Mao's Last Dancer

When I saw the ad for this I thought it was gonna be just another dance movie. But this interview convinced me otherwise. Maos Last Dancer is a true story of this brilliant man and his long and complex journey from a remote village in China to the glamorous world of ballet in the US. In particular his descriptions of how poor his family was that they often went to bed hungry and how his mother stoically encouraged him to leave her for a better life was particularly moving. The movie did not disappoint. It is a story that seems to have kept very close to the voice of the author. The dancing was brilliant at many parts. But it did not take away the deeper suffering, anxieties and sacrifices that a person makes when trapped between two opposing ideological masters. One who represents your past. The other who represents your future. Ultimately Li Cunxin follows his heart and stands up for what he feels is true to his craft. That dancing ballet in the US makes him feel more free.

Rediscovering Ben Okri

I first stumbled onto Ben Okri when I was on vacation in Malacca. I remember I was staying at a beautiful resort built into the sea inspired by traditional Malay huts/kelongs. I remember very clearly that there was a poetry book in that resort room and a beautiful poem by Mr Okri touched me. I remember i had read it over and over again. It was so beautiful. So moving. And I remember making a mental note that I will read more of his works. Till today that had not happened. But a recent radio session on great Nigerian writers brought him back to my consciousness. And in this short reading cum interview Ben Okri speaks about his mother's stories and how his mother's stories were always hidden lessons on morality. Lessons he did not get when she told them. But stories that he kept alive in his head and whose lessons he pondered on for many years. And then finally got sometimes after 20 years. He also talks about how his mother taught him to ask questions while his father taught him to answer them. In one short anecdote he captures the yin-yang duality beautifully and how as a greater writer he was able to access and use the duality. He also talks about the stories in our collective consciousness and how in some cultures there is a belief that there is a story among the stars waiting to be told. And when a writer connects the dots and writes this story magic is born. He says some call it inspiration. But he finds that materialistic. He rather see it from a more poetic plane.

The Power of Time Off

I have taken a few sabbaticals in my life. One was a one year sabbatical where I went to India to train and to reach the next level in my dance under the revered KJ Sarasa. The next one I spent it in the mountains in Santa Fe. For me these sabbaticals have been invaluable source of insight, inspiration and experimentation. I felt and sensed tremendous growth during these sabbaticals. But never could quite articulate the value of taking time off. Hence, I was delighted when I heard this talk - it affirmed my choices and articulated alot of the benefits one receives from a sabbatical. Issues like how do you structure a sabbatical? Where do you go for a sabbatical? How do you not get trapped in some retreat where someone else's agenda (as opposed to yours) prevails? These are some critical questions to ask before you start your sabbatical. Otherwise a sabbatical becomes more of an escape. An escape from the "real" world. A chance to recover from a corporate burnout. Not that these are not legitimate reasons for a time off. But I am not sure if that translates into a sabbatical. A sabbatical for me has been about getting to the next level. About reclaiming one's deeper connection and love for one's passion. Sometimes when you do that it does not translate so well into real world profits. But it gives you a sense of clarity and renewed energy. And that in turn may help you make some gradual changes in your "real" life so that you make better choices.

What I really liked about this talk was that Stefan took time off to play and be creative. This creativity was apart from his commercial work but ultimately he knew how to channel his sabbatical findings into his work post-sabbatical. This is the true beauty of a sabbatical - to create a bridge between your passion and your vocation.

The Danger of a Single Story

An amazing discussion on the power of the Western media and the challenges of claiming one's authentic voice outside the Western media. The author chronicles her artistic journey and shifts in mental attitude. How she overcame and fought African bias that was perpetuated by the Western media. For example her first interaction with an American student was laden with patronizing assumptions. How the American students were sorry for her even before they met her. An outgrowth of the limited range of stories being told about Africans in the Western media. No possibility of a connection as human equals. No possibility of any complex emotion beyond pity.

She traces the popular images to stories told by white literature. There is a tradition of telling African stories in the West which is equated with darkness, barbarism, poverty and senseless wars. How African "authenticity" was equated to these negatives. This is the danger of a single story. Not that these negatives are untrue No, but these negatives per se do not define a country and its people.

