• Blog
  • Films
  • Stills
  • Music
  • Games
  • Tools
  • Causes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Store
Menu

Mad Guru

  • Blog
  • Films
  • Stills
  • Music
  • Games
  • Tools
  • Causes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Store
DSC00698_web.jpg

Doctors and Engineers at Nisei Week

August 21, 2017

I went to see my friends Doctors and Engineers perform at Nisei Week. As always, they pack a lot of energy into their live performances. They are definitely a band to see live.

Read More
In blog, music shows, photo
Comment
spoon_hollywood_bowl001_web.jpg

Belle and Sebastian, Spoon at the Hollywood Bowl

August 6, 2017

Thanks to my friend Melisa, I got to enjoy Belle and Sebastian and Spoon perform at the Hollywood Bowl. What a great show. I enjoyed Kristin Kontrol's opening set too, but did not get a chance to sketch. It's been a while since I sketched at a music show. It was quite dark at the Bowl, but the music was so great, I had to try and sketch something down. In the end, I don't expect great sketches. It's more the act of creating something while in that moment that brings me this high, or this feeling of absolute bliss.

Read More
In blog, music shows, painting, watercolor
Comment
DSC02726_web.jpg

Doctors and Engineers at the CSU Fundraiser

April 24, 2017

Photos of Doctors and Engineers at the Community Services Unlimited fundraiser.

Read More
In blog, music shows, photo
Comment
doctors_and_engineers04_web.jpg

Doctors and Engineers EP Release Tropico De Nopal

November 13, 2016

I went to see my friends Doctors and Engineers at their EP release show at Tropico De Nopal. These are friends I have known for years and it was so fantastic to see the fruition of much labor. People don't often realize how much it takes to put together music, record and create an event. Watercolor sketches from the show.

Read More
In blog, music shows, painting, sketches, watercolor
Comment
risalo_shirts_web.jpg

SANA Conference 2016

September 4, 2016

In order to raise awareness and try to garner support for my puppetry film; "Risalo", I went to the annual SANA conference for the first time. This year, it was held in Detroit. So after work on friday, I came home, grabbed my bag, got a ride to the airport from my wife. I flew out over night. I must have managed about 3 hours of sleep by the time I got to Detroit. From there, I made my way past the long line of hotel and rental car buses, before I came to a lonely spot where the public bus arrived hourly. Eventually the bus came and I was on my way. Then I was at the stop for the next bus and well, you get the idea. It took a while to get to the convention center, but that's how you do it low budget, grass roots artist style.

