Back with a BANG !!!

The LADAKH CONFULENCE is a product of a group of music enthusiasts who dared to dream lofty. At 11,500 feet, on the banks of the Indus, this festival offers music on a celestial platter. It merges and celebrates music, art, heritage, culture and nature in a place whose beauty can only be seen to be believed.

According to the event's website, ‘The Confluence is aimed at finding new solutions to old issues, and to help Ladakh develop a sustainable future while preserving its ancient culture and traditions. With the Ladakhi Government, the Confluence intends to implement systems to reduce emissions and noise pollution at the festival site’. The event is managed with the support of Jammu and Kashmir ministry. Inaugurated in 2009, the Ladakh Confluence is creating a flutter across the globe. With a remarkable line up of global musicians playing percussion, folk, fusion, acoustic and experimental styles, as well as workshops and cultural events. With activities by children along with a strong focus on environmental awareness and sustainability; this is the place to be at.

The eagerly awaited, second edition of India’s first music festival amidst the mountains, The Ladakh Confluence, has been announced to take place from July 15 - 18, 2010. The theme of the festival remains the same as last year - ‘Percussion’. A four day affair, this scenic festival promises to be bigger and better. Uniting musicians and artists from all over the world in this stunning mountain kingdom promises an incredible cultural experience. The event will showcase live music and performances by Manu Delago, Christoph Pepe Auer, Karsh Kale, Vikku Vinayakram, Rajasthan Roots, and Young Musicians of the World, Something Relevant, Jamie Catto and The Supersonics. The organisers will be adding more artists to this impressive line-up. Workshops, films and conversations with a focus on nature and local ecology are also scheduled during the event.

So, mark your dates, pack your bags, tune your musical ear and immerse in this exuberant affair.

-Priyanka Wali, Bespoken Words Team

The Kite Bites...

THIS KITE DID NOT FLY TOO HIGH....A scoop of vanilla sprinkled with almonds, nuts, chocolate flakes, hot whipped cream and served with a cherry on top – and you have Anurag Basu’s ‘Kites’.

The marvellous cinematography by Ayananka Bose to the chemistry between Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori beautifies this clichéd love story. Furthermore, it is sprinkled with the colour of three different languages - Hindi, English and Spanish. But unfortunately, what you get is a desperate attempt to make a slick, international movie that flutters onscreen in spite of its ‘it’ moments. If seen meticulously, one can find a strong impression of Basu’s fetish with wild chasing sequences; highlighting key moments in a deep-red hue and the lead pair reuniting after death in fields (Gangster) or in this case, under the sea!

At the onset, you have Hrithik explaining the reasoning behind Kites. In the end, you see the allegory. ‘J’ (Hrithik), a dance teacher who is free of all virtues marries immigrant women to help them procure green cards. He sweeps ‘Gina’ (Kangana Ranaut) off her feet and plays the love game to lay his hands on her fortune. Kangana belongs to a super rich family with dad, a casino owner (Kabir Bedi), mom and a snooty, vicious brother Tony (Nick Brown). Coincidentally, Natasha (Barbara Mori), an illegal, Mexican immigrant in Vegas plays the same love game with Tony. Its only when the Indian hustler J falls for the Mexican Natasha, the plot thickens. We are asked to believe that theirs is a true love story where we are not even shown the falling-in-love part (all we get is an unconvincing initial attraction and lovey-dovey glances.) Despite being unfamiliar with each other’s languages, they communicate through symbols establishing that love has no language. The movie asks us to revel in the amoral adventures of J and Natasha, but when it comes to their love, the film turns utterly moral. The film keeps shifting between the past and the present. Then, a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase between the protagonist and antagonist ensues.

‘Kites’ does have an international appeal but it is unsteady at places hinting at an untidy script. Rajesh Roshan’s music isn’t mesmerizing and lacks the magic of his ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’ days. The track ‘kites in the sky’ sung by untrained Hrithik is an emotional number. The exotic, oomph of Mexican Barbara Mori isn’t phenomenal, though her broken English dialogues, flashy smile and bubbly charm do the trick. Kangana does a mere cameo and is wasted. Kabir Bedi does what he is best at; playing the rich sophisticated daddy. Nick Brown seems lukewarm and gets marred by a conventional characterization.

