DIPESH PANDYA

Residency Feed
VOLUME 2.

The second of two collections of Instagram posts and links by multiple alter egos used by Dipesh Pandya, Whitstable Biennale artist in residence in North Kent from January – April 2019. 

The posts explore the multidimensional characteristics of different lines of enquiry pursued by Pandya throughout the residency period. 

This process is used as a way to acknowledge and collate layers of reference, in the form of texts, images and sounds, as responses to information the artist is gathering.

Read Volume 1 here

Dipesh Pandya, Kite, 2018. Image courtesy of the artist.
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?? ?? The second event commemorated on this date that I have been looking at is the birth of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. He was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement. Campaigning against social discrimination towards Dalits (untouchables) while also supporting the rights of women and labour. He was independent India’s first law and justice minister, the principal architect of the Constitution of India, and one of the founders of the Republic of India. ?? In these excerpts from a BBC interview in 1953, he discusses the idea of social structures and democracy in India. ?? In the current tense social, economic and political climate of the past few years, freedom of speech, equality and secularism; ideas rooted in the constitution of India, have given way to lynchings, communalism and the spread of a fascist ideology. The RSS and its political wing the incumbent BJP government continue to preach the politics of hate. ? Many of the people I spoke to during my trip to India are asking for a radical change in the system. Speaking out and organising into groups to protest against these injustices, things other people elsewhere take for granted. ?? #indianelection2019 #indiavotes #bewakoofihatao #rajneetibadlao #riseup #vote #action #lovenothate #brambedkar #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #lalsalaam #unite #inquilaab #gravesend #northfleet #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #sunmoon #solarpowered #listensun #futurecivilisation

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14/4/19
Action!

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Today marks the final date of my residency with @whitbien marking two other important events that I have been looking at. The first is Vaisakhi, a historical and religious festival in Sikhism commemorating the formation of the Khalsa Panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. ?? He started the Khalsa tradition after his father had been beheaded for resisting the religious persecution of non-Muslims (mainly Kashmiri Hindus) during the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Guru Gobind Singh created and initiated the Khalsa as a warrior with a duty to protect the innocent from any form of religious persecution. The Khalsa redefined the Sikh tradition from the start. It formulated an initiation ceremony and rules of conduct for the Khalsa warriors. It created a new institution for the temporal leadership of the Sikhs, replacing the masands system maintained by the earlier Gurus. ?? Yesterday in Gravesend, I participated in a day of celebration and commemoration. The joy of celebrating together with a strong South Asian community, now firmly rooted in Gravesend and the pain of remembering the bloody massacre of Jallianwala Bagh. ?? In the evening, I attended a panel discussion on the subject of the massacre at the National Army Museum. Satnam Sanghera chaired the discussions with Chris Durlacher, @thesinghtwins_art , Parmjit and @amandeepm of @kashihousecic and @kim.a.wagner to examine and start to dissect the causes and effects of this moment from the past and its influences on the present and future. ?? #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #massacre1919 #vaisakhi #nagarkirtan #joyandpain #jallianwalabagh #amritsar #gravesend #northfleet #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #sunmoon #solarpowered #listensun #futurecivilisation

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14/4/19
Roots

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The second of two events relevant to my residency with @whitbien marked by today’s date is Rama Navami. A festival celebrating the birth of lord Rama. Falling on the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra. Surya, the Hindu sun god, is a part of the worship and ceremonies in some communities. ? On 6 December 1992, a large crowd of Hindu Kar Sevaks demolished the 16th-century Babri Mosque in the city of Ayodhya at the site identified by some Hindus as Ram Janmabhoomi, or the birthplace of Rama. ?? In the 1980s, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) began a campaign for the construction of a temple dedicated to Rama at the site, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its political voice. Several rallies and marches were held as a part of this movement, including the Ram Rath Yatra led by L. K. Advani ? On 6 December 1992 the VHP and the BJP organised a rally at the site involving 150,000 volunteers, known as kar sevaks. The rally turned violent, and the crowd overwhelmed security forces and tore down the mosque. The demolition resulted in several months of inter-communal rioting between India's Hindu and Muslim communities, causing the death of at least 2,000 people. ? The same policies based on hate for anything other than Hindu culture have flourished under the RSS and its political wing, the incumbent BJP government. lead by Narendra Modi. As India goes into full election mode for its 2019 general election, a new generation is organising itself to speak out and protest against the innumerable injustices. In the current tense political climate, many have been imprisoned or killed for simply speaking out and asking for a radical change in the system. ???? Photos of the destruction of the Babri Masjid from The Deccan Chronicle and The Indian Express #indianelection2019 #indiavotes #bewakoofihatao #rajneetibadlao #riseup #vote #lovenothate #bjpisrss #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #lalsalaam #unite #inquilaab #gravesend #northfleet #ayodhya #babrimasjid #allahabad #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #sunmoon #solarpowered #listensun #futurecivilisation

