"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney
Share your views and add your reviews on classics or the latest fiction and nonfiction, science fiction, inspirational, horror, bestsellers, Pulitzer Prize, Booker prize, Sahitya academy, Oprah's book club, National Book Award winners, history, romance and more.
A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy. ~Edward P. Morgan
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!" Rhett Butler to Scarlett in the multi-Oscar winning 'Gone With the Wind'
A movie that moved you? Lets talk about it ...
"Tera kya hoga kaalia !?" - Gabbar Singh
CHECK OUT the posts here for ....
REKHA's RAVES 'n REVIEWS !
Cry, The Beloved Country
By Alan Paton... Check out Rekha's Raves 'n Reviews post !
Baran (Movie)
An award winning Iranian film by Majid Majidi... Check out Rekha's Raves 'n Reviews in this blog.....
The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy's Booker Prize winner 1997
Himalaya (Movie)
Eric Valli's Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign film 1999
62 comments:
Copied over from the "Aap Hum Aur Musique" thread :
Hey Mehfil,
Vowwwww,
I can not believe this, you are an aquarian. See, I guessed it right.
Indeed, you have all the "symptons" of an aquarian. Some of the classical features you have already pointed out and I am going to add a major one which is interest in "social upliftment". Right! Sometimes, I do feel that I am born to correct the functioning of the society, this world etc. etc. It is a crazy notion and a bad sympton, pur kaya kare addat se majboor hai.
Now, it is REAL pleasure to meet you on this forum. Thanks to Sare ga ma pa that I got to meet such nice people. All of you are GREAT.
About the books and movies, how about posting one book/movie review a week. That should give all of us plenty of time for discussion etc.
Another book, my all time favorite is "The God of small things" by Arundhati Roy. This is a famous book so you must have read it.
How about "The Jaguar Smile" by Salman Rushdie. In my opinion, it is his best non-fiction writings. Honestly, I could not pass first 20 pages of his most popular book "The Satanic Verses".
(see how easy it is for aquarians to start non-sense blabbering), so rest will be in next post.
Rekha
October 12, 2007 7:58 PM
Mehfil said...
Rekha,
Absolutely!!I bought satanic verses long long time back, but the whole structure and characterization was so confusing for me that after around 20 pages or so, I lost every bit of interest in wasting my time, I knew I HAD to learn something about the book so I sought some help with reviews and general discussions. that was the end of satanic verses. God of small things and a village by the sea, the great indan novel by shashi tharoor are a few others that I really liked. Of course Vikram seth is the best in indian poetry ( english ).
Its a great idea that you post a review of one book each week, irrespective of whether somebody has read it or not, because chances are that some of the people may not have even heard of it. I am NOT saying that bcoz I think of myself way above the ordinary ( actually I DO ... you know freakin aquarians pretty well ! , dont you ? ), but as an example, I did not even hear about the book you referred ( city Woman, edited by Liz heron), a review makes you decide whether its your Kinda material or not, like I said, a heavy characterization makes me very very nervous, reading should be easy on mind and you should be able to Breathe ! I read 2-3 books at a time, just to change the taste. At this point in time however, I'm faced with a very heavy load of books, somebody from india has sent me 2 volumes of mahabharta( a modern rendering, by Rupa publications) and another great books by shashi Tharoor called, "the Elephant, the Tiger and the cell phone", so when mahabharata gets too Tough for me, I switch to the other one. I do recommend "the Elephant, the Tiger and the cell phone", its about India emerging as a 21st century power. I will try to post a review by sunday ( tomorrow is a big day, I can hardly wait for the finale, not for anything else, but bcoz I will get to hear poonam and mussarat).
Good God, one look at the blog will make me so addictive ? I did not anticipate ! but having imbibed from such passionate people like yourslef, is a reward That I did not anticipate either !
and yes Rekha, I wonder if I said it, but any and everything you intend to do for poonam, count me in. I wonder if ashraf was able to get the petition across ? common sense tells me it was a noble idea but in our part of the world, corporations really give a damn about the "PUBLIC OPINION", while its true that we are climbing the power ladder in the world, we still need to mend our ways to deserve the title of "SUPER POWER". Perhaps more of you and ashraf and all those with a sensitive heart and the will to change will EVENTUALLY change INDIA. woh shahryar ne kaha tha na.
Dil hai tou dhadkne ka bahana koi dhoodhay
pathar ki tarha be hiss-o-be jan sa kiyon hai ?
may your heart always have a dhadkan for the less fortunate and the deserving.
Regards
Mehfil
October 12, 2007 9:43 PM
Ashraf Husain said...
Hi Senty
This is my first post on this blog, and I pleased to say that you have done a marvellous job by creating this place for true music lovers. I am not sure, once the SRGMP is over, whether most of us will visit the srgmpshow.com or not. Once thing is sure though, we will make it a point to visit this forum, and enlighten ourselves with some soul stirring and highly refreshing exchange of ideas. Keep up the good work, we all pray for your success.
October 12, 2007 10:53 PM
Ashraf Husain said...
Hi Mehfil,
Actually Basuji and myself did press $hashi to go ahead with the petition, but he felt it won't serve any purpose. Probably like us he too thought that Zee people have already made up their mind, and were hell bent on doing whatever they think it is in their might, whether wrong or right. The fact is that Zee had already planned to foist Aneek as the winner, and what we are witnessing right now is just a part of the script which is being played along by various characters. I am not sure if you have read my current posts on srgmpshow site, where I have mentioned regarding rules 10 and 11 of the Zee SRGMP competition, which entitles/empowers them to change the format of the competition, validate/invalidate votes. To sum up, they have got all the discreationary powers to manipulate the results, thus rendering the entire excercise of voting useless, and making the fool out of sincere viewers/voters. There are atleast two prospective sponsors, one in the US and the other in Canada, willing to organise concerts for Poona, in those countries. You must have also came across the news that all the top contestants will be going on world concert tour beginning Nov 21 (not sure about exact date).
I am also an avid reader and love to read books on any subject. However my favorite type is fiction, sci-fiction and adventure. I am very much (too deep) into Harry Potter series, Star Wars universe, etc. All this because my children love to listen to stories, and I have to tell them stories on regular basis. The books which I have read and loved are: Mother by Maxim Gorky, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Hill of the Tulip Mountains (don't remember the Author), Wizard of the Oz by L Frank Baum, Complete Harry Potter series, many books by Ahmed Deedat, many of the Hardy Boys books. I just cannot stop reading. I started to read when I was in IV standard I used to get 50 paise to go to school, and daily I used to purchase Times of India, which then was priced at 40 paise. From then on there has been no looking back.
With regard to Poonam, whenever anything comes up, I will post it on this forum, as I believe all the members of our clan (Poonam fans) have set up their bases here. Well then happy blogging till we meet next time.
