that which ends to begin

My ritual of sleep begins to recur as the trees soak in falling shower. Here i sit like a sightless to see the crossing of that which ends to begin.

Human Settlement & Maldives

Cowrie shells, mainly sourced from Maldives, used to be the currency in Asia, many African settlements and some other parts of the ancient world. With the remains of these shells in ruined settlements and by other ancient sources we now know that human settlement is evident on Maldivian soil since antiquity. Survival depends on a lot of factors. We are here after those many struggles by our ancestors.
Sea is an important means at all times. The ancient seafaring cultures sailed through and some willingly or by wreck settled here. When they came a people were living here. Many different traders and tribes slowly merged into the community. With the mix of peoples developed a rich and diverse tradition and culture.
The many islands is the best advantage we had for the sustenance of a people over a period of diverse human timeline. If we had one landmass and people migrated by any means, survival of a mix of settlements is very unlikely for over a long period of unknown times.
The spread makes a people unique. Isolation helps us create more and recreate less. Low density makes a community healthy. Small communities adhere to social unity. Many skills are present in small settlements which are passed down to generations.
Those golden times and ways of this country are slowly diminishing. Development which literally means expansion is slowly converging us into an urban center. Decentralizing into a few urban hubs is the main concern of the modern generation. It is not a bad idea, if at the same time thought is given to the fueling source for these centers. The rural communities are the much needed driving force of a properly run urban center. For the past few decades and even at present, development and urban center is on the top priority throughout the country. And hence each and every island, no matter how small, or with no regard to the population, is on the brim of a dream to become an urban epic.
Thus loosing the many skills we inherited through our ancestral sweat. I wonder where our skilled masons are. Where are the skilled carpenters? And the many highly skilled others whose work once flourished this nation. Every one of them had a knife on their waist with no harm to the other or anyone else. But today the new generations having a slightest sharp or even a blunt anything would think of harming the other. Some in between generations neglected to pass on their inheritance truthfully.
Developing a nation's asset will not make a people. People make a nation and it is this nation that we need to sustain. Hence we have to develop the minds of the people and the nation will develop.
I believe that people of this nation must be fully aware at first that with decentralized urban form of governance, there need to grow at least ten times more rural communities all around it. These communities must be self sustainable.
The governments thinking, i believe, are to create a few dense urban centers and make the rest as commercially viable business ventures. I have seen throughout the nation highly skilled locals working as security guards and night shift guards, when asked why their simple answer is to be part of the "urban fabric" and to earn a fixed regular income.
We are not losing, but have lost already, the genes of a sustainable community. The road we came is a one way. Diversions ahead are many. That we choose to move forward is crucial. The only longest way through is if we go together. Looking back we know that we left a lot behind. With a lot less and almost empty handed we begin again.

Memoirs of My Childhood - Part 2 (1973 - 1976)

