The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) celebrated its 25th anniversary on 27th February 2014.
When it was built in 1978, it was the tallest building in Dubai (UAE), and the first high-rise along Sheikh Zayed Road. It was built by His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Makhtoum who chose John Harris as the architect for the project.
Jane Northcote along with her team planned the 25th anniversary lunch, which rolled together a lively afternoon of fine cuisine, and fascinating presentations by reputed persons - taking the guests to the interesting paths of history. Inviting nostalgia and mirth, Sir Maurice Flanagan, Mark Harris - son of (late) John Harris, and Guy Guillemard, sketched the memory lane with the times when Dubai World Trade Centre came into being all the three gentlemen had a strong link with those past years.
Jane Northcote! My friend, you must have heard many compliments.
Even today, in India, from where I hail, one can come across the occasional singer, a singing bard with his ektara (the one-stringed musical instrument) and his begging bowl, singing across the far flung areas of different states. In my case, the begging bowl, my dear friends, is my heart for you!
From the beginning till today, the pure-bred minstrels belonging to this once-thriving-now-dying tribe have passed down thousands of immaculate lyrical pieces of music - yielding to their emotions, sensibilities and devotion. Apart from the droning instrument, ektara, other commonly used musical instruments included: small cymbals called kartal, bansure or a dugi - drum.
Now coming to the part of: Why I want to sing without the mike I think, it is more suitable to say: I want to be in a position of those singing minstrels who set off for their performances without the access of any music systems or mikes! Sharing this idea, itself, offers me a sort of detachment; then, swirls me into a mood of a flowing tranquil river!
No matter how much a music system can do; no matter how well the mike has found its way - in my wisdom or folly, I find a perfect equilibrium in freeing myself from such apparatuses.
Singing without a mike gives me 'natural' sound and space for my songs. I gain for myself a sense of naturalness. I feel, singing without a mike is like a performance-art by itself! For me, the 'natural' sound has the same merits as having a selective audience!
Poetry Festivals are occasions where the performers and the audience feast on different ideas - like they are cakes and honey!
"The Poetic Heart: Connecting Humanity" was one such occasion enjoyed by one and all - on 20th February 2014. SGI in association with Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City hosted a full-day-event, which attracted a huge crowd. Amazingly, the auditorium was full in the first half of the programme - though it was a working day. 20 poets and musicians of different nationalities recited and performed in 11 different languages - expressing their views on peace, friendship, harmony. There was an active participation from a segment of students from Japan and various local schools. The topic of emphasis chosen by the organizers was: Mother.
The first symposium of "The Poetic Heart: Connecting Humanity" was held in 2012. Dr. Shihab Ghanem and Dr. Ayoub Kazim were awarded the 'Soka Gakkai Peace' Award (SGI) in the same year. In 2013, international singer, Sami Yousuf was the guest star, and the video of his song "Ala bi Dhikriba" based on Dr. Shihab Ghanem's poem was screened for the audience.
To know more about the "The Poetic Heart: Connecting Humanity", kindly click on the link below:
http://www.sgigulf.org/initiatives/the-poetic-heart.
The founder of SGI Gulf is Dr. Daisaku Ikeda who resides in Japan. He has travelled widely to spread the message of peace and harmony. He has many books to his credit; he is a meaningful poet and an amazing photographer - who has tirelessly worked to build the true essence of human-connectivity for decades.
Good Afternoon - Dear Friends, and Organizers of this wonderful poetry festival. It's an honor for me to be a part of "Poetic Heart: Connecting Humanity".
The topic of emphasis chosen for this event is: Mother. I have attempted to showcase - "Mother" in two contrasting poems of mine. The caption of my first poem is Me - The Mother. The caption of my second poem is - Mama.
Honorable members of society - you may, or, may not be surprised to learn that Abuse of Older Adults by their own children is a common occurrence in our civilized society!
In 2002, the work of the World Health Organization brought international attention to "Senior Abuse". Professional groups internationally have specified elder abuse as a social problem.
In 2006, the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse, designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
"Senior Abuse", "Abuse of Older Adults", "Abuse in Later Life", are definitions adopted by the World Health Organization, and within these definitions an increasing number of cases of parental abuse are being reported, worldwide.
While physical and emotional abuse is connected with hitting, punching, blaming parents - financial abuse may occur through financial exploitation, deception, mis-representation and coercion.
Generally, parents do not want to come out in the open to complain. Obviously, if it threatens their safety - they will not report to anyone.
Giving one-more-chance to an errant child - this is the natural instinct of any parent! Besides, there's no end of pain washing dirty linen in public.
My poem: Me - The Mother delves into the present lives of mothers who are weighed down by the constant demands and unreasonable behavior of their grown-up-children.
The formless chaos allotted to these mothers gives me ability to investigate my personal environment.
As a responsible citizen, Me - The Mother directs my special views to society. This gives me renewed courage to "evolve" evolve as a mother.
Thank you for your time.
