The mystique and majesty of Abu Dhabi is well enshrined in the beautiful exquisite and holy mosque Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Mosque in Al Mushrif, a district in Abu Dhabi the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, and is considered to be the key site for worship in the country. The design of the mosque was done by a Syrian architect named Yousef Abdelky.
Breathtaking architechture combined with amazing royal blue lighting from the ornate chandliers in the evening hours gives out the feeling of heady opulence and extravagance throughout the beautiful structure as much as the keen sense of subtlety of approach in maintaining uniformity of designs and colour.
It is amazing to see the well maintained courtyard with exquiste inlay work and the beautiful waterbody along the pathway.
The magnificent splendour of intricate carvings the majestic coloumns resplendent with matching motifs continues in the gigantic green carpet splayed across the entire inner sanctum.
A visual treat no doubt but the sense of symmetry is almost meditative.. Walking along through the gilded coloumns corridors is a beautiful and zen like experience in itself.
The magnanimity of the silence space is almost alluring as much as the effects of the beautiful lighting throughout the interiors as much as the exteriors of the mosque .
What distinguishes these motifsof Islamic architecture are the use of coloumns, piers and arches organized and interwoven with alternating sequences and use of fractal patterns and repetitive radiating structures. Standing there at dusk witnessing the beautiful moonlit sky and our dancing reflections in the azure blue waters of the pool of water in this magnanimous shrine one could feel totally inspired in even simply visiting it once for this mosque is certainly a masterpiece of Islamic architechture.
Much gratitude to my dear brother in law and family in Dubai who offered to drive us from Dubai to visit to this grand mosque. Certainly a trip to Abu Dhabi would be incomplete without visiting this beautiful Shrine!
Every shrine is filled with a vibration that is unique to the place be it a mosque synagogue a church or a temple … for the convergence of countless positive intentions energizes the space filling us with a deep sense of peace and serenity.
Are you drawn to the art of movement? Do you wish to dance but are confused where to begin and how to take the first step into the world of dance? Read on…
First of all it is essential to find that dance form which moves you. But before that it would be a good idea to ask yourself if you are the kind of person who is a team player or someone who enjoys solo dancing.
If you are kind who enjoys social dancing with a partner there are a plethora of dance forms you can learn, but yes the ideal situation is that you have a willing partner who enjoys dancing as much as you do!
Learning even the basics of some partner dance forms that appeal to you and your taste of music and tempo is a wonderful way to step into the world of dancing.
Its important to remember that just like our choices are not static but actually evolve with time, in an ever evolving world of movement, dances too evolve with changing trends and generations … thus it is the study and practice of the concepts and techniques that play an important role in developing your skills and enhance your dancing.
If you are interested in learning to dance ..it would be good to be aware of the depth of your interest, whether its just as a passing fancy, a fad to learn something new,or to learn because of a deeper connect that you feel every time you dance, or even as you watch other people dancing. An honest self appraisal would be helpful in deciding what the next course of action should be. If you feel the connect I am talking about, get going and start of with some dancing lessons for yourself now!
If you wish to discuss more on your dance related queries feel free to reach out here savvy@danceconcepts.in.
While this trip to the Middle east, was a great getaway of sorts, between the work and pleasure, it undoubtedly became a fodder for thought and much reflections in those moments of chanced and planned connects with some amazing people living there. And some of them I met for the first time and bonded so instantly as if I knew them forever and a few who I knew for decades but didnt get to meet and connect earlier.
There were many more on my list of people who I wanted to meet but have left that for my next trip sooner than later.
Connects of empathy:
Meeting another human being for the first time is an enigmatic phenomenon. In todays age of technology although you may try to connect in so many ways online. Real time meet and greets hold their own a bag of surprises and treats in tow.
One such meet was planned … by me and my dear warm hearted friend from online. Fatima.An eloquent writer with a heart of gold and a keenly developed insight of people and their resources who draws much strength in positive reflections and most importantly a kind and brave heart following her dreams.