Montessori
I remember enjoying these three years. I do not recall the first day. But on many days i try not to stay there with strangers. One day some girl bit me on my cheek and i was given some sweets to stop me from crying. My mom said that i had an oval and dashed cut marks on my cheek from the teeth of the one who bit me. Other than a few faces, i cannot bring to my mind the many children i played with.
I went to school on the paddle of my fathers bicycle. This journey was an interesting inspiration which i carried in my mind for long. The footsteps of my father, the sound of the bicycle wheel turning on non even sand roads, the talk of the passing people and the bell of the bicycle which i played with. The "walking" buildings that became bigger as they came closer, the few vehicles on the road zooming in as they go and the shadows playing around. Most interesting was the rainy days when there were puddles on the road. This is when i can see the reflections.
We stop some days at a shop (70 no. Majeedhee Road) to buy cotton candies. It is something i was surprised with. how the shop keeper made those candies was the interesting part. He put a stick into a steel box with a circular hole in it and turned his hand in a circular motion. After sometime when he put his hand out, i was shocked to see a pink cotton like fluffy thing around the stick. he told me to press it and eat. But some days i do not press but tried to eat quickly and the sugar get stuck on my face. The other sweets of the time that i liked was a yellow coloured rectangular pineapple flavour candy called "alanaasi metaa", a pink colour oval candy called "delta metaa", a small square locally made "one laari" sugar candy and a circular rainbow striped candy. But now i think that these must be the only few candies available those days.
There was a large frangipani tree at a corner of the school. This tree is still there as a center piece of the public space now outside of the school. A steel square structure was kept at the play area and it was fun climbing it. Some days  i use to sit and play on a rocking horse. One day some kid pulled it so hard that i nearly fell. What i remember most are counting sticks which i thought was long "kana-madhu" (indian almonds).
My teacher was Nirmala whom i still remember. I met her in recent years and even she still remembers.  I remember her as an always smiling one. I do not remember her in any other mood. She was a kind and polite Sri Lankan teacher who married a Maldivian and was later in school management.
The day my pre schooling ended i took a picture at home, in school uniform and with my other siblings. My father prepared a banner reading "finished montessori - 1976". I still have this photo and have a look every now and then to recap the good old moments. I remember the day we took the photo. My younger sister, who was the youngest then, was trying not to come for the picture.

now

I can go. But where and when? No matter how far or which day i am still here. This is about a "now" where i am for the past thirty eight years. This moment is where i am. Can i move to the last or the next moment? I could not go to the last but i went to the next and yet again i am here. The next is still there. It is raining now and i can hear the sound of the falling drops. The trees are taking a shower and the sand bathing. Dark all around except only one reading light at the desk. I can remain in the now forever. But the urge to go to the last or the next makes my body age and my soul a distant loner. If i try to leave this moment i might loose my reflection which is the only otherself i have. I might not even have a shadow to be read in this moment of another. Now it is indeed, and when the rain fall less, i can hear the whispers of the leaves. Freshly tossing each other they talk of the now they have. I wonder how many drops fall each time it rains. Or does it fall from that top as a tiny drop or a long line breaking into drops from a certain distance. Rain falls from a cloud it seems. Looks like a piece of cotton from below here. A few clouds make a million drops fall to let a lot more like me to be in this moment for a lifetime. Survival of this now depends on a lot of tiny little nothings and somethings like that. From day six of the beginning until day nine of the end there is only three days of continuous now that i have. Why are the drops less now? I wish a lot more rain falls so that i can hear the shower. Last weekend, when it was a "now" then, i did experience a heavy rain. I was out on the deck of a boat. It was a heavy shower with a blow of wind. So good to feel the rain on me as i captured some moments of the fall on my camera. I was out there for a little many "nows" and did wish for that moment to last forever. The wish came true. That moment is still here and so is the now. Even the rain is still here. But why is it that i feel a difference in the now of all my moments. All my life it is a now, But yet i feel like having so many nows that makes me so different at moments. Now is what i had. Now is what i have. And i guess now is what i will have. Only i wish the rain to last.

bloom

i shall wither not
like a puppet
and i shall march not
with the pull of a string
i dance alone
like a windbird
with an unseen wind
and i bloom
like a newborn
embracing a mystic soul

reflection

i am myself half
and my otherself a reflection
together we are complete

Memoirs of My Childhood – Part 1 (1971 – 1976)

I do not remember 1971 or 1972. My pre 1976 memories include dancing grass, moving shadows, a little sandpiper, coral masonry without doors, a twinkling red light and endless sea.

Some days I simply squat in this dancing grass. It is when the morning light is soft and low. I hide there quietly motionless until I feel the warmth of the glowing afternoon. I see my shadow dance with the tall thin grass of many greens. This wind that comes to me, no one sees but my closed eyes. Pass beyond me it goes chasing the grass and the grass runs to hide.