Because of America's economic power there were many stories of America and American landscape. As such there is lesser risk of one stereotype becoming associated with America. That is not the case with Africa. One way to disempower a culture is to tell a single story as the definitive story. The problem with steoreotypes is not that it is untrue but that it is too narrow. It robs people of dignity. It makes people (both within and outside Africa) focus on the negatives without the benefit of the positives. The beauty of the African landscape, its art and poetry.

The same dangerous trend seems to be happening with popular Indian culture. Increasingly Bollywood is becoming synonymous with India, Indians and Indian culture. Mumbai is but one state in India. Hindi is but one of the 20 Indian languages recognized in India. Bollywood like Hollywood is a machine with a certain aesthetic and commercial pressures. There are many people outside this machinery who tell wonderful stories and showcase artistic brilliance and diversity.

Stories can break people but can also repair a broken people. When you reject the temptations of a single story you regain a sense of power. Freedom to tell new stories which can heal and empower people. And preserve their dignity and heritage.

Creativity & Sanity

The speaker is the author of a NY TImes best seller Eat, Pray, Love. I have not read her book. It sounds too simplistic - how a woman post-divorce goes on a sabbatical and finds herself, God and the love of her life. Yes, I do believe in transformation and transcendence but it seemed too much of a New Age Western woman falling in love with Eastern mystics in India and Bali. But her compelling and authentic talk at Ted about the creative process made me rethink - maybe I should grab a copy of the book.

Anyways here she talks about how she has post success been bombarded by fear-based questions by people. Whether she is afraid that she will never have another best seller. Whether she is afraid that her best work is behind her. Whether she fears that spending all the remaining time writing and pursuing her craft would not yield another major success. She admits that she is afraid. But she says that it would be VERY dangerous way to think. It is very dangerous for her to entertain all these fears and become crippled. She says that she is very young - at 40 she has another 4 decades of work left in her. How does she continue doing the work that she loves without succumbing to such fears and anxiety that the popular media propagates?

How do you protect yourself from such fears and anxiety? How does one keep doing the work that they love? How does one delink one's worth from the results of your work? How do you create a safe distance between your work and your audience? A safety zone helps one stay focussed on our work, free from crippling anxiety. Or fear of failure. How do you manage the inherent emotional risks? She looks to the Romans and Greeks for guidance.

Romans believed that genius is a magical divine persona that comes out and helps a person or an artist. Greeks believed that creativity is a divine attendant spirit that came from far away. So creativity was mystery - it did not come entirely from the individual or self. The ancient artists were protected from extreme judgment of their creative work - if the work was bad the divine spirits were not assisting. If the work was good - alot of credit was shared with a divine source. So it distanced the artist from the work. It keeps the ego in check and protects the fragile psyche from the whims of success. So artists were not held up as the divine source of all great work/mystery. This pressure is what stifles many artists and true creative folks.

Why not think of great art as something that is not available on demand. That does not work according to rational timelines? How about reintroducing the ancient Roman idea of a genuis of creative fairy who comes to aid the artist at their own time and pace? How about recognizing that this fairy is not something within but something without? And to learn to have the patience and perspective to wait and watch for this fairy to show up? While as an artist you keep a schedule and work and work hard daily. And at all the time staying open to this creative fairy and being open to her showing up. And when she does to grab it and ride on that creative wave.

As she gets older she becomes calmer. She accepts that inspiration is elusive and tantalizing. She recognizes that one can take away the heavy anxiety from the creative process. What happens when you are deep into a project and then you get into this dark pit of despair? When thoughts like this is going to bomb. This is going to be a terrible failure. This is going to ruin me etc etc. How do you control these dangerous thought patterns? Commit to show up. Your part is to show up with commitment and total enthusiasm. The rest you cannot and more importantly should NOT control. Running disaster scenarios in your head although very common is something to be firmly resisted. I could not agree more.

She also talks about coming to terms with the post artistic highs. How all artists at certain moments become a vehicle for the divine. How God appears unbidden through artists and when the audience sees this they glimpse the divine in a mortal. But the next day the artist has to wake up and do laundry and face the mundane realities of life. How does one reconcile this she asks? By plodding along with faith and determination and doing the work everyday WITHOUT expecting genius work. If you brush up against genius - great. Be open to it. But understand that maybe the moment of artistic high is a rare treat. Not an entitlement. And one should continue doing what one loves for the sheer love of it. Even if no one is watching or applauding.

