Category — KBal

During the summer of 2006, I went on vacation to Punjab, India.  Although I didn’t enjoy my trip as a whole, I really enjoyed visiting the city of Amritsar.  The whole city of Amritsar contains a rich collection of Sikh history and culture.  There are many Sikh temples, and historical sites spread throughout the city, of which the most popular is the Golden Temple.

If you were to ask me what my favorite thing about my trip to India was, I wouldn’t hesitate at all to say that it was visiting the temple.  Harimandir Sahib (as it is also known as) is perhaps the most elegant work of Sikh architecture. When I first walked through the archway and saw the Golden Temple, I was awestruck.  It stood surrounded by a large body of water, glowing in the night sky; also, the water casted the reflection of the temple.  My parents made me take some of the water (from the body of water) and pour it over my head; they said that it was for purification.   I didn’t really understand what they meant by this, but I did it anyways. My parents had brought me to visit Harimandir Sahib not only for its aesthetic beauty, but for religious purposes as well.  I also got the chance to go into the temple, and say my prayers; however all my attention was focused on the magnificent building.  Over 85 percent of the temple was covered in gold (including the inside), and the floors were made of exquisite marble. Nothing I’ve seen in my life is more beautiful than the Golden Temple in Amritsar India. (photo from http://www.visit-incredible-india.com/golden-temple-budget-tour.html)

Relaxed. Straight forward. Poised. Hilarious.  Richard Price is an individual who really knows how to keep the crowd engaged. At his reading at Baruch on Tuesday, he didn’t fail to entertain.  Every comment and response by Richard Price was sparked with humor.  “How did you get the cops to help you out?” asked a member of the audience.  “I had compromising pictures of their girlfriends,” replied Richard Price igniting laughter throughout the room.  Although at a certain point Richard Price seemed to be getting annoyed by some of the questions he was receiving, he continued to answer, and continued to make us laugh.  Usually, an individual of his stature might carry some sort of hubris, but not Richard Price; he was down to earth and was better able to connect with the audience because of this.

The excerpt he read from his novel, Lush Life was extremely entertaining.  His straight forward, and descriptive style, really helped us envision the Lower East Side.  To me, his work seemed musical in a way; the short descriptions and simple sentences felt like sharp, staccato notes.  Character dialogue was colloquial and genuine, and really illustrated the typical New York dialogue.  The excerpt that Mr. Price read from his new book about Harlem was unlike something I’ve never heard before.  He used repetition (of the word God) to establish a preachy atmosphere.  I am looking forward to reading Lush Life in full, and also this new book that he is working on.  Both, Richard Price’s personality and work were captivating. (photo taken by Karnveer Bal)

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Pull up your pants buddy!

As I boarded the E train, heading back home from school on Wednesday, little did I know I was going to have the most entertaining train ride of my life.   “Are you scared of sitting next to me, because I’m black?” a young black woman asked an old Asian woman who had just gotten out of her seat. “Why would you think that? It’s because I have to get off in a few stops,” replied the Asian woman in her accented English.  The situation began to heat up, as both women began to yell back and forth.  “People in New York are so racist, thank god I’m moving back to Philadelphia,” the black woman hollered.   “You’ve got to be kidding me! I’m a minority also, and I’m not racist against anybody, whether they are black, white or yellow,” the Asian woman responded.   Soon, things became physical, as they began pushing and shoving each other.  At this point, everyone on the train cart had their eyes glued on these two women and the show they were putting up.  Luckily, not only did I get to watch the show, I had front row seats! “America is a diverse country.  For goodness sakes, our President is black. Your color is not the reason why I got up.  I got up because I have to get off soon,” the old Asian woman reasonably explained.  However, the younger woman wouldn’t give up, saying, “You think you are better than me?”  The older woman’s stop had arrived, and she peacefully walked out while the other woman continued to yell at her.  “Only in New York” one of the passengers said, making everyone laugh.  The New York subway is truly an interesting place.

As the golden curtains receded to the orchestra’s elegant music, I received goose bumps that stayed with me until the end of the show.  All of the components of the production focused on the most minute details, creating an enthralling experience for the viewers.  The performance of Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera, from start to finish, was simply astounding.

