Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Post-production Complete


Ok, here we go...we are done with post-production, just a few minor tweaks on the DVD authoring. And time to get on the festival circuit soon. Watch for updates.
Thanks to everyone on the team for your production support. Also thanks to Eight AV Inc for their production and post-production gear. We may have a trailer, but do we need it? Considering the film's TRT is 6:30. Anyways...

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

A Chasm in Time - New, Renamed Short Film Updates


Renamed. Yes, folks, as expected. The next production of Accessible Horizon Films has been changed from Contrast to 'A Chasm in Time'. Some updates and new pictures here. The rough cut has been completed and the soundtrack is currently being designed. Nanda is helping with the music. It's coming out almost as planned save a few aspects. The performances seem to be in sync - let's see. Also, DP Fruto Corre has done a great job.
Here are some new Production Stills - Bottom to Top
Production Still 1(left to right) - Karthik Srinivasan, Mani, Robert Dixon, Ramesh Mourthy, Raghu Jeganathan and Mohandass Radhakrishnan behind the Jib, Fruto Corre(DP).
Production Still 2(left to right) - The entire Cast(left to right) - Karthik Srinivasan, Nelson, Joey Mintz and Kymm Walker
Watch out for updates...

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

New Short Film - Contrast

Last Saturday, we finished filming our new short film, which is tentatively titled Contrast. Quite a fun day - most of it went according to plan except for a power snafu which delayed us by an hour. But thankfully we figured it out and sort of wrapped up at around 6 p.m. Fruto Corre was our DP, he sat with me the previous night and we figured out the whole shotlist. Even then, it was quite tough, managing the shots and finishing them. Great team work though. Ramesh Mourthy, Mohandass Radhakrishnan and Kousalya Jeganathan - the co-producers of the film were taking care of general production and location contingencies. Ramesh greased his Branded T-shirt by getting under a trailer collecting leaves...?
Jib Operator Rob Dixon was of great help during the shoot. We got some decent shots hopefully, gotta check 'em out while doing the rough cut tomorrow. Mani, Kavitha and Lana were also lending their hands to the production. Of course, the actors, Kymm Walker, Karthik Srinivasan, Nelson and Joey Mintz did great - contributing to some funny moments with Karthik's "You hit his Brand-New-Used-Car man...!" Classic. And gotta thank Nanda Nayar for his production gear - camera, dolly and tripod. On the whole, amazing day, good shoot, although we could've done better.
Photo: Left to Right - Mohandass, Fruto Corre, Robert Dixon, Ramesh and Raghu.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

ReelChanges- Audience Funded Documentaries

Change the World - One Film at a time!
ReelChanges.org is owned and operated by the Center for Media Change, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit corporation based in Palo Alto, California. The mission of the Center for Media Change, Inc. is to enrich our culture by facilitating the creation and distribution of more high-quality documentaries. Contributions to the Center for Media Change, Inc. and to individual documentary projects posted and displayed on the site are tax deductible as allowed under U.S. federal law.
So, what are we waiting for?
Let us create change, propose a socially relevant documentary and get help from the world to make films!

Event-Youth Career Fair - New York City


We recently went to a youth career fair conducted by Idealist.org aka Action Without Borders which is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, connect with other people, organizations and resources and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives.

In the youth fair, children from various schools could come and register in various non-profit and not-for-profit organizations for volunteering positions. It was such an inspiration to see children at such young ages interested in the welfare of the society around them. Some children had come with their teachers to the event and signed up for events in groups.

There were many large canvases where the attendees of the event could write positive and inspiring messages which was later being displayed in a Summit which the Mayor of NYC attended. Children were very eager to write and color their messages and happily painted some positive images.

The list of the organizations that participated in the event is as follows.

1. www.relightny.com

RelightNY’s mission is to inform and inspire people that the seemingly unachievable task of helping to protect the earth’s environment for current and future generations can be achieved collectively by the small but tangible action of changing a light bulb!

2. www.prospectpark.org

Prospect Park is a 585-acre urban oasis located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York City’s most populous borough. The masterpiece of famed landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park, Prospect Park features the 90-acre Long Meadow, the 60-acre Lake and Brooklyn’s only forest.

3. www.globalcitizencorps.org

Members of Global Citizen Corps:

  • learn more about global poverty and how it links to other global issues
  • exchange ideas and resources with other youth around the country
  • talk with anti-poverty experts
  • find new ways to take action
  • build a powerful movement for change

4. www.actioncenter.org

The Action Center to End World Hunger uses hunger as an organizing symbol of poverty, helping to explain and illustrate the challenges that lay behind it, such as poor agricultural practices, inefficient markets, weak health and education services, environmental degradation, conflict, and lack of access to clean water. By identifying and highlighting these underlying issues, the Action Center seeks to generate the public will necessary to end hunger in our lifetimes.

5. www.mercycorps.org

Mercy corps believe in the intrinsic value and dignity of human life.

They are awed by human resilience, and believe in the ability of all people to thrive, not just exist.

They believe that all our spiritual and humanitarian values compel us to act.

They believe that all people have the right to live in peaceful communities and participate fully in the decisions that affect their lives.

They believe that human imagination and energy can inspire innovative solutions to any problem, no matter how intractable.

They believe that it is our duty to be effective stewards of the financial resources entrusted to us.

