Another moment passes by, making me wonder if I should try to capture its significance for posterity. The ever dramatic mind of mine is acting up again of course. Please bear with it. The past few weeks have been dedicated to “Spring Cleaning” within and without so to speak. Spring is taking it’s own sweet time in these parts – but hey it’s always a good time for the right thing eh?!
The cobwebs of the mind needed clearing away
with some good sense and light of day.
All slights real and imagined of actions & words, by those who mattered & not needed to be erased before they became permanently etched in the brain and spawned bitterness and god forbid more cynicism than already there!!
The need to let go of something which is not meant to be, the need to find hope for hope to exist, gives strength to break away from ties that are borne out of desperation and bound by illusions of happiness.
One cannot force happiness - Happiness happens, and maybe that is the good thing about it. Granted it is always when you least expect it. Most definitely feels best when you have been in the pits. But it is something which we need in doses large and small every now and then to go on. And sure enough it finds its way back to our doorstep and the dance with fortune continues.
So hey, who is complaining.... cause I’m never gonna stop the rain by complainin’ Because I’m free Nothing’s worrying me.
PS: Personal - I sold most of my stuff today.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Sound of Music
Nithya's blog reminded me of my experience with musical performances et al. seems to have broken some dam in my otherwise hazy childhood memory.
My romance with music and cultural programmes started at a very young age. Considering a seriously musically inclined & educated parents it must have started much before.
My earliest memory of a musical performance is an IAP [invited audience program]recording of a ghazal nite for All India Radio. The performer was Manhar Udhas. In today's date I cannot say I like his singing anymore. But I distinctly remember thinking I liked him better than Mr.pankaj udhas though.
Anyway, these program’s are conducted regularly by AIR and usually start at 7 or later in the evening and go on till 10 or more. Depending on the weather you are seated on chairs or "gadda" under the open skies. [I have to mention here that ladies from Delhi have an excellent dress sense.]
Usually such ghazal program’s have a few standard pieces to start with and then are more or less taken over by the audience. There are requests galore from the die hard fans. The innumerable "arz hai" 's and "irshaad" 's set the mood for a very different kinda evening.
A coupla other events that stand out in my earliest memory are a "Hasya Kavi Sammelan" and a "Shayri Baithak". Both terrific experiences no one should miss if given the chance. Although I am not sure stuff like this happens in Southern India a lot. These are all from my days away from the south. These events are full of people who are real fans of shayri and quality jokes, who follow these particular artists and know what to request for at which point. I can say my education of urdu began there.
Usually the sammelan/baithak consist of a group of artists who are versatile in different styles of the same art. like there maybe shayars/hasya-kalakaar from lucknow or banaras or punjab or gujrat or delhi and each one will have different style of sher or joke. the rendition itself is half the fun of listening to stuff like this.
The camaraderie shared by the artists on stage is a pleasure to watch, one enticing the other to respond with a better sher/joke. A very jovial 'let's see whoz better' kinda thing. Everyone taking pot shots at the political/legal systems. The usual romantic ones give way to those who poke fun at the perpetual majnu's. The creativity at such a congregation is simply electric.
Sitting in accumulating dew at a late nite of such performances is worth all the pain and disconfort you might have [try sitting on a gadda all nite long]. The collective "wah wah" and "bahut khoob" of an appreciating audience makes one aspire to be creative.
kewwl stuff!! They provide a real insight into what our culture and arts are like. [How can I forget these examples when in the midst of imp. arguments!!]
More recently I had the opportunity to attend a few performances in Bangalore of a more classical nature. There are no words left unused to sing the praises of Shashank's flute. As a part of Bangalore Habba - the city fest, he gave a performance at Ambedkar Bhavan. He started off with a few thyagaraja kriti's, which had everyone keeping time with the taala. A performance is made better by an enlightened audience. And number of people who appreciate Carnatic classical in Bangalore is pretty high. Considering the crowd was pretty mixed in age group I was wondering how much they would appreciate such music. But they proved me wrong when Shashank asked the audience what they wanted him to play next. He gave us a choice between "hamsadhwani" and "megh malhar" [I think]. But although the hamsadhwani camp [including urs truly] was more vociferous, he chose to play the other raaga since it is more difficult to play I think. Throughout the concert he kept asking what we wanted him to play and he even played an extra bit of "sindhu bhairavi" in the end for all those die hard fans of that beautiful raaga.
This ethereal music was preceded by another memorable performance by an exponent of Hindustani Classical vocal Aditi Kaikini Upadhya. What a voice!! Gosh! It is simply a divine pleasure to listen to a beautifully rendered aalaap or thumri. Makes we wanna break into kathak on the spot. I had such a hard time controlling my bobbing head and hands and legs also actually from keeping time to the beat. I felt like a new person after listening to both of these gifted artists.
