Anil Raina
Anil Raina presently a crime correspondent with Mumbai Mirror, sent me this awe inspiring first hand account of a week he spent with our jawans in Jammu and Kashmir. For all of us entrenched in the mundanities of our individual universe, documentation such as this ought to jolt us into sitting up taking cognisance of the lives we so carelessly forget to remember. (more…)
Today 28th January marks the first death anniversary of maestro par excellence O P Nayyar.
I had written a post on OPN on April 16th 2006 whilst he was yet amongst us but in response to a news item which detailed how O P ji was living with an adopted family. One knows now that the family in question accorded him all the love and respect they could possibly summon. At the time however, to imagine a ‘Badshah’ of Music directors and especially someone who had lived life on his own terms, royally, in such dire straits, evoked a surge of emotion.
Thus the post ‘O P Nayyar- Not Forgotten” was born which has since accumulated staggering statistics of 20,000+ views and 1,000 + comments and growing. Perhaps the highest in the Desi blogosphere. This if anything is a reflection of the magic of OPN’s melodies and the ardent love of his fans from all over the world. Timelessness if a factor to evaluate talent, OPN wins hands down.
Of the hundreds who commented..Famed music composer from Pakistan, Sohail Rana, one of his ghazals being the unforgettable ‘mujhe tum nazar se gira to rahey ho, mijhe tum kabhi bhi bhula na sakogey’ , (more…)
Taslima Nasreen - A Muslim Womans Dares But…………Her Voice Gets Stifled
Taslima Nasreen a Muslim woman who dared to protest against the ’sad plight ‘of women in her community but was compelled to recant her intransigent writings a few days ago.
Taslima Nasrin/ Nasreen has been on the run from Islamic fundamentalists for over 14 years now ever since she published her thoughts in various writings especially her novella ‘Lajja’ (shame).
It all began in 1993 when this particular event proved cataclysmic. (more…)
Mr.Boman Kohinoor and me’
THERE IS NO LOVE GREATER THAN THE LOVE OF EATING’.. is a mantra diligently followed as well as encrypted in the menu of Britannia restaurant..
and damn gainsayers , mostly the lot obsessively watching their calories and waists, longingly, pleadingly, lurking around, not daring to venture close when you are probing the Biryani expectantly, excitedly trying to muffle the slurp. (more…)
Kaveetaa Kaul
Since I have been graciously awarded the above by Mapiprincesa , felt it would be in the propriety of things to carry it forward. Hedonism as a philosophy is highly contagious.
Although Mapiprincesa grandly made her choice from among the blogosphere globally(wow) I am nominating five bloggers from our desi sphere ..’Kyunki dil hai hindustani’. I think the under mentioned ‘roaaaaaarrrr’ well enough to be heard and applauded. They are encouraged to add the above image on to their website, nominate their ‘five’ and keep the roarrrr alive in the blogging safari. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
An inconspicuous presence, frail, bent, clad in the now legendary bordered white saree has shaken up the keepers of morality one more time since her earthly demise a decade ago. Mother Teresa’s letters lately released “Mother Teresa : Come Be My Light” speak of her anguish at feeling alone and Godless in a mind littered with doubt and faith faltering with disillusionment. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
This blog has been linked to by CNN.com/US
Today is the tenth death anniversary of Princess Diana and the euphoria continues as fervently with no signs of abating. A memorial sevice that had been in the news for a while since Camilla Prince Charles present wife and the ‘third person’ referred to by Diana in her marriage had been invited by Dianas sons.
Camillas inclusion had shocked and appalled many at the time. I had written of it as well in indignation, with no intention of masking the antipathy, wondering how on earth could Camilla be a part of the ceremony in memory of Diana despite being someone who had played a pivotal role in her misery. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
Guru Dutt..the mere mention of the name conjures up a memory of those eyes, which seemed piercing but simultaneously hypnotic, romantic, questioning therefore, melancholic.They were as if making an assertion of having seen it, lost it as well, realising en route. the futility of it all ! (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
2240 views
Congrats!!!! WE have done it.. The Taj Mahal has made it as one of the Seven Great Wonders! The listing is alphabetical and does not reflect number of votes..
