Text Credits: Kennie Thomas

Al Ameen, a 19 year old student from Jamia Millia Islamia University, started the 4,250km long solo bicycle trip from Srinagar to Kanyakumari on June 2 and plans to reach Kanyakumari by July 23.  Originally from  Kazhakkoottam in Thiruvananthapuram, Al Ameen embarked upon this long adventure to create awareness about sexual abuse against children. Ameen, a first year sociology honours student is sponsored partially by Gandhi Global Foundation (GGF), an organisation headed by senior Congress leader and former Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The student was admitted at a hospital in Karnataka following a severe illness. The scorching heat of the North and the heavy rains of the South were believed to be the reason behind his weakened health. Against all odds, Ameen continued his journey towards Kerala after a day at the hospital.  “I want to encourage students to actively participate in finding solutions to the problems faced by the community around them,” said Al Ameen, who had been clocking around 80km a day. Neither the heavy monsoon rains nor his weakened health could dampen the spirit of this 19 year old.

Source: The Hindu

“The cases of abuse against children are on the rise every year. In 2012, there were 38,000 cases reported only in India. In 2015, the number reached 56,000, the country witnessed a 60 per cent spike,” said Ameen. When asked why he chose cycling to spread his cause, the youngster said, “For me, the cycle is just the tool to attract attention to my larger goal”.

The parching heat of the North along with the numerous receptions and programmes were tying him down from finishing the journey on time. Ameen was reportedly said to be cycling at nights to make up for the time lost. Upon reaching Kerala, Ameen had been accorded receptions at schools in  Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram. All the receptions were organised by district child protection officers of the Women and Child Development Department to spread awareness on child abuse among students.

Such righteous acts are seldom done, let alone by a 19 year old.  This student deserves recognition and appreciation for both the act and cause.

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Text Credits : Shibul Pavithran 

Shah Rukh Khan and Anand L Rai finally released the title of their much-awaited film, portraying the talented actor in a new avatar of a dwarf. The title is named as Zero and the video has a duration of one minute.

Image Source :

The teaser opens with numerous adjectives such as ‘paagal’ (mad), ‘aashiq’ (lover), ‘shaayar’ (poet), ‘makkar’ (trickster), mental, among many others, giving an insight into the character of Shah Rukh, who plays a vertically-challenged man in the film. Singing Mohammed Rafi’s classic track Iss Diwane Dilne Kya Jadoo Chalaya, SRK’s character makes a solid entry.

Image Source

The film, produced by Gauri Khan releases on December 21, also features Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. However, the teaser does not reveal anything about their roles. The trio had earlier worked together in Yash Chopra’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan(2012).

Shah Rukh Khan flaunts his dance moves in a typical ‘tapori’ style and in the end says, “Hum jiske peeche lag jaate hain, life bana dete hai .”

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Text Credits: Nikhil Wilson                         Image Credits: Anand A N

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and this is exactly what the Kerala Film Producer’s Association is implanting out there in the cricket field. A one of a kind event at the St. Paul College ground, 8 teams will go head to head in a T20 cricket match. The event which starts on November 20 will come to an end on November 24.  Ernakulam MLA Hibi Eden hoisted that flag during the inaugural ceremony of the Premier League. He was seen having a chat with the members and the players at the tournament.

The T20 match will see some great names in the film industry going face to face and FWD Life is happy to be a part of the event. The second Season of Kerala Film Producers Premier League will be followed by a felicitation event for all the participating teams at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The event is expected to have not just the participating team members, but also celebrities from the silver screen. Mollywood superstar Mammootty will the chief guest at the event at Crowne Plaza.

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Text Credits: Nikhil Wilson

Tovino comes to the big screens again with his new film Thrangam. Tharangam is the debut production project of Dhanush in the Malayalam film industry. Dominic Arun, the director of the film is an aspiring artist and an individual to look up for the film industry.

Just after the release of the trailer of the film, the video has been getting great responses and reach in less than 24 hours. “The first look poster and the song video had got very good responses and I’m glad the audiences are receiving it well. The audiences have changed their attitude towards the film industry. They have found a new level of appreciation for every artwork, regardless of the category or the genre,” said Tovino.