The good part was that several such well known persona's were performing for Bangalore Habba for free - just so that the diverse population could get a chance to hear, learn and appreciate good classical music. I missed a few good ones due to other commitments, but we did make it to the finale at Palace Grounds. The organization wasn't as good and the crowd had a mind of its own. Ganesh and Kumaresh performed there also with an orchestra group. Some kinda fusion music. I was soo distracted by the chaos and was unable to enjoy it at all. So we left and ended up taking pictures of the Palace and eating some fundu "chur-muri".
To conclude this expose on concerts I would have to mention the Yanni concert I went to recently at Radio City Hall. I had heard one of his CD's once upon a time and am not really a fan of his music. Somehow happened upon the tickets so went to check it out. And boy I wasn't disappointed. He had this 20 or so piece orchestra going with him and a set of 12 keyboards or something - wow! With the light effects and screens showing some video clippings to go with some of the music made up an amazing show. A few of the compositions we simply wonderful. Though honestly I heard more of his accompaniments than him. There were people from various parts of the world playing these exotic instruments. Each one a master of his game so to speak. Some aussie playing the 'dook' [not very sure abt the name - sounded like that] - a long hollow wooden tube played by leaning it against the floor at an angle. One fundu guy playing the Chinese Flute [I love that sound]. One mean drummer!! [Regular] another mean drummer playing african/latin kinda drums. The violinists were simply outta this world! There was a jugalbandi kinda setup between various instruments and coupla vocals. Very interesting effect. I guess it is Yanni's show since it is his composition and mixing. Although I inherently expect the lead name to be doing more than holding a finger down on a coupla keyboards. [Uneducated as I am about this stuff - that is what it looked to me like]. The sound effect was awesome! The music literally passed through your system.
In a way it always will. I think I was born with music in my blood, at least to appreciate if not to perform. So I will keep adding more reviews when ever I get around to seeing something new.
My romance with music and cultural programmes started at a very young age. Considering a seriously musically inclined & educated parents it must have started much before.
My earliest memory of a musical performance is an IAP [invited audience program]recording of a ghazal nite for All India Radio. The performer was Manhar Udhas. In today's date I cannot say I like his singing anymore. But I distinctly remember thinking I liked him better than Mr.pankaj udhas though.
Anyway, these program’s are conducted regularly by AIR and usually start at 7 or later in the evening and go on till 10 or more. Depending on the weather you are seated on chairs or "gadda" under the open skies. [I have to mention here that ladies from Delhi have an excellent dress sense.]
Usually such ghazal program’s have a few standard pieces to start with and then are more or less taken over by the audience. There are requests galore from the die hard fans. The innumerable "arz hai" 's and "irshaad" 's set the mood for a very different kinda evening.
A coupla other events that stand out in my earliest memory are a "Hasya Kavi Sammelan" and a "Shayri Baithak". Both terrific experiences no one should miss if given the chance. Although I am not sure stuff like this happens in Southern India a lot. These are all from my days away from the south. These events are full of people who are real fans of shayri and quality jokes, who follow these particular artists and know what to request for at which point. I can say my education of urdu began there.
Usually the sammelan/baithak consist of a group of artists who are versatile in different styles of the same art. like there maybe shayars/hasya-kalakaar from lucknow or banaras or punjab or gujrat or delhi and each one will have different style of sher or joke. the rendition itself is half the fun of listening to stuff like this.
The camaraderie shared by the artists on stage is a pleasure to watch, one enticing the other to respond with a better sher/joke. A very jovial 'let's see whoz better' kinda thing. Everyone taking pot shots at the political/legal systems. The usual romantic ones give way to those who poke fun at the perpetual majnu's. The creativity at such a congregation is simply electric.
Sitting in accumulating dew at a late nite of such performances is worth all the pain and disconfort you might have [try sitting on a gadda all nite long]. The collective "wah wah" and "bahut khoob" of an appreciating audience makes one aspire to be creative.
kewwl stuff!! They provide a real insight into what our culture and arts are like. [How can I forget these examples when in the midst of imp. arguments!!]
More recently I had the opportunity to attend a few performances in Bangalore of a more classical nature. There are no words left unused to sing the praises of Shashank's flute. As a part of Bangalore Habba - the city fest, he gave a performance at Ambedkar Bhavan. He started off with a few thyagaraja kriti's, which had everyone keeping time with the taala. A performance is made better by an enlightened audience. And number of people who appreciate Carnatic classical in Bangalore is pretty high. Considering the crowd was pretty mixed in age group I was wondering how much they would appreciate such music. But they proved me wrong when Shashank asked the audience what they wanted him to play next. He gave us a choice between "hamsadhwani" and "megh malhar" [I think]. But although the hamsadhwani camp [including urs truly] was more vociferous, he chose to play the other raaga since it is more difficult to play I think. Throughout the concert he kept asking what we wanted him to play and he even played an extra bit of "sindhu bhairavi" in the end for all those die hard fans of that beautiful raaga.
