The Exempt: Enjoying the Moment
Enjoy the many moods of being alone... with my paintings.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Exhibition: The Exempt
Where would life take us if we were exempt from duties and obligations? Wouldn’t those be our most enjoyable moments? Or would they be our most fearful ones? The Exempt, my exhibition of paintings, showcases the moods of those exempt from obligations, for just a few moments. That privileged solitude then, brings a sense of exalted freedom in some, a furtive moment of insecurity in others, and a thankfulness towards the almighty in a few.
Being held at The Next Shop, N-Block Market, Greater Kailash I, The Exempt will be on from Dec 5 – 16, 2007.
A fusion of colors in acrylics on canvas, The Exempt is my third exhibition. Last year, my exhibition at The Next Shop, In Black & White, depicted women in the purity of these two colors, and received a grand response.
But... sigh! I manages only one exhibition a year since corporate life, travel and my patient husband and darling daughtrer allow me only so much. However, during the moments I paint, I feel “exempt” from the world, a feeling I personally enjoy and look forward to. The lack of duty, obligation or liabilities is a wonderful feeling. You could pray, dance like no one’s looking, or just be. You can reach me on rchhachhi@gmail.com for feedback or buying options.
Where would life take us if we were exempt from duties and obligations? Wouldn’t those be our most enjoyable moments? Or would they be our most fearful ones? The Exempt, my exhibition of paintings, showcases the moods of those exempt from obligations, for just a few moments. That privileged solitude then, brings a sense of exalted freedom in some, a furtive moment of insecurity in others, and a thankfulness towards the almighty in a few.
Being held at The Next Shop, N-Block Market, Greater Kailash I, The Exempt will be on from Dec 5 – 16, 2007.
A fusion of colors in acrylics on canvas, The Exempt is my third exhibition. Last year, my exhibition at The Next Shop, In Black & White, depicted women in the purity of these two colors, and received a grand response.
But... sigh! I manages only one exhibition a year since corporate life, travel and my patient husband and darling daughtrer allow me only so much. However, during the moments I paint, I feel “exempt” from the world, a feeling I personally enjoy and look forward to. The lack of duty, obligation or liabilities is a wonderful feeling. You could pray, dance like no one’s looking, or just be. You can reach me on rchhachhi@gmail.com for feedback or buying options.
Monday, August 20, 2007
My friend's new house
Last night, we all went to Mona's house for dinner. Nothing extraordinary - except that Mona's just moved into her new home!!!!
Moving to your own place is such a wonderful feeling. Which is of course, accompanied by extreme exhaustion and a zero bank balance. But you're just so pleased with yourself that you know the rest is transient. And feeling happy for Mona is easy. She's so full of life and sincerity, and looking at the little corners in her house, I instantly knew the efforts that went in, as well as the look of pride in her eyes she failed to hide.
It did lead to a problem for me though.
Mona and her family live in a lovely bungalow, and my daughter has been looking at me longingly since last night to urge us to move into one. The space, the complete potential of keeping more than one dog, the wind that whistles through your teeth and the chimes that lilt... I have a HUGE problem on my hands.
We live in an apartment, and it's not bad. Except we dont have a patch of green, or the freedom to keep more dogs. But...
I'm happy for Mona and her kids. And I'm happy for my daughter because she has friends she can visit, just ten min from home... Right now, I have a secret smile that mirrors Mona's... a smile that fails to hide the pride I feel for my friend... :-)
Moving to your own place is such a wonderful feeling. Which is of course, accompanied by extreme exhaustion and a zero bank balance. But you're just so pleased with yourself that you know the rest is transient. And feeling happy for Mona is easy. She's so full of life and sincerity, and looking at the little corners in her house, I instantly knew the efforts that went in, as well as the look of pride in her eyes she failed to hide.
It did lead to a problem for me though.
Mona and her family live in a lovely bungalow, and my daughter has been looking at me longingly since last night to urge us to move into one. The space, the complete potential of keeping more than one dog, the wind that whistles through your teeth and the chimes that lilt... I have a HUGE problem on my hands.
We live in an apartment, and it's not bad. Except we dont have a patch of green, or the freedom to keep more dogs. But...
I'm happy for Mona and her kids. And I'm happy for my daughter because she has friends she can visit, just ten min from home... Right now, I have a secret smile that mirrors Mona's... a smile that fails to hide the pride I feel for my friend... :-)
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Wild things, anyone?
I remember a bunch of us girls once went to a bar in Mumbai, and we laid bets on picking up this cute guy who was sitting with his beer. For five hundred bucks, I sweet-talked him and picked him up. Just as we reached the door, I burst into laughter and apologised to him, disclosing the bet and my giggly, high bunch of friends in the corner. He took it sportingly, joined us for a round of drinks, and left.
Later, I was told that if I were to do the same thing in Delhi, I could've been shot dead (remember Jessica Lall?), or worse. North Indian men (read Naaaarth Indian men) have an extremely inflated sense of self, hence a huge ego, and a belief that they're superior to women. Of course, there are exceptions, and the Naaarth Indian mentality is prevalent in many stuffed souls who may not geographically stem from here.
So technically, a wild night out with the girls could have ended in disaster if I was in the Naaarth. It makes me shudder. I wonder how many of you did something wild and looked back to realise it coul've been disasterous, but turned out ok... Patrique May did something wild which he's talked about. What about the rest of you?