6. www.helpusa.org

HELP USA is a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant. Through the development of quality housing with on-site support services HELP USA provides resources for its residents to become independent and productive. We break the cycle of dependency by addressing underlying causes in a way that respects the dignity of those we serve. We help our clients help themselves. Living in a pleasant, safe environment elevates clients’ expectations for themselves, and motivates them to realize their full potential.

7. www.readnyc.org

READ employs one-on-one research-based reading instruction to prepare at-risk children to become proficient readers. READ recruits, trains and employs teens to teach reading skills to young children who are struggling with learning to read.

8. www.nysec.org

As an ethical culture community, this organization believes that:

  • We are all part of something that transcends the individual experience
  • We have responsibilities to each other, to the Society, and to the community at large
  • We are enriched through our interconnectedness with others
  • We find confirmation and validation of our own selves and beliefs through our interactions with others
  • We derive strength through our relationships with others

9. www.humanesociety.org

The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. They are America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond.

10. www.cityyear.org

City Year seeks to:

  • Help children succeed
  • Build stronger communities
  • Break down social barriers
  • Develop young leaders
  • Foster active citizenship

11. www.makeadifference.org

Make a Difference is now HandsOn Greater Phoenix which is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that empowers people to become engaged, take action and create positive change in their communities.

12. www.youth4peace.org

AFSC's work is based on the Quaker belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

13. www.volunteerNYC.org

The Mayor's Volunteer Center and United Way New York City are proud to present VolunteerNYC.org to serve the dual purpose of providing meaningful volunteer opportunities for New Yorkers and providing nonprofit organizations in New York City the opportunity to post their volunteer needs and publicize the services provided by their organizations.

14. www.milliontreesnyc.org

MillionTreesNYC, one of the 127 PlaNYC initiatives, is a citywide, public-private program with an ambitious goal: to plant and care for one million new trees across the City's five boroughs over the next decade. By planting one million trees, New York City can increase its urban forest—our most valuable environmental asset made up of street trees, park trees, and trees on public, private and commercial land—by an astounding 20%, while achieving the many quality-of-life benefits that come with planting trees. The City of New York will plant 60% of trees in parks and other public spaces. The other 40% will come from private organizations, homeowners, and community organizations.

15. www.justell.org

Just Tell visualizes a world in which children who are molested immediately turn to a trusted adult figure in their lives and tell them of the abuse. That trusted adult has information to help the child though the next steps so that the abuse is stopped and the abuser is prevented from harming other children.

In their vision, children do not have to bear the scars of unrevealed and repeated abuse, the consequences of which have been repeatedly shown to include higher-than-average rates of: drug and alcohol abuse, self-destructive behaviors, guilt and shame.

16. www.ncac.org

NCAC's Purpose is:

• To promote and defend First Amendment values of freedom of thought, inquiry and expression.

• To oppose restraints on open communication and to support access to information.

• To encourage, support and coordinate activities of national organizations in opposition to censorship.

• To encourage understanding that restrictions on the free interchange of ideas threaten religious, moral, political, artistic and intellectual freedom.

17. www.girights.org

The GI Rights is a coalition of nonprofit, non-governmental organizations who provide information to members of the military about discharges, grievance and complaint procedures, and other civil rights.

18. www.centeronconscience.org

CCW is a faith based organization that advocates for the rights of conscience, opposes military conscription, and serves all conscientious objectors to war.

19. www.yayanetwork.org

The Ya-Ya Network is a citywide anti-racist, anti-sexist organization and allies with the LGBTQ community. Ya-Ya is staffed by young activists ages 15-19. We work with other youth, adult allies, youth programs & activist organizations. We help groups & individuals connect. We share information & resources & we support the work that other groups are doing. All to build a stronger voice for young people in the movement for social & economic justice.

20. www.objector.org

CCCO supports and promotes individual and collective resistance to war and preparations for war.

21. www.vote.nyc.ny.us

The Board is responsible under New York State Election Law for the following:

  • Voter registration, outreach and processing
  • Maintain and update voter records
  • Processing and verification of candidate petitions/documents
  • Campaign finance disclosures of candidates and campaign committees
  • Recruiting, training and assigning the various Election Day officers to conduct elections
  • Operate poll site locations
  • Ensure each voter their right to vote at the polls or by absentee ballot
  • Canvassing and certification of the vote
  • Voter education, notification and dissemination of election information
  • Preparation of maps of various political subdivisions

22. www.childrenforchildren.org

Children for Children mobilizes the energy, ingenuity and compassion of young people, beginning at an early age, to discover their power and potential to solve real world problems through volunteer opportunities and service learning programs that instill a lifelong commitment to service.

23. www.18in08.com

Children for Children mobilizes the energy, ingenuity and compassion of young people, beginning at an early age, to discover their power and potential to solve real world problems through volunteer opportunities and service learning programs that instill a lifelong commitment to service.

24. Service We Trust.

Please take some time to go through the activities in the websites and try to make a difference TODAY! The world needs action from you...Today!!!