This ethereal music was preceded by another memorable performance by an exponent of Hindustani Classical vocal Aditi Kaikini Upadhya. What a voice!! Gosh! It is simply a divine pleasure to listen to a beautifully rendered aalaap or thumri. Makes we wanna break into kathak on the spot. I had such a hard time controlling my bobbing head and hands and legs also actually from keeping time to the beat. I felt like a new person after listening to both of these gifted artists.
The good part was that several such well known persona's were performing for Bangalore Habba for free - just so that the diverse population could get a chance to hear, learn and appreciate good classical music. I missed a few good ones due to other commitments, but we did make it to the finale at Palace Grounds. The organization wasn't as good and the crowd had a mind of its own. Ganesh and Kumaresh performed there also with an orchestra group. Some kinda fusion music. I was soo distracted by the chaos and was unable to enjoy it at all. So we left and ended up taking pictures of the Palace and eating some fundu "chur-muri".
To conclude this expose on concerts I would have to mention the Yanni concert I went to recently at Radio City Hall. I had heard one of his CD's once upon a time and am not really a fan of his music. Somehow happened upon the tickets so went to check it out. And boy I wasn't disappointed. He had this 20 or so piece orchestra going with him and a set of 12 keyboards or something - wow! With the light effects and screens showing some video clippings to go with some of the music made up an amazing show. A few of the compositions we simply wonderful. Though honestly I heard more of his accompaniments than him. There were people from various parts of the world playing these exotic instruments. Each one a master of his game so to speak. Some aussie playing the 'dook' [not very sure abt the name - sounded like that] - a long hollow wooden tube played by leaning it against the floor at an angle. One fundu guy playing the Chinese Flute [I love that sound]. One mean drummer!! [Regular] another mean drummer playing african/latin kinda drums. The violinists were simply outta this world! There was a jugalbandi kinda setup between various instruments and coupla vocals. Very interesting effect. I guess it is Yanni's show since it is his composition and mixing. Although I inherently expect the lead name to be doing more than holding a finger down on a coupla keyboards. [Uneducated as I am about this stuff - that is what it looked to me like]. The sound effect was awesome! The music literally passed through your system.
In a way it always will. I think I was born with music in my blood, at least to appreciate if not to perform. So I will keep adding more reviews when ever I get around to seeing something new.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
finding religion
this started as a comment on ano's blog but then i felt i was crossing the lakshman rekha of comment lines. so with a huge IMHO here goes...........
I guess we all go thru this eh?
I have always felt that religion is a very relative thing. One could find it anywhere or in anything for that matter.
The Hindu philosophy I feel should be understood in its entirety to appreciate its depth and forethought.
There are too many half baked funda's floating around making it look like a load of bs.
Until the British invasion India had the very interesting situation of new religious philosophy being advocated every coupla centuries. After the 18th century there hasn't been much religious growth in the Indian subcontinent. It is like a huge drop in thinking capacity, suddenly everyone just wants to confirm to one thing and hold on to it blindly.
This blind following is what has resulted in a whole generations not really understanding why they are holding their noses and doing parshanchane!! And of course that has led the latest gen. to just trashing it and going for the best marketed ones.
As far as I know hindu philosophy has always advocated questioning. You have to question and find your own meaning of god/religion.
For e.g., there used to be a basic code of behaviour provided in the gurukul/ashram and after the minimum training students were encouraged to sit alone and meditate on thoughts/problems the guru would set out for them. Only when one is not smart enough or I should say interested enough in finding his/her own path would they be shown the way to what the most popular guru’s had to say in the matter or popular opinion was.
And once one arrived at an acceptable answer of course with guidance of the guru they would go back from school with their own understanding of religion and philosophy.
Of course how things get twisted or set in patterns of convenience over a period of time [a few dozen centuries in this case] is a well known phenomenon. It is very interesting to observe that once one understands sanskrit how the interpretation of scripture can change. I have always felt that as children ppl should go thru scripture lessons.
So the simple problem is with thinking, either less or sometimes too much. And like they say especially in religious quests a good guru plays a very important part. Without that we can only hope we are as skilled as ekalavya was.
Disclaimer: this is just based on stuff I have read and understood. dont mean to pass judgements or bugger off anyone. Everyone is welcome to tear it apart.
I guess we all go thru this eh?
