Wow, India is kinda bonkers. On the one hand, there is complete chaos and disarray (insane traffic being just one example) and at the same time, there is this zen-like harmony. It’s an assault on your sense and opens your mind…

I was mainly in Pune (a neighboring city of Mumbai) for the Supinfomania festival hosted by the DSK Supinfocom Game school. I spoke during the conference on failure and experimentation as the needed approach to success, and then ran a full-day workshop for students on innovation processes. Then I spent a day chilling in Mumbai itself.

My head is still spinning trying to make sense of it all. From the slums nestled between 5-star hotels, utterly insane traffic that takes you 2 hours to travel 15km, to the embryonic state of the game industry in the country with the President of India coming in to inaugurate a games and animation school! Also, everything was constantly evolving, especially the schedule… It was dizzying. And, OMG, so much food!

One of the key insights was a struggle away from British-rule induced style of education, that largely beat out any form of actual inquiry, curiosity or learning how to learn. How can you innovate and evolve in a context where people are trained to do as they are told and not to ask questions?

OK, I need to go catch up on sleep… Meanwhile, here are some photos from the trip:


Snazzy crystal shard chandelier in the lobby of the Hyatt in Pune.

 


The DSK Supinfocom campus.

 


Cool junkyard scavenged sculptures.

 


DSK Supinfocom also has a school of industrial design.

 


Sculpture as part of the animation program.

 


One of the student team’s “fish tank” offices for their final year game project.

 


Enjoying local traffic in Pune.

 


Local mogul DS Kulkarni (founder of the Supinfocom school in India) elaborates on his vision alongside delegates from France.

 


One of the many cultural performances during the lunch breaks.

 


Raphael Colantonio and Marco Capraro describe the founding and many near-successes of Arkane Studios.

 


Back lawn of Kulkarni’s hill-side mansion set for dinner reception.

 


The really nice pool.

 


Oh, and matching waterfall to go with the breakfast nook.

 


Waterfall from other angle, and side of house.

 


Head of the game school, Alexis Madinier sets the stage for what’s to come.

 


Students plugging away at the “marshmallow challenge” during my workshop.

 


Spaghetti tower going up.

 


The professors ended up building the tallest structure.

 


Packed in the back of the jeep, heading to lunch.

 


Cool sandstone sculpture in lobby of Marriott in Mumbai.

 


Famous Prithvi Theatre.

 


Walking the relatively calm street side stalls.

 


An over-the-wall shot of Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalo (he’s a super famous Bollywood actor.

 


Insightful billboard.

 


Another good billboard.

 


Hare Krishna temple.

 


Cool statue at the Hare Krishna temple.

 


Another temple… BTW, that’s an ancient Indian symbol, mainly representing good fortune…

 


Night time beach shot looking out to the Arabian Sea from the hip Aurus lounge/restaurant.