Tuesday, September 23, 2008

About NYC Screening Event - Sept 20th,2008


As you all know we had this fund raiser screening at the TWO BOOTS PIONEER THEATER on September 20th, 2008. It was a very beautiful experience though we had a turn up of only 9 people and it was 14 including us!!
Each person who had come for the movie liked Wings of Evolution so much and said that it touched their hearts. They said they were inspired by the love that Uma & Muthuram had for the kids and how the kids were so mature and wonderful. We got some more leads with regards to screening the film in other venues like schools, universities etc.
We got a chance to have one-on-one connections with every single person who attended the screening which was very unique. To know about people who love the world so much and who are trying to make differences in their own way was such a positive experience!
I know I did not write about the Urbana, Champaign screening which took place at the Independent Media Center through the School for Designing a Society. It went very well and the film inspired a lot of students who came for the screening. There was a teacher from Korea Ena who was interested in visiting the Siragu School for sometime because she said she wanted to learn about their pattern of teaching. Many of them wanted to visit the School personally and learn a lot. They were also impressed by the kids' strength of mind and their knowledge about the world around them.
More screenings will come and we will create a world-wide awareness till kids all over the world are educated for free.
One of my friends gave me a book called Three Cups of Tea about which I will write another article!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Our Friends at AIF

Hi all
Our friends at America India Foundation are organizing a fundraiser event in NYC on the 25th of September, 2008. Please show your support for the cause. Details below.
*American India Foundation*
*New York Young Professionals Chapter* cordially invites you to the *Your Voice for the Cause* Event

Benefiting
NYYPC's 2009 Initiative*
*Please join us for an evening dedicated to** determining our 2009
fundraising initiative- *
*learn about the 3 potential fundraising initiativesfor 2009 and share your
thoughts.*
*Thursday, September** 25th *
September 25th
Arium Cafe<http://e2ma.net/go/1322047849/1201856/44001660/goto:http://www.telanyc.com/main.html>
31 Little West 12th Street
New York, New York 10014
*7PM-10PM*
Open Bar & Hors d'oeuvres

Online tickets<http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=166671>-
$40, At the door - $45

<http://e2ma.net/go/1322047849/1201856/44001656/goto:http://www.helenmills.com>
** ** A portion of the evening's proceeds will be donated towards
the NYYPC's 2009 fundraising initiative.

*The NYYPC was established in early 2007 and has been sustained by a group
of young professionals focused on educating their fellow peers *
*about AIF's mission to accelerate social and economic change in India, and
maintaining the awareness for future generations. *

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

It can be YOU - interconnectedness!

Where the Hell is Matt? - A lovely connection!

FAST LOVE - something to think about!

Herbert Brun

When I was in West Virginia at the Summer School for designing a Society, the teachers there mentioned Herbert Brun. Though I did come across a few of his books, I really never had the opportunity to read any of his books until recently I came across one of his books called "My words and where I want them" and went through a few pages...they seemed interesting. Small paragraphs which are numbered fill the small book.
I would like to share a few with you.
1. My words and where I want them.
2. I consider words innocent until proven guilty. Once they are proven guilty, however, I consider their meaning to be irredeemable. Thus words form the limits of personal freedom. While I may be free to express my thoughts in a free society, the words at my disposal may not be free at all. Ignorance of this fact is what turns the thoughts of free people into thoughts of slaves.
76. While we do not find it possible often to share our opinions we have to share the world of their consequences.
for more..please read about Herbert Brun.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Wings of Evolution - Documentary Film NYC Screening September 20,2008

For ticket details...please visit www.positivepeopletoday.org


Dear Positive Person,

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

A few of us got together and through dialogue, realized our common goal, an idealistic yet realistic one; of sharing the positivity in our beings with the world around us. We would like to project our filling of elation into others, and transcend cultures, time and space, which would be a realized beginning to a better world, where people are joyful creators and up lifters.

On this principle, we formed our non-profit organization POSITIVE PEOPLE TODAY.

And, here we are, sending our invitation to human beings all over the Earth to unite on one simple principle

"POSITIVE THINKING"

We believe that great societies rise with Positive Attitudes which in turn arise from
self-awareness and a proper education. Our objective is to reinforce a Positive attitude in today's world and connect both people and organizations that care, and want to make a difference.
Our Mission is to promote and sponsor projects relating to personal growth, creativity, talent, social and environmental awareness around the globe.

www.positivepeopletoday.org

In this line of thought and taking a step towards action, we at PPT, have adopted the cause of the homeless street children in Chennai, South India, and have decided to raise funds for Siragu Montessori School, a place that makes a bright future possible for underprivileged children through education.

Screening of Award-winning Documentary film
Wings of Evolution
a production of Accessisble Horizon Films

Saturday,Sept 20th,2008
at the
TWO BOOTS PIONEER THEATER, NYC.
SHOW STARTS AT 5PM.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Foster Child - Filipino Movie Trailer



Directed by Brillante Mendoza, Foster Child was cited by judges for “delving with remarkable skill into the everyday lives of its extremely well-developed characters, and for fusing documentary and drama to create a brave, humane and unconventional film.”

Picache was praised for “delivering a spectrum of emotions and revealing a natural and authentic understanding of her character.”

The film showed how the love of a Filipino mother in a poor family could be a factor in alleviating social problems such as poverty.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The meaning of Hegel's Logic

This article is intended to introduce the reader to a study of Hegel's Logic. It is not intended as a substitute for such a study or as a commentary upon the Logic.