Some days I sit under the portia tree at the entrance of our home. Then, it was not the tree which interests me, but now I admire and collect the timber of it. I remember staring at the shadows under the tree. I see slow moving groups of many circles in varying neutral tones. Overlay into one another making deeper shades of intersections. And little orange ladybugs with black dots on its back move around it.

One day I remember we had a little sandpiper bird. It was very quick in moving around the house. It went into a hole in the coral masonry and never came back.

These walls had no doors for some time. Only a light cotton curtain covered the entrance. I remember the nights when we sleep. This curtain rise when that wind which no one sees pass through. That is when I see a twinkling red light from a distant dark sky. Later I knew that it was a signal light at the top of the television station tower.

In front of our home is the ring road, then called the marine drive, of the capital and beyond is the endless sea. A light blue green is all I see for a far distance. My elder brother takes me to the sea without telling mother. He is always too active unlike me. I remember the sea was fun. There is a very deep certain area on the left side in a distance. The people of the town call that location Amelia Depths. Amelia was a famous dancer who lived during that time. And later I came to know why people named that deep area by her name. It seems that she gave birth to her child in the depths of that lagoon. I was fascinated with the colourful fishes and the corals and seashells that we find plenty. But the interesting part is the return home after the enjoyment from the sea. From returning we quietly go to the bathroom for a shower. The bathroom is a large detached outdoor place with coconut thatched walls. At one side is a large well surrounded by a circular cement floor. There is a cylindrical tin a foot in diameter and to it is fixed a long round stick. We call it “dhaani”, and it is used to take water out from the well and we pour on our head for a great shower.

Everyday on our return from the sea we get caught by our mother. This was really frightening for me but still I join him the next day.

somewhere

there is this place

one might want to go

as always

not knowing where

and how to

but one knows for sure

that the place is there

somewhere

along the shores of hope

Reply from My Soul

(Re: “Letter to My Soul” dated May 2009)

 

My Dearest Adobe

 

I am a nomad. And you are my home for only a moment. Adobe I shall name you. You are just clay and straw to me. Made of this earth and there you go again as dust. Good to know that you miss me, even at this late hour. Staying at your place taught me great lessons that I shall carry in me, but I like seeing new places.

You complain the late reply. But it is you who are so distant. Reaching you is hard once more. We began closer together. Since then you have travelled so far apart. And all that time I remained unknown within. Even when felt we do not recognize anymore. So why stay within an empty clay pot. There is so much happiness waiting beyond.

You yourself are the reason for missing me. Have you not felt me more than you can ever see me? So do not miss me any more. When I leave, you will not have time to gather clouds for even a salty rain. You will be busy gathering more than you can carry. Cold indeed you shall be. Don’t even bother dreaming in colour.

I am leaving for no reason so simple that you can ever understand. I heard all you had to say but you never understood my whisper. And we have been holding each other until you slipped away.

You do not know how to see me. You only saw the rain coming. I felt the beauty of it. For you it is sweet water. You never knew I swallowed the bitter salt of all the rain that fell on you.

Why do you want to know how I look like? You have not even known yourself at all. The time I spent here is only for you. And my departure is for a reason that will only benefit you alone. That is for the freedom that you have been asking for all these years.

How can you hurt me more than you have already? I have no possessions to take except myself. My song is mine to take. Very true indeed that my song is the breeze that blows through you which you own not. Pardon me but I cannot take your smile away. You will be so numbed by my departure that you yourself shall forget to smile again.

My dearest Shelter.

This indeed is a moment of truth. Thank you for giving me at least the twilight from your saddest dreams. Even that much cannot hold me from letting you sleep forever. And thank you for giving me darkness of your hazy nights. My light only shines not shun the path that you walk.

 

My Other Self

Here’s to you my other self

That I write to send nowhere

We are the nearest one can be

So you’ll read within me

Wish ...

Wish to see

Through the moonlit nights

Moment of a smile

Wish to see

Seems, it seems am seeing when close my eyes

Feels, it feels like your touch when the breeze caress

Wish to feel the rain

In the stormy dark nights

Wish to see

Through the moonlit nights

Moment of a smile

 

So much .

