In pursuit of inner peace and healing, I headed to the Island of Gods-Bali. With the sole purpose of relaxing with their heavenly spas, picturesque landscape and infinite coastline, I landed with an excited heart drawn in by Bali’s charm.
When I arrived at Fivelements, Ubud, I could understand why Bali was so revered for its peaceful and giving culture. The property has some of the best ever spas and I was instantly mesmerised by the feeling of energy I got.
First Impression of Fivelements
Having travelled to Bali from the second most populated country in the world – India and finding my way to Fivelements in itself was an adventure. Why? That’s because it was far away from any kind of chaos. It personified peace. Located by the Ayung River, it was nestled in greenery and pristineness so fine that I couldn’t believe it was real. The signature rice terraces, the Balinese village like feel and the fresh cool air while the sun shone down on me was what I instantly noticed when I got there.
I Got the Best Vibes
Fivelement had a strong aesthetic game. There were little ponds and streams across the property along with manicured tropical gardens. All the suites faced the river and were made out of bamboo, wood and straw, thanks to sustainable living. It looked cosy from every angle. The property was bubbling with energy and a lively, friendly vibe, which made me feel welcome.
Wrapped in Tranquillity and Ethereal Beauty
Located far off from the hustle and bustle of tourist spots, Fivelements let me relax in blissful peace and quiet. The only thing that I could hear was the chirping of the birds, whistling wind and the sound of the flowing river, and oh how I loved it! This kind of space really gave me time to reign in my thoughts and concentrate on de-stressing.
Living in a Loving Apace
My room was by the river, draped in beautiful white upholstery, letting the natural light filter in. I had a canopy bed and a nook by the window so I could look at the river while listening to soothing music or click pictures of the sunrise and sunset. There was a soak-in stone bathtub in the verandah, overlooking the river and looking inviting 24/7. I dipped in and looked at the river without feeling too out in the open. Even the bathroom inside had an outdoor rain head shower which was covered only by bamboo and let the sun shine inside. It was surreal.
Lip Smacking Vegan, Gluten-free Delicacies
Fivelements has an award winning dining room, the Sakti dining room that serves vegan, gluten free food varieties. As a vegetarian, I found the food here sumptuous and tried a lot of things that the staff recommended. My foodstagram is full of pictures of food I had here. They source organic ingredients for their food and 80% of it is served raw, increasing the nutritive value of the food by leaps and bounds. Like all of the establishments on the property, the Sakti dining room is also made of wood and bamboo and straw, adding to the Balinese village theme.
Wellness Treatments and Rituals
The wellness spa treatments at Fivelements are given by native Balinese therapists who have inherited ancient knowledge and techniques. I had their Sakti spa ritual at their spa retreat by the river and I returned to my room a changed person. Taking a spa while hearing the river flow by was calming and serene.
The therapist held my hand meditated with me for 5 minutes in the beginning to connect us to each other. This increased my comfort and helped me to get used to the touch of the therapist.
Balinese hotris (priests) also perform blessing rituals like Agni Hotra Fire blessing ceremony in which they will offer offerings to the fire while chanting Sanskrit mantras. This ritual helped me purify my aura and made me feel like a new person. Girls are not allowed to perform these ceremonies in India but women are allowed to take part in these rituals in Bali.
Sprinkles on the Top
I totally enjoyed my yoga session in the morning. More than anything, it encouraged me to wake up early and live a routine life. The instructor made me meditate post the class and made me feel very connected with my inner self. Overall, the property just healed me.
My Bali trip was accentuated by my stay at Fivelements. It is indeed a retreat that will give you lasting physical and mental wellness. Everything from their food, atmosphere, staff, spa treatments and their hospitality was worth it. I would definitely go there again if I had a chance.
Tamil Nadu has been hogging the headlines over the last few months for various reasons. First it was the state’s beloved Amma’s death, then the Jallikattu controversy and now the tussle for the Chief Minister’s post. The state capital Chennai is in the spotlight of national media due to these controversies, so the Tamil Nadu language spoken by localities is of interest.
Tamil has various dialects spoken in the various regions of the state – Kongu Tamil in Coimbatore, Madurai Tamil, Tirunalveli Tamil, Trichy Tamil and of course the Chennai Tamil (Madras Bashai). Chennai Tamizh/tamil is an amalgamation of the various dialects along with words borrowed from other languages like Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi.
‘A local dialect spoken in a multilingual context’ — this is how V. Arasu, head of department of Tamil Literature at the University of Madras, describes Madras Tamil. Chennai being a mega metropolis, there are multitudes of people from across India and abroad. It does not take much time to catch up with this slang irrespective of where one is from. Although it is hard to find locals talking in Hindi, they do understand the language. This scene is changing due to migration of many North Indians to Chennai in search of work.