The tragedy of Rigoletto is shocking, so for those individuals who are feint of heart, you have been warned.  We see the jester, Rigoletto, suffer the serious ramifications of a curse.  While he is at the side of the Duke of Mantua at his palace, Rigoletto thinks that he is invincible, and that he is shielded from all dangers.  However, after Monterone (whose daughter, the Duke has seduced) makes his way into the party, and curses both Rigoletto and the Duke for their behavior, he later discovers that he is human, and susceptible to these dangers.  From this point on, we witness the colossal downfall of the jester.  The disparity between someone who has a position of power and a common man is also seen, as the Duke is practically immune to the curse, while the jester, watches helplessly as the curse sends his life crashing into a downward spiral.

What was most impressive with Rigoletto, were the sets and costumes.  Authentic and grandiose, the sets immersed viewers in the realm of the setting.  The sets were three dimensional, and the buildings were detailed to the point that they actually displayed some wear and tear.  Vines covered some of these walls and buildings making it appear even more realistic.  Torches lit up the stage, and gave the sets a unique luminescence.  All of the backgrounds were stunning; there were backdrops showing everything from dark and cloudy night skies, to purple sunset skies.  What was intriguing was that the backgrounds were changing throughout the performance.   For example, in the opening of the second act, the purple sunset sky became darker as night approached.  In the third act, while the storm was raging, lightning bolts pierced the dark midnight sky.  The costumes of the characters were true to the time period of the opera, and complemented the sets and the roles that the characters played.  An example of this can be seen with characters such Sparafucile, who wore darker clothing matching his equally dark representation.  The sets and costumes of Rigoletto engulfed viewers, and made us feel as if we were truly in Mantua watching the tragedy unfold.

The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra gave life to Rigoletto.  The brass powered the tense moments, while the woodwinds and strings sections guided the calmer and melancholic moments.  The orchestra’s crescendos served perfectly as segues for the solos of the opera singers.  The change of pace in the orchestra’s music helped create the atmospheres for the scenes.  For example, in Act II, when Rigoletto was frantically seeking his daughter, the music was at a faster pace, perhaps at allegro.  In Act III, as the opera was concluding, the music performed by the orchestra was monumental.  The brass along with the percussion ignited the storm taking place in the scene, and finished off the opera with a homerun.

The singing and acting in Rigoletto kept the audience enticed throughout the opera.  Mr. George Gagnidze, who had a cold, showed no ill effects, as he delivered a riveting performance.  My favorite singer from Rigoletto was the bass, Andrea Silvestrelli who played Sparafucile.  His voice supplemented the dark and stormy scenes that he was mostly a part of.  The one weakness of this performance of Rigoletto was the acting of Mr. Gagnidze (Rigoletto) in the first act.  Often, the character of Rigoletto appeared emotionless, which was perhaps due to his extensive focus on singing.  For example, when Monterone curses Rigoletto in the first act, although he often mentions that he has been cursed, Rigoletto fails to exhibit too much pain for it.  However, starting from the second act (after his daughter is abducted), Mr. George Gagnidze showcased his talent as an actor.  We were able to clearly see Rigoletto’s anger, grief, and fiery appetite for revenge.

Never did I expect to enjoy an opera, as much as I enjoyed Rigoletto. A review just won’t simply do it justice; you must go and experience it for yourself.  The combination of orchestral music, realistic jaw-dropping sets, and a gripping tragedy make Rigoletto a must watch for anyone.

I stood in Times Square like I was one the hundreds of tourists who stare in awe. Although I had been in Times Square countless times, the bright lights never failed to capture my eye. As I walked through the crowds of people, I heard a tremendous variety of different dialects, and saw cameras flash left and right. The allure of Times Square, like always, had me in a trance, but tonight I couldn’t stop and stare. I had to rush and get on line for the Jason Derulo concert. The line bent in and out of the city blocks like a slithering snake. I don’t call myself a fan of Jason Derulo’s music, but when my friends decided that we were going to his concert on Thursday night, I had no other options. While on line I saw that Jason Derulo attracted a huge range of fans. There was a group of excited friends who started talking to us about Jason Derulo. What I found intriguing about them was that they had come all the way from Australia, for the concert (as well as other reasons). They told us about a new and upcoming pop group from Australia called Trinity that was going to perform that night. I was surprised to hear that Jason Derulo, an American R&B and pop singer had such a huge fan base in Australia. The concert, unlike I had expected, was extremely entertaining. Jason Derulo’s singing, and dancing were spectacular. I also became a fan of Trinity; their pop music, which had an Australian taste, was unique and appealing to me. Watching an entertaining concert in my favorite place in the world made that night, one to remember.

