インド百景 2018

[日本旅 Day 12 東京] インドの中心で仏教を叫ぶ佐々井秀嶺上人と増上寺で有り難き再会

ご縁と奇遇が重なって、東京最終日、増上寺へ赴いた。 佐々井秀嶺上人が半世紀以上に亘り、インドにおいてどれほど途轍もなく、すさまじい活動をされているかということは筆舌に尽くし難い。 今年の４月下旬、折しも仏陀生誕祭のころ、わたしはインドの中心点にある都市、マハラシュトラ州のナーグプルを訪れた。４月初旬... Read more →

[日本旅 Day 13 東京] 日本を離れて22年。最も心豊かな一時帰国だった。

Good bye Japan!　我が進行方向は、海の外にて。 日本を離れる時にはいつも、複雑な思いが去来する。22年の間にも、もう何度となく繰り返してきた母国への一時帰国。 愛憎相半ばする複雑な感情を伴いながら、しかし断絶することは決してない、日本に生まれ育った日本人としての我。わたしが唯一、自由に... Read more →

インド生活13周年を迎えた。

2005年11月10日。この地に移住すべく米国から飛んできて以来、丸13年が経っていた。 14年目のインド生活が、始まっている。 住めば住むほど、知れば知るほど、果てしない未知。彼方まで続く道。 世の趨勢は刻一刻と変化し、自分の視点も、経験値も、期待値も、そのときどきで移り変わる。 わかったような気... Read more →

会場に「華」を添える常連に。OWCクリスマスバザール

2012年６月にミューズ・クリエイションを創設して以来、今回で７回目の参加となるOWCクリスマスバザール。OWCとは、Overseas Women's Clubの略で、バンガロールに暮らす外国人女性たちからなるヴォランティアを主眼においたグループだ。 毎週、コーヒーモーニングが開かれているほか、各種... Read more →

世界最大の給食センター「アクシャヤ・パトラ」母体のイスコン寺院へ

貧困層の子供たちが通う公立学校 (Government school)に、無償で給食を提供する世界最大の給食センター「アクシャヤ・パトラ」。 その母体であるイスコン寺院にて本日開催された、クリシュナ神を讃える祝祭に招待されたので、ミューズ・クリエイションのメンバー男子とともに訪れた。大勢の信者たちに... Read more →

ローカル探検に繰り出す、クリスマス・イヴ。

12月24日。今日はクリスマス・イヴ。そして明日はクリスマス。サンタクロースとトナカイが、シャンシャン、シャンシャンと鈴を鳴らしながら、雪降る街にやってくるクリスマス。 ……と、敢えて何度も反芻しなければ、年末気分が皆無のバンガロール、本日の最高気温30℃。 今日は、ミューズ・クリエイションのダンサ... Read more →

ARIGATO, BANGALORE!

An article on a recent culinary study, held by Japanese students in Bangalore (By Sahnya Mehra; March 2018) Japanese cuisine has, over the last few years, become all the rage. In Bangalore, particularly, many Japanese restaurants have cropped up all over the city. While the authenticity of many places can be debated, caterers from all over the city are starting to offer everything from Tempura fried meats, to food in Teriyaki sauce, and the ever – popular sushi and sashimi. On the 22nd of March, 2018, a group of college interns held a tasting of traditional Japanese food at WeWork EGL, Bangalore. The Takahashi Group, from Fukuoka, is a company with an incredible story. In 1965, Mr. Kawahiko Takahashi, the owner of an established textile company, opened one of the first sport and fitness centres in Japan. Within the next decade, he went on to establish a company that dealt... Read more →

‘S’ FOR SANSKAAR

(By Sahnya Mehra; January 2018) In India, the word ‘Sanskaar’ is tossed around loosely. But how many of us truly know what it means to be a ‘sanskaari beta’? When you ask the average Indian millennial what the word means, it’s most likely that they’ll immediately roll their eyes, sigh deeply, and tell you of the last time someone (usually an elderly person) went on and on at them for not being ‘sanskaari’. The word, though of Sanskrit origin, has ambiguous meanings. Some would define it as code of conduct, while others tend to see it as more of a set of moral values. Generally, it’s a sort of way of life of Indian people – more tangible than an ideology, yet not as binding as a culture. It’s also a sort of rite of passage into adulthood. For example, the piercing of a child’s ear, the sacred Thread Ceremony... Read more →

NRITYA

An article on the Classical Dances of India (By Sahnya Mehra; March 2018) India is an incredibly diverse country, bursting with colour and culture. So it’s no surprise that there is a wide variety of classical dances, each with its own unique traits. In India, dance is regarded as an ancient and celebrated tradition, steeped in rich spiritual and religious connotations. Some forms of dances may also stem from cultural practices like harvest festivals. With religious dances, there is a ceremony which is strictly adhered to. Most often than not, a hymn is sung, to be addressed to the gods, and the dance that accompanies it is done as a form of worship. It is regarded as one of the purest forms of devotion. The costumes usually include a thick strip of bells worn around the ankles, which make a soft chiming sound when the dancer moves their feet. In... Read more →

VOLUNTEER WORK

An Essay on the organisation of New Ark Mission: Home of Hope (By Sahnya Mehra; March 2018) On the 17th of March, 2018, I, along with the members of Muse Creations charity organisation visited the New Ark Mission charity home. Founded by T. Raja in 1997, New Ark Mission: Home of Hope has been taking in poor and destitute people off the streets of Bangalore – nursing them back to health, and giving them a home to stay in. ‘Auto’ Raja, as he’s affectionately known as, was a man who once led a similar life. As a youth, he took to stealing, drinking and gambling, and lived on the streets for two years before getting his life together. As of today, New Ark is a successful organisation that infinitely benefits society. There are a total of 170 residents staying in the home. There are three distinct living facilities – the... Read more →

JOURNAL ENTRY

(By Sahnya Mehra; 13th March 2018) On the 13th of March, 2018, I had a day out on the town with my Mentor, and Editor, Miho S. Malhan. We spent the day in Indiranagar, a downtown shopping and commercial area of Bangalore. The day started off as it always does, with me dealing with the gruelling task of public transport. I took an auto to Miho‟s house, and she met me warmly at the door. After a few minutes wait, we were in her car, en route to Indiranagar, which was barely 20 minutes away. Our first stop was at WeWork, in the Embassy Golf Links Business Park. WeWork is the world‟s largest community working space. I was completely blown away by the place. With state-of-the-art working spaces, hi-tech equipment, and laid-back vibe – it spoke to me. But the most stunning feature of the place was probably the people,... Read more →

KONNICHIWA BANGALORE!

An article on the cultural exchange fest – Japan Habba (By Sahnya Mehra; March 2018) In the last decade or so, Bangalore has witnessed a surge in the population of the Japanese community. Many of the expats work in companies of the automobile and technology industries, along with other Japanese corporate firms. Additionally, the city attracts many Japanese business visitors each month. There is a rapidly growing Japanese influence in Bangalore, mutually benefitting both the cultures that co-exist in the city. The two cultures share many similarities – a deep rooted sense of respect for the culture and traditions of the countries; the ancient folk costumes, dances, songs and practices; the celebration of nature and festivals of harvest – to name a few. Another element of commonality is the respect and honour given to elders and learned people. The Japanese call their masters “sensei”, while the Indian word for it... Read more →