Another hero dies and takes away with him a part of me.
As I read the news of Mario Miranda, one of my favourite cartoonists pass away, I cannot help but wonder what conspiracy is afoot. The last couple of months have witnessed the loss of people who are an indispensable part of my growing years, an inspiration to my creative spirit and to say the least, a companion to an entire generation. Jagjit Singh, Bhupen Hazarika, Dev Anand, Uncle Pai and now Mario Miranda.
Each demise was like a pebble thrown in a placid lake, disturbing the comfort zone I was living in. I realized, death has a knack of stirring memories that often sit quietly in a corner of the subconscious mind.
I recollect picking a cassette of Jagjit Singh’s album from didi’s huge music library and listening to the heavy vocabulary just to feel her presence around. I never thought the same songs that once so bore me would become a point of connection and comfort me after didi got married. Surely, when she left, I lost a companion, but in listening to her favourite singer, I found another.
I remember how every outstation trip meant picking a Tinkle from Wheelers on the railway station. The tales of Suppandi, Shikari Shambhu, Tantri the mantri along with the riddles and puzzles made for such a joyous journey. All thanks to Uncle Pai. And then, sometime in school I discovered Mario Miranda. I actually gave cartooning a shot after I saw Mr. Miranda’s distinctive style put to best use in a full page ad. The cutting of that page is neatly tucked away in one of my diaries.
And for a nation obsessed with cinema, how could you miss a legend like Dev Anand. Though remembered jokingly for his slouch and bobbing head, Dev Anand impressed me as a person whose spirit was undaunted by age. Add to it some of the most unforgettable songs from his films that continue to cheer me up on a bad day.
Not having these people, who shaped my sensibility in one way or another, is like losing a part of me that was so intricately attached to their body of work. It creates a vacuum that is difficult to fill.
In the words of Santosh Desai, “When people who make us who we are die, we grieve as much for ourselves as we do for them.”
A tear is shed and life goes on. Though deep within you know, it’s not like before.
Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts
December 12, 2011
April 21, 2010
Finally!
DISCLAIMER:
She wishes to make it crystal clear
Before beginning this unapologetic slaughter
This has absolute resemblance to real incidents
And not based on any fictitious character
So it happened on a Tuesday morning
Without any prior intimation
Leaving her in great shock & anger
And a day filled with sheer frustration
They called her into the cabin
And greeted with a near-extinct smile
She knew there was something fishy
It was, she decoded, the devil’s wicked style
“We are really happy with your work”, they said
As if it were such a revelation
Then handed a shameful cheque
Calling it the apt compensation
Not an increment, an ex-gratia it was
Which clearly spoke of their evil plan.
They justified “We’ve suffered through recession,
BUT STILL we’re giving you whatever we can.”
She smirked and walked out
Not knowing what to say
Enough, she said to herself
Let today be the judgment day
She had sacrificed uncountable weekends
Had dismissed all her family time
Worked with a strained back, at unearthly hours
Even lost her sleep for writing a mere line
But she wouldn’t give into this anymore
THIS blatant exploitation
She walked into the cabin once again
This time to hand over her resignation
She wishes to make it crystal clear
Before beginning this unapologetic slaughter
This has absolute resemblance to real incidents
And not based on any fictitious character
So it happened on a Tuesday morning
Without any prior intimation
Leaving her in great shock & anger
And a day filled with sheer frustration
They called her into the cabin
And greeted with a near-extinct smile
She knew there was something fishy
It was, she decoded, the devil’s wicked style
“We are really happy with your work”, they said
As if it were such a revelation
Then handed a shameful cheque
Calling it the apt compensation
Not an increment, an ex-gratia it was
Which clearly spoke of their evil plan.
They justified “We’ve suffered through recession,
BUT STILL we’re giving you whatever we can.”
She smirked and walked out
Not knowing what to say
Enough, she said to herself
Let today be the judgment day
She had sacrificed uncountable weekends
Had dismissed all her family time
Worked with a strained back, at unearthly hours
Even lost her sleep for writing a mere line
But she wouldn’t give into this anymore
THIS blatant exploitation
She walked into the cabin once again
This time to hand over her resignation
June 23, 2009
Coming back to life
Things change. More so after you start working. I never thought meeting up friends would become a luxury. That a Sunday would become just another day you work (never mind from home). That I wouldn’t bask in the beauty of a sunset for months. That my books would lay unattended, gathering dust. That going out for a movie would mean rescheduling the entire day.
But on some days, things change. Back to how they used to be. Away from the maddening crowd and the humdrum, you finally find a place. And your peace of mind.
You enjoy the slight tickle of grass under your hand
You walk the talk, noticing the pretty flowers on either side
You realize,once again, how different you are from each other...
yet, there's something that binds you together
You see the kids play and secretly wish to live their life
You sit back and watch the bricks changing colour as the sun sets...
and the birds making a beautiful silhouette against the fading sky
At the end of the day, you feel an inexplicable joy of just being there with someone you love. Of spending a beautiful evening without saying much. But sharing a lot.