Another language that can be easily understood by the locals is that particular dialect of Telugu spoken by those natives of Andhra, who have settled down in Tamil Nadu since many generations. Their Telugu consists of a large collection of Tamil words and is hence easy to understand. However, it is necessary for every person living in Chennai to learn a few Tamil words/phrases for simple conversations at the grocery store or for bargaining with autowallahs.
You can find the youth calling each other ‘machan’ or ‘machi’ (meaning dude) or adding a suffix ‘da’ at the end of every sentence. One must also not feel offended if they are addressed as ‘nee’/ ‘unakku’ instead of ‘neenga’ or ‘ungalku’ (generally used to address with respect). This is not a deliberate attempt to degrade someone; it is just the informal way of city life.
The Tamil syllable ‘zha’ is often pronounced as’ya’ or ‘la’ as in ‘vaala palam’ instead of ‘vazha pazham’ (banana). Another common syllable used is ‘dichu’ instead of ‘urthu’ as in ‘poidichu’ instead of ‘poiruthu’ (gone).
‘Mokka’ (as in a lame joke),’bandha’ (show-off), ‘semma’ (superb), ‘vetti’ (joblessness, used among friends, but not in a derogatory manner)-these are some slang words one might learn within a few weeks from staying in Chennai.
Other than the certain stereotypical syllables like – ‘aa’ as in ‘right-aa?’ (Is that right?) or ‘apadiyaa’ (Is that so?) and ‘u’ as in ‘left-u’ or ‘turn-u’, one must know certain other terms to enjoy a conversation with a local.
Some common slang words in Madras Bashai are:
Aapu – failure Aalinaal Alaguraaja – Jack of all arts Aattaya poadrathu – to steal Adjist – adjust Allo – Hey there! Annthanda po – go that side Ayye – So? Bulb vanguruthu – to get embarrassed Bejaar – Nuisance Bittu – generally refers to a strip of paper used to copy during exams Dabbu/Dhuddu – money Daada – Don Da/Di – similar to ‘yaar’ Dhool – well done Enna/Inna – what? Es agurudhu – to escape Free-ah-viddu – to take matters easily Gaandu – to get irritated Galatta – chaos/celebrations Gethu – super Golti – generally used to refer Telugu people Jujubee – small/unimportant Kadalai – to flirt Kalkarudhu – impressive Kalaikarudhu – to make fun of someone Kamnati – a jerk Kenai – fool Kottikarudhu – to eat shamelessly Lollu – banter Maamiyar veedu – lockup/police station Marramandai – block head, one who doesn’t think much Mokka/blaydu – lame jokes/talk OB adikuruthu – to waste time OC – free, at no cost Pakki – refers to an individual who eats shamelessly Padips – nerd Reel – lame excuse Semma – very. Alternatively used for ‘superb’ Sappa Matter – very easy thing Superstar – generally refers to actor Rajnikanth Tubelight – person who is absentminded Thala – head of a gang. Also refers to actor Ajith Yechuse-me – excuse me!
Encountering interesting characters and imagining seeing ghosts— the stuff of childhood memories of visits to small towns in western Uttar Pradesh
A couple of times in a year we made a trip to Pilibhit where my paternal grandmother lived. Travelling by car from Delhi to Bareilly, we passed Moradabad, Rampur and other towns on the way. Those long journeys had a comforting feeling, a sense of warm, benign religious presence in the shapes of mosques and shrines of Sufi saints which one passed along on the way, overlaid in a Hindu matrix. Neither seemed daunting or threatening. Or so it seemed. The crossing of the Ganges at Ramghat, a few kilometres before Gajraula, where the devotees, sadhus, and sants, some smoking chillums and wearing saffron clothes, were gathered on the river banks.
Slipping into a reverie, I used to think that perhaps one among those thousands who thronged the ghats could be a business tycoon, who had given up all his worldly possessions and come to meditate and seek salvation on the banks of the holy river. Who could tell? Perhaps, in the sea of humanity present on the ghats, there was a Siddhartha-like character searching for the truth. Perhaps, one among the saffron-clad souls, appearing like a tiny speck from the moving car as it crossed the bridge, was a Raju Guide type character (the central protagonist in R K Narayan’s famous English novel, The Guide)—not really a sadhu but, by the saffron clothes he wore, only looking like one.
The crossing of the Ganges at Ramghat, enroute to Barielly.
I wanted to run to the farthest man on the river bank and talk to him but the car just sped along giving such snapshots, leaving me with no time to know anything more.
