Pussy Riot and Art of Political Performance

What is common between performance art and political rally?

Opportunism through media gaze?!!!

Take recent two instances.
Firstly the Russian all women music band called Pussy Riot which was sentenced to jail for two years for performing a protest- art against Russian president Putin. Band argued that they have the right to express their artistic view in a democracy. Rightly so.

Secondly two major political rally performances that staged violence in the city of Mumbai within gap of 10 days ; terrorizing the city for a political motive. Both the organizing parties argued that in a democracy they have right to protest against issues close to their heart. Again Rightly so.

Who is Pussy Riot? An unknown female band came in public limelight for being jailed for two years for singing protest songs against President Putin in a Russian church. This all female member punk rock band established in 2011 conducts political protests in various parts of Russia through their music and staged art performances. Although their music is hardly to reckon with and is often called childish , amateurs and cacophonic . What Pussy riot is famous for is their bizarre ways of protest performed in public spheres. Which includes setting fires to police cars, simulating sexual acts in shopping windows , disrupting public events and finally singing protest songs in church . All their acts are documented and released in public platforms like youtube and other forums by which they generate media attention. As per wikipedia "Pussy Riot’s performances can either be called dissident art or political action that engages art forms. Either way, their performances are a kind of civic activity amidst the repressions of a corporate political system that directs its power against basic human rights and civil and political liberties."

This is an instance of art 'performed as' politics. or what is called political art. Result today Pussy Riot is recognized world wide. All so called rich and famous are supporting the band members and their art.

Lets look at Mumbai rallies. On 11th August Raza academy called for a protest rally to register their protest against killing of Muslims in Assam and Myanmar. A well scripted event went violent after some incited speeches and the crowd went violent. The crowd who had come prepared with arsenal attacked police, media OB vans and public property. 2 Persons died and many police men got wounded.

This was act no 1.

Why I call it performance?
Here clearly and cleverly 'violence' was performed '. You may take any meaning out of it. Plight or might? whatever. There was no doubt August 11 rally in Mumbai was pure political performance.









Then comes act 2. If August 11 showed people's strength on street at 12000 people. August 21st rally drew crowds estimated to be 50,000 odd people. Organised by Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) headed by Raj Thackeray. Everything of 21st August party was a political theatre at its best. Right from police denying the permission and making it illegal gathering, then granting permission last minute. Thackeray's defiance. His quintessential dramatic speech which lasted for 20 minutes, (but had all the trappings of a bollywood entertainment of 3 hour movie. Paisa vasool) . A policeman offering rose at the end of the speech to Thackeray. Everything was scripted , performed and executed to perfection. People clapped. Skeptics vowed. As columnist Shobha Dey said it was a political master stroke, and with a class entertainment.

This is an instance of politics performed as art or theatre.

Result today MNS and its head Raj Thackeray is a powerful entity in Mumbai. Raj Thackeray has achieved his goal in shunting the top cop out of Mumbai and has sent the message to masses he is the NEW boss.

What seems common in both events is provocation as a strategy. Strategy that seems work perfectly through media. I do not intend to make any judgement by saying whether Pussy Riot deserved to be jailed or MNS chief needs to be applauded or condemned for his provocative stance. What I want to point out is the 'performative' aspect of a political and artistic practice which remain at the level of 'symbolism'. In today's media defined reality, art and politics are two sides of same coin. Both work on one principle.

Pure opportunism
Stage . Perform. Enjoy.