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13/4/19
Desaffronise

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Two weeks left in this initial residency with @whitbien and today marks another of the dates I’m looking at as part of my research ??? Udham Singh (second from the left) being taken from 10 Caxton Hall after the assassination of Michael O'Dwyer ??? On 1 April 1940, Udham Singh was formally charged with the murder of Michael O'Dwyer, and remanded in custody at Brixton Prison. While awaiting his trial, Singh went on a 42-day hunger strike and had to be force fed. On 4 June 1940, his trial commenced at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, before Justice Atkinson, with V.K. Krishna Menon and St. John Hutchison representing him. When asked about his motivation he explained: “I did it because I had a grudge against him. He deserved it. He was the real culprit. He wanted to crush the spirit of my people, so I have crushed him. For a full 21 years, I have been trying to seek vengeance. I am happy that I have done the job. I am not scared of death. I am dying for my country. I have seen my people starving in India under the British rule. I have protested against this, it was my duty. What greater honour could be bestowed on me than death for the sake of my motherland? ??? Singh was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Following his conviction, he made a speech which the judge directed should not be released to the press. On 31 July 1940, Singh was hanged at Pentonville Prison. His remains are preserved at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab. On every 31 July, marches are held in Sunam by various organisations and every statue of Singh in the city is paid tribute with flower garlands. ??? #keepit100 #onehundredyears #assassin #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #ghadarparty #amritsarmassacre #apologise #behumble #whitstablebiennale #amritsar #gravesend #northfleet #brixtonprison #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #futurecivilisation

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1/4/19

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Happy Holi to all - Play Safe????????Videos: Street scenes from my research trip to Amritsar, February 2019 - ‘’Bass Crore’ & ‘Getting Tikki with it’ ?? March 20th and 21st mark two more dates within the scope of my ongoing residency with @whitbien ?? Holika was a demoness in Hindu Vedic scriptures, who was burnt to death with the help of Vishnu. The story of Holika Dahan (Holika's death) signifies the triumph of good over evil. Holika is associated with the annual bonfire night before Holi. ? Hola Mohalla is a one-day Sikh festival which most often falls in March and takes place on the second day of the lunar month of Chett, a day after the Hindu spring festival Holi. ? “Hola is derived from the word halla (a military charge) and the term mohalla stands for an organized procession or an army column. The words 'Hola Mohalla' would thus mean 'the charge of an army. The fair held during Holi and Hola at Anandpur Sahib is traditionally a three-day event with participants camping out and enjoying various displays of fighting prowess and bravery, and listening to kirtan, music, and poetry. ?? In Assam, Bengal and Odisha, Dol Purnima or Dol Yatra; is a major festival dedicated to Sri Krishna. On this auspicious day, an image of Krishna, richly adorned and besmeared with coloured powder is taken out in procession, in a swinging palanquin, decorated with flowers, leaves, colored clothes and papers. ?? The date of Hazrat Ali Jayanti is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, and as such, it falls on a different date each year on the Gregorian Calendar. Hazrat Ali Jayanti is celebrated in India and in other parts of the world with large Muslim populations. ?? #keepit100 #100 #onehundredyears #100years #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #whitstablebiennale #gravesend #northfleet #amritsar #streetsounds #alootikki #gettingtikkiwithit #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #silenceplease #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #sunmoon #surya #sungod #listensun #futurecivilisation

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20/3/19 - 21/3/19

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This current research trip in India comes to an end today as I fly back to London. It’s been a very insightful, emotional and active five weeks - travelling a total of 9500 km around India. ?? Throughout the journey questions related to my current research residency with @whitbien have been at the forefront of my mind. Together with the upcoming election, as India prepares to vote from April to May, many other questions relating to my practice have also been thought about. I have gathered a wealth of audio material with sounds from all of the places I visited and interviews about food, memory, trauma, politics, colonialism, justice, war, dissent and activism. ?? From the initial familiar warmth of the first day I arrived to the full moon on my birthday, the gentle rays falling on the ground at Jallianwala Bagh to the blood red sunset just as I arrived in Sunam, birthplace of Udham Singh - the Sun and the Moon have also been very close to me throughout my journey. Their influence through cycles of warmth and light have punctuated my travels as a constant inspiration and reminder to the passing of time and creation of history. I saw both as active witnesses to all of the good and bad from the past, present and future. ?? It’s looking very bleak back in England - I’ll just have to keep coming back to this part of the world to maintain my long distance relationship with The East. In the meantime, I’m preparing the first of two India and @whitbien residency specials for my monthly show ‘Silence Please’ on @radiomargate. Dates & Times: March 22nd and April 19th. 2-4PM GMT If you’re in Margate drop by to say hi or tune in online at radiomargate.co.uk. Expect street sounds, bird song, new music, old music, interviews and spoken word You can also see and continue to follow my residency feed with @whitbien at the link in my bio #keepit100 #100 #onehundredyears #100years #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #whitstablebiennale #gravesend #northfleet #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #silenceplease #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #sunmoon #surya #sungod #listensun #futurecivilisation

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17/3/19

14/3/19

13/3/19

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Today marks another relevant date for my research residency with @whitbien ?? On this day, March 13th 1940 at Caxton Hall, London, Udham Singh aka Ram Mohhammed Singh Azad aka Frank Brazil shot dead Michael O' Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of Punjab under British rule. This was in revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919. ?? “…He deserved it. He was the real culprit. He wanted to crush the spirit of my people, so I have crushed him…I am not scared of death. I am dying for my country. I have seen my people starving in India under the British rule. I have protested against this, it was my duty. What greater honour could be bestowed on me than death for the sake of my motherland…” ?? Udham Singh is a well-known figure of the Indian independence movement. Often referred to as Shaheed-i-Azam Sardar Udham Singh ? Assassin by @asian_dub_foundation ?? “Synchronise time Vengeance will be mine As I cross the curzon line into his mind I will burn the trophies he owns Symbols of a future postponed. Mohammed singh azad Zindabad! A bullet to his head won't bring back the dead But it'll lift the spirit of my people! A bullet to his head won't bring back the dead But it'll lift the spirit of my people! I'll shake hands with the hangman I'll wear the noose with pride For unlike the british I've no crimes to justify Pentonville will be my last place on earth And death will return me to the land of my birth” ? Songwriters: Aniruddha Das / John Pandit / Saidullah Zaman / Sanjay Tailor / Steven Savale Assassin lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group ?? #keepit100 #100 #onehundredyears #100years #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #ghadarparty #amritsarmassacre #apologise #behumble #whitstablebiennale #amritsar #gravesend #northfleet #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #futurecivilisation