In quest to find good cinema, I have seen many movies from different parts of this world. I remember some because they are superb whereas some being junk are totally forgotten. I feel a good film is that draws the viewer completely in the plot, makes him/her a part of the cast and takes him/her through all the emotions of the script. I happened to see one such good movie from Iran. The details of this movie are:
Movie: Baran
Country: Iran
Director: Majid Majidi
About director:
Majid Majidi is an accomplished director who has re-difined good cinema by displaying human emotions in the purest form. His other award winning movies are
Children of Heaven 1997
The color of Paradise 1999
Review of Baran: Lateef is a 17 year old Kurdish young man working as a 'tea boy' at a building construction site in the outskirts of Teran city. An illegal Afghan worker at the same site gets hurt and is replaced by the worker's young son named Rahmat. Since Rahmat is fragile and is unable to perform hard labor, the construction foreman makes Rahmat as 'tea boy' and gives Lateef the construction job. This makes Lateef resent Rahmat and he uses every trick to get Rahmat fired from the job. But later when he discovers that Rahmat is a young woman and the bread-winner of a large family, he discovers within himself new set of emotions.
His journey through these emotions is the center plot of this movie.
Lateef's attraction towards Rahmat is shown in the most purest form. It is amazing to see the expression of love in total silence between two young hearts.
Rekha
There you go.. Excellent review. Very crisp and neat !
I have seen the DVD in the library but didnt know it was by Majid Majidi. I'll rent it on my next stop at the lib. His "Color of Paradise" moved me immensely. I am sure Baran will be a similar experience. THANKS !
- Senty
Dayyam,
I just watched the "Color of Paradise" on senty's recommendation, It was beautiful, specially liked the character of mohammad and that of the carpenter and the school teacher, superb film, we USED to make such good movies in the Parallel cinema or art cinema, PAAR, saaransh, Sparsh etc., but now we only make apka suroor and more of himesh rehsmaiya shows !
This blog is going too fast, Now another recommended movie, and since it appears to be by the same director, I'm sure it would be good, Rekha's review said it all. also Rekha the review was excellante, nicely presented, Hey Dudette, why dont you seriously start writing reviews for films and books in newspapers. I'm not kidding, you are a natural.
I will have to catch up on the movies, its way faster than books, I ususally finish a book with in a week, depending if I'm driving or taking teh train, with winter setting in , I'll have more time to read on trains. I hope it doesnt snow a lot this year. Senty, I'm already grinding an Axe with( for) you !! hehehehe
Good Job gals, will catch you later in teh day.
Regards
Mehfil
Mehfil, Rekha,
Yes, the blog is going too fast.. I am panting to keep up .. seiously ! Thanks for your all support guys..!! Very very grateful ! And so much fun..!
Mehfil, happy you caught the Color of Paradise.
Antoher recommendation of mine, on similar topic, is "Ponette" - a French movie.. its about this little girl about 4 or 5 who loses her mom in an accident.. and the entire movie is about how the child deals with the loss. The movie is entirely from the child's point of view. My rating - 5*. There is a little bit of Christian faith added to it, but the movie (and acting) is just brilliant.
I prefer reading just coz movies like "DaVinci code" was a total disaster compared to the thrilling ride of the book. I didnt see the Matt Damon "Bourne" series just coz I enjoyed the R.Ludlum books so much. Ofcourse, many others like "Gone with the wind" were super good movies as well.
Later ...
- Senty
@Mehfil, Senty,
Yeh blog supersonic speed se baag raha hai, lagta hai, kahe meri naukari station pur na rahe jayei.
Hey Mehfil, if you have a newspaper going I do not mind writing for it.
Right now, I will be very happy to share my thoughts on such movies with you and Senty because we appear to have similar taste.
I have seen all 80's art house movies inclusing paar, sparash----and they were Cinema @ Excellence.
Now the industry is churning out Aap ka saroor, Heyy baby, Zoom Brabar Zoom, Bunty aur babli, EK se Ek bekkar naam and movie.
I am a BIG fan of Shyam Bengal, how about you both?
@Senty,
I just noticed the picture of Baran movie cover on the left corner.
My God, how did you do that? Wovvvvvvvvv that looks so good and ek dum professional.
Aub toh bilkul meri naukari station pur rehane valli hai (because I will be riding the supersonic Blog train).
Rekha,
I think I have to join you in the station :-)
Shyam Benegal - my fav too. Have seem Trikaal, Mandi, Kalyug (mordern Mahabharat :-)) , Junoon (wow !), Bhumika (Smitha rocked !) etc.. I know there are plenty more I've missed. No chance to see them here in the US.. not that I'm aware of. After watching on Doordarshan, I rented all these movies from an online rental service (indofilms.com ) a cpl years back. It closed down later :-(
later... HAVE to get back to work :-(
- Senty
quick hello
nice set up
be back l8r
Senty & Rekha
Shyam Benegal ? Huh ? did you forget Ankur, Manthan, sardari begum ? and since Shyam has been mentioned, the next is probably Satyajit ray ? and taking of him, there is a book by satyajit ray called, "our films , their films", its like hardly a 100 pages, booklet type book, but has a lot to say about indian and foreign cinema. and talking of art movies, If I'm Not mistaken, there was this bengali movie called the RAT TRAP ( watched the one with english subtitles ), It was way back when, but If you can get the movie, you are talking the most brilliant cinema, its about a bengali babu, who lives with his 2 sisters and dominates them like a jerk, since he is providing for them , the sisters are reluctant to leave. in one scene he snatches the Roti from his sister saying pata bhi hai, ata daal ka bhav ?. As the story goes, he has one weakness, he is scared of Rats and mice, but the sisters aren't. so everyday they save him the agony by chasing the rats out. it so happens that the village is struck with downpour and the entire village is inundated, as the flood starts rising, gazillions of rats are looking for shelters and they head to his house, he is desperate for help and begs his sisters to save him, also he cannot swim, the girls can ! yup, array nahin bhai yeah drop scene nahin hai ! this is where the flashbacks and in between the brother is begging ! in the final scene he is on their feet, but the girls measure their pathetic lives in silence and without saying a word, the younger one looks up at the older sister and both of them have a half bitter and half sweet smile on their faces and then they start moving towards the water ( aik dum khatam scene hai ! ) where the entire village is heading, and this guy is shivering with the invasion of rats and the rising water. Magnificent movie, the story is simple but the acting is so engrossing and captivating, only 3 mentionable characters in the movie, yet you never feel ki movie FOOTAGE kha rahi hai !! If you can get hold of it its a must watch. I think there was a hindi version also, but not sure.
More on that and everything else later.
Oh and thanks Senty for putting up that song from gaman, Its really close to my heart, I relate to it a lot moving into this world, this song got me going !
Lagta hai, aab IT chorr ke chitown main cab chalani padegi !
aayee aayee Anon aayee !! welcome dudette( dudette right ?)
regards to all
Mehfil
@Senty and Mehfil,
Glad to know that I share fan space with you two for Shyam Benegal's work. He has also made 25 documentry films, the most well know being "Pandit Nehru (1982) and Bharat Ek Khoj (1988). He ventured into making parallel Cinema with Ankur in 1974. Here is the list of his movies (the 12 best of the best actually):
1. Ankur 1974
2. Nishaant 1975
3. Bhumika 1977
4. Junoon 1978
5. Kalyug 1980
6. Mandi 1983
7. Suraj ka Satvan Ghoda 1993
8. Sardari Begum 1996
9. The making of the Mahatama (1996)
10. Samar 1999
11. Hari-Bhari 2000
12. Zubeidaa 2001
These movies do not need a review because they are a class above all.
