The Pieta by FN Souza and Our Mission is Water by APJ Abdul Kalam

This week in Daak:

1. The Pieta by FN Souza

2. Our Mission is Water by APJ Abdul Kalam

3. Shop Daak Clearance Sale

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1. Untitled (The Pieta) by FN Souza, 1987, Artnet

As one of the co-founders of the Progressive Artists' Movement, Souza was known for his unsettling and grotesque style influenced by expressionism and cubism. In this uncharacteristic painting, however, he captures a tender maternal instinct as a distraught Mary holds her battered son in her arms. Even though this is a sombre image, we wish a Happy Easter to all those celebrating, and hope this day is a joyful one with friends and family.

2. Our Mission is Water is APJ Abdul Kalam

My mother called me Blue Nile
I am also named by mother White Nile
When we grew and grew we asked
Oh mother, Oh mother
Tell us, why did you name us Nile
Our mothers said lovingly
Oh our children
You travel and travel
Cross mountains, forests and valleys
Thousands of miles, enriching nine countries
you reach Khartoum
you Blue and White Niles confluence with a mission
God has commanded you to give a message
you give a beautiful message
When we rivers confluence
Oh humanity why not your hearts confluence
And you blossom with happiness.

For some reason, this strange, fanciful poem, ostensibly written for children (as so much of Kalam’s writing was) reminds us of lively, warbling rivers, gushing forward with no actual destination or perhaps, a destination which denotes not an end, but a state of being. It’s also interesting to note that the Kalam is anointed both the Blue and White Nile, uniting his different ambitions and paths into a single point of confluence – which is simply, a state of happiness. Not a terrible mission to live one’s life by!

3. The Daak Clearance Sale

As is the law of life, the old must give way to the new. So, while we envision and create new products, we’re lovingly parting with some our earlier ones. Get them while they last!