The writing of this article is based on the belief that there currently exists no substitute for Hegel's Logic as an exposition of dialectics. Although Hegel's writing is very inaccessible and suffers as a result of his philosophical idealism, an understanding of dialectics cannot be achieved without a study of his Logic. Consequently, this article is intended to aid this study. Further, I have taken the liberty of a certain amount of repetition, so that the most important points will stand out in the reader's attention.

for more please visit http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/hegel/help/mean00.htm

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Ecospace Blog

ECOSPACE is a blog which deals with a lot of eco-issues providing simple natural solutions.
Be it renewable energy or solar energy or composting or bicycles or..or..or...this blog deals with the issues in a simple way...
please visit their site..at www.ecospace.cc

Friday, August 08, 2008

TECHNORATTI

Technorati Profile

Two Opposing Types of Order in Nature-Gevin Giorbran

Rather than order and disorder, there are two types of order in nature. One type of order increases in the direction of the past, while another type of order increases in the direction of the future. The range of patterns between complex orderliness and chaos exists as in the intermediary stages of transition in between the extremes of each order. There is no such thing as general disorder in nature, only irregular combinations of two orders. The intensity of the two orders is inversely proportional, the absence of one creates the other. Recognizing these two orders provides a template for understanding all material structure and composition. The two orders will here be referred to as Grouping Order and Symmetry Order. Neither are unfamiliar concepts and once they are consciously recognized suddenly the ordered flow of time and the world of human events appear as an interplay of two contrasting orders.
check out the PDF presentation http://macrocosmicsymmetry.com/pdf/two-orders.pdf

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

10 minutes by Ahmed Imamovic - Short Film-Europe



Now, which world do you live in?
The comfortable one, or the deprived one, the ignored one, the oblivious one, the obnoxious one, or..or..the loving one..or the responsible one??

Benares AKA Varanasi


Varanasi वाराणसी Vārāṇasī, also commonly known as Benares or Banaras (Hindi: बनारस, Urdu: بنارس, Banāras and Kashi (Hindi: काशी Kāśī, is a city situated on the banks of the river Ganga (Ganges) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, regarded holy by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, and one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.

The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the river Ganges and the river's religious importance. The city has been a cultural and religious centre in northern India for several thousand years. A particular style of classical Hindustani music developed in Varanasi centuries ago, and many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians resided or reside in Varanasi, including Kabir, Ravi Das, Munshi Premchand, Jaishankar Prasad, Acharya Ram Chandra Shukla, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Hariprasad Chaurasia, and Ustad Bismillah Khan. Tulsidas wrote his Ramcharitmanas there, and Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath near Kashi. Ayurveda is said to have originated at Varanasi.

Varanasi is the home of Banaras Hindu University. Residents mainly speak Kashika Bhojpuri, which is closely related to the Hindi language. People often refer to Varanasi as "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of lights", "the city of learning" and the "culture capital of India".
Video Courtesy
vladamikulec on Youtube.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute

Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute is committed to increasing citizen involvement in decisions that affect our region's environment through community organizing and education.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) is to increase citizen involvement in decisions that affect our region’s environment. Through community organizing and education, PCEI assists members of our communities in making environmentally sound and economically viable decisions that promote a sustainable future.

Primary Goals
  • To promote the ecological health and social welfare of the Palouse-Clearwater region.
  • To actively participate in the conservation, preservation, and restoration of environmentally sensitive lands, natural areas, and unique ecosystems.
  • To provide forums for the free exchange of views in matters of concern to the public.
  • To inform and educate the public on issues of importance to the sustainable future of the Palouse-Clearwater region thus promoting a well-informed, active and concerned citizenry.

Watershed Programs
Environmental Education Programs
Community Food Programs
Transportation Options
Alternative Energy
..more..

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

DHARMA THE CAT - David Lourie



The theme of the cartoon collection is "Havoc and mayhem on the rocky road to nirvana, with a Buddhist cat, a novice monk and a mouse that is hell-bent on cheese."

“Dharma The Cat” has three characters. There is a novice monk named Bodhi, who is stumbling earnestly along the Buddha’s Noble Path. The Cat’s name is Dharma, and he is a wise being who looks down from a great height on those who have taken birth in human form. And there is Siam, the house Mouse, who is concerned only with cheese.

The main character’s progress along his rocky path to Nirvana reflects our own delusions and obstacles, and enables us to digest the spiritual message in a compassionate and humorous way -- contrary to portraying the road to enlightenment as a friendless, unemotional journey. Practitioners do not have to be so brave, patient, or wise, else they will fail, and they might give up unless they lighten up, so to speak, and have a great sense of humour.

for more: visit the website http://www.dharmathecatcartoons.com/15blog/

Friday, June 20, 2008

An Interpretation to the Struggle of Life...



A lot of times we keep wondering why we face so much difficulty in life...obstacle over obstacle...struggling to overcome them. Trying to figure out why...why does it all have to be so hard. Why can't and don't we have an easy life? We keep searching for answers as to what we actually want to do, never ever resting in that quest. As inquisitive souls we seek answers and are desperate to find them. The moment we find an answer to one, there's another question, another struggle that we have to deal with. What is the reason for this struggle? This eternal struggle of life?