Hope, this list comes handy to you both.
I remember a movie called "Parinati" way back in DD days. It was about a middleaged couple in a village in Rajasthan (I think) who run a guesthouse. Driven by greed, they begin to kill the rich merchant-travellers who stay the night at their house, and loot their cash, apparently to support the son who is far away in the city. In the end, unknowingly, they end up killing the son who pays them a surprise visit.
It was a very intriguing film. Abhi abhi after checking all these oldies list, I even remembered this movie. It had surekha sikri as the mother.
Those days I used to curse DD for showing films like "Rat trap" rather than Mithun movies !! That too just one precious movie a week ! Jeez !
- Senty
Hey Mehfil,
This one is for you (if you have not read it already).
Book Review:
Book Title: Cry the Beloved Country
Author: Alan Paton
Year Published: 1948
Setting: South Africa
In this book, the author, Alan Paton tells the story of a Zulu pastor and his son who is charged with murder of a white social reformer. The story takes place in the time frame just before the institution of apartheid in South Africa. Even though apartheid was not in practice, Alan Paton makes a vivid picture of the life in black ghettos and the white neighborhoods. His powerful pen takes the reader through the beauty of South Africa countryside, Johannesburg city and its slums full of poverty, the hopelessness and the helplessness of black lives under the white’s domination. It is an emotional journey which the reader traversed 312 pages to discover that human society has a fundamental flaw, which is the discrimination between have and have-nots.
Rekha
Could you BOLD the Title, author and year using the html tags b and /b. This will help the review posts stand out amongst all other regular posts. Aslo, title your review posts with :
Rekha's Raves 'n Reviews
THANKS for another great crisp and neat review !
-Senty
@Senty,
Ya, good idea to separate the reviews from general posts. Feel free to make required changes using your magic pen (you are a computer WIZ) in both reviews.
I love the way you are placing pictures on the panel. Looks beautiful. Thanks.
@Rekha
Nahin yaar.. I am a dud with html... just learning as I go.
You need to add <> with b inside to start the BOLD section of the line and then end the BOLD section with <> with /b inside the brackets. This needs to be done when you are typing up the posts.
THANKS !
- Senty
@Senty,
yaar, asal mai "Diabetes" pur research karni aati hai muje, jyada html... nahi aata. Ph.D karne ka yeh subse barha nuksaan hai. Pur computer teach karne ke liye Shukariya. I am a good student though.
thanks
Bravo Rekha.. clap clap clap.. aap tho meri naukri cheen lengi ;-) See you can do what I can, but I cant do what you can :-(
I am impressed ! diabetes par research ! Great !
- Senty
@Senty,
Nahi yaar, mere liye research karna aasan hai par left panel mai "Baran" ki picture lagana bahutttttttttt mushkil hai so aap ki naukri bilkul kayam rahe ge.
Rekha
@Rekha
I have blocked Baran in the library. will pick it up this weekend. There are some Satyajit Ray movies available as well. Looked for "Rat Trap" but couldnt find it.
When I had it shown ion DD I never appreciated it, now I want to, but no access.. kya karen...
Mil jaaye tho mitti hai, kho jaaye tho sona hai ...
- Senty
@Senty,
This one is for you..
Rekha's Raves'n Reviews
Book Title: The God of Small Things
Author: Arundhati Roy
Year Published: 1997
Setting: India
Award: Booker Prize 1997
The God of small things is a Booker Prize winner novel written by Arundhati Roy. The book became an instant phenomenon due to its complexity in style and substance. Since it has been reviewed by numerous journals, newspapers and other periodicals, I have decided to write about my perception of this book.
To me, Arundhati Roy is not a writer but a painter of the highest caliber. On this huge canvas “The God of Small Things” she has tried to paint human emotions in the most complex style. All the characters of the story are like subtle colors that she has tried to splash on this canvas. The twin brother and sister, the principal characters in the story, may be like pastel colors, sweet, soothing yet lack of luminous waiting to become red and orange, the colors of passion. The twin’s mother and grandmother with their life long sufferings and sadness may represent grey and black. So on the canvas, all these colors are drawn in human forms that results in a masterpiece like the famous painting “La Danse” by Henri Matisse (1909).
It is a painting of simple human forms with naked bodies and souls joining hands and dancing to celebrate life, trying to defy all the “Don’ts” imposed by the moral gatekeepers of the human society.
@Senty,
I am so excited that you will be able to watch 'Baran' this weekend. I have not seen 'Rat Trap' but I intend to find out if it is vailable through local library.
I just realized that I should have typed all words in the 'book introduction' (Title, author, year) in the bold. Will correct that next time.
Rekha
@Rekha
thanks yaar.
Like Mehfil said you have to write reviews in mags and newspapers. It is excellent !
@Senty,
Thanks for appreciation. Your blog is WAY-BETTER than any news paper because there is no pressure to meet deadlines. Oh, can you please add book cover picture on the left panel.
Honestly yaar, I am getting addictive to these small sooooooo cute pictures on this page.
Rekha
@Rekha
I am hoping to make this blog a fun place to hang out.. for all of us and others like us. Thats the idea.
I like this small but sensible crowd here in this blog. More quality discussions. Just take a look @ the srgmp forum.. its heartbreaking to see it beaten down to this level. I wish it goes back to its original shape soon when the dust settles down.
The pics of books.. I'm checking to make sure ki its appropriate to do it... u know I take the pics from wiki. but copywrite issues ke bare mein pooch-taach kar rahi hoon. It looks like so long as we have a review, the low-resolution pic can be used. I got rid of the Kite runner pic for the same reason. Let me check and will put it up soon.
@Rekha,
That was a great review on the content of one of my favorite books. I'll add a few words about the form of it which I particularly liked. In fact few books I have read can match it.
1. The flow of thought was so unbelievably natural, had such ease to it that it took no effort to LIVE the book while you were reading it. The book became you. There was one chapter in the book in which Roy went back and changed the order of certain paragraphs. Other than that, NOTHING in the book has been rewritten EVER. She says writing to her is the same as thinking, and since once she's thought something she can't go back and undo it or change the order of her thoughts or think in different words, she can't do that to her writing either.
2. I REALLY liked the personification of words and inanimate things...or rather, the way she gives character to words: "Twinkle is a word with happy, crinkled edges."
Or the dimples that stayed in place "long after the smile was gone". (Thing of beauty joy forever and all that.)
Or the way she described the Paradise Pickles and Preserves sign on the Ambassador.
I'm sure all of us who have "favorite" words do that but to see an author do it in their serious literary work is something else!
3. Repetition for emphasis. And WHAT EMPHASIS that was! Like the way she repeated that line about how the laws of love were laid down, dictating "who should be loved, and how much." FULL STOP END OF PARA.
This was the first time I had seen a simply literary device achieve the same effect as italicization did in Catcher in the Rye.
