THAIPUSAM

THAIPUSAM - Hindu Festival - A festival for the brave

Today for the second time in Singapore I witnessed the celebrations in Little India for Thaipusam. It is quite confronting at first. A parade of Indian men, some with hooks and skewers pierced through their skin, other with large elaborate displays (Cage like) held up over around their body by hundreds of meter long needles. It is hard not to stare with these large torturous displayed masked by vibrant colours and masses of people, celebrating and chanting. So naturally I had to know more:

'Thaipusam actually celebrates the victory of the Hindu deity Subramanya over the forces of darkness. On this occasion, Hindus show the sincerity of their faith. It is a time for making and fulfilling vows. Devotees pray for divine help and make vows. When their prayers are answered, they fulfil their vows.

To do this, a devotee would pierce his cheeks, tongue, face or other suitable body parts with sharp objects. Next his friends or relatives load a kavadi on his shoulder. Finally, in a trance-like manner, he goes on a 4km journey of faith.' - http://www.etour-singapore.com/thaipusam-singapore.html

These men and women will fast for minimum of three days before the ceremony. This only adding to the torture and lack of energy and strength. Might I add, whilst the quoted information states that they walk 4km, in Singapore (and yes, I admit with my limited experience) those wearing the Kavadi, do not just walk down the street. Some are able to dance, jump, whistle blow and the Kavadi moves, spins and bounces with them all to the beat of their traditional music accompanying. My personal favorites are the Kavadi's with LED lights streaming down their design, lighting up the streets at night while they dance for their Gods.  

It was quite remarkable watching the strength and courage of these men and women, walking the streets to celebrate such a  strong belief. I can tell you I was definitely moved by the sight. Not all the brave demonstrators look capable. At 10pm last year, as I watched from my safe comfortable couch in Starbucks, A man collapsed in the parade with the Kavadi falling down on top of him. A swarm of people surrounded him as he slowly stood back up, showing his strength was coming to an end. He no longer could carry the burden and while mentally he was strong enough, physically his body was rejecting the torture. His friends and family held him up as he continued to walk and pass my sight views. My heart broke for him but at the same time the sheer endurance he showed was inspiring. Not that I have plans of pinning myself down (Pun intended :p - In all seriousness, I couldn't do it) but it just showed what human nature is capable of enduring should you put your mind to it.

This festival shows not only a test of courage but the power of endurance. 

I will never cease to be fascinated by the rainbow of culture that surrounds me in Singapore and the great depths people go to for religion.  

Orange?

RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED

or rather.... 

Orange. 

Love it!

Pure Innocence

I miss this little girl and I haven't even met her yet.

Nell

Still speechless. Nell. Not a movie I had heard of (I know, shame on me) but utterly heartbreaking. 

I still have no words to say. If you like me had not seen it. Just watch it. Incredible.

Time to move

Get on your dancing shoes... 

There was a time I was down, down
I didn't know what to do
I was just stumbling around, around
Thinking things could not improve
I couldn't look on the bright side
Of anything at all
That's when you gave me a call

Now I feel better, better, better than before
I feel better, better, better, now I'm not down any more

And there were times I was sure, so sure
I couldn't turn it around
I couldn't care any more
About the good things I found
That's when you gave me a reason
To make me smile again
I only have to see you and then

I feel better, better, better than before
I feel better, better, better, now I'm not down any more
I feel better, better, better than before
I feel better, better, better, now I'm not down any more

Life sometimes seems to get the best of you
Like everything just brings you down
Just when you think there's nothing you can do
A friendly face will bring you around
And you'll feel better

You'll feel better, you'll feel better,
Better than before
You'll feel better, much better
No you won't get down any more 

 - Gotye - 

Dreams really do come true

Yesterday marked a very special day for me. I received an email offering me a role in a professional musical production going up in July in Singapore. It has taken the full 12 hours for me to even believe it possible. I truly thought when I read it, it was a wonderful dream I had. The instant I woke up, I turned my computer on to discover it was still there looking back at me. 

When I first auditioned for a part in the musical, I really didn't think much about it. It has really become run of the mill for me to rock up, sing, possibly dance, expect not to be called and move onto the next one. Somehow, this time was different. First a call back (I was still calm, I have a thesis on my hands, an audition was the last thing on my mind) and then an offer to join the cast!

I had shamefully fallen asleep at school in rehearsal due to a lack of sleep I have had (which sadly isn't unusual for me) and I woke up checked my email and began to cry- happy tears of course. I didn't realize how much an offer like this would mean to me. I never dreamed of working in musical theater in Singapore but in all honestly, I never put an initial location to achieve my dream, just the dream of being in and apart of a show. [Of course my big dream is to be the lead in a west end musical but dreams like that don't just pop out of thin air]. The email really is a dream come true, performing in my first professional musical. Six years of training, for this. This is what I have been dreaming of for as long as I can remember and what better place to do it, then in a new and thriving arts scene in Singapore. 

Thank you Wild Rice and everyone on the creative team. You are making one little girls dreams become a reality and she couldn't be floating higher. 

Keep a lookout for Singapore premiere of La Cage Aux Follies (with me in the ensemble)

Once upon a time

Some days the world really does let you get carried away and believe all your dreams can come true.