Dhruva - In a newspaper in Italy

I get up this morning to this picture from Dhruva.

A picture of him in a newspaper in Italy. Wow, I was so excited. Especially as it's a first, he hasn't sent me a single picture in the three months he's been in Italy :)

Last year, when he went with Cinemadamare through Italy, is when he decided he'd shift from animation to 'live action' filming. This trip was like a consolidation of that decision... he went set with ideas and scripts. He said that 'the opportunity to create films there is so enormous' that he wanted yet another go at it. 

While there was enough and more apprehension in family about 'wasting' (??) another year, he and I spoke at length about it, and felt it was worthwhile.

So much thought that went in. It's so not easy to move out of default thinking that 'education done, one needs to have a job, a regular stream of productivity and income'. The arts and creativity do not flow like that.

Any creative field needs a whole different frame....it doesn't flow externally through the year.....the conceptualization, the gathering of thoughts, the articulation....they are all invisible and 'within' processes. What we get to see is only what surfaces as end product.  You realize that, and that enables shifting time frames....and thought frames.

(ooops....I seem to have gone off on my own trip, to get back......)

What was really satisfying is hearing him say that 'of the four films he's made this time he's really happy with one. That's such a rare thing coming from him that it had me feeling over joyed.

This time round he seems to have experimented even further. He's done not only directing and editing which had become his core areas of work, but has gotten into acting too...... and what's more, in a lead role. Again something he's loved to do since he was a child. So interesting that he actually got the opportunity.

Fully happy, as I was about to hit 'publish', I suddenly recalled that Girija had sent me a whole lot of pictures and links of Dhruva's trip when I was in Perth, and they'd disappeared into my archives (phone and memory :) so I decided to dig out, and here's the treasure I found:

Dhruva sitting on extreme left:

Him in forefront. She sent me a video of their bus ride, and it gives such a feel of the experience, but I'm not able to put it here. Will keep trying :)

This year was mostly different towns, and this is one of the towns, which he said was literally 'in the clouds'.

Another town. Sadly don't know the names.

That's him receiving a clip board, or is it called a 'clap board'.

For enabling a third in series Girija (first and second linked here) can't thank you enough.

And to you Dhruva, whatever it is in the Italian, seeing your picture there in the newspaper created a moment of deep joy, one worth capturing for posterity. And must say Congratulations ! on yet again making four films (and one that actually passed your standards :), and going back two years.....

Right from identifying the program, applying, getting selected, the visa processing, participating in what was like an adventure of your life time. winning Best Director once, winning best sound track for 'The End'.........making so many films, nine on full count.....and above all immersing yourself into such an unique experience.

The line from their site comes to mind "And finally...bring with you many ideas and resilience.....get in the game, it will be fun"

You did that in full spirit....you made us proud !