Hey Ram : Revisited

One thing leads to another. I have been reading the Great Indian Novel, by Shashi Tharoor. A fantastic "must recommend" type book. But this also lead me to suddenly have the craving to watch Hey Ram again.

I had watched Hey Ram as a teenager. Although I saw the entire movie, I just thought of it as another one of Kamal Haasan's rebellious additions to Tamil Cinema. I respect the man immensely, even to the extent that I sometimes quarrel with Rajnikanth fans over his supremacy of the Tamil Film Kingdom.

But this 1 - 4 am late night show, was a pleasant surprise. As the movie moved from scene to scene, it moved with such fluency that it was as simple as different chapters in a book. The acting is stellar, everyone is the parallel cinema world is present - Hema Malini,Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Girish Karnad, Saurabh Shukla, Atul Kulkarni, Vikram Gokhale to name a few. It has an unusual mix of Tamil actors including Raghavan, Delhi Ganesh, Sowcar Janaki, Vaali(a poet by profession) Y.G.Mahedra and a superb debut by Vasundhara Das, even Govardhan Rao from Telugu cinema makes an appearance. Yes it has those Bollywood folks also, Rani and Shah Rukh. A cameo by Tushar Gandhi is a nice finishing touch.

There are just so many layers that one needs to digest through the movie. It is intense as it is intelligent. The anti Gandhian who realises the folly of his way. The man in love. The educated middle class Iyengar. The man who resists falling in love with his wife by devoting himself to a cause.

The setting is superb, recreating everything, from Calcutta to Delhi. Every fine detail is taken care of. And the realism of it, is quite surreal. There is Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, British English and Hindi. All languages that I now easily understand due to variety of people I met at business school. So makes me appreciate the movie even more, but the part I found funny was that, most of the main characters including the Mahatma himself, spoke Tamil. Playing to the gallery I guess. But a fine movie. 4 star I should say.

Day 3 - Penn Masala

What an end to the 3 day fun fair that I managed to find and be a part of.

Penn Masala, a capella group from the states came down to Hyderabad to perform. I had heard of them earlier, and sampled some of their stuff thanks to Soumya. It was thrilling to have them in Hyderabad.

Shifting gears easily between English renditions of U2, Coldplay and Timbaland coupled with popular numbers from Bollywood they had the crowd in awe. And everytime one of them started doing a swara, was a sight to behold.

To couple with the fabulous performance, the psychedelic laser show created a truly electric atmosphere. A huge thanks to the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise for bringing them down. Also, these guys are highly recommended, do attend their performances if you get a chance, otherwise there is always their website and youtube.

Day 2 - Girish Karnad's Nagamandala

This was my first tryst with serious folk theatre and I was not disappointed. After being used to the gripping plays at Prithvi, Ravindra Bharati seemed a little different. Ravindra Bharati has so many memories associated with it, so many performances of my own and quizzes also.

Nishumbita Ballet & Theatre group has done a fantastic job in putting it across. Hats off to Veena who played the main protagonist and Ram Holagundi, the director.

One complaint was about the irritating crowd though. The theatre scene is plagued with the problem of Cellphones ringing and I don't know if we will ever deal with this. Also some folks in the crowd were talking and didn't seem interested. Why do they even come, when they are not interested ? Answer : To disturb easily irritable people like me.

But I'm mighty glad, the Hyderabad theatre scene is alive and kicking.

Day 1 : China Moses & the Raphael Lemonnier Quartet

As soon as we entered, there were finger foods and drinks. A damn good setting for a jazz concert I thought.

The concert itself was fantastic. China Moses was nothing short of spectacular shifting modulations and tones reminiscent of Tina Turner. The whole show was dedicated to Dinah Washington, A famous R&B singer of the 50's. So there were a lot of interwoven stories to each song, which gave the show a real feel good factor.

Now allow me to tell you the story of about a boy from the South of France who grew upto be a pianist - Raphael Lemonnier, his french dimple and the magic that his fingers do when they touch the piano were easily the show stealers.

Then there was Fabien Marcoz on the cello with his brilliant solos and the drummer Jean Pierre Eroauard and his sense of humour.

A fabulous experience of listening to Jazz live in Hyderabad. Now how many people can boast of that.

PS: Random fact. Apparently the Jazz singer always makes best friends with the Cellist.

Home Sweet Hyd

Its only fair that my 100th post had to be from Hyderabad. I still remember, the first time I decided to write, before my Electrical Engineering exam in my 2nd year at MGIT.

Its been a long time from then to now. But some things haven't changed. I'm back at home, thanks to NITIE, I have a messed up sleep pattern. So my day usually starts at around noon and goes upto 2-3 am.