As I remember it from my childhood days, Barielly seemed like a typical, dusty, dirty town of western Uttar Prdesh, though it also has a large cantonment area which is quite neat and clean. But the areas that I visited, my aunts home, had a typical small town feel with clusters of houses grouped into mohullas. There were only a few open spaces within their midst and surprisingly very little vegetation, except for the occasional gnarled neem, imli (tamarind), and peepal trees here and there, with a kite stuck in the branches—the proverbial kati patang, and a barely visible little green bird (coppersmith barbet), situated deep within the branches of the tree, calling out toot toot toot on hot summer afternoons. It all seemed to come out from a poem. Maybe a nazm by Nida Fazli.
Barielly seemed like a typical, dusty, dirty town of western UP—there were only a few open spaces within their midst and surprisingly very little vegetation, except for the occasional gnarled neem, imli and peepal trees here and there, with a kite stuck in the branches—the proverbial kati patang. It all seemed to come out from a poem.
Since the bazaars of Bareilly had figured in a popular song ‘Bareilly ke bazaar mein jhumka gira re’ (from the film Mera Saya) I used to wonder what was so special about them. But when I put this question to locals, they just hemmed and hawed and failed to come up with any convincing explanation.
Pilibhit, close to the Himalayan foothills, known as the terai, is about an hours’ drive from Bareilly. My father’s ancestral house was located here. At some point in time, his family may have been well off, possessing jagirs (revenue collection rights) from villages and orchards in these parts till zamindari was abolished. At some point, his house must have been a large haweli, probably constructed around the turn of the 19th century or maybe the initial decades of the 20th century.
But I remember, right from our childhood days, that most portions of the house had been encroached upon and were therefore out of bounds for us. In fact, three-fourths of the property had been encroached upon; some by refugees who had fled from Western Punjab after partition and the rest by relatives of all hues and in one case a tenant (squatter) who refused to vacate the premises. The quarter where my grandmother lived then was actually the zenana (the female quarters, but more appropriately, the living quarters) or what was left of it.
In Badaun an old mosque constructed during the reign of Iltamush.
In its original form, our house in Pilibhit had a typical structural plan. A part of it was what was known as the ‘baithak’ or the drawing room where male guests, usually those who were not family members, were entertained. (Though this had been encroached upon by one of the relatives, we were allowed to see it.) The entrance to the outside door was through an L-shaped vestibule, which always had a sweet musty smell of damp earth that had not seen the sun for decades. It led to the living quarters through an inner door, located close to the kitchen (bawarchi-khana) and a small courtyard. The living quarters consisted of nothing more than long, rectangle-shaped rooms with kothrees (small box rooms) at either end.
The only vegetation in the compound was a guava tree and a kakroondah bush. On one side, near the kitchen, was a stairway (zeena) which led to the kotha (roof) which had a single room, littered with old newspapers, books, and magazines, belonging to our uncle. Rumour had it that the roof was haunted, but this was probably a ruse devised by the elders to discourage children from venturing to the roof at night, especially since one part of it was damaged and on the verge of collapse. Yet tales of strange apparitions having been seen on the roof continued to circulate and there was no end to it.
A busy street in Badaun city
In the nearby town Badaun, where relatives from the maternal side lived, one got a strong feeling of having boarded a time machine and gone into a bygone age. Many of the buildings seemed quite old and their construction, of the thinner ‘Lakhori bricks’, seemed to testify to their age. I remember small pathways leading to the market, snaking their way through mohullas. Men pushing trolleys with film hoardings displayed on the sides and the immensely popular Mohammad Rafi song, ‘Baharon phool Barsao, mera mehboob aiya hai’, being played on full volume by an old style record player placed on a thela (carriage).
Yet another aspect of Badaun were the exotic tales associated with it—stories of treasures, golden mohurs (asharfi) lying buried in pots in secret vaults inside old houses. A family having in its possession a copy of the Holy Quran handwritten by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb himself. Old sepia pictures of people carrying swords, wearing 19th century dresses and head gears, lying in cupboards and inside wooden boxes. An old mosque in the neighbourhood constructed during the reign of Iltamush. A town which had the double distinction of being the birthplace of the great Sufi Saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia and later being in the forefront of the 1857 Rebellion, all added to the charm of Badaun. It is likely that tales of pots of golden mohurs being buried in secret vaults could have originated at the time of the rebellion since the atmosphere during those days was one of loot, arson and theft and people may have thought it wise to hide their family wealth underground.
What looks like an apparition in this picture is actually an experiment in double exposure on a simple box camera of an old woman entering the kitchen in our ancestral house in Pilibhit.
As children, though we knew nothing about the 1857 Rebellion or Gadar, we sometimes heard elders talking about it, mentioning it in passing remarks such as, ‘Gadar ke zamane mein . . .’ (‘During the times of the Gadar . . .’) Such stray remarks aroused our curiosity and I along with a childhood companion, Faizee, once tried our best to initiate a serious discussion on this subject with an elderly looking person in the house with a flowing, white beard and wrinkles on his face. We thought that since he looked ancient therefore he must know something about the Gadar or maybe had seen it all with his own eyes. But this elderly gentleman, or for that matter some others, obviously had nothing much to say on the subject and our curiosity about the 1857 uprising temporarily took a back seat.