According to media reports Taj has received the highest number of votes!! Wow …Great
Shall keep you updated on exact number of votes.
Meanwhile feast on beautiful pics of the New Seven Wonders and the function
Now that Indian citizenry has supported the cause and accorded Taj the glory it deserves, the Indian Government is obligated to ensure that Agra and the heritage structure abides by norms of infrastructural procedures essential to the tourism industry. Presently the conditions surrounding the Taj are appalling to say the least.
Update:
Results to be declared today..7th July.
You can watch Live Streaming of the Award Function here.
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Show solidarity for the monument of love The Taj Mahal.
Voting is on for the selection of the New Seven Wonders. Our Taj surely does deserve to be in the list.
Presently its not doing as well as one might have hoped, considering we are the largest democracy in the world and perhaps the highest percentage of online subscribers!. It has not even reached the 7th place as yet !! From the looks of it, metaphorically speaking, to be among the first few was the expectation!! Put in your votes asap guys. Its a matter of national pride and also a celebration of Love and the worlds greatest lover Shah Jehan.
Its amazing to be told by overjoyed anchors on the number of votes received via paid SMS’es for say an Indian Idol or Sa Re Ga Ma ..and few forthcoming via a free vote to prove pride for a heritage structure, the pride of India, the next inclusion in Wonders of the world?! C’mon guys I’m sure we can do better. One can do little about votes cast for the goons in U.P…but why not spend a minute for a worthy cause?
Sigh.. Ladies, think about it.. we aint gonna have another Taj dedicated to us..not even the tea bag variety.. so might as well revel in the joy of Mumtaz Mahal..although she had to die to fathom his love.. or am I being cynical! (more…)
1009 views
Kaveeta Kaul
Presuming that this programme “Koffee with Karan” has been widely viewed one can get on to the business of opinionating. For those who have missed it, excerpts then assume importance, an option, nevertheless indispensable to the cause of experiencing a rather charming , for want of a better word, revelation of the man that is Richard Gere. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
1009 views
Update: Channel 4 plans to apologise to Shilpa Shetty for the ‘editorial misjudgements’ before the start of its new season of Big Brother..Is it genuine or a crafty sense of diplomacy to ensure viewer ratings, is a matter of conjecture.
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When news , information, snippets, trivia, sensationalism, abuses, cynicism over an event begins emerging from the woodwork like termites, my instant reaction goes something like ‘ “I dont want to write on this one..its all over the net, channels, literally coming out of my ears”. A strange resistance to comment on the issue seems to take over, for reasons that have to do with disagreement rather than concurrence with populist sentiment. It seems like a wasteful exercise, and that ‘patient, mature, watchful,’ aspect of my nature ( did I hear a chuckle! how terribly mean 
) takes over and orders a pull back till an opportune moment. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
Update: You can listen to the podcast of my tribute in a programme dedicated to the Legendary O.P. Nayyar on PodioIndia Ep 31
A truly sad day for Indian music.
This post which receives a record number of hits consistently, referred to by Google, never failed to amaze me at the sheer number who were in search for Nayyar Saheb even now. Today, however, it began receiving an unusually continuous string .
I knew then, maybe what I had feared for a while had happened…Had to mournfully update it.
The total number has crossed over five thousand , just on the link provided above. If anything this substantively proves that Nayyar Saheb was a maestro par excellence, whose memory and strains of melody, stirred our souls, filled it with a longing to know more about him, in a bid as if to connect with the man behind the music and creator of that magic.
Please read the link provided for details on the maestro and his life.
Famed music composer from Pakistan, Sohail Rana, one of his ghazals being the unforgettable ‘mujhe tum nazar se gira to rahey ho, mijhe tum kabhi bhi bhula na sakogey’ , visited the blog and speaks of the last call to O.P. Nayyar just a month ago..he pays an emotional tribute to him in the comment section of the post.
