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
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
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
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)
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
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.
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
by ali sahil
(written for a building m
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 – 12th to 19th 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 17th 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
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
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
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?
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.
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 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
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 …
