essence magazine
Showing posts with label essence magazine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label essence magazine. Show all posts

Art and About : CHIRAG BANGDEL


"Being an artist is addictive, almost inescapable" says the articulate and multidimensional artiste Chirag Bangdel.

 On account of his demonstrative emotions, ingredients to an idea and substance to the soul that he offers through his art, we ourselves would not want to escape. Over a small coffee talk, I tried to get a flavor of his artistry and addiction to art.

HE ANSWERS

My First Question  I googled Chirag Bangdel and found various facades of your personality. An artist, a blogger, a musician, a teacher, a poet, a radio/TV show presenter. I would like to ask this question to no one else but you, who exactly is Chirag Bangdel?

An artist – Art, painting and art endeavors are my identity but the things I can do with music, I can rarely do it with anything else.Music for me is a fascination and one of the prime reasons I enjoy radio and collecting guitars. As a poet, I write every so often and also organize ‘South Asian Poetry Festival for Peace (www.southasianpoetry.com) an annual poetry festival.I have been an educator for almost 15 years now. As a blogger, I am not as frequent as I should be.

It’s very important for artistic person to explore different mediums to avoid repetition and monotony. So, I reflect myself as a creative person and every facade that I project is undoubtedly a medium to express the art in me in one form or another.

I get Curious  Where does the soul of your art come from? Out of what do you derive inspiration?

I am a self-taught artist. The heart of my art is unadulterated with the technicality and guidelines of how a certain type of art piece should be. And partly it’s in our genes because that’s what we Bangdels can do best (laughs). My grandfather, a preeminent artist,Lain Singh Bangdel’sauspices have always inspirited the artist in me and I seek inspiration from everything I perceive – a life both spiritual and socio-cultural.

 Intrigued Recently (as in early 2015), there was an Art Installation titled ‘Life begins with Red’ exhibited by you at WaterAid WASH Expo, held at Nagarkot. What was the concept?

As my second art project for WaterAid, the subject undertaken was menstrual hygiene which sadly still is a taboo in parts and nooks of our country while it should be celebrated as a natural process even higher to ordinary because that’s how life continues. If people can overlook the simple fact that menstruation is an inseparable fragment of femininity, of womanhood and motherhood, we have the right to evoke the thought-process with a tangible form of art.

Getting the details The mediums you used were very selective. We observed objects like Chairs, Chains, Bowls, Rose Petals, and Sanitary Napkins etc. What did you want to convey with those?

More than conveying something, it was aimed at fetching a positive change in the perspective towards menstruation.

Installation art shouldn’t be very elaborative. However, it’s quite clear that the sanitary napkins represent the necessity of menstrual hygiene. On top of that, there were bowls with red liquid, the potion of life, rose petals and pomegranate seeds denoting the beauty of nature and a bud of existence respectively.

Another piece called Red Restriction showcased a Chained Metal Chair with a red spot standing atop a bed of Sanitary Napkins. This installation crusades for the ease of accessibility of sanitary pads to the girls in their periods and is a strong advocacy against the practice of restricting them from entering the kitchen to the worse - sleeping in cowsheds (miserably which happens still).




The real difficult question What's your (intended) masterpiece? Have you created it yet or are you on in progress?

At the verge of sounding obvious, it’s a truth that each of my work carries a portion of me. I think of my ‘Potrait of a Patriot’ or ‘The portrait of a Lady with the white shawl’ or installation arts like ‘building a nation’ and meanwhile imagine my upcoming works and conclude I cannot pick a single gem as all of them shine equally for me.
(Find his paintings in Chirag's blog here)

Nostalgia What is your first memory of splashing colors and finding out that this is what you are good at and passionate about?

I don’t exactly have a memory; I know I painted since always. However, I do remember when I was in school in Mirik, Darjeeling; I was so pleased with myself for painting a brown branch with a sunset background and I could all but control my glee at that.

Getting nosy? Was this what you always wanted to achieve? Or did you have something else planned in mind?

At a point in my life, I wanted to see myself as a ‘Rockstar’. Though that didn’t come accurate, I have materialized my wish to enjoy the process of my work and with my 20+ solo exhibitions in Nepal and across the world including Germany, Netherlands, Dubai and more, I believe in the goodness of occurrences and surprises life holds for us. Additionally, I consider myself the typical ‘jack of all trades’.

The essential question What next can we expect from you? Tell us a bit about the work you are undertaking currently.

My second collection of Short stories, successor of ‘Mist around the Stupa’ is coming out soon.
The thing with art is that it’s growing day by day and so are themes. Currently, I am waiting for my next muse to stumble upon me so I can captivate the canvas with my congenital colors.

           What if not an artist
    A musician, for sure.

           Have you ever dedicated any piece of your art to an individual from your family or friend?
    I have written poems dedicated to my father.

          A specific inspiration you have always mused to take on.
    Spirituality

          One piece of art by yourself or others, you would like to recreate.
    Blue Period Paintings by Picasso.

