Anand Mohapatra - Tonality - Burning Man 2022: Waking Dreams

Burning Man 2022 : Waking Dreams

Glimpse of Black Rock City from air

My desire to attend Burning Man was sparked when I first learned about it in 2013.
My first impression was that this was just another huge music and arts festival set in the middle of a desert. But as the years went by, I realised that there is more to it than just music or art. Let me say right now that nothing I had anticipated was even near to the reality of that location.

Temple Burn Residue at Burning Man Regional Otherworld 2022

Some Memories from my first burn at regional burn "Otherworld"

Nevertheless, I never stopped visualising myself at Black Rock City one day.

With the help and love from one of my close friend, I began getting more active in the community, attended my first burning man regional Otherworld in Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Islands, and was completely overwhelmed and touched by the experience.
I became involved in the community and discovered this amazing camp and family called Reverbia and it turned out that my entire crew would be camping here. I thought about securing a safe camp spot before actually getting the burning man tickets and eventually I get offered a ticket from Reverbia and I couldn’t believe it at first that I am really going. This is it.
I started preparing for my last term at school and upon finishing school I left to Black rock city with my crew and some close friends from Vancouver with a free mind to welcome whatever comes along the way.

Upon reaching the box office and picking up my tickets

I felt like

I arrived and was completely taken aback by one of the most wild, ethereal, spiritual, and free-spirited places on earth.
Interaction with one of the most kind people you've ever encountered, with whom you've had wise discussions and seen some of the most bizarre pieces of art.
Had experienced and loved a few odd dust storms.
A few of the most bizarre events—the surprises—were discussed with friends.

I reconnected with one of my dearest pals after three years.
Life can be difficult, yet we always seem to look on the bright side.
I learned a lot about myself and felt blessed to be here to experience something so beautiful.

Even the words I'm writing here, in my opinion, don't properly capture what one can actually experience and every person has a unique experience in this experience.

2021

When I was emotionally prepared to finish my studies and move to the east coast in 2021, two years after leaving India, I received an invitation to an amazing community of burners. Because one of my closest friends had relocated to Montreal, I felt rather alone and out of place in Vancouver.

Because of all the ideas running through my head plus the fact that I was so reserved and bashful, I felt like a stranger while I was there.On the second day of this beautiful gathering, I began speaking with this person who is one of my closest and best friends now and who did inform me that we must travel to Burning Man together. Eventually showed me some different experiences and perspective in life.

2022

I reconnected with someone in 2021, when we were attempting to recover from the epidemic. I had first met this person in 2019, and I have since observed how well he has done in music, business, friendships, and family, among other areas. We got along well because our musical preferences, life experiences, and storytelling were very similar. At the time, I was going through a lot. He provided me continuous love and support to carry on with my life while also encouraging me to make improvements in it. On his birthday, he shared some exciting news with us, letting us know that he will be doing a few sets at Burning Man this year and we started thinking about it and the first step was to secure tickets on their sale. My initial attempts to purchase Burning Man tickets were unsuccessful.
Nearly giving up, I reasoned that perhaps this wasn't the year to realise my dream.
I was already going through a lot with my body and trauma, and at times in my life I was really suicidal, but I never had the guts to do something odd and cowardly.

The Man Burn

Art Car : The Church of El Pulpo Magnifico

There were times when I couldn't move more than a few steps due to physical exhaustion, or after swimming, I'd get a nasty spasm and trip over. Realizing that I needed to start making changes, I eliminated a number of significant aspects of my life. I began to believe in myself, but finding that balance at that time wasn't simple for me. Since I stopped relying on anti-inflammatory medications after taking them for almost ten years, I have had episodes of never-ending nightmares and insomnia as my body would release trauma.

In my battle to heal from juvenile arthritis, which developed into rheumatoid, I got introduced to some incredibly helpful and loving people in the city who supported me in this journey and I believed that my perspective about myself was going to change.