Later, I was told that if I were to do the same thing in Delhi, I could've been shot dead (remember Jessica Lall?), or worse. North Indian men (read Naaaarth Indian men) have an extremely inflated sense of self, hence a huge ego, and a belief that they're superior to women. Of course, there are exceptions, and the Naaarth Indian mentality is prevalent in many stuffed souls who may not geographically stem from here.
So technically, a wild night out with the girls could have ended in disaster if I was in the Naaarth. It makes me shudder. I wonder how many of you did something wild and looked back to realise it coul've been disasterous, but turned out ok... Patrique May did something wild which he's talked about. What about the rest of you?
Monday, July 23, 2007
How do you live in the moment & still plan for the future?
A moment is like a meal. When I'm enjoying my meal, I'm not thinking about my next. But I'm eating to ensure that it's tasty but doesn't harm me in the future, most days.
But I had some trying moments on the weekend. I was ill. Nothing serious, just an infection, but it wasn't a series of moments I enjoyed at all. Would've had a dull, drab weekend, if it wasn't for two things: our new SUV and daughter's reaction to it. She calmly told her father that she would get dropped to school in it, and he could take her cycle to work. By the time he had finished baulking over it, she had disappeared.
Now, as I feel better, I can't help but look forward to the end of tomorrow. As in, Tuesday, the 24th. Why? My 7-day antibiotics course finishes, and I can go back to enjoying the summer & rains with my favorite goblet of red wine - a forbidden liquid till tomorrow night. And the fact that it's forbidden has thrown up new light in my life. a) I don't drink wine everyday anyway, so why this feeling of restriction? b) Leads from a), is the theory of the forbidden fruit truly so entrenched in our lives? Did you ever always want to do what you were told not to? And if you did, did you get into some serious trouble?
I've done loads of 'forbidden' things in life - forbidden from the perspective of politically incorrect. But like the cat with nine lives, I seem to be unscathed - till now. And these range from innocent to retarded to wild. I sometimes look forward to my daughter defying me, and secretly revel in it. But then again, if she senses my happiness, could she turn into an exhibitionist, a bit like her mother? Wouldn't that make me happier still? Or would I have no way to draw the line?
I don't have any answers. Do you?
But I had some trying moments on the weekend. I was ill. Nothing serious, just an infection, but it wasn't a series of moments I enjoyed at all. Would've had a dull, drab weekend, if it wasn't for two things: our new SUV and daughter's reaction to it. She calmly told her father that she would get dropped to school in it, and he could take her cycle to work. By the time he had finished baulking over it, she had disappeared.
Now, as I feel better, I can't help but look forward to the end of tomorrow. As in, Tuesday, the 24th. Why? My 7-day antibiotics course finishes, and I can go back to enjoying the summer & rains with my favorite goblet of red wine - a forbidden liquid till tomorrow night. And the fact that it's forbidden has thrown up new light in my life. a) I don't drink wine everyday anyway, so why this feeling of restriction? b) Leads from a), is the theory of the forbidden fruit truly so entrenched in our lives? Did you ever always want to do what you were told not to? And if you did, did you get into some serious trouble?
I've done loads of 'forbidden' things in life - forbidden from the perspective of politically incorrect. But like the cat with nine lives, I seem to be unscathed - till now. And these range from innocent to retarded to wild. I sometimes look forward to my daughter defying me, and secretly revel in it. But then again, if she senses my happiness, could she turn into an exhibitionist, a bit like her mother? Wouldn't that make me happier still? Or would I have no way to draw the line?
I don't have any answers. Do you?
Monday, June 11, 2007
Leap of faith
Life isn't about holding your experiences back. It's about doing it, just right, and no more. Sadly, many of us hold back too much, and go to the other extreme too much, and end up burned, either way.
The balance is easy to draw. Just when you think it may not work out, think about what you'll lose if don't go ahead. Will you look back in regret? Will you thank your stars?
It's what I've done most of my life. And it's called the leap of faith.
I did it once - with the person I loved. 15 years ago. And because of that one decision, will continue to do it all over again in a hundred aspects of my life. Because that one leap of faith made me believe that going ahead is better than regretting.
And ten years ago, we were both blessed with a little girl, who literally defied the doctors and came into this world. It just cemented my beliefs more.
What's your story, then? Ever taken that leap of faith in people, in work, in doing something mad and nutty? I have, and have ended up being called, "Rach, you're too much." Hence, the name of my blog.
The good or bad part is, as we grow older, I continue to keep that flame alive. This blog is about sharing all that and more with all of you. And having you come forward and tell me what you did that seemed a bit mad, but turned out just right for you.
C'on. Start now.
The balance is easy to draw. Just when you think it may not work out, think about what you'll lose if don't go ahead. Will you look back in regret? Will you thank your stars?
It's what I've done most of my life. And it's called the leap of faith.
I did it once - with the person I loved. 15 years ago. And because of that one decision, will continue to do it all over again in a hundred aspects of my life. Because that one leap of faith made me believe that going ahead is better than regretting.
And ten years ago, we were both blessed with a little girl, who literally defied the doctors and came into this world. It just cemented my beliefs more.
What's your story, then? Ever taken that leap of faith in people, in work, in doing something mad and nutty? I have, and have ended up being called, "Rach, you're too much." Hence, the name of my blog.
The good or bad part is, as we grow older, I continue to keep that flame alive. This blog is about sharing all that and more with all of you. And having you come forward and tell me what you did that seemed a bit mad, but turned out just right for you.
C'on. Start now.
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