Mumbai Diary 5: Gods of the Street-1

Image courtesy
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=slumdog+krishna+image&view=detail&id=F75BBCDCF5FDA6B1345C42047EF86AA3AE91ADEF

There is a scene in the film Slumdog Millionaire. The quiz master asks Jamal the protagonist;  What does Lord Rama carry in his hands? Scene then cuts to  flashback where kids are shown playing in a dirty water tank and a group of women washing clothes nearby. One can see a mob of people approaching the slum.  Jamal's mother realizes the danger and screams at the kids to run for life. Jamal with his brother dash away not before they see their mother being hacked to death by mob off Hindus.
As they run through narrow alleys of slums they meet with a child standing in the corner painted in robin blue, hair tied in a knot raising his hand in protection. Young Jamal and his brother come face to face with lord Rama  as they run away to save their lives. Scene in the movie is very poignant and in few visuals describe the communal tensions between Hindus and Muslim during Babri Masjid riots in 92.

Presence of 'god' in midst of riot scene in a metropolitan city like Mumbai may look surreal and even 'bollywoodish'. But believe me, it is not. If there is one thing that dominates the streets of Mumbai are gods. Gods of all kinds. Gods of all religion, sects and cults. Every day some god, saint or Guru occupies already busy roads of Mumbai to parade his or her power on the streets of Mumbai showcasing the strength and popularity of his or her sect.


Here are some random examples that show some 'small gods' appearing on the streets of Mumbai.

In the midst of business district in Mumbai's fountain area I stumbled upon lord Shiva and Rama standing next to the car and blessing you for few coins. Bahurupiyas  or traditional impersonators  as they are called are part of the village landscapes who often migrate to the cities in search of jobs and living. And impersonating gods is best way they can entertain you to earn money.

But gods just don't turn up in person. They appear in every form. In stone. on sanitary tiles .  wall graffiti's. Stickers. Posters. banners you name it and a god image is omnipresent in Mumbai city like no other city.

Let me introduce you to Kumar. I met Kumar  right outside Churchgate station. As  a runaway kid, Kumar  loved  Mumbai's freedom but he could not forget his hometown of Madurai. Overtime he visited his hometown he brought a god along with him and stuck to the wall which was also his shop. He lived on the streets and conducted his business as shoeshine boy. What attracted me to his shop is his gods that were neatly perched between  colourful shoe laces.

And then you have those god posters who rub space along with film stars and other popular images.
One comes across many vendors like these who conduct their business in Fort area just around the national gallery of art.

This is Asif. Asif sells god stickers. He is a muslim boy but sells images of Hindu gods. He inherited his business from his father, who died all of sudden and left Asif the eldest of 5 children to bear  the responsibility of looking after the family. His whole business is contained in a small inverted umbrella. When I asked him why an umbrella?, his reply was "municipality staff confiscates wares of the vendor. Moment he comes to know the Municipality staff are coming he can 'shut his shop' quickly. It is simple logistic issue.

Take this migrant worker in UP. who came to city with just clothes on. Set under a tree wondering how to make a living. First thing he did was to set his gods who were just stone. Smooth river stones. Which are worshipped as  shaligramas or lord vishnu in anionic form. He began his business as barber . Today along with his barber shop he sell all paraphernalia of gods.

These are few examples of  'small gods' of 'small people' who live on the streets Mumbai. I call them small gods because the power they wield is minuscule. They are everywhere but not so visible. Like their patrons, they are trying to survive. Like their patrons most of them are migrants.

But streets of Mumbai are taken over by two major gods. Lord Krishna and Lord Ganesha. In my next blog  I would like to discuss the two major festivals Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi that take over the streets of Mumbai

Between a rebel, cigars and art exposition :Cuba Diary-2

“Welcome to Cuba”, said the emigration officer finally, as she stamped my passport after taking tad too long to scrutinize my papers. Hungry and dead tired after the 20 hour long haul flight I was beginning to get anxious.

Immigration formalities done, I pushed through the exit door and out of the airport to join my fellow artists. And there we were with a sense of triumph clearly written on our faces as though we had conquered the first stage in a battle to reach that mysterious island nation soaked in the aura of the celebrated rebel Che Guevera, and shunned by the world for its political leanings towards socialist communism. Our group is visiting Cuba to see and experience the 11^th Havana Biennial , a biannual exposition of contemporary art from around the globe. Sightseeing in Havana came as an added bonus to this purely cultural field trip.