Indeed, Badaun seemed a quaint place with many secrets buried and old houses inhabited by jinns—the fire people, stories of which circulated freely. Certainly, not all of these stories could have been true. For instance, the story of a maulvi teacher whose students included, besides normal, human boys, also a few jinns (which we were told looked exactly like humans and so no one could tell them apart). It so happened that one day, while a class was in progress, the teacher asked a particular student—someone who happened to be a jinn, but was indistinguishable from the rest of the boys, to hand over a book lying on his desk to another boy who was sitting a few benches away. The jinn picked up the book but instead of carrying it he simply extended his hand, which began to stretch, and soon reached the desk of the other student, where the book was deposited. On seeing this, all the boys panicked and ran away.
On a gate besides a private grave yard in Barielly a warning discouraging people to play in the graveyard and keep off the premises. It says, ‘It is forbidden to play gamble in the graveyard. This is the abode of jinns’.
Now, I know for sure that this story cannot be true, because several years ago, my daughter, when she was a school going child, recounted essentially the same story to me (with minor variations), having heard it from one of her classmates in school. So, clearly this is an invented story which just seems to circulate, and circulate endlessly across places, time, and generations and actually has no basis.
Bali is so full of charm and natural beauty that one might just not want to come back. I felt the same when I was there. I was completely drawn to its culture, the weather, the people and the serenity it offered me. I had the best time exploring Badung, Seminyak and Ubud to my heart’s content. Here is a 5-day guide to exploring Bali which can help you with your Bali itinerary:
Day 1
Ubud
Image – Pixabay
Beautiful Ubud with its artistic and laid back charm was fun to explore. I stayed at this absolutely stunning resort called Desa Visesa which was located in the heart of Ubud. The rice terraces and outdoor pool with their charming royal palace kind of a lobby had me enchanted and made me feel like I was a part of Ubud culture. First half of my day was spent exploring the hotel and taking a spa.
I went to the Ubud Market which wasn’t far. The market had some beautiful dreamcatchers, batik print clothes, sculptures and various other handicrafts. The amount of bargaining at the market was exhausting. Then, I went to see the Kecak dance at a nearby temple. It was a gripping performance that I couldn’t help but compare to our Ram Leela performances. Interestingly, Bali also has a Hindu population which believes in the Ramayana but their interpretation of the text is different from India. I also went to Campuhan Ridge Walk which was really close to the hotel. The entire walk had pretty grass and white flowers growing over it. That’s where I enjoyed a stunning sunset.
I got back to my hotel and ate a sumptuous meal at their Lumbung Restaurant.
Day 2 was all about Badung! Cut off from the main city, Badung is the destination for those looking for peace and calm. I was staying at Five Elements Retreat in Badung so I could make the most of my time there.
Five Elements was a totally eco-friendly resort and added flair to my stay with their delicious “purely vegan” food, a room which was made out of bamboo, the closeness to River Ayung and their healing spas. Their spas made me feel like a completely new person.
I stepped out, all energetic and ready. I visited the John Hardy handcrafted jewellery workshop near the hotel and then went on to the Berawa and Canggu beach. These two beaches were connected to one another so I walked from one beach to another in the warm sunlight.
I learned to surf at the Canggu beach, which was a unique experience. It is a must visit place for any traveller looking to develop a new skill. I then visited Nude Café and the Finns Beach Club. My day was full of activity and eating, shopping and snapping pictures.
Day 3 & 4
Seminyak
Exploring Seminyak was a laid back kind of an experience. I stayed at W Bali and the resort itself was so scenic that I felt refreshed and pampered. My room had the ocean view and was located close to the forest. It was surreal.
Seminyak beach had the cutest little beach bars and cafes that served drinks and good food so I wasn’t left hungry while roaming on the beach. The Seminyak Square market and Jalan Laksmana was a shopping paradise for me. Nyaman Art Gallery had me gaping at beautiful art work by local and Indonesian artists while the Revolver café served great coffee.
The next day, I went for scuba diving near the Seminyak Beach. It was an adventurous moment for me. I also went to Bar 68 and the Potato Head Beach Club to experience Seminyak’s nightlife. I danced till my legs hurt. I could clearly see why people talked so much about the Seminyak nightlife in their travelogues.
Day 5
Bubble Hotel, Uluwatu
My last day was spent at Bubble Hotel in Uluwatu. This stunning property is greater than any dream you could imagine. Living inside a big, well-furnished, transparent bubble on the ocean side was an experience I definitely didn’t want to miss. Bubble Hotel was truly like a dream because the moment I stepped out of the bubble, I was on the beach. The bubble itself was beautifully decorated with a canopy bed and warm lights.