In spite of the exotic locales, superb stunts and heart wrenching climax, this cross culture romance is no ‘Ek Duje Ke Liye’ nor is it ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’. You leave feeling something was missing. While the plot of the movie is delicious, the manufacturing certainly errs. Don’t expect this kite to fly too high ‘cause it certainly has a mediocre MANJHA (string) pulled by Anurag Basu.

-Priyanka Wali, Bespoken Words Team

Musical ‘Effects’

Allow me to paint a picture for you. You are down in the dumps. Your friends drag you to a happening party at a cool, new lounge in the city. You don’t really feel up to it. Surprisingly, once you are there, the rocking music uplifts your spirits a wee bit. Before you know it, you are head banging to the music with your friends.

Can’t quite relate to the situation? Err… How about this? You go to a spa to get yourself pampered. There is soft, soothing music playing in the background. You feel your tense muscles slowly relaxing, even before your massage session begins! Well, that’s the effect of music on your body, mind and soul! There are innumerable situations in which music affects us and our moods.

A change in mood however, is not the only dimension to the effects of music. It has a healing and therapeutic impact on the human mind as well. Music therapy is popular in the field of health care these days. It is practiced in order to heal people with varied health problems. Music with strong beats stimulates the brain to react faster and increases alertness. Similarly, music can induce a positive state of mind in people suffering from depression, stress or anxiety. Music therapy is also useful in reducing blood pressure and boosting levels of immunity. With so many benefits associated with it, it comes as no surprise that this form of therapy is gaining popularity each day.

The best thing about using music as a tool for healing is that one can do away with drugs and medication and replace it with music for treatment. That’s what you call the positive effects of music without the unpleasant side effects! Great, isn’t it?

-Ruchika Mathur, Bespoken Words Team

Did you know that Music…

‘After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.’– Aldous Huxley.

Rightly said. How many of you can relate to music in a similar manner? Many people relate songs to the situations in their life. Just when you are engrossed in work, suddenly the radio plays this song that you absolutely love. Gliding down memory lane, you turn towards the radio. Then you are back to work humming that song the entire day. Even the next morning.

Music is not defined for a particular generation. It is appealing to everyone...from kids to grannies and grandpas.

Let’s check out some interesting facts about music…

• In 220 B.C, Archimedes made the first pipe organ.
• Leon Scott was the first to discover recording of sound on to paper. This was known as a phonoautograph.
• The Boston World Peace saw the largest drum ever made. It was about 12 feet in diameter and 600 pounds in weight.
• Philips was the first company to introduce cassettes. These cassettes were initially used to record office dictations. Later on, in 1963, they were used for recording music.
• For 33 amazing years, between 1964-1996, Diana Ross appeared on a hit single, every year.
• Since 1963, Penny Lane's Strawberry Fields Forever was the only song that brought the Beatles to #2 on the UK charts, in 1967.
• Music was available on Compact Discs – CDs since 1983.
• Jon Bon Jovi was only 17 when he recorded his first song for the album ‘Star Wars Christmas’ album. The song was called R2-D2 - ‘We wish you a merry Christmas.’
• Franz Liszt, a Hungarian musician received a large number of requests for locks of his hair. He bought a dog and sent its fur to his fans.
• ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen is the only song to be at the #1 position on the UK charts for four different years.

Do you know of any interesting musical facts? Tell us.

-Sapna Krishnan, Social Media Head, Bespoken Words

Rhythm of Life

Ever stopped for a moment to listen to your heart beat… feel your breath…observe your hands move… watch your footsteps… simply be with your body that sways even as you walk? Take a moment and observe NOW!

… And you have just experienced your rhythm- the rhythm of life itself. Take another moment…look around – everything has a rhythm … starting with the first heart beat you felt in your mother’s womb – your very first communication. It affects everything around us…day and night, seasons, work and rest, sleep and wake cycles, the rise and fall of stock market???

