Bohemians- you've definitely heard of the term before, but what or who are they exactly? A Queen song about the troubles of love and life? A form of architecture? Or a way of "go with the flow" attitude about life?
In all its essence, Bohemianism is an unconventional attitude on life revolving around art, music and expression. Starting off as a French term to portray the unorthodox social views, Bohemians stood for free love and poverty.
Today Bohemians strive past the image of the starving artist and lack of personal hygiene towards a more fashion chic form of expression. Today, you’ll find Boho’s as a form hippie-chic as they put an aesthetically pleasing angle to the ‘60’s with their flowing loose fitted tops matched with a pair of skinny jeans.
Tree Hugger
Living in a place like Ellicott City, MD it’s easy to look upon a tree as a mundane object without any second thought. There are so many of them, what can you expect one to do? But truly, what place does a tree serve in society- other than a nice addition to a community or a place for smokers to enjoy their cigarettes under? From biblical times and stories of the Tree of Knowledge to the South Asian Rudraksh and its spiritual value, the tree is a valued entity that has a plethora of traditions and customs to explore.
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Make it Work
“Make it work!” Tim Gunn exclaims as he motivates the designers on Project Runway with his gruff voice. Making it work in the fashion world means putting together pieces into an aesthetically eye pleasing composition. But, not everyone takes such thought into his or her wardrobe, claiming they do not have time to make statements with their attire. However, by trying not to make a statement, aren’t they making one anyway? What are the various proclamations one can make with what they choose or do not choose to wear and how do they vary based on background and environmental factors? What made the 80’s “THE 80’s”and what how do we incorporate older styles into more contemporary terms?
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Please Don’t Stop the Music
Music, in the simplest terms, has been a means to express, to learn and to teach- whether you are the one making the music or listening to it. It is also a means to judge or be judged. Wherever you go, you can find yourself identifying music clusters, whether it is the die-hard metallic fans, the soulful R&B listeners or people who simply refuse to listen to anything “mainstream”. What causes these tastes in music based on status and how do these music preferences effect people on day to day life- from what they choose to wear to whom they choose to hang out?
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Sat Sri Akal my friends. Yes, you may be wondering what these three words mean. Literally, they mean Truth in God. Now, as deep as this already is, these words carry an even greater meaning for me. A greeting in any culture has a story behind it, whether it's a quick wave or a "how are you" that leads to a whole conversation. I carried these words with me when I moved here from India; even though I was only two years old at the time, they are a part of my identity- something I truly did not realize until this past summer.
I’ve been to India every few years in the past, each time soaking in the life, not as an alienated culture forced upon me, but as a comforting journey back home. This past summer I went to India again for a good three weeks; however, unlike trips before, I made this journey by myself. It was astounding to see just how much any country changes when you realize you’re there on your own will and agenda. Coming back to what seemed like the epitome of yuppie town was one of the most discouraging journeys I’ve ever had to take- truly I asked myself if there was anything worth coming back for other than family and friends. So, yes I realize that the streets are too crowded, the bargaining can be endless and the dust at times too unbearable to handle. But how could one possibly overlook the deep spirituality, the feeling of closeness the people you meet for the first time give, or even the great food? No matter where this journey in life takes me, whether its in Catonsville for college or someplace in Europe for a semester, I know I’ll always have home in India.
Even though living in a sheltered suburban area in Ellicott City has transformed my style of greeting with close friends and everyday people, when I come in contact with someone from my own culture, I bring my hands together in the front and say Sat Sri Akal.