I had created some t-shirts, inviting people to ask me about "Risalo" with some information about the poet as that was particularly relevant to this conference. I purchased a ticket and told them about my project. They introduced me to the president of the organization (SANA) Jamil sahib, who graciously agreed to give me a spot to speak on a panel on sunday. Throughout the day, I attended panels, learned about efforts by Sindhis abroad, doing work to help Sindhis in Sindh. I spoke to a few people, briefly about my project. People were surprised that such a project was being worked on.The next day I was given some time on a panel to share a brief introduction and a 3 minute video on my efforts to create a film based on the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, the great Sindhi poet. The audience was gracious and throughout the night, a few people came up to me to encourage and connect regarding the film. There is a big divide, between those who grew up in Sindh who are still deeply attached versus the younger generation that was raised in the US. The younger generation is bright and caring, but through no fault of their own, is not connected to Sindh. What does that mean for the future of an organization that was started in the face of persecution of Sindhis and threats to the people and culture's future? Based on my own experiences teaching in Sindh, I know how important education funding and quality is to a young population, eager to learn, despite the corruption and lack of resources. There are serious environmental and political issues.All of these are issues that different people are trying to work on and still there is plenty of room for more efforts. At the same time, that very thing that guides a group of people, to strive for better things, the intelligence and beauty of their culture is in danger of disappearing. This is where I feel "Risalo" can be of benefit in not only supporting traditional artists, but in bringing that wisdom and pride in something truly positive in the culture to those in Sindh, as well as all people around the world.I have already done so much work on this project, recording music in Sindh for more than just this 1hr and 15min film. So much of the work has been completed on that initial shoe string budget, raised via Kickstarter and my own meager funds. Now I need help to raise the funds needed to shoot the film. I know of no other project that is working with this culture in this way. I work day and night before and after going to my job daily to piece this film together, but I can't do it without financial help. I hope that the conference will lead to some funding support from the Sindhi community, though nothing has materialized as of yet.Each night, at the conference, I enjoyed delicious food and live music at night after a day of panels. Some friends of my mother's from college were in attendance, so it was sweet to spend some time with them as well. I really appreciated that there were real Sindhi folk musicians like Allan Faqir Jr, Deba Sahar. On the final day, I met one of my backers on Kickstarter. I did not know him, but his name was on a panel, so I made a point to meet him and express my thanks. I was really glad to know that he is following the updates I send out and appreciates my efforts in bringing this film to life.After the panel, I spent some time with Mohammad Punhal, who is a photographer and aspiring filmmaker from Hyderabad, studying in Green Bay on a state department scholarship, learning filmmaking. We were joined by Soh Suzuki, my new friend and host in Detroit thanks to a connection from my friend Preeti Sharma. Soh was incredibly kind to give a traveling artist like myself a comfortable place to sleep while in the Detroit/Dearborn area. I was so glad to meet this fellow artist and activist. He was working an early morning shift at a bakery, yet despite that he made time to help me.I can't thank him enough. It's hard to convey to people how challenging it is to be an artist, working freelance, constantly looking for work, trying to support a growing family and struggling to do meaningful cultural work on the side. A few thousand dollars may not be much to some, but for people like myself and so many others, we just don't have the extra funds. So when people like Soh open their doors, it makes a huge difference in my ability to do this work. I met a fellow Adnan as I was walking out the convention to catch a bus home when it was still daylight. Detroit is in a horrible situation, and waiting for buses at night is just a terrible idea. During the day it is a bit sketch, but I wasn't going to risk it at night. That's why I was leaving to go back to Soh's place that evening. Adnan Siddiqui had heard me share my project and gave me some appreciation and encouragement. Then he offered to drop me back later so I could stay for dinner that night and talk to more people about my project. For me that was a huge help. My point is that I feel humbled and grateful for every bit of help on this journey. The need is very real.After the conference, Soh took Mohammad Punhal and I out around Detroit for the day. It was nice to just talk and walk around. I am so glad that I got to meet these new friends on this trip. I also met a lawyer named Charles, based out of Chicago, who invited me to lunch with him when I got there, as I was flying out from his city. He was very interested in folk music and the efforts I am making to support it.

In blog, music shows, photo, risalo
1 Comment
fuzon003_web.jpg

Fuzon and Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammed Qawwal Party at Grand Performances

August 21, 2016

What an amazing show. I got to see two incredible musical acts at one of my favorite music venues in Los Angeles; Grand Performances

Read More
In blog, music shows, photo, watercolor
Comment
farid_ayaz005_web.jpg

Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwal Party Grand Performances Jam

August 17, 2016

Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwal Party Grand Performances Jam sketches

Read More
In blog, music shows, painting, pakistan, sketches, watercolor
Comment
smithfield_bargain003_web.jpg

Smithfield Bargain at the Hotel Cafe

December 7, 2014

I got to enjoy the music of Smithfield Bargain at the Hotel Cafe. Here are a few quick sharpie sketches of them.

 

In blog, music shows, sketches
Comment
extemporary_elites_blue_whale006_web.jpg

Extemporary Elites at the Blue Whale

October 17, 2014

Extemporary Elites at the Blue Whale live watercolor sketches from the show

Read More
In blog, music shows, watercolor
Comment
LA_4_Gaza003.jpg

LA 4 Gaza at the Echoplex Sketches

October 13, 2014

LA 4 Gaza at the Echoplex Sketches raising funds for Paletine Children's Relief Fund with fantastic music.

