Green Weekend Out: National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi

Art: Good for the whole family!

If you are looking for something green to do on the weekend with kids now that it's getting hot, why not take a trip to the National Gallery of Modern Art? Museums are green because they fly in the face of modern throw-away culture. They are about preservation and sharing--not disposal. And they are democratic: unlike private collections, museums are a way for us all to share all kinds of interesting things--and the ideas they inspire. You will not like everything you see in the National Gallery of Modern Art, but it will make you think a lot more than an afternoon in front of the TV would.


We went a few weeks back and had a great time wandering through several exhibits, talking about the photography and paintings we saw. I taught the kids the "See-Think-Wonder" thinking routine I mentioned in Tuesday's post, and they actually enjoyed it--after the requisite eye rolling, of course. It generated some good discussion and thinking. More than that, I think it gave us all a structure that allowed us to engage with art that otherwise might have seen intimidating to talk about.  


One thing you have to love about the museum is the price tag: Rs. 10 for adults and Rs. 1 for children. Not bad--at that price, you can let your kids invite a friend and still have enough left for a Mother Dairy Lick Lolly afterward! 


The National Gallery of Modern Art is located as it is at the end of Rajpath, facing the India Gate. For more information about ticket prices and what's showing, go to its official website. 

Art, corruption, and how you can do good deeds while using the public coffers like an ATM

 What do Priya Sebastian and Ratan Tata have in common? 

Not very much, it seems.

I really should be writing about the Radiagate and the 2G scandal. There's so much to say. But we have to be careful: the Supreme Court is urging us to take care not to tarnish the images of those caught on tape talking with Ms. Radia.  The Supreme Court is probably right; after all, they  were moved to action by Mr. Clean, Ratan Tata. I mean, here's a guy who's recently made much of the dangers of 'crony capitalism.'  So he must be honest.  Plus, he's got loads and loads of money, and is not afraid to put it to all kinds of uses.

But having said that, maybe honesty is overrated--I mean what's wrong with using the public coffers like an "ATM" as long as you are a "doer"? At least that's what the illustrious former head of the Confederation of Indian Industries, Tarun Das, seems to think; he was allegedly quoted on the tapes saying, among other things, “You can do national service and also make money… and do really something worthwhile here.”  

Maybe he has a point: I mean don't servants--even public servants--deserve to be paid for their hard work? Read the exchange between Das and Radia here, if you have any questions. I don't-- I'm convinced: the rot is deep, and it will take some strong medicine to cure it. And in case you have any doubt about the extent to which we've all been robbed, read our piece about what we could have done with the 1.76 lakh crore lost in the 2G giveaway. It's almost unbelievable.

If you live in Bangalore and need a break from pervasive stink--or should we say scent--of corruption, why not go check out Priya Sebastian's exhibition? She's pretty amazing, and if I had a train ticket south and a week to spare, I'd be there for sure. If you can't get to Bangalore, you can see some of pRiYa's stuff over at the Plum Tree2.  Here's a recent post I love, only partly because green is my favorite colour.

What's to love about Delhi? Public Art, Bookaroo, Pride Parades!

Every year around this time, I'm reminded of why I like Delhi so much. Here are three things I did for fun over the past few days--all of them free, and none of them involving consumption of useless stuff.

1. Public Art: I confess, I'm a little ambivalent about the Project Bandaloop dancers that the American Center brought to Delhi on Friday.  They performed hanging from the Jeevan Bharati LIC Building in CP. Did their dance glorify this huge, unsustainable building? Or was it just amazing art?  Like many people, I watched the action from a construction site on outer circle. Yes, CP is still torn up in places.  There was a guy throwing up not far from us, which didn't add much to the ambiance. But the dance was spectacular, and my kids thanked me for bringing them.

Delhi's full of great public art. Keep your eyes out for Transportraits: Women and Mobility in the city.  I saw it last week at the Alliance Francaise, and you should see it if comes back. Most of us greens care about transportation, of course.  And transportation is no good unless it's safe--for everyone.  See this exhibit. Very enlightening.

2. Bookaroo.  This annual literary festival for kids just keeps getting better. Great authors, great books and a general celebration of reading and thinking.  My kids love Bookaroo! If you missed this year's festival, go get on their mailing list for next year.

3. DehliQueer Pride Parade: The annual Delhi pride parades are just plain fun.  We took the family.  Why not? Love is a family value and most kids can understand that freedom to love is a pretty important freedom.  And that if we let one group get picked on, then nobody is safe.  

Last Sunday's march was big and colourful--it was a celebration and an assertion. It was serious and tongue in cheek all at once. Like this old-new chant, to be said loudly, with a smile: Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isai, Homo, Hetro: Bhai Bhai!