New York is truly the cultural and artistic center of the world, and Fall for Dance is a microcosm of New York’s cultural diversity. Even if you think dancing isn’t for you, like I had previously felt, you are bound to find something that interests you in the show. It is truly a captivating collection of dance performances that exhibit cultures that stretch from all over the world.

What is one word captures the essence of XOVER? I would have to say bizarre. Everything, from the music, to the costumes, and to the dance was clashed together. First of all the music, if it can be called that, was absolutely horrifying. It ranged from sounds of nature to eerie sounds that felt as if they had been pulled straight out of a science fiction movie. As far as the dance goes, at often times, the dancers appeared rigid and emotionless, but they fit the bill for the music. Their all white attire also exhibited this sense of lack of emotion. In quite a few instances there was utter silence, and the dancers continued to dance in synchronization. It seemed as though the music they were dancing to was in their heads, and the noises were merely distractions. This encounter between the music and the dance was unique, even though the peculiar sounds hurt the Merce Cunningham Dance Company’s overall performance.

The next performance, I Can See Myself In Your Pupil, performed by Gallim Dance was quite simply phenomenal. The upbeat music in this performance snatched the souls of the audience members, as the deep bass and the singing trumpets became one with the viewers’ beating hearts. A flavor of Israeli music provided some of this upbeat music. The dancing was free, wacky and highly entertaining. Each dancer was wearing casual/club style clothing, which along with the music and the dance allowed the viewers to form a connection with the performance. However, the most exhilarating part of their performance was captured in the backdrop. The shadows of the wacky dances on the backdrop, created a second, equally as entertaining show. At the end of the performance, members of Gallim Dance received a well-deserved standing ovation; not one person in the full house was seated.

Vistaar by Mahavi Mudgal was a tremendous display of attention to detail, and Indian culture. It wasn’t the most entertaining performance, but it was very well done. All five dancers worked together as an extremely cohesive unit. Throughout the dance they were arranged in tightly knit patterns, and didn’t spread across the stage. Each one of their movements was in synch, including the stomps, and their intricate hand movements. Their attention to detail was stunning. Indian culture was exhibited through every aspect of the performance, from the music to the costumes. They wore Indian saris, which is a traditional dress for Indian women. The music that they were dancing to was predominately vocal, with the tabla (Indian drum) and sitar providing the background beat; this captured the qualities of classical Indian music. Focus and collaborative work made their premier a worthwhile watch.

The finale, The Golden Section, performed by Miami City Ballet was a sensational display of ballet. They were probably the most talented dancers in the performance, and they showed their talents with fast paced dancing, and executing countless spins and acrobatic lifts. In the background, the music sounded like it was from an aerobics workout video. However, I can’t lie, it was extremely catchy. From their golden attire, to their fast dancing, The Golden Section was truly a golden finale.

Fall for Dance is a must watch for all those who have the slightest passion for dance. It provides the audience with a wide array of entertaining dances. All of the performances were unique, and could stand alone, but Fall for Dance meshes them together to establish a fabulous viewing experience.

It felt as though a rock was blocking my windpipe. I gasped for air as the sweltering summer afternoon showed us its wrath.  It was so hot that you could fry an egg on the concrete. “I can’t play anymore,” my cousin blurted out, as he stood hunched over in the deserted Cedar Grove Playground.  My cousin had brought me to the park to play basketball, and although he was much older than me, I had told him I wouldn’t leave until I beat him.  After my fourth straight loss, I considered giving in, but decided to play one more. He snickered and told me that we were going to make it a short one.  In the fifth game I played with gusto, and I made the right decisions, leading myself to victory. Although I won, I wasn’t satisfied because I felt that he let me win; I’d rather have lost, than have him hand me a win.

A couple of years later, as I sat outside of the conference room, waiting to be called to make a pitch for the creation of the Socioeconomic Sports Club, I kept thinking of the games against my cousin.   To a certain degree it was like a déjà vu experience.  I had failed several times in achieving the desired result in both situations.  This was going to be my third pitch to the student government and faculty members, regarding the creation of the Socioeconomic Sports Club.  As I walked into the conference room, I remembered that just last month, a mere two people out of this same group were in support for the foundation of my proposed club. “Why even bother to present, they’re going to reject it anyways?” I thought to myself.   Thoughts like this raced uncontrollably in my head, but I maintained my composure and presented.