Pics from an evening with neha at IIM-A
But on some days, things change. Back to how they used to be. Away from the maddening crowd and the humdrum, you finally find a place. And your peace of mind.
You enjoy the slight tickle of grass under your hand
You walk the talk, noticing the pretty flowers on either side
You realize,once again, how different you are from each other...
yet, there's something that binds you together
You see the kids play and secretly wish to live their life
You sit back and watch the bricks changing colour as the sun sets...
and the birds making a beautiful silhouette against the fading sky
At the end of the day, you feel an inexplicable joy of just being there with someone you love. Of spending a beautiful evening without saying much. But sharing a lot.
Pics from an evening with neha at IIM-A
March 31, 2009
Thirty on Thirty
What do you plan to do when you turn 30? Travel to someplace you've never been before, buy that diamond ring you've been eyeing for months altogether or just ignore it as if it were just another birthday?
Well, my friend Prashant who turns 30 this month, wishes to do something really significant. He has initiated project 30on30. The idea is on raising 30,000 INR for a cause - For Child Education and Rights - by selling 30 photographs taken by him. 100% of the funds raised through 30on30 would go to Sankalp, a project of ASK , which is based out of Moradabad.
Gift a smile. Support 30on30.
'Falling in Love' - one of my favourite pics taken by Prashant
You too can contribute towards a child's education. All you need to do is go to 30on30 and buy one of the many beautiful pictures displayed there. The details of the print size, shipping cost, receipt, etc.are mentioned on the site. You can also help us spread the word - write about it on your blog or simply mail a couple of friends. A little gesture by you will go a long way to brighten up someone's life!
Thanks Prashant for including me in the 'team' and to Swati and Subhadip for making this come together :)
Well, my friend Prashant who turns 30 this month, wishes to do something really significant. He has initiated project 30on30. The idea is on raising 30,000 INR for a cause - For Child Education and Rights - by selling 30 photographs taken by him. 100% of the funds raised through 30on30 would go to Sankalp, a project of ASK , which is based out of Moradabad.
Gift a smile. Support 30on30.
'Falling in Love' - one of my favourite pics taken by Prashant
You too can contribute towards a child's education. All you need to do is go to 30on30 and buy one of the many beautiful pictures displayed there. The details of the print size, shipping cost, receipt, etc.are mentioned on the site. You can also help us spread the word - write about it on your blog or simply mail a couple of friends. A little gesture by you will go a long way to brighten up someone's life!
Thanks Prashant for including me in the 'team' and to Swati and Subhadip for making this come together :)
November 27, 2008
Mumbai and the media
Terror strikes Mumbai for the umpteenth time and like always, millions of eyeballs get glued to the idiot box. Yet another tragedy falls in the hands of the media, which exploits every opportunity to capitalize on it. So while the oh-so-brave Barkha asks concerned relatives a twisted 'how do you feel about this', the foolish news anchors continuously flash disturbing images followed by utterly atrocious commentary.
Ethics are thrown in a dustbin. Emotions are played with. Sensationalism sets a new benchmark.
Journalists make sure that viewers don't recover from the state of shock and panic. They showcase their intelligence by flashing live images of rescue squads, which can well be seen by the terrorists too. They sneak in dark corners, talk in hush voices to show you 'exclusive' images of a window behind which a terrorist 'may' be hiding. They pick up random celebrities (Mahesh Bhatt is always their favourite) and ask for their opinions.
Bang comes Barkha with another annoying question, "Is this our 9/11?"
They are loaded with questions, but don't know whom to go for answers. The more they know, they less they understand.
And where are the saviours of Mumbai? Mr. Raj Thackeray? Guess he'll take some action only if he's told that the terrorists are bhaiyas.
Ethics are thrown in a dustbin. Emotions are played with. Sensationalism sets a new benchmark.
Journalists make sure that viewers don't recover from the state of shock and panic. They showcase their intelligence by flashing live images of rescue squads, which can well be seen by the terrorists too. They sneak in dark corners, talk in hush voices to show you 'exclusive' images of a window behind which a terrorist 'may' be hiding. They pick up random celebrities (Mahesh Bhatt is always their favourite) and ask for their opinions.
Bang comes Barkha with another annoying question, "Is this our 9/11?"
They are loaded with questions, but don't know whom to go for answers. The more they know, they less they understand.
And where are the saviours of Mumbai? Mr. Raj Thackeray? Guess he'll take some action only if he's told that the terrorists are bhaiyas.
November 09, 2008
November 02, 2008
It was the break i was looking forward to. 6 days of complete freedom - from office and all the other stuff that make life monotonous. Found these strip ads in a lifestyle magazine just before the holidays. They sure were hinting at what was to follow.