           Favorite Poem
    Daffodils by William Wordsworth

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    Photo Source (LIFE BEGINS WITH RED) : WaterAid Facebook Page, (ARTIST PICTURE) Chirag Bangdel's Facebook Profile.
    (Published: ESSENCE Magazine, Vol 04, April, 2015)
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    Women empower Music and Music empowers Women

    Nothing turns oppression into opportunities for women like women strolling into the field they love to see themselves in. Long gone are the days when ‘rockstar’ was a word mostly associated with boys because today, girls mean business when they pick a tune and sing; it’s par ‘just a hobby’. 

    Today, empowerment of female gender is more of an exploration of feminine aspects, their implications and transformation and the development of a healthy psychology. And it all comes complete with the acceptance of the representations of the same.

    The swarming Facebook shares of the link to vote Astha Tamang Maskey on an international Ryan Seacrest’s cover competition few months back is still afresh on our digital functioning minds and we have settled quite amicably to the art of female artists, pop stars or singers, and all we sought to address her kind as. But the conclusion often underived is whether or not ‘this enrichment in music industry by female artists is empowering women’.

    Interpreting the message of empowerment if there is any depends upon the audience as much as it does on the performers. The validation of its practice is yet another thoughtful matter. Millions of girls worldwide acknowledged their heartbreak and moved on with Adele, collected their appraisals with Taylor Swift and nurtured their dreams and homes with Queen B, Beyonce. There is no doubt that girls (and boys even) gathered up their worth listening to Katy Perry’s Roar and Fireworks and the message got real when she collaborated with a domestic violence survivor to perform at the Grammy's this year.

     (Brooke Axtell's Grammy Speech below)


    Also, we really don’t have to go that far to seek inspiration or pursue the consent and contentment of being not born a male. Every household name currently, Aastha Raut enjoys her critical and commercial success and let you be reminded of how her songs question the basis of identification of a Nepali. It was her dominant voice demanding an answer if it is really necessary to wear a Chaubandi and Patuki or be capable of collecting fodder to be certified as a part of Nepal. 

    This hit song though not accurate, is a robust reflection of women’s limited rights to question which with time is escalating its spread. This had sparkled a decision-making power globally among the non-chaubandi and patuki wearing women as the acceptance of this song boldly answers ‘No’.
    Aastha revealed that she had been a rebel since her childhood and chose songs that talked of the virtues of being a daughter and advocated rights for girls strongly. She time and again mentions her gratefulness to her guru Suresh Adhikari and further confirms, “I believe in respecting the difference people have, may it be culture, religion, nationality or gender. I have always wished to be the unheard voice of women and Jhumke Bulaki and Chaubandi ma Patuki represents me as a spokesperson for the youth who along with me, truly connected to those songs.”

    One name we certainly cannot miss out, Abhaya Subba exemplifies the grand forte assembled by a woman and she not only summons women in concert but women in command. And the other important thing that we need to, not have to, but need to understand is that every song the female artists sing might not and will not contain the words of female empowerment, but they themselves on this platform standing tall and respectful is anything but the embodiment of a power that promotes every female division and subordination.

    Even with the prevalent socioeconomic circumstance with marginal exploration access of available opportunities and abilities within, girls and women are emerging out on every major arena in addition to the example of industry of music discussed above. And hopefully this shall continue up to an extent where the word ‘woman empowerment’ will be extinct and if that would not be an ideal and equal world, then what would be?

    Photo Source: (AASTHA RAUT) Artist's Facebook Profile.
    (Published: ESSENCE Magazine, Year 04, Vol. 03, March 2015, Music)
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    TakeTEN : Marriage Theme Songs

    “Song of the rings” *My Precious!

    Especially those with a knack of rushing, hurrying and planning their unseen, uncertain future; I ask you to settle down and listen to the songs that you often hear to. Who knows, you might just hit the realization that some songs - CORRECTION - all songs actually make sense.

    That’s the beauty of music and the power of words. We have heard them say, there is a song for every emotion turbulent inside you and every situation you get yourself cornered in. (I totally made that up right now, but you did relate to it, didn't you?) All you need to do is listen often, with open ears, more open heart and the most open mind. 
    And hey, no judgments on the songs mentioned, okay? (Wink)

    Chances are that you are either at a point, will get to a point or successfully past a point where you assume All your friends are growing old, doing what they’re told while you are caught up in the magic, music and fun. Seriously now, stop over listening to Skyhooks’ ‘All my friends are getting married' because you know, I know, we all know that the fun and magic doubles when you find the one whose ring finger will scream at you to Put a ring on it (Single Ladies, Beyonce).

     Let me quote Frank Sinatra for instance, Love and Marriage go together like a horse and carriage. You can’t have one without the other (Love and Marriage, Sinatra) ‘And No, No one is too young to get married. What kind of difference can a few years make?’ sang Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans.

     So there, I broke the ice, the songs being referred to, all say marriage or wedding. 

    Are you still interested in this post? Or are you just being polite? Are you bored perhaps? 