Get lonely, so much

Heart wants, so much

To see, so much

To feel, so much

So much, so much

Far afar, way afar goes so much

Holding some others way goes so much

So much, so much

Long ago begins this sense of heart

From afar when seen, felt happy

That which is far, when seen, don’t vanish so much

Thus this waiting as always

So much, so much

What the heart holds, to say is a want

A moment from that heart, will it give

Far, if can, bring to near and then see, so much

If saw, say it so, openly

Waiting at the end of the line

Not knowing if I am seen or not

That which is far, is seeing so much

Not knowing of my waiting here alone

 

Lunar Eclipse

My waiting is not over

What I ogle is simply beyond

This place that I wait

This place that I walk

This place that I grew

 

My gaze stops for now

To see a strange moving

Of a stellar so rarely seen

Passing through the night

 

Feel the orbit in the braided hair

Endless moment in the piercing eyes

Charm and want in what I see

 

I wish to dream the Lunar Eclipse

Want to smell Venus as I close my eyes

 

Simply to melt in her silent smile

 

Obsession

How this shirt uncovers me

To let the reflections embrace

From the droplets that fall

And I want to feel the rain

I tell the wind to rip it

And take me out from

This fabric that covers

And let me feel the breeze

When the cotton is loose

When the wind blows

When the rain falls

I see myself in flight

 

Can you?

Who can give myself to me?

When I leave to be alone

If you knew me I ask you

Can you give that little you have?

If you have a glimpse of me

Walk me back to where I was

That rainy day is just enough

To be myself again with me

All around in tiny bubbles

Me myself and I alone

 

The Adventures of Nulali Pupurupus

Part I – The First Journey

Day 1

Silence is all I hear. A dark empty space is that I see. I felt the cold touch of my friend, Fihali Kurus Kurus. Kus, as I call her, is my only friend I have for now. Today we start a journey to meet the far away princess Nurumus from the land of Khurubus.

My body is blue in colour and Kurus is green. Together we are like picturesque scenery. I am the sea and my friend the vegetation. We look perfect together. The only separation is the white sandy beach that is separating the sea from the greenery. I am constantly moving, silent and deep and my friend always dancing talkative and spreading the wind here and there. I like the company of Kurus and take with me on every journey I depart.

Now slightly we see the distant horizon across the sandy hills. The dawn is cold and pretty. The smell of distant flowers comes with the breeze. The snoring cottages of passing villages hum one by one. And the leaves of the trees dance together. The pale colours of my home town, Poorus, begin to glow slowly as the sunlight wakes from a long and tiring sleep. Now I can see how happy Kurus is as usual always with a smile and ready to start her usual “pak paks”. No time wasted and here she begins.

Kurus: “Luli” (as she calls me), “when can we eat something?”

Me: “We just had a kebus from home, and it’s only a few rukus since then”

Kus: “Uhu, Uhu, Luli, I want to have a raarus”

Me: “hmm…. Ok let’s sit under that tree and then we can have a good break fast.”

It is a big old neekus tree. The canopy is high and spread. Shallow flat roots run making way for a perfect seat.

(hmm… the rest is in my head and will come out soon)

Journey along a circle

Two birds started a journey

From the same point along a circle

But at opposite directions

Not knowing each other or simply to ignore

As they went searching for food

Half way through they met again

Thought a while how they can continue

Either through one another

Or together along one way

To reach home where they began

But what if they have no wish to start again?

Only a wish to break the circle to fly away

Random thoughts again

Religion

Most humans believe that we originated from one person. And from him the second and so on. Most humans believe that there is One God. Though different names given in different religions but all say there is none but One lord high above. In the holy scriptures of most religions the basics are very similar if I am not wrong. Basics like prayers, helping each other, doing good deeds, giving to poor or others from a part of ones earnings, the able one to work, earn and eat from that, marriage and offspring and etc. Basics like not to fight each other, not to harm an innocent, fight in a righteous cause, not to harm women and children and elderly, not to steal, not to kill and etc.

