The Creative Mind by Sandeep Silas

THE CREATIVE MIND

I am the creative mind, the Creator’s gift
Do I ever know who I am going to chose

And what I am going to make him write, propound, discover, or invent
Does it unfold on its own
Is it a gift from the heavens?
Or do I dig it from the womb of the earth

Sometimes it falls like the rain
Soaking me through and through
At times it is a boat, taking me on a sail to phantom lands
Some ways are those of a tempest, ripping everything off
Yet maintaining a calm in the eye of the storm
Many times in history it was a cloudburst and all the accumulated burden fell at once upon the paper

I have been doing it in the past
I am at it in the present
I will be in the future
I don’t know whether what I think and ink shall power revolutions or bring peace, or advance scientific discovery
I don’t care whether they will hate me or love me for it
Who writes for awards?
You do it because you have to do it, like you are born with a pen in the mouth
Ha, I miss the silver spoon though

In the gospel it is written, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” !
This is the Alpha and the Omega
The creative mind is the mind blessed by God
Power does not flow from the barrel of a gun
It flows from the subtlety of the Word

I became Hobbes, when I told you about the “war of every man against every man”, and asked you to naturally seek peace
I lived in Locke, and wrote the theory of the mind, defined tabula rasa, gave you the concepts of identity and self
I was in the head of Rousseau, when I wrote “Men are born free, yet everywhere are in chains “, gave you the Social Contract, say democracy
I was with Voltaire when I defended freedom of religious and political thought, and handed to you the power of Reason
I was with Newton when I revealed the Laws of Motion
I permeated Pasteur, and advanced the medical sciences
Galileo saw through me the understanding of the World
I became Einstein and defined the theory of relativity
I made Curie discover radiation, Otto Hahn discover nuclear fission
I’ve led you like Aristotle, Faraday and Fleming of the penicillin
I’ve been with you always

Michelangelo celebrated me as he chiseled the Pietà and painted the Sistine Chapel
Mona Lisa smiles because I gave the mystique look to her eyes through Leonardo da Vinci
Van Gogh brought The Starry Night to life and the Sunflowers to bloom as he was captivated by me
Rembrandt created The Night Watch, as I conceptualized
Shakuntala and Hansa Damyanti became immortalized as I held the brush of Raja Ravi Verma
I have given my best to more like Picasso, Monet, Amrita Sher-gil and Husain
Many more have excelled because they nourished me

When I became joyous, I gave Mozart, the ‘Night Music’ symphonies

I rejoiced as a child when Schumann wrote Caranaval music, ‘Scenes from Childhood’
Chopin, made me his angel and got the Sonatas
Haydn, looked up to me and found his ‘Surprise’ and ‘God of Life’
Even when Beethoven became deaf, I blessed him with ‘Allegretto’

It was not the choice of Columbus to discover America
Nor of Vasco da Gama to discover India
Alexander did not come of his own to meet his greatness
Neither did Ashoka renounce war of his own volition
I, the creative mind, was all the time living in their minds
I was with Martin Luther King Jr. and gave him the speech of the Dream
I powered Gandhi’s resolve to make India independent of the colonial yoke

I have triumphed in the writings of the Sufi saints
I was within Bulleh Shah, when he coined “Bulleya ki jaana main kaun” (Bulleya, to me, I am not known)
I lived with Rumi, as he said, “I am like heaven, like the moon, like a candle by your glow; I am all reason, all love, all soul, by your soul”
I celebrated Kahlil Gibran
I powered Montaigne’s works’
I rejoiced in William Shakespeare, Tennyson, Yeats, Byron, Bacon, Wordsworth, Milton, Keats, Browning and Chaucer
Where all I’ve been all through the evolution of the world, the thought, the philosophy and the Word

Where all I will be is my choice and not yours
I will fill the ones who deserve me
Yet, a little bit of me will be given to each one of you
It will be your purity of emotion, passion, and soul to attain me fully
I AM…

(Copyright: Sandeep Silas)

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Sandeep Silas speaking at the Festival of Peace

Address of Sandeep Silas delivered in the distinguished presence of Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Government of India, Shri Rajnath Singh, at RIM event, Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on January 15th 2019 !