I couldn’t stop loving the wonderful orange-pink sky as the sun set and a constellation of stars started appearing. The bonfire by my bubble warmed my very soul as I looked up at the sky full of twinkling stars.
Bubble Hotel gave me memories that I can never forget and pictures that look too good to be true. I spent the best night of my life at this hotel and couldn’t stop raving about it to my friends after I got back home. It was the kind of experience everyone should have at least once in their lives. I can still remember the fresh air, the sound of the waves, the warmth of the bonfire and the bright stars from that night.
These five days of my life were spent experiencing and exploring Bali to my heart’s content. Bali was a rollercoaster with the multitude of things to offer. It took me out on a long long ride.
The UP Government is doing a lot to connect their people with the right infrastructure to benefit from all the schemes and handouts that the Government have put in the private sector. These could be in the form of giveaways, subsidies and anything else. They began by connecting almost all the important subsidy systems to the Ration card which is one of the most important documents that anyone should have. Secondly, they improved the application process of the same to make it a lot easier for anyone to handle. Thirdly, they added online updates and information about everything so people would find it a lot easier to get their hands on this information.
What are the benefits of using a UP ration card?
A UP ration card is a document that people have to apply for. It allows them to avail Government benefits and subsidies like cheaper food grains and a specific quota a month. These amounts are based on the income of the family. Unlike most identification documents, the ration card is not individual-based and instead connected to the entire family. All the members of a family are mentioned so the quotas can be calculated properly.
Since there are three different ration cards based on the varying financial categories of the families, their quotas would vary. There are changes that have to be made to the cards relating to death or a member relocating.
Ration cards are an important identification document and are quite often used when applying for other documents like the Election card, Aadhhar card and so on.
How was the ration card application process improved?
Initially, people had to go to the ration card office to collect their applications along with the rest of the requirements. Post that they had to get their paperwork and applications in order and head to the office again. Everything would then be processed and they would either be called back to collect their ration cards or deal with any queries that might arise through the process. This process usually took a couple of weeks not forgetting the visits to the office that also took time.
The new process was a lot faster with everything having been moved to the internet. The website has all the information an applicant could need, along with the forms and applications that they can download. Additionally, applicants can collect all their documents and submit everything through the website itself. The website would verify everything through the backend and they would receive an email informing them about the status of their ration card, which they can then collect.
What are the online updates that the UP ration card websites put up to keep people informed?
All the information that anyone could need about the ration card process, or about how to use their ration cards after they have been dispatched has been mentioned on their website. The UP ration card website also has information about the new schemes that people can apply for and all that need to work out the application process. Additionally, it has the information of all those who received their ration cards. These lists have been uploaded to the website and can be accessed by anyone.
The work of a civil engineer is present in all the ways that people live their lives. They’re responsible for planning and building roads, railways, bridges, housings, schools, and hospitals. They also ensure that your power and water supply are working well. Nowadays, they even dabble in green projects and renewable energy.
Basically, the civil engineer’s tasks can be considered as themain foundations of modern society. They’re all about creating infrastructures that would make the world a better place—not just for humans, but for entire ecosystems as well.
Expanding Your Civil Engineering Knowledge
If civil engineering is your ultimate passion, it’s worth considering taking a master’s degree to expand your knowledge. Fortunately, many universities now offer their graduate courses online for those who need convenience and flexibility in their studies.
In terms of salary, civil engineers generally take home around $85,000/year, but that can rise up to $138,000/year for engineers who work for the government, or those whopursue higher education in civil engineering.
Since the needs of society are always evolving, jobs for civil engineers are expected to continue rising within the next 10 years. You can expect your job to be in demand now, more than ever, because your tasks pave the path to the future.
Keeping Your Head in the Game
While online courses provide a great opportunity for students who need more control over their time, sometimes this flexibility can also make it hard to stay disciplined and motivated. With a course like civil engineering, staying focused as an online student is a must.
Here are some tips that can help you stay motivated as you wade through your graduate course online:
Set Aside Time for Studying Every Day
This may sound obvious, but allotting time to study can be difficult if you have no strict schedules to follow. Compared to a student who has to go to the university to attend classes, a student who has to follow their lessons at home can find it hard to concentrate because of all the distractions in their immediate environment.
Hence, it’s recommended that you set aside a particular time for studying—one that you’ll adhere to every day without fail. This will help you incorporate the habit into your daily routine.
Avoid Procrastination
Following the first point, a consistent habit will help you avoid procrastination. If you’re going to study civil engineering online, it’s important that you never get behind with any lessons or tasks. By reducing the stress and worry that’ll be induced by procrastinating, it’ll be easier for you to stay motivated.