Tucked between the south east of United States and eastern cost of Mexico, Cuba is a tiny island state in the Caribbean Sea. The history of Cuba is a saga of repression and struggle for independence , under various colonial rulers culminating finally in its liberation through the people's revolution led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevera in 1959.

With its emerald green landmass fringed by the tranquil sea, and its bright sunny air filled with sounds of latin music and cha cha cha, Cuba obviously is an ideal global holiday destination. But Cuba in 2012 lives in dream time, untouched by global economic hustle and bustle, sans neon signs and electronic ringtones . As our coach approached old Havana city ((Habana Vieja) we could feel the clock winding back to the Sixties. Two hundred year old colonial buildings encrusted with the patina of time standing tall and proud welcomed us. Classic American Chevies from the sixties rolling down the main avenue as people stroll leisurely in idyllic plazas on a week days enthralled us. And with folk musicians strumming foot tapping rhythms on the guitar to spanish folk songs gives the feeling that you are on the set of some multimillion dollar Hollywood period flick.

In 1982, UNESCO declared Havana city center as a world heritage site. Marvelous colonial architectural styles ranging from spanish colonial structures to art deco prove the point as we walk through alleys crisscrossing Plaza de Armes, Templete Palace of Generals, Cathedral Square, Plaza Vieja and the famous Hemingway's “Bodeguita”. Our English speaking guide, a chirpy Cuban lady Ms Miledes insisted on taking us to Hotel Ambos Mundos for a refreshing drink of Mojito . “American Nobel Laureate Earnest Hemingway stayed in this hotel overlooking the Malecon bay seeking inspiration for his writings” she filled in the details for our touristy interest. Mojito , is a cocktail made of chilled white Cuban rum with crushed fresh mint leaves and a shot of lime works like magic potion on a sweltering hot day.

Later as we moved through cathedral square, sounds of latin drum beats and dancers accompanied by flower girls and acrobats on stilts greeted us to usher in a carnival mood. “Tourism is very important for us and thats why government promotes cultural entertainment and crafts in these areas ”, Ms. Miledes explained.

Years of international embargo has left its imprint on Cuban economy. And tourism is an important money grosser for the country. Strange as it may sound, Cuba has a dual currency system. A tourist currency called CUC. One CUC is equal to a US dollar and can only be transacted only in Cuba. The local currency called Peso is meant only for the inhabitants of Cuba for local transaction.

As you enter the Vedado region one notices that this is the cultural heart of the city with hotels and contemporary art galleries and museums jostling for space along the cobbled streets.We took a quick look at Museo Capitanes Genrales built in 1791 and considered to be a perfect example of Cuban architecture under Spanish rule. Museo de la Revolucion, Museo Nacinal de Bella Artes, Museo de Artes Decoratives are few among many museums in the city that tell the visitor about the cultural history of Cuba.

Life in Havana is incomplete without art, music , dance and its famous Havana Club rum. Song and dance is so much part of the Cuban DNA that in every nook and corner musicians and dancers will try to entertain you with their bouquet of songs . You intuitively hum to the tune of popular songs following the hypnotic beat.

Ms. Miledes had reserved a table at a 'paladar' which are private restaurants famous for good food and ambience. We have been consuming more or less the standard cuban diet of chicken, rice and potatoes for a while. By now some of us were beginning to yearn for other cuisine and flavours. Cuba is certainly not a place for hardcore foodies. Like everything owned by government so is hotels and restaurants . However paladars are exceptions to this rule and these private restaurants take pride in serving their guests. The guava pudding served with a cheese slice served as dessert made us forget all the gastronomic dissatisfaction we had suffered so far.