I had quite an eventful mini vacation. And though i'm all charged up, i just don't feel like going to office tomorrow :P Will post about the holidays soon. Enjoy!
October 29, 2008
Floored!
For me, the most exciting part about Diwali is making a rangoli. Everywhere you go in India, you find a unique style of floor art or rangoli. This tradition goes back to 5000 years in India. While certain designs are created for special occasions such as weddings and religious festivals, a majority of the time, the only limitation is the artists' creativity.
Traditionally there are two forms of floor art. While rangoli, characteristic of Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan) is a rainbow of colours, the other side of the spectrum are the floor art of Eastern India - Bengal, Orissa, Himachal where they use Alpana, a line drawing in rice powder paste. Since I'm more comfortable with the brush, I prefer the later, though with a difference. Instead of the traditional rice powder, I make use of gheru - powdered red clay.
Ever since we shifted to the new house (some 10 years back), our rangolis have become bigger and more experimental. Afterall, floor is one of the best canvases an artist can ask for!
Here's a showcase of what I've been doing since the last few years.
I'm a big fan of warli painting and tried to use it in this rangoli.
Next year was a bigger, geometric design.
This one's done by my elder sister. She applied gheru on a chart paper and made this neat design with poster colour. The flowers and diyas completed the beautiful design.
The best part is that this design mat is reuseable!
And this one's one of my favourite. Inspired by mehendi design, I made this rising sun which made best use of the entrance space.
The mirrors, the decoupaged matki and the diyas gave it a very pretty look at night.
And this year....
my younger sister gave me a helping hand :P
Measuring 9 equal squares was quite a task
But the final product surely brought a smile on my face :)
Hope you all had a beautiful Diwali!
September 29, 2008
And the award goes to...
Meeeee :)
megha, an artist i truly admire recently awarded me.
For the love of blogging, i would like to pass on this award to some of my favourite blogs -
atul's gaizabonts
girish's songs of the not so innocent
jenny & patrick's chai pilgrimage
vineeta's artnlight
This is a no strings attached award. You can put the logo in your blog and pass it on to others if you wish. Thank you megha and thank you all for making blogging such an exhilarating experience :)
March 11, 2008
Life's like that
I hate Fridays. They are like those people you wish to avoid but nonetheless happen to meet at regular intervals. Like a ‘dare’ that befalls on you no matter how strategically you try to play. It’s like what one feels like on reaching the top of the giant wheel. It all looks so beautiful from that height. Everything seems within your reach. But as it slowly descends, the larger picture is lost and all you are left with is that thing which lies immediately before your eyes. It’s exactly the way a Friday begins, giving hope to numerous possibilities. But by the time you plan something, it’s all lost. Whoosh. The ride is over. You have to come back to ground reality and begin the circle of daily routine.
The best things happen on a hunch, like they did the week that went by. A women’s film festival, a photography exhibition, a display of drawings put up by school children and another exhibition of a renowned painter, Nabibaksh Mansuri are the events that made my week. There’s something about the places these activities take place in and the kind of people you see there that gives rise to an emotion that lingers around for quite some time. Suddenly, you feel a part of a community that endorses the aesthetically appealing activities. It gives you a different kind of high; a voice that screams out ‘yeah, this is life man’. To paint a picture with bold strokes on a huge canvas, to capture the myriad human expressions through the lens, to appreciate beauty and have the freedom to express it the way you understand it...That’s life.
Had it not been for media studies, I would have taken up fine arts. I’m reminded of a line from Bob Dylan’s song, “People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent.”
The best things happen on a hunch, like they did the week that went by. A women’s film festival, a photography exhibition, a display of drawings put up by school children and another exhibition of a renowned painter, Nabibaksh Mansuri are the events that made my week. There’s something about the places these activities take place in and the kind of people you see there that gives rise to an emotion that lingers around for quite some time. Suddenly, you feel a part of a community that endorses the aesthetically appealing activities. It gives you a different kind of high; a voice that screams out ‘yeah, this is life man’. To paint a picture with bold strokes on a huge canvas, to capture the myriad human expressions through the lens, to appreciate beauty and have the freedom to express it the way you understand it...That’s life.
Had it not been for media studies, I would have taken up fine arts. I’m reminded of a line from Bob Dylan’s song, “People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent.”
February 06, 2008
i have something to say...
.jpg)
It’s been long since I posted something on the blog. Considering the medium, even 2-3 days is a long time and I was away for almost 20 days! Reason? Even I don’t know. Not that I didn’t have anything to say, but just that I didn’t know how to say it. But today I do.
I dread the word ‘expectations’ and no matter how hard I try to avoid it, it manages to come back to me time and again. Sometimes it’s about things I expect from others but more often it’s about things I expect from myself. At times I think I know exactly what I want from life. And at times I’m left completely clueless. Sometimes I crib because I believe I do not have enough options to choose from. And at others, I get boggled down by the choices in front of me and hate it when I have to go through the pain of choosing one thing over the other.