News from Hyderabad. Well it is still awesome, despite the bloody T protests and all that nonsense. The roads were empty on the morning of Jan 1, so I had fun driving around. The biryani is still spicy, the mirchi bajjis still induce tears, the air in December is still chilly and not stopping for signals is still a trend that continues.

Friends still turn up late, Pavan's room is still a favourite place to hangout. loads of them are here in town in this period. So I'm doing a lot of catching up, turns out, I have classmates who are in places like Russia. Interesting.

A ticket for 3 IDIOTS cost me Rs.40, yes yes yes ! And whats more, I walked to the theater. In Bombay, even getting to the multiplex would have cost me more. I like the Economics here.

So wherever I may go, Hyderabad will always be home.

Its done. All over

Its all over. Fuck. Double fuck. I'll probably never write another exam in my life. An end of an era. An end of a life lived at NITIE. With the smartest, funnest people I've known. I'm speechless. Words escape me.

We blasted bombs in front of the Dean. Pissed off people. Took pictures inside the exam hall. Applauded the the first guy to leave the exam hall. Beat the daylights out of the guy who came out last. These memories will last forever.





This is end of life at NITIE as I know it.

As the clock ticks

As time flies, I have a few things to say today.

1. Happy Birthday Rajinikanth. The man who rose from being nothing to almost Divine heights. Despite what people have to say, he is certainly an idol. (Not to mention,his younger daughter is very pretty)

2. Telangana : What the hell is happening ? One man doesn't eat and holds a whole Govt to a ransom. Obviously I'm against the splitting of the state, but the violence and bringing the state to a standstill is just uncalled for.
The people in Telangana face a lot of misery, I agree, but the focus should be to bring development to one's own constituency. So the onus I believe lies on the MPs & MLAs of the Telangana region. Making a state for the profit of one party(one man) is stupidity in my opinion. We are not even as big and unmanageable like UP.
Anyway, not like one random blogger is going to make a difference in this world ? Or is he ?

3. We had the last farewell party last night given to us by our ISEM juniors. It was awesomely awesome as I expected. But the card that they made will probably be the toast of the night. This is what I looked in the card. Amazing design guys !

Just another day

Woke up late
Did some crunches
Missed class
Washed clothes
Had a steaming hot bath
Had lunch
Read the Ian Rankin book that I picked up at the Bandra festival
Uploaded photos on Facebook
Looked at other people's photos
Debated about Telangana
Convinced people that it wasn't needed
Played catch with myself in the room
Watched a Telugu movie with a friend
Read some interesting articles

Now I'm wondering what to write about, and so, I'm implementing my formula for Amateur Writer's Block. It says - WRITE ABOUT MUNDANE EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES. Someone will find romance in them.

But I'm also afraid, that if I keep writing about my everyday activities, people will get real bore because most of the stuff is bound to repeat itself. Also they will start thinking that I do not have anything to do at all.

Speaking of something to do, I have exams in a week, 2 tests on Monday. But we all know what I'll do about that. NOTHING.

PS: I leave this place in a fortnight. Not the greatest feeling in the world. Leaving one home for another.

Unpredictability is Fun

Someone just asked me," What will I be ten years from now ? ". Its cool to imagine, what you will be, where you will be, who you will be with and.

But what is this life, if you knew everything right. Its worth the suspense, Unpredictability is fun.

Like that famous song, "Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, Que sera sera".

As Copenhagen kicks off

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference kicks off today, most of the world's populace has its eye fixed on Copenhagen.

This is a time for action,for emission cuts to be promised and in the future delivered. We don't need "token goodwill gestures". We can especially understand the plight of the nations closest to the polar ice caps. They will be the first hit. If the entire world doesn't curb their emissions now, we are all doomed.

Just because there is no "Enemy at the Gates" doesn't mean there is no "Clear and Present Danger".

There are some wise guys west of our nation who believe its China & India that need to really hold back on the polluting levels. Sources say China builds a one coal fired plant every week, and we are not far behind. But this is a question I always ask in all our heated debates in class, " What about what they did ?", and the US has the nerve not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Let me at 'em, let me at 'em.

Even at Copenhagen, I'm very sure, they will lobby for their profits, but thats how the cookie crumbles I suppose.
Due to a highly Consumerism driven society, we are consuming at a rate like never before without adequately replenishing nature. Our greed will be our downfall. If we don't do something soon, some species will one day dig out our fossils and study us, like we do the dinosaurs.

Watch this space for more updates as when the news comes along.