The heartfelt connects established in moments of our first meeting was clearly visible. She treated me to an amazing authentic Arabic dinner that evening and while catching up on our lives, in between us was a complete ease of being which we both mutually sensed in the lovely ease of conversation and strength of connection in the little time we had that day. Her warm hospitality and generosity touched me and I truly look forward to meeting her again sooner than later and wish her the best always from my heart.
Then there was this local Arab woman dressed in the traditional Abhaya worn with the hijab and those alluring kohl rimmed eyes with whom I shared a lengthy conversation of their culture and learned much but who moved me in the simplicity of her words and in sharing her heart’s deepest desires for freedom of movement and her eagerness in learning to dance…
Another wonderful woman with whom my daughter and I shared a great rapport albeit in just a few minutes of conversation was a travel guide who invited us to her home in Abu Dhabi. We got talking about so many things in such a short span of time. We bonded without reservations.
There are many more truly endearing people I met and connected some who I managed to catch up with on phone …but simply put perhaps it is just my way of seeing but I found many friendly people from across the world living there making a living thriving in the tolerance and interconnects that makes up much of Dubai’s culture in recent times.
And yes of course my visit to the traditional city of Sharjah had its own share of charm . As the people I met there were my very dear friends connecting after so long … yet the heartconnects were entrenched so deep that it felt home to me .
A short driving across the city will lead you through the Corniche where you can stay on to watch the beautiful Arabian Sunset and may be drive further on to Al Ain as well.
Will not forget the trips to the Gold and Spice Souks and most of all the Creek and the dhow cruise on the creek one pleasant evening….
Foodwise :
Being a vegetarian I thought my choices would be limited to pizzas and pastas and of course my saviour’ Subway’ besides the Indian food . But I was pleasantly surprised to find my flavour in Arabic food. Suffice to say the sumptous starters of the Arab cusine and their spiced tea was perfectly suited to my vegetarian and satvic senibilities. And I must thank my dear friends, relatives and hosts who took so much care and put so much consideration while ordering that I will hold very fond memories of dining out in this delightful trip.
Thanks to my amazing hosts I tried many dishes some which were known like the falafel and some new to me…tabbouleh and the zatar and lentil soup
‘Creativity stems from the acceptance of your authentic self. It is a never-ending journey of endless possibilities that is much beyond the pursuit of a hobby or craft and can be a habit of a lifetime. So besides being a Dance educator being a writer and a designer, creating art and writing poetry gives me immense satisfaction with the infinite ways of expressing myself as I believe in enjoying the journey as much as the destination.’
Behind the glamour of its sparkling glass & lights
And the elegant sheen of its metallic constructs
For me what stood out was that
It stands strong in spite of its ridiculous heights
A labour of co-creation in collaboration
As the sweat and brains of many nations
Whose ingenuity built this structure
A majestic piece of human engineering …
The worlds tallest building.
At the top with its panoramic view…
Across the sunsets and the curving horizon
That blurs into oblivion.
While the betwitching landscape enthralls
I am watching the horizon fade away
My eyes fall on the shimmering sunlight
On the red dunes beckoning me…
And across the distance tideless sea so invitingly blue.
Stepping back to ground in a minute or so…
You are brought back into one of the largest mall Dubai Mall that withstands and supports the entire structure .
In all an amazing experience of gleaming glass the allure of metal and the glitzy glamorous spaces.
At the Top of the Burj Khalifa the tallest man-made structure in the world is a one of a kind experience indeed .
Night view from the Burj Khalifa
An expansive evening view of the horizon curving towards you greets you and the enthralling lights of Dubai by Night is a treat indeed .
My night vision from the Top of the World
The lights dazzle the senses and perhaps more oft than not, even the most earthy traveler is left struck at first sight by the sparkle of the city.