It gets even worse when people put a certain amount of faith in you. Relationships often get marred by expectations. It’s not easy to please everyone; rather, it’s impossible. But still, we keep trying, thinking that some day we will succeed. And though we know we are doomed to fail, we do not lose hope.
I, like everyone else, like to find solace in the word ‘hope.’
January 07, 2008
Ad-dicted – The best ads of 2007
From typical saas-bahu soaps to typical reality shows - television programming is getting more and more stereo‘typical’…
Little wonder, there are only 2 things I watch with full devotion on TV – the amazing shows on Travel and Living and advertisements.
2007 I believe has been one of the good years for ad agencies owing to some major changes in marketing strategies, mergers and launch of some great brands. The following are some of my favourite ads that were showcased in 2007:
(Follow the link to watch the ad)
Happydent – Hats off to Prasoon Joshi – the man behind the 100 watts smile. What does he eat? I mean, who would have thought of such huge sets, never-seen-before idea and a crazy execution for a mere chewing gum? Little wonder, all the ad functions went gaga over this ad. It surely deserved it.
Bingo – Bingo marked a new trend in advertising – something that we’d never seen before. A clip which started as a tele-shopping ad for glad bangles gets weirdly associated to Bingo’s combination of mad angles! Stupid? Creative? Whatever people say, the fact is that you remember the ad because of its craziness. No confusion, great combination indeed.
Airtel – The brand moves from its “express yourself” tagline and goes deeper with a new thought, ‘Barriers break when people talk’. The original idea was to set the ad at the Wagah Border, and get Indian and Pakistani soldiers to start a football game together. But later, it was changed to make the appeal much more universal. The result – Airtel breaks the clutter and once again becomes one of the most recalled brands.
Vodafone– Hutch becomes Vodafone and the ads just get better. No dialogues, just some background music, great performances and gripping visuals. You’d leave anything aside to watch these ads one more time. I especially love the elevator ad where the poor chap waits the entire day to meet his soulmate and finally meets her. The song ‘take me away’ was especially made for the ad! Loved it.
Lee- This one’s Lee’s first television ad in India and what a success! Denims get a sensuous look and the song ‘I want to touch you’ does the magic. This one was made by a 6 month old ad agency from Bangalore called ‘Happy’ and here too the song was especially made for this ad.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism –Jheel dekho, taad dekho, sher ki dahaad dekho, aankhein neeche neeche dekho, aankhein phaad phaad dekho...
I wish I make something as lovely as this someday. The addictive music, the perfectly rhyming list of sentences, the tamasha treatment – you are sure to enjoy this ad everytime you watch it.
I’m sure there are many more ads but these are the ones that come to my mind instantly. While the world cribs about increased airtime to ads, I would say they are probably the only creative spots we are left with on Indian television today. And I strongly believe there should be a channel completely dedicated to ads so that soaps and reality shows do not spoil the fun of appreciating creativity at its best. What say :)
Little wonder, there are only 2 things I watch with full devotion on TV – the amazing shows on Travel and Living and advertisements.
2007 I believe has been one of the good years for ad agencies owing to some major changes in marketing strategies, mergers and launch of some great brands. The following are some of my favourite ads that were showcased in 2007:
(Follow the link to watch the ad)
Happydent – Hats off to Prasoon Joshi – the man behind the 100 watts smile. What does he eat? I mean, who would have thought of such huge sets, never-seen-before idea and a crazy execution for a mere chewing gum? Little wonder, all the ad functions went gaga over this ad. It surely deserved it.
Bingo – Bingo marked a new trend in advertising – something that we’d never seen before. A clip which started as a tele-shopping ad for glad bangles gets weirdly associated to Bingo’s combination of mad angles! Stupid? Creative? Whatever people say, the fact is that you remember the ad because of its craziness. No confusion, great combination indeed.
Airtel – The brand moves from its “express yourself” tagline and goes deeper with a new thought, ‘Barriers break when people talk’. The original idea was to set the ad at the Wagah Border, and get Indian and Pakistani soldiers to start a football game together. But later, it was changed to make the appeal much more universal. The result – Airtel breaks the clutter and once again becomes one of the most recalled brands.
Vodafone– Hutch becomes Vodafone and the ads just get better. No dialogues, just some background music, great performances and gripping visuals. You’d leave anything aside to watch these ads one more time. I especially love the elevator ad where the poor chap waits the entire day to meet his soulmate and finally meets her. The song ‘take me away’ was especially made for the ad! Loved it.
Lee- This one’s Lee’s first television ad in India and what a success! Denims get a sensuous look and the song ‘I want to touch you’ does the magic. This one was made by a 6 month old ad agency from Bangalore called ‘Happy’ and here too the song was especially made for this ad.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism –Jheel dekho, taad dekho, sher ki dahaad dekho, aankhein neeche neeche dekho, aankhein phaad phaad dekho...