So why are there many religions with slight differences and all the hatred?

Time and the speed of light

Most humans say that the speed of light is the fastest and we cannot reach that. And if we ever reach the speed of light then time will not be there.

But the earth is moving at a fast speed on its own axis. A person around the equator will be moving at that speed. And also the earth is moving around the sun at a higher speed. So is the person on this earth. And this solar system is moving around a galactic center. And this Milky Way is moving at a high speed around something. And that some thing might be moving at a very high speed around something and so on because we do not know where this orbiting of one around another ends. So simply speaking we are moving at a very high speed at this very moment.

What if we are moving faster than the speed of light now? We might need to slow down to reach the speed of light or even go beyond that.

Time is something we created by inventing a watch that ticks with the help of a battery, kinetic or perpetual movement counting seconds, minutes and hours. We relate to that of the sun and moon. But is there such a thing called time, which we make to ourselves and schedule all our daily routines. We refer to time by the age of us or other things. But is it a change of being, energy or mass that we transform into with the movement of the high speed that we travel at as said earlier.

We see the spiraling outward movement of the Milky Way. And we say that the universe is expanding. But did anyone notice the disc on a wheel of a car. When the speed of car reaches a certain limit the rotation of this disc turns opposite. And hence we see it move in the opposite direction than the true rotation of the wheel. Similarly the Milky Way might be moving in the opposite direction than that we see. Hence shrinking it inwards rather than expand. Illusions are only seen to the eye. We are the beings who, when in a dessert, run after a mirage when thirsty.

"simanrarava" - the mangrove crab

see meaning at bottom of post

written by me last night in an old poetry form of "dhivehi" (maldivian language)

simanrarava dhuru ga vaa

kandoo falun bondha bondhaa

kalhu kulain fenila yo

raiy athakun mashi hovaa

filankulhen horu kone yo

dhuru dhurun feni filaa

bodu keymah maajalaa

bulhaa fahaa dhe meedhaley

heyriyalah enburi enburi

boashi fiyain hibaru thelhey

nudhey kokaa chaanchi nagaa

kandoo falun ranikoli vaa

nuvey govaa raniko yo

dheban dhihaara bovi nashaa

kalhu rahaa raiy thaajo

bulhaafilaa haru nulaa

hirihamaidhi gudi nulaa

hiribai bai kilaa nuvey

hiriaa thee folhaa nulaa

hirikandhu bai nivaa kurey

meaning:

“Simanrarava” (a mangrove crab) far it is

(in a) Mangrove marsh (it) hides (&) hides

(in a) Black colour seen (it) seems

(with a) Red hand earth (is) dug

(to play) hide & seek (a) burrow (is) dug (it) seems

Far faraway (when) seen (it) hides

(like a) big feast “maajalaa” (a person who runs after food)

(like a) cat chasing two rats

“heyriyalah” (until gets perfect wind for the sail it) turns turns (going here & there)

“boashi fiyain” (fin between navel & tail of sword fish) (with it) sword fish resists

Don’t go (like a) butterfly’s “chaanchi” (passing by in glitter like none other) dance

Mangrove marsh’s “ranikoli” (ceremony for crowning a queen) possibly

(but) Not (possible) says the black koel for sure

(seems like a) Subconscious (one) drinks (and) dance

(the) dark king with a red crown

“bulhaafilaa” (beam that is fixed to the wall plate – base of a roof structure) (if) loose

“hirihamaidhi” (high ranking person of an island) (to him) obeys not

“hiribai” (two white lines at bottom of a traditional local woven and dyed sarong worn by men & women) (these) parts dirt not

“hiriaa” (beautiful, respectful, noble) you (are) off (with that) not

“hirikandhu” (lower stomach) (this) part do hide

Green Architecture - a Maldivian perspective

by ali sahil

(written for a building magazine)

1a Knowing Green

What Is Green? and the first thought is a tree. Some might say there are tree houses (buildings on trees) but where is a tree in a building? Imagine how trees have survived through centuries. Growing and re growing from own seed or cuttings. That is sustainability.

