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TOLERANCE & ONE WORLD!

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Society as we know it is formed by groups of individuals who possess diverse elements which make us unique humans. Electronic media today has drawn us close into the Global village we live in, whose benefits will only be felt when mutual goodness, acceptance, respect & understanding prevails from the micro to the macro. Tolerance, needless to say is the bedrock of civilised society which makes possible for people to coexist in peace. Unfortunately we are now living through times where the basic sense of tolerance has reached a nadir. We as individuals seem to be intolerant of everything, everyone and of every conceivable situation.  Gopaal Seyn, an Indian artist of repute, living and working in the United States, expresses his thoughts on tolerance and a desire for ONE WORLD through some of his much appreciated works.  He feels that in this globalisation, where the world has become more multicultural and diverse than ever before, establishing tolerance and harmony is crucial ; fost
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BACK TO CLASS IN THE TIMES OF CORONA!

#BACK TO CLASS IN THE TIMES OF CORONA! This poem by PABLO NERUDA has been part of the CBSE class XII course content for many sessions now. Over the years, irrespective of the effort I put behind my explanation, I couldnt help ignore the lack of interest & enthusiasm while we studied it in class.  Today I cant help but think of Neruda's thoughts which seem almost prophetic.  Do you understand this poem better guys in the context of our lives now? NO BETTER TEACHER THAN LIFE & LIFE EXPERIENCES ? WHAT SAY ? If I was teaching this post the lockdown, all I would require to say would be...."remember the lockdown, children?" & the chapter would be done😉 KEEPING QUIET = LOCKDOWN = STOP what we have done so far; use the time to Introspect/retrospect in order to learn, adapt, realise & correct the wrongs while changing the world & making it a better place to live in when it is healed post the pandemic. Let the Ncorona virus be one of the greatest teachers who h
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CELEBRATIONS WITH A DIFFERENCE

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 DIFFERENT "CELEBRATIONS" The word "CELEBRATIONS" indicates a special, enjoyable event that people organise because something pleasant has happened or to mark joyous events through praise and appreciation! In this year of mass destruction and huge devastation due to the Covid 19 pandemic,along with other natural calamities, we have all, irrespective of class, creed, colour and background , been helpless witnesses to the loss of innumerable lives,jobs,homes,sources of income and generally the "normal" world order we were familiar with. In this situation, can anyone honestly justify any reason to ''celebrate'' in a mass scale ? Is there any joy in anybody's heart? Before I am labelled as negative and a pessimist, let me mention that we are all waiting with hope filled hearts to welcome a "normal" covid free world, which I am definite is around the corner. For that to happen soon, we need to continue acting in a
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JUGALBANDI

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The 17th Annual Gala, organized by India House,Houston on Saturday August 29th 2020,on Facebook Live,was a novel, virtual Jugalbandi of Padma Shri Anup Jalota's mellifluous songs and American based Indian artist Shri Gopaal Seyn's creative talent, flowing rhythmically across the canvas, to the tunes wafting across the seven seas; resulting in a gorgeous live painting  It was indeed an excellent portrayal of tunes emanating from Jalota's voice finding expression in Seyn's quick & confident brushstrokes on the canvas. The thematic content of Jalota's songs was immortal love, especially the kind associated with the Raas Leela of Shri Krishna & Radha. Gopaal Seyn's blank canvas came alive within seconds with his characteristic passion, flowing unobstructed through his bold strokes and use of warm, vibrant colours The Raas Leela is considered to be one of the highest and most esoteric of Lord Krishna's pastimes. In this tradition Romantic love between hum
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JAAGO DURGAA!

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JAAGO DURGA! "If you do not raise the women who are the living embodiments of the Divine Mother, don't think that you have any other way to rise" - SWAMI VIVEKANANDA  Keeping Swamiji's words in mind, Gopaal Seyn, a reputed US based Indian artist, has created some paintings celebrating the power of the Goddess as Shakti within every woman. We are a strange society indeed! We are a country where Devi Durga, a woman, daughter, wife, mother is worshipped as Shakti with great devotion. She returns to her father's house on earth, annually, after vanquishing the buffalo headed demon ( an embodiment of all evil) amidst huge pomp and fanfare. This same everyday Durga, a woman, daughter, sister, mother however is a victim of unimaginable cruelty, injustice, brute force, molestation, gender bias,abandonment etc on all other days of the year. Ironic indeed! The distinct polarity between the treatment accorded to women is nothing but huge levels of hypocrisy. Seyn the artist s
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COLOURS OF KOLKATA

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COLOURS OF KOLKATA Kolkata to most of us, whether living in India or are a part of the Indian diaspora settled worldwide, is not merely a geographical place. It is indeed an emotion! Chaotic,moody,a rich colourful tapestry of culture, history, warmth,food,politics and nostalgia personified. Bengalis globally, feel a fierce attachment to this City with a soul. Gopaal Seyn,a true son of Kolkata and a much acclaimed US based artist, is no exception. He expresses his love for his 'home' city, through a series of paintings which beautifully brings alive the essence that is Kolkata. His art is so real,that all our senses come alive while appreciating the images. We can almost hear the bells of the moving tram and the rickshaw, which represent a nostalgic space of childhood memories for the artist. We seem to hear the melodious crooners matching their voices to the tinkling of glasses wafting across Trinca's, bringing alive the city's glamorous nightlife. We feel and hear th
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