I wish I make something as lovely as this someday. The addictive music, the perfectly rhyming list of sentences, the tamasha treatment – you are sure to enjoy this ad everytime you watch it.
I’m sure there are many more ads but these are the ones that come to my mind instantly. While the world cribs about increased airtime to ads, I would say they are probably the only creative spots we are left with on Indian television today. And I strongly believe there should be a channel completely dedicated to ads so that soaps and reality shows do not spoil the fun of appreciating creativity at its best. What say :)
January 02, 2008
First post of 2008!
Couldn’t think of a better way of welcoming the New Year on this blog than posting one of my favourite poems…
Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain
Abhi ishq ke imtehan aur bhi hain
Tahi zindagi se nahin ye fizayen
Yahan siakdon karwaan aur bhi hain
Khana’at na kar aalam-e-rang-o-bu par
Chaman aur bhi aashiyaan aur bhi hain
Agar kho gaya ek nasheman to kya ghum
Maqmat-e-aah-o-fughaan aur bhi hain
Tu shaheen hai parvwaaz hai kaam tera
Tere saamne aasmaan aur bhi hain
Isi roz-o-shab main ulajh kar na rah ja
Ke tere zameen par makaan aur bhi hain
Gaye din ke tanha tha main anjuman mein
Yahaan ab mere raazdaan aur bhi hain
Beyond the stars there are worlds more
Our quest yet has more tests to pass
This existence alone does not matter
There are boundless journeys more
Do not rest on what you have
There are paradises more to explore
Why worry if you have lost one abode
There are a million addresses to claim
You are the falcon, your passion is flight
And you have skies more to transcend
Lose not yourself in the cycle of days and nights
Within your reach are feats even more
Gone is the day when I was lonesome in the crowd
Today those who resonate my thoughts are more
Mohammed Iqbal
Naujawaan ke Naam, Bal-e-Jibraeel, 1908
Naujawaan ke Naam, Bal-e-Jibraeel, 1908
December 30, 2007
Stop to shop
Lord save me from the disastrous shopping trips I end up into. Last afternoon, my parents got a pleasant surprise when I announced, ‘I feel like shopping.’ Their eyes gleamed on hearing this rare expression from the Big B and immediately mom got ready to accompany me for shopping.
Alright, I know I’m a little too choosy when it comes to clothes (more than 4 clothes still have price tags attached to it and more than a dozen shirts that I haven’t touched since ages still usurp my wardrobe space). But then, that’s me. Live with it.
Almost an hour into the shop, and I felt like banging my head against the wall. Why, no I mean, WHY don’t I ever get the kind of clothes I want?? All of them are so tight and dhinchak. Why can’t they just keep simple, normal clothes? Everything has to be so bloody body-fitted. I mean, how do even people breathe in it? Tight jeans and tight t-shirt. Go to a tailor and he wouldn’t even have to take out his measuring tape to know your vital stats! And everything seems to be so loud (probably, it’s my mistake - I went during party season). Everything was glittering – loaded with sequins, stones and God alone knows what all.
Anyways, my point is why does fashion have to come in the way of what you feel comfortable in? Isn’t it ok if I don’t like those clothes? Wouldn’t it be just fine to move around in my jeans and kurta? No, I’m absolutely normal. Just that I detest this whole idea of going with the ‘in’ thing.
End of topic. No more shopping trips for me. In 2007 I mean. Better luck in 2008!
Wish you all a very happy New Year!!! :)
Alright, I know I’m a little too choosy when it comes to clothes (more than 4 clothes still have price tags attached to it and more than a dozen shirts that I haven’t touched since ages still usurp my wardrobe space). But then, that’s me. Live with it.
Almost an hour into the shop, and I felt like banging my head against the wall. Why, no I mean, WHY don’t I ever get the kind of clothes I want?? All of them are so tight and dhinchak. Why can’t they just keep simple, normal clothes? Everything has to be so bloody body-fitted. I mean, how do even people breathe in it? Tight jeans and tight t-shirt. Go to a tailor and he wouldn’t even have to take out his measuring tape to know your vital stats! And everything seems to be so loud (probably, it’s my mistake - I went during party season). Everything was glittering – loaded with sequins, stones and God alone knows what all.
Anyways, my point is why does fashion have to come in the way of what you feel comfortable in? Isn’t it ok if I don’t like those clothes? Wouldn’t it be just fine to move around in my jeans and kurta? No, I’m absolutely normal. Just that I detest this whole idea of going with the ‘in’ thing.
End of topic. No more shopping trips for me. In 2007 I mean. Better luck in 2008!