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Twin Lives by Sandeep Silas

 

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Going Forward ! by Sandeep Silas

This is the state of mind of many people. They go #forward in #reverse…till you realise they are being towed by #negativity!

https://youtu.be/ErkleVMKI7c

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Usta Kaam…gold finger on camel back ! by Sandeep Silas

 

Bikaner, had been successful in evoking may images in the past in my mind; the temple where rats run like devotees, the grandeur of the Junagadh Fort Palace; Lalgarh palace splendor; Gajner palace and the serenity of its lake; the sharp shooter Karni Singh, erstwhile royal of Bikaner, and a somewhat blurred image of gold work on camel leather.

I enquired and set off to search for this Usta Kaam, name I learned later, and stopped by at some small dusty, clumsy shops, where creativity was at its best in humble surroundings. The flawlessness of the work stood out in sharp contrast to the scratches on multi-purpose work cum display tables.

Behind the counter stood a thin young man carrying the burden of legacy despite its odds. He was born in the community of Usta’s, who were originally from Multan, now in Pakistan, and had migrated to Mughal Court. The then Raja of Bikaner, Rai Singh invited them to Bikaner to work on the Junagadh Fort and Anup Mahal walls and ceilings. Naqqashi, is also known as gesso painting and what the craftsmen did to the Raja’s Fort and Palace is nothing short of being miraculous. Delicate floral and animal forms in resplendent gold have left the palace still looking like a decorated bride about to be wed.

Later on, the Usta’s shifted their work to be executed on camel leather as in declining kingdoms and later Independent India there were no royal courts to patronize their work and provide sustenance. The process though appearing simple is very painstaking. First the camel hide is softened and stretched and then placed on clay moulds. To remind you of the strength of camel hide, it was used to make saddles for horseback warriors and shields in war! The mould is removed after drying it for two days in the sun. Then the craftsman draws lines of the design he is going to make on the piece. The items can be in different shapes, like wine flasks, with long or short stem as the case might be; goblets; vases; perfume containers; water-bottles; jewellery boxes, lamp shades, picture-frames; wall hangings; and mirror-frames!

Akbara, is the technique of the design process, wherein a paste of powdered bricks, animal fat, jaggery and fenugreek seeds is embossed on the surface. The coloured portions are first painted and then outlined with fine black lines. Then the glamorous green and red colours are applied on the item and finally a coat of chandras, local varnish seals the fate of the beauty!

Kamladevi Chattopadhyay elaborates the process thus, “The portion to be ornamented is raised by repeatedly applying a special preparation of shell powder, mixed with glue and a kind of wood apple. Alternatively, sand from a ground earthen pot is mixed with glue and jaggery to create the required paste. The embossed surface is then painted upon. Usually a colour called paveri is applied first. Then a colour made from sindur and rogan is applied. Rogan is prepared by mixing chandras and linseed oil. Bat is applied to area where gold is to be patched.

Mohammad Haneef Usta distinguishes between different kinds of Naqqashi:

  • Golden lacquered Naqqashi, in which flowers and leaves are golden
  • Golden lacquered Naqqashi with mina, in which colour is applied to flowers and leaves
  • Golden lacquered Zangali, in which the work surface is emerald green and rest in different colours
  • Golden lacquered Tantla, in which surface is golden while flowers and leaves are in colour, and details are in white
  • Ranga Baijee in which the work surface remains white, flowers and leaves are painted in transparent colour and partly shaded

He further clarifies on motifs:

  • Turanj, in which identical patterns are transcribed at the base and the top
  • Chande, in which a small and intricate design is repeated all over the decorated area
  • Bharat, in which the entire surface is filled with motifs and patterns leaving little visible “

The most popular patterns are called Tarabandi; star-studded sky and, Naqqashi; floral and animal patterns!

Before the families practicing and nourishing this art are forced to abandon it for want of poor network and appreciation in international markets, the society or a start-up should think of ingenious ways to reach this rare art to markets and museums of the world! It is a gift of God!

Unable to curb my urge to possess one such piece I requested Javed, an artisan to make me a wall hanging with the profile of a famous Rajasthani princess in the centre portion…like she is sitting in a chhatri and waiting for her lover with longing in her mystic eyes!