His adopted daughter Ashwini Karandikar too speaks, in the comment section .
Ashraft through his comment has informed us of his passion for O.P.Nayyar’s music and that he has laboriously collected every single song composed by the maestro. Incredible! True passion and grit which needs to be lauded. Priceless treasure is now his!
Siraj Khan who has been writing the biography of O.P.Nayyar Saheb, exclusive rights for which had been granted to him by the maestro, had commented on this post last year as well.. Please read his tribute and of his plans for the book.
View O.P. Nayyar-Not Forgotten. ( 13161 views- 708 comments )
Kaveetaa Kaul
Ahhh well.. I was right after all . Results are out. ‘Rang De Basanti’ Indias entry, is out , Deepa Mehtas Canadian entry ‘Water’ is in. This is the pen-pen-ultimate round. Final nine, leading next to the final five which will be the official nominees.
My post ‘In Wait- Oscar’ to do with the film that might eventually create a stir at the Oscars, had ruled out RDB as a possibility, for reasons ennumerated therein. I had clearly mentioned ‘Water’ as a contender, although a Canadian entry, but taking over from the Indian entries in the foreign language film category.
Deepa Mehtas sure having the last laugh. She was hounded out of the country, not (more…)
Its always an arduous task to essay a look back with consummate fairness and unemotional detachment at the year gone by and arrive at an analysed version, which appears as an exemplification of serious thought wedded with a positive stance. .despite the foreseen dangers of ugly repetition of situations that defy redemption.
However for some, the above comes with ease and skill. One such is Tarun Tejpal whose recent article in ‘Tehelka’ had me re-reading and in consonnance, wholeheartedly. (more…)
Read a most invigorating news article which somehow re-infuses one with faith that a girl child can achieve the impossible in India, despite any form of support, encouragement, impetus, financially or otherwise, merely by sheer dint of intention and confidence in her abilities.
Its time we pick up from where we left off in thinking that History can be created by marginalising women or at the risk of their exclusion. It is not politically motivated, or a cliche driven thought to respect womens achievements, but a necessity for the health of society as a whole…And most importantly to salvage Indias inglorious reputation, on the ‘women abuse’ domain.
Seventeen-year old Anita of Bochahan village went against her family’s wishes to set up a successful business, which changed her family’s fortunes.
2509 views
Update : For Bhram - The Truth Behind the Scenes - Post Release click here
Update: Pavan Kaul speaks on his forthcoming film “BHRAM AN ILLUSION” touted to be a brilliantly shot, slick intense thriller/drama
View Zee Music and ETC interviews here and here
For BHRAM AN ILLUSION song promos and trailer click here
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It is quite amazing really the tacit, undetermined, influence stars wield in our lives. We may never own up to it, scoff at or turn our noses up with a ‘what rubbish’ stand off, but in actuality apart from religion and cricket, Bollywood is the hottest topic of debate and dissension, gossip and chatting the world over, especially for netizens.
We all have our opinions and our favourites, on films, actors, lately Directors as well. Similarity of choices leads to an unspoken bond, as if the person has placed a finger on the core of your soul and therefore is deserved of being your soulmate.Love me love my actor.. (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…)
Kaveetaa kaul
3327 views
“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.”
Music is a passion that has catapulted me into realms of bliss and ecstasy at even the most despondent of times.
Among the ones who deserve special mention and a huge Thanks is Rahul dev Burman.. His art lives on and will continue forever..however cliched that may sound.
Memory is a clever thing..it maybe the relative of truth but not its twin. (more…)
A true Love Story
Going back into the recesses of my mind, a voice emerges. Clear and lucid. In the throes of a party. A sea of smiling faces, laughter, mirth, camaraderie, at its best. Suddenly there was silence. An announcement was made, and an expectant hush fell over. The song began. It was resonant with melody, sounded good to the ears. A little girl was watching . She froze. Shyness seemed to take over completely. But nobody noticed nor did they care. (more…)