    Don't be. As a refreshment, allow me to take you back to a scene from Frozen (I didn't watch Frozen, my sister did). Let it go...Let it go... No I am not singing it. Okay, so in that movie when Elsa says to Anna, “You can’t marry a man you just met.” I remembered Darlene Love’s 1963 hit, Today I met the boy I'm gonna marry. RIP!

     I have always believed that great lyrics and great songs share few common themes: the isolation before or after love, the buoyancy of being in love, the certainty of spending life with the chosen one and most of the times, the heartbreak, the betrayal and the tragedy. But like I mentioned earlier, the theme we are sticking to here is marriage/wedding, yes out of all. 

     Fasten your belts of single hood (if married, loosen the belt a little) and learn by heart some of the most romantic lines from the Ten handpicked ‘marriage’ songs for the one with whom you want to make a sandwich together as your midnight snack.


     1.     Tell me who I’ll marry, Judy Collins, 1962
    Tell me who I'll marry, Tell me who he'll be

    While the vistuly is flowing, By the green oak tree



     2.     Marry me a little, Barry Manilow, 1975

    Marry me a little. Body, heart, and soul.
    Passionate as hell. But always in control


     3.     Will you Marry me, Paula Abdul, 1992
    Just girl to boy, I’d like to share this thought with you
    Our love is a joy, two ones have made inseparable two.
    So now I’ve finally got the courage
    Just ask you baby, Will you marry me, boy?

     4.     When I said I do, Clint Black, 1999
    When I said I do, I meant that’s I will till the end of time
    Be faithful and true, devoted to you.

     5.     Let’s Get Married, Jagged Edge, 2000
    Meet me in the altar in your white dress
    We ain’t getting no younger, we might as well do it
    Been feeling all the while girl, I must confess
    Girl, Let’s just get married.

     6.     Marry Me, St. Vincent, 2007
    I want to marry you, So marry me, John
    Marry me, John I’ll be so good to you.

     7.     Marry Me, Train, 2010
    Forever can never be long enough for me, to feel like I've had long enough with you.
    Marry me. Today and every day. Say you will. Say you will.

     8.     Marry You, Bruno Mars, 2011
    Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice?
    Who cares baby, I think I wanna marry you.

     9.     Marry Me, Jason Derulo, 2013
    A hundred and five is the number that comes to my head
    When I think of all the years I wanna be with you
    I swear that I will mean it. I’ll say, “Will you marry me?”
    And of course, our favorite Nepali proposal song.
    10.                       Will you Marry me, Anil Singh
    It’s a sight of mind that’s all, First and last I’d like to propose.
    Oh girl, my love, Will you marry me? (You are probably singing this in your head.)
    Bonus tip: If your girlfriend’s dad is a bit uptight and you want to marry that girl, marry her anyway, sing Rude by Magic, 2014, to him.  Marriage is a family affair after all.



    (Published: ESSENCE Magazine, Year 4, Vol. 02, February 2015, RHYTHM N BEATS.)
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    A short trek to Poonhill - DAY TWO


    'It’s cold' is the first remark you will make if you wake up at this altitude in the month of February. Imagine the struggle to brush your teeth and wash your face. Day 2 started like that, soon engulfing us in the wet woods, ferns and big rocks boulevard. The sound of waterfalls, chirping birds and dripping water droplets from the branches above is only trounced by a distinctive sound of bells tied to the neck of the asses used primarily for transportation. Safe Drinking water spots are available at every next settlement but take this suggestion of mine if you ever hike, carry a small bottle of Water purifying tablets or solution and taste the natural spring water.

    You can guess how excited we were for snow when I let you know that we bothered almost every person we came across asking about what lies ahead of us and what they left behind them. Some agreed to our enthusiasm, some presaged but each person replied with warmth. Drenched enough in the rain the earlier day, none of us wished for a rain yet it showed up, like everything that we don’t want happens.

    Almost immediately, our annoyance melted as the rain droplets started freezing and transformed itself to tiny white ice crystals. SNOW! We danced, jumped, slipped, played, photographed and carved snowmen out of mud mixed snow. We were witnessing snow, first time in our existence of 22 years (in average). Warming up our internal system with a cup of black tea cost us Rs.20 each cup. Still in budget.

    The greens were slowly covered with white as we climbed up. Cold Clean Cottony White. Whites overlying the blue roofs, white where once used to be red rhododendrons, white above the yellow grass blooms, white wherever our eyes dwelt. No differentiation between any elements of nature; all white. 
    Our trekking poles supported us while we passed small bunches of tea houses still comprehending the first feel of snow; and then we reached Ghorepani, approximately six hours later we started.





    Bargaining mode on. We reserved a warm cozy place and looking out of the window at that heavy snowfall, thanked our decision of staying at Banthanthi instead of Ulleri the previous day. Despite the weather outside, we passed that evening warm, not just because of the burning woods in the central heating system, but because of the affection and matchless generosity of the Tamang couple who looked after the Guest House where we were the only guests that night. Paying a little more for a stomach-full won't seem a big deal considering how difficult it is to carry food up there where nothing grows.
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