Wish you all a very happy New Year!!! :)
December 27, 2007
5 taare to Taare Zameen Par
2 days back I watched TZP. I must admit, it’s after a long long time that a movie made me cry. After all the gyaan regarding video-production in DCS, I started looking at cinema from a very cynical point of view. So everytime I watched a movie, I would scrutinize it to the core and comment on it left right and centre. The result, I would never enjoy the movie. And this left me cinematically malnourished. Thankfully, this movie came forth as a saviour.
The subject itself is so strong that you happily overlook the minor flaws here and there. It’s a simple story beautifully captured and complete with brilliant performances. There is an instant connect with the character of Ishaan (Darsheel) – the dyslexic child burdened with the expectations of his parents and teachers alike. At some point in time, everyone has been misunderstood in his/her childhood. And this story is just about that – the vulnerable state of a child when people dearest to him are not ready to understand his state.
Where did we ever get the crazy idea that in order to make children do better, first we have to make them feel worse? Aamir Khan’s role as the art teacher Nikumbh compels us to reflect on parent’s behaviour towards children who are forced to join the rat-race; parents who are not ready to understand that ‘every child is special.’ His concern for Ishaan looks genuine, his fear for Ishaan’s future wants us to get up and help him too. The unspoken words between Nikumbh and Ishaan; the depressed look on Ishaan’s face; Nikumbh’s moist eyes – there are so many instances where you feel a gulp in your throat.
Add to it Prasoon Joshi’s beautiful lyrics; Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s unfailing music; lovely animations that take us into Ishaan’s mind; some unusually great performances by many debutants and the documentary shots of children shown during the credits. The year couldn’t have ended better!
CNN-IBN: Taare Zameen Par, directed by Aamir Khan and written by Amole Gupte, is the one film you have to watch, even if you haven't watched anything else this year because it's a film with a big heart, an important message, but mostly because it's a film that could change your life.
The subject itself is so strong that you happily overlook the minor flaws here and there. It’s a simple story beautifully captured and complete with brilliant performances. There is an instant connect with the character of Ishaan (Darsheel) – the dyslexic child burdened with the expectations of his parents and teachers alike. At some point in time, everyone has been misunderstood in his/her childhood. And this story is just about that – the vulnerable state of a child when people dearest to him are not ready to understand his state.
Where did we ever get the crazy idea that in order to make children do better, first we have to make them feel worse? Aamir Khan’s role as the art teacher Nikumbh compels us to reflect on parent’s behaviour towards children who are forced to join the rat-race; parents who are not ready to understand that ‘every child is special.’ His concern for Ishaan looks genuine, his fear for Ishaan’s future wants us to get up and help him too. The unspoken words between Nikumbh and Ishaan; the depressed look on Ishaan’s face; Nikumbh’s moist eyes – there are so many instances where you feel a gulp in your throat.
Add to it Prasoon Joshi’s beautiful lyrics; Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s unfailing music; lovely animations that take us into Ishaan’s mind; some unusually great performances by many debutants and the documentary shots of children shown during the credits. The year couldn’t have ended better!
CNN-IBN: Taare Zameen Par, directed by Aamir Khan and written by Amole Gupte, is the one film you have to watch, even if you haven't watched anything else this year because it's a film with a big heart, an important message, but mostly because it's a film that could change your life.
November 20, 2007
Om Shanti Om - The Review
Well, there are three types of cinema goers:
1. Those who consider cinema as a work of art, have some cinematic sense and look for an aesthetic appeal.
1. Those who consider cinema as a work of art, have some cinematic sense and look for an aesthetic appeal.
2. Those who consider cinema as a product and look for a complete paisa-vasool experience.
3. Those who watch anything and everything.
Well, OSO – arguably the biggest film of 2007 – is a treat for everyone. I must confess at the very beginning of this post that by no means am I an SRK fan. However, he is the plastic beauty (tweaking the phrase) from Bollywood that can mould himself into characters from a fun loving college student in most of his movies to the legendary Ashoka to the socially responsible NRI in Swades. So whether you like him or not, he’s definitely worth a watch for the sheer fact that he is the King of Bollywood.
Spoofs have always been a favourite with the Indian audience. And when an entire movie rests on Bollywood’s attempt to laugh at itself (including SRK), it is sure to catch many eyeballs. Farah Khan leaves no stone unturned and gives the audience just what they love the most – a riot of film stars, larger-than-life sets, good music, hot babes and babas (how can you forget the six packs?!) and the eternal happy ending.
The film churns out a potpourri of tried and tested success formulae, carefully handpicked from many films. Like any super-duper hit movie, OSO has everything – emotions, drama (way too much), suspense, horror (oh yes!) and action. And all of this spiced up with a dash of nostalgia – the 70’s look. Especially the song, ‘Main Agar Kahoon’ is a visual treat - the blue-tinted night, the moving scenery against the car, the full moon rising in the background forming lovely silhouettes…Farah almost romanticizes the bygone era and leaves you wanting for more. But then comes the kahani mein twist. The hero must die to come back in another era with more drama. And this is achieved by not attributing any hero-like qualities to the character. So unlike the matrix stunts of Main Hoon Na, you have Om, the superman doing ‘Udibaba’!