4. Use of the vernacular tongue. She chose just the right places to use Malayalam. A lot of people think I understand Mallu really well when ALL the Mallu I ever learned was from this book and that's saying something for a book written in English. I still remember that Kochu Thomban was small elephant, Vellya Thomban was big elephant. Also, Vellya Paapen was called that to sort of ridicule him, since he was so dark (here Vellya = white). Brought out the white = "bigger" than black metaphor SO DARN WELL. The woman is a fucking genius! Okay she didn't invent the Mal but still, to use it the way she did: just the right amount, at just the right places. Like the last word the protagonist says: "Naaley."
Could there BE another word that would have made the end sound so FINAL, IN SPITE of the continuity it stands for ("tomorrow")?!!
5. COMPLETE AND ABSOLUTE LACK OF SUBTLETY (much needed here, IMHO). Here is one author who had her middle finger up the entire time. And I couldn't help but think the same of the protagonist.
Okay enough. Time for my flight.
-Harsh&Raw
A Day in The Life !
Zindagi Tujh Sey Har Ik Sans Pe Samjhota Karoo.n
Shouq Jeeney Ka Hai Mujh Ko Magar Itna Tu Nahi
Zehra Nigah is one of the finest poets of pakistan, Like all other creative women of the subcontinent, she has hardly been praised for her work. I wonder Why ! . The Irony of the situation is so pathetic. I can totally Understand that this is a Male dominated society, but come ON, they say women are from Venus and men are from Mars, stupid as it may sound, it DOES communicate the fact that there is a distance of galaxies between the thought Process of the two. It is virtually impossible for a man to feel like a woman in every which way. they maybe looking at the same thing but feelings, appreciation, and the passion would be Miles apart. Its just Not possible to grasp the intensity, the pain, the deepest sorrows and the inner jubilation of a women by any men. So what does it mean ? does it mean that if Men cannot feel the same way about a certain thing/action/happening or whatever, in the same vein as women, should they not Let them say it the way they feel it? in poetry and in prose ? men can only see thing that make a sum Total of 4 when they add 2 and 2 togahter, but a women would rather have it add to 5 or 3 1/2, why not ? Math is only ONE aspect of life, remember, life is multifaceted, I am a Man, but I wonder if I can ever see the things the way a woman does, apprently not, bcoz I'm totally unaware of the delicate stuff, something that is totally beyond my cranial limits.
There are societies which are even worse than ours, but somehow there is awakening, and there is liberation of a few who dare. One such person is Nawal Al-sadawi, the writer of "women at point Zero", and then there is fatima mernissi, the Moroccan writer who wrote, "A harem Within", they have demonstrated that what they see in small events, does not even make Headline NEWS for Men. back to Zehra Nigah, she write free verse and she writes the basic texture of a woman, plain and simple yet remarkably thought provoking. here I am posting a verse from her. I hope you will take a moment to feel it too. Only a woman can write something like this.
main wapas lot'ti hoon
chali thi jab tu sab kuch saath tha
lagta tha saari rehguzaar mera hi rasta hai
do roya phool mera aks hain
hawa main meri thandak hai
fiza main meri khushbo hai
ye neela neela sara aasmaa.n mera chapper kat hai
zamee.n sey ugney wali narm haryaali merey pairoo.n ki mehndi hai
hazaroo.n meel tak phailey howe koh_e giraa.n sab
merey abro ki junbish dekhtey hain
main wapas lot'ti hoon
nigahain mutmain hain
roh tak sar-shaar hai aur jism aasoda
merey pairoo.n taley koi nashaib-e um'r -e rafta hi nahi aya
jahan sey dekhna mushkil howa ho
meri aasodgi mujh ko us onchaai pe ley aai
jahan halki ro-pehli barf girti hai
jahan chingariyaa.n peecha nahi karteen
merey chorey howe is rastey per
koi meri tarha sey chal rahi hai
magar mujh main aur us main ik zara sa farq hai
aur kaisa acha farq hai!
merey qadmoo.n taley aik irtaa;sh-e be-yaqeeni tha
Wo apna raasta pehchanti hai
I invite you all to agree or negate the assumption that women have been literally forced to speak the language that MEN can understand, zulm yeah hai ke woh apni zaban bhi nahin bol sakteen !
Later
Mehfil
I have been googling a bit on Zehra Nigah after hearing about her for the first time in Mehfil's blog above.
Couldnt resist adding another set of few simple yet sensitive lines from her :
मुलायम गर्म समझौते की चादर
यह चादर में ने बरसों में बुनी है
कहीं भी सच के गुल बूटे नही है
किसी भी झूठ का तिनका नहीं है
इसी से मैं भी तन द्दक लूंगी अपना
इसी से तुम भी आसूदा रहोगे
न खुश होगे, न पश्मर्दा होगे
(Warm and soft, this blanket
Of compromise has taken me years to weave
Not a single flower of truth embellishes it
Not a single false stitch betrays it
It will do to cover my body though
And it will bring comfort too,
If not joy, nor sadness to you)
- Senty
Senty,
Bravo!
Kaya baat hai,is poetry ki!!!!
@Rekha
I watched Baran yesterday.. truly a delightful film. Its especially touching to see the innocence maintained through out this love story. And the girl doesnt speak a single word ! The ending was perfect as well..not happy, but not sad either.
Wonder why I never heard much about this movie before :-)
Hmm I know.. I've been hangingout with the wrong ppl !
Thanks !!
- Senty
@Senty,
I am glad that you enjoyed this movie.
You know, the most "moving" scene for me was where Lateef helpd Rahmat to pick up vegetables from the ground and they both glance at each other with such "pure affectionate magical" smile.
Vowwwwwww, now that is what I call romantic poetry, raga or ghazal etc. etc.
Where is H&R, the third corner of this 'review triangle' for Baran?
I have to ask both of you about your favorite scenes of this movie.
Rekha
My favorite scene (I think I've mentioned this before): Girl combs hair. Boy sees her reflection on the curtain. Boy realizes girl is girl.
-H&R
"Baran" is a very simple story. No melodrama, no spectacular cinematography, no goodlooking dudes or dudettes, its just about ordinary people in their ordinary lives going through ordinary emotions. I would say the movie showcased love in its most purest form. I doubt if this film will appeal to someone who is looking for an interesting story line or some dramatic scenes. I especially liked the scene where we see her hairpin stuck in his cap :-) And the ending was most apt. I would have not digested a livedhappilyeverafter finish to this story.
Next on my list is "Amelie", the French movie....supposed to be funny and delightful. Will check it out maybe this weekend. I would love to hear about it here, if anyone has already seen it.
- Senty
@Harsh,
I agree that scene is another eye catcher. The cinematography is so simple yet so beautiful. Every frame is still fresh in my memory.
@Senty,
I have not seen "Amelie" but I have read good reviews about it. Looks like a worth watch.
REKHA's RAVES'n REVIEWS
Movie: Himalaya
Director: Eric Valli
Country: Nepal
Language: Tibetan
Subtitles: English
Year: 1999
Awards: Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign film 1999
About director: Eric Valli’s work is regularly published in National Geographic, Time Magazine, Smithsonian and Life. His work includes award winning documentary films though this is his first feature film.