The word rhythm is derived from a Greek word ‘rhein’ which means flow or stream. Rhythm - the very essence of all creative outlets – music, dance, writing, speech … even our fights and interactions have a rhythm… Don’t they? Rhythm gives us the steady pulse we seek all the time – the balance that stabilizes us. Composing, improvising and tuning with others are automatically taken care of once we find our pulse.

We emit vibrations all the time. We create our rhythm from moment to moment. Finding your rhythm heals… being out of rhythm dampens... Different rhythms create different moods.Think about this... You are working (work life is another rhythm), come home… your family is drumming on the table…there is drama... and then, there is a fight (again, a rhythm...) Watch your self here – your heart beat, breath, voice, body and thoughts. You will notice a rhythm …

Now, another scene…You come home and at the dinner table, everyone is drumming on the table... you join in…Again... watch your self... another rhythm?

So what rhythm do you choose?

-Bhavini Gandhi, Director, Bespoken Words

Revolution of creative writing

Where does creative writing stem from? What are the ingredients for a good article? What does an inspiring writer need to be equipped with when deciding to write a creative article? All these questions are asked by one who is about to enter the portals of WRITING.

Creative writing is the written form of how one tells a story. Of course to tell a story one requires a vivid sense of imagination, such that while narrating it to the listener, he/she begins to visualize it. Along with narrating came the need to preserve the story and hence, recording them in written form on various surfaces like wood, bamboo pottery, so on and so forth. As time flew by, the world witnessed various eras in the literary field bringing out different styles and genres of writing. More often there are guidelines to the whole writing sphere i.e. storyline, script, dialogue, plot etc. But it takes more than just theoretical points. A writer needs to have an imagination that runs ahead of wild horses, language that paints a story and the ability to captivate.

Days long before, when women were not given as much importance or equal rights as today, authors changed their names to ensure that editors read with an open mind and without bias. A necessity back then for the female writers/authors. Many female authors were not allowed the freedom their male counterparts enjoyed and so, were not allowed the liberty to conduct their research openly. Apart from such restrictions and stigma came a well written thread of fiction such as Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma and so on.

Few centuries ago, new authors (usually young amateurs) tried to make their talent visible to a larger audience by getting their creations published. There has been a transition of the writing medium from feathered ink pens to typewriter to the current trend of personal computers and laptops. The best medium is the INTERNET where creative writing has reached a whole new level. Thereby, encouraging and inspiring writers to go public with their work.

It is a common practice for upcoming writers to send their manuscripts to various publishing houses/agents with the hope of being able to capture their audience or at least, the attention of the agent! Youngsters prefer to start off small and steady by publishing on websites where they receive comments and feedback. This in turn helps them correct their mistakes and write better.

Today, talent is given as much importance as education and everyone has the liberty to say what they want on public forums via a worldwide medium like the internet and social networking sites. Writing is more or less a choice that many people turn to for extra income. Youngsters and grownups turn to writing as a way of therapy as well as a way of venting out their anger, wild imagination and what lies beneath.

-Renu Eapen, Bespoken Words Team

That Thing Called "Writing"!!!!

Sitting on my bed with sluggishness and frenzy oozing out like never before (due to terrible Delhi heat) and my eyes like a metal detector scanned the room for something significant to commence with my day with. Clothes, clothes and more clothes were strewn all over the place like a massacred crowd along with my mobile, jewelry boxes and handbags and what not!! Wait a minute! A piece of A4 sized blank paper lying unclaimed at one corner arrested my attention.

It really made me marvel how the very thought of writing filled my heart with such happiness! ‘Why do we write?’ Well...writing has been one of the oldest forms of communicating, learning, informing and entertaining people since the medieval ages. With constant evolution knocking at the door, writing too has undergone face lifts and its function has broadened. The catalysts may have been altered but the basic ingredient has remained the same. There is something about the act of writing which blends the soul and mind together. It’s one of the best tools that can help you lift your spirits when suffering from stress or confusion. For a carefree person like me, creative writing comes as a means to elope into a vast intellectual world untouched and waiting to be colonized and no physical activity can match up to it. Be it a diary page, some random poem or even an article, one is always spoiled for choices.