…Although truth be told I am left wondering the necessity of such dazzling displays of opulence and materialism which is symbolic of the very modern Downtown Dubai.
Perhaps such are the stakes when a city develops so rapidly and begets names like the City of Gold , City of the Future as even the City of Dreams and boasts of the largest landmarks and sets a global standard in lifestyle as it continues to develop its infrastructure and works at providing excellent opportunities for cosmopolitan life and living with an unbelievable 80% of its population being of foreign origin making its culture a melting pot of different nationalities. And that in all is truly a stellar example of the strength of the interconnects in the interdependence .
The picture above holds a special place in my heart. Taken in the lovely city of Athens Greece during the World Congress of Dance Research held there. A common passion for dancing brought us together that memorable evening.
Over the years we may have gone on with our lives in different zones of space and time…but am pretty sure, whenever we lay our eyes on this picture, it is sure to make us three smile with all our hearts remembering this lovely evening back then.😊
An Inspiring yet charmingly unassuming coastal wonder
Magnetic aura of majestic matrumandir
An act of meditative deliberation
Of grace in effort and goodwill
Simple living deeper consciousness
A gathering of like-minded
Artists who can create unhindered
By material worries
Bridging gaps
Of Humanity consciousness
With no ownership rights
Of land and living
In the cycle of evolution
Equality and brotherhood
Free will and intention
Go hand in hand.
Giving back to society
In useful ways
Volunteering and supporting
For others and self
Mutually coexisting
A green habitat for future living
Peaceful life in peaceful means.
Creativity thrives in every realisation
of the eternal soul freedom
The need to unshackle the boundedness
Anf move beyond bane of belonging
Knowing energy abounds in conscious living
Moving towards infinite unity of the heart in purpose
Powered by practice in perseverance.
My trip to Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu could never be complete and fulfilling without receiving the gift of being in Auroville the universal town. And what’s mystical is that it leaves you with a sense of nonchalant wonder and awe of everything about it every time .And like the pleasure of a puzzle that begins to fit in bits and pieces, I sense the rapture of its plenitude in quietude as its silence and bustle both speaks to my heart.
The name Auroville is derived from Sri Aurobindo, or Arvind Ghosh, a revolutionary, visionary, philosopher and sage who is very well known in India and whose revolutionary endeavours against the British regime predate those of Gandhi.
Auroville is in Viluppuram district mostly in the state of Tamil Nadu, India with some parts in the Union Territory of Puducherry in South India. It is an experimental township in the making dedicated to the ideal of human unity based on the vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa and designed by architect Roger Anger.
Mirra Alfassa, known to her followers as’ The Mother’, was the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. Her full name at birth was Blanche Rachel Mirra Alfassa. She came to Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual retreat on 29 March 1914 in Pondicherry, India.
The ideals of Auroville are beautiful. Here is the charter, as drafted by ‘The Mother:’
Auroville belongs to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole. But, to live in Auroville, one must be a willing servitor of the divine consciousness.
Auroville will be the place of an unending education, of constant progress, and a youth that never ages.
Auroville wants to be the bridge between the past and the future. Taking advantage of all discoveries from without and from within, Auroville will boldly spring towards future realisations.
Auroville will be a site of material and spiritual researches for a living embodiment of an actual human unity.
The Dream of Divinity
Auroville is said to be a manifestation of the Mothers dream … of Divine Will of the Universal Consciousness.
Envisioning a dream of such magnitude is empowering humankind with purpose and direction. Actualizing a dream is a lifetime commitment on the path of conscious awakening.
To live and coexist without disturbing the sentiments of a mini congregation of the world in representation calls for fortitude from its citizens and its council.
In deep respect for The Mothers universal dream and the Aurovilleans collaborative endeavour and in the enterprise of creating a peaceful and integrated habitat for human unity.
Am grateful for the beautiful times spent here at Auroville ….and hoping to be back sooner than later.
Savvy Raj 