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13/3/19

12/3/19

2/3/19

1/3/19

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?? Today marks the start of the general election in India. Scheduled to be held in seven phases from 11 April to 19 May 2019 to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha. Final results will be declared on 23 May when votes will be counted. ???? Electoral Stain by Swan Nemesis ???? word ? flip the bird ? allah a bad ? allah a bad ? allah a bad ? eat pray aag ? murder paneer and saag ? modi ? gandhi ? barbadi ? sardar ? sarpanch ? sar pe andha kanoon ? mo modi ? mo problems ? modishoom dishoom ? hothon pe junoon ? haathon pe khoon ? enough is enough ? this stain and the disdain ? the pain of the bane ? speak up ? cry not in vain ? vote ? remove the saffron stain ? ? chaiwallah gangster ? corporate wankster ? bun maska chaska ? kesari nasha aur jhatka ? rss ka chamcha ? machines of money and power ? running hour after hour ? used to devour ? states on dinner plates ? licking lips and fingertips ? union territories ? briberies ? corporate cheques ? snapping necks ? shattered dreams ? breaking backs ? breaking news ? one sided views ? government goons ? with government spoons ? ? middle finger stinger missiles ? dead ringers and smiles ? we shall heed ? the shaheed ? bhagat singh ? jallianwala bagh ? ram mohammed singh azad ? inquilab zindabad ? ? peacocks and tigers inspire us ? hate divides us ? no more ? nah mo ? shiv a eye for a eye ? shiv a stab and shiv a bleed ? love is what we need ? ? #flipthebird #indianelection2019 #indiavotes #bewakoofihatao #rajneetibadlao #riseup #vote #lovenothate #bjpisrss #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #lalsalaam #lovenothate #unite #inquilaab #gravesend #northfleet #allahabad #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #sunmoon #solarpowered #listensun #futurecivilisation

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11/4/19
Election Stain

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? Connecting the dots: Positive Energy and Conscious Sound from last night’s @asian_dub_foundation gig. Thanks to @shivmitimbz for the linkup ?? “...Kingdom 'gains kingdom and nation 'gains nation Time we are living up in them revelation 'Cos when you take a stock of the whole situation The elders them ah poison the young generation Instead of them ah trying to build a firm foundation Them ah bring human beings down to pure degradation With chemical warfare and nuclear weapons Starvation, Sufferation, Dehumanisation The world population have to take precautions From pollution, corruption, deception, infection Politicians can claim that they've got the solution But deep in up them hearts them have a wicked intention To rinse out poor people with tax and inflation Segregating the massive, separating the nation You think ah, so it goes before you answer a question You better watch yourself before they bug you're not madman ?? Sooner the culture on on the move... Coming Deeder! This one for all microphone entertainers You have the tool you have the voice so be an educator Stop! Stopping the slackness and come on, tell them proper Encourage the massive to become their own creator Because in ah this time you have to understand That the government man's going to try and mash up on the plan So direct the crowd and give them navigation Believe you'll me get a wicked reaction Sound of the culture 'pon a the move You've got to be conscious in every thing that you do..... Songwriters: Aniruddha Das / John Pandit / Raymond Stephen Crawford / Saidullah Zaman / Sanjay Tailor / Steven Savale Culture Move lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group ?? ??? #communitymusic #bricklane #asiandubfoundation #assassin #culturemove #strongculture #naxalite #keepit100 #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #whitstablebiennale #gravesend #northfleet #amritsar #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes -#icecreammafia #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #listensun #futurecivilisation ??

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29/3/19

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India Today ? The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919 , popularly known as the Rowlatt Act or Black Act. A legislative act passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in Delhi on March 10 1919 and imposed on March 18 1919. ?? This act effectively authorised the government to imprison any person suspected of terrorism living in British India for up to two years without a trial, and gave the imperial authorities power to deal with all revolutionary activities. ?? The unpopular legislation provided for stricter control of the press, arrests without warrant, indefinite detention without trial, and in camera trials for proscribed political acts without the presence of a jury. The accused were denied the right to know the accusers and the evidence used in the trial. ?? Gandhi and others thought that constitutional opposition to the measure was fruitless, so on 6 April, a hartal was organised where Indians would suspend all business and would fast, pray and hold public meetings against the 'Black Act' as a sign of their opposition and civil disobedience would be offered against the law. This event was known as the Non-cooperation movement. ?? In the Punjab the protest movement was very strong, and on 10 April two leaders of the congress, Dr. Satya Pal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew, were arrested and taken secretly to Dharamsala. ?? The army was called into Punjab, people from neighbouring villages gathered peacefully in Amritsar for Baisakhi Day celebrations to protest against deportation of the two important Indian leaders, the British army attempted to stop the protests with violent force, leading to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 13 1919. ? #keepit100 #100years #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #whitstablebiennale #gravesend #northfleet #amritsar #rowlattact #blackact #satyapal #saifuddinkitchlew #indiatoday #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #silenceplease #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #sunmoon #surya #sungod #listensun #futurecivilisation

