An Ad in India has rekindled the debate that Lighter Skin is more attractive.

The reason this Ad has caused so much ruckus is because it stars Shah Rukh Khan, one of Bollywood's biggest Male stars.

The Ad tells of a boy who is not having much luck with the ladies. He is then given the cream, he uses it, gets the lighter skin & starts getting noticed.

Shah Rukh Khan ends the Ad by mentioning the Creams Name and says in Hindi, ‘ Fair & Handsome, No 1 men’s lightening cream in the world’

This is a long-term problem in India & the business of Lightening Creams is huge. The belief that the lighter you are the more successful you will be at whatever you do.

Personally if that is what you want to do, go for it, but when it effects the thought process of a nation, it is a big problem.

It seems another case of the East aspiring to be like the West & be seen as part of the 1st World. & All the time we in the West are aspiring to adopt Eastern Philosophies & try to calm itself down.

What happened to ‘the Darker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice’…& lets face it don’t most White people want to Tan Darker when they go on vacation ?

Some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen where in Rajasthan. Those Desert women were astonishing & their skin colour ranged from a Deep Caramel to Chocolate…& each as Beautiful as the Next.

My Brothers & Sisters wake up, Brown & Black is Beautiful.

Be well.

When I was really young I remember my father playing the sitar, the sounds was always magical, but what got me was the music that he used to listen too. Classical Indian Music with Sitar, Santoor, Serenghi, Sitar & the Flute.

He would listen all the time, & then when my parents divorced the next person to play this music was my Grandfather.

The flute, the Bamboo Flute to be precise was the instrument that stuck with me & to this day it is my favourite instrument.

When the Bamboo Flute floats over a Tabla & Sitar, I will say it, it is magical. Maybe it is the Indian in me but I love it. I am transported to a sunrise in India, Rishikesh, looking over the mist across the Ganges.

I love the sound of this music, which leads me to Pundit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, probably one of the best at his chosen art.

I came across his music when travelling in India in 1993 ( funnily enough ). There was a series of albums ( which are still available ) individually named, ‘The Rivers’, ‘The Mountains’, ‘The Deserts’, & ‘The Sea’. Traditional Artist playing Contemporary Compositions to fit the titles. ‘The Rivers’ was HPC’s

‘The Rivers’ in my opinion is one of HPC’s best album’s as it is classic, but contemporary at the same time…same but different to his previous work. One track that is ages long plays out the Journey of the River from the Mountain’s to the Sea…fantastic.

Ok so there is no heavy bass, & foot-tapping beat, but any lover of music has to appreciate the simplicity & beauty of this music.

Music plays such a huge part of Indian Culture. In the old days certain Ragas could only be played at certain times or they would upset the Gods.

A Raga, is like a small symphony, an overture of traditional music, played as an offering to the Gods & Man. There would be & still are Morning Ragas, Evening Ragas, Midnight Ragas…each written for & to specific deities.

Quite a Poetic & Peaceful concept in itself.

HPC’s Flute is amazing & I recommend all take some time to check his offerings. & For the beat lovers, those fucking Tablas kick ass.

I did go off on a tangent there, as I did want to say more about the man Hari Prasad Chaurasia, but you can read it here…sorry feeling lazy.

Be Well.

My man 13th has brought Motion Tactics back to life.

Thank You Sir...keep that good shit up.

Be well.

13thWitness
MotionTactics

Do you know him ?

Some may mistake him for Charlie Sheen by his coiffed mane, & the drink in his hand. But fear not it is not the Reformed Drunk we love & hate…but a not so reformed drinker, & a long ways away from a Drunk (well lets see later), & our good friend James.

Last known poison of choice was Makers Mark…excellent.

But James is a good enough chap, as he tends to have rather good creative ideas, & puts them to canvas, metal & concrete every now & then. To top it he does have a very good sense of colour also…isn’t that surprising, you would not think it by looking at the fellow.

You know he is also co-creator of an Honoured Society known to the common man as ‘ ROCK GROUP ‘, & this said Honoured Lot have been plotting & scheming since the turn of the century.

Well there is a very brief insight to James, so when you see him next, tip your hat to a man of the Arts & more importantly, a man of Respect.

Be Well.

So here are some of my favourite snaps that I have taken over the past 7 days...or maybe a little more...I have lost count, & there is still the closing of ILLUSTRATE tonight at Highbury Studios...plus a couple of extras...

But to start you odd here are a few, & the others are here @ Pt 2 & Pt 3.

Be Well.

I feel I have been ignoring a great hero of mine. I miss the brutal comic honesty of his words.

This is the man who says it as he fucking means in, & laughs at you at the same time. Fearless.

There is little that he fears, perhaps ‘when will I get laid next ?’, I can see that being up there. All the rest is a joke, & I mean that in all comedy.

The way he writes makes some of the realitys of day to day living look like a joke…something not to waste time thinking over.

Sadly he is dead. If ever anyone lived for the minute it was Mr Bukowski, & to top it all he did not give a fuck of what people thought. He knew himself & was happy with it.

I have written about this ages ago, but Matt Dillon played Henry Chinaski (Bukowskis semi-biographical carachter)in a film adaptation of his book FACTOTUM. Check it out…if you like Bukowski & you have not seen it, you will not be disappointed.

Also check out BARFLY, Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunnaway Directed by Barbet Schroder, Produced by Francis Ford Coppala. One of Mickey Rourke’s best performances in my opinion, & the music is fucking brilliant.

I think I have found another hero for the books…Gary Welch.

I went to see his show @ 13 Newburgh Street, as part of London Design Week.

The way he presents the work & the work itself is amazing.

I highly recommend a visit you will not be disappointed.

Be well.

Yes yes, it is all about the Patents…dug these babies out the other day…check it Dave !!!

Next stop Goodhood & the Patent Deck shoes.

Be well.

Goodhood opened its doors yesterday to the Stylin Folks of Hoxton yesterday night.

I must start by saying that this shop is really nice…no really it is really nice. Clean & Simple through & through. Monochrome is the way forward.

An excellent selection of clothing & accessories that do differ from what is out there. Research has been done & they have pulled in interesting & stylish product to make there flag fly a little higher.

I am a big fan of their colour palette, bright but not to over stated…yes you can tell…I want a lot that they have.

My favourite item was the Sperry Black Patent Leather Deck Shoes…fantastic.

I have a feeling that the good people at Goodhood, will be running the hood for a Good while.

B Well.

The process has started after a slight delay…my bike is being pimped.

What started as a one man [project has turned into a 2 man caper, a meeting of friends & minds.

No it is not fixed…sorry, not that man, yet…but it will be single speed…free wheelin’ baby.

Frame & rims went for Powder Coat today…and me I had to spray the pedals Gold.

Boba Fett got a hit too.

Be well.