Michelle Obama on Humble Beginnings and Success

Although the media is obsessed with her toned arms and fashion sense, Michelle Obama's story is deeply inspirational at many other levels. In this talk - her first official state visit as First Lady to a London school, she gives a moving tribute to all the men and women in her life who had given her confidence and love and who had made it possible for her to get a solid education. She talks about being born poor without resources and no social standing. And how nothing in her background made it remotely possible that today she is the First Lady. And mind you the first ever African-American First Lady. Armed with a Harvard law degree she fondly recalls how her fist date with her husband was a community organizing event. Unromantic maybe but deeply inspirational as she saw a man dedicated to help the poor and bring as much resources to those who could not navigate an increasingly complex system. She speaks from the heart and like her husband weaves in her personal stories with a large theme about education and empowerment of woman. How it is important to work hard and how it is cool to be a smart woman.

White Celebrities as Face of Africa

Dambisa Moyo, a Zambian Goldman Sacs economist, puts forth a brilliant case as to why white celebrities cannot and should not be the face of Africa. Why international aid does not work - how it gives negative incentives to African government in terms of being accountable. More importantly her point harps back to the issue of dignity and self-reliance. How it is better to teach Africans to fish rather than give them fish. Her underlying message also points, and rightly so, to disturbing notions of cultural supremacy. As long as the Western aid agencies continue to pour aid monies into Africa, Africa will always be a beggar. As long as Western economists and celebrities frame issues and priorities for Africa, Africa would never have any incentive to step up and take responsibility and engage both domestic and global voices.

In my previous blog I was unable to articulate my deep discomfort with western celebrity yoga teachers being the face of ashtanga. Moyo has helped me do so. It is important for a country and culture to represent itself and to be accountable for where its classical traditional practices are going. The locals have a particular knowledge, history, sensitivity and cultural understanding which foreigners lack. Bono cannot as she says be a compelling face for Africa. Firstly he was not elected by the African people and secondly he is NOT qualified to comment on a very complex problem. The oversimplification of issues within Africa may lead to short term "solutions" which could aggravate the problem and undermine the true empowerment of Africa. The celebrity culture will continue to reinforce this negative image in the global stage by emphasizing the poverty and other problems within Africa. Yes, Bono may have a role and he may be able to marshall alot of monies and media for African issues. But in the long term as Moyo says Africa must be independent and must address its own problems. We need to hear from the African people - not a white proxy. She is the first African woman to venture into this space which have until today been dominated by white men like Jeffrey Sacs and Bono. Brilliant. We are our own saviors. Look within for solutions. Not outside for handouts.

Transcending Poverty with Classical Music

"Music has to be recognized as an ... agent of social development in the highest sense, because it transmits the highest values -- solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion. And it has the ability to unite an entire community and to express sublime feelings." José Antonio Abreu. Jose Antonio Abreu founded El Sistema ("the system") in 1975 to help poor Venezuelan kids learn to play a musical instrument and be part of an orchestra. 30 years on, El Sistema has seeded 102 youth orchestras -- and many happy lives.

I believe this is true for all classical art forms that emphasize discipline, dedication and persistence. Classical arts integrate the mind, body and soul and is a holistic educational discipline that has often not been given the kind of stature in traditional educational curriculum that it truly deserves.

The idea is that the families join with pride and joy in the activities of the orchestras and the choirs their children belong to. The huge spiritual world that music produces in itself, which also lies within itself, ends up overcoming material poverty. From the minute a child's taught how to play an instrument, he's no longer poor. He becomes a child in progress heading for a professional level, who'll later become a full citizen. Needless to say that music is the number one prevention against prostitution, violence, bad habits, and everything degrading in the life of a child. Jose Abreu.

Moral Will & Moral Skill - Janitor's Practical Wisdom

Barry Schwartz talks about virtue and morality in a fresh and current way. He weaves Obama's call for virtue in the midst of the current market crisis. In particular he talks about how the rigid adherence to rules by professionals and other workers breeds mediocrity. He says that the way to NOT teach morality is to make it an ethics course. Ethics course are often at the margins of the core curriculum or corporate mandate. Instead he stresses at individual responsibility and application of practical wisdom in our daily lives.