Once you learn to eliminate task build-ups and avoid procrastination completely, this habit will come in handy, especially duringexam season. When the time comes, you’ll have learned all that there is to learn, and you simply have to go back to your lessons for a refresher.
Take Small Steps While Visualizing Your Future
Visualization is one of the most powerful tools that you can use to ensure that you don’t stray too much from your path—even if you’re feeling down from time to time. Besides, there will always be instances when you won’t be functioning at your best. During those times, you have to bring yourself back to your bigger goals and imagine how you want your future to look like.
However, it’s worth noting that those grand plans mean nothing if not for the small steps of today. Hence, you’ll also need to imagine doing the work—and eventually get to it.
By constantly visualizing the whole process from start to finish, you’ll find it easier to get through your tasks, which brings you one day closer to your biggest goal.
Go Back to Your Reasons for Choosing Civil Engineering
Ultimately, you should consider asking yourself what started this all. Why are you pursuing a master’s degree in civil engineering? Whenever you feel like your interest and focus are faltering, it’s important to remember why you wanted to work hard for this in the first place.
With the Right Attitude, Your Civil Engineering Online Program Will Be Worth It
Civil engineers are the minds and hands behind all the infrastructure that we see and use today. Because these projects must prioritize the safety of those who’ll use it, civil engineering requires keen attention to detail and big picture understanding.
Understandably, staying motivated in civil engineering takes more than just the smarts. It also requires grit, patience, and unending determination to get things right. Most likely, there will be times when you’ll lose your drive, but by setting up good habits, you’ll find it easier to keep yourself focused despite the challenges.
The digital space is being explored and used effectively by a large number of young artists. We have designers who design a whole range of objects using their artistic inclinations and digital knowledge. Communication design is one such area of expertise that blends design and information to create and convey messages across the different media platforms.
Artists, illustrators and designers with an aesthetic and artistic bend of mind, find the digital zone an exciting opportunity to showcase their skill and have their opinions and voices heard. One such young artist, Stuti Bajaj is a communication designer for whom the only constant in her journey so far has been the ‘love for art’.
We caught up with Stuti to know more about her kind of art and designs, her different creations and her future plans.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from, your education and so on.
A: I am a communication designer born and bought up in Delhi, graduated from Srishti school of Art, Design and Technology.
‘No, I want to be an artist’ was the statement I had first made when I was seven. My aunt took me to a fancy college at a cousin’s convocation and said ‘One day you will top this college like your sister’.
Though I was interested in and excelled at all subjects in school, but I always had a special spot for art. I would run to the art room as soon as I had some free time in school. I won’t mind helping my art teacher make prayer charts, backdrops for assembly, theatrical properties and so on. I would love making project report files to an extent that would also do them for my friends.
My love for art kept growing with each passing day and with proper guidance, I knew Communication Design was something I could happily spend my entire life doing.
Q: Tell us a bit about the kind of your art. What do you like designing, your love for colors and so on.
A: Art for me is a way of expressing feelings that am not able to articulate otherwise. My work is hugely inspired by the content I am watching, the people I am meeting, etc. When I am out of subjects to draw (which is the case most often), I take up typography or doodle challenges where one gets prompts for everyday of the month. This is another way I challenge myself is to create something every day.
I follow a lot of artists, try to study their work and understand what works for them and what doesn’t. This helps me explore new possibilities and makes sure that I am always experimenting.
Coming to my style, I think I have a natural inclination towards vibrant and playful colours. I feel my style is constantly evolving. I have my own share of phases; from tropical scenes to portraits, hand lettered quotes to comics; I keep developing fondness for different themes. Currently, I am enjoying a touch of surrealism.
Apart from my personal illustrations, I do wedding cards, publication pieces, branding projects for clients.
Q: Why graphic designing? There are many other art forms so what attracted you towards the digital space and why?
A: I would rather call myself a communication designer. Communication design involves communicating using various mediums like illustration, animation, photography, collage, typography and much more whereas graphic design has a narrow focus on certain specialized skills. I was inclined towards this as it has immense scope for problem solving using different techniques. This is a field where one is constantly challenged and everyday is a new beginning.
I am more attracted towards the digital space as it gives more freedom to explore without the risk of spoiling your original artwork.
Q: Do you make your art commercially viable? Do you also customize for clients?
A: Yes, I sell my artwork through some online websites, social media and planning to start exhibiting very soon.
Q: What advice would you like to give to artists who want to carve out a niche for themselves in the digital art world?
A: There are tons of things about the ‘business of art and design’ which I think I learnt very late in my career mainly because I didn’t have any family/friend from a creative background and was extremely hesitant to ask my peers/seniors for help. Thus, I would advise other artists/designers to stay connected with others in the industry, attend art workshops, exhibitions and meet ups. You never know how much a little chat with your favorite artist can help you out.
