is rough, you can't see the pathway...only the vision of a white mosque in the middle of a brown sea...dark clouds...sheet rain....it almost shines like a beacon...

I get a similar feeling when i go to the 'Holy Ghost Church' in Frazer town. The last time i was there, a dear friend of mine was married there....he had a silly grin on his face right through :) ...but it was so heart warming to see so many people share in someone else's joy....so many people all together just wishing and feeling so much love for two people...and those two commiting to a life that might be uncertain, might be tough...but will be happy...because they've commited themselves to that happiness. I hope to feel that someday.

I feel so much at peace when i go to that church....you drive around a beautiful park...through a promenade...and then there's this open space....vast space...and the church in the middle. So peaceful....i feel an inner peace just thinking of it.

The other end of the spectrum were 'The Crusades'. So many killed...mercilessly....in the name of god. Watched 'The Kingdom of Heaven' sometime back....about the English and the Muslims...and their fight over a land that's almost forsaken by god himself........

Closer home we had 'Ayodhya' and people being killed.....mercilessly.....in the name of god. I remember seeing the image of a man carrying his son's head and running across the street...saw it in a magazine...but i was horrified...something i'll never forget. And the '93 blasts....

All in the name of religion....in the name of god.

I remember i was having coffee with my girlfriend at the time when i was standing at the door in the Barista on Brigade Road - when the second tower collapsed. Chances are you'll remember exactly what you were doing on that day....

All in the name of religion.....dominance.....one person's word - against a god.

Horrified faces
Vivid memories
of strange places
I've never been.

tearing flesh
burning children
all in the name of a god
of whom we ask to be forgiven.

A crack in the sky
as god applauds us
with his show of light and might
and yet we question his word
what is it worth?

at 86 does he deserve to see
a son beheaded in the name of memories?

one person's anguish...another's joy.

we celebrate
our love for one another
living in 'communal harmony'
as tears roll down his cheeks...till he cries
and we call it rain.

I'm drunk.

I've had 5 large vokas...far more than my usual quote of two. I messaged a friend of mine tellin her i was in love with her when she was seeing someone else. The things you do when you're drunk.

I really was in love with her.

I'm home right now...just got back from a night out with the family. We went to Koshy's. This 60 year old cafe in the heart of town with exorbitant prices and decor that doesn't justify the same - my mother opined....until i said to her, "this is the koshy's charm ma".

My wrist is paining...probably from typing out an entire brochure that we have to redesign for a client.

That friend just replied....one sec....






she doesn't know what to say...

It was a long time ago.

Life would be so much simpler with no pretense...then again, we wouldn't have the James Bond saga without James being betrayed in the original movie - the latest - Casino Royale...

I've heard from so many people that it's the best Bond flick yet...

Women are so complex...and yet so simple. At the end of it all 0 everybody just wants to be loved and wanted...they just have individual and sometimes incomprehensible ways of expressing how they feel and what they're thinking...

I stand by every relationship i've been in, and i've learnt from every one of them. Nothing ages you more than relationships. Living so many lives. Dealing with so many lifetimes - all in one....

I think Robbie williams is the biggest chooth ever.....but he makes some fantastic music. 'Rudebox' has been playin in my head; though i prefer 'lovelight'...

tired...gonna sleep...off to delhi tomrorrow...my train plans got canned unfortunately...really early morning tomorrow

cheers
Karn

the Bund at Nanjing Lu

For those interested in design:

http://www.ciionline.org/events/2755/about.htm

A conference organized by the National Institute of Design, The Government of India and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). I'll be there!

somewhere in the northwest

....everyone has an 'idea' of who they are...as people, individuals, professionals, husbands, wives, daughters, sisters mothers etc etc...

I have an 'idea' or 'concept' that my knowledge of branding, design & advertising amounts to 'x'. (the x factor) ...at the same time, someone else might think that my knowledge actually amounts to 'c' or 'd' - there being a vaaast gap (in his/her mind) about what i know and what i 'think' i know...to them my opinion of my own knowledge on the subject is a bit exaggerrated...and so i possibly have an 'exaggerated sense of self-worth' as a result of this...