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18/3/19

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? excerpt from ‘The Moon & You’ by @behavebandana ? ‘...The Moon is seen to be closely related to manas and is considered the deity of the mind. The Rig Veda says “chandrama manaso jaathah”, out of the Mind of the Purusha (Godhead) the Moon was born. So, the waning and waxing of the Moon is the growth and decline, birth and death of the mind.  Interestingly, it is the opposite of what Rene Descartes, French philosopher, pronounced as an absolute and irrefutable notion in Western philosophy: “I think therefore I am”, meaning, man is defined by his mind. But the ultimate aim of Vedic spiritual practice is to control and finally destroy the mind. It has to be killed, because it is the mind that creates maya (the veil of illusion); and it is only in its death that a profound reality, beyond the phenomenal, becomes accessible to us. The Vedic Moon is lyrical, philosophical, uplifting and transformational. The relationship between the Earth and Moon is the opening of the first cosmic window that queries the nature of reality—from microscopic to macroscopic, from profound Vedic notions of Shounya (nothingness) to Ananta (ever expanding infinity).’ ? #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #radioactivity #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #sunmoon #vedic #rigveda #shounya #ananta #surya #sungod #solarpowered #futurecivilisation

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15/3/19

14/3/19

8/3/19

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To Allahabad for the last day of the Ardh Kumbh Mela and Maha Shivratri. Another date for my residency @whitbien ?? These past two days gave me another view of Delhi, one I knew but had forgotten. More amazing food - including breakfast at Carnatic Cafe GK2, for the delicious ‘Bombat’ after craving it for the past four years. A thick dosa with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, encrusted with a special chilli paste on the inner side + black coffee with a hint of fresh nutmeg spice. ? Also caught up with a few friends, saw some art at @deviartfoundation and @startindia + some digging for vinyl & shared my breakfast with a new dog friend at Kanpur Station ?? ?? There is a Shivaratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, on the month's 13th night/14th day, but once a year in late winter (February/March, or phalgun) and before the arrival of Summer, marks Maha Shivaratri which means "the Great Night of Shiva". In Kashmir Shaivism, the festival is called Har-ratri or phonetically simpler Haerath or Herath by Shiva faithfuls of the Kashmir region. ?? Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. The celebration includes maintaining a "jaagaran", an all-night vigil and prayers, because Shaiva Hindus mark this night as "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in one's life and the world through Shiva. Considered as the day when adiyogi or the first guru awakened his consciousness at the material level of existence. According to Tantra, at this stage of consciousness, no objective experience takes place and the mind is transcended. The meditator transcends time, space and causation. It is regarded as the brightest night of the soul, when the yogi attains the state of Shoonya or Nirvana, the stage succeeding samadhi or illumination. ? It’s also the last of the few auspicious bathing dates during this Kumbh. It may be a dry day in India but I’ll be getting wet as I go for a dip at Sangam. ?? #sunspots #gravesend #northfleet #allahabad #ardhkumbhmela #delhitoallahabad #dryday #mahashivaratri #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #surya #sungod #solarpowered #sunmoon #futurecivilisation

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4/3/19

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?? Train back to Delhi. Yesterday I did a 800km round trip in the back of an SUV on some very bumpy roads through rural Punjab. I visited the serene setting of Anandpur Sahib. This was followed by a visit to the village of someone I recently met from Gravesend, where I was warmly welcomed. We talked about family, voyages, architecture, books, culture and war. ?? From there I travelled on to Sunam, the birthplace of Udham Singh where I came across a monument dedicated to him. A huge clenched fist on top of a tall red stone plinth like tower with the words ‘Shaheed Udham Singh’ written out in stainless steel Punjabi script. ?? Today marks the half way point of this trip to India and the research residency with @whitbien One of the dates I am looking at within the scope of this residency is the birth date of Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati. He spent nearly twenty-five years, from 1845 to 1869, as a wandering ascetic, searching for religious truth. During these years he practiced various forms of yoga and became a disciple of a religious teacher named Virajanand Dandeesha. Virajanand believed that Hinduism had strayed from its historical roots and that many of its practices had become impure. Dayananda Sarasvati promised Virajanand that he would devote his life to restoring the rightful place of the Vedas in the Hindu faith. ?? The current political climate in India is shaped by religious fervour and rhetoric designed to promote a Hindu nationalist agenda. One of the many examples of this is the changing of the name of Allahabad to Prayag, negating the connection to Muslim and Mughal influences that are found throughout India. ?? After this weekends protests organised by @artistsunite - I arrive in Allahabad on Monday for another of the dates I’m looking at - marking Maha Shivratri and the last day of this Ardh Kumbh Mela. ?? #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #radioactivity #afroasianculture #gravesend #northfleet #allahabad #ardhkumbhmela #amritsartodelhi #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #solarpowered #futurecivilisation

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1/3/19

DIPESH PANDYA

Residency Feed
VOLUME 2.

The second of two collections of Instagram posts and links by multiple alter egos used by Dipesh Pandya, Whitstable Biennale artist in residence in North Kent from January – April 2019. 

