Resurrect Yourself

Easter is not a day but an emotion. Seldom do we realize the power of resurrecting an idea or a part of our soul that was long lost in the tides of time. It is one of the most empowering and rejuvenating feelings a human being can ever experience. What stops us from this holy reunion or resurrection is the fear and lack of hope. Life is miserable at times and the powerful waves of time had knocked us down from time to time. And every experience in life had taught us that it is not wise to go against the force. We learn to become timid and adjust our lives to the brute force that envelops us. However, we can become who we are only through strength and faith. It is the faith that had moved mountains and brought the mighty to their knees. Only then we realize the power of the force that animates us.

It is the spark within those souls who sought to uphold their belief in humanity and truth that drives this world forward into the light. Many of those who had been burned at stakes by the church itself have resurrected to lead the world into the light. Faith cannot be stopped and truth cannot remain hidden, not even by the strongest force who said to have represented the best interests of God. Only through faith and love we can realize the idea behind Easter. Liberation. It is through liberation and truth we can understand the man, the prophet and the son of god who dared to sacrifice himself standing by his views about equality and love. Yes, we hold the key to our happiness and destiny, only if we embrace the truth within ourselves and the nature around us. A man can be killed no matter if he is sent by the god himself, but ideas embodied in truth will always resurrect and resonate for time immortal.

Poetry in Stone

Life in the city is a subliminal imprisonment. Imprisoned by the habits and behavioral patterns linked with the intricacies of a culture that is driven by marketing. This is how wanderers are born. Hardcore renegades who seek to redefine the set parameters. I chose not to waste my time in a mall or a pub or with never ending meetings. I ended up in a small village 75 kilometers away from Bangalore. Prefer the name to be undisclosed. After few cups of tea and some friendly conversations I ended up in a temple complex that was over a thousand years old.

At times it is astonishing that a civilization so advanced existed a thousand years ago that can challenge any superiority claimed by modern day structures. I was never religious hence my thoughts went beyond the gods in the temple. For hours, all I could think was how all those basic geometry, mathematics, physics, art, geography and architecture made sense when applied into the equation of the structure. A shrine made in rock over a thousand years stood there mocking a generation that cannot build an apartment to last 50 years. That too with all the claimed advancements in science. It is humbling to realize that our biggest folly is to complicate matters that are really simple and to take the problem to a level where it multiplies into another series of problems.

Each column of pillars gleamed with the wisdom of a bygone era and was communicating to us from beyond a point lost in time. Yes quality and art can always transcend time. Answer to many of the questions that we ask over and over again, lies in the past. A past where human beings knew to fear the nature and respect it. A past where thoughts were put into action and pace was replaced with quality. A past where perspectives were wide and sought ways to nurture generations yet to come with wisdom, knowledge, art and the richness of heritage. For many more years yet to come, these monuments will whisper in our ears who we really are and what we are really capable of achieving. Only if we have the heart to listen and a perspective that can transcend those narrow ideologies that imprison us. May be not all who wander are not lost. 

There is a teacher in every soul

More I know about cats the more I admire them. Gentle, wise and highly adapting philosophers who are one of the most patient teachers I had ever came across. While their bigger relatives were nearly hunt towards extinction, they stayed among the notorious human species leading a life on their own terms. Many times, cats come across as reliable friends but with conditions. The reality is that these are the same conditions that govern our lives in the society.

A cat emphasizes the fact that nobody owns anybody. We are just here for the while and all that we can do is to make the stay worthwhile. There is always a sense of equality when you deal with a cat. Every cat believes that there is no being that is superior, however they are wise enough to avoid those harmful and unreliable ones while appreciating the company of those who can add value to life. With cats karma reflects instantly. It is our actions that earn us respect and respect is not a commodity but the reflection of our integrity solidly bound with ethics. And in the world it doesn't matter what your personal legacy is, but unless you treat life around you fair and with respect you will not be respected. 

Govind Singh at BodyForce MMA Fight Night

"Bahout Bharosa Kiya Hai Alan Sir Nei, Mujhe Consider Karke" (Alan Sir has put a lot of faith in me by considering me for this fight). When Govind completed his sentence, the room was silent and every heart in that room sunk a little with disappointment. Everyone in the gym was sure that Govind will not be able to train for a month. But Govind's words resonated with hope that convinced everyone in the gym that he had already switched his gear and he won't back down. 
Govind Singh is one of India's finest flyweight Mixed Martial Arts Fighters hailing from Uttrakhand. Trained by none other than Alan "The Bull" Fenandes, Govind Singh is one among the promising MMA talent from India riding a three win streak at the moment. Govind was scheduled to fight at the Super Fight League 43, against the veteran Anoop "Gujjar Tank" Kumar. It was then the disaster struck. The sheer focus and dedication of Govind had to face the ultimate test, may be the toughest he had faced so far. Govind had broken his shoulder ligament and was rendered unable to train while advised not to fight. 

Govinds injury highlighted in the X Ray

Govind Singh at SFL 39, BodyPower India 2015

Govind Singh with his Coach Alan Fenandes

Note

Jew Street

Paradesi Synagogue, Fort Kochi

Jewish Cemetery, Mattancherry

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We are privileged to be living in an age of visuals and communication. The power of visual communication have grown exponentially and social media is brimming with content to captivate the target audience. One profession that got transformed the most due to the intervention of the digital age is that of a photographer. Technology enabled users to takeover the role of a photographer instantly with few swipes of a finger. Powerful communication tools equipped with cameras and editing software changed the way photographs were composed and circulated. The traditional business model of a professional photographer have faced severe challenges due to the change in technology. Owning a camera may not ensure an individual their livelihood anymore. So did digital age and technology decimate a profession or made it even more professional? In my opinion, photography had never been through better times.

Let me open my argument with a simple statement. Technology cannot replace creativity. From time to time inventions have replaced existing technology, however the human element behind the technology was hardly replaced. The industry have not changed but accessibility and the mode of operations did change to a great extent. Demand for quality photographs have increased manifolds resulting in opportunities for the specialized professionals. At the moment an individual can compose an image with a few flicks of their fingertips, however to compose an image that will captivate the minds of the audience and drive in a message that will make certain change still requires creativity and a set of specialized skills. That means, the role of a photographer have changed from that of a bystander with a camera to that of a problem solver. A successful photographer is the one who shoots the right perspective at the right moment while communicating the intended message to the right target audience.

In the digital age, to survive as a photographer one is required to be an artist, promoter of ideas and a student - all at the same time. To retain the artistic perspective while communicating sensibly and right to the point have redefined the power of visuals. The trend is organic which keeps evolving from time to time and from message to message. Unless a photographer is willing to learn constantly and evolve, one cannot ride into the future with the same unbridled passion they started their career with. Keeping up is tough and many who started clicking a decade ago have changed their interests or have adjusted to the changing trends. At the very moment a photographer can succeed financially only if they can provide creative perspectives to enchant the audience and achieve the goals of communication, while reducing the costs to an extent of saving even taxes and legal liabilities while adding value to the perspective of business.

In other words a professional photographer must go beyond clicking a photograph for their client. One must understand why the client needs the image and try to provide a professional solution that is viable, appealing and can yield results. A certain business acumen is required to manage multiple aspects of the business of photography while keeping the art alive. The message is simple, one can either change the world or be changed by the world.