When it was built in 1978, it was the tallest building in Dubai (UAE), and the first high-rise along Sheikh Zayed Road. It was built by His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Makhtoum who chose John Harris as the architect for the project.
Jane Northcote along with her team planned the 25th anniversary lunch, which rolled together a lively afternoon of fine cuisine, and fascinating presentations by reputed persons - taking the guests to the interesting paths of history. Inviting nostalgia and mirth, Sir Maurice Flanagan, Mark Harris - son of (late) John Harris, and Guy Guillemard, sketched the memory lane with the times when Dubai World Trade Centre came into being all the three gentlemen had a strong link with those past years.
Jane Northcote! My friend, you must have heard many compliments.
Geeta Chhabra
Even today, in India, from where I hail, one can come across the occasional singer, a singing bard with his ektara (the one-stringed musical instrument) and his begging bowl, singing across the far flung areas of different states. In my case, the begging bowl, my dear friends, is my heart for you!
From the beginning till today, the pure-bred minstrels belonging to this once-thriving-now-dying tribe have passed down thousands of immaculate lyrical pieces of music - yielding to their emotions, sensibilities and devotion. Apart from the droning instrument, ektara, other commonly used musical instruments included: small cymbals called kartal, bansure or a dugi - drum.
Now coming to the part of: Why I want to sing without the mike I think, it is more suitable to say: I want to be in a position of those singing minstrels who set off for their performances without the access of any music systems or mikes! Sharing this idea, itself, offers me a sort of detachment; then, swirls me into a mood of a flowing tranquil river!
No matter how much a music system can do; no matter how well the mike has found its way - in my wisdom or folly, I find a perfect equilibrium in freeing myself from such apparatuses.
Singing without a mike gives me 'natural' sound and space for my songs. I gain for myself a sense of naturalness. I feel, singing without a mike is like a performance-art by itself! For me, the 'natural' sound has the same merits as having a selective audience!
Geeta Chhabra
Poetry Festivals are occasions where the performers and the audience feast on different ideas - like they are cakes and honey!
"The Poetic Heart: Connecting Humanity" was one such occasion enjoyed by one and all - on 20th February 2014. SGI in association with Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City hosted a full-day-event, which attracted a huge crowd. Amazingly, the auditorium was full in the first half of the programme - though it was a working day. 20 poets and musicians of different nationalities recited and performed in 11 different languages - expressing their views on peace, friendship, harmony. There was an active participation from a segment of students from Japan and various local schools. The topic of emphasis chosen by the organizers was: Mother.
The first symposium of "The Poetic Heart: Connecting Humanity" was held in 2012. Dr. Shihab Ghanem and Dr. Ayoub Kazim were awarded the 'Soka Gakkai Peace' Award (SGI) in the same year. In 2013, international singer, Sami Yousuf was the guest star, and the video of his song "Ala bi Dhikriba" based on Dr. Shihab Ghanem's poem was screened for the audience.
To know more about the "The Poetic Heart: Connecting Humanity", kindly click on the link below:
http://www.sgigulf.org/initiatives/the-poetic-heart.
The founder of SGI Gulf is Dr. Daisaku Ikeda who resides in Japan. He has travelled widely to spread the message of peace and harmony. He has many books to his credit; he is a meaningful poet and an amazing photographer - who has tirelessly worked to build the true essence of human-connectivity for decades.
Geeta Chhabra
Good Afternoon - Dear Friends, and Organizers of this wonderful poetry festival. It's an honor for me to be a part of "Poetic Heart: Connecting Humanity".
The topic of emphasis chosen for this event is: Mother. I have attempted to showcase - "Mother" in two contrasting poems of mine. The caption of my first poem is Me - The Mother. The caption of my second poem is - Mama.
Honorable members of society - you may, or, may not be surprised to learn that Abuse of Older Adults by their own children is a common occurrence in our civilized society!
In 2002, the work of the World Health Organization brought international attention to "Senior Abuse". Professional groups internationally have specified elder abuse as a social problem.
In 2006, the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse, designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
"Senior Abuse", "Abuse of Older Adults", "Abuse in Later Life", are definitions adopted by the World Health Organization, and within these definitions an increasing number of cases of parental abuse are being reported, worldwide.
While physical and emotional abuse is connected with hitting, punching, blaming parents - financial abuse may occur through financial exploitation, deception, mis-representation and coercion.
Generally, parents do not want to come out in the open to complain. Obviously, if it threatens their safety - they will not report to anyone.
Giving one-more-chance to an errant child - this is the natural instinct of any parent! Besides, there's no end of pain washing dirty linen in public.
My poem: Me - The Mother delves into the present lives of mothers who are weighed down by the constant demands and unreasonable behavior of their grown-up-children.
The formless chaos allotted to these mothers gives me ability to investigate my personal environment.
As a responsible citizen, Me - The Mother directs my special views to society. This gives me renewed courage to "evolve" evolve as a mother.
Thank you for your time.
Geeta Chhabra (poet)
Participant at Poetic Heart Event-Dubai
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