This is a movie unique in its subject and scenario. With the opening of the first scene you are transported to a small mountain village in the Northwestern region of Nepal near Tibetan Plateau where people have tons of salt but not enough grain to eat. At many thousands feet above the sea level, the Tibetan Plateau has salt-water lakes generating salt, the sustainer of human life. But at this altitude, soil is replaced by snow and conditions are harsh for any grain to grow. The village has a tradition in terms of taking a “salt-caravan” to the lowlands in South Nepal where salt is exchanged for the grain. So against this backdrop, the viewer starts his/her journey with the caravan from this mountain village and travels through the forbidden land of the high mountains. The scenery is breathtaking but caravan journey is perilous. It is trekking through plateaus and mountain pass between the majestic peaks of Himalaya from the “Land of the Salt” to the “Land of the Grain”.
For an adventurous viewer, this is a journey to be enjoyed by the senses. What may be better than to capture the beauty of snow-capped mountains with eyes, feel the crispness of the air in the breath, listen to the silent talks of the mountains and fill empty heart with colossal Tibetan Plateau?
Looks like a very cold, and quite November morning in here...
Kahan gaye sab log ??
Lets turn a page or steal a scene and get some action in here !
REKHA's RAVES'n REVIEWS
Sara Akash: the novel
Book Title: Sara Akash
Author: Rajendra Yadav
Language: Hindi
Year: 1960
This story is about a young man named Samar who is tied in an arranged marriage against his will by his family. He is an ambitious college student who has taken a pledge to remain an “ah-janam bramhchari” and achieve great things in life. Inspired by the great warriors like Rana Pratap and Shivaji, he is convinced that it is the responsibility of young men like him to sacrifice their lives to free ‘Bharatvarsh’ from ‘Videshi-Raj’. He thinks of his marriage as the biggest obstruction in his chosen path of a freedom fighter. So he decides not to speak to his wife Prabha because he believes that talking with her will lead to…… sharing of thoughts…… feelings of affection and love…… leading to intimate relations…… resulting in destruction of his dreams and hopes to be a great man.
Thus, the journey begins for two people, a man who desires to become a martyr, and a woman who desires to be loved, both joined by the bond of marriage. Together they walk on this path through summer and winter nights without exchange of a word or a simple touch. How their journey ends is a mystery that has to be unraveled by the reader.
Sara Akash: the Movie
Movie: Sara Akash
Director: Basu Chatterjee
Language: Hindi
Year: 1969
Awards: Best Screenplay....Basu Chatterjee
Among all the movies directed by Basu Chatterjee, this is definitely one of the best. Beautifully crafted by Basu ji and supported by unassuming cast of Rakesh Pandey as Samar and Madhu Chakravarty as Prabha, the movie follows the book quite faithfully and comes out winner in that regards. A must see movie, just watch it to feel the silent love between Samar and Prabha.
After four days of preparations and then hosting a Diwali open house, I thought it would be a good idea to watch a bollywood movie and I watched Saawariya and below are my reactions:
YOU ARE UNINVITED:
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It seems like we have a new race among the acclaimed directors of Bollywood, that of loosing credibility. We have had Anubhav Sinha with Cash, then Ram Gopal Verma with his Aag and now Sanjay Leela Bansali with Saawariya.
Saawariya movie is a blatant display of Sanjay L Bansali's arrogance and indulgence.
How a display of arrogance you ask? well, then look at it:
What else would give you an imagination that would prompt one into taking into multi functions like direction, music direction, editing, co-production, co-writing,co-art direction, co-designing in a mage production of a film with NEW lead characters, NEW music director, bizzare unreal sets wafer thin storyline and no consideration whatsoever to audiances likings?
From the word go, you feel like you are an outsider in the cinema.
An intruder who is crashing into a Kapoor-Bansali party.
When Bansali is not hitting you with reminders of his previous movies, (Khamoshi's Piano, Black's snowfall, HDDCS love smitten guy who would need to take you to the lady love's love or the golden hearted harlot of Devdas) he is busy paying homage to Raj Kapoor (The RK logo in the backdrop, Ranbir's character, the cap and ohsomany sequences) and you wonder when you would be addressed to.
Firstly, Fyodor Dostoevsky's White Nights would need a lot of adaption to fit-in in Bollywood in 2007. It might have generated raves in Russia and Europe where
people appreciate opera style musicals with dull and drab backdrops (well fit for a winter prone region) however, it lacks the spice and colour that the typical audiance of bollywood relate to.
Let us look at the individual elements of the film:
Story: What story?
Music: Bansali has probably tried to fill the gap of absense of storyline with music, as you get assaulted with a song every 10 minutes and you wonder if it is a relief, just like the difference between a rock and a hard surface. The only hummable tune is
the title track, the rest you forget before you leave the cinema.
The Sets: Though there is a drabbiness and darkness in the set there is a clever element of blue and green hues that give the sets a fascinating colour. But then
to tolerate it for a full length of 130 minutes is a task that leaves you gasping desparately for reality, sunlight and life.
Cherography: Desperate attempts to pay homage to Shammi, Rishi and Shashi Kapoor. Though you realise that Ranbir is a good dancer, you do not really get to see any
fresh performance. It does leave a lot to be desired, however butt-flashing towel dance by Ranbir is a altogeather different story. It comes as a complete surprise
in your face and makes you wonder if he is anxiously trying to woo the fan femme or he is just happy and gay.
Cast:
Begum Para's role is completely insugnificant, I wonder why she is even mentioned in the main credits.
Zohra Sehgal is good at what she does. Very natural and adds a bit of reality to the otherwise oblivious cast.
Salman Khan is again there just for star value, a total of 3 sceans and a screen space amounting to less than 5 - 7 minutes. They could have just mentiones his character in the dialogue narration and you wouldn't miss him.
Ran(ee) Mukherjee is refreshing. She is seductive in parts and completely bollywood. The only colourful element in the whole movie.
Sonam Kapoor is promising. Subtle yet expressive. She has struggled to potray some emotions, especially in the begining of the film, but as the film progresses, you realise she is a fast learner. Watch out for her. There is much more behind the infectious smile, annoying giggle and girl-next-door look.
Ranbir Kapoor: There is much publicity and hyoe around him and that is what will buy him some time for improvement, at least for the next 2 movies. Mere dancing and butt-flashing and being a kappor will not last you forever. As for his acting skills, there is just one word Hammmmmmmmming and trust me, that is an understatement.
His looks remind you of Zayed Khan, dialogues of young Sunjay Dutt and acting of shahrukh at his most hamming self. Unless he does some real damage control, he will
be another Zayed khan or Kumar Gaurav.
Overall, For those who think this to be a classic, do note that a dozen of prostitues dancing on the streets does not do justice to Fyodor Dostoevsky. Class touches you, Saawariya makes you feel like an untouchable. I would recommend you to pick up a DVD of Dhamaal or hum dil de chuke sanam (if you like Bansali style romantics) and enjoy your evening Why invest time, effort and money into soething that would give you nothing but depression?
