ABSTRACT PAINTING

"Of all the arts, abstract painting is the most difficult. It demands that you know how to draw well, that you have a heightened sensitivity for composition and for colours, and that you be a true poet. This last is essential." -- Wassily Kandinsky

Abstrct Painting by DAALI

In its purest form in Western art, an abstract art is one without a recognisable subject, one which doesn't relate to anything external or try to "look like" something. Instead the colour and form (and often the materials and support) are the subject of the abstract painting. It's completely non-objective or non-representational.
A further distinction tends to be made between abstract art which is geometric, such as the work of Mondrian, and abstract art that is more fluid (and where the apparent spontaneity often belies careful planning and execution), such as the abstract art of Kandinsky or Pollock.

Also generally classified with abstract art are figurative abstractions and paintings which represent things that aren't visual, such an emotion, sound, or spiritual experience. Figurative abstractions are abstractions or simplifications of reality, where detail is eliminated from recognisable objects leaving only the essence or some degree of recognisable form.


In Western art history, the break from the notion that a painting had to represent something happened in the early 20th century. Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism and other art movements of the time all contributed by breaking the "rules" of art followed since The Renaissance. Impressionism saw painters not "finishing" their paintings. The Fauvists used colour in a non-realistic way. Cubism introduced the idea of painting an object from more than one view point. From all of these the idea developed that colour, line, form, and texture could be the "subject" of the painting.

Abstract Expressionism, which emerged in the 1940s, applied the principles of Expressionism to abstract painting. The action painting of Jackson Pollock, in which paint was dripped, dropped, smeared, spattered, or thrown on the canvas, is a good example.

In 1864 the critic Ernest Chesneau wrote that if the trend the Impressionists were setting continued, paintings would eventually consist of nothing but "two broadly brushed areas of colour". What would he have thought of the art being produced 100 years later?

Christ of Saint John of the Cross(1951)

1951. Oil and canvas, 205 x 116 cm.

Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum

By far the most popular of all Dali’s religious works is without a doubt his Christ of Saint John of the Cross, whose figure dominates the Bay of Port Lligat. The painting was inspired by a drawing, preserved in the Convent of the Incarnation in Avila, Spain, and done by Saint John if the Cross himself after he had seen this vision of Christ during ecstasy. The people beside the boat are derived from a picture by Le Nain and from drawing by Velázquez for The Surrender of Breda.

At the bottom of his studies for the Christ, Dali wrote: "In the first place, in 1950, I had a ‘cosmic dream’ in which I saw this image in color and which in my dream represented the ‘nucleus of the atom’. This nucleus later took on a metaphysical sense; I considered it ‘the very unity of the universe’, the Christ ! In the second place, when thanks to the instructions of Father Bruno, a Carmelite, I saw the Christ drawn by Saint John of the Cross, I worked out geometrically a triangle and a circle, which ‘aesthetically’ summarized all my previous experiments, and I inscribed my Christ in this triangle." This wor was regarded as banal by an important art critic when it was first exhibited in London. Nevertheless, several years later, it was slashed by a fanatic while was hanging in the Glasgow Museum, proof of its astonishing effect on people.

 Dali relates that, when he was finishing the picture at the end of autumn in 1951, it was so cold in the house in Port Lligat that Gala abruptly decided to have central heating installed. He remembers the moments of terror through which he then lived, fearing for his canvas on which the paint was still wet, with all the dust stirred up by the workmen: "We tool it from the studio to the bedroom so that I could continue to paint, covered with white sheet which dare not touch the surface of the oil. I said that I didn’t believe I could do my Christ again if any accident were to befall it. It was true ceremonial anguish. In ten days the central heating was installed and I was able to finish the picture in order to take it to London, where it was shown for the first time at the Lefevre Gallery." When it was at the Biennial of Art in Madrid, along with other works of the painter, General Franco asked that two of the oils of the master of Figueras be brought to the palace of El Prado - Basket of Bread and Christ of Saint John of the Cross.