Contemporary Bollywood Music & 239 FM

A few years ago, I would not have been quite into Bollywood music. But now thanks a radio station next door, and excessive dependence on the radio on my phone during the tiresome commutes in Bombay, I can brag about a decent amount of knowledge about Contemporary Bollywood Music.

A host of new music directors and changing musical sensibilities have given a fresh new face to the tunes on the air these days. The old ones will not bow that easily too.
Ilayaraja is truly a man blessed by Goddess Saraswathi herself. A.R.Rehman, Oscars and Awards are no measure of his genius. With a lot of free time, I have also found the time to refresh the songs of the 80s which I believe are the true melodies of life, Tamil Music of the 80s and Hindi music of the late 70s, early 80s.

This is a photo of the Radio Station - 239 F(or)M(usic) with RJ Ambu - (click on the pic to see a better resolution or ping me)

My mail to IMPACT 16, my junior committee members

After a truly psychedelic and memorable party, this was a mail that I had sent to them.
________________________________________________________________________________
There are people, and then there are people. For all my lifetime that will follow, there will be a special bunch of 8( ie. Impact 15) and another special bunch of 12 (ie. you guys) that will forever remain stamped in the pages of my life.

I have been frustrated with you all many a time, but you have proved to me that you are a force to reckon with. The energy, the dedication with which you guys work is phenomenal.

Today's party will probably be the last times I will spend with most of you, I'm not much of the sentimental types, but I'd still give all you buggers a super huge hug from my side. It was wonderful for all you guys to come up with the quiz and gifts for all of us.

We will all move on in life, go to various parts of the world, but with us will remain our anecdotes, our memories and our friendships.

May you all go to happy places in life and high places if you choose to do so, happy places obviously are more important. And remember, let the fire within never die.

PS: I like Akshata's status message. It reads - TONIGHT WAS STRAIGHT OUT OF OUR DREAMS.
It really was.

Its Winter again

I love the rains. Undeniably. But season wise, Winter will have to be the winner.

The chill in the air that makes you wanna stay tucked under the blanket for the extra half hour. The nightly walks with the windcheater on. The pleasure of having something warm to gulp. All Winter's delights.

I remember those drives to MGIT on Puppy's bike " Darth Vader". I remember the early morning walks to school before anyone got there and spoilt the silence. The problem with all us imaginative types is that, we have been spoilt rotten. Spoilt rotten by the poems of the British,the movies in New York & the books based in Europe.

This is my second Winter in Bombay and I'm not disappointed at all, it might not be as frigid as I have in other places, but its pleasant and chill enough to make me happy. I got to sit in a seaside cinema, watch theatre, walk by the Arabian Sea, even gulp down some piping hot chai on a early winter morning sitting in a lab while doing an assignment.
Travelling in winter is also a lot of fun, amidst layers of clothing. Atleast it justifies my love for jackets. I will probably get to travel this winter too. So I'm looking forward to that.

Looking to attend the Kutcheri season in Madras, The Annual Reunion in School & New Year's with old friends in Hyderabad, some amazing conversations with Paati in Mysore and roaming around in the AC buses of Bangalore.
There are people who are always associating winter with gray loneliness and misery. But for me, Winter will always be a cosy blanket, more sleep, hot chai, warm rasam rice and Hyderabad all lit up for Christmas and the New year.

Seasons Greetings to all of you !

From Stingy to Splurgy

Well the title quite rightly sums up my spending attitude in the last one month.

Ever since revelation dawned upon me that these might be last few days of "freedom",I have decided to make the most of them.
Eating out at Tam restaurants to Italian Pizzerias.
Visits to the multiplex and theatre.
More frequent use of the rickshaw without thinking too much.

And today, I got me a 1 Terrabyte External HDD. So now, I'll never be lonely. Anyway a few days from now, I'll have my own money to splurge/invest.

The King of all Weekends

Day 1 :
Woke up late as usual. Then went to pick Ma at the airport. Was super excited that she was visiting. Brought her to campus, called my friends over, started intros. Then took her on the Campus tour. Although she didn't complain, she came back and was damn tired.
Guilty as charged ! You can't take a 51 yr old on a mini trek without warning.
Took her to HN in the evening. And then called it a day.

Day 2 :
I hardly slept. Amidst meetings and assignments, I woke up at 330 am, and the both of us left for Dadar. Here it is in Timeline :
5 am -> Sealink
5.15 am -> Siddhivinayak Temple
5.30 am - 6 -> Aarti there
6.30 am -> Mahalaxmi Temple
7.15 am -> Marine Drive & Churchgate
7.30 am -> Fast Local to Andheri
8.30 am -> Chole Bhatura breakfast in the mess
Then we came back to my room and dozed off for a while. We were invited for lunch with some family friends in Santacruz. It was a walk down memory lane, as both familes recollected their stories young parents with little children and how we had all grown up. Awesome lunch followed.
Saturday was done.