He uses the example of an inspiring hospital janitor - Mike who stopped mopping the floor had stopped when one of the patients had gotten out of his bed to exercise and stretch. And how another janitor Luke washed a patient's room twice as his relative was sleeping over and he wanted to make him comfortable. He broke a rule but he did it in service of hospital care. These examples improves the quality of patient care and improves the lives of people. Kindness, care and empathy according to these janitors is an integral part of the job. Even though the job description does not in any way refer to these qualities. Wise person is like a jazz musician who always knows how to improvise and serve his audience.

Practical Wisdom = Moral Skill + Moral Will. A wise person knows when and how to make an exception to the rule. Real world problems are always ill defined and vague. No one rule will work. Context is always changing. A wise person use know how to use his moral skills to serve other people not to manipulate them. Wisdom depends on experience. And this does not refer to technical experience but contextual experience. You need (a) time to get to know the people u serve; (b) permission to improvise and try new things and fail; and (c) to be mentored by wise teachers.

We are always teaching. Someone is always watching. So be mindful to what you are saying or doing. You can be a source of inspiration and moral exemplar to someone else. Even if that someone else does not explicitly acknowledge you or thank you for being a role model. Obama appealed to virtue and hope. Most people want to do the right thing, in the right way for the right reasons. So if we start paying attention to what we do and how we do it. Develop wisdom rather than suppressing it. A wise person is made not born.

Cross Cultural Collaborations - Silk Road Project

Many artists all over the world try to collaborate across cultures, genres and artistic disciplines. Throwing eastern art forms and mixing in with western art forms, classical with hip-hop and ballet with break dance are some of the outcome of these collaborations and/or crossovers. It is really taking the energy in one space and bringing it into another space like classical crossover artists like Vanessa Mae who made classical violin playing "hip." The main difficulty with such collaborations is first finding an artist who has mastered his own instrument AND is willing to push the envelop by collaborating with another artist. Typically when you put two accomplished artists in a room the EGO blows them apart. They each want to dominate - they each hog the limelight and want their instrument to prevail. So often you see this become more a test of character and the friendship/bond between the two collaborating artists than mere music making or cross-cultural offering. In the worst case both artists produce something that they feel dilutes their voice and dishonors their craft. In the best case the artist finds it a transformative experience and one that not only allows him to gain a deeper and surer understanding of his own instrument but also opens up his mind and heart to new possibilities as to where he can take his artistry via collaborations. The Silk Road project, the brainchild of Yo-Yo-Ma seeks to provide a safe and meaningful forum where artists can collaborate, grow and contribute. This tabla player who is part of the Silk Road ensemble talks about the far reaching effect that the collaboration had on his life and world view.

Obama's Inauguration Speech

MTV's Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural - Celebrity News

On a warm summer night in Singapore I sat at the comfort of my home and participated in an historic event - the election of the first black president of the US. America has always had a very soft spot in my heart. I discovered much of my strength, beauty and potential while I was studying in the US. I loved many of the American people who embraced me so warmly when I first went to live, work and study in the US. Many of these Americans continue to be my best friends and beacons of a light in my world. Their sense of hope, optimism, originality and fearless clarity is what has always touched me. More recently during the Bush era I returned many times to US for visits. With each visit I felt the American people become more tired and more disillusioned. The America that I experienced in 1997 with an air of confidence and energy had slowly eroded away. I was shocked and saddened. A close galfriend of mine and a former colleague at my US law firm told me that she was taking a year off to help her friend run his presidential campaign. I did not really understand what she meant two years ago when she was telling me about her classmate Obama and his quest for the US presidency. Now watching Obama and his electrifying speeches I share the sense of energy and hope that I saw in her eyes over dinner in Pasadena, LA.

The ability for one man to galvanize thousands and millions of people across class, states and countries is awe inspiring and deeply affirming. When he speaks it comes from a deep place within - a place of deep conviction and hope. It is not just the message but his mode and style of delivery which is deeply compelling. Public speaking is an art and just like all other arts it acquires a magical quality in the hands of a true artist. Obama to me is the ultimate artist. His innate ability to marry personal stories, divinity, strategy and values into one beautiful speech and infuse it with energy and power is a gift. A gift that has immense power to heal, uplift and transcend barriers and unite people.

