Update: The makers of RDB, emboldened by the roaring success of the film, have decided to enlist it in eight categories….narcissism?
Adopting a ‘never-say-die attitude, the Producer of ‘Munnabhai lage Raho” has snubbed the jury by entering the film independently. Quite a race there..each vying for honours.Frankly, if a film manages to tailspin into the nominations, that itself is creditworthy. But will either of these attain the success of ‘Lagaan’?
“Rang de basanti” Indias entry to the Oscars has fuelled many an argument as to the corrrectness of its choice.As a film, it had its moments. The central theme had stirred up emotions in the audience since it closely corresponded with an average viewers impending issues, faced ad nauseum. For me personally, there were thematic structural problems in the film, which failed to go well with my sensibilities..but that bears little relevance to the subject of an Indian film representation at a world forum. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
Each language has its own unique mode of expression. Often translating , say an urdu ’shair’ into English, results in its innate sweetness and essence diminishing by several notches. Hindi, as a language boasts of words which defy restatement of the version in its original intention.
A case in point is the word ‘MAMTA’. All efforts to capture the spectrum of emotions this word conjures up, prove futile. The closest perhaps is ‘motherhood, motherliness..which is there, but not quite.
The reason for this quest was triggered by the news of a baby, found abandoned in a train. Whats new? Eight couples, among them a Muslim and a Christian, queued up at the hospital with offers to adopt this baby.
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Its time again..One of my favourite festivals Navratri or nine(nav) nights (ratri) spent in propitiation, music and dance,commenced as of yesterday. “Mother” as Goddess in the form of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, is worshipped as the primal source of energy. Colour, revelry and festivity take on a tint unparallelled with any other Indian festival .
“Durga Puja’ in Bengal , corresponds with Navratri elsewhere. Ma Durga is worshipped for nine days, and immersed on the tenth, after having, as legend goes, vanquished the demons or ‘rakshasas’. Perhaps this is meant to subtly advise us to conquer the demons of anger, jealousy, pride, greed and seek Mother Durgas help in doing so.
“Garba” or “raas” as dance forms are pre-dominantly Gujarat centric. However, now that Navratri has grown to become one of the most awaited festivals nationally, garba and raas too have joined the ranks of popular dance forms, as Bhangra.
Just how innovative were our ancestors can be gaged when analysing the origins of ‘garba’.
“A “GARBO” is an earthen pot with holes all around and “Light” within which signifies knowledge. The word Garbo seems to have originated from the word “Garbha Deep”, meaning a Light in the inner sanctum of the temple.
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Lifes most memorable moments are often those spent in the company of a dear one who has imperceptibly left an indelible mark in our journey. When they are snatched away by death”s steely clasp, we are left behind to mourn and grieve, not just for their death but what died within us in ther loss.
Whilst tainting every joyous occasion with suffering in remembrance is not advisable, our sages therefore in their wisdom, appointed a certain time of the year to honour them. This period of 16 days which ended today, is known as ‘Shraadh’ or Pitrapaksh” . It is recommended that new ventures, business, or clothing not be bought during the length of Shraadha. (more…)
The Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss seems to be passionately driven to hogging the limelight. After Arjun Singh’s sensational antics on the Vande Mataram, reservation issues, the only other minister( excluding Lalu Yadav - the comic interlude ) to have been a forerunner in gaining media attention has been Ramadoss with his strategic expulsion of the AIIMs director, his ‘clean chit’ overtures to the Cola Companies, his endorsement of ‘healthy models’ as opposed to skinny ones.
Shahrukh Khan, the reigning superstar is mighty perturbed. His latest film ‘Don’ is under the scanner..thanks to Ramadoss. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
Oftentimes one encounters those with an alternative viewpoint, a necessary adjunct to creative ‘out of the box’ take on lifestyles. There is a certain gentleman who strongly conforms to the tenet of ‘newspaperless-ness’ as the secret behind his disease-less state of health. In other words, his morning routine, or rather daily routine, does not include the almost reverential wait for the morning paper indulged in by the vast majority of mortals (me included). He pooh poohs the exercise with a wave of his hand, accompanied by an “invitation to depression’ remark, on his way to the ‘laughter club’.
Oftentimes, I find myself inwardly agreeing, while not summoning up the will to bypass the dining table, with the stock of freshly delivered, unopened newspapers, waiting to be (more…)
Malegaon-Making Merry in happier times
Having written extensively on the Mumbai blasts, not just for reasons arising out of proximity to location, but more out of a sense of shock and unbridled dismay, found myself numbed into denial this time with the Malegaon bombings. Despite serious resolve, was unable to extrapolate on the ludicrous event.
However, irresponsible reporting, insiduous intentions to conflagrate, incite unrest or (more…)
Update: Dino ought to be in the Guinness. Why? Consider this, he arrives from Surinam, is quarantined on arrival,, lives there for almost four days, goes on with his routine undeterred, replete with appointments, script sessions and dance rehearsals. Then its time for him to leave the country again. This time to Fiji. So he took off last night..directly from the hospital.That was some transit stay in his own town!
Don’t go wrong with the needles this time over Dino! Take all of ‘em vaccines..You never can tell..
Actor Dino Morea, on return from Surinam in South America an endemic zone of ‘yellow fever’ (although not a single case has been reported recently) was detained by airport officials and later quarantined in a hospital at Andheri (E) in Mumbai.
I spoke with him since he happens to be a close family friend and was quite taken aback at the circumstances of his detention . Not one to resort to melodrama, he however (more…)
I recently met Bina at a social do. She turned out quite different from what this write up seemed to convey. Anyway..apparently she had read this piece and so had her husband George Mailhot, who I guessed may have left the comment, as posted below. She confirmed that it was him…
so the worst is over for her and the Lalls. Manu Sharma has been indicted.
Update: 16th Sept..Bina Ramani has been granted bail for a surety of Rs. 2 lakhs, in the forgery case. This cannot be considered a reprieve in the light of the impending arrest for, believe -it-or-not , turning ‘accused’ in the Jessica Lall murder case. Tampering of evidence,(cleaning up the blood stains on the floor of the murder site), allegedly as cause, seven years later , in the attempt to indict her. After all she had been outspoken about her determination to ensure her role in justice for Jessica..she had to be punished .
One of the oldest tricks in the books of ingenuous lawyers is to weaken the credibility of witnesses, systematically and conscientiously. (more…)
On 27th of August I had wrtten a post on Abu Salems plans to join Politics. When pondering on the title, decided to link it with a film released 14 years ago “Raju ban Gaya gentleman”, satirically, considering synchronicity of aspirations and therefore named it ‘Abu Salem Ban Gaya Gentleman?’..note the question mark. (more…)
Update: Arshad Warsi claimed today in Mumbai Mirror, that the character of Circuit was his brain child totally. “There was nothing to it (the character originally written).The guy was just a typical sidekick, a six foot oaf named Abdul Khulji, or something like that. I moulded and shaped that inconsequential character in to Circuit”..informs Arshad…hmmm, no wonder the ring of truth in the performance and my comments.
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Review
For most, moviegoing is a pastime, for some it is an escape, for others, like me, it is a passion, akin to none, indulged solely for pleasure, reserved for viewing a creative art. The (more…)
