CELEBRATION

Who’s glowing now?

Darkness falls

Night deepens

It envelopes me

I see nothing

Shadows whisper

Evil words

I tremble

Whispers become louder

Fag

Slut

Sex maniac

Devil

They pierce my ears

Pierce my soul

I beg them to stop

I run

Into the arms of darkness

Where?

I don’t know

They follow

My eyes tear up

Heart weeps

Is it my fault?

They scream yes

I yell no

A light twinkles

No I scream again

The light twinkles again

This is how I was born

This is who I am

Darkness thins

Twinkles hover over me

I stop

Turn back

They accuse me no more

I smile

I love me

And you can’t stop me

From being myself

From loving myself

From celebrating my sexuality

Twinkles become fireflies

They sit on my skin

Look, I ask

Who’s glowing now?

poem by inderjit nagi

Celebration is a queer-themed series about celebrating your existence into the body you’re born in. It’s about loving yourself for who you are and accepting yourself for what you are.

The usage of male form with a string of lights, garlands, bracelets or fabric adorning it depicts the mood of celebration, seen extensively during festivals. Akin to places of worship decorated on auspicious occasions, the body being one’s temple is adorned with various celebratory elements, ready to embrace its true self.

My photographs are about celebrating our own existence into this body and hereafter irrespective of who we are and what we are.

The usage of male form is conscious that need to convey the hidden trait of it. The string of lights glowing across the body, very similarly to the city or place decked up with string of lights, like the strings of glowing jasmine, for the upcoming festival, resemble the worship of our body as a temple. 

Kitsch-udio!

Finally, we got it in possession on June 10th, 2013 and thereafter began a month-long episode of carefully planned renovation to revamp the space into a creative haven. The art-n-design studio of artists & designers Syed Ali Arif and Inderjit Nagi is a gateway to all things quirky, kitsch and colourful, a true extension of their personalities and their work. Here are some snapshots for your viewing pleasure only...

An installation of various collectibles from their many travels hangs on a wall.

An oil on canvas by Inderjit

A book-shelf from Fab India

A hand-paint poster of Sridevi's iconic film Chandni

An antique chair re-upholstered in fuchsia

A hanging monkey doodle on the wall

As kitsch as it can get

Sheer curtains with printed cameras

Details

Details

A figurine from Ajanta Caves serves as a door handle

"An alien in the artist's head"

Details on a cupboard door

Vintage car from Chor Bazaar

A cat doodle on the wall

An old window frame transforms into a very Indian art piece

Quirky knobs for cabinets and drawers

Vintage door handles

A doodle of monkeys on an electric wire casing

A pair of wooden parrots hold a wooden shelf with more curios on display

The artist's drawing desk

A chandelier with stuffed animals lights up the passage

An elevated flush tank in rose pink with a bell and tiny wall-mounted objects quirk-up the washroom

"Poo you get it?"

A balance of antiques, quirks, colours and art make this truly a haven!

Dancing Queen

Aditi Bhagwat is an award-winning foot percussionist and dancer from India. Aditi specializes in the Jaipur style of classical Indian dance. The radiant storytelling of the Kathak traditions finds a strong place in Aditi’s intrinsic rhythmic sensibility. Aditi weaves the arcs of bells, graceful stomps, and echoing stillness throughout the theatrics of Kathak.

Establishing a disciplined work ethic from a young age, Aditi began her rigorous studies at the age of four. Alongside grueling certifications and apprenticeships as part of her dance training, she went on to successfully complete a masters degree in Psychology. 

Aditi has delved into numerous Indian classical traditions, including Taal and Laikari. She has likewise welcomed the opportunity to experiment with traditional and innovative disciplines of world music using Kathak and Iavani styles in collaboration with Jazz maestro Louiz Banks, renowned percussionist Sivamani, Jazz music composer Merlin D’Souza, Rod Williams, and Bela Szakcsi Lakatos for the Gypsy-Indian World Jazz project in Hungary. With her dazzling foot percussion displays, Aditi has enthralled audiences in India and abroad in the USA, Australia, Singapore, London, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Poland and New Zealand.

So when we decided to do the shoot it was very clear that it will be sort of different and unusual, if I say so, and more artistic. Instantly we went around zeroing the areas or location to shoot. Here is the final result.

The temple (which surprised all of us with an outlook straight from khajuraho) shoot was both exhilarating and fun. It was too shot by the dawn. The backdrop, beautiful golden light, the costume and poise were seamlessly merged into each-other to make it a 'perfect-picture'.

The nautanki series was shot in a small remote village. The otherwise sleepy village came to buzzing when Aditi stepped out of her car in kashta, to strike the pose. The whole village has come down to witness her. Literally we had to go 'click, click, and more click and finished the shoot in flat 20 minutes.

I love early morning light when the day is still breaking from the night, especially the first ray of sunlight. We decided to do an early morning shoot at the Juhu beach for her western look. And man how beautifully it worked out for both of us.

The desert shoot was the last-one and done during the sunset. We wanted something edgy and rough. I guess we did succeed in capturing amongst the barren land and cactus. She in her black attire added the wholesome drama to the images.

Ban-Ganga, suggested by Inderjit Nagi, turned out to be the most fascinating shoot on the hills of Malabar Hills/Walkeshwar road. Its a historic place surrounded by temples and houses and a water body in the middle. I discovered lots of telugu speaking people residing in the vicinity. Amazing site.

Until next!