Visual Art and Culture

Comedy of Errors The great playwright, Shakespeare, would not have written the famous play ‘comedy of Errors’, had he been born in the 21 st century, according to my knowledge and experience. We have stepped into the 21 st century that is blessed with the information technology, and which connects the whole world to us within no time. We all, young and old, rich and poor, invariably try to be on par with the speed of time and the speed of technology. But it is very difficult to cope up with the changing scenario. No doubt, material culture, which gives us an identity apart from other identities, is driving us crazy and thrusting competitiveness on us. In spite of all the comforts and luxuries surrounding us, we face stress, loneliness and boredom. Befitting one to the changing circumstances requires a total new mental set up and a new psychological approach. We Indians have a different approach to material culture because according to our Indian philosophy, indulging one...

Movie watching    The other day I went to see the much talked about Cinepolis.   Of course, the ambience delighted me at the very first sight, as we entered into it. The highly polished, reflecting floor, the ceiling fitted with dazzling LED lights and the cozy corners where one can have coffee and snacks offered at double prices, attract mostly the younger generation. I could certainly make out the generation gap through the architecture, interiors and the food joints characterized by the emerging globalised world. During my school days, theaters were not built at small towns, so the only option for us to watch movies was through the touring talkies. Screening of films in tents is unheard today. Even going to films, then, was not commendable, as it was considered waste of time and low of taste. My first experience of watching a film, black and white, starts with the memories of Raj Kapoor’s film titled Anari, which I watched in a tent with my sister.   In...