Note: All photographs have been shot in the natural environment of an artist’s workshop !

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Crooked as Crows by Sandeep Silas

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Book Cafe, run by prisoners, at Shimla, India- a reform step; article by Sandeep Silas

In a country of 1.311 billion, 1401 prisons with 4,19,623 prisoners, divided into convicts and under-trials, only one officer has had the courage and sensitivity to recognize that prisoners too are fellow human beings.

True, some Court has sat in Judgment upon them for committing some crime or the other, but do we ever come to know of their real life stories, the actual circumstance, which compelled their impulse to do an act, which was adjudged as crime under a code of law. True, crime needs punishment and the latter is necessary to maintain a discipline in a civil society, but reform is also a possibility.

This opportunity has been realized by a distinguished Police officer posted in Shimla, (Himachal Pradesh) as Director-General (Prisons), Mr. Somesh Goyal, who incidentally is also a dear friend and a batchmate.

One officer Pankaj Raj conceived the idea of a Book Café, and Somesh Goyal executed it to be located at Takka Bench, just above the famous Ridge of Shimla, which is being run by prisoners, all serving a life sentence. Here, they serve pizzas, burgers, biscuits, tea, coffee and the usual stuff inside a Café, which has wall cabinets all around stuffed with books.

Shimla Ridge

Book Cafe, Takka Bench

Montaigne says, “Ordinate conduct, moderation, constancy apart, I believe that anything at all can be done, even by a man who, taken overall, is lacking and deficient. That is why the wise men say that to judge a man properly we must principally look at his routine activities and surprise him in his everyday dress”.[1]

The atmosphere created is of a library café, where one can sit head down immersed deep in the world being unveiled by the book and occasionally look up through the windows far into valleys and beyond, into the realms of the mind…

The Book Café was inaugurated this April 11th by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, who also must be given credit for approving such a pioneering venture as a first in any State of India. The Café seats 40, and has free Wi-Fi. I liked the indoor décor of deodar wood, which gives a warm feeling in a hill city. A lot of books, available to a reader, narrate the history of the evolution of Shimla, which became the capital of the British Raj, with evocative photo prints. Apart from that you have historical philosophies, detective thrillers and travel & tourism books.

I saw many young couples and the recently married ones come to the café and for want of space inside sit in conversation upon the seating area around the majestic tree outside. Having completed my walk of 7.5 km for the day, I thought I could afford a pizza and had one. The courtesy with which I was served is worth mentioning.

Look into the faces and eyes of Yograj and Jai Chand and you will wonder why life made them captives of a criminal impulse and why their life is not like other men. Just for a second of indiscretion they got punished with a life sentence, live in jail as condemned persons, devoid of fresh air, freedom to go anywhere or to eat their heart’s desire. I don’t know the facilities inside the jails in Himachal, but from what I have seen they will be definitely sub-human. I do not have those X-ray eyes, which spiritual Masters possess, blessed with the ability to look deep into your soul, but, definitely I have a feeling heart and a thinking mind. So I don’t know for sure what thoughts a prisoner of fate like Yograj has as he serves the public here, but I saw he was thoughtful.

“I disclaim those incidental reformations based on pain. ‘God must touch our hearts’. I Samuel 10:26. Our conscience must emend itself by itself, by the strengthening of our reason not by the enfeebling of our appetites. [2]

I think that if other States of India could adopt this reformatory idea as ‘sharing of best practices’ a window of reform shall open quietly, inside hearts and our society.
Prison Statistics, India

Country India

 

Ministry responsible Ministry of Home Affairs
Prison administration Governments of States and Union Territories
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners) 419 623

at 31.12.2015 (National Crime Records Bureau)

Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population) 33

based on an estimated national population of 1,289.7 million at end of 2015 (from United Nations figures)

Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population) 67.2%

(31.12.2015)

Further Information

Female prisoners (percentage of prison population) 4.3%

(31.12.2015)

Further Information

Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population) 0.0%

(31.12.2015 – under 18)

Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population) 1.5%

(31.12.2015)

Number of establishments / institutions 1 401

(31.12.2015 – comprising 134 central jails, 379 district jails, 741 sub jails, 18 women’s jails, 63 open jails, 20 Borstal schools, 43 special jails, 3 other jails)

Official capacity of prison system 366 781

(31.12.2015)

Occupancy level (based on official capacity) 114.4%

(31.12.2015)

Courtesy: World Prison Brief; http://www.prisonstudies.org/country/india

[1] Michel De Montaigne; The Complete Essays; On virtue; page 799; Penguin.