In my presentation, I covered all the concerns that the skeptics had previously brought up, such as having an educational purpose to the club.  I had created a vibrant and informative PowerPoint relating the impact of steroids on Major League Baseball, covering aspects such as inflated statistics, game attendance, and impact on revenue.  After the presentation, I surveyed the room, and I felt an aura of satisfaction amongst the judges.  My proposed club was passed on a close eight to seven vote.

“ I just wanted to let you know that I admire your persistence, and that is a reason why I’m voting for the formation of this Sports Club,” said the principal, Mr. Bonamo as I was leaving.

I was happy that the club had been approved, but my satisfaction vanished, as I felt that the only reason he passed my club was because of the fact that I was showing up every month for the meetings.  Later that day I called my cousin to tell him about what the principal had said.  He quickly downplayed my belief, saying that it wasn’t the case.

“Today made me feel like the time you let me beat you in basketball” I told my cousin. “ I mean, I achieved my goal, but I feel as if it was handed to me.”

“What?!” he hollered over the phone.  “I would never let you win. You won fair and square.  Just because you are persistent, doesn’t mean people give in to you.  Your persistence is serving you well; in basketball you played smarter and smarter each game until you beat me, and I’m sure you did the same with each presentation.  Have some confidence in your abilities, because there is no way someone will give in to you.  Your effort will improve your capabilities.”

Ever since that conversation, I’ve become more confident in my persistent nature, because I know it will help me improve in every facet, including sports and education.   While serving as president of this club, I became a better leader, and also became a better organizer.  Also through the club, I’ve discovered that due to my passion and extensive knowledge of sports, and the business that surrounds it, my ultimate career goal is to indulge in the sports business world.  One day I hope to be a general manager of a professional sports franchise, and I know that if I remain determined, and believe in my abilities and effort, one day I might just be known as a GM.

On Thursday evening, the streets of Flushing were rampaged by a storm, the likes of which most Queens residents had not seen before. As I returned to Queens from school, I felt as though as I had just stepped into a war-torn battlefield. Light poles and trees were knocked down, and cars and houses were damaged all over. Normally I would take the bus back home, but due to the immense traffic, caused by the blocked streets, I was forced to walk. What would have been a grueling 40-minute trudge became a walk to remember. The damage of the storm had brought all of Main Street out onto the streets, as everyone was contributing to the clean up effort. As I approached Jewel Avenue (a predominantly Jewish community) I saw how the Jewish community in that area was extremely prepared and organized for these situations. They had what appeared to be their own little community patrol force, and their private ambulances hard at work making sure everyone was okay. As I walked further down Main Street, snapping photographs left and right, I approached my neighborhood (a predominantly Asian neighborhood). Our clean up effort was also well under way as neighborhood residents were outside clearing streets and sidewalks of all the fallen trees. I decided to stop and help my Chinese neighbors, as a fallen tree blocked their driveway. They thanked me with a nice, warm cup of tea. The storm had united all of the communities in Queens, as we all strived to overcome the devastation, and return to our normal daily routines.

Mr. Greenberg’s switch from psychology to photography might have been the best decision of his life.  This is not only because he has attained much success in the field of photography, but also because he is able to approach each day of his career with enthusiasm.  What I remember most from the evening was when Mr. Greenberg told us to never give up our dreams; to me he is emblematic of someone who’s dream came true. He didn’t give up photography to pursue another (perhaps more stable) career, but instead utilized his passion for photography as a means to make a satisfying living.

Photography was something that I had never given much thought to as a work of art.  However after attending the Howard Greenberg event, I saw how capturing a moment in a photograph is as beautiful and valuable as any work of art.  The photo of the dust storm was one that really caught my attention.  It is truly a bleak portrayal of a bleak time period.  The photograph was taken during the Great Depression, capturing a scene from the Dust Bowl.  The small broken down house, and the scene of the people running towards the house to protect themselves, shows the troubles of the time. My favorite photo from the exhibit was the Ghost Taxi.  I had completely failed to recognize the taxi in the picture, thinking it was just a random display of lights.  When I looked closely, I saw the obscure taxi.  The lights, and the mysterious taxi passing by, mystify viewers, and seize the fast life of New York City.