Glimpses of Culture

A kaleidoscope of glimpses into various cultures within Asia. Each tribe, each ethnicity expresses its identity in various ways – music, dance, textiles, costumes, food, language, life format etc.

It is impossible for an individual to capture the complete essence of any tribe – either one’s own or another’s – but it is possible to experience the diversity and be nothing less than awestruck by the beauty of human society.

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Sometimes the customs and traditions are so different from the ones I have been exposed to until now, that it is hard not to be alarmed and to remain unjudgemental. But the only way to view any custom is to see it as a part of the complete picture, within the paradigm that has given birth to the custom. It is only then that the view is fair.

Every society has its reasons for doing what they do. The set of rules that have evolved have withstood the test of inter-generational transmission. Therefore they are always internally consistent within the system and provide answers to all of the issues faced by that particular society. When viewed from outside, a traveller usually only gets a limited view and she sees a single custom / tradition without seeing all the evolutionary factors and the paradigm within which this is perfectly valid.  Given that this  is merely a slice of the whole life model, which is  quite likely to be different from her own, this view is likely to cause the viewer some dissonance and sometimes result in an imbalanced judgement.

Of course it is not only the limitedness of the view that causes this bias. Sometimes the close-mindedness of the viewer also contributes to this.

It has taken me many journeys into the lives and minds of others to realise that unless the context is known and empathised with, the judgement is unfair and therefore invalid.

I try to make a deliberate effort to ‘understand’ and ‘empathise’ instead of judging.

It is in that spirit that I have written my articles. My respect for their lives is total (and unconditional) even though my information about their paradigm is not.

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The posts have been listed below in order of posting.  You could either choose to scroll down all the way and read all  or click on the titles that interest you.

Return to Ladakh

Anachronism – Mumbai the Mega city & Elephanta the ancient caves

The Ladies Compartment in Mumbai Local trains

Kalinga Diaries

The stylish priests of Jagannath Puri

Journey to the Past – the Science of Epigraphy

In the Presence of the Past

The Magnificent Stone artefacts of Odisha

Camels go on a Pilgrimage

A Rabari Gypsy Tribal Wedding Ritual

A walk through a Rabari Tribal Village

The Stunning tribes of Sarawak, Borneo

A Cultural Stay at Kuching

Bidayuh Tribal Longhouse in Borneo

Puppets & Puppeteers of Rajasthan

The Batak Calendar  of Sumatra, Indonesia

A Python for Dinner

A Dog’s Sixth Sense

Loss of Cultural Diversity

Colors of Mewar,  Rajasthan

Turban Art – The Crowning Glory of Indian Men

The Gangaur Festival – praying for Marital Bliss

The Classic Indian Village fair – Gogunda Mela

Alternate Sexuality Traditions 4 – The Garasia Tribe

The Blacksmith Gadalia Community of Rajasthan

Music of the Manganiyar Tribe

Folk Dances of Rajasthan

Women of India – the Weaker sex

The Holi Bonfire – Past & Present

Mizo Mosaic

The Chapchar Kut Harvest Festival of Mizoram

Alternate Sexuality Traditions 3 – The Lushai Custom

Bnei Menashe – The Lost Tribe of Israel in Mizoram

The Siddi Tribe of Gujarat India of African origin

The Komusa Wandering Monks & their Shakuhachi flute

My talk at Asian Civilisations Museum

Intense Spirituality – Body piercing at the Thaipusam festival

Back to the Future – Tribal Life in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Hilltribe Lifestyle 1: Glimpses of a contented People

Arunachal Hilltribe Lifestyle 2 : Hunter-Gatherer-Weavers

Arunachal Hilltribe Lifestyle 3 : Innovative housing

Arunachal Hilltribe Lifestyle 4 : A chance encounter with a Shaman Priest during a sacrifice ritual

Arunachal Hilltribe Lifestyle 5: The Gaanv Boodhas or Village Headmen of Arunachal Pradesh

Tribal signatures – Face Tattoos of the Apatanis

Fierce Nocte Headhunters

Head Hunting Trophies

Arunachal Pradesh Lifestyle – Innovative Housing

Traditional Sports – Kabutar Baazi or Pigeon Gaming

Ram Leela at Dassera in Mumbai

Traditional Sports of Ladakh – Archery

Traditional Sports of Ladakh – Polo

Mountain Adventures 18000ft above sea level – a landslide at the Khardungla Pass!