I have always felt that religion is a very relative thing. One could find it anywhere or in anything for that matter.
The Hindu philosophy I feel should be understood in its entirety to appreciate its depth and forethought.
There are too many half baked funda's floating around making it look like a load of bs.
Until the British invasion India had the very interesting situation of new religious philosophy being advocated every coupla centuries. After the 18th century there hasn't been much religious growth in the Indian subcontinent. It is like a huge drop in thinking capacity, suddenly everyone just wants to confirm to one thing and hold on to it blindly.
This blind following is what has resulted in a whole generations not really understanding why they are holding their noses and doing parshanchane!! And of course that has led the latest gen. to just trashing it and going for the best marketed ones.
As far as I know hindu philosophy has always advocated questioning. You have to question and find your own meaning of god/religion.
For e.g., there used to be a basic code of behaviour provided in the gurukul/ashram and after the minimum training students were encouraged to sit alone and meditate on thoughts/problems the guru would set out for them. Only when one is not smart enough or I should say interested enough in finding his/her own path would they be shown the way to what the most popular guru’s had to say in the matter or popular opinion was.
And once one arrived at an acceptable answer of course with guidance of the guru they would go back from school with their own understanding of religion and philosophy.
Of course how things get twisted or set in patterns of convenience over a period of time [a few dozen centuries in this case] is a well known phenomenon. It is very interesting to observe that once one understands sanskrit how the interpretation of scripture can change. I have always felt that as children ppl should go thru scripture lessons.
So the simple problem is with thinking, either less or sometimes too much. And like they say especially in religious quests a good guru plays a very important part. Without that we can only hope we are as skilled as ekalavya was.
Disclaimer: this is just based on stuff I have read and understood. dont mean to pass judgements or bugger off anyone. Everyone is welcome to tear it apart.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
The Cake
He works for the networking dept in the office. This russian guy - reminds me of Jude Law in Enemy at the Gates! Tough guy who NEVER smiles. I don't know how he maintains that stoic look, I have often wondered if it was something against me or the world in general. Soon found out that is how he naturally was. But still makes me wonder - Can someone have gone thru life and not learnt to smile??
Anyway - one day I got some choclate cake just in the spirit of the season and he came by my desk with this other guy who is a friend of mine.
The change his demeanor underwent is something to be documented! Aside from five year old children I have never seen that expression of pure pleasure!!!!! Apparently he had seen the e-mail abt the cake at my desk and come with his friend to get some of it.
Not one word was spoken - he just stood there with a sheepish grin while his friend got a piece for both of them. With great difficulty he grunted out a "thank you" and went away grinning.
And now everytime he passes by my cubicle he smiles this like we share a secret all it took was a piece of cake! ;)
PS: originally published on sulekha weblogs
Anyway - one day I got some choclate cake just in the spirit of the season and he came by my desk with this other guy who is a friend of mine.
The change his demeanor underwent is something to be documented! Aside from five year old children I have never seen that expression of pure pleasure!!!!! Apparently he had seen the e-mail abt the cake at my desk and come with his friend to get some of it.
Not one word was spoken - he just stood there with a sheepish grin while his friend got a piece for both of them. With great difficulty he grunted out a "thank you" and went away grinning.
And now everytime he passes by my cubicle he smiles this like we share a secret all it took was a piece of cake! ;)
PS: originally published on sulekha weblogs
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Recipes
ok - as per Jelly's request here is a recipe to the common green chutney and by that i mean the dyed in the wool south indian chutney - don't come looking for the northy types - imli chutney etc!
Green Chutney
Grated coconut - say abt one fistful if frozen - or grate half a fresh coconut.
1 tbsp - channa (the yellow kins with which besan is made)
Cilantro - few stalks
Green chillies (extra hot kind) - 6
Ginger - 1 inch piece (optional)
Tamarind - 1tsp (if paste)
salt to taste - can add later also - so easy with that.
Put all ingredients in Blender/Processor and puree & voila you are done. You can season it with a few mustard n cumin seeds and red chillies spluttered in oil. You can also add urad dal and channa dal to the seasoning (also called tadka, waghar, or woggarNe in other languages)
Coming Soon...... Red Chutney
Green Chutney
Grated coconut - say abt one fistful if frozen - or grate half a fresh coconut.
1 tbsp - channa (the yellow kins with which besan is made)
Cilantro - few stalks
Green chillies (extra hot kind) - 6
Ginger - 1 inch piece (optional)
Tamarind - 1tsp (if paste)
salt to taste - can add later also - so easy with that.