Part of our nature as human beings is to constantly judge and evaluate...and in this judgement and evaluation, we meet a LOT of people with an 'exaggerated sense of self-worth'...

When it comes to work, i've met a few people/companies like this. Being a smaller studio, people seem to think that because i have 'x' number of resources etc etc i should only get paid 'x' amount of money...irrespective of whether they're a 400crore company or not - and that the design solution i provide will benefit them (in terms of ROI) in crores! ...with that being the case, they'll STILL haggle and try and bring down the quoted price...

To him - I have an exaggerrated sense of self-worth! ..no worries...that's part and parcel of business :)

You meet these kind of people outside of work as well...you're most likely to see them arguing with a parking attendant....or shouting at a waiter....or sneering at someone's clothes or looks....lots've people like this...

And it isn't necessarily unfortunate. Sure, we could do without people like this....but the fact remains - it takes all kinds've people to make the world go round and round and round...

Or maybe it's just an invisible alien spinning the world round and round and round...for kicks. Afterall, i don't think many people know what an alien would write in the 'occupation' column of a ration card application form. Why would an alien apply for a ration card? I don't know...just a thought. We all complain about how the neighbours 'must be from another planet!' *grin*

SO...that's my take on people with an exaggerated sense of self-worth'. Incidentlally, i'm pretty sure quite a few people think i suffer from this syndrome...i'd like to think of it as being sure of myself...or confident....then again, people with an 'exaggerated sense of self-worth' - in my mind - are compensating for something....some insecurity....

What could mine be? It's a question...i'm not being arrogant

(then why are you being defensive? are you being defensive? what do you have to hide?)

i was listening to 'when it falls' by Zero 7 earlier today in the car... (nice loungy/jazz sound, worth checking out if you haven't already)...and listening to the tune i suddenly felt like a stranger in a new town.

I love that feeling.

When you're in a new city/town....place....and everything is a 'discovery'. The panwallla on the street corner. Crowded roads. The color of buildings. Cyclists and cows on the road. Everything seems new, like you've never seen it before.

I was out this evening at a usual Sunday karaoke night with a few friends when one've them observed how music triggers certain memories. And does so only in a specific scenario...in a certain set of conditions....only in that moment. You listen to that same song on a sweaty Thursday afternoon in the midst of heavy traffic, i doubt you'll get the same result. :)

Later i was watching everyone dance after having sung my usual quota of songs...if you 'mute' the whole picture, people look really funny.

One looks like he's being electrocuted and is constipated at the same time...a couple elsewhere look like they're glued at the hip (wonder why)...in yet another direction - a couple dance close to each other - not really with each other - but close to each other...close enough for anyone to be able to sense the sexual tension between them...a relationship of 'convenience'...

I was looking at some of the women there and i said to myself, "i miss that". Miss what? Having a really hot girlfriend! lol....no seriously...i love being in a relationship. I'm not complaining about being single (for a while now)....but i miss the comfort of being with someone, with whom you don't have to pretend. It's amazing how when you've been in a relationship for a while...and long after it's over...you still associate places, streets, restaurants....."moments"...with that relationship. I mean, i drive around my neighborhood and the memories are still fresh...like yesterday. This is with anyone you've really cared for...the person moves on...but the memories remain.

Watched a play the other day about 'memories'. It was quite disjointed and didn't really have a flow or theme to it...but it had a lot of 'triggers'. Moments or 'sketches' that triggered something in your mind....worked as catalysts....and refreshed something from really long ago...

Being in love is such a high...

A couple i know of is close to getting engaged and as a friend put it so eloquently, "You feel a bit hollow don't you?" I do Mr.N...i do.

Makes you wonder if relationships of convenience are really worth it...they aren't really. I'd rather meet a girl i don't know...dance with her and make her laugh...and never see her again....i'd take that over a relationship of convenience - anyday.

More on relationships later...there's a lot to be said.