The posts explore the multidimensional characteristics of different lines of enquiry pursued by Pandya throughout the residency period. 

This process is used as a way to acknowledge and collate layers of reference, in the form of texts, images and sounds, as responses to information the artist is gathering.

Read Volume 1 here

Dipesh Pandya, Kite, 2018. Image courtesy of the artist.
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?? ?? The second event commemorated on this date that I have been looking at is the birth of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. He was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement. Campaigning against social discrimination towards Dalits (untouchables) while also supporting the rights of women and labour. He was independent India’s first law and justice minister, the principal architect of the Constitution of India, and one of the founders of the Republic of India. ?? In these excerpts from a BBC interview in 1953, he discusses the idea of social structures and democracy in India. ?? In the current tense social, economic and political climate of the past few years, freedom of speech, equality and secularism; ideas rooted in the constitution of India, have given way to lynchings, communalism and the spread of a fascist ideology. The RSS and its political wing the incumbent BJP government continue to preach the politics of hate. ? Many of the people I spoke to during my trip to India are asking for a radical change in the system. Speaking out and organising into groups to protest against these injustices, things other people elsewhere take for granted. ?? #indianelection2019 #indiavotes #bewakoofihatao #rajneetibadlao #riseup #vote #action #lovenothate #brambedkar #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #lalsalaam #unite #inquilaab #gravesend #northfleet #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #sunmoon #solarpowered #listensun #futurecivilisation

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14/4/19
Action!

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Today marks the final date of my residency with @whitbien marking two other important events that I have been looking at. The first is Vaisakhi, a historical and religious festival in Sikhism commemorating the formation of the Khalsa Panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. ?? He started the Khalsa tradition after his father had been beheaded for resisting the religious persecution of non-Muslims (mainly Kashmiri Hindus) during the rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Guru Gobind Singh created and initiated the Khalsa as a warrior with a duty to protect the innocent from any form of religious persecution. The Khalsa redefined the Sikh tradition from the start. It formulated an initiation ceremony and rules of conduct for the Khalsa warriors. It created a new institution for the temporal leadership of the Sikhs, replacing the masands system maintained by the earlier Gurus. ?? Yesterday in Gravesend, I participated in a day of celebration and commemoration. The joy of celebrating together with a strong South Asian community, now firmly rooted in Gravesend and the pain of remembering the bloody massacre of Jallianwala Bagh. ?? In the evening, I attended a panel discussion on the subject of the massacre at the National Army Museum. Satnam Sanghera chaired the discussions with Chris Durlacher, @thesinghtwins_art , Parmjit and @amandeepm of @kashihousecic and @kim.a.wagner to examine and start to dissect the causes and effects of this moment from the past and its influences on the present and future. ?? #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #massacre1919 #vaisakhi #nagarkirtan #joyandpain #jallianwalabagh #amritsar #gravesend #northfleet #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #sunmoon #solarpowered #listensun #futurecivilisation

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14/4/19
Roots

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The second of two events relevant to my residency with @whitbien marked by today’s date is Rama Navami. A festival celebrating the birth of lord Rama. Falling on the ninth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra. Surya, the Hindu sun god, is a part of the worship and ceremonies in some communities. ? On 6 December 1992, a large crowd of Hindu Kar Sevaks demolished the 16th-century Babri Mosque in the city of Ayodhya at the site identified by some Hindus as Ram Janmabhoomi, or the birthplace of Rama. ?? In the 1980s, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) began a campaign for the construction of a temple dedicated to Rama at the site, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its political voice. Several rallies and marches were held as a part of this movement, including the Ram Rath Yatra led by L. K. Advani ? On 6 December 1992 the VHP and the BJP organised a rally at the site involving 150,000 volunteers, known as kar sevaks. The rally turned violent, and the crowd overwhelmed security forces and tore down the mosque. The demolition resulted in several months of inter-communal rioting between India's Hindu and Muslim communities, causing the death of at least 2,000 people. ? The same policies based on hate for anything other than Hindu culture have flourished under the RSS and its political wing, the incumbent BJP government. lead by Narendra Modi. As India goes into full election mode for its 2019 general election, a new generation is organising itself to speak out and protest against the innumerable injustices. In the current tense political climate, many have been imprisoned or killed for simply speaking out and asking for a radical change in the system. ???? Photos of the destruction of the Babri Masjid from The Deccan Chronicle and The Indian Express #indianelection2019 #indiavotes #bewakoofihatao #rajneetibadlao #riseup #vote #lovenothate #bjpisrss #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #lalsalaam #unite #inquilaab #gravesend #northfleet #ayodhya #babrimasjid #allahabad #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #sunmoon #solarpowered #listensun #futurecivilisation