There's an answer, an interpretation, which seemingly is plausible enough to realize our purpose.
Our soul, our self, our spirit or whatever you wish to call your 'Being', is INFINITE in nature - meaning, we are free, boundless, beyond space or time, there's no beginning to our selves and no end. We are infinity itself in its purest form, that is, without the body. And our body, an accumulation of matter and substance, is FINITE, meaning, it only serves as a tangible medium for our shapeless soul, our formless self, the true 'Being' within.
So think about this for a second. What will happen when something so powerful, so vast, so vast as infinity, that is, our SOUL is put into something as small, as finite as our body? Yes, there's a conflict...not just a conflict, a struggle that starts right from the moment when the soul enters the germ cell in the womb all the way to when the body dies. So it is a struggle much bigger than anything we see tangibly, because this kind of struggle is invisible, unseen, unrealized by our conscious selves. So when we feel like doing something OUT OF THE WORLD, we feel confined, trapped and are bursting with emotion to do it. The ones among us, that realize that we can DO IT, actually get closer to doing it or even succeed. We keep trying, struggling to become our EXPANDED SELF, that is, our TRUE SELF, which leads to infinity.
We are born to be free, liberated from our minds or bodies that trap us although the body is that which gives us a finite shape. So what is the lesson here? Just be yourself, just try and be whatever you imagine yourself to be, because that is the truth. Reach out, become your Expanded Self, don't confine your thinking to what you think only your body can do. Never compromise on what you can achieve...because inside your finite body, is your infinite self, the true you.
This is not something that I just concocted out of the blue, but rather my interpretation from the teachings of Swami Ramakrishnananda in his booklet, The Universe and Man, a beautifully compiled thought process.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

CROSS CULTURAL SOLUTIONS

Ever thought about volunteering across the globe?? Well, here is your chance!

Cross-Cultural Solutions is widely known as the leading organization in the field of international volunteering.

Our volunteer programs are unique in every way. Our global infrastructure supports over 4,000 international volunteers each year and over 250 sustainable community initiatives. More than 250 CCS in-country-staff members are working year-round, ensuring that you are volunteering with a project that interests you and contributing directly to the goals of each community. No other short-term international volunteer program has such a global presence and community-centered approach toward volunteering abroad.

For more details please visit the site at http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/

Monday, June 09, 2008

Do you express yourself enough??

I find myself at some points in life...
where i have to this urge to release my thoughts....
in some way or the other...
otherwise the thoughts rush by themselves,
to jump off the cliff of my mouth...
out into the world...
and in that hurry, most of them vaporize into the ether...
some of them just lie within waiting for the right time...
and eventually get swallowed by the ever thirsty physical being that lies in me...
the hunger for thoughts never dies..
what an irony that we hardly express whatever we feel...
either for the fear of crossing limits...
or for the good of the other...
or to find a way to stop ourselves into getting into unknown spaces...
or thinking we are independent of the rest...
or to prioritize our responsibilities...
or judge everything by over analysing...
well....i could go on and on...
but the question is...
ARE YOU EXPRESSING YOURSELF ENOUGH?
to people you love...
to people you admire...
to people you are angry with...
to people who need you..
to people who seek help..
to people who might help you...
to people...and nature...and everything around?
since language was formed because the connectedness was pushed to obscurity...
we have to seriously think of communication...and EXPRESSION!
i love you all...

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

CHEB MAMI

CHEB MAMI (real name Ahmed Khelifati Mohamed) is an Algerian born raï singer.
RAI is a form of folk music, originated in Oran, Algeria from Bedouin shepherds, mixed with Spanish, French, African and Arabic musical forms, which dates back to the 1930s and has been primarily evolved by women in the culture. The word raï is Arabic for “opinion.” Singers of raï are called cheb (young) as opposed to sheikh (old) the name given to Chaabi music singers; the tradition arose in cities like Oran and elsewhere in Tlemcen, primarily among the poor. The word raï means literally opinion but is colloquially used as an interjection along the lines of oh, yeah! Traditionally sung by men, at the turn of the 20th century, female singers became common. Rai musicians, as early as the 1930's, were singing about social issues which affected their arab colonies. They ranged from disease to the police of the colonies. [1] Much like today's rap stars and hip-hop artists they sung about the current issues around them which was indeed revoluationary for their time.[2] It's popularity not only taken the traditional sounds of the Middle East and "updated" it, but pop rai' reputation as a racy type of music has also influenced a fusion between rai and rock and several other "up and coming" styles.



for more click here...
thanks to wikipedia and the world of internet!!

A thousand years - STING

a thousand reasons to live for...in this universe...with such soul-absorbing music...what can i say??

Words by sting, music by sting and kipper

A thousand years, a thousand more,
A thousand times a million doors to eternity
I may have lived a thousand lives, a thousand times
An endless turning stairway climbs
To a tower of souls
If it takes another thousand years, a thousand wars,
The towers rise to numberless floors in space
I could shed another million tears, a million breaths,
A million names but only one truth to face

A million roads, a million fears
A million suns, ten million years of uncertainty
I could speak a million lies, a million songs,
A million rights, a million wrongs in this balance of time
But if there was a single truth, a single light
A single thought, a singular touch of grace
Then following this single point , this single flame,
The single haunted memory of your face

I still love you
I still want you
A thousand times the mysteries unfold themselves
Like galaxies in my head

I may be numberless, I may be innocent
I may know many things, I may be ignorant
Or I could ride with kings and conquer many lands
Or win this world at cards and let it slip my hands
I could be cannon food, destroyed a thousand times
Reborn as fortunes child to judge anothers crimes
Or wear this pilgrims cloak, or be a common thief
Ive kept this single faith, I have but one belief

I still love you
I still want you
A thousand times the mysteries unfold themselves
Like galaxies in my head
On and on the mysteries unwind themselves
Eternities still unsaid
til you love me

Friday, May 09, 2008

Wings of Evolution at Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai

Hey folks, in Chennai there are 2 hot things happening. One of course, Chennai itself, with its scorching heat and the Other is our Exclusive Screening of 'Wings of Evolution' on May 18th, 2008, at 9:45 a.m at the Seasons Theater of Sathyam Cinemas, one of the biggest multiplexes in South India. Currently, preparations are being made with ticketing, posters etc. We'll have a post-screening panel discussion , the details of which have not been finalized. Will post an update soon. Folks in Chennai, rsvp to attend. Till then, keep beating the heat.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Liberate the Marvelous!!