Talking about the experience of working for the film, Tovino said “Even though we had a tight schedule, there were no problems whatsoever, due to perfect coordination among the entire crew. The people have been giving positive comments about the song and trailers and the credit goes to the filmmaker”.

“The film is a comedy crime thriller and there have been movies done in this genre in the Malayalam industry. But, what makes this film different and unique is our approach towards the topic and the visuals to the edits”, Tovino replied when asked about Tharangam.

Malayalees have found a new sense of respect for the film industry and I’m sure the audience will appreciate good films like we always do”, says Tovino.

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Words: Fathima Abdul Kader   Images: Pushpamala N.

There is a sense of comfort in familiarity. Pushpamala N, the modern Indian photo- and video-performance artist, sculptor, writer and curator, plays with this same sense of familiarity in the audience and flips it, stirring a sense of unsettling because her version of the images might not “look right” and initiates further reflection. Initially trained as a sculptor at MS University in Baroda, Pushpamala worked with terracotta and paper maiche in her initial works. Her later works attempted to use cheaper materials and even used paper. By the 90s, she started working with photography, and by the early 2000s, this extended to videos as well. Known for her photo-romances in which she places herself amidst images from popular culture, mythology, and history, Pushpamala creates witty and evocative images that brings to light the current social scenario.

You attempt to re-vision scenes that are familiar to the audience. What instance provoked this thought?

My work is an enquiry into present day society by using ‘cultural memory’ – all those things that I and others have experienced or are experiencing as part of a larger culture. I create narratives and scenes which may be familiar or unknown, but which connect to the memories, fantasies and lived experiences of people.

Why did you decide on this form of art?

I make different kinds of work. I am a trained sculptor and have a body of work in sculpture that has won many awards and has been very influential. Besides my work in photography, I make short films and video installations. I also write, curate, speak , organize and curate. If you are talking about my photographic work, I started doing it by chance, and continued because I feel photography and film have a fluid and mobile quality that is useful to express my thoughts.

Why did you decide to place yourself in the photographs?

By placing myself in the photographs, I am at the centre of the enquiry. I am not separate from the work, I am also a part of my critique. And of course, I enjoy enacting the characters. When I create the characters, it helps me to understand how these archetypes or images were put together.

How do you come up with a concept and how does it get realized?

I have certain ongoing interests which I keep researching and studying. I collect images, essays, books and films either physically or in my head. I call this my ‘pseudo-archive’. Even before art school, I was a strong feminist and all my work is informed by my feminist explorations- the place for women in society, the idea of freedom etc. I use women’s images and women’s narratives and forms in my work. As an artist I believe that I must connect to all the progressive thinking of the day and belong to a network of people all over India who may believe in similar things. Art history, theatre, film, literature, history, women’s studies and cultural studies are part of my interests and inform my work. But I am also interested in popular forms. All these are sources for my work. But basically, I am interested in studying contemporary life.

Most of the images that you have re-visioned are from a time when the images were either captured by men or created for the male gaze. How is your version of the same image different?

I play with images in different ways. There are not always based on existing images. When I put myself inside the work, I believe it instantly changes the work and makes it of today. The re-creation makes them theatrical and gives them an ironic twist. I bring up these lost or taken for granted images for scrutiny.

Even though your works re-vision narratives from the past how do you keep them rooted in the present?

I use history, fantasy and memory to address the present. If I use the Ramayana it is because it is the national myth and at the centre of the very definition of India today. I am very interested in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as I see them as the primitive era of modernism and the basis of everything happening today.

Although women do have more freedom to go about their lives, do you think there is a real change in the way women are perceived in current times as opposed to the way they were?

I think there are two things happening today, simultaneously. One is that women in a sense are fighting for, and getting more and more freedom. On the other hand, feudal patriarchal society is fighting back ferociously and women are being violently attacked. The attacks are to stop the freedom and mobility of women. And also women and children, as they are soft targets, are the objects of the anger of the dispossessed. The violence is increasing because women are questioning their traditional roles more and more.