@sajeet
Thanks !! Now thats a great review of a what-the-heck movie. My friends saw it over the Diwali weenend and came out crying.. maine socha sad ending hoga shayad.
Now I know !!
Thanks to you and Rekha for providing great reviews in this blog. Very intersting reads from both of you. Mehfil's tribute to Pakistani poet Zehra Nigah was something new as well for ppl who didnt know about her. I did get curious and read up a lot about her.
I hear OSO is pretty ok by some and raving great by others... I'm not going to watch it myself.. but would love to read up reviews if anyone can post it. Other sites have their reviews as well but it'll be interesting to see what the buddies of this forum think about OSO.
- Senty
Salaam Sajjet ji !!
Kya review! kya language ! kya khayal.. thorra typos 19-20 ho gaya lekin chalega..SLB had it coming .. a major moron who hoodwinked Sony into investing zillions in his arrogant dreams.. Thank god I am not a movie watcher per se hence did not have the bad fortune of spending money on this appalling "neeli" movie :-)
Keep up da good work..
@ all - variety is da spice of life.. Any dissenters to sajeet's review will be welcome..(chortle)
@ ALL
Ok, It has been decided ! Seriously !!
We have somebody who does something good, except for me and Senty !! what prompts me to sau that with os much authority ? Ok here is what I have to admit:
Rekha write Magnificent reviews of Books and she has proved it at least 3 times in this section, no more proof is needed here, if anybody wishes to to out do her, I say Don't even try, she is Par-Exellance here.
and Now Sajeet wrote a mindbowing (A'LA himesh Remshmiya ), review of sanwariya, I'm IMPRESSED to bits ( dont know what that analogy means, but I guess I'm trying to say, I was literally bowled over ! )
Sweety Writes Great Kaleja Kaat des ki baatian, Just the mention of RANGOLI had tears dropping tap tap on my desk ! It has been long since I saw a rangoli in action, let alone being a part of it in some way, then methi, besan barfi, samosas and everything that makes me fly with rekha in a supersonic for a day to sweety's house !
Ashraf brings in some awesome poetry from masters , like qamar jalalabadi, abdul ahmeed adam, sahir etc.,
Bama, drops in whenever she can and starts a New era of New topics, she is missing is action but I'm sure she is reading this !
H&R, missing but writes hillariously crisp pieces, I wish she could add more as and when time permits.
Yeah tou hogaya sub ka hisab, we can all see ke har koi kuch na kuch kar raha hai, bus koi nahin kar raha tou somebody from the land of the hurricanes and Allegators ! atleast mein BAAT kar raha hoon !!!
Tera kiya hoga Kaaliya ? hehehehehe
Thank you all for being a part of this exciting place, a special thanks to Sajeet for a great review again !
thanks
Mehfil
@Sajeet,
Hey buddy, great review of the "so much publicised" movie. It is said that too much of publicity proves to be disastrous for the success of the item publicised. Now I think, this saying holds good for "Saawariya" also.
OSO has left behind Saawariya. I have not seen both the movies as yet, but the movie reviews says that unlike other Bhansali films, which were all great hits, this one is going to spoil his record of giving hits. OSO has certain elements, which have proved to be very favourable for its success. The music, the actors, the story and above all, the King Khan himself, all have contributed a lot for this film.
SWEETY
@Mehfil ji,
Don't say that you are not doing anything on this blog site. Senty has provided us with this great opportunity of communicating with the old friends of SRGMP forum, without which, we would'nt have known about each other so well, because, unlike SRGMP forum, we are coming out with some new things. And you have described the members of this site, with accurate details. So I think, this is a great job, you are doing.
Rangoli is something that we never miss on Diwali. I still remember the school days, when I used to compete with the friends in creating a magic with the colours. That spirit is of course missing nowadays, with everyone busy in its own life, but still we never forget to decorate the outer of our house with beautiful colourful Rangoli.
I think, the festivals are meant to remind us of these things, which otherwise seems like long forgotten things, in this hustle and bustle of life. It says that make your life colourful like the Rangoli and be as sweet as the "mithaiyan" prepared by you for Diwali.
SWEETY
Hi my blog friends
I am here very much here....eating Besan ki laddu, Mattary with Mango ki Achar....in my dreams may be in Sweety's house...may be the left over must be couriered to this side.
Sajeet's party arrangments experience may make him a wonderful Event Manager.
Take it in a lighter vein guys(espcially IT)....I just read this joke cant stop laughing....like to share with you all.
There was a good old barber in Hyderabad. One day a florist goes to him for a haircut. After the cut, he goes to pay the barber and the barber replies:
I am sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I am doing a Community Service.
Florist is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the Barber goes to open his shop, there is a "Thank You" Card and a dozen roses waiting at his door.
A Confectioner goes for a haircut and he also goes to pay the barber he again refuses to take the money. The Confectioner is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the Barber goes to open his shop, there is another "Thank you" Card and a dozen Cakes waiting at his door.
A Software Engineer goes for a haircut and he also goes to pay the barber again refuses the money saying that it was a community service.
The next morning when the Barber goes to open his shop, guess what he finds
there......
Scroll down for answer... . . . . . . .. . . . ....
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(Believe me it's worth it!!!!!!!!!! )
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A Dozen Software engineers waiting for a free haircut... with Printouts of the Forwarded mail mentioning about free haircut.
Bama Ji!! kahin aap antaryaami toh nahi???
well, I do organise events as a hobby. I was responsible for organising a part of the following:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/sajeet.soudagar/ZeeAwardsGentingMalaysia
LET THERE BE EVERYTHYING
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Abundance is the word and I am not talking of Farah Khan expecting triplets.
Though I am inclined to think, It might have been an influencing factor.
31 stars, umpteen gags, comedy, action, emotion and full-fledged bollywood drama, you have it all in OSO.
...and "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
I am absolutely flummoxed. Our film makers seem to be missing the point.
They seem to be taking the audience for granted, again and again and again.
Here is a basic lesson to all those who want to pursue careers in movie making,
From producing a documentary to a laugh-a-riot, It is all about story telling.
Right now I feel like I could write a book on the importance of a movie being a convincing story.
...but "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
so, coming back to OSO, it is a m�lange of gags, sewed together with a very battered uneven threadbare storyline.
For most of the movie, you are moving at a mad pace from one gag to another
You are expected to decipher a story being told through the gags and then relate to it.
Too much time has already been lost by the time the director does decide to get to serious story telling and then there is desperate and mad pace at which the events unfold which makes the story patchy and unconvincing.
...yet "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
Story:
We have yet another story of re-incarnated hero avenging the villain "de ce genre" Karz, Karan-Arjun, et al
that's it!! However, "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
Music:
Refreshingly, the movie begins with "Om shanti om" from Karz.
Vishal-Shekhar have experimented with different styles of music, from Laxmikan Pyrelal's "Tohfa, Tohfa" style "Dhoom Tana" to "Daastane-Om-Shanti-Om" which reminds you of "ek Haseena Thi" from Karz
"Dard-E-Disco" is a hummable tune, but pray! What was Javed Akhtar thinking while writing this?