Bactrian Camels of the Central Asian Silk Route – Ladakh

A night-out with the Nomads of Changthang

Mastering the Mind & Body – the Monk Warriors of Shaolin

The Ambubasi Tantric Festival

Church of Saint Francis Xavier of Assisi, Old Goa

Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an – a photo gallery of exhibits at Asian Civilisations Museum

Viva San Jao 2011

Invitation to a Lambani Gypsy Tribal Wedding

Exquisite Vintage Kebayas – costumes of the Pernakan Culture

Sikkim Diaries

Chanting Ceremony at Lingdum Monastery, Sikkim

Losar Celebrations – Bonfire at Kagyud Monastery, Sikkim

Procession at the Enchey Monastery, Sikkim

Little Lamas, Sikkim

Lama Dances at Thongsa Monastery, Kalimpong

Dancing with the Nuns at Phendzong Nunnery

Cross border handshake at Nathu-la Pass on the Silk Route

Yak Horn textile adornments, Sikkim

Street Shrines of India

The Hornbill Festival, Nagaland

Naga Lifestyle

Tribal Dances of Nagaland

Traditional Naga Bamboo Climbing & Fire Making

Tribal Textile and Bead Art of Nagaland

Sacrificial Lamb at Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati

Train Ride across rural Assam – Guwahati to Dimapur

Sumazau Dance of Sabah, Borneo

Journey of a Lifetime – Tibet

The Narakasur Festival

Lifestyle of the Qashqai Tribe, South West Persia

Nomads of Mongolia

Driving to Sindhudurg Sea Fort and back

The Eunuch Community of Bombay

The Dhunuchi Dance at Durga Puja

Thumbuakar Tribals of Borneo

Lucknow – Capital of Awadh & city of Nawabs

The Dragon Dance

The Magnificent Lion Dance

Janamashtami Festival

A cup of tea with nomads and gypsies of the Kutch

Alternate Sexuality Traditions 2 – The Tibetans

Textile Symbolism 1 : Hilltribes of Northern Thailand

Alternate Sexuality Traditions 1 – The Khmers

The children of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Time Travel Tour Operators

Kissing a Bengal Tiger

Common Memes between Tribes

Into the Arabian Sea at Mumbai

Through Rural Gujarat

Life in an Ashram

Goan Village House

Monsoon at Miramar, Goa

Dances from another place

The Fishing Nets of Cochin

The Lambani Gypsy Tribe

Lifestyle of the Hilltribes of Northern Thailand

Travelling Godmen

Colors of San Jao festival, Goa

Rajasthan Folk Art

Mountain flight to Mount Everest

Pashupatinath – celebration and sorrow

New posts are constantly being added to this list and will appear at the top.

jm

SOUNDS OF SHANTI – Photography Exhibition presented by Esplanade Singapore

Esplanade Theatres, Singapore presents ‘Sounds of Shanti’ – a photography exhibition reflecting devotional music of the various cultures of Asia, in conjunction with their music festival “Tapestry of Sacred Music”.

The series consists of 24 photographs  by Jaina Mishra  depicting the sounds of sacred music.

A few photographs from the exhibition:

The exhibition runs from April 5th to May 5th at the Tunnel, Basement 1, The Esplanade, SIngapore.

Please click here to view the details on the Esplanade website

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A sweet email received from a visitor today:

“Hi,

I had gone to Esplanade today to make the booking for my show in June. On my way back I stumbled upon your exhibition (I am fairly new to Singapore so still ignorant about the Arts world)…..I felt it….each and every sound through the frames….even though the only sounds around me were of people running to the mrt and kids skating through…I had been very agitated and stressed with my upcoming event….but your frames and the series just engulfed me into it….and I experienced the sense of momentary Shanti…am touched by each and every sound that you spoke about…it does stir me and humbles me profoundly….always brings me to my present moment ….Thank you for the magical experience today!“

M.B.”