Digital Version: https://goo.gl/ruLaF2

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Words by: Devika V Menon   Photographs from: Various Sources

With a heavy heart, many celebrities took to social media to express their sorrow as the multi-faceted actor Vinod Khanna passed away after a long battle with illness on April 27. Vinod Khanna’s hat dons several feathers, including that of a producer and politician.

After making his debut in 1966 with Man Ka Meet, Khanna acted in small second lead roles or negative roles. His ‘angry young man’ role in the superhit movie Mere Apne, his negative role as the main villain in the superhit movie Mera Gaon Mera Desh and his role in the critically acclaimed movie Achanak as the military officer turned fugitive, received tremendous applause from both the film industry and his fans.

In 1982, at the peak of his film career, Khanna temporarily quit the film industry to follow his spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh.After a 5 year hiatus, he returned to the Hindi film industry giving two back to back hit films Insaaf and Satyamev Jayate. Vinod also starred in 47 multi hero films.

Here’s a look at all the tweets from celebrities expressing their sorrow over the loss of this multi-talented man:

Arjun Rampal: “Heartbreaking news.We lose a legend and the handsomest,most charismatic,stylish and awesome actor. #VinodKhanna a sad sad day. #RIPvinodji,”

Mohammed Kaif: “Unbelievable loss. Deepest condolences on the passing away of a wonderful man and such a jubilant being #VinodKhanna ji. RIP. ”

Radha Mohan Singh: My heartfelt condolences on the demise of great actor and #BJP MP Shri #VinodKhanna ji. May his soul rest in peace.

Pranab Mukherjee: Heartfelt condolences on. the passing away of Shri Vinod Khanna, a highly talented and acclaimed actor & MP

Rajinikanth: My dear friend Vinod Khanna… will miss you, RIP. My heartfelt condolences to the family.

Rishi Kapoor: Remembering the good times with you,Vinod. Thank you for being my friend.

Anupam Kher: Will remember #VinodKhanna ji for his larger than life performances & his graciousness. There r very few people like him. Will miss u Sir.

Varun Dhawan: #Vinodkhanna will always remain the coolest and most good looking actor to grace the Indian screens.The industry has lost a legend today.

Karan Johar: His screen presence is unparalleled even today…his super star swag is what we grew up on….RIP #VinodKhanna …thoughts and prayers….

Harbhajan Singh: An amazing actor #VinodKhanna leaves us. May his soul rest in peace. Condolences to his family.

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Words: FWD Media   Images: Various sources

The whole world wide web is talking about the latest video that method actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui posted on Twitter on Monday. The beautiful video is all embracing, reminding everyone that humans are humans first, and our race, sex or caste shouldn’t define who we really are.

In the video that has no dialogues, Nawaz can be seen holding placards in his hand. As he changes the placards in his hands, his attire changes in sync. The video starts with the placard saying when he recently got his DNA test done, the results showed that he was 16.66% Hindu, 16.66% Muslim, 16.66% S

ikh, 16.66% Christian, 16.66% Buddhist, and 16.66% of all other religions in the world. But, when he discovered his soul he found that he is 100% an artist first. The video establishes the true spirit of an artist whose talent is what should define him, instead of where he is from. The video raises an important question regarding the current issues that have been unfolding.

Watch the video here:

[youtube video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4VE4iIx-78]

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Text: Susmitha Suresh   Photos: Various Sources

Once upon a time, our country was vibrant with its rich art that could be seen everywhere. That was a time when temples showcased the best sculptures and murals, courtrooms had the best dancers and musicians travelled throughout the nation to spread their music. Art was an integral part of the everyday life of most Indians. But as times have changed, so has the art and its mode of appreciation. We’ve talked a million times about how art is the expression of emotions. It’s a part of the artist’s soul that he portrays for the world to see in canvas, frames or in whatever medium he or she finds herself most at ease in. Once an art takes shape, the next question would be to reach an audience. So, now we have art galleries that can put up the works of both young and established artists for others to see and appreciate. Some art galleries are more famous than others for housing some of the best paintings ever. Here are five galleries from some major cities in India that caught our eye.