[2] Michel De Montaigne; The Complete Essays; On repenting; page 920; Penguin.

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Remembering #Prof. N. S. #Ramaswamy- his letter from my memorabilia

One day, Prof. N. S. Ramaswamy came to my office in Sardar Patel Bhavan and sat with me for over two hours. I remember a statement he made- “You are like a circus juggler, handling so many hats at the same time”! With humility I mumbled, “That is my expertise and training, Sir”! When he went back he wrote me a letter from Bangalore, which I chanced upon today in my memorabilia.

My personal homage to a great man, thinker, reformer, scientist, educationist and  engineer! Above all a great human being!

N. S. Ramaswamy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
N. S. Ramaswamy
Born 2 March 1926
Puthur, Thrissur district, Kerala, India
Died 17 September 2012 (aged 86)
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Other names Cartman Ramaswamy
Occupation Management academic
Social worker
Educationist
Years active 1952–2012
Known for IIM Bangalore
Social service
Institution building
Spouse(s) Rajam Parvathi
Children A son and a daughter
Parent(s) N. R. Srinivasa Iyer
Awards Padma Bhushan

N. Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy (1926–2012), popularly known as Cartman Ramaswamy, was an Indian engineer, educationist, management academic and writer, and the founder director of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.[1] He was the founder of Centre for Action, Research and Technology for Man, Animal and Nature (CARTMAN), a non governmental organization working for region-relevant and appropriate technology transfer to rural areas[2] and Indian Heritage Academy, an organization involved in propagating Indian cultural traditions.[3] He was also the founder chairman of the Adarsh Vidya Kendra (AVK) Group of educational institutions.[4] The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan, in 2006, for his contributions to society.[5]

(Source: Wikipedia)

Video uploaded by Prof. N. S. Ramaswamy

 

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#Award & #Public #Felicitation at #Agra, India

On February 19, 2017, the Maratha Sewa Sangh and Backward Minorities Front (non-political) organized a Public Felicitation Ceremony at AGRA (India) on the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti and conferred the Bharat Gaurav Samman (Pride of India Award) for remarkable and outstanding public service in governance!

First public award in hometown Agra !

These lovely people forever changed my concept of a public felicitation…

Reminded of the Song- Ye public hai, ye sab jaanti hai, ye public hai….. (The people know it all, nothing escapes their eyes!

The Crown et al…

The spirit behind the public service front, Shri Jitendra Yadav ji- a grassroot leader of exceptional energy, admirable conviction, and commitment to public service! People like him spend their lifetime making and changing India!

JAI HIND !

 

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Nafees Nazm by Sandeep Silas ‘deep’ in Ranai-e-Khayal

383

nafees-nazm

 

Nafees Nazm (Pure Verse)

Don’t call out to me so much that I wear wings to fly

Don’t adorn your world so much that I loose myself

 

I am a mere shadow lying forgotten in the sand

Like the pandiculation of a tired traveller am I

 

Sit down beside me to hear once all that is in my heart

Will reveal all those wounds inflicted by Time upon me

 

How much have I to walk every day and how much far

I roam restless knowing not what is to be my destination

 

Why do you talk to me of cities unseen ?

When I am not in there, why does it seem a city to you?

 

Why do you ask the sea, the address of the shores?

With a lot of effort my friends I have lost myself

 

Since the time you met me, I have forgotten God

I keep on searching for Him now in your pure eyes

Nafees Nazm by Sandeep Silas ‘deep’ in Ranai-e-Khayal, 2012

Translated Book in English available on Amazon Kindle:

https://www.amazon.in/BEAUTIFUL-THOUGHTS-Sandeep-Silas-ebook/dp/B0080RNI7C

BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTS by [Silas, Sandeep]

For original Hindi version Ranai-e-Khayal please contact me.

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