If you are facing any emotional turmoil, emptiness or want to jump out of the doldrums, this might be the tonic that you are searching for! Writing gives you the freedom to put your dark memories into black and white so that you have a better chance of getting in touch with and then moving past those events that troubled you.By choosing to turn a negative experience into an opportunity to write some of the most innovative, inspired pieces of your life shall be penned. You'll be able to get beyond those difficult moments when it feels as though life isn't fair or has become "too difficult" without fearing any criticism or restriction. Each and every time you exert yourself and write creatively, you are not only learning something about writing; you're learning something about yourself, and most importantly, you are producing.

Writing doesn’t involve any age limit or any legal qualification. You just need to believe in yourself and let your wings reach for the sky. It makes one grow as a person and perhaps helps you understand yourself better in the long run. ;)

-Priyanka Wali, Bespoken Words Team

Creative writing comes from the heart!!!

"Writing is a form of personal freedom. It frees us from the mass identity we see all around us. In the end, writers will write not to be outlaw heroes of some underculture but mainly to save themselves, to survive as individuals."-Don DeLillo

Rightly said by Mr. DeLillo. Writing for me sure is a form of personal freedom. I began writing when I had to pour out my emotions or to organize my thoughts when they were all running around in my mind in a crazy frenzy. I sit down to write when I have these sudden urges to write something huge. I start thinking about a topic and go into this world of fantasy where words just start falling into sentences and forming paragraphs of literature that just fail to explain what I need to convey and I'm suddenly out of that urge to write. Fail? You ask "Why fail?" I can never think and plan to write something. I write when I need to pour out my casual thoughts. Once I start to write, it ends up like a journal. Everything sounds like it came from a diary. I've had friends and cousins who write well. Their articles never fail to amaze me. I wonder "How can they think this way? Wow!" There was something that I was missing.

I began writing when I was younger. The very thought of having a ‘secret diary’ enticed me no end. I just wanted to fill my diary with every single moment of my day. Later when I started re-reading those diary entries, I found them really redundant and boring. Is there absolutely no spice in my life? Or is it that I didn't know to write? Well, I figured I had to start writing about my special moments and not just about any moments. Then I began writing and continued till I developed closeness with my diary. Like it was a silent listener who wanted to hear everything I had to say.

And slowly, I started writing down my thoughts, small stories that I liked to cook up, small discoveries that I made about life and the world. Without realizing, I was being creative. Creative about my writing, thoughts, stories. Somehow, the words that I wrote seemed to sound more interesting to read. That’s when I learnt - Creative writing doesn't come from practice or planning. It comes from the heart.

-Veena Shyam Krishna, Bespoken Words Team

Writing as a means of Emotional ‘Catharsis’

Imagine for a minute an individual encountering an extremely frustrating situation at work, a person suffering a personal loss, or someone dealing with financial or health problems. A human being goes through a gamut of emotions at a given time, a lot of which are usually negative, owing to the fast paced lives people usually lead in this day and age. When a person builds up pent up emotions, like anger, frustration, guilt, helplessness and other such negative feelings and emotions, they need an outlet for them. Psychologically speaking, ‘catharsis’ refers to the process of emotional release.

Rather than releasing these emotions through unhealthy or inappropriate means like yelling at someone, getting into a fight, or displaying aggressive behavior, people can look for healthier options to achieve catharsis, like working out, dancing or going for a run. An excellent way of cleansing out pent up negative emotions is through the medium of writing.

Writing in a diary; writing articles or letters; or filling in a daily journal are some options that prove useful in such cases. Writing down and describing the situation as perceived by the individuals themselves, or expressing their feelings about it can work wonders for people feeling burdened by their negative emotions. Writing can help one to creatively express oneself. Another advantage of using writing as a tool for ‘catharsis’ is that, often, reading one’s thoughts and feelings on paper can really help in rationalizing one’s thoughts and finding possible solutions to the problematic situations as well. It also helps immensely in gaining a different perspective about the situation since writing involves deliberation and thought. Writing sometimes literally means transferring your feelings to the paper. It helps an individual feel much lighter emotionally, less stressed out and more positive.

