If you are reading this, please read the following before reading this-
1) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-part-1.html
2) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-2-arabian-night.html
3) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-3-zimble-myoozings.html
Exceedingly pretty eyes she had,
Piercing, misty and green.
They reflected something sad,
But beautiful they were,
As beautiful as can be.
I was sitting sipping my latte in Starbucks when I noticed this beautiful girl. I’ve just described to you the eyes. My cuzin sis who was sitting with me mentioned that her cheeks resembled a “thakkaali” (tomato in tamil). I could not stop staring at the girl.
Usually, when I see a beautiful girl, I try not to make the ogling obvious. This has been more prominent in the Middle East. Yahaan toh dar lagta hai kisi bandi se aankh milaane mein.
But in this case, I cared not for (my self imposed) Middle Eastern norms. She was pretty and there to be seen. She knew it too, through a sixth sense that only womenfolk have, that there was a pair of Indian eyes looking into hers. For a few seconds, or probably a fraction, our eyes met.
Most of the Middle Eastern girls have amazingly good-looking features. Only that they seem to be using layers and layers of make-up. Also this entire city smells of perfumes- inside the lifts, inside the malls, inside the office, just about everywhere.
Something intriguing about the girls though is that most of them are shrouded in a black gown.
The best thing about Dubai is that women can roam around freely here- without an iota of fear of eve teasing.
I’m now counting my days in Dubai. I’m likely to be back in India anytime now. Acquaintances do not seem to understand- there is a unique relief that pervades me when I think of coming back to India.. Friends will know.
I’d mentioned in my previous blogs about me going where destiny takes me. Looks like I’m going back to Gurgaon for now. Par Kal ka kya hai, kisne dekha….
I got a hang of the city’s enormity yesterday. A night drive on Sheikh Zayed road, skyscrapers on the left and the right, a massive highway and the badi badi gaadiyaan… tez tez chalti hui… from one traffic jam to another.
The Mall of Emirates would be a treat for a shopping freak. I guess I am not one.
My eyes long for roads lined with trees,
This place is filled with luxuries,
I see cranes, I see buildings,
I see cars and I see roads wide.
Yet I know not when I shall find my peace,
But, I do know when I shall see those roads,
Potholed and narrow, yet lined with trees,
This longing shall cease.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
gElf diaries 3- zimble Myoozings
If you are reading this, please read the following before reading this-
1) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-part-1.html
2) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-2-arabian-night.html
My second weekend is just about to get over. I was chatting with my good friend VP Singh on gtalk; his status quoted a line-
“It is 12.10 and it is now..Tomorrow at 3:00, it will be now. On my deathbed it will still be now...Since it will always be now, learning to respond to 'now' is the only thing there is to learn !!!”
This is so relevant in my life today… now.
I still do not know if my stay in Dubai will continue for a few more days, months or weeks. I’m dealing now with ‘now’.
Last few days have made me quite senti. My good friend and sis Shilpi says I’m a guy who lives in the past. She is right- even literally. I’m 90 minutes behind IST.
The ECS team here has been extremely friendly and supportive- much more than I would ever have thought. It is amazing to have good friends in colleagues. Touch wood!!
Social networking is very difficult here. Orkut is banned. I guess it will take time before you get to befriend people outside one’s official circle. I wonder if I’m gonna be in Dubai that long!!!
We stay in luxury. The hotel apartment is damn decent!! The first day we met, my flatmate Abhishek and I were discussing that even if we spent our time working for the next few years, we would not able to own a 2 BHK half as luxurious as this. Nobody has a small car here. A Camry seems to be the base car and that too, used as a taxi. The roads are big and perennially in a state of jam…or so it seems. Badi badi gaadiyaan… badi badi imaaratein…
There are as many taxis here as there are buses in gurgaon… ppl say, jannat naseeb ho jaati hai, par taxi nahi… there are as many buses here as there are helicopters in delhi…there are as many plants and trees here as there are buildings taller than 20 floors in delhi…
Still wonder if there is a motivator besides money for a man to come here voluntarily.
Its amazing though how these guys have created a city out of nothing…
Let us see what d future has in store…watch this space for more…
PS- My closest of friends have been telling me that this experience will do some good to make me stronger and wiser…
Even as I write this… an evergreen Dev Anand number plays in my mind…
Jo mil gaya usee ko muqaddar samajh liya… jo kho gaya main usko bhulaata chala gaya…
gham aur khushi mein farq na mahsoos ho jahaan… main dil ko us maqaam pe laata chala gaya….
I wish I could!!!