 

jm

April 2013

My photo contribution to Singapore Art Museum Satellite Unit Opening at Taman Jurong

In pictures 5 photograph prints were selected for display at the opening of the Singapore Art Museum at Taman Jurong CC.

The objective of having satellite units is to bring the arts to heartlands and engage the community in the arts. In addition to displays that are permanent exhibits at the Singapore Art Museum, a few other residents of the area were invited to show their work at the opening.

A few pictures :

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam declaring the Museum open

Member of Parliament David Ong (ccenter) discussing photography and tribal travel with me

Deputy PM goes around looking at the photograph exhibits.

In conversation with the DPM

Shots from the end of the evening when the crowd had thinned out…

Working with the SAM and the TJCC team was unbelievably smooth!

And to top it all – the wonderful conversations about travel & photography with Mr. Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Culture, Mr. David Ong, MP and a brief chat with Mr. Tharman and his charming wife made the evening a very memorable one!

jm

Jan 2013

Photographs of the Tribal Expressions Exhibition, Singapore

Photos of an absolutely amazing experience!  Visitors reacted beyond expectation to the people in the photos, to the photos, to the expressions of human emotion, to the expressions of tribal identity, to the captions, and to the entire cultural effort!

Absolutely invigorating!

Am grateful!

The exhibition is now open for viewing online on www.jainamishra.com

jm

Dec 2012

Upcoming Talk @ The Esplanade, Singapore

Sunday November 25th, 2012
Library @ The Esplanade, Singapore

Details of the talk ‘Tribal Textiles – Signatures of Identity’ may be viewed on the Esplanade website linked here

jm

Nov 2012

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Textile Artwork Curated for Esplanade Theatre, Singapore

Esplanade Theatre, Singapore has commissioned
Jaina Mishra
to curate a a series of Tribal Textile Artworks.

These will be on display
from Nov 23 – Dec 2, 2012
on the main facades of the hallway, the cones above the tunnel and the Library at the Esplanade

ARTWORK 1

The two large panels, each measuring
6m x 2m
have been created using
Vintage ‘Dhaniyo’ traditional textiles
of the Yaduvanshi Ahir tribe from Kutch.

It is estimated that this artwork required 720 man-days (of 8 dedicated hours each) to embroider, 70 man-days to hunt out 12 matching pieces from over 25 villages in Kutch and 30 man-days for assembly – altogether an effort of 820 man-days.

ARTWORK 2

Three large lanterns, each of a different color of celebration have been created
using Bandhani tie-dye saris from Rajasthan. Each lantern is made up of 12 saris.

ARTWORK 3

7 traditionally woven saris decorate the National Library @ the Esplanade

Photos of the artworks will be put up in December.

Esplanade Theatre, Singapore

*click here to view the Esplanade Website

jm

oct 30, 2012

Textile Art of South East Asia at the Asian Civilsations Museum

An album from a forgotten visit in 2007 to the Asian Civilisations Museum …. taken with a camera I do not even remember.

A photography experience that probably made me realise the disastrous results of ignorance of technology.

But even the bad images do not fail to convey a small glimpse of the beauty of the textiles.

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Pidans, dayak Beadwork, Suva tube skirt, and several other excellent pieces are available in the wovensouls gallery.

jm

July 2012

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My Talk @ Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore

On Thursday, Feb 16th, I presented a talk on the magnificent Blue Veil to museum Docents, textile enthusiasts and museum enthusiasts at the Ngee Ann Auditorium at ACM in Singapore.

The presentation will be put up here soon.

jm

Feb 13, 2012

The Last Dance

The Paris Opera Ballet (France) presented at the Esplanade in Singapore recently.