The “green” in a building process is the overall efficiency which combines human settlements and the built environment by means of efficient use of natural resources with less impact on society and environment.

Why Green? when we can paint yellow on a building. But obviously it’s not the colour that is of issue in this fast race of development. The increase in usage of resources during the past decades has shown that anything other than “green” is wasting more than what can be “re grown”. Being “green” is the natural alternative which nature has and is always teaching us though we tend to neglect sometimes.

Green Facts

How many of us use a toilet with reduced water consumption? How many of us live in a space which is flooded with sunlight throughout the day? How many of us live in an environment where a natural breeze passes through the room?

Going Green & How We Live

We are used to some old habits of wasting natural resources. By going green we are adopting a new way of lifestyle. And educating ourselves is the best way to develop a nation of concerned societies. How we live is important in building the environment we live in. We develop our own surroundings. And making our minds “greener” is the best solution in a process that has begun to shape our communities.

1b Architecture – a Maldivian context

Early Years

Maldivians lived a simpler life then. Simpler indeed but sustainable and efficient were their built environments. They built only out of necessity. They lived sparsely spread in many islands. Urban centers were never heard of then. Each island had few communal buildings mainly for annual or occasional feasts or ceremonies. Most islands had only one main road running the length or width of the island depending on the orientation. The sun, moon and stars count the time, monsoons or events.

Each island is a self sustained community. Having all the necessary skills passed from generation to generation needed for a community to sustain for centuries. Buildings were made from what is available within the islands. The first building materials were natural round timber structures built from cut branches of the trees grown within the islands. The timber structures were enclosed with woven coconut thatch, woven grass mats or woven screw pine leaf mats. Coconut thatch was used to cover the roof of the buildings from sun & rain. Buildings were small and confines to usage and spread at distances. A precision cut coral masonry building system without the use of mortar were among the very early ceremonial style buildings, ruins of which are still visible on some islands similar to the styles of earlier central American and some south Asian architecture.

800 years of influence – 12^th to 19^th centuries

Carved timber panel walled buildings were built on cut coral stone masonry foundations similar to south Indian buildings. The Dutch colonial style spread in the 17^th century with their occupation. This style had coral masonry buildings with lime plaster and lime white wash. They also had large verandahs and a very simple timber furniture style which is still in use. Roofs were covered with imported baked clay tiles. Walls had natural cool air inlet openings at bottom and hot air releasing vents above doors & windows. Verandah roofs were lower than main halls, thus having a breathing space in between. But what is interesting is the style in which the main hall branches into sleeping and bathing rooms respectively like the Creole building styles of immigrant African Americans. Since Creole is a mix of Portuguese African origins, it is no doubt rooted from this origin.

In all settlements of the past centuries, water was used mainly from wells. Ground water was used for drinking, cooking and bathing. Laundry was done mostly by the sea and or from ground wells. Cooking was done with burnt firewood stoves. Most of the day activities were out of doors. Sunlight and ventilation were adequate indoors for lesser day use activities. Verandahs were used for most domestic activities. Ironing was mainly done with burnt wood charcoal. Nights light were from oil burners. All other activities were done mechanically and manually.

Past 100 Years

Past century brought in the lesser technological advances into the country via means of trade routes to and from neighbouring countries. The most prominent was the metal roofing sheets and glass for the use of doors and windows. The adverse effect from the use of these two materials was heat gain. (Although heat gain reducing glass and roofing sheets are produced now with advanced technology) In a humid and warm tropical country like Maldives, proper shading and ventilation was effectively used in the buildings of the past century. (Though past few decades saw the worst of this due to the increase in density of population in the centralized capital and some outer islands) Cement was the recent material that was introduced in the latter half of this century with the rise of the building industry. Still until recently timber was a favourite of all Maldivians, for the use of doors and windows and furniture. But the last two decades brought in aluminium prefabricated or assembled doors and windows and chipboard knock down furniture catering for the increased demand. Multi storey has added a new perspective to the once quiet building industry.

