Nothing is more meditative for me than engaging in creative work. I am an artist and my involvement with my practice takes me to a spiritual plain of sorts. It is in a lot of ways similar to making love!
Unlike popular perception, artists are not always lonely practitioners who work in isolated studios! I love working in a chaotic environment. It is much like disaster management and helps me concentrate better and focus my energies on my work. Moreover, working in a new environment every time and exploring new grounds, has a thrill of its own and that shows in my work as well.
In order to relax and calm myself, I always imagine mesmeric dim-lit rooms and long travels in a bus, a train or an aeroplane. It may seem ironic, but I like to keep a distance from the people I love the most and the things I am obsessed with. Distance brings me closer to my loved ones, or as they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. That would include my family and home. When I am away from them, it gives me a chance to heal the disconnection, and revive my relationship when I return home. I love to experience the longing for my beloved people in their absence.
Among other things, I like to watch films, and thriller is my favourite genre. I also love meeting creative people from different walks of life. Meeting them helps me open my mind and welcome new thoughts and ideas. Inspirations always follows the birth of ideas in my mind. It happens as I move on with the act of taking that idea to the next level. I draw inspiration from everything around me. Living moments, chapters in history, politics and the general space and people around me.
I believe in creating. I believe in destiny, work and love. I also believe in a greater world without geographical, religious or linguistic or racial boundaries. I believe life is meant to be lived to the maximum. I am not a Buddha and neither do I aspire to be one. I want to live my life as a dissatisfied professional; one who revels in his own imperfection and shortcomings.
— As told to Sushmita Murthy