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13/4/19
Desaffronise

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?? Today marks the start of the general election in India. Scheduled to be held in seven phases from 11 April to 19 May 2019 to constitute the 17th Lok Sabha. Final results will be declared on 23 May when votes will be counted. ???? Electoral Stain by Swan Nemesis ???? word ? flip the bird ? allah a bad ? allah a bad ? allah a bad ? eat pray aag ? murder paneer and saag ? modi ? gandhi ? barbadi ? sardar ? sarpanch ? sar pe andha kanoon ? mo modi ? mo problems ? modishoom dishoom ? hothon pe junoon ? haathon pe khoon ? enough is enough ? this stain and the disdain ? the pain of the bane ? speak up ? cry not in vain ? vote ? remove the saffron stain ? ? chaiwallah gangster ? corporate wankster ? bun maska chaska ? kesari nasha aur jhatka ? rss ka chamcha ? machines of money and power ? running hour after hour ? used to devour ? states on dinner plates ? licking lips and fingertips ? union territories ? briberies ? corporate cheques ? snapping necks ? shattered dreams ? breaking backs ? breaking news ? one sided views ? government goons ? with government spoons ? ? middle finger stinger missiles ? dead ringers and smiles ? we shall heed ? the shaheed ? bhagat singh ? jallianwala bagh ? ram mohammed singh azad ? inquilab zindabad ? ? peacocks and tigers inspire us ? hate divides us ? no more ? nah mo ? shiv a eye for a eye ? shiv a stab and shiv a bleed ? love is what we need ? ? #flipthebird #indianelection2019 #indiavotes #bewakoofihatao #rajneetibadlao #riseup #vote #lovenothate #bjpisrss #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #lalsalaam #lovenothate #unite #inquilaab #gravesend #northfleet #allahabad #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #sunmoon #solarpowered #listensun #futurecivilisation

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11/4/19
Election Stain

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Two weeks left in this initial residency with @whitbien and today marks another of the dates I’m looking at as part of my research ??? Udham Singh (second from the left) being taken from 10 Caxton Hall after the assassination of Michael O'Dwyer ??? On 1 April 1940, Udham Singh was formally charged with the murder of Michael O'Dwyer, and remanded in custody at Brixton Prison. While awaiting his trial, Singh went on a 42-day hunger strike and had to be force fed. On 4 June 1940, his trial commenced at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, before Justice Atkinson, with V.K. Krishna Menon and St. John Hutchison representing him. When asked about his motivation he explained: “I did it because I had a grudge against him. He deserved it. He was the real culprit. He wanted to crush the spirit of my people, so I have crushed him. For a full 21 years, I have been trying to seek vengeance. I am happy that I have done the job. I am not scared of death. I am dying for my country. I have seen my people starving in India under the British rule. I have protested against this, it was my duty. What greater honour could be bestowed on me than death for the sake of my motherland? ??? Singh was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Following his conviction, he made a speech which the judge directed should not be released to the press. On 31 July 1940, Singh was hanged at Pentonville Prison. His remains are preserved at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab. On every 31 July, marches are held in Sunam by various organisations and every statue of Singh in the city is paid tribute with flower garlands. ??? #keepit100 #onehundredyears #assassin #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #ghadarparty #amritsarmassacre #apologise #behumble #whitstablebiennale #amritsar #gravesend #northfleet #brixtonprison #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #futurecivilisation

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1/4/19

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? Connecting the dots: Positive Energy and Conscious Sound from last night’s @asian_dub_foundation gig. Thanks to @shivmitimbz for the linkup ?? “...Kingdom 'gains kingdom and nation 'gains nation Time we are living up in them revelation 'Cos when you take a stock of the whole situation The elders them ah poison the young generation Instead of them ah trying to build a firm foundation Them ah bring human beings down to pure degradation With chemical warfare and nuclear weapons Starvation, Sufferation, Dehumanisation The world population have to take precautions From pollution, corruption, deception, infection Politicians can claim that they've got the solution But deep in up them hearts them have a wicked intention To rinse out poor people with tax and inflation Segregating the massive, separating the nation You think ah, so it goes before you answer a question You better watch yourself before they bug you're not madman ?? Sooner the culture on on the move... Coming Deeder! This one for all microphone entertainers You have the tool you have the voice so be an educator Stop! Stopping the slackness and come on, tell them proper Encourage the massive to become their own creator Because in ah this time you have to understand That the government man's going to try and mash up on the plan So direct the crowd and give them navigation Believe you'll me get a wicked reaction Sound of the culture 'pon a the move You've got to be conscious in every thing that you do..... Songwriters: Aniruddha Das / John Pandit / Raymond Stephen Crawford / Saidullah Zaman / Sanjay Tailor / Steven Savale Culture Move lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group ?? ??? #communitymusic #bricklane #asiandubfoundation #assassin #culturemove #strongculture #naxalite #keepit100 #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #whitstablebiennale #gravesend #northfleet #amritsar #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes -#icecreammafia #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #listensun #futurecivilisation ??

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29/3/19

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Happy Holi to all - Play Safe????????Videos: Street scenes from my research trip to Amritsar, February 2019 - ‘’Bass Crore’ & ‘Getting Tikki with it’ ?? March 20th and 21st mark two more dates within the scope of my ongoing residency with @whitbien ?? Holika was a demoness in Hindu Vedic scriptures, who was burnt to death with the help of Vishnu. The story of Holika Dahan (Holika's death) signifies the triumph of good over evil. Holika is associated with the annual bonfire night before Holi. ? Hola Mohalla is a one-day Sikh festival which most often falls in March and takes place on the second day of the lunar month of Chett, a day after the Hindu spring festival Holi. ? “Hola is derived from the word halla (a military charge) and the term mohalla stands for an organized procession or an army column. The words 'Hola Mohalla' would thus mean 'the charge of an army. The fair held during Holi and Hola at Anandpur Sahib is traditionally a three-day event with participants camping out and enjoying various displays of fighting prowess and bravery, and listening to kirtan, music, and poetry. ?? In Assam, Bengal and Odisha, Dol Purnima or Dol Yatra; is a major festival dedicated to Sri Krishna. On this auspicious day, an image of Krishna, richly adorned and besmeared with coloured powder is taken out in procession, in a swinging palanquin, decorated with flowers, leaves, colored clothes and papers. ?? The date of Hazrat Ali Jayanti is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, and as such, it falls on a different date each year on the Gregorian Calendar. Hazrat Ali Jayanti is celebrated in India and in other parts of the world with large Muslim populations. ?? #keepit100 #100 #onehundredyears #100years #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #whitstablebiennale #gravesend #northfleet #amritsar #streetsounds #alootikki #gettingtikkiwithit #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #silenceplease #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #sunmoon #surya #sungod #listensun #futurecivilisation