About Lucky Ali's XSUIE

Most people know Lucky Ali from his hit album “Sunoh”, which contained the smash hit, “O Sanam” and his killer track “Ek Pal Ka Jeena” from “Kaho Na…Pyar Hain”. Those two tracks literally put him firmly on the music map for most fans that were looking for something a bit different.Lucky Ali made the most of his initial fame, coming out with albums like “Sifar”, “Aks” ,“Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai” and playback on multiple soundtracks (“Sur”, “Kaante”, and “Yuva” to name a few). Yet, the problem with each of his private releases was a growing sameness to the songs. It almost seemed like Lucky Ali, the artist was bored (or forced to sing the same kind of song over and over again by music directors).

Speaking of stagnant music scenes, there is no market at this time for Indi-Pop, as recent albums by Shibani Kashyap (“My Free Spirit) and Mohit Chauhan (“Fitoor”) came and went without making much of an impact. Music companies are reluctant to release pop albums, for fear of losing money on the manufacturing and distribution of the cassette or cd. Of course, the entire music scene is at a crossroads right now, with online downloading increasing and fewer people buying physical music formats (but that’s an article for another day). So, into this downbeat music scene, Lucky Ali resurfaces with an excellent new album, ,“XSUIE” and a clever way of marketing/distributing it. He’s skipped the music label, and physical distribution of the music to offer it online for legitimate downloads. Also, he’s utilizing the new technique of social marketing, by marketing the album via his official XSUIE Facebook page.it certainly deserves to be listened to and appreciated. He’s embraced the world of online digital music, and I hope he finds success in that. So, let’s spin the digital flash drive and listen to the latest from Lucky Ali, the interesting and emotionally resonant, “XSUIE” (which roughly translates to doing things at one’s own pace).

First up, “Rehne De” which is typical Lucky Ali with guitar work, straightforward lyrics and a lyrical melody. It signals a return to form for the artist. The guitar solos are excellent (acoustic guitar, electric guitar) and the violin flourishes create a laid back soft pop atmosphere that’s easy on the ears. Ask yourself if you feel lucky today? You bet!

After that, we get the contemplative stirrings of “Sea of Life”, which has a distinct Chinese instrumental influence that’s makes the track especially poignant. The use of the Chinese fiddle (erhu or nandu) gives the song emotional weight. It’s another winner and a highly addictive track for “XSUIE”. Still feeling lucky? You bet!

The third track, “Tere Bina” is groovy ‘n’ cool. It’s got a nice swagger to it and picks up the pace from the first two more mellow tracks. It’s the refrain, “wherever you are, it’s always too far…I want to be there with you” with the backdrop of guitar and drums that really gives the track a nice soft rock feel. Aren’t you lucky? You bet!

After the soft rock of “Tere Bina”, we move into Beatles territory with, “Yeh Zindagi”, a track that sounds like it could have been composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney during their youthful heyday. Lucky Ali’s vocals fit in well with this peppy number and the back up vocalists with the English lyrics like, “Oooo…yeah, this is the life…..” only add to the nostalgic Beatles feel of the song. Instruments are kept simple with swirling guitars, a drum kit, and Beatlesque counter melodies making it a highly listenable track. Did you get lucky? You bet!

We move back into mellow territory with a country guitar twang in a highlight of the album, “Dil Gaye Jaa”. It’s the way that Ali sings “dil gaye ja….gaye jaye re…….”, that catches the ear. It’s just a beautiful song that again relies on guitar, drums, and the occasional violin flourish. One can picture a beautiful woman walking on the beach, waiting for that special someone. Aren’t you the lucky one? You bet!

The sixth song, “Khudahafiz” has a nice eastern violin influence. It’s a straightforward track with a wonderful flute interval that combined with Lucky Ali’s vocals, stirs the strings of the heart. It tugs at the soul. Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! You bet!

The final track, “O Raahi” is one of the best of the album. It plays to the strengths of Ali’s past hits, while building something new and fresh. Starting off with a vocal jugalbandi with a western artist who sings counterpoint… “don’t let go….hold on….you are never on your own”. Ali’s voice truly captures the mood evoked by the music. The start ‘n’ stop rhythm flows with the funk guitar, airy keyboards and percussion (traditional drum with a subtle hint of Arabic Rai thrown in) to make this song a total melodic package to be experienced. Don’t you wish you got lucky? You bet!

It’s a shame that what is arguably the best Indi-Pop album in recent memory, has for the most part been overlooked, because of the lack of promotion and distribution by a music label.

