Belonging to Generation X, I had the privilege to witness the way of life of my grandparents very closely, even though I was raised in an urban city. Urban units of family, at that time were still a joint set-up and the interaction I got with the Greatest Generation has been a huge part of my childhood influences. My grandmother was orthodox but an avid seeker and traveler. While my grandfather who was equally orthodox was a trend setter in those days, choosing the Indian army over conventional Gandhian ideologies. Adding to the contrast of my grandparents, my parents belonged to the generation of Baby Bloomers. Although the colonial hangover was part of their upbringing, new independent India and its identities had a promise for generations after them. This promise was nurtured, shaped and delivered by stories, music and dance of the land that gave the right balance, removing any extremities within the orthodoxy, yet retaining the cultural flavour of the land shaping my identity. (This is the reason why Tam-Brahm children are introduced to classical music and dance even today, irrespective of whether they are raised in India or outside of it.)
In this scenario, memories of the way my grandparents lived, combined with the exposure I had to the rich vernacular poetries that are used by classical dance captured my spirit and refined my thoughts and ideas to pre-colonial flavors of the sub-continent. The result of which took me hopping and jumping for answers from: mythology to Indology, computer science to Vedic science, Thanjavur paintings to Mohiniyattam, History and Yoga. I am (proudly) Jack of all trades! In the most uncanny manner, Life has been living me (still is), enriching me with experiences. Adding to that, the rigour I underwent as an artist is also finally stringing together with the knowledge to form a garland, where values of traditions have shaped my thoughts, passion and inspiration. Like tasting old wine, the varied complementary disciplines are helping me to see things differently: demystify traditions and culture, allowing me to trace their movement using the Indic knowledge systems through changing times.
From my life experiences, during the moments of sublime, I have felt the ultimate teacher, Time whispering to me some lessons. Jvala is hence a result of an urge to share and spread that ethereal knowledge received to seeing and perceiving the world as it is. Travel with me! Experience the infinity and the nothingness.