Put all ingredients in Blender/Processor and puree & voila you are done. You can season it with a few mustard n cumin seeds and red chillies spluttered in oil. You can also add urad dal and channa dal to the seasoning (also called tadka, waghar, or woggarNe in other languages)
Coming Soon...... Red Chutney
Shayri...... in progress
hello there,
am just using this as scribble space for now ... will add or modify as and when things progress, with my poetry i.e.!
Adding some previous stuff here:
The perputual pathos of siggy's poems inspired me to write this sher
please add to it if it inspires u 2!!!!!!! i mean my sher not siggy's poems
:)
haal-e-dil ka izhaar kar bhi na sake
tum se bichadke mar bhi na sake
jaam-e-zindagi pee bhi na sake
dard-e-dil magar chupa bhi na sake
tum hamare na ho sake
aur hum kisi ke na ho sake
the creative comments on this on from sulekha are worth backing up as well i think, so here they are:
zindagi ki kitaab mein tum ek harf ho ik kone mein
Mein ik harf hoon ik kone mein
Chaaha behad magar hum milke ek lafz na ban sake
from mez_charu
Kshitij bas nazron ke saamne dikhayi di
Paas gayi to door nikalti gayi
Bas jahan khadi rahoon
Vahi se apalak niharthi rahoon
Par na koi gila, na koi shikva
Jo bhi mila bahut hai
Mutthi bhar yaadon ko
Hatheli mein sametkar
Bitaaoongi umr baaki-
from dear ardra_vamsi
am just using this as scribble space for now ... will add or modify as and when things progress, with my poetry i.e.!
Kaun hai woh jo mere khayalo me hamesha rehta hai
Kaun hai woh jo mere zehen me gharonda kiye baitha hai
Kaun hai woh jise mai bhula nahi paati
Kaun hai woh jise shaayad meri yaad bhi nahi aati
Guzre kayi din tere intezaar me
Likhe kayi nazm dil-e-bekaraar ne
Arzoo teri dil se mita nahi paye
Lekin ab tak tum kahi nazar bhi na aaye
Ek umr guzar gayi dil se baate kiye
Ek umr guzar gayi tumse baate kiye
Jab milenge tumse to kahenge kya
Agar tum na pehchano to karenge kya
*Bahut lambaa safar tay kar aaye hai
Magar iraada pakka kar aaye hai
Jo tumse na kahenge haal-e-dil
Na milegi mohabbat ko manzil
Attempt at translation:
Who is he who is always in my thots
Who is he who has found a place in my heart
Who is he whom I cannot forget
Who is he… maybe he doesn’t even think of me?
Hav spent many days waiting for you
hav penned many poems with a (heavy?) heart
can't stop thinking of you
but where the hell are u? :-P
It’s been an eon since I spoke to my heart
It’s been an eon since I spoke to you
What will i say when i see you?
Will u recognize me for who i am?
*I have traveled far to get here
But I have made up my mind
If I will not express my feelings
My love will not find its destiny
*not too thrilled with this one! :-P
Adding some previous stuff here:
The perputual pathos of siggy's poems inspired me to write this sher
please add to it if it inspires u 2!!!!!!! i mean my sher not siggy's poems
:)
haal-e-dil ka izhaar kar bhi na sake
tum se bichadke mar bhi na sake
jaam-e-zindagi pee bhi na sake
dard-e-dil magar chupa bhi na sake
tum hamare na ho sake
aur hum kisi ke na ho sake
the creative comments on this on from sulekha are worth backing up as well i think, so here they are:
zindagi ki kitaab mein tum ek harf ho ik kone mein
Mein ik harf hoon ik kone mein
Chaaha behad magar hum milke ek lafz na ban sake
from mez_charu
Kshitij bas nazron ke saamne dikhayi di
Paas gayi to door nikalti gayi
Bas jahan khadi rahoon
Vahi se apalak niharthi rahoon
Par na koi gila, na koi shikva
Jo bhi mila bahut hai
Mutthi bhar yaadon ko
Hatheli mein sametkar
Bitaaoongi umr baaki-
from dear ardra_vamsi
Friday, November 05, 2004
Morning Walk
Morning Walk
The world seems to have transformed this morning. There is a carpet of yellow covering almost every inch of the way on my usual path. The rain has softened the leaves to a soft shawl for the earth. “Out with the ole” is the thought that crosses my mind. Nature shedding her garb to don a new one. I envy her – such lovely colors and shades – not bored a single day with what she wears is she? Not too long ago green was in, of all shades and hues. Then we had the pinks and maroons & browns and golds and all the shades in between. Like a fashion show in progress, inspiring everyone from designers to poets.
Now it has all evened out to a common yellow. I feel like drawing an analogy about how basically we are all alike underneath it all. Only until I look closely at the leaves in my path. Each one is different from the other. Size, color, texture although they are all from the same kinda trees. I am lost in my observation as a strong gust of wind whips me around and blows my similarity theory away with it.