Feeling frustrated, stressed out, angry? Go pick up that pen and paper or get that laptop out and start writing your emotions away. It really works. Don’t believe me? Give it a shot.

-Ruchika Mathur, Bespoken Words Team

I want to break free!

“You can’t write about something, unless you know it or have experienced it. No matter what you write, it will bear resemblance to your life,” a friend once said. I couldn’t agree more. But that’s also the reason why I shy away from making my writing public: people have this absolutely annoying and an uncanny affinity to connect every bit and relate it back to the writer’s life. I mean, really, going by this logic, writers would be the most interesting people ever, which, all of us know, doesn’t quite hold true!

I also know that no matter how many disclaimers I write, every note will be viewed as “autobiographical!” So, I stopped caring. I would write, what I like, without worrying about, which friend might read too much into it and relate it to some random conversation we had over coffee, a million light-years ago! This freedom I have ordered for myself. Freedom to write, without mincing words or altering thoughts. This means a lot to me, probably even more than how free I am in my own house, region, state and country. Have you asserted your freedom for that one thing you value the most?

Everyday I read about wars to fight for freedom; countries fight for land, fanatics fight for religion, feminists for equality of sexes, and gays for homosexuality. Why do we need a broad spectrum, a magnanimous cause to fight for? Do we ever ask to be free for those relatively miniscule matters, which, in actuality, are of graver importance to us? We want to be attached to working towards big issues, it sounds way cooler. But we seldom take time out to understand, that these so-called-crucial-issues are in fact a result of us neglecting those infinite small occurrences, when we don’t put our foot down and assert our freedom.

When I started writing, I thought of stopping mid-way, thinking this wouldn’t make any difference. It would just be another note, either lost in virtual space, or being dissected and analysed by friends and strangers alike, to find a link to my life, or a link to another writer’s writing, condemning it as a cheap, plagiaristic attempt. But I went on writing, even at the risk of sounding preachy and oh-so-boring. Because this is one freedom I choose for myself!

What is that one freedom that you would fight for?

-Heta Shah,Guest Writer, Bespoken Words Team

An incoherent writer and her muse!

“Let them into your head. Let them see what goes into a writer’s mind”, a friend (rather my muse) told me. I cringed at the word “writer”. I am not a writer just because I write. A writer, almost always makes some sense, even through his ramblings. And strikes a chord, just about every time. I fail miserably at both.

But I will let you in, in my dysfunctional, disarrayed, discombobulated head, lacking every bit of coherence. A maze of absolute chaos.Armed with new motivation, I switched my laptop back to life. (Yes, although I love using a pen and paper, but Thesaurus has spoilt me rotten!)
File-->Open---> NewBlank Document
Staring at the Blank page.
Fingers on the key board, alert and fidgety.
Trying vigorously to think.
Mind absolutely blank.
Close--->Do you want to save changes on document 25?---> No.

I have been doing this for the past one hour. Unnaturally restless and yet completely impassive. Normally I like the antithesis that I dwell in, always oscillating between contrasting thoughts, moods and emotions. There are just so many stray thoughts running amok, but when I try to pen them down, string them into words, they pull a Houdini on me. An oasis in the desert. I just hate these tricks the mind plays. Mind games are for teenagers, in their post-puberty days, unleashing their dark, manipulating side.

Mind games, oh, how we just love to hate them! But then mind games were fun too! Or as Reese Witherspoon says in Legally Blonde, “Bend and snap!” And yes, it does work!The ‘hot and cold’ approach is undoubtedly the most foolproof approach! Many a hearts have hopped onto this trampoline, soaring high, and then hitting rock bottom, just to fly high again! What an adrenaline rush, and what an ebbing damper.

We used it the most in college, those teething days! Nostalgia sets in, oh those (in)glorious college days! Cutting lectures, college canteens, ogling at seniors, (hoping) to get noticed, the special college days, excruciatingly annoying Profs ---Those were the best days of our lives!

