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Wednesday 14 September 2016

Art & Science - Not different (Udaipur)

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As I travel around in this life, people ask - what is the difference between art & science? Which one should I go for?

For most people they seem to be different paths.

For me like most things in this world, this is just another facet of all prevailing duality. Two sides of the same coin.

The real question is not how they are different. But how their difference can be united to achieve stellar results.

Let's break it down with an example. A pencil and a paper.
The knowledge of how to make a mark with a pencil on paper is science.
The knowledge of how to make that mark beautiful is art.

Now if you are asked to make a mark and then later make that beautiful without help of both paths.
You might now ask, why should I be bothered with such trivial information. My answer will be to shift our perspective to a more important question.

We should be asking what difference can we make with art & science, not what is the difference between them.
As earlier this thought came through a meeting during my visit to Udaipur, Rajasthan. I met Mr. Kailash Jinger, who is an artist known for his work on mewar style of painting. He is the chief artist working in Udaipur City Palace and has done a lot of commissioned work on many buildings in and around Udaipur. In his free time he teaches mewar art to mortal beings.
As an artist he could also have been intrigued by the question of difference between art & science. Instead he chose to ask what difference can he make. And the answer he found, started with his own house. He initially started painting his house with the idea of making it a showcase for mewar art. And what a splendid work he has done. Every corner of his house is a testimony of what he is and what mewar art means to him. He has already spent a lot of money and his time (around 6/7 years) into it.

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backpacknirvana travel photography india

backpacknirvana travel photography india

backpacknirvana travel photography india

backpacknirvana travel photography india

backpacknirvana travel photography india

backpacknirvana travel photography india


On his roof top, watching the city from above. He said - "You know I did all this, but something was missing. Majorly because whenever I use to come home, everything was beautiful, except the street leading to it It  was littered with garbage, spit and pee. I decided why not extend the art on street and see if people respond positively!". So he took up the challenge and spent time beautifying the street. It took him around 2 years with his own money and the job was completed. People stopped throwing garbage, spiting or peeing on beautiful piece of art. It slowly gained momentum and now the street is part of heritage walk in Udaipur, with government also putting it's clout behind.

So what was I left with? Obviously I secured a promise to live with him next time I go to Udaipur. That will help me more detailed documentation of his thoughts and work. But I decided till that time, at least I can spread his message to whoever wants to listen.

The real question is not what the differences are, but what can be achieved by unification of those differences.
What will you be doing or have done, let's pour it out in the comments section.
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