Beautiful piece, Malavika. You know it resonates with me, right? I love this idea of performing. Very powerful. It is indeed what we do, even unconsciously. A while ago the saying used to be “just be yourself”. But today that same simple idea has been further refined (and sugar-coated). The point, though, is always the same: be true to who you are. And I would add: even if you don’t know it. Even if you can’t articulate it. Just let it surface naturally. Easier said than done, in today’s world. But still, if there’s one thing, to me, that we should make an effort on, it’s making the audience that we perform to an audiece of one. Ourselves.
Provocative thoughts on individuality, authenticity, and performance Malavika. Loved the exchanges below between you and Silvio and my thinking and experience are along the same lines. As a real life performer, the notion of changing audiences as a method of self-discovery is particularly resonant. We should all find friends who make us feel good about who we get to be when we're with them. At the same time, being around people we don't resonate with is equally useful for discovering who we do and don't want to be. I've never owned anything with a Michael Kors label on it, but maybe I should go hang out in one his stores and make a friend there, just to see what I'd discover.
Malavika, you said it dude. Man, our tastes and desires are influenced by the company we keep. No matter how much we try and absolve ourselves of it, we can't. You've worded it very well.
I loved the reference to the Bangalore man wearing a floral shirt on Sundays. I must confess to owning one such shirt!
Beautiful piece, Malavika. You know it resonates with me, right? I love this idea of performing. Very powerful. It is indeed what we do, even unconsciously. A while ago the saying used to be “just be yourself”. But today that same simple idea has been further refined (and sugar-coated). The point, though, is always the same: be true to who you are. And I would add: even if you don’t know it. Even if you can’t articulate it. Just let it surface naturally. Easier said than done, in today’s world. But still, if there’s one thing, to me, that we should make an effort on, it’s making the audience that we perform to an audiece of one. Ourselves.
Move over, Michael Kors! Malavika is in town!
Provocative thoughts on individuality, authenticity, and performance Malavika. Loved the exchanges below between you and Silvio and my thinking and experience are along the same lines. As a real life performer, the notion of changing audiences as a method of self-discovery is particularly resonant. We should all find friends who make us feel good about who we get to be when we're with them. At the same time, being around people we don't resonate with is equally useful for discovering who we do and don't want to be. I've never owned anything with a Michael Kors label on it, but maybe I should go hang out in one his stores and make a friend there, just to see what I'd discover.
Malavika, you said it dude. Man, our tastes and desires are influenced by the company we keep. No matter how much we try and absolve ourselves of it, we can't. You've worded it very well.
I loved the reference to the Bangalore man wearing a floral shirt on Sundays. I must confess to owning one such shirt!