New thoughts – greener future

Awareness in the field and proper education with global technology is leading the Maldivian building industry into a greener future. New ideas, materials and building techniques with a global understanding are preparing a changing and once less aware building industry of the country.

More daylight use, low-E glass, natural breathing walls and energy efficient services systems are a greener option for a fast developing nation like Maldives.

With the growing hospitality industry, “green” systems and eco lodging are a better future with increasing annual building projects around the country.

Low cost housing and simpler building materials and techniques can be a better adaptation for the larger and ever increasing housing needs of the nation.

1c Maldives & Sustainable Development Solutions

Human Settlements & Maldives

For thousands of years our ancestors tried to sustain a livelihood and succeeded in delivering this island nation to us. And we are here now trying to sustain through a fragile timeline to pass this eco concerned nation to the generations to come. Throughout history travelers, traders and even outcasts have been fascinated with this island nation of ours. This visible fact that we are a mix of peoples came only as a good advantage. We were able to maintain a nation with highly skilled and creative people.

Built Environment, Us & the Space in between

Throughout history we were a very concerned community. How we live, how we build and the space in between came in no surprise to us. Rather than a closed, hiding indoor communities like the increasing present day living habits, we used to be a highly community based out of doors settlers. Maldivians were very concerned about the space that knit our communities together. The morning works, the afternoon stories and the evening songs were all part of the living out of doors and in the spaces in between where we live. Present day urbanism lacks this spirit of living which we held so close to our hearts.

Sustainability of a Nation in Growth

We have always been a nation in continuous move and a spreading growth. To sustain this growth of development we need once again to spread out rather than to concentrate on fewer urban densities. As we lay footprints of details on individual projects we must not forget the big picture of a communal spread of the whole nation. Keeping this big picture alive is as important as creating detailed dots which need to be connected creating a larger net at the end which is the big picture.

One must stop to think by now that to keep on growing for future generations, we have to be “re growing” like the “green” trees that surround us?

Green Building and Our Future

Cost effective and affordable “green” is what we need right now. Not everyone can afford a greener future unless the building systems and materials are available and affordable. Designers must re think and focus on design rather than only the economic growth the profession makes. Awareness and incentive programs are necessary both from public and private sector alike.

Building “yellow” and falling apart from the “tree” is necessary to keep “re growing” into the “green” when we live in harmony with nature.

there

I want to be there where

Sea loots sun’s hot flare

Cold sips warm tender prayer

 

Where is this place

No one can reach

And I cannot be

 

I walk and walk to see

I am still here not there

There where I go

Not near and not far

Yet I remain here

 

pencil

Pencil draws beautiful things

Not knowing hand is master

Hand guides pencil to draw

Not knowing brain is master

Brain commands hand to instruct pencil

Not knowing the invisible energy within

This runs the brain nonstop

Until is taken by someone

 

Waiting

Even wind plays with me

Without a sound or an instrument

To perform a music with my hair

 

Even sun waits with me

Without a beginning or an end

To journey a lifetime with my shadow

 

This waiting that I wait for you

Why is it that you do not see?

Is it because I wait in the new moon’s umbra

That you do not see me due to the total solar eclipse

Or is it because I play “Santur” and not “Santoor”

That you are carried away by the extra strings and the vibrant sound

 

When the waiting is over …

 

Porcelain Heart

Journey is that I start

To Gobi dessert of Mongol-Tars

Just to find the One, true art

 

When I walk Silk Road pass

Miles, days and nights so dark

Just to meet the One, true star

 

Near east where sun restart

Walk rest and eat rhubarb

Just to beat the One, true heart

 

After many days had passed

Found my white Porcelain Heart

Kept within the One, true ark

 

Pupurupus Journals

I wish to come out of agony. Can this machine, the human, fulfill my dream? Everyday I am born to this wide wild world. When happiness give birth my skin, like cotton dyed in ochre. And when useless and barren I am like an umber stone.