Q: What are some of the greatest challenges you face as a graphic artist?
A: There are definitely many challenges lined up for any fresher like monetizing their work, managing tough clients and so on. However, it is a part of the process and I kept getting better at it with every passing project.
Q: Who are your favorite artists or creators you look up to?
Well, there is a really really long list. Chhaya Prabhat, Rohan Dahotre, Malika Favre, Lauren Hom, Mario Miranda, Ranganath Krishnamani to name a few.
Q: Finally, what are your future plans?
A: Just working more and more. I have some dream projects that I am dying to do, like children’s books, Google doogle and newspaper mastheads. So, walking closer to my wish list, I guess!
Book lovers of Kolkata flock to this famous street, irrespective of occasion or weather. Whether you are looking for schools books and college books on history, biology, and mathematics, or if you are searching for a science fiction novel, a love story, the history of music, children’s books, comics, classic literature, or a book on Beethoven or Einstein; you will find it here, on the classic streets of College Street Kolkata.
It is representative of the Kolkata of yore; traditional narrow streets and by lanes bustling with wooden and tin book kiosks; a distinctive and beautiful characteristic of College Street. Although trams no longer ply on many of the major streets of Kolkata, but wonderful trams between the College Street lanes are still functional. So, if you are new to Kolkata, and want to see these almost-gliding trams, and buy precious books as well, you can simply go to College Street, Kolkata.
College Street is a long stretch of road between Bowbazar and Mahatma Gandhi Road in North Calcutta. The little bookshops or kiosks here sell second hand books and some new books too. Students, artists, professionals and others frequent this famous street, to not only purchase second hand books at remarkable inexpensive prices, but they also come here to sell books at good prices.
Many well known universities and schools in Kolkata are situated on this street, like Presidency College, Scottish Church College, Hare School, Scottish Church School, Holy Child School and University of Calcutta. This is why this street is called College Street. Kolkata medical college and hospital are also situated on College Street.
College Street also has some shops that prepare and print wedding cards, invitation cards and the likes. So, if you are heading out there to buy some good old books, then you can take some of your printing work there as well. Some very old inns still exist there as well; the famous Indian Coffee house is also on college street, where Bengalis get together to carry out the very popular adda.
The heart of Kolkata lives in College Street. It continues to survive and stand against the test of time. The students of Kolkata continue to visit this street to purchase academic books at reasonable prices. In fact, you will find books in all genres here; books that range from literature, mathematics, economics, management, astronomy, astrology, spirituality to some of the latest bestsellers. Some bookstalls in fact are dedicated only to bestsellers that range from chic lit to some famous love stories.
A book that would normally cost you about Rs. 250 at a city bookstore can be bought at College Street for as less as Rs. 25; it may be a second hand edition, but it will be in good condition. If you really wish to find a good offer to buy or sell a book, ask around a few shops and look for the best bargain. You don’t get books at such inexpensive prices anywhere else in Kolkata.
Travel to the wonderful College Street this weekend and revive some of the memories of your childhood by purchasing some classic books like Gulliver’s Travels or The Treasure Island. This visit will definitely be more than a scintillating experience for the true book aficionado.
A much overlooked artistic endeavour which has made its way into several households in India is the art of rangoli. The beauty of this form lies in its simplicity of creation, the popularity of its practice, and its scope of incorporating intricate and basic designs alike. The ground is the canvas for this art – be it the artificial floor of the house or concrete roads. The patterns are mainly created out of artificial dry colours, but in its original form rangoli is made from coloured rice, sand, flour, or simply flower petals. At present it is mainly done to decorate the area for auspicious occasions such as Diwali, Onam, Lakshmi puja or other celebrations, but its relation to religious festivities has a much deeper connotation. In its historical sense, rangoli was believed to be an omen of good fortune and it was created as a symbolic representation of divine blessings.
Among the several legends regarding the origin of the rangoli art form, the most authentic one is the account of its mention in Chitralakshana, the oldest Indian treatise on painting and other kinds of art. It is believed that once, the death of the son of a high priest had raised a kingdom wide despair and mourning, leading to ardent prayers to Lord Brahma urging to bring the boy back to life. Moved by such devotion, the Lord had asked the king to create a portrait of the boy on the earth, which He thereafter brought to life. It is a popular legend that this was the first rangoli ever made, setting the tradition of designing patterns to pray for the fulfillment of aspirations.
The other prominent legend says that God in an artistic frenzy had extracted the juice of a mango tree to paint the figure of a divine maiden which rivaled the beauty of other celestial beings. Since then, Art of Rangoli became a form of art for women to depict the beauty of natural creations and divine power. One of the beliefs accompanying the art form also suggests that the non-durable materials are used as a base coating to signify the transitivity of life and existence, over which the bright colours are used as a symbol of divine compassion and blessings.