When we enter into people's lives..we are automatically connected to everything else that is connected to them...so...here is Paula Belina's blog...she is a friend of Kyra's.

KYRA's Blog

I met Kyra at the Gesundheit Institute when i attended the Summer School for Designing a Society...i feel inspired and happy to be in a world with people like her..she is so full of love...
i am happy that she has started sharing her thoughts with the world..through her blog..
please check out her blog and spread the love in your heart...
http://www.kyras.net/

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Citizens for PEACE - essays!!

"It is only human nature that we turn to a group that is closest to our way of living whenever we feel the need for security and identity. But reaching out is so much more important even though mutual agreement may be a distant dream. Just by knowing a person with a set of values which we find odd, comes a revelation that we are similar in some ways however few they may be. This similarity is a surprise and lessens to a great extent all our apprehensions about something completely unknown. And of course the all important fact that for any correction of supposed ‘flaws’ in the other, the kind word of a friend is so much more effective than the hate filled invective of a stranger."
How truly written by Anuranjan Roy...i read this essay from Citizens of peace...lets keep in mind one thing...that love alone is the answer!
please read the whole essay and let me know what you think...
I can’t help feeling a little cynical as I pen this down. After all, the only people who would want to read an essay on “Living with differences” would be the ones who are already aware that there is no viable alternative to it. For those who are convinced that standardization-be it on the lines of religion, caste or class is the way out of the entire world’s ills wouldn’t bother making the effort. But in times when a moderate opinion on any issue is panned and reviled by both warring camps, this is an important exercise in self-motivation.
for more click here...
http://citizensforpeace.in/blog/category/essays/

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Beyond the Margin blogspot...

Beyond Margin is a blogspot of a journalist I recently came across...while trying to read about rural India...and the farmer situation of recent times...
Jaideep writes...
I learnt two important things from Palagummi Sainath: what the heart does not feel, eyes cannot see. And there is no Invisible India. If at all there is one, it’s Blind India. He says, “Invisible India is an elephant in your bedroom that you don’t want to see”.

Palagummi Sainath, the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner in the category of Journalism, literature and creative communication arts, has inspired many a young journalist like me, not only in the country, but also beyond the borders.

I learnt two important things from him: what the heart does not feel, eyes cannot see. And there is no Invisible India. If at all there is one, it’s Blind India. He says, “Invisible India is an elephant in your bedroom that you don’t want to see”.

Palagummi Sainath, the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner in the category of Journalism, literature and creative communication arts, has inspired many a young journalist like me, not only in the country, but also beyond the borders.

When the news broke on Tuesday, July 31, afternoon, we were about to start for Nagpur from Pandharkawda in Yavatmal, after three days of non-stop traveling in rural Vidarbha, visiting half a dozen suicide households and meeting people. It was typical of Sainath that he was doing what he loves to do the most: visiting the rural households to understand the newer processes that affect their lives.
for more click on link below...
http://beyondmargins.blogspot.com/

Braveheart Blog..another part of the whole!

I was touched by this soul's expressive nature...please take some time and read the whole article..
Braveheart writes in his blogspot....
I was very disturbed. Sometimes things just go out of your hands. Sometimes, you are simply forced to act in an un-reasonable way. Its inexplicable but at times, life just takes control over you. You show emotions which are not yours. You act in a way, which has not been you way. Something like this had happened with me last night.
Telelvision was on and the regular nonsense was being broadcasted. My fingers were playing with the remote. The window was open and cool breeze was gushing through my hair. I was looking out of the window at my garden. The roses had grown really beautiful. Amrita was a mother to these plants more than she was to our Rahul. Not that she was a bad mother, not at all, but the plants gor a special share of her heart. Probably, the love for them came out of a corner of her heart whcih I could never explore. The red roses were teasing me. They reminded me of the time I was crowned to be a prince, the prince who was to taste the luscious lips of the princess, Amrita.
for more please visit....
http://braveheart-blog.blogspot.com/2004/12/karvan-guzar-gaya.html

Monday, April 21, 2008

MIT OpenCourseWare





I recently stumbled upon the following link where MIT offers lots of free courses. When i visited the website i found that they have separate course materials for High School students and teachers. I think this will definitely help students and teachers all over the world and help the students decide and choose a course of their interest.

Also there are so many Audio and Video materials that can be downloaded for free. Lots of schools in the rural areas who are creating their own course materials can also make the best use of these materials. And provide higher standard of Education for free. It is our collective responsibility to provide a better education for our future generation.