Visits to Cigar factory and Rum factory are mandatory to complete the Cuban experience. Here every cigar is carefully hand rolled, quality tested and labeled by workers. A poster of Che with a cigar clenched in his mouth looms over the workers who are busy grading the best tobacco leaves from the stacks piled next to them. Each cigar goes through as much as 15 quality checks before it is sent to the market.

Che Guerra , one of the principal architects of free Cuba, better known as 'Che ' is synonymous with Cuba. whose iconic likeness is popular among the youth in every part of the world through posters and tshirts , has his final resting place in Santa Clara, a central province of Cuba. Santa Clara is a three hour drive from Havana . The Che memorial has a massive statue of Che holding a gun leading the way and is an inspirational figure to every Cuban child. Che actually means "special friend“ explained Miledes while recollecting how every Cuban school going child vows to be like Che. A small museum dedicated in memory of Che and the fellow soldiers who fell along with him fighting war in Bolivia lies beneath the memorial.

By now we were familiar with areas like Habana Vieja, Centro Habana and Plaza de Revolcion where most of the biennial art exhibits are installed. Centro de Arte Contemporaneo Wilfredo Lam is the center which conducts this event biannually with a mission to integrate the ancient cultural heritage of Cuba with its contemporary art practice. Art from the biennial was displayed in public spaces like Gran Teatro la Habana which is the most celebrated opera house in the city and open spaces like the promenade of Malecon and Miramar beaches . Facades of buildings and Museums are roped in to display art that raises questions about contemporary life and culture.

If you need a break from the fast track of modern urban life, then Cuba is a perfect destination to head for. You can once again experience that era when there was no information overload, no conspicuous consumption, no junk food, and no technology tangles to stress you out . People are genuinely warm and friendly and live contented lives with basic amenities. But one wonders how long this 'innocence ' and the old world charm of Cuba will remain and live on ? Things are changing slowly but surely. “Progress ' and 'development' is knocking on Cuban shores.

http://www.timescrest.com/life/between-a-rebel-cigars-and-an-art-exposition-8245

This travelogue of mine was published in Crest, Mumbai edition of Times of India dated 30/06/2012 

 

Reviewing Shame

According to Adam and Eve myth, shame  and guilt were 'born' after they had sex with each other. Thus with the invention of sex, human kind lost their innocence and were banished from Garden of Eden (guess this place is somewhere in heavens where gods live )  and perennially got doomed on earth as sinners.  This is what Genesis told its believers. Sex is sin. Sex is shame.

Since then human mind has tried to understand and define role of sex in human life. Many ancient myths have tried to grapple with the question of human sexuality. Is sex for procreation or pleasure? The fact remains, even after so many years of civilization and progress, human curiosity about sex has not diminished nor seem to have fully understood the complex nature of  human sexuality.

Movie Shame (2011) directed by Steve McQueen ( not to be mistaken for the famous Hollywood actor. ) attempts to comprehend  complex relationship between human psychology and sexual behavior. This tightly edited drama takes a peek into life of a successful financier Brandon ( Michael Fassbender) living in city of New York. Successful, ruthless and driven by ambition Brandon around 30, bachelor , lives life in fast lane, where there is very little time to form  real human bonds and relationship. In between his business meetings and  high night life, Brandon fills the gaps in his life through unending sexual acts that drowses his craving for sexual addiction. Be it a casual flirting in the train, masturbating in office restrooms to release the tension between stressful business meetings, one night stands or paid sex, Brandon indulges in every form of sexual gratification, living life of a bachelor who is on a prowl for sex in the city. His 'normal life' goes horribly wrong when his sister Sissy( Carry Mulligan) lands up in his bachelor's pad imposing on his freedom and privacy by intruding in his most intimate moments. Director McQeen through few deft scene etches out a tense and estranged relationship between a brother and a sister and how their proximity with each other rekindles trauma of their past life, reflected clearly through their sexual behavior.