"Chan se jo toota" is a rich and haunting number. Richa Sharma and Rahat both ensure that they leave an imprint in you.
This is yet another "Allah Ke bande" by VS.
Technical:
Cinematography leaves much to be desired in terms of managing the pace of the story
Editing could have been more vigilant. There are a lot of visible flaws.
Camera work is brilliant.
Costumes are passable, since the movies is supposed to be treated like a spoof
Cast:
Pakistani actor Jawed Khan and Bindu are passable.
Kiron Kher is over the top most of the times. This is not one of her best performances.
Shreyas Talpade is a complete mis-cast. This is not his type of a movie and he looks intimidated by Shahrukh's personality.
Dipika looks her model self. I wouldn't rank her as the most curvaceous. The fact that this is her first movie, one tends to forgive her blank expressions and forced attempts at acting.
Shahrukh is himself. He was much better in Chak De, in OSO he is back. His trademark hamming seems to have reduced, but is still very much present. Without dwelling too much on his acting skills let us move onto his new looks. The six-packed taut body looks good, but for some reason does not suit the face. It can easily pass off as a body double. not very convincing attempts of 42 trying to look 30.
Titles:
...story khatam, lekin "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
Typical Farah Khan style, all including the lightmen and spot boys get screen space in the titles.
Sirsh Kundar looks like a lad while Gauri looks ravishing.
I'd like to give Farah a hug for her endearing last minute portfolio appearance in an auto-rickshaw as the red carpet is being rolled up.
If by now you are dying to know what the annoying "picture abhi baki hai mere dost" is all about, you ought to watch the movie
@Sajeet,
Nice review, enjoyed it thoroughly. But I have to admit that I do not have the courage to watch Farah's work. I admire your patience to watch her movies.
The trouble is that such movies make so much money (Rs. 3 crores in 3 days) that sensible producers/directors get tempted to indulge in making such medicore Cinema. To your list of acclaimed directors who are loosing credibility I would like to add Vidhu Vinod Chopra (Eklaavaya vs. Parineeta), Pradeep Sarkar (Laga Chunri mai daag vs. Parineeta), Yash Chopra (Tara rum pum), Shaad Ali (Bunty aur Babli vs. Saathiya) and many others, I mean the list can be soooo long.
Aur ha, aapne voh 'ank' rightfully win kiya hai so isiliye aapko puruskar mai diya gaya dha.
@Sajeet
Top class review. I'd love for such movies to see the light of the day just so I get to read such raving reviews ;-)
But seriously, OSO is not my cup of anything. Aapka review padha, matlab movie dekh liya.. bas...
But, if you still insist "picture abhi baki hai mere dost".. then I'll say, "baki hi rahne do mere dost".
Suspence is the spice of life :-)
OSO ka Music tho we already knew during the good ol SRGMP days how great its going to be..
Ya rite, tell me about "Dard-e-disco".. Mujhe jo thoda bahut, wee bit, Urdu aati hai (knowledge gained from only, ONLY filmsongs and ghazals etc.. ), sabb apply karke dekh liya.. no way can I get the thought behind Shahrukh's "Dard-e-disco"....
Lets see... "Dard-e-disco".. meaning ... "Disco jo dard hai" .. meaning .. "Disco is painful"... Matlab "mere dil mein disco hai jo dard deta hai".
Then chill dude.. Dont Disco .. sit down.. relax...paani piyo.. ghar jaao ... put on a shirt ... !
Talking about movies, I am kinda curious about the upcoming Aamir Khan "Taare zameen par". I think its about mentally challenged kids. At least that what I understand from the promos.
- Senty
Anyone seen "Taare Zameen Par" yet?
Please do post your review of the same.
Unfortunately it is not releasing in Malaysia, so I will either have to wait till I fly to where it is playing or for the DVD.
If Aamir's blog is to be believed, it is turing out to be a movie the the highest repeat audiances.
I finally managed to watch the movie in Singapore on Monday and here is what I have to say:
"Dare you not to shed a tear"
TAARE ZAMEEN PAR - Movie Review
What you should be doing right now is stop reading this review.
Drop all you are doing and rush to the nearest cinema to watch 'Tare Zameen pe'.
Still reading? Well, then let me continue...
Ordinarily, I would be indulging you in my outlook and opnions.
Well, I have to admit "you have got me this time, Mr. Khan!"
How easily you have made me realise the insignificance of my life.
Still reading? fine! I go on...
Here's story telling: Patient, focussed, engaging, sensitive, revealing
Watching the movie is like reading a book.
You still have the freedom to get involved, derive interpretations and imaginations.
Patiently, each page unfolds engaging you more and more.
Before you realise, you are playing multiple roles in the movie.
If my kidney stone condition gets worse, I will have Aamir to share the blame.
The movie is so engaging, I could not get myself to leave the seat, even to relieve myself.
TZP gives you a lot of food for thought and lets you derive your own lessons.
The lessons I learnt from TZP:
1. We ALL have our demons, some of them can be performing elementary tasks.
2. We can overcome our inabilities by simplyfying them and making them fun.
3. Focussing too much on our inabilities can significantly affect our strengths.
4. While we have our strenghts, basic skills need to be acquired to join the mainstream.
Which raises some questions:
1. Are we too focussed on pushing ourselves and our offsprings into the mainstream rat race?
2. Do we acknowledge parallel streams and Are we ready to co-exist 'IN' them?
Still reading? What else are you expecting from this review?
This time I am not going to rate the elements like cinamatography, screenplay, direction, story, etc
They are all par excellence. I however would like to point that Darsheel has pretty strong shoulders.
It takes a lot to carry a film of this magnitude.
Alright, this is the best I can do. Now do yourself a favour and watch the movie.
A word of caution though. This movie is not to be watched alone!
@Sajeet,
Great review, I am planning to watch this movie since it has earned A + from other critics too.
You have raised a very relevant question that "Are we too focussed on pushing ourselves and our offsprings into the mainstream rat race?" I think these days parents are indeed pushing their children beyond the expected limits.
I happened to see last week episode of 'lilchamps' and could not believe when one of the contestant's father annouced on national TV how he managed to set up 4 computer terminals in different cities to vote for his child and that he has spent Rs. 70,000 on SMS. He raised a question that with all these votes and SMSs, his child simply can not be eliminated on the basis of less number of votes.
Just imagine, in their persuit to win 'rat race', parents of today are teaching wrong morals to their own children.
I think this movie should be made a must-watch for all the parents.
@Sajeet
Thanks !! That was a super neat review. I am a sucker for off-beat movies and this one's just for me. I dont go to a movie-theater unless someone puts a gun to my head... but your comments, especially, "Watching the movie is like reading a book" is pushing me to do the unthinkable.. actually get up and get out to the movies.
I may be able to add my comments about the movie itself only after I have watched it.. but your "lessons I learnt", "raised some questions" are universal... goes beyond a movie or a story.
I wasnt too keen on watching TZP if it was going to be another "Anjali" types .. more acting, more story, more drama and less anything to think about. But this one time, I might just actually drive up to the movies to watch TZP....can go down as something significant I did in Y2007 !