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20/3/19 - 21/3/19

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India Today ? The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919 , popularly known as the Rowlatt Act or Black Act. A legislative act passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in Delhi on March 10 1919 and imposed on March 18 1919. ?? This act effectively authorised the government to imprison any person suspected of terrorism living in British India for up to two years without a trial, and gave the imperial authorities power to deal with all revolutionary activities. ?? The unpopular legislation provided for stricter control of the press, arrests without warrant, indefinite detention without trial, and in camera trials for proscribed political acts without the presence of a jury. The accused were denied the right to know the accusers and the evidence used in the trial. ?? Gandhi and others thought that constitutional opposition to the measure was fruitless, so on 6 April, a hartal was organised where Indians would suspend all business and would fast, pray and hold public meetings against the 'Black Act' as a sign of their opposition and civil disobedience would be offered against the law. This event was known as the Non-cooperation movement. ?? In the Punjab the protest movement was very strong, and on 10 April two leaders of the congress, Dr. Satya Pal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew, were arrested and taken secretly to Dharamsala. ?? The army was called into Punjab, people from neighbouring villages gathered peacefully in Amritsar for Baisakhi Day celebrations to protest against deportation of the two important Indian leaders, the British army attempted to stop the protests with violent force, leading to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 13 1919. ? #keepit100 #100years #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #whitstablebiennale #gravesend #northfleet #amritsar #rowlattact #blackact #satyapal #saifuddinkitchlew #indiatoday #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #silenceplease #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #sunmoon #surya #sungod #listensun #futurecivilisation

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18/3/19

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This current research trip in India comes to an end today as I fly back to London. It’s been a very insightful, emotional and active five weeks - travelling a total of 9500 km around India. ?? Throughout the journey questions related to my current research residency with @whitbien have been at the forefront of my mind. Together with the upcoming election, as India prepares to vote from April to May, many other questions relating to my practice have also been thought about. I have gathered a wealth of audio material with sounds from all of the places I visited and interviews about food, memory, trauma, politics, colonialism, justice, war, dissent and activism. ?? From the initial familiar warmth of the first day I arrived to the full moon on my birthday, the gentle rays falling on the ground at Jallianwala Bagh to the blood red sunset just as I arrived in Sunam, birthplace of Udham Singh - the Sun and the Moon have also been very close to me throughout my journey. Their influence through cycles of warmth and light have punctuated my travels as a constant inspiration and reminder to the passing of time and creation of history. I saw both as active witnesses to all of the good and bad from the past, present and future. ?? It’s looking very bleak back in England - I’ll just have to keep coming back to this part of the world to maintain my long distance relationship with The East. In the meantime, I’m preparing the first of two India and @whitbien residency specials for my monthly show ‘Silence Please’ on @radiomargate. Dates & Times: March 22nd and April 19th. 2-4PM GMT If you’re in Margate drop by to say hi or tune in online at radiomargate.co.uk. Expect street sounds, bird song, new music, old music, interviews and spoken word You can also see and continue to follow my residency feed with @whitbien at the link in my bio #keepit100 #100 #onehundredyears #100years #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #whitstablebiennale #gravesend #northfleet #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #silenceplease #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #sunmoon #surya #sungod #listensun #futurecivilisation

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17/3/19

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? excerpt from ‘The Moon & You’ by @behavebandana ? ‘...The Moon is seen to be closely related to manas and is considered the deity of the mind. The Rig Veda says “chandrama manaso jaathah”, out of the Mind of the Purusha (Godhead) the Moon was born. So, the waning and waxing of the Moon is the growth and decline, birth and death of the mind.  Interestingly, it is the opposite of what Rene Descartes, French philosopher, pronounced as an absolute and irrefutable notion in Western philosophy: “I think therefore I am”, meaning, man is defined by his mind. But the ultimate aim of Vedic spiritual practice is to control and finally destroy the mind. It has to be killed, because it is the mind that creates maya (the veil of illusion); and it is only in its death that a profound reality, beyond the phenomenal, becomes accessible to us. The Vedic Moon is lyrical, philosophical, uplifting and transformational. The relationship between the Earth and Moon is the opening of the first cosmic window that queries the nature of reality—from microscopic to macroscopic, from profound Vedic notions of Shounya (nothingness) to Ananta (ever expanding infinity).’ ? #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #radioactivity #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #sunmoon #vedic #rigveda #shounya #ananta #surya #sungod #solarpowered #futurecivilisation