As for the performances, SRK doesn’t have to try too hard to fit into the 70’S melodramatic role – overacting comes naturally to him. Deepika looks ravishing and Shreyas is adorable. As for Kiron Kher – she could have replaced Madhubala in Mughal-E-Azam ;). Towards the end, the real heroes of the movie – all the crew members - are honoured on the red carpet in patent Farah style.
Overall, OSO is to be seen not so much for the stardom but for the sheer amount of hard work that has gone into making a visually appealing film.
November 07, 2007
Happy Diwali :)
Came across this flyer a couple of days back. Check out the spellings at the bottom :P
November 02, 2007
My Favourite Jingles :)
I was going through some of the best TV commercials India has produced and then, I thought of taking note of the best jingles that have won the hearts of millions:
Tan ki shakti, mann ki shakti…Bournvita
Nope, boost wasn’t the secret of my energy; it was Bournvita and the credit goes to this very catchy jingle. Even the latest ‘epang, opang, jhapang’ is quite popular.
Tandurusti ki raksha karta hai Lifebuoy
Yes, the red coloured brick with a strong smell was (and continues to be) one of the highest selling soaps in India. Do not remember any other soap that became popular owing to its jingle.
Buland bharat ki buland tasveer…Hamara bajaj
It’s not only about the song but also the product with which you were so attached some years ago. Remember those scooters which had to be tilted on one side? The song rings a note of patriotism (I don’t know why, but it does.) One of the finest jingles produced till date.
Kurram kurram…Lijjat papad
People dressed in rabbit costumes and a bunch of people dancing in a garden made for a really funny campaign for Lijjat papad. Nonetheless, the kurram kurram was the perfect use of onomatopoeia for these crispy papads. I also distinctly remember the little rabbit that would pop up in the end!
Jab ghar ki ronak badhani ho – Nerolac paints
Simple lyrics and a lovely tune – a perfect combination that caught one’s attention, especially during Diwali.
Zandu balm…zandu balm
Some jingles may not be great but the fact that you remember them till date – just like some stupid nursery rhymes – make them worth mentioning. Zandu balm jingle falls under that category.
Nirma…nirma...nirma detergent tikiya
Think of great jingles and you’re sure to mention this one. Over the years, the Nirma ads have changed but they still use the same jingle.
Titan
No lyrics here but Mozart’s soulful symphony mesmerizes the audience till date. The moment you hear it you know its Titan. That’s what they call ‘excellent recall value’ in advertising.
Maggi maggi maggi
Had it as a kid, have it even now – it’s the ultimate quick-dish. However, I’ve never managed to prepare it in 2 minutes.
Mera gaanv – Amul dairy
Ok, some may not recognize this one. Probably it was aired more in Gujarat. Smita Patil and shots from the movie ‘Manthan’ talk about women-empowerment and how Amul dairy has brought in a revolution. It has the feel of a navratri song, though the lyrics are in Hindi.
These were some jingles from the bygone era. As for the new ones, probably I’ll publish another post :)
Tan ki shakti, mann ki shakti…Bournvita
Nope, boost wasn’t the secret of my energy; it was Bournvita and the credit goes to this very catchy jingle. Even the latest ‘epang, opang, jhapang’ is quite popular.
Tandurusti ki raksha karta hai Lifebuoy
Yes, the red coloured brick with a strong smell was (and continues to be) one of the highest selling soaps in India. Do not remember any other soap that became popular owing to its jingle.
Buland bharat ki buland tasveer…Hamara bajaj
It’s not only about the song but also the product with which you were so attached some years ago. Remember those scooters which had to be tilted on one side? The song rings a note of patriotism (I don’t know why, but it does.) One of the finest jingles produced till date.
Kurram kurram…Lijjat papad
People dressed in rabbit costumes and a bunch of people dancing in a garden made for a really funny campaign for Lijjat papad. Nonetheless, the kurram kurram was the perfect use of onomatopoeia for these crispy papads. I also distinctly remember the little rabbit that would pop up in the end!
Jab ghar ki ronak badhani ho – Nerolac paints
Simple lyrics and a lovely tune – a perfect combination that caught one’s attention, especially during Diwali.
Zandu balm…zandu balm
Some jingles may not be great but the fact that you remember them till date – just like some stupid nursery rhymes – make them worth mentioning. Zandu balm jingle falls under that category.
Nirma…nirma...nirma detergent tikiya
Think of great jingles and you’re sure to mention this one. Over the years, the Nirma ads have changed but they still use the same jingle.
Titan
No lyrics here but Mozart’s soulful symphony mesmerizes the audience till date. The moment you hear it you know its Titan. That’s what they call ‘excellent recall value’ in advertising.
Maggi maggi maggi
Had it as a kid, have it even now – it’s the ultimate quick-dish. However, I’ve never managed to prepare it in 2 minutes.
