Funny, how age-old sayings can translate to completely different meanings in modern times.
Jagran Solutions, a below-the-line agency (in marketing jargon, called on-ground activation, marketing communications agency) in India took this saying and gave it an amazing twist online.
This Diwali, they tied up with an NGO (Akanksha) and posted about it on a blog. The NGO works in the field of education for underprivileged children. The post invites comments to itself, and Jagran contributes "a humble amount" for each comment posted.
While I would loved to know the exact amount that Jagran will contribute for my comment, I am going by the logic of something is better than nothing, and that this act of mine will add to whatever I do otherwise too.
So here's cheers for the effort!
And you can contribute too by visting the blog here.
Oct 22, 2008
Sep 12, 2008
Arts and Sciences
The whole idea seems cliche actually.
We have been probably talked about this for years now, especially whether a particular thing is an art or a science. This post is a different take on the argument.
We always consider these two as two separate concepts. What I believe is that these two are stages of an evolution. Think of them as first floor and second floor. Science is the first floor, and arts is the second.
Why do I say so?
The idea is based on a lot of thoughts related to activities we consider analytical, and therefore scientific, and other activities which we consider creative, and therefore artisitic. For almost every field of man's efforts, things start with taking more and more information and organising all of it.
Let us take the example of a science considered as one of the purest of sciences - physics.
The quest to the physics knowledge bank that we have today started out with the inventions of the natural numbers, and then moved to whole numbers, rational and then real numbers. Of course, on the way, we invented equations, mathematical operations. We also created all theories of phenomena that we considered natural and factual in the world around us - geometry, gravity, repulsion, e=mc2, et al.
But then, we got stuck at finding out the square root of -1. Here, the analytical brain stopped, but the creative brain took off... and created an imaginary number i. It led to more discoveries and inventions.
What's more, it is in the field of physics (the pure science) that we have probably the most number of creative theories. The Big Bang Theory, sub-atomic particles, multiple Universes, string theory, the list goes on. Most of them have their own set of believers and critics. But none of them can conclusively prove or disprove their own convictions. Talk of purity of science!
Let's look at the arts field. How does one start off in painting or photography? By understanding the science of colour combinations and brush strokes. And by understanding the impact of lighting and perspective on the final photograph.
What are the first things taught to dancers? Understanding their body movements and the science of beats.
What is the first thing taught to musicians? The science of the sargam (Sa Re Ga Ma or octaves).
It is from this basic understanding of science that becomes the launchpad for take off in the unexplored and unexpressed forms of colours, images, dances and sounds. Take any good piece of art, and chances are that the fundamentals of that work would be in place too.
If science and art were indeed opposites, what would you call this post - an article on science because it's rational, or a piece of art because it's a unique point of view on things around us?
We have been probably talked about this for years now, especially whether a particular thing is an art or a science. This post is a different take on the argument.
We always consider these two as two separate concepts. What I believe is that these two are stages of an evolution. Think of them as first floor and second floor. Science is the first floor, and arts is the second.
Why do I say so?
The idea is based on a lot of thoughts related to activities we consider analytical, and therefore scientific, and other activities which we consider creative, and therefore artisitic. For almost every field of man's efforts, things start with taking more and more information and organising all of it.
Let us take the example of a science considered as one of the purest of sciences - physics.
The quest to the physics knowledge bank that we have today started out with the inventions of the natural numbers, and then moved to whole numbers, rational and then real numbers. Of course, on the way, we invented equations, mathematical operations. We also created all theories of phenomena that we considered natural and factual in the world around us - geometry, gravity, repulsion, e=mc2, et al.
But then, we got stuck at finding out the square root of -1. Here, the analytical brain stopped, but the creative brain took off... and created an imaginary number i. It led to more discoveries and inventions.
What's more, it is in the field of physics (the pure science) that we have probably the most number of creative theories. The Big Bang Theory, sub-atomic particles, multiple Universes, string theory, the list goes on. Most of them have their own set of believers and critics. But none of them can conclusively prove or disprove their own convictions. Talk of purity of science!
Let's look at the arts field. How does one start off in painting or photography? By understanding the science of colour combinations and brush strokes. And by understanding the impact of lighting and perspective on the final photograph.
What are the first things taught to dancers? Understanding their body movements and the science of beats.
What is the first thing taught to musicians? The science of the sargam (Sa Re Ga Ma or octaves).
It is from this basic understanding of science that becomes the launchpad for take off in the unexplored and unexpressed forms of colours, images, dances and sounds. Take any good piece of art, and chances are that the fundamentals of that work would be in place too.
If science and art were indeed opposites, what would you call this post - an article on science because it's rational, or a piece of art because it's a unique point of view on things around us?
Mar 27, 2008
Amazing songs, amazing lyrics!
I listen to both Hindi and English songs very frequently, mainly while on the move. Some of them serve good to pep me up while others are good when I am in a mood to appreciate poetry. A rare few are good for both these reasons. And the following 3 are the creme of the rare lot.
Song: Move Your Body
Album: Johnny Gaddaar OST
Lyrics:
Life is a gamble, boy,
so you know that you better play your cards right
If you wanna take the chance,
then you know that you better stand up and fight
This is just a game
So you gotta keep on playin'
'Cause you know what I am sayin'
Then you know you might even win this tonight!
Tell me can you handle it,
Kya hoga woh hai teri kismat
Tell me can you handle it,
Lekin baazi khelega iss waqt
Song: Animal Song
Album: Affirmation
Band: Savage Garden
Lyrics:
(while I love the entire song, this is the best part!)
I've been having difficulties keeping to myself
Feelings and emotions better left up on the shelf
Animals and children tell the truth, they never lie
Which one is more human
There's a thought, now you decide
Song: All The People in the World
Album: Safri Duo Episode II
Band: Safri Duo
Lyrics:
All the people in the world
Every boy and every girl
Just imagin that we could
It isn't hard to do
All the people in the world
Every boy and every girl
Just imagin that we could
Face up brother hood
Give it up...
You just got to give it up
You just have to give it up
You just got to give it up
I recently did a course called the LandMark Education 'Curriculum for Living', and most of these lyrics also fit with the learnings from that course. Maybe that's why I noticed these lyrics in the first place, because I have been listening to these songs for quite some time.
Song: Move Your Body
Album: Johnny Gaddaar OST
Lyrics:
Life is a gamble, boy,
so you know that you better play your cards right
If you wanna take the chance,
then you know that you better stand up and fight
This is just a game
So you gotta keep on playin'
'Cause you know what I am sayin'
Then you know you might even win this tonight!
Tell me can you handle it,
Kya hoga woh hai teri kismat
Tell me can you handle it,
Lekin baazi khelega iss waqt
Song: Animal Song
Album: Affirmation
Band: Savage Garden
Lyrics:
(while I love the entire song, this is the best part!)
I've been having difficulties keeping to myself
Feelings and emotions better left up on the shelf
Animals and children tell the truth, they never lie
Which one is more human
There's a thought, now you decide
Song: All The People in the World
Album: Safri Duo Episode II
Band: Safri Duo
Lyrics:
All the people in the world
Every boy and every girl
Just imagin that we could
It isn't hard to do
All the people in the world
Every boy and every girl
Just imagin that we could
Face up brother hood
Give it up...
You just got to give it up
You just have to give it up
You just got to give it up
I recently did a course called the LandMark Education 'Curriculum for Living', and most of these lyrics also fit with the learnings from that course. Maybe that's why I noticed these lyrics in the first place, because I have been listening to these songs for quite some time.
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