Read More
In blog, music shows, watercolor
Comment
LA_Indian_Ensemble_calarts002_web.jpg

LA India Ensemble at Calarts Watercolor Sketches

October 8, 2014

LA India Ensemble at Calarts Watercolor Sketches

Read More
In blog, music shows, sketches, watercolor
1 Comment
young_workers_rising_maya_jupiter004.jpg

Young Workers Rising Block Party

September 27, 2014

Young Workers Rising Block Party Maya Jupiter, Omar Offendum and Quetzal perform. Marker sketches of the performance.

Read More
In blog, music shows, sketches
Comment
the_lions_grandperformances_web.jpg

The Lions at Grand Performances

July 6, 2014

The Lions at Grand Performances watercolor sketch

Read More
In blog, music shows, sketches, watercolor
Comment
angelique_kidjo02_web.jpg

Angelique Kidjo at Grand Performances

June 21, 2014

Angelique Kidjo at Grand Performances watercolor sketches painted live

Read More
In blog, music shows, sketches, watercolor
Comment
dj_bandish_projekt_amarnath_ravva_mehfil_massive_w.jpg

Kaya Press' Mehfil Massive at USC

April 23, 2014

Kaya Press' Mehfil Massive at USC

Read More
In blog, music, music shows, sketches, watercolor
Comment
himalayan_festival_laguna02_w.jpg

Himalayan Festival Laguna Beach

April 22, 2014

Himalayan Festival Laguna Beach watercolor sketches

Read More
In blog, music, music shows, sketches, watercolor
Comment

Elephants with Guns at Tuesday Night Cafe

April 2, 2014

Watercolor sketches form Tuesday Night Cafe Elephants with Guns performance.

Read More
In music shows, sketches, watercolor
Comment
devi_neelamjit_web.jpg

Devi Fair at Witzend Sketches

December 4, 2013

Devi Fair at Witzend Sketches of amazing musicians

Read More
In blog, music shows, sketches, watercolor
1 Comment

Amjad Sabri Qawwali in Los Angeles

November 30, 2013

I went to a concert of Amjad Sabri, performing qawwali with his group in Los Angeles. Here are some watercolor sketches from during the performance.

Read More
In blog, music shows, sketches, watercolor
Comment

Falu at Hotel Cafe

November 13, 2013

Watercolor sketches of Falu performing at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.

Read More
In blog, music shows, sketches, watercolor
Comment
Older Posts →

Latest Posts

  • animals
  • animation short film concept art
  • california
  • china
  • condo
  • costa rica
  • culver city
  • dance
  • dance performance
  • data darbar
  • desert
  • downtown
  • festival
  • figure drawing
  • film festivals
  • ger
  • hasan abdal
  • hate crime
  • human rights
  • humanrights palestine israel conflict activism
  • India
  • jamshoro
  • kyrgyzstan
  • la zoo
  • lahore
  • landscape
  • landspcape
  • life drawing
  • live music
  • live music performance watercolor sketch
  • los angeles
  • los angeles forest
  • mogolia
  • mongolia
  • montezuma
  • motel
  • music
  • music show
  • musicians
  • naadam
  • nadam
  • nankana sahib
  • Orange County
  • painting
  • pakistan
  • palestine
  • panja sahib
  • photo
  • photography lahore pakistan travel people
  • photos
  • post natyam
  • protest
  • risalo
  • sindh
  • sketch
  • sketches
  • students
  • sufi
  • travel
  • ucla
  • USA
  • uzbekistan
  • uzbekistan people travel photography
  • venice beach
  • volunteer
  • watercolor
  • watercolors
  • wrestling
  • Yorba Linda
  • zoo