As art is dependent upon its source of inspiration, so the designs vary from region to region according to traditions, folklore, and practices unique to the area. The designs made may be simple geometric shapes or dignified patterns, but primarily floral motifs and impressions of the deity are drawn. The more complicated designs involve multiple artists for the purpose, but primarily women and children of the household. Nature enjoys a predominant representation in rangoli patterns as complex forms such as swans and peacocks are often added to the basic outline of the rangoli.
The base material to coat the outline is traditionally powdered rice or dry flour, to which vermillion or turmeric is also added to give it a red or yellow tint. Interestingly, the base may also be moist if flower petals are used or brick powder. Sand and chalk are frequently used for this stage of the painting. Although in modern times stencils are increasingly used to ease the process, it was initially a highly painstaking method requiring a centre point and the cardinal directions to be mapped out around the area of the pattern before the work could be done. The initial simple design is then modified into further intricate and delicate shapes.
Once the brief outline is done, the filling of colour is the next stage which may be simple or complex depending upon the kind of raw material chosen for the task. The most common technique is the choice of dry colours such as coarse grained powder or gulaal, marble and saw dust, and even natural colours made of unprocessed seeds, grains, spices, and torn leaves. Aside from dry pigments, wet ingredients such as dyes, acrylic colours, and vibrant marble powder may also be used. What is important is to take note that the lines are filled completely without leaving any unfilled cracks, as it is believed that broken lines in Art of Rangoli is are a bad omen allowing entry to evil spirits.
Among the kinds of rangoli popularly made in different parts of India, hexagonal grids are common to South India whereas squares are the predominant shapes drawn in the north. The Tamil Kolam rangoli is a special kind of the art which is known for its unique designs, floating candles, and symmetry. The ornate Arabesque quality gives way to dignified and simplistic forms as one travels from the north to the south. In some families the tradition of rangoli making is so venerated that secrets of the art are guarded and designs passed down through generations such that they become a unique ensign of the family.
Starting out is never easy. And intraday trading for beginners can seem pretty complex. After all, there is plenty you need to figure out. A thorough knowledge of market movements, trends, and entry and exit times is absolutely necessary. There is no short-cut to success for day traders, but some intraday trading tips can set you on the right path.
Tips to simplify intraday trading for beginners
Here are some are intraday trading tips to find your way in the world of online share trading:
Prepare a trading plan
Start by shortlisting eight to 12 stocks that you can monitor regularly. Intraday traders should focus on liquid stocks with medium-to-high volatility. Look at stocks that move in the same way as other stocks from their sector or index group. This is an important step because good stock selection will eventually lead to favourable trades.
Your online share trading plan should also cover exactly when to enter and exit stock market positions. Experts generally suggest that you stay put in volatile markets. The best thing to do is to wait out the volatility. Make your move only when a stock shows momentum and a more predictable trend.
Use objective targets
To profit from trades may be your top priority, but you must also protect your capital. Stop loss and profit targets could be useful in this regard. What happens when you set a stop loss? The open position will close automatically when the stock price dips to hit the stop loss limit. This will keep your losses within a certain limit and never go beyond it. Similarly, a profit target set in advance takes greed out of the picture. When the price hits your pre-decided profit trigger, the position closes. It prevents you from waiting for the price to go up further—which may never happen.
Watch your leverage
Brokers may offer high leverage against your margin account. But steer clear of opting for any leverage that is too high. You could end up losing heavily if the market moves against your expectations. Focus instead on what you can afford.
Put in the time
Intraday traders should keep up with the latest news because this may affect market movements. Reports on company earnings and actions also have impacts on intraday trades. The fundamentals of a company may not be as important to an intraday trader as to a long-term investor. Nevertheless, the information may offer valuable insights and lead to a better trade. Day traders also need to read technical charts and indicators to stay in tune with the latest trends in the market.
Be realistic
Not all trades will help you win big. Losses are part of the story. Don’t panic or regret your trading strategy when a trade misses the mark. It is wiser to ride out the losses and analyse why they occurred. You should also be wary of your winning trades. If you see big profits coming your way, consider whether to exit the trade sooner rather than later. Profit targets can help you avoid waiting too long, which may lead to the risk of loss. A good practice might be to evaluate your gains and losses on the stock market on a daily or weekly basis. Once you gain some experience, you will know how to play in a given situation.
Conclusion
As you venture into the world of intraday trading, keep these intraday trading tips in mind. It may a good idea to open an account with a dependable broker like Kotak Securities. You will then gain access to a range of trading platforms and services that simplify the way you trade.