Thank you MIT for the opencourseware.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

CURRIKI.org

The Global Education & Learning CommunityWe believe that access to knowledge and learning tools is a basic right for every child. Our goal is to make curricula and learning resources available to everyone.The above is a website which has abundant resources for children's education and it is absolutely free and you can also contribute to the curricula if you think it might be useful for our future generations...Some of the features that are available in CURRIKI.org
THE ART OF INVENTION
These resources teach students about artists who invented new tools to explore topics they find interesting.
Decimal Basketball
Getting students actively participating in learning is one teacher's strategy for teaching decimals.
Teaching Satire in High School
A teacher in Minnesota has created a unit on reading and understanding satirical literature.
Teaching Holes in Middle School
One teacher shares her roadmaps and reading logs from the popular novel Holes by Louis Sachar. Fee's collections also include Holes vocabulary activities and materials for other great middle school books.
Unit on Things Fall Apart
This teacher shares her week by week materials to scaffold reading and get students writing about Chinua Achebe's popular novel.

If you think we can add more resources for kids to access...let us do it now!!

Latest in Technology!

http://www.softpedia.com/
for the latest in technology...i came across this website which might be useful to anyone who is seeking some new information!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BLOG FAMOUS??

The blogging community has to grow and each and every one of us have to connect...to bring peace to the planet..and it must be a joint effort...sorry guys, i just typed "how to make your blog famous" and this is one of the links i got...thank you internet...!!
http://bloggletype.blogspot.com/2007/05/100-ways-to-make-your-blog-famous.html

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

GLOBAL YOUTH ACTION NETWORK

The Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) is 501c3, not-for-profit organization, launched in 1996 and registered in the state of New York, USA. GYAN has regional teams in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Durban, South Africa, Beirut, Lebanon, and Manila, Philippines. Natonal Chapters are registered in Mexico City, Accra, Ghana, Paris, France, and a growing number of other countries. GYAN is affiliated to the United Nations Department of Public Information and holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC).

GYAN is a youth-led organization that unites the efforts of young people working to improve our world. The Network connects many thousands of organizations in over 190 countries and a growing membership is now helping to shape the future direction of GYAN..

This is your world!

A video that might drive you to do something for the World!

http://www.youthlink.org/thisisyourworld.swf

CHAT THE PLANET.COM

Chat the Planet is a global dialogue company. We connect young people from around the world to talk about everything from politics, prejudices and war to sex, music and life in general.

Chat the Planet is uncensored, unscripted and unlike anything else in the mainstream media.

Hey people.. check this raw reality..wouldn't it be more interesting if we all came together and spoke about issues from different parts of world? It is such a nice attempt to bring the truth out to the world and letting in some possibility of love to flow in...Since we are so connected..we suffer the pain that is felt with the uncertainty of these war-torn places..which is a part of us..aren't we responsible for spreading some love to all our fellow humans who are going through this uncertainty?

CHAT THE PLANET

In 2008, we are launching an innovative internet platform that will transform the way people engage globally. It will transcend both cultural differences and long distances.
Founded by celebrated media executives Laurie Meadoff and Kate Hillis in 2001, Chat the Planet has produced award-winning video, internet, and radio programming that continues to reach millions of people around the world.
Hometown Baghdad is an online web series about life in Baghdad. It tells the stories of three young Iraqis struggling to survive during the war.
The series premiered on March 19th 2007 and the final episode went live on June 17. All episodes are viewable here.
Hometown Baghdad was produced by global youth dialogue company, Chat the Planet.Check this link for press release and the blog of Hometown Baghdad.

you can check all the videos of the entire series from this link...videos of Hometown Baghdad


Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Wings Of Evolution Screening at Scarsdale Public library, New York

We had a screening of Wings of Evolution yesterday at the Scarsdale Public Library,New York, at 1pm. The screening was arranged by Susan Grosz, a friend we made from the South Asian International Film Festival in October 2007. We did not have to do anything except show up for the screening at the library because Susan had taken care of everything that was needed; right from the publicity to the arrangement of the venue including all the formalities involved. Jeff took care of the technical part of things and arranged for a projector for the screenings. We have wonderful people to help us in this journey and they volunteer their time and effort for this cause.
Susan introduced us to the audience and said that amidst all the chaos in the world and news every single day, Wings Of Evolution was there to give hope. What an introduction!
We were inspired by just those words!
A group of around 40 people showed up for the screening even with the weather being so cold outside. The after-session of the screening was very interesting with people asking us questions about a lot of things.
Firstly, the overall response was amazing and the audience said that indeed they agreed to Susan's introductory comment that there was hope in the film. There were around 6-7 school teachers who were very interested to know about the details of the syllabus at the School. They were interested in the fact that the children at the Siragu School were allowed to take any classes they preferred whether it was the reading corner or writing or math or science or anything they chose to attend. Some of them voiced out their concern about the public schools in India and how the attendance worked there. They were impressed at the kids' openness to the learning process in spite of being first generation learners and also appreciated the kids for teaching their parents English when they went home.
Some of them voiced out their concern for the exam patterns in schools in the world and how competitive children have forced to become.
Well, they were also keen on the World Wide Postcard Sharing project and said they would ask their kids to participate in it.
So, the overall response was very positive yesterday.
We also introduced our non-profit organization POSITIVE PEOPLE TODAY to the audience and requested them to take a look at the cause. We are trying to raise funds for the Siragu School through Positive People Today. Please go to the following link to take a look at the fund raising page of Siragu School.
We reminded the people that remaining positive about things changing for the better in the world was very important and PPT was one such attempt to spread Positivity!