And then just as Bryan Adams wrote in the song, we graduate to then find jobs, make our career and find true love (or should it be the other way round—‘find our careers, and ‘make’ true love??!!)! With marriage, kids and a perfect family, close at heels! It’s so sappy, I am sure my muse will be choking by now. Oh no, I have derailed from my ‘soul searching journey’.

Ok, back on track. Lost the thought.This is exactly how life is: hot and cold! Bend and snap! An array of conflicting emotions, disjoint episodes and random thoughts. A complete lack of coherence! Just the way I love it!
Signing off for now…
Yours incoherently,
The writer (cringe!)

-Heta Shah,Guest Writer, Bespoken Words Team

Creative Writing for Beginners

Are you a beginner, with a passion for the written word but not sure where to begin? Let me help you out with a few tips on creative writing.
Everyone has a comfort zone. Some people prefer to work in a silent atmosphere while some are able to deliver with all the chatter and loud music happening. It could be your home, a library or even a coffee shop. Look out for that one place you think will unleash the creativity in you!

Every professional writer has an inspiration. It does not really have to be a person… could be music, movies, books or even your favorite television program. Remember, creativity does not develop by copying from another. You must use their work as an inspiration, for the required moral boost and create the magic yourself. Bring out that unique idea.

How far do you trust your memory? Well, it would be wise to begin by making a note of the main points to be covered. And you can slowly work on elaborating those points. Jotting down points helps you come up with different ideas more quickly as compared to waiting for the “right idea” to cross your mind. And as the writing continues, your creativity develops as you decide the beginning, the in-between and the end.

Do not stress yourself too much. On a given day, you might be able to write more as compared to another day. When it happens, do not stop yourself thinking you have done enough for the day. Keep writing till you are exhausted of ideas and words. If on a particular day, you can’t seem to go beyond a line or two, call it a day. Forcing yourself to continue writing will not only stress you out but would not bring out the creativity in you either.

Go through what you have written, as it does not necessarily need to be perfect the first time. Multiple revisions will help you fix the errors. There is no limit for the number of revisions. All that matters is your satisfaction with the end product.So, what you waiting for? Pick up that pen and start writing… Let your creativity come out in the form of words… Express yourself!!!

-Sapna Krishnan,Social Media Head, Bespoken Words

Welcome to Bespoken Words

Creativity – an expedition to discover ideas, concepts, associations...inventions, innovations, spontaneity, inspiration… and the list is endless. This daily trait (Yeah! Definitely not a skill or talent… but is inborn.. often untapped) fueled completely by intuition, it is an exploration of your psyche … your self or maybe your life. Reconnecting with your thoughts, feelings, fears, strength, body, soul is the call of the hour.
But what about this re-connection? What next… Ah! Of course expression. It is not just about getting in touch with the ‘creator’ inside but also about being able to expressively transfer the ‘creation’ outside.

Creatively express? Ouch! … and the grand entry of the expressive blocks.. Sigh! But do these blocks really exist? Or are they so-called ‘blocks’ created out of imagination, perceptions or a ‘Oh! But I was told by an expert… Blah! Blah!“ ? There … we are already creative. Excuses (familiar huh?)- a superlative creative expression.

Look at your day to day life… you express all the time... modes may differ… speech… dance… paint… music… images .. songs…write … and many more. Explore your medium… become the content… and watch your copy as it mystically flows. So scratch your head… awaken your mind … pick up your pens .. and set your self free on this path so divine… Feel, smile, cry, cringe, retreat, respond; written words can do so much to you and then some more.

Bespoken words welcomes your mind. Make your words come alive. Give them the space, lend them an ear, show them an audience and beckon them to go amok.
Unleash your expression,
Reconcile with your mission,
Collate your experience,
Create your nuance.
Relive your moments,
Let loose your vents,
Watch your potential unfold,
As you participate in this journey untold.

Signing off…
The Baaps… err… partners in mind-crime ;)
Bhavini Gandhi & Shruti Kothari
Bespoken Words