When Sissy tells Brandon “We are not bad people. We just come from bad place” seems to be the crux of the movie, where director tries to show the complexity of human mind and its relation with sexuality. McQueen remains an onlooker to a situation, who happens to map the human mind through intimate and dark secrets of human life in contemporary society. The movie ends without any definite closure and questions remain unanswered.

Movie Shame is highly acclaimed on most of the international film festival circuits and has received  rave reviews. Its unusual story narration revealing a dark side of human psychology , great acting, and deft direction,  makes it stand apart.  Shame belongs to actor Michael Fassbender. His brilliant portrayal of Brandon, gives a convincing view of mind of sexual addict through his stoic behavior towards his partners. His self hatred is palpable when he shouts in helpless anger at Sissy who snuggles in his bed for intimacy. But as Sissy attempts suicide, Brandon brakes down exposing his emotional vulnerability. Fassbender brings Brandon to life.

Dan Bullock of Hollywood news sums the shame as “ is captivating and immensely intimate.....film that explores the depth of addiction and consequential destruction and demise of mind and although it is sometimes difficult to watch, you won't be able to keep your eyes off” .
Indeed so stark is the nudity in the film that it can be mistaken for porn flick.  But such a visceral visuals  can be expected from a fine artist. Steve McQeen the director of the Shame is not a regular film maker. ( his first film Hunger is also highly acclaimed) He is an acclaimed visual artist, winner of Turner prize and has represented British art in prestigious Venice Biennial in 2009 . He was an official war artist of Iraq. ( For me)This makes a lot of difference as director/artist shows a view of dark human nature without tipping it to disgust,  despair and titillation. There is beauty hidden even in stark moments.

Finally Shame is not about sex. Shame is not about sexual addiction either. Movie Shame for me is about reflection of human condition in contemporary urban society. Dark, violent, rootless and mind that is fast loosing it moorings.
Watch it if you can.

Cuba Diaries-1 (Images)

The famous Cuban taxis. These classic cars are on the verge of disappearing as new cars can be seen on Cuban roads.

The main square of old Havana or Habana Vieja

One of the four squares of Havana city where you can see old building structures and chapels.

One of the narrow street view of Havana. Life happens here.

The flower woman. These women are ubiquitous in tourist areas and happily pose for you only to charge you 1CUC= 1US$

Quaint looking Havana Rickshaw. Wonder how ergonomic they are.

Modern Mariachis. They sing and dance for you when you are eating/drinking and even walking. You have to tip them but you don't mind.

Music and dance are life line of Cubans. The keep themselves happy.

Bull Dog? May be Cuban variety.

A classic street view on a hot afternoon.

Craft market.

Art Studio at ISA

One of the sculptures at COLON cemetery. Levitating Christ.

Che memorial at Santa Clara.

Fading old world of a classic Western movie? This is downtown Havana


Image Copyright Vidya Kamat
Nikon D90
Nikon DX VR 18-200 mm

Munch THIS scream!!

Scream by
Edvard Munch

I

“I rarely visit galleries these days” said a friend and an art enthusiast whom I bumped into a prestigious art gallery checking out a recent show on fashion. “I just get bored seeing art. There is no magic in today's art” she tried justifying herself in an apologetic tone. Sarcastic smile propped on my lips. Honestly I was equally numb by the visual input I had taken in. We walked out of the gallery without exchanging much words . “Hope to catch you soon” I said out of sheer courtesy as we walked in different directions. This time a bitter smile responded from other end.

“So I am not alone to feel this way” I thought to myself. Why this kinda art is making me feel numb that I have no volition to even scream, cry, laugh, get angry, say something nasty or even come out the hall to realize something and then go back to the gallery to confirm what I saw has changed my world albeit for few moments. I am just numb with the visuals that come in guise of art before me.  What is more frightening is as i step out of the gallery all what I have seen  seem to vanish without trace. Is there something wrong with me? Or is today's art is all about disconnect?

