Surrealist Mexico: Through the Eyes of an Indian

I come from a country known for its spiritual mysticism, yoga, and its rich cultural heritage. India had prepared me to expect the unexpected in more ways than one. But what I saw and experienced in Mexico was something that I had never imagined.

Mexico for me is a country submerged in colors. The walls, the graffiti, the brightly painted houses, the artists exhibiting their work at Zona Rosa, Mercado San Angel, and the list is never ending. For me, this new world, this country, this city was surreal. The daydreamer in me felt ecstatic happiness at the sight of the burgeoning art in this country.

I have felt my soul stir when the Aztecs performed their rituals at the Centro de Coyoacan. I got goosebumps when visiting the Basilica de Guadalupe. I stared transfixed while the Shamans cured individuals with their incense sticks and feathered brushes. None of this was anything I had ever experienced before. Nor had I ever imagined that I will ever have the good fortune of watching these traditions with my own two eyes. In this world, which is too real for its own good, fantasy has lost its space. Mexico, still in a way has managed to hold backtime in the form of Templo Mayor and Bonampak, which sets you on a warp zone path to the past to the days which are now fantasy.

I will list down some of the events and places in Mexico with which it struck the surreal chord in my heart.

Templo Mayor

Templo Mayor, my favorite place in all of Mexico City. For me they are not just ruins. The stones they are made up of hold stories, they are privy to conversations of the people of a powerful civilization. The Chaac Mool actually held the heart and the blood of those sacrificed; the stones on which I stood had been treaded upon by people of the past. Each foot set sent shivers through my body. This was true for every archaeological spot I visited in Mexico.

Alebrijes

One of my most favorite examples of surrealism in Mexico would be the wonderful alebrijes. How can we talk about surrealism and not mention these beautiful artifacts made of hard work, finesse, and powerful imagination? The bright colors, the popping eyes, and the exquisite mix of various animals in the body of one is something I had only read about in fairy tales. The giant alebrijes exhibited in front of Museo de Arte Popular stole my heart. I so wished I could bring one of them back home with me. But alas, they were not for sale!

Casa Azul

“They thought I was a Surrealist, but I wasn't. I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.” – Frida Kahlo. 

According to her, she was not a surrealist, but for me that beautiful blue house of hers which had seen pain, wonder, love, and heartbreak was a symbol of surrealism. Stepping into her room, seeing her things, her clothes, her paintbrushes, transported me to a time which was not 2014. I get lost easily, I will call it a quality. It helps me live an alternate reality and her house took me to one.

Dia Del Muertos

The most surreal of all experiences was celebrating Dia del Muerto with my friends. You have to understand one thing: in India, we don’t really celebrate death. We mourn it, fiercely. So, the idea of having family dinners at the headstone of dear departed was initially shocking but then extremely curiosity arousing for me. The first time I witnessed the celebration was at the UNAM grounds where I was studying back then. The second time we celebrated the festival at Centro de Coyoacan with friends, where an extremely kind lady gave me the look of Katrina, as I was desperately looking for someone who could paint me into one.

Mexico, for me is a beautiful cocktail of real life and fantasy sprinkled with its quintessential limon, sal,y chile. A country that nurtured the wide-eyed curious child in me and gave me a reason to believe; you never really need to be too real when you have so much to dream about.

This buzz is also available in Spanish, here.

Thank you for reading!

A content writer and marketer by profession, I have a knack for marketing, technology, and languages. When I am not doing anything related to the above three, you will find me on my spiritual quest. For me life is about continuous learning till the end of days. 

My motto: "There is no bigger pleasure than going to bed, everyday, a little bit wiser and happier than you woke up that morning."

You can find out more about me and my works at: www.digiwitch.com