@Rekha
"You have raised a very relevant question that "Are we too focussed on pushing ourselves and our offsprings into the mainstream rat race?" I think these days parents are indeed pushing their children beyond the expected limits."
Spot on.
Just a random ramble... Childhood as we know it, doesnt exist anymore. This is what I notice in the Indian community in the US.. School is from 8.00 to 3.00. After that controlled supervision in a day-care facility until 5.00 and after that .. lets see.. piano, karate, swimming, kumon, baseball .. a gymnastics class here, a soccer practice there.. come weekend, drive up 15+ miles to the more elite violin classes and classical vocal lessons.
Weekend evenings are get-togethers with other similar families .. more of an excuse to see what the heck others are upto.. compare notes.. exchange contact info for the next new class for the wee 2 hour free time the kid unfortunately has on Sunday afternoons. Somewhere inbetween all of this, the kid does find the time to grow up. Spring breaks and summer vacations are .. poocho mat !
Ofcourse it is good to make available all these opportunities for the kids.. why not since there is the time and the money... but yup.. in this process, parents are being over-ambitious in defining the boundaries for their children.
@Senty,
Totally agree with your take on this subject of parents...children...and US. In fact, I can add another two sheets about my own perception of how parents of this generation are loosing their wisdom and morality to push their children to an extreme end.
The tragic thing is that US story has a mirror image in what is going on in Delhi (at least), because I have observed it myself. In their desire to make their children enter into medicine, MBA and IIT, parents have started spending enormous amount of cash on coaching schools, private tutions and what not. I was shocked last time when I heard that the coaching has been started for a 3 rd grade student for his successful entrance into Delhi IIT.
(And I remembered, as a 3 rd grade student, I played 'luka-chipi' in Summer, made paper boats in Rainy season and enjoyed roasted peanuts in Winter.....and I turned out fine, I guess. So "Childhood as we know it, doesnt exist any more"...very ture.)
There is a another class of parents who have taken huge loans against their retirement savings so that their children could fly to destination...USA... Australia....Germany....South America....and to all other continents to persue "higher degrees". These are the parents who are now left alone without money and children to face their old age.
So really, what is wrong with the present generation of 'parents'.
If one starts doing microdissection on the 'reason-theory' to understand parents psychology then 'greed for finacial success' comes out to be the sole cause in my opinion. In today's time, any form of talent in a child is percieved as a potential ticket to fame and wealth by his parents. And the unfortunate part is that everything around parents... family...friends, and other social elements re-enforce this perception.
And where will it end....honestly with so much focus on finacial success "the boundaries for their children" are beyond the limits of this universe.
Sajeet, Rekha and Senty,
First off, Great Review Sajeet, looks like you were typing from your heart and soul and not from your head, Often , we listen to our head more than our hearts, and thats where we come across as shrewd , arrogant and cheeky. as an adult I realize that, nothing is worth more than giving your heart a chance, obviously its a battle of mind and heart forever, needless to say that the freakin head wins a landslide, 99% of the times.
Though not related to the movie ( in a way it is ! ), and I have been meaning to write about it for sometime. for the first time in my life, I have been completely made to feel like a useless retard that I so readily accept to be, sooper, sooper rich knowledge about every god damn thing in the world, great education, wealth, health and a tremendously magnificent future is all I have been striving for, Well, I Got it ! Now what ? the question is burdening me for sometime, and though I shake my head, it lingers on, sedated by the tons of everything and feeling like a king, I turn the TV On, to watch saregamapa little champs, and there she is Vasundhara,the blind Girl, the HARI BHARI DHARA,( she sings and I cry and then all of a sudden I discover that I'm ASHAMED of myself, for the first time in my life, this little blind girl made sure that I rethink my Goals. I have always been feeling sorry for the blind and disabled, today she makes me feel sorry for myself, Me, Who am I ? I am the God of Music, the God of Knowledge and I AM saraswati mata reincarnated, but am I even an inch higher than Vasundhara ? in anything ? she is ALIVE and she is blind and I'm SURVIVING and I have a 20/20 vision, yet I feel ashamed that I Am what I AM. I even ENVY her happiness, damn I'm sick and need a tablet for Depression .
Vasundhara, may you always be the Hari Bhari Dhara as suresh calls you, for you and people like you deserve the BESTEST in the world, for those of us with our priorities revolving around financial goals and making it BIG, may need to rethink what we are headed for !
Best wish wishes for the New year to all of you
Mehfil
@Mehfil,
My perception of Vasundhara's singing resonates what you have described here. She is an amazing little girl, sings with such dedication and is full of life.
I also feel that some of us have this uncanny quest to acquire knowledge about every thing in the World that sometimes it appears ostentatious (I have felt that for myself). Having achieved our goals (even in part) we do face this question "now what". In this journey to reach this stage, many of us have lost "that bright light called the life" (not as of physical life). This light of life is what you see in children like Vasundhara and many others. I think it has to do with the pure innocence of the childhood which is lost in this journey of goal-accomplishment.
In today's society, unscrupulous methods are commonly used to succeed and unfortunately the adults (parents) are teaching these methods to their children.
I agree with you that when I see these children enjoying singing as 'singing' with so much innocence and joy I feel envy of their happiness. But the reality is that these little artists will be made to learn the art of competition rather than music.
Not quite how many of you have seen "Taare Zameen Par". I have seen the movie thrice now and each time I see it, I feel more shaken. So much so that I now know what I am going to do when I retire. I plan to retire very soon and dedicate the rest of my life to education. I have started working on it seriously and if all goes well, I should be well on my way to be running a school in the next 3 to 4 years. So... pray for me :)
@Sajeet,
I saw "Taare Zameen Par" last night and I am totally impressed by Amir Khan's work. I think this movie deserves National Award.
This movies has inspired me to do some volunteer work in a school for special children and I am exploring if I can do that.
I think your idea of starting a school is very noble. My best wishes for your success in this endeavor.
A Question for the Blog creator: Is it within the framework of rules to discuss old TV serials shown on Doordarshan in the 80's ?
I promise it wont be FAUJI 'my Drooooooooool producer' :DD, but on the likes of Yeh jo Hi Zindagi, Malgudi Days etc.
@lata
I will todofy all frames to bring in any discussion on doordarshan! 80s ROCKed !! Even Salma Sultana and her deadpan mukhya samachar is welcome here :-)
Bring on Fauji... I am ready with the mops and buckets ;-)
Ok seriously, it would be great to revive ol memories. I often youtube old DD serials like Buniyaad and YJHZ ... and DD advertisements too !
GREAT !! let me post some links here then
OK here goes !! Since blog owner gave permission and is prepared to come out with mop and bucket let me as well kick start this series of Doordarsha serials with Emperor STOP ear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBUryt4BpMY
for those who did not ever watch enjoy the above link
and the catch phrase of this serial was 'I SAY CHAPS' =))
and not to miss the DRoooooooooooooool Abhimanyu Rai "ABHI"
aarrgghhhh!! Da Ham_ster strikes again!! Dis drool is sorta unkool u know..:)
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