Voices of discontent are emerging out slowly. First it was Saatchi who wrote in Guardian who called today's art as 'Vulgar, Eurotrashy, masturbatory'

(http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/dec/02/charles-saatchi-art-world-attack)

Then there was Jerry Saltz of New York Times art critic, who wrote about today's art “ Like oil wells, once these operations are turned on they have to keep pumping product. Lots of it. Most of it crude. For ten years, large, shiny, highly produced, entertaining, ever-more-expensive objects were produced by the system, then snapped up by speculator collectors who rushed in where the rest of us feared to tread. It doesn’t matter that most of them don’t know what art really is and have never gleaned its hallucinatory powers. A lot of people struck it rich and laughed all the way to the bank.”

http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/features/saltz/reject-the-market-5-1-12.asp

and recently a viral which is doing rounds on social networks a blog by Glen Coco

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/im-sick-of-pretending-i-dont-get-art

All of them seemed to be screaming. “THERE IS NO ART ON THE WALLS”

Is this a sign?

II

SCREAM.
This is the name of the iconic painting by Edvard Munch, a 19^th century Norwegian artist. The painting was recently in news for fetching a record price in an auction. 

The work which stands for the anxiety of the 'modern man's life' sums up an aspect of Munch's own life as he wrote about this work "I was walking down the road with two friends when the sun set; suddenly, the sky turned as red as blood. I stopped and leaned against the fence, feeling unspeakably tired. Tongues of fire and blood stretched over the bluish black . My friends went on walking, while I lagged behind, shivering with fear. Then I heard the enormous, infinite scream of nature." He later described the personal anguish behind the painting, "for several years I was almost mad… You know my picture, 'The Scream?' I was stretched to the limit—nature was screaming in my blood… After that I gave up hope ever of being able to love again.

There is no need to read or write about this work. Everyone who stands before this image knows what exactly Munch is saying/feeling/ living. You participate in the scream silently to acknowledge the pain.

Munch was one of painters whom I was admired in my early years of art school. I was lucky to see the retrospective of Munch at New York MoMA few years back. Munch was not a great draftsman, and many of his work show his vulnerability of his skill. But that's what I admired most. Vulnerability. His works left a strange longing and sadness in your heart.

There are various versions of this scream. Compositionally all works similar. Why did he paint the this theme so often? Or is  it that this painting became so popular that in order to fulfill the demand he repeated it over and over again?Or was he just trying to capture the exact moment of scream that he felt on the bridge?

Whatever may be the reason the fact remains this work touched the hearts of the people and it still does. But what intrigues me is the strange timing that this work came in auction?  Lets not talk about the price. Because it is no secret how auction prices are  rigged. Critics /writes/ bloggers are screaming again . A price like this can only demean the work which is priceless.  Is that so? Does this really stop you loving Munch's Scream ? His life and art?

For me the significance is not how obscene the price paid for this work? For me the significance of this work is at a time when the contemporary art is erasing  all the metaphysical quality of art, Scream  comes as a reminder that  metaphysical quality of art is beyond time, memory and money.

I ask again is this a sign?

Mumbai diary 4 :Survivor's guide to Mumbai local

This blog is for all those brave souls who want to travel Mumbai local for the first time. Without  the experience of Mumbai local train you will never experience Mumbai in its true sense.

There are three main local train routes, namely Western, Central and Harbour. Having decided to take a ride on any of the lines. Here is step by step survivor's guide to take a trip on Mumbai locals.

Firstly, make sure in which compartment and which class ( there is first and second class for every local train)you want to travel. There are many categories of compartments on local trains. For e.g. ladies compartment ( no men are allowed to travel in these)or luggage compartment or compartment reserved for handicapped and senior citizens and lastly general compartment. You will understand this only after few days of regular travel. If you are confused , then simply ask the hawker or newspaper vendor on the platform and he will point out the coach which you want to get in.