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15/3/19

14/3/19

14/3/19

13/3/19

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Today marks another relevant date for my research residency with @whitbien ?? On this day, March 13th 1940 at Caxton Hall, London, Udham Singh aka Ram Mohhammed Singh Azad aka Frank Brazil shot dead Michael O' Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of Punjab under British rule. This was in revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919. ?? “…He deserved it. He was the real culprit. He wanted to crush the spirit of my people, so I have crushed him…I am not scared of death. I am dying for my country. I have seen my people starving in India under the British rule. I have protested against this, it was my duty. What greater honour could be bestowed on me than death for the sake of my motherland…” ?? Udham Singh is a well-known figure of the Indian independence movement. Often referred to as Shaheed-i-Azam Sardar Udham Singh ? Assassin by @asian_dub_foundation ?? “Synchronise time Vengeance will be mine As I cross the curzon line into his mind I will burn the trophies he owns Symbols of a future postponed. Mohammed singh azad Zindabad! A bullet to his head won't bring back the dead But it'll lift the spirit of my people! A bullet to his head won't bring back the dead But it'll lift the spirit of my people! I'll shake hands with the hangman I'll wear the noose with pride For unlike the british I've no crimes to justify Pentonville will be my last place on earth And death will return me to the land of my birth” ? Songwriters: Aniruddha Das / John Pandit / Saidullah Zaman / Sanjay Tailor / Steven Savale Assassin lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group ?? #keepit100 #100 #onehundredyears #100years #jallianwalabagh #udhamsingh #rammohammadsinghazad #zindabad #frankbrazil #ghadarparty #amritsarmassacre #apologise #behumble #whitstablebiennale #amritsar #gravesend #northfleet #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #futurecivilisation

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13/3/19

12/3/19

8/3/19

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To Allahabad for the last day of the Ardh Kumbh Mela and Maha Shivratri. Another date for my residency @whitbien ?? These past two days gave me another view of Delhi, one I knew but had forgotten. More amazing food - including breakfast at Carnatic Cafe GK2, for the delicious ‘Bombat’ after craving it for the past four years. A thick dosa with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, encrusted with a special chilli paste on the inner side + black coffee with a hint of fresh nutmeg spice. ? Also caught up with a few friends, saw some art at @deviartfoundation and @startindia + some digging for vinyl & shared my breakfast with a new dog friend at Kanpur Station ?? ?? There is a Shivaratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, on the month's 13th night/14th day, but once a year in late winter (February/March, or phalgun) and before the arrival of Summer, marks Maha Shivaratri which means "the Great Night of Shiva". In Kashmir Shaivism, the festival is called Har-ratri or phonetically simpler Haerath or Herath by Shiva faithfuls of the Kashmir region. ?? Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. The celebration includes maintaining a "jaagaran", an all-night vigil and prayers, because Shaiva Hindus mark this night as "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in one's life and the world through Shiva. Considered as the day when adiyogi or the first guru awakened his consciousness at the material level of existence. According to Tantra, at this stage of consciousness, no objective experience takes place and the mind is transcended. The meditator transcends time, space and causation. It is regarded as the brightest night of the soul, when the yogi attains the state of Shoonya or Nirvana, the stage succeeding samadhi or illumination. ? It’s also the last of the few auspicious bathing dates during this Kumbh. It may be a dry day in India but I’ll be getting wet as I go for a dip at Sangam. ?? #sunspots #gravesend #northfleet #allahabad #ardhkumbhmela #delhitoallahabad #dryday #mahashivaratri #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #wearealwayslistening #bombayblack #creamland #surya #sungod #solarpowered #sunmoon #futurecivilisation

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4/3/19

2/3/19

1/3/19

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?? Train back to Delhi. Yesterday I did a 800km round trip in the back of an SUV on some very bumpy roads through rural Punjab. I visited the serene setting of Anandpur Sahib. This was followed by a visit to the village of someone I recently met from Gravesend, where I was warmly welcomed. We talked about family, voyages, architecture, books, culture and war. ?? From there I travelled on to Sunam, the birthplace of Udham Singh where I came across a monument dedicated to him. A huge clenched fist on top of a tall red stone plinth like tower with the words ‘Shaheed Udham Singh’ written out in stainless steel Punjabi script. ?? Today marks the half way point of this trip to India and the research residency with @whitbien One of the dates I am looking at within the scope of this residency is the birth date of Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati. He spent nearly twenty-five years, from 1845 to 1869, as a wandering ascetic, searching for religious truth. During these years he practiced various forms of yoga and became a disciple of a religious teacher named Virajanand Dandeesha. Virajanand believed that Hinduism had strayed from its historical roots and that many of its practices had become impure. Dayananda Sarasvati promised Virajanand that he would devote his life to restoring the rightful place of the Vedas in the Hindu faith. ?? The current political climate in India is shaped by religious fervour and rhetoric designed to promote a Hindu nationalist agenda. One of the many examples of this is the changing of the name of Allahabad to Prayag, negating the connection to Muslim and Mughal influences that are found throughout India. ?? After this weekends protests organised by @artistsunite - I arrive in Allahabad on Monday for another of the dates I’m looking at - marking Maha Shivratri and the last day of this Ardh Kumbh Mela. ?? #sunspots #radiowaves #interference #radioactivity #afroasianculture #gravesend #northfleet #allahabad #ardhkumbhmela #amritsartodelhi #whitstablebiennale #dipeshpandya #swannemesis #ninaradiotapes #icecreammafia #surya #sungod #solarpowered #futurecivilisation

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1/3/19