Mera gaanv – Amul dairy
Ok, some may not recognize this one. Probably it was aired more in Gujarat. Smita Patil and shots from the movie ‘Manthan’ talk about women-empowerment and how Amul dairy has brought in a revolution. It has the feel of a navratri song, though the lyrics are in Hindi.
These were some jingles from the bygone era. As for the new ones, probably I’ll publish another post :)
October 31, 2007
1947 – An Unknown Story
History has never been discussed openly in our family. Not much is known of what happened when my grandparents fled from Pakistan and came to India in 1947. As an inquisitive child, I pestered my grandparents on several occasions but in vain. All I remember is the real-life ‘story’ my nani would relate everytime I asked her about that historic journey from Pakistan to India. “You won’t believe, we had a swing adorned with gems and gold chips back in our haveli in Pakistan,” she said with an air of spontaneity. Each time I heard that, my eyes would gleam with surprise. It was hard to believe that my nani used to live in some kind of a palatial house. I would imagine her lying on a gem-studded swing, the kinds they showed on Tipu-Sultan series on Doordarshan. “But we had to leave all of that behind and rush to India. All we could bring along were the many silver and gold coins we had,” she continued. I knew what was to follow – the most designer belt I had ever heard of. “I had this belt with a zip running on its back side. It served as a secret pocket and I hid all the coins in there and wore it under my saree.” Next to follow were the long train journeys with unknown people who shared the same sense of insecurity; the survival stories in unhygienic camps; passing through jungles where snakes would simply slither away and hiding in unusual places. Finally, after many days they reached Mumbai and from there they shifted to Ahmedabad.
That’s it; my excitement level would suddenly dip. Everything that followed seemed very routine and took place in a country I live in. I wanted to know more about Pakistan – as if it were a country very different from India. So nani would tell me tales about her village in Pakistan – how she would play with her friends there, the household tasks she would do….She would get transported to some other world – a place she once called her home. “Aisa nahin nani, kuch alag batao,” I would suddenly interrupt and break her trance. My demands would snatch her back to reality - to a place where she was compelled to unlearn the old ways of learning and start from scratch. It was disturbing for her and that clearly reflected in her tone. “Aur kya sunaun? Mujhe aur kuch yaad nahin,” she would dismiss me and I would leave disappointed. Then for quite some time she would sit all alone and get lost in her world once again.
I knew she lied. She did remember a lot about her days in Pakistan but never wanted to tell us. Perhaps she didn’t want anybody to intrude in the little corner of her world – the fields where she could run carefree; the friends with whom she could share her dreams; the people who didn’t hold any prejudices; the haveli with its overarching doors and the gem studded swing where she could lie down peacefully.
That’s it; my excitement level would suddenly dip. Everything that followed seemed very routine and took place in a country I live in. I wanted to know more about Pakistan – as if it were a country very different from India. So nani would tell me tales about her village in Pakistan – how she would play with her friends there, the household tasks she would do….She would get transported to some other world – a place she once called her home. “Aisa nahin nani, kuch alag batao,” I would suddenly interrupt and break her trance. My demands would snatch her back to reality - to a place where she was compelled to unlearn the old ways of learning and start from scratch. It was disturbing for her and that clearly reflected in her tone. “Aur kya sunaun? Mujhe aur kuch yaad nahin,” she would dismiss me and I would leave disappointed. Then for quite some time she would sit all alone and get lost in her world once again.
I knew she lied. She did remember a lot about her days in Pakistan but never wanted to tell us. Perhaps she didn’t want anybody to intrude in the little corner of her world – the fields where she could run carefree; the friends with whom she could share her dreams; the people who didn’t hold any prejudices; the haveli with its overarching doors and the gem studded swing where she could lie down peacefully.
October 28, 2007
In the name of God
i came alive
from the burning flames
while she stood there
succumbing to the political games
they slit open her womb
and flung the foetus in the pyre
who would say they are humans?
they were beasts
in human’s attire
‘in the name of god we do this’
they killed mercilessly and said
one ghastly act provoked another
and soon the untamed fire spread
six years have passed
but those screams still haunt me
the bloodbath, the horrifying sights
flash across unexpectedly and jolt me
‘you were lucky to have escaped the genocide’,
they thank the lord and say
somebody go tell them
i was saved once
but i die every single day
from the burning flames
while she stood there
succumbing to the political games
they slit open her womb
and flung the foetus in the pyre
who would say they are humans?
they were beasts
in human’s attire
‘in the name of god we do this’
they killed mercilessly and said
one ghastly act provoked another
and soon the untamed fire spread
six years have passed
but those screams still haunt me
the bloodbath, the horrifying sights
flash across unexpectedly and jolt me
‘you were lucky to have escaped the genocide’,
they thank the lord and say
somebody go tell them
i was saved once
but i die every single day
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)