My my! What are you trying to prove mister? We know we cannot live without u, can't describe you much without seeing you can I? Let go of my scarf now will you.
Instinctively I brace myself against the headlong gust of wind and look up into the skies.
I am blinded by the clear brilliant blue. Just a few tufts of white cotton floating around to break up the blue. Maybe, that is a palette more colorful than the landscape around. Every time I look up I find a different shade displayed. Making me wonder how I would look in a dress that shade?
Musing thus, I pass the school grounds which are a bright green after the night showers; I soak up the clam of the street at this hour. Soon it will be transformed into the excess energy zone any school is; kids running around, playing games and making a ruckus in general.
The school guard waves a “have a good weekend” from across the street as she gets ready to hande the morning traffic. As I wave back I see no reason why it would not be.
*~*~*~*
The world seems to have transformed this morning. There is a carpet of yellow covering almost every inch of the way on my usual path. The rain has softened the leaves to a soft shawl for the earth. “Out with the ole” is the thought that crosses my mind. Nature shedding her garb to don a new one. I envy her – such lovely colors and shades – not bored a single day with what she wears is she? Not too long ago green was in, of all shades and hues. Then we had the pinks and maroons & browns and golds and all the shades in between. Like a fashion show in progress, inspiring everyone from designers to poets.
Now it has all evened out to a common yellow. I feel like drawing an analogy about how basically we are all alike underneath it all. Only until I look closely at the leaves in my path. Each one is different from the other. Size, color, texture although they are all from the same kinda trees. I am lost in my observation as a strong gust of wind whips me around and blows my similarity theory away with it.
My my! What are you trying to prove mister? We know we cannot live without u, can't describe you much without seeing you can I? Let go of my scarf now will you.
Instinctively I brace myself against the headlong gust of wind and look up into the skies.
I am blinded by the clear brilliant blue. Just a few tufts of white cotton floating around to break up the blue. Maybe, that is a palette more colorful than the landscape around. Every time I look up I find a different shade displayed. Making me wonder how I would look in a dress that shade?
Musing thus, I pass the school grounds which are a bright green after the night showers; I soak up the clam of the street at this hour. Soon it will be transformed into the excess energy zone any school is; kids running around, playing games and making a ruckus in general.
The school guard waves a “have a good weekend” from across the street as she gets ready to hande the morning traffic. As I wave back I see no reason why it would not be.
*~*~*~*
Monday, May 10, 2004
Meenaxi - A Review
Saw Meenaxi in the weekend – most people told me it was boring or incomprehensible or plain waste of time. But yet, having watched “Gajagamini” I knew what I was getting into – I had liked that also – so went ahead and watched it. Did not disappoint me at all – in fact it hit home harder than I thought possible.
I will not uphold it as a good movie anyday – if you are expecting drama and a story this is not a movie for you. It is the exploration of an idea – to me it felt like just letting my mind go on a trip of imagination.
The movie is about the struggle of an artist to write this unusually different story to capture the “ehsaas” or essence of this character in some form. The embodiment of this feeling is Meenaxi. The writer has come up against a psychological block which prevents him from concluding his stories or resolving his characters.
It is amazing to see how deeply the writer has understood the female mind. In fact his protrayal of the male mind is not as fine – it is more or less surfacial. The male character is kinda there – hanging around in the background – it is the female who is in charge of the situation – she is the one who has to make a decision! Somehow the characters do not reach resolution – there is something wanting – something lacking……in the thought flow, in the narration, in the characterization or simply in the author? The obsession with the character – the feeling that he will be able to understand it better by somehow altering the location, situation or the supporting characters is so realistic. I am sure many of us who write seriously on sulekha would be able to identify that struggle to color or flesh out a character. Personally the half dozen unfinished stories in my computer are a testament to that!!
Trying to fit into words the essence of a character is so difficult and somehow never seems to do justice to it. I could identify with that elusive search for completion – in more ways than one! It is amazing what an artist can do with feelings.
The camerawork is excellent – I guess we shud not expect anything less from Santosh Sivan!! The choreography and art direction are too bollywoody for my taste – inspite of which the cameraman had managed to make it look like one long painting flowing and merging to make a narration. I wish they had taken out half of the dialogues, given the cameraman the central idea and let him run with it. Felt like he understood the idea better than the director!
Anyways I enjoyed it like a piece of art – gave me lots to think about.
The dialogue “Zindagi ek ehsaas ki talaash hai” about summarizes the effort.
I will not uphold it as a good movie anyday – if you are expecting drama and a story this is not a movie for you. It is the exploration of an idea – to me it felt like just letting my mind go on a trip of imagination.