Next, orient yourself towards the compartment to get in just 30 seconds. Do not stand still or you may get pushed down by the crowd trying to come towards you. Move along with the crowd. Here comes the art part. Remember the birds who fly in flocks? They fly in perfect harmony and unison like one entity. Now suspend all your logic dissolve all your ego and BE THE CROWD, just like birds in flock. Time will STOP for you. You will never know how you entered the compartment. But you will.

 Allow yourself to be pushed and pulled, while maintaining your balance. As the train starts moving you might be still somewhere 'inside out'. But be assured some one inside will be pulling you in and some one outside will be pushing you in. In few moments you will regain your Ego and you will realize you are finding hard to breath. As you gasp for fresh air you scream out loud, "move in"
( andar chalo). Don't feel ashamed for shouting in crass way. You are just voicing all the passengers mind. Slowly mass of passengers starts shifting slowly like a tectonic plates beneath the earth ; adjustisting  making space and slowly moving forward and backwards. Now You have to make a split second decision weather you want to alight next stop or get in side compartment for the last destination. Here is a warning . You have to be really quick. Or you may get abused both physically and verbally. Take it a with a smile. This way you can practice  dharma of non violence.

Once you  decide to move in the inner enclave of the bogey you will notice there are seats on which some commuters are seating.  You have no chance of getting a seat as the women who are occupying them have reserved them from the starting destination and they will probably occupying it till the last destination. But don't loose heart. You look around and scan the the people then take a guess and see anyone looks kind enough to share her seat for a while and start moving towards her.  If you are lucky you may even get a seat for 15 minutes of the next one hour journey.

By now, you can barely stand  straight as  weight of other women is crushing your back. But hold on.  You will very soon forget how miserable your condition is. There is lot of entertainment even in that crushed situation. Very soon a vendor will appear making way with  bunch of accessories. Earrings, bracelets, hair clips, bindis bangles you name it  and she has the latest fashion accessory in her cardboard box. Some seated passengers will  take the box and will rummage though her goods . You watch her go though the process of selecting , bargaining and buying a small hair clip worth 5 rupee for next half an hour. You are so engrossed in observing the  drama that you forget that you are standing in most painful position. By now half of your journey is over.  Crowd has reduced by now as some of the passengers have disembarked in between stations. You are little comfortable as you can stand straight.  You look around taking a deep breath for the first time. A woman who is seating in the corner is calling you. Yes she is stranger to you and yet she is smiling at you and making a gesture to come near her.

You make a decision and  push towards her seat. She gets up and says" Take a seat. You have been standing for a while". You are bit confused but the friendly smile tells you that you are lucky today. You some how push on that small space and as your legs gives in you  land with a thud . women seating next you gives you a dirty look yelling “You are seating on my chunni . " Oops! Sorry, I am very sorry" that's all you need to say.

As you settle in the seat the woman who offered you the seat thrusts her hand bag in your lap. You are supposed to carry her load for her kindness and remember you can occupy the seat strictly for 15 minutes. This is only a courtesy seat that needs to be returned to its owner with gratitude before the final destination. Train meantime will be somewhere near to its destination. Start preparing for disembarkation.

The art of disembarking is as delicate as art of alighting Mumbai locals.
NEVER, and I say never  stand next to the door or you will get 'washed' away like the force of tsunami of oncoming passengers.  In Mumbai local the rule is you allow the passenger to get in first and only then you get out. Although  railway announcement might be informing you other way. Remember  the rule how one had dissolved the ego and entered the the compartment? Allow the the 'ego less crowd to scramble in the compartment. You mean time hang on tight to the bar next to you. Within few minutes every one who has to enter in has grabbed a seat for themselves, you prepare to get out of the coach . You have just  30 sec to disembark. Hurry! run towards the door and jump on the platform before the train starts moving again. Thank god for landing you safe on your two feet.  Once on the platform merge with the moving crowd.

Congratulations!! you have successfully completed your first journey on Mumbai local.