It’s certainly Lucky Ali’s best work since his first album “Sunoh”. Deeper and more emotional, the album’s melodies take their time to establish a connection and each track strives to hit a different emotional chord. It’s not Bollywood style, thankfully. “XSUIE” rejoices in the fact that it is Indi-Pop and proud of it.

Do yourself a favor and track it down, download it (legally to support the artist) and enjoy some lucky musical bliss. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beethovan:Know him by his symphonies

Beethoven's nine great symphonies are widely played and even imitated by the many composers.

early life:

Born in Bonn in 1770, Ludwig van Beethoven began learning music at an early age. He studied with many well know

musicians including Hadyn and Salieri. Beethoven is most famous for his symphonics works.

Symphonies of Beethovan:

Beethoven remains as one of the most well known composers in the modern world. It is, no doubt, made possible by his ground breaking symphonies.

Beethoven’s compose only 9 symphonies; each one unique, each one preparing the way for the next. Beethoven’s most popular symphonies, No's. 3, 5, and 9, have graced the ears of millions of listeners.

beethovan and his symphonies

Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Op. 21, C Major

Beethoven began writing Symphony No. 1 in 1799. It premiered April 2, 1800, in Vienna. Compared to other Beethoven symphonies, this symphony sounds the tamest. However, when it premiered, imagine how the audience reacted. After all, they were used to hearing the purely classical styles of Haydn and Mozart. They must have been shocked to hear the piece begin on a dissonant chord.

Beethoven Symphony No. 2, Op. 36, D Major

Beethoven laid the ground for this symphony at least three years before its completion in 1802. This was a dramatic time for Beethoven as his hearing was quickly diminishing. Some believe the overall “sunny” nature of this symphony is Beethoven’s personal will to overcome his problem. Others believe the opposite: not every composer writes music set to their own inner-struggles; Beethoven was almost suicidal because of his hearing.

Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Op. 55, E flat Major, “Eroica”

The Eroica Symphony was first performed privately in early August, 1804. We know from discovered writings of Lobkowitz, one of Beethoven’s patrons, that the first public performance was on April 7, 1805 at the Theater-an-der-Wien in Vienna, Austria. It is clear that the performance was not as well accepted or understood as the composer would have liked. Harold Schonberg tells us that, “Musical Vienna was divided on the merits of the Eroica. Some called it Beethoven’s masterpiece. Others said that the work merely illustrated a striving for originality that did not come off.”


Beethoven Symphony No. 4, Op. 60, B flat Major

While Beethoven was composing his famous 5th Symphony, he set it aside to work on a symphonic commission he received from the Sicilian Count, Oppersdorff. Much is unknown why he set it aside; perhaps it was too heavy and dramatic for the Count's liking. As a result, Symphony No. 4, composed in 1806, became one of Beethoven’s lighter symphonies.

Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Op. 67, C Minor

Composed during 1804-08, Beethoven premiered Symphony No. 5 in Vienna’s Theater an der Wein on December 22, 1808. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 is by far the most well known symphony in the world. Its opening four notes are far from being indistinguishable. When Symphony No. 5 premiered, Beethoven also premiered Symphony No. 6, but in the actual concert program, the numbers of the symphonies were switched.

Beethoven Symphony No. 6, Op. 68, F Major, “Pastoral”

In the concert program in which it first premiered, Beethoven labeled Symphony No. 6 with the title “Recollections of Country Life.” Although many believe this symphony to house some of Beethoven’s most beautiful writing, the audience at its first performance was not too happy with it. I would probably agree with them after having heard Symphony No. 5 before it. However, Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony remains popular and is played in symphony halls throughout the world.

Beethoven Symphony No. 7, Op. 92, A Major

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 was completed in 1812 and conducted its premier on December 8, 1813 in the University of Vienna. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 is widely viewed as a symphony of dance, where as, Wagner described it as “the apotheosis of the dance.” Its highly enjoyable, haunting 2nd movement was often most encored.

Beethoven Symphony No. 8, Op. 93, F Major

This symphony is Beethoven’s shortest. It is often referred to as “The Little Symphony in F Major.” Its duration is roughly 26 minutes. Amongst a sea of exuberant symphonies, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 is often overlooked. Beethoven composed this symphony in 1812 at the age of 42. It premiered two years later on February 27, alongside Symphony No. 7.

Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Op. 125, D Minor “Choral”

Beethoven’s last symphony, Symphony No. 9 marks a triumphant and glorious end. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 was completed in 1824 when Beethoven was completely deaf, and was premiered on Friday, May 7, 1824 in the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna. Beethoven was the first composer to include the human voice at the same level as the instruments. Its text, “An Die Freude” was written by Schiller. When the piece ended, Beethoven, being deaf, was still conducting. The soprano soloist turned him around to accept his applause.

me with my 'SHISHU SHABHA'

what is life.hmmmm easy ..as well as tough question.i am just 24 and have a bunch of memories most of which are from my childhood.i'm still not a matured guy so i have my chilhood and that's it!!!

i am a creative kind of person from the begining.this is the part of my personality.so i want to tell you a short 'KISSA' of my chilhood.

when i was in SARASWATI SHISHU MANDIR we often participated in shishu shabha.10-15 children,events like..poem,stories,some games etc with a price of tofee,biscut...and i got excited for that .i loved that SHABHA of children.

one day i striked with similer kind of idea.i was just in 4th standard so like every child i got excited about that.i planned to make my own 'SABHA' at my home.after the evening tea i went with my friends CHINTU,MONA,MYSELF,MY SISter.SAARIKA,nd 2 more ...

i planned my sabha and all my very intellgent friends shaked their MUNDIEES(heads) with the answer that..
"hey..what a brilliant idea.i got surprised and thought that why are they sooo surprised?and i got the answer....the reason was...they all are expecting me for prizes(tofee,biscuits..)"

so after the approvel we all decided the place for our 'SABHA' .I select chintu's home for that and chintu was getting so excited that he achieve some gr8 thing.they had 3-4 rooms so 1 room was easily avilable for childrens to play such a creative game.

I gave the name for the SABHA i.e. 'SAURAV SISHU SABHA'

from the very next day after the 4 o clock tea we all gathered at chintu's home and start out first day of SABHA....

firstly i(the owner) came in front of all members and gave my speech.the speech was all about rules regulation ,games but there was not a single word about prize.

all members have to perform in front of all .the games are like Question answer,SONGS,poetry,G.K.all the games and rules were made by me.after the end of all performences i always announced the name of the winner of that perticuler round and the winner of the whole day.

all my friends play that game with all of their interest but after 2 weeks they asked me about prizes and i said "there is no prize..just a winner and that is enough for us"

as they all heard this they leave my SABHA took their ball and went to ground.they all play their all time fvt games "CHUPPAM CHUPAAI,VISH AMRIT" and ...

guess....who was the frontleader of my friends.....I
coz i was also getting bored and want to play my age like games.

it was not possible for me to give prizes i.e. tofee ,biscuit...

so that was all about my 14 days SAURAV SISHU SHABHA..
but i always remember those 14 days coz i did the different things but ha ha ha there was no prizes.all my friends wait for their prizes but after 14 days they say RAAM RAAM to my SABHA...

1. Love Is The Law Of Life: All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction. Love is therefore the only law of life. He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying. Therefore, love for love's sake, because it is law of life, just as you breathe to live.

2. It's Your Outlook That Matters: It is our own mental attitude, which makes the world what it is for us. Our thoughts make things beautiful, our thoughts make things ugly. The whole world is in our own minds. Learn to see things in the proper light.

3. Life is Beautiful: First, believe in this world - that there is meaning behind everything. Everything in the world is good, is holy and beautiful. If you see something evil, think that you do not understand it in the right light. Throw the burden on yourselves!

4. It's The Way You Feel: Feel like Christ and you will be a Christ; feel like Buddha and you will be a Buddha. It is feeling that is the life, the strength, the vitality, without which no amount of intellectual activity can reach God.

5. Set Yourself Free: The moment I have realised God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him - that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.

6. Don't Play The Blame Game: Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.

7. Help Others: If money helps a man to do good to others, it is of some value; but if not, it is simply a mass of evil, and the sooner it is got rid of, the better.