The movie is about the struggle of an artist to write this unusually different story to capture the “ehsaas” or essence of this character in some form. The embodiment of this feeling is Meenaxi. The writer has come up against a psychological block which prevents him from concluding his stories or resolving his characters.
It is amazing to see how deeply the writer has understood the female mind. In fact his protrayal of the male mind is not as fine – it is more or less surfacial. The male character is kinda there – hanging around in the background – it is the female who is in charge of the situation – she is the one who has to make a decision! Somehow the characters do not reach resolution – there is something wanting – something lacking……in the thought flow, in the narration, in the characterization or simply in the author? The obsession with the character – the feeling that he will be able to understand it better by somehow altering the location, situation or the supporting characters is so realistic. I am sure many of us who write seriously on sulekha would be able to identify that struggle to color or flesh out a character. Personally the half dozen unfinished stories in my computer are a testament to that!!
Trying to fit into words the essence of a character is so difficult and somehow never seems to do justice to it. I could identify with that elusive search for completion – in more ways than one! It is amazing what an artist can do with feelings.
The camerawork is excellent – I guess we shud not expect anything less from Santosh Sivan!! The choreography and art direction are too bollywoody for my taste – inspite of which the cameraman had managed to make it look like one long painting flowing and merging to make a narration. I wish they had taken out half of the dialogues, given the cameraman the central idea and let him run with it. Felt like he understood the idea better than the director!
Anyways I enjoyed it like a piece of art – gave me lots to think about.
The dialogue “Zindagi ek ehsaas ki talaash hai” about summarizes the effort.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Wanted Ad
A friend of mine fwded this to me the other day, purely for the entertainment value of it.I was awestruck by it to say the least. I really don't want to make fun of it - but just an example for examples sake :)
Now please don't launch into a girl bashing frenzy!
My only question after reading it was - is this for real??
Personal Details:
25, single, never married, hindu male from UP, INDIA
Family Details:
father business, mother house. one sister - married.
About Myself:
I believe in dreams, dreams which are birthed by God which will not fade away. My passion is for missions. I am looking for a girl who loves the lord passionately. I am presently woking as a private doctor in India. So if you are a girl, give me a shout.
I am MBBS from good college. I am very much interested in going US and settling there. I want to marry good looking, nice indian girl who knows indian tradition, settled in US - girls with green card preferred.
Only serious people respond to this. if you do not send picture with first e-mail i will think you are not interested. please also send date and time of birth - for horascope matching.
Thank you and best of luck for your search.
and the best part is the id: something on the lines of Lover_Boy or loveboat or something!
DISCLAIMER: Describes no one I know or u know! No offence intended to any sect, section or cadre of society in India or USA, male or female! everything modified to protect reality! ;)
Now please don't launch into a girl bashing frenzy!
My only question after reading it was - is this for real??
Personal Details:
25, single, never married, hindu male from UP, INDIA
Family Details:
father business, mother house. one sister - married.
About Myself:
I believe in dreams, dreams which are birthed by God which will not fade away. My passion is for missions. I am looking for a girl who loves the lord passionately. I am presently woking as a private doctor in India. So if you are a girl, give me a shout.
I am MBBS from good college. I am very much interested in going US and settling there. I want to marry good looking, nice indian girl who knows indian tradition, settled in US - girls with green card preferred.
Only serious people respond to this. if you do not send picture with first e-mail i will think you are not interested. please also send date and time of birth - for horascope matching.
Thank you and best of luck for your search.
and the best part is the id: something on the lines of Lover_Boy or loveboat or something!
DISCLAIMER: Describes no one I know or u know! No offence intended to any sect, section or cadre of society in India or USA, male or female! everything modified to protect reality! ;)
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Poetry in Motion
Imagine this scene...........
driving from NY to Florida......I-95 S........middle of the nite.......around 1 or 2am …… definitely after midnite!
One Black Camry, One Red RAV 4, another white SUV, another sliver/grey SUV and a couple more stragglers here and there.
All cruising down I-95 in the dead of the night! >80 mph is a foregone conclusion.....I am driving the Camry, after a few minutes of staying behind and between the SUV's I get the usual itch to have the open road in front of me.
You see I do not have a problem with staying at a certain speed limit or driving with a couple of vehicles around me but I cannot be hidden behind some vehicle! I have to get to the point where I have the open road in front of me, doesn't mean I will speed to get there but sure as hell would maneuver to get there!! ;)
Anyway this SUV person is not in the mood to lead so makes way for me. I am only too happy to lead. I set the pace to somewhere between 85 and 90 mph and for the next couple of hours our merry group cruised down from NC down all the way to Savannah! We let one another take the lead for every half hour or so and keep up the same pace.At one point it felt like a single body of metal floating down the highway!