I want to be seen in the northern lights like the “vase with twelve sunflowers”. I want my smell to spread to the west like the “Arabian Jasmine”. I want to be heard to the south like the “Stringed Rabab”. And I want to be felt with the eastern sun like the luster of “Lei-Zu”.

I am what made me yesterday. And today it is one of the happy births. The only thing missing is the Arabian Jasmine. I cannot say that the total vain is gone. Certainly today is a far better day than a useless day.

Last nights search kept me way beyond the singing silence. The cold foggy shower woke my sleepy mind before I let my body to rest. Dark enough was the night only my mind could see. Heard the early Morning Prayer call just ahead of dusk before the sun rose. The slow physical movement of my body in prayer and unseen meditation of my mind was the best thing of the night. This calmness helped me sleep quicker than my usual struggle. Soon I could not feel my body.

Now only my inner self is playing the music. Like the leaves humming in the wind. Like the shores gently hugging the distant white sandy beach. I thought my body could be like this forever. I could never know. For either I could feel my body back or would never too. Both are so possible that the probable “almost sure” for both are infinity minus one. Or can say simply almost as uncertain as “i”. Can minus “i” be possible for you?

I am half awake now. Mad things my mind says when my body rest will be les now. I can yawn and stay half awake only for sometime. Now this is for certain. After a little while my still body will signal my mind that I am the useless agony of your existence. So go empty yourself. Like the Zen master Nan-In says, “How can I show you Zen, unless you first empty your cup?”

So no more I could stay. I jumped out of bed and ran to the toilet. This is how a usual day begins for me. And there I wait to let myself go. While there I write my to-do list in my mind. And I give credit to almost all my creative thinking in art, architecture, photography or writing to this one social space, the basics of which has never changed with time. The way a person think depends on how that person empties the self.¹

 

_{1. A book may give you knowledge. A teacher may give you what that person may know or experienced. A school may give you set rules of guidance. But it is how well you extract the seed from all of them, after eating the pulp. And grow your tree of knowledge from that seed. Extend the roots deep down to your origins. And even the stormiest of winds cannot bring down the whole of you.}

 

heritage

early writings, translation with modified extension of a "Dhivehi" (Maldivian) language original written by me in 1988

Histories will it ever go, just as how my eyes close

Without the tears that’s left, just as when my eyes close

Past will it ever vanish, just as how my tongue disclose

Together with the martyrs’ names, surely as when my eyes close

Language will it not be, just as how my liver folds

Beautiful lingo and those people, when seen how my eyes close

Mother land will it not be, just as how my mind unfolds

Glowing like a fairy tale, surely as when my eyes close

Heritage will it ever fade, just as how my hair grays

Without a colour that’s between, just as when go the days

Cultures will it ever pale, just as how a building wears

Leaving behind an empty haze, surely as when my eyes close

Light

My wish to sleep to see

Blissful dream so true

Pouring down my self

 

Lonely night is you

Blind I am you are

My only distant star

 

Veiled white fumeless

Bring ashore burning

My mind ablaze forever

 

Night is endless hope

Serene tranquil path

Guiding silken light

 

May

Early writings, 22 may 1990

may today born a million

million innocent

innocent lives

crying apart

different a miles

may today crawl a million

million healthy

healthy lives

yelling mystic

unknown lines

may today walk a million

million helpful

helpful lives

speaking alike

straight a life

may today talk a million

million helpless

helpless lives

whispering words

wisdom of wise

may today lie a million

million grateful

grateful lives

lying beneath

sandy skies