Friday, April 04, 2008

TIBET- Please send your love, light, Positive Energy!

Please fill out the comment form to send a message to the Tibetan Marchers and we will make sure they get them on the road.

http://tibetanuprising.org/2008/03/12/send-a-message-to-the-marchers/#comment-700

Non-competitive sport and dance - CHINLONE.

Thankyou http://www.mysticball-themovie.com/aboutchinlone.html for the information.
Chinlone is the traditional sport of Myanmar (Burma). Chinlone is a combination of sport and dance, a team sport with no opposing team. In essence chinlone is non-competitive, yet it’s as demanding as the most competitive ball games. The focus is not on winning or losing, but how beautifully one plays the game.

A team of six players pass the ball back and forth with their feet and knees as they walk around a circle. One player goes into the center to solo, creating a dance of various moves strung together. The soloist is supported by the other players who try to pass the ball back with one kick. When the ball drops to the ground it’s dead, and the play starts again.

Chinlone means “cane-ball” in Burmese. The ball is woven from rattan, and makes a distinctive clicking sound when kicked that is part of the aesthetic of the game. Players use six points of contact with the ball: the top of the toes, the inner and outer sides of the foot, the sole, the heel, and the knee. The game is played barefoot or in chinlone shoes that allow the players to feel the ball and the ground as directly as possible. The typical playing circle is 6.7 meters (22 feet) in diameter. The ideal playing surface is dry, hard packed dirt, but almost any flat surface will do.

Chinlone is over 1,500 years old and was once played for Myanmar royalty. Over the centuries, players have developed more than 200 different ways of kicking the ball. Many of the moves are similar to those of Myanmar dance and martial art. Some of the most difficult strokes are done behind the back without seeing the ball as it is kicked. Form is all important in chinlone, there is a correct way to position the hands, arms, torso, and head during the moves. A move is considered to have been done well only if the form is good.

Myanmar is a predominately Buddhist country, and chinlone games are a featured part of the many Buddhist festivals that take place during the year. The largest of these festivals goes on for more than a month with up to a thousand teams. An announcer calls out the names of the moves and entertains the audience with clever wordplay. Live music from a traditional orchestra inspires the players and shapes the style and rhythm of their play. The players play in time to the music and the musicians accent the kicks.

Both men and women play chinlone, often on the same team. Adults and children can play on the same team, and it’s not unusual to see elders in their 80’s playing.

In addition to the team style of chinlone, which is called “wein kat” or circle kick, there is also a solo performance style called “tapandaing”. This solo style is only performed by women.

To play chinlone well, the whole team must be absolutely in the moment – their minds cannot wander or the ball will drop. All serious players experience an intensely focused state of mind, similar to that achieved in Zen meditation, which they refer to as jhana.

However, nowhere in the world has the level of extraordinary foot skills and dexterity been combined with artistic expression and spirituality as in the Myanmar game of chinlone.

for more on Chinlone..please visit the opensource WIKIPEDIA.ORG at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinlone

Calling all fellow HUMANS positively!!!

POSITIVE PEOPLE TODAY IS HERE FOR ALL!!
TO SPREAD THE POSITIVITY IN THE WORLD..AROUND YOU!!!
Well, here are the details of the much awaited website for the non-profit we have started..
this is a very good venue for us in our journey..PPT(positive people today) as we call it..is an official non-profit organization from october 2007..and we have started this to spread positivity in the minds of people..!!
But, we are initially trying to spread the word around..
we are also going to use PPT as a platform for the world children's forum..
so, please register at the site and start adding articles..also any friends of yours could join this, add articles and positive energy to this..we will soon form a positive people's network where all of us will get together and spread love in the world..also upload your pictures/ art work /photographic skills to the gallery....
so go to PPT here from the link below..
www.positivepeopletoday.org
please do the registration and go through the whole website..pls also give us a review and tell me if the site is user friendly...
..pls spread the word..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, April 03, 2008

From Robert Naiman justforeignpolicy.org

please go to JUSTFOREIGNPOLICY for more information.
Robert Naiman sent this link to spread the awareness...
Just Foreign Policy organized a tour about U.S. policy towards Iran.
We made a about the history of U.S. policy and the need for diplomacy which you can find here:

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Ukranian Folk dance - Hopak!



One more folk dance from Ukraine..check the movements..and how well they are synchronized...and the music is so lively...for more check the internet world..

Hopak (Ukrainian: Гопак), also referred to as Gopak, is a Ukrainian dance. It is most often performed as a solitary concert dance by amateur and professional Ukrainian dance ensembles, as well as other performers of folk dances. It has also been incorporated into larger artistic opuses such as operas and ballets.

The Hopak is often popularly referred to as the "National Dance of Ukraine".

for more click here

thanks to Technology and the Internet and Wikipedia...for their services to humankind!!


Tuesday, April 01, 2008

can you draw with such co-ordination??



the video is self-explanatory..wow!
Can your elephant paint? Watch this elephant, rescued from abusive treatment in Burma, now paint an amazing self portrait. You'll be amazed at how his talent unfolds.

So touched by their horrific backgrounds and loving personalities, ExoticWorldGifts.com now supports, "Starving Elephant Artisans" by selling their paintings so they can continue to have a new life in Thailand.