Day 3 :
Even before I was awake, Ma had come back from the girls' hostel where she was put up, and started cleaning my room. Mothers will be mothers. Then I gave her a taste of mess food which she liked, like everyone does the first time.
Then we went to HN, where she and a friend of mine went and bought my sister one of those bags that the girls keep carrying around everyday, while I went and got my father a Tshirt.

Then evening came. I went for the Graffiti on T shirts thing that the juniors had planned to kick off the Farewell party, an hour later with my T shirt almost run out of real estate. I headed.
Then came the most difficult part of the day. Picked up her stuff and went to leave Ma at the airport. I had a whale of a time and I'm hoping she did too.

The fun hadn't ended though, came back to have an awesomely awesome farewell party. Tears (not mine), Crazy dancing (definitely me), Videos and lots of other things will remain etched in my memory for a long time to come.

PS: I'm going home soon.

Been here, seen that

In my last one and a half years here in Bombay, I have been through the 26/11 terror attacks, Swine Flu, a near miss cyclone, a couple of horrible movies and the traffic that we hear so much about.

Experiences always educate you. Fear, Courage, Doubt, Trust, Stupidity , Shrewdness. All with fine lines between each other.
I have made great friends, I have also earned my share of criticism.
I have been tactful, I have also been very childish.
I have seen people come together to pray. I have seen people wait together to beat up someone.
I have embraced chaos during trying times. I have experienced serenity in the peace.
I have always tried to be encouraging. I make it a point to be straightforward.
I practise, thus I preach.

Like a friend of mine once told me, " It will always be good eventually. Always. "
Its all about living it up.

Love thy Neighbour

Great news. My neighbour has converted his L'Oreal pre placement interview. So now we will heading to Pune together. Always good to have a known face in an unknown land.

Watched three good new releases -
1. State of Play
2. The Great Raid
3. 500 days of Summer
Now Summer is one movie that most of us will relate to.

Otherwise life is pretty much mundane. Eating out everyday, sleeping for 14 hrs a day. Not doing anything physical. Blogging(now there's something useful).

The weather here is getting super. The mist is really thick in the campus these days and my weird sleep timings help me take full pleasure of the early mornings.
Am I looking forward to moving to Pune ?
Dunno. I have to though. Obviously the purpose of life is to move forward. But there will be a part of me, that will be left behind here. No sadness though.

A Seaside Cinema

After waking up at 3pm, one would think his day most of his day was wasted. But not for me, my day was just getting started.

So after having some biscuits, I caught a bus and made off to Bandra Reclamation to watch two documentaries on Climate Change that were being screened at an open air cinema next to the Arabian Sea. Since I wanted to save some money, I travelled by bus till the destination, resulting in a ten minute delay. So by the time I got there, the first documentary HOME had already started.

The Setting

The Screen on the Reclamation Promenade was chilly and beneath the stars, behind the screen was the Reclamation highway, to the audience's right was the sea and behind us was the spectacular Bandra-Worli Sealink.

The Movies



Home - A movie which shows some scintillating landscapes and scenes. The powerful narrative talks about we have raped our planet. Hats off to Yann Arthus Bertrand.



The Age of Stupid - One movie I thought will never be publicly screened in India. Jumped at the chance. A brilliant movie made by Franny Armstrong. Pete Posthlewaite plays the Archivist in 2050 who asks the all important question - " Why didn't we stop Climate Change when we had the chance ? ". It strings together 6 different stories including India's very own Jeh Wadia's GoAir.

If you get a chance to watch either movie, make sure you grab the oppurtunity.

Thanks to the Celebrate Bandra Festival for giving me this superb experience.

Designer Mug

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Close Shave

It happened at around 7 pm this evening. 2 friends and I were travelling by the famed auto rickshaw on the Western Express Highway.

Out of nowhere, on the flyover that leads to Bandra, the front tyre breaks off leaving the metallic wheel to bounce and this sent the auto cartwheeling upwards. It seemed suspended like that for 2 seconds before it came back down, and the auto driver somehow managed to steer it to the side of the road. Luckily for all of us, there were no speeding vehicles behind us.

Now for the good news, none of us got hurt. I was sitting in front of the meter, so got a whack on the jaw, but nothing else. Close Shave for sure.