Colours of Sand by Amar Mahboob, supported by the Thardeep Foundation

A golden colour sometimes,
the colour of the joy of meeting
A greyish colour that is the colour of an insipid span-of-time,
The colour of yellow leaves, of sticks and straw,
The colour of red flowers, of a flaming flower-bed,
The colour of poison, blood-colour, the colour of dark night
Faiz Ahmed Faiz
(Translated by Victor Kiernan)

Pakistanis know Thar as the land of endless droughts. While droughts have frequently devastated this enchanting land, Thar is one of themost diverse and culturally rich places in Pakistan. Just a littlerainfall turns this desert into a lush wilderness with pristinelandscapes. This film depicts Thar in its innumerable colors.

Atteqa's review

A film with stunning visuals, this is a fantastic ethnographic study by Amar Mahboob of the Thar desert in Pakistan. His focus is the people of Thar, their different castes, histories, rituals and how their attitudes affect their lives. It shows how different seasons are celebrated and the simplicity of lifestyles sustains the people in extremely harsh living conditions. Water is shown as the main agent behind the whole philosophy of life there. What happens when there is water and how preparation is made for when there wont be water is really intriguing to see for me, a person from the city, used to taking running water for granted. Amar has shown how the people bring colour to the dry desert through their vibrant clothes, soulful songs and seasonal rituals.More works like these on the different regions of Pakistan would become an asset for Tourism, Education and Ethnography of this country.

Askini ver Bana (Give me your love) by Nameera Ahmed

"'askini ver bana', or 'give me your love', is a short documentary that explores the role of music in the lives of the Mevlevi Sufis (Whirling Dervishes), followers of the 13th-century Persian poet-mystic Mevlana Rumi, who talked of the making and playing of the reed-flute, the ney, as a metaphor for the training and subsequent transformation of the human spirit. The metaphor still holds power for the Sufis, whose seemingly timeless world within a contemporary context is captured by the film. "

http://www.reelgrok.com/work.cfm?aid=A6D259BFBFA2062843EF543E21D7EC8E&type=&m=1


This film really moved me. It was a glimpse into the struggle of the individual for spiritual connection with God through music. But it was not something that only the extremely blessed could strive for. The film showed how enlightment can be reached for through the mundane, that of making the reed flute, or learning how to play it or dancing to its music. it showed how music was so intimately connected with God, the angels, humans and our connection with God. A very timely film in Pakistan when music is being challenged by some groups as having no connection with religion.

Kara film festival has been very interesting this year. being held after a gap of one year, one can already see the young Pakistani filmmakers have matured. compared with 3 or 4 years ago when there were hardly one or 2 pakistani films, this year there was some amazing content like a documentary on the Sheedis in Pakistan. The discussions based around the films were also showing the signs of a young generation trying to keep an open mind and initiating dialog on the films. GOOD STUFF!!!!

Watch Yasir Husain and Atteqa Malik at Mauj's presentations at the transmediale 2009, Berlin:

http://www.transmediale.de/en/shift-break-control-south

and at the Salon:

http://www.transmediale.de/en/silent-deep-south-east-asia-en

Rhizome is now accepting proposals for our 2010 cycle. The submission deadline is midnight April 2, 2009

The goal of the Rhizome Commissions Program is to support emerging artists by providing grants for the creation of significant works of new media art. By new media art, we mean projects that creatively engage new and networked technologies to works that reflect on the impact of these tools and media in a variety of forms. Commissioned works can take the final form of online works, performance, video, installation or sound art. Projects can be made for the context of the gallery, the public, the web or networked devices.
Proposed projects can be at any stage of production, from conception to distribution. Applications must be made and submitted online. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000 and can be applied to any aspect of the work, including labor costs, technology, or materials. In this funding cycle, Rhizome will award nine grants: seven grants will be determined by a jury of experts in the field, and two will be determined by Rhizome’s membership through an open vote.
Artists who receive a commission will also be invited to speak at Rhizome's affiliate, the New Museum of Contemporary Art, and to archive their work in the ArtBase, a comprehensive online art collection.
We are now accepting applications. The deadline for submission is on midnight April 2, 2009.

http://www.rhizome.org/commissions/