London Mela 2010 ... and acting so cool

The London Mela is an annual event celebrating South Asian culture that takes place in the vast green spaces of Gunnersbury Park. When the weather is good, like it was this past Sunday, it's a nice family day out, an opportunity for people pack their picnic gear, blankets, kids and grandmas and head out for a relaxed day of outdoor music and overeating. The food is all about kulfis, faloodas and seekh kebabs. The music is served up from several stages and tents, ranging from modern bhangra to classical Indian.

One of the performances I watched on the classical stage was a mix of singing, drumming, flute-playing and several Indian dance styles, with inspiration taken from Sufi philosophy. So what better time for me to slip a bit of Sufi poetry into this blog and pretend that it's relevant? :o)

And Acting So Cool

The whole world just got thick
Again with
God.

And everywhere I look
Makes me feel very proud

That all the objects and creatures
Can remain looking
So poised

And acting so cool
While keeping the Great Secret
So well,

And not blissfully shout
All day long the Reality

I Am --
I Am the Wine!

The whole universe just got stoned
Out of its mind again
On the Beauty
Of God.

(a poem by the Persian Sufi poet Hafiz, in modern translation by Daniel Ladinsky, taken from the collection "The Subject Tonight is Love")