Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 31. 12. 23
The year is coming to an end
In a few hours from now, the calendar will change. A year will be history. A brand new year, the twenty fourth year of the new millennia will make entry.
Twenty four in human life is special. It marks the end of young adulthood and the beginning of real mature adulthood. Twenty four is the beginning of a mature adulthood. Childhood is about dreams. With eighteen begins an era to realise the dreams. As one turns twenty four- it is time to go for it full throttle.
Will the New Year 2024 bring in new and positive changes in the world? Will it see less number of hungry, mal-nourished people? Will it see less suffering and more happiness? Will it find people living peacefully together? Will it see less hatred and more love and compassion? Will technological advancements turn the planet into a more liveable place?
Let us hope so.
Minhwa Art
December 10, 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and India. Although the historical connections between the two countries go much further, it is only in 1973 that they could establish full diplomatic ties at an ambassadorial level. According to "SamgukYusa" or "The Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms" written in the 13th century, a Princess from Ayodhya (Suriratna) came to Korea, married King Kim-Suro, and became Queen Hur Hwang-ok in the year 48 AD. The contrasting worldviews of Prime Minister Nehru and President Syngman Rhee initially hindered the development of meaningful relations between India and South Korea. However, both the countries came forward to forge a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship.
On this occasion an exhibition of Minwha Paintings was held at the Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar.
Minhwa is Korean folk art produced mostly by itinerant or unknown artists without formal training. Minhwa literally means "painting of the people" or "popular painting". This type of painting was often the work of anonymous craftsmen who faithfully adhered to the styles, canons and genres inherited from the past. Minhwa also involved a magical dimension. They were believed to possess beneficial virtues and to protect the owner and his family from evil forces.
Minhwa art developed into its present form in the seventeenth century. The artists were common people who went from place to place, often following festivals, where they would paint for the locals, fulfilling their commissions on the spot.
Historian Anil Dhir says, “Minhwa colorfully represents the perspectives, religions, symbols of daily life and desires, and folk mythologies of its time. It featured robust animals such as tigers and dragons, also insects and cranes as supernatural beings; and featured colorful natural backgrounds with clouds, lotuses, water, or the sun.”
Minwha’s simplistic, yet brilliant style and unconventionality combined with bold colors make it aesthetically important and a strong expression of the daily lives of Koreans. The combined wit, humor, happiness, informality, exaggerations similar to caricatures, and freedom of expression aligns even with contemporary art pieces to exhibit an understanding of Korean culture.
Rickshaw Paintings of Bangldesh
Recently UNESCO has recognised the rickshaws and vibrant rickshaw paintings of Bangladesh as intangible cultural heritage, celebrating the artistry that graces the streets of Bangladesh with stories and colors.
The global recognition was given at the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Botswana's Kassanne.
"Rickshaws and rickshaw paintings in Dhaka" is Bangladesh's fifth cultural heritage recognised by Unesco. The rest of the cultural heritages are Jamdani and Shital Pati weaving industries, Baul songs and Mongol Shobhajatra.
India’s 'Garba of Gujarat' was also recognized at the same session.
India has a reservoir of unique Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) traditions, 14 of which have been designated as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO including Kumbh Mela , Chhau Dance, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Kalbelia songs and dance of Rajasthan.
Tailpiece: Codes of the Oldies
Since Youngsters of today have their texting codes (LOL, OMG, TTYL, etc.) the oldies decided not to be outdone by these kids and have developed their own codes. Here are some:
ATD - At the Doctor's
BFF - Best Friend's Funeral
BTW - Bring the Wheelchair
BYOT - Bring your own teeth
FWIW - Forgot Where I Was
GHA - Got Heartburn Again
TFT - Texting From Toilet.
TTYL - try to yawn less
FOMO - full of medical opinions
(Courtesy: Social Media)
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A compilation of this weekly column published in 2023 will be published shortly as an e-book, titled Window Seat 2023. Readers, interested to get a complimentary copy, please send your email id to mrinalchatterjeeiimc@gmail.com
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