Volte, Mumbai

Though not as old as many other galleries in the list, this gallery has made its place among artists and art appreciators alike. It was featured on CNN as one of the leading galleries in Mumbai. A pioneering gallery that embraces art beyond the usual constraints of media, that is, beyond paintings. They include video, performances and installations, all equally important mediums of art. It was found in 2008 by Tushar Jiwarajka and as of yet has gained a lot of importance in the field by putting out some of the best and boldest shows in the art scene of India. It continues to challenge the boundaries by representing important established South Asian and International artists of the contemporary art field.

Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad

Again another relatively new gallery, Kalakriti Art Gallery was set up by Prashant Lahoti. It first opened its doors in the year 2002 and is situated in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. It represents both the emerging and established contemporary artists in Hyderabad. Having hosted exhibitions of many leading artists, like Amit Ambalal, Jehangir Jani, S H Raza among a huge list of many other equally if not more acclaimed artists, it has marked its place as one of the best galleries in Hyderabad. They have also helped many young artists in making a name for themselves. They specialise in showcasing paintings and photographs.

Mahua Art Gallery – Bangalore

2002 seems to be a special year as this art gallery was found that year as well by Sadhana Jaipuria. It has since come a long way to become one of the best Indian art galleries that put up contemporary art by both established and upcoming artists as well. Mahua, in association with the Mahua Art Foundation, a nonprofit initiative, hosts educational programs as well. Programs like art appreciation lectures for collectors, artist development workshops and presentations on Indian Heritage art and more that has helped in establishing it as one of the best in the country. It also makes the art available for collectors, thus becoming a revenue source for young struggling artists.

National Art Gallery, Chennai

One of the oldest art galleries in the nation, the National Art Gallery is situated in Egmore, Chennai. First opened in 1906, this massive structure itself was a piece of art. But in 2002 the gallery had to be shut for tourists because of the structural instability of the building. The building had suffered lots of damage through the years. As of 2013, an amount of INR 110 Million was set aside by then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Dr. J.Jayalalithaa, for restoration of the gallery. The gallery used to house paintings from Thanjavur, Rajasthan, Kangra and Deccan areas, the most noteworthy of them being the ones done by Raja Ravi Varma, along with many sandalwood sculptures and other artifacts.

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Text: Susmitha Suresh   Photos: Various Sources

Ever wondered why people immerse themselves in their art, often losing sense of reality, forgetting themselves in a world seemingly devoid of chaos. Even in the most melancholic of art pieces, the artist finds his peace, a sanctuary to calm his raging emotions. But the twist here is this; science has proven that art can act as therapy. Turns out, there’s a specific science to it as well. So much research has been done to this that we can even identify what to do when you feel each of the many negative emotions you feel.

Worried? Try Origami, make a doll. Folding paper helps solve most problems in your mind, it calms an Anxious mind. Drawing waves and circles can help you make the right choice as well.

For Anger, drawing lines can help you gain balance again. Tear a few sheets of paper, make some confetti to release that pent up frustration.

Feeling lost and in need of a goal. Draw a target, bring a focus to your goal. This is also effective if you need motivation to reach your goal.  A rainbow can lighten up your day if you’re feeling sad. Colouring can also help when your bored.

If you’re feeling tense, draw patterns. Drawing spirals when you’re stuck can get you moving again. Drawing a maze when you’re nostalgic can probably help you make your way through your memories. If you feel the need to mark a particular moment in your life as it happens, draw coloured patterns and you’ll remember it forever.

There’s a multitude of other ways as well. Draw roads when you feel like you have nowhere to go. Make a collage if you want to know what your true interests are. The sky’s the limit when it comes to art. These are just basic guidelines that can change from person to person. People are unique, and so will be their way of expression. Pick up a pen and start drawing, let your inner artist come out.

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