How I wish this kind of team spirit would be prevalent in other spheres of life also! I felt like a warrior leading the way out of a tricky maze or like a lead dancer in a complicated routine!! It was absolute poetry in motion while it lasted. And like all good things kind of disintegrated after we passed Savannah (I guess my retinue had to take a break :) !) and soon I was left the way I started alone on the highway to the Atlantic!
I wish there was a way to bid them all farewell and Godspeed and thank them for the silent company on a dark deserted highway.
So this blog is dedicated to all of those co drivers on I-95 that nite.
driving from NY to Florida......I-95 S........middle of the nite.......around 1 or 2am …… definitely after midnite!
One Black Camry, One Red RAV 4, another white SUV, another sliver/grey SUV and a couple more stragglers here and there.
All cruising down I-95 in the dead of the night! >80 mph is a foregone conclusion.....I am driving the Camry, after a few minutes of staying behind and between the SUV's I get the usual itch to have the open road in front of me.
You see I do not have a problem with staying at a certain speed limit or driving with a couple of vehicles around me but I cannot be hidden behind some vehicle! I have to get to the point where I have the open road in front of me, doesn't mean I will speed to get there but sure as hell would maneuver to get there!! ;)
Anyway this SUV person is not in the mood to lead so makes way for me. I am only too happy to lead. I set the pace to somewhere between 85 and 90 mph and for the next couple of hours our merry group cruised down from NC down all the way to Savannah! We let one another take the lead for every half hour or so and keep up the same pace.At one point it felt like a single body of metal floating down the highway!
How I wish this kind of team spirit would be prevalent in other spheres of life also! I felt like a warrior leading the way out of a tricky maze or like a lead dancer in a complicated routine!! It was absolute poetry in motion while it lasted. And like all good things kind of disintegrated after we passed Savannah (I guess my retinue had to take a break :) !) and soon I was left the way I started alone on the highway to the Atlantic!
I wish there was a way to bid them all farewell and Godspeed and thank them for the silent company on a dark deserted highway.
So this blog is dedicated to all of those co drivers on I-95 that nite.
Friday, November 21, 2003
For Daddy
How I wish to be back in the safe haven of your arms
Uncaring of everything in this world
Forget all the decisions I have to take
Forget the pains of living
Go back in time to the place
Where I was loved unconditionally
Where I was the princess and the world to someone
You were always the reserved kind
But with me you became a child
On your shoulders I rode to see the world
On your lap I sat and learnt to read
With you I discussed politics and philosophy
Also my guys and their psychology
I have sure grown to be just like you wanted
Although I didn’t become the Doctor you had wished
You understood what my chosen path meant to me
I have become responsible and mature
The love you showered on me
Has made me a beautiful flower
The cool relationship we share
Is the envy of many, I know
I miss the company, I miss the smile
I miss the arguments and I miss you!
I know you will always be there for me
But you are growing old with each passing year
And my heart grows heavy with concern for you
There were times when you have thought mom meant more to us
But you were wrong, you both mean just as much
Now all I can do is call you once in many days
I have so much to say, wonder how to say it all
I cannot get mushy on the phone
It seems so artificial somehow
And you would end up worrying about me
I have given you enough of that when I was growing up
So I just assure you everything is fine,
Make promises of a visit in the near future
And wait for the day we will all be together again!
PS: Personal. Originally posted at sulekha weblogs.
Uncaring of everything in this world
Forget all the decisions I have to take
Forget the pains of living
Go back in time to the place
Where I was loved unconditionally
Where I was the princess and the world to someone
You were always the reserved kind
But with me you became a child
On your shoulders I rode to see the world
On your lap I sat and learnt to read
With you I discussed politics and philosophy
Also my guys and their psychology
I have sure grown to be just like you wanted
Although I didn’t become the Doctor you had wished
You understood what my chosen path meant to me
I have become responsible and mature
The love you showered on me
Has made me a beautiful flower
The cool relationship we share
Is the envy of many, I know
I miss the company, I miss the smile
I miss the arguments and I miss you!
I know you will always be there for me
But you are growing old with each passing year
And my heart grows heavy with concern for you
There were times when you have thought mom meant more to us
But you were wrong, you both mean just as much
Now all I can do is call you once in many days
I have so much to say, wonder how to say it all
I cannot get mushy on the phone
It seems so artificial somehow
And you would end up worrying about me
I have given you enough of that when I was growing up
So I just assure you everything is fine,
Make promises of a visit in the near future
And wait for the day we will all be together again!
PS: Personal. Originally posted at sulekha weblogs.
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