Powerful Homes & Inspired Living

The physical space which we call home can be a great source of inspiration, beauty and joy for many. In contrast to those who decorate for vanity and to keep up with the Jones - there are those who decorate their homes to better reflect their inner worlds and celebrate who they are. A home can be a beautiful canvas for self-expression and divine artistry. This is one of my favorite designers who talks about designing homes to fit your lifestyle - no hard and fast rules - just an overriding guiding principle that a well designed home must serve your deepest needs and desires.

Alan Johnston Meets Ingrid Bentancourt

When I was in Paris in July this year Ingrid Bentacourt was rescued. Her face was all over the local newspapers and France and President Sarkozy were celebrating. Until then I have never heard of Bentacourt. I had no history or context to the rescue. But her time in captivity for 6 years spoke of the triumph of the human spirit. In particular the fact that her father died when she was in captivity and how this led her to turn away from God for a year and then make peace with God later are deeply instructive of character building in times of crisis. BBC's Alan Johnston recently did a beautiful interview with her that truly touched my soul. Alan was captured and held captive for four months while he was a journalist in Gaza. He was interviewing Ingrid for the BBC Interview. The empathy and love between two souls that shared a horrific time in captivity which included being chained and humiliated was deeply touching. Ingrid said that she was suicidal during the time in captivity - only the memory of her mother kept her alive. Alan said something similar - the dignified statement that his father made to the media which he watched with his kidnappers on TV was what gave him the strength to pull through.

The other thing that really touched me was that the interview unlike most interviews we see today was unvarnished. The journalist was not out to corner the interviewee and the interviewee was not heavily prepped and preened by PR professionals. There was this implicit trust and mutual respect, almost admiration, between Alan and Ingrid. And it was beautiful to watch and brought home the power of journalism and media to be truly a force for good.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/interview/interview_20081219-2332b.mp3

Friends, Freedom & Play

How working with your best friends in a relaxed environment fosters creative solutions. Sounds like a simple proposition. But has profound implications for our work-life balance and the choices we make in these two very important spheres in our life.

The Coming Neurological Epidemic

A fascinating talk that links an aging global population with increased incidence of neurological disease like Parkinson's and Alzhimer's disease. It also provides insight on simple steps that one can take to reduce incidence of neurological disease. For me this area is incredibly interesting as I am now working on Dance & PD - how simple dance movements can help those suffering from Parkinson's disease. I have seen first hand (see earlier entry) of the positive impact of music and dance on patients suffering from neurological disease. And this talk has inspired me to be part of the solution.

Work, Love & Play - Lincoln versus Linden Johnson

Doris Goodwin compares the profile of two American presidents - Lincoln and Linden Johnson. She talks about dreaming heroic dreams. Overcoming disappointments, depression and hardships. Leaving a legacy behind. How your honor and reputation can outlive you. She talks about the Integrity of character and moral fiber of Lincoln. And contrasts his character with that of Linden Johnson who had a sad and lonely retirement as years of concentration on work and fierce ambition had left him with a large hole in his heart.

Inspiration, Fashion & Boredom

A very refreshing talk by Isaac Mizrahi on what interests him and how that feeds his inspiration. And ultimately translates into his work. Unlike alot of people he does not try to be intellectual and do research for his work. He says he does his own type of research. He studies movies, people in the street and color as all this he says motivates him and therefore inspires his ideas. He says that he is also motivated by astrologers and tarot card readers and often follows their advice/clues into his life.

He also talks about how he combats boredom by not committing to just one craft or discipline. This he implies is deeply liberating and good for the soul. And maybe a way to inspire oneself by constantly looking at new things and looking at life in new ways.

Music with Shining Eyes - Benjamin Zander

Reclaiming Humanity

Last year (in 2007) while I was traveling in Los Angeles I heard an amazing interview on LA radio. An interview that spoke to all my issues with LA. The racial polarization within LA, how the city was an extreme contrast in the have and have-nots and how it many ways its Hollywood industry has promoted false values - these were some of my observations while in LA. However, I could not articulate my sense of disquietude with LA. Until Chris Abani came along and articulated them for me in his interview. He was talking about his book that he had just released - the Virgin of Flames

More recently I encountered him on TEd where he gave a moving speech on reclaiming humanity and the small acts of kindness from strangers which can have a profound impact in one's life.