Category: Art Reflections

“The past isn’t dead and buried. In fact, it isn’t even past.”

The history of racial injustice in our country and the chasm of racial divide has deepened further in the last few years. Here in the Bay Area, we do not see it as blatantly as other parts of the country, but it does exist. We are a Global Community in the Bay Area. Let us embrace each other’s differences, start conversations, and build a stronger community, meet new friends through We-Are-In. We-Are-In’s mission is to Bring People Together to Help and Build Stronger Local and Global Communities. (Website– Facebook Page)

Please support We-Are-In Fundraising Initiative to help bridge the racial divide right now with the Power of Art.

Earlier this year when the pandemic hit the world, I was deeply moved by the hunger in our backyard, the political divide, and the systemic racism. Like everybody else I felt the need to do my part. I realized there is not much I can do alone, but together with my family and friends, my larger community I can help even more- we all must be in this together! 

More than one “I” makes it “We” and many “I”’s makes us stronger and bolder “We”. I had taken up art as a therapy during these isolated times when I came across ARTogether through a workshop helping communities connect with art. Strike powerful conversations and dialogue through art when America is so divided. I am taking up this initiative of fundraising with a virtual art exhibition with YOUR help. 

Please participate if you are an art lover, professional or amateur artist, photographer, artisan, share your artwork, enjoy the exhibition at the same time build stronger communities by supporting ARTogether. 

All donations will go to ARTogether, a 501(c)(3) organization based in the Bay Area, and are tax deductible.

About ARTogether:

ARTogether is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Oakland, California, that seeks to strengthen refugee and immigrant communities through the creative arts, support and promote refugee artists, and use community art projects to raise awareness about the refugee and immigrant experience and the intersection between refugee/immigrant issues and other societal issues. ARTogether’s mission is “to provide art programs that foster compassionate communities where refugees and immigrants can flourish.”

From childhood’s hour I have not been As others were—I have not seen As others saw—I could not bring My passions from a common spring—From the same source I have not taken My sorrow—I could not awaken My heart to joy at the same tone—And all I lov’d—I lov’d alone—Then—in my childhood—in the dawn Of a most stormy life—was drawn From ev’ry depth of good and ill The mystery which binds me still—From the torrent, or the fountain—From the red cliff of the mountain—From the sun that ’round me roll’d In its autumn tint of gold—From the lightning in the sky As it pass’d me flying by—From the thunder, and the storm—And the cloud that took the form(When the rest of Heaven was blue)Of a demon in my view—

“Alone”BY EDGAR ALLAN POE

San Francisco Bay Area Haze on September 9th 2020 from the Wild Fires.

Her love is like an island in life’s ocean, vast and wide. A peaceful, quiet shelter from the wind, the rain, the tide. It is bound on the north by Hope, By Patience on the West, By tender Counsel on the South, And on the East by Rest.

By Unknown Poet

I have had worse partings, but none that so gnaws at my mind still. Perhaps it is roughly saying what God alone could perfectly show –How self hood begins with walking away, and love is proved in the letting go.

Poet Unknown

“Your memory grows stronger with every passing year. I wish I could’ve said goodbye, that morning when you left, told you, you were my hero and that you were the best. The years don’t make it easier; they said the pain would go. It seems I’ve just got better not letting my feelings show.”

From Poem by Jodie Ogle

Shubho Mahalaya 2020.

On the dawn of Mahalaya, listening to  Birendra Krishna Bhadra soaring Sanskrit recitation is a Bengali tradition I grew up with. It holds a special nostalgic place in my heart marking the beginning of Durga Puja festivities celebrating the battle of good over evil.

 Praying may Devi, Ma Durga heal the earth especially this year when so many souls were lost by the Covid-19, may the ugliness of racism burn to ashes, may light prevail after all the darkness we are facing this cursed year .

 May the Divine blessings guide us through our struggles and troubles and bless us. And Hope heal the human hearts, and lead us through to light, good health and happiness. A sincere gratitude to all the healthcare professionals.

PITRU-GAYATRI:- “OM PITRU GANAAYA VIDMAHE… JAGAT DHAARINEY DHEEMAHI… TANNO PITRO PRACHODAYAAT”

AVAAHANAM-MANTRA:- “OM AAGACHH-ANNTU ME PITRU EMAM GRIHANTI JALAANJALIM”

PITRU-MANTRA:- “OM SARVA PITRU DEVAAYA NAMAHA… TRIPTAYAAMIDAM TILODAHAM –VA – JALAANJALIM… TASMAI SWADHAA NAMAHA… TASMAI SWADHAA NAMAHA… TASMAI SWADHAA NAMAHA…”

GAYATRI-MANTRA:- “OM BHUR BHUVAHA SWAAHAA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHEEYO YONAHA PRACHODAYAAT”