8. Uphold Your Ideals: Our duty is to encourage every one in his struggle to live up to his own highest idea, and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to the Truth.

9. Listen To Your Soul: You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.

10. Be Yourself: The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves!

11. Nothing Is Impossible: Never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest heresy to think so. If there is sin, this is the only sin - to say that you are weak, or others are weak.

12. You Have The Power: All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.

13. Learn Everyday: The goal of mankind is knowledge... now this knowledge is inherent in man. No knowledge comes from outside: it is all inside. What we say a man 'knows', should, in strict psychological language, be what he 'discovers' or 'unveils'; what man 'learns' is really what he discovers by taking the cover off his own soul, which is a mine of infinite knowledge.

14. Be Truthful: Everything can be sacrificed for truth, but truth cannot be sacrificed for anything.

15. Think Different: All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S inspiring personality was well known both in India and in America during the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth. The unknown monk of India suddenly leapt into fame at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, at which he represented Hinduism. His vast knowledge of Eastern and Western culture as well as his deep spiritual insight, fervid eloquence, brilliant conversation, broad human sympathy, colourful personality, and handsome figure made an irresistible appeal to the many types of Americans who came in contact with him. People who saw or heard Vivekananda even once still cherish his memory after a lapse of more than half a century.

The Swami's mission was both national and international. A lover of mankind, he strove to promote peace and human brotherhood on the spiritual foundation of the Vedantic Oneness of existence. A mystic of the highest order, Vivekananda had a direct and intuitive experience of Reality. He derived his ideas from that unfailing source of wisdom and often presented them in the soulstirring language of poetry.

In the course of a short life of thirty-nine years (1863-1902), of which only ten were devoted to public activities-and those, too, in the midst of acute physical suffering-he left for posterity his four classics: Jnana-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, and Raja-Yoga, all of which are outstanding treatises on Hindu philosophy. In addition, he delivered innumerable lectures, wrote inspired letters in his own hand to his many friends and disciples, composed numerous poems, and acted as spiritual guide to the many seekers, who came to him for instruction. He also organized the Ramakrishna Order of monks, which is the most outstanding religious organization of modern India. It is devoted to the propagation of the Hindu spiritual culture not only in the Swami's native land, but also in America and in other parts of the world.

Swami Vivekananda once spoke of himself as a "condensed India." His life and teachings are of inestimable value to the West for an understanding of the mind of Asia. William James, the Harvard philosopher, called the Swami the "paragon of Vedantists." Max Muller and Paul Deussen, the famous Orientalists of the nineteenth century, held him in genuine respect and affection. "His words," writes Romain Rolland, "are great music, phrases in the style of Beethoven, stirring rhythms like the march of Handel choruses. I cannot touch these sayings of his, scattered as they are through the pages of books, at thirty years' distance, without receiving a thrill through my body like an electric shock. And what shocks, what transports, must have been produced when in burning words they issued from the lips of the hero!''

NIKHILANANDA
Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center
New York
January 5, 1953

तेरी खु़शबू मैं बसे ख़त

तेरी खु़शबू मैं बसे ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे
प्यार मैं डूबे हुए ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे
तेरे हाथों के लिखे ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे
जिनको दुनिया की निगाहों से छुपाये रख़ा
जिनको एक उम्र कलेजे से लगाये रख़ा
दीन जिनको जिन्हें इमान बनाये रखा
तेरे खुशबू मैं बसे ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे
प्यार मैं डूबे हुए ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे

जिनका हर लफ्ज़ मुझे याद है पानी की तरह
याद थे मुझको जो पैग़ाम-ए-जुबानी की तरह
मुझको प्यारे थे जो अनमोल निशानी की तरह
तेरे खुशबू मैं बसे ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे
प्यार मैं डूबे हुए ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे

तूने दुनिया की निगाहों से जो बचकर लिखी
साल हा साल मेरे नाम बराबर लिखी
कभी दिन मैं तो कभी रात को उठकर लिखी
तेरे खुशबू मैं बसे ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे
प्यार मैं डूबे हुए ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे
तेरे हाथों के लिखे ख़त मैं जलाता कैसे
तेरे ख़त आज मैं गंगा मैं बहा आया हूँ
आग बहते हुए पानी मैं लगा आया हूँ