Before I entered the private box that I had a seat in, the hosts – the Esplanade management – explained that that particular show was the last dance of one of the key ballet dancers. The last dance. Ever.

As I sat through the show in the dark theatre, catching zoomed glimpses of the perfect footwork with the theatre binoculars, all I could think of was the state of her mind.

What must she be feeling? In performing every move, in listening to the applause, in her bow – what was she thinking and feeling?If I had been in her pretty ballerina shoes, would I be able to be so stoic and maintain a perfect performance?

A last dance – a last good bye – to the stage – to an audience – to the activity that must have consumed her whole life – how much strength would one need to not cry in that last bow!

jm

Feb 2012

Intense Spirituality – the Thaipusam Festival

They say spirituality awakens at a particular moment – and that moment is necessarily different for each person.

I do not think I have reached my moment yet. But I have been fortunate to have witnessed the deep spirituality of others, some as young as 20!

Watching men who are so devoted to a being that they put themselves through intense pain for hours – left me moved and completely impressed at the Thaipusam festival in Singapore.

Men and women pierce their bodies with spikes and hooks and use these to carry or pull weights as a mark of devotion to Lord Murugan. These men then walk from one temple to another about 2 km away on slippers that have nails poking through them.

To the onlooker the pain they put themselves through is as intense as their spirituality. But I am told they feel very little pain…….

Images from a deeply moving experience:

1. At the Temple :

The Gods

The starting point of the procession – Sri Srinivas Perumal Temple

A lady praying for her son before she gives him blessings

Pre-spiking preparation and puja

2. The act of piercing

4 rods act as the main pillars for the structure. Measurements are taken and markings are put on the front as well as the back before piercing the body with the rods.

Making body markings with ash for the piercings

This is where the 4 prinicpal pillars that hold up the structure will be attached to the body

The actual piercing ….

In addition to the 4 principal rods shown above there are numerous thin metal sticks that support the structure. These are attached to the sides, the chest and the upper back.

The young man about as old as my son

Piercing

Hooks are used where needed and a plug is used to hold it in place.

The act of piercing

The momentary pain

The Peacock crown to be placed atop the metal structure

Once the piercings are in place the devotee and his entourage offer prayers before leaving to join the procession

Worshipping the holy flame the “aarti” before beginning

3. The Procession

The  journey is going to be a long one ….

with sandals that have nail spikes!

Leaving the temple and joinign the procession

As if bearing the pain were not enough……the devotees dance to offer worship! Their limitless spirit deserves a salute

Other devotees serve the procession walkers by pouring water containing turmeric – as it has healing properties – on the feet of devotees.

Children may offer worship without spikes

4. Closeups and details of Piercings

Rudraksh seeds

The forehead marks of Shiva

The ash seen here offers spiritual resistance to pain

Kavadis decorated with Puja string and hooked onto the devotee’s back

Carrying the Kavadi

 5. The Chariot Puller

Pulling a chariot with the hooks on his back

6. The Women

Women are the weaker sex?

Another lady devotee

7. The Chinese Devotee

Chinese devotees – a delightful surprise and a testimony to the inter racial harmony in Singapore

8. The Tonsured Devotees

Tonsure is another way of offering worship

Concluding thoughts

It is a Hindu custom to offer reverence by touching the feet of another – usually an elder. Although the practice is followed very commonly with younger people touching the feet of older people simply as a matter of greeting, I have rarely done this unless I truly respect the person. Today I did that to a total stranger. An old man in a procession with spikes and hooks all over his body.

The man whose feet I touched

I truly respected the strength of his spirit – and so I touch his feet as he walked in the procession on Serangoon Road, Singapore. He, and all the others like him, some of them  as young as my son, are way superior to me. In endurance, in spirituality  and in mental strength. Someday I hope that the blessings I received from the old gentleman will make me stronger than I am and at least a fraction as strong as he is!

Someday I hope to find devotion within myself that would be intense enough to shatter the limitations of being human!

jm

Feb 2012

Over 100 Hi res images will be available on jainamishra.com.