From the metrosexual man to the culture-driven one, there has been a shift for the better for the New Age man. Not only is he more aware of himself, he is more in touch with the finer aspects of living. This, according to a new research done for a Norwegian study suggests that men who engage in art and culture are more likely to enjoy life and be in better health than those who don’t. For long, the clichéd activities for men have been the “manly” ones. Thankfully, this has changed with today’s male taking comfort in simple “arty” pleasures.
We see it when actor Saif Ali Khan and Abhishek Bachchan are seen at musical performances. We see it in the music that cricketers A.B. de Villiers and Brett Lee compose. We see it with our own little maestro Sachin Tendulkar who has opened restaurants and has a predeliction for the spiritual. Ask designer Raj Shroff who loves an evening of jazz or appreciating art. “My genre, designing is stressful. It’s always high on delivering. So, I would agree that one of the most beautiful things in life is to watch creativity blossom. It can be sight, touch or sound, all awaken small bursts of energy. This makes one relax on a superior level while making the body realise that creativity is a lot like relaxation.”
Shroff agrees that seeing a beautiful thing can give the mind a relaxed frame of mind. “Creativity and life — a good balance can bring calmness. Watching an innocent smile at a jazz concert makes the body understand beauty and creates a connect.” But he cautions that creativity needs to be understood to be appreciated. Maruska Kala, a beautician agrees with the research, “It gives them a breather and helps them open their life to different things — dancing, singing, maybe even learning something new. That is always a good thing.” Pranav Mishra, an artist feels that, “Seeing something pleasurable is always great. When men indulge in art appreciation, I think it awakens creative feelings. This might help them get into a better frame of mind.”
A corporate psychologist for an MNC believes that having hobbies, listening to music or even doing something other than the run-of-the-mill things always helps give the individual space to introspect and understand. “What men are used to doing is working and providing for the family. Slowly, but surely, they are realising that they can do both. This helps them become better people, warmer and changes their aura into something positive.”
So, while most agree that artsy men are happier, Kunal V., a software engineer adds, “I don’t think I can go to art events. I would not mind a comedy night or even an evening of sports, but that’s how far I’ll go.” Which is fine, as long as the mind gets a break from monotony and gives men a time and space to explore their creative and “arty” self.
We see it when actor Saif Ali Khan and Abhishek Bachchan are seen at musical performances. We see it in the music that cricketers A.B. de Villiers and Brett Lee compose. We see it with our own little maestro Sachin Tendulkar who has opened restaurants and has a predeliction for the spiritual. Ask designer Raj Shroff who loves an evening of jazz or appreciating art. “My genre, designing is stressful. It’s always high on delivering. So, I would agree that one of the most beautiful things in life is to watch creativity blossom. It can be sight, touch or sound, all awaken small bursts of energy. This makes one relax on a superior level while making the body realise that creativity is a lot like relaxation.”
Shroff agrees that seeing a beautiful thing can give the mind a relaxed frame of mind. “Creativity and life — a good balance can bring calmness. Watching an innocent smile at a jazz concert makes the body understand beauty and creates a connect.” But he cautions that creativity needs to be understood to be appreciated. Maruska Kala, a beautician agrees with the research, “It gives them a breather and helps them open their life to different things — dancing, singing, maybe even learning something new. That is always a good thing.” Pranav Mishra, an artist feels that, “Seeing something pleasurable is always great. When men indulge in art appreciation, I think it awakens creative feelings. This might help them get into a better frame of mind.”
A corporate psychologist for an MNC believes that having hobbies, listening to music or even doing something other than the run-of-the-mill things always helps give the individual space to introspect and understand. “What men are used to doing is working and providing for the family. Slowly, but surely, they are realising that they can do both. This helps them become better people, warmer and changes their aura into something positive.”
So, while most agree that artsy men are happier, Kunal V., a software engineer adds, “I don’t think I can go to art events. I would not mind a comedy night or even an evening of sports, but that’s how far I’ll go.” Which is fine, as long as the mind gets a break from monotony and gives men a time and space to explore their creative and “arty” self.