PPS- This one is dedicated 2 VP and Shilpi…
1) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-part-1.html
2) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-2-arabian-night.html
My second weekend is just about to get over. I was chatting with my good friend VP Singh on gtalk; his status quoted a line-
“It is 12.10 and it is now..Tomorrow at 3:00, it will be now. On my deathbed it will still be now...Since it will always be now, learning to respond to 'now' is the only thing there is to learn !!!”
This is so relevant in my life today… now.
I still do not know if my stay in Dubai will continue for a few more days, months or weeks. I’m dealing now with ‘now’.
Last few days have made me quite senti. My good friend and sis Shilpi says I’m a guy who lives in the past. She is right- even literally. I’m 90 minutes behind IST.
The ECS team here has been extremely friendly and supportive- much more than I would ever have thought. It is amazing to have good friends in colleagues. Touch wood!!
Social networking is very difficult here. Orkut is banned. I guess it will take time before you get to befriend people outside one’s official circle. I wonder if I’m gonna be in Dubai that long!!!
We stay in luxury. The hotel apartment is damn decent!! The first day we met, my flatmate Abhishek and I were discussing that even if we spent our time working for the next few years, we would not able to own a 2 BHK half as luxurious as this. Nobody has a small car here. A Camry seems to be the base car and that too, used as a taxi. The roads are big and perennially in a state of jam…or so it seems. Badi badi gaadiyaan… badi badi imaaratein…
There are as many taxis here as there are buses in gurgaon… ppl say, jannat naseeb ho jaati hai, par taxi nahi… there are as many buses here as there are helicopters in delhi…there are as many plants and trees here as there are buildings taller than 20 floors in delhi…
Still wonder if there is a motivator besides money for a man to come here voluntarily.
Its amazing though how these guys have created a city out of nothing…
Let us see what d future has in store…watch this space for more…
PS- My closest of friends have been telling me that this experience will do some good to make me stronger and wiser…
Even as I write this… an evergreen Dev Anand number plays in my mind…
Jo mil gaya usee ko muqaddar samajh liya… jo kho gaya main usko bhulaata chala gaya…
gham aur khushi mein farq na mahsoos ho jahaan… main dil ko us maqaam pe laata chala gaya….
I wish I could!!!
PPS- This one is dedicated 2 VP and Shilpi…
Friday, March 21, 2008
gElf diaries 2- Arabian night
If you are reading this, please read http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-part-1.html before reading this-
Its been a week now. Don’t’ know how long more it is going to be here- days/ weeks or months.
Started on a hectic note with work beginning from day-one. A long weekend made life easier for me.
I’m not yet able to digest the fact that Friday and Saturday would be weekend for me. I still find it difficult to cross roads- the thought that vehicles are coming in from my right has not yet registered in my mind. So I’m extra careful while crossing. The last days, I’ve had pulao for lunch. Nothing else is veg. One day I had to eat steamed rice and lettuce leaf.
I went on an overnight desert safari this weekend. Was amazing fun!! The safari began around 5 in the evening.
Started with a stunt ride on a land cruiser over the desert sands and the dunes. This lasted an hour. Was good fun, but a li’l over hyped.
The fun started after that. A model mehfil has been made in the desert, something like our own chokhi dhaani. You get to do some modern stuff like sand biking (which is exciting, yet, could be dangerous, as my friend and flatmate Abhishek learnt the hard way- his skin from his left thigh to the heel got burnt under the tyre). You also get to do some camel riding.
The loser that I’ve often been branded by friends often- I did neither. Took a walk around the desert- went to a no man’s land. I wondered what life would have been like- here in the desert a thousand years back. For some time, I felt like the protagonist in The Alchemist- wandering through the desert. As evening gave way to dusk and dusk to the night, I came back to the mehfil.
If you enjoy a few pegs- you get some stuff at a steep price. For the rest of us teetotalers, dates, Soft Drinks, food and tea were on the house. There were close to 150 tourists like me, under the open sky, a bright moonlit night and some catchy Arabic music.
The best part of the evening was reserved for the belly dance. The initial moments of the belly dance brought within me a sense of deep disgust at myself- here was a girl dancing in front of so many people- the sole aim seemed to be titillating the libido of spectators like me. A few minutes of self disdain (at watching the dance) later, I realized I was actually enjoying it. Before you take me otherwise, I think belly dance is an amazing art form. The costume may look scanty when you compare it with… say a Bharatnatyam. Besides the flexibility of the danseuse’ body, the grace of her movements and her ability to keep the audience engaged was beautiful.
Post the dance and the dinner (surprisingly, there is enough vegetarian fare for people like me), the crowd dispersed, ready to be taken back to their places of residence. 8 of us stayed put for the overnight experience. Four of us from ECS, a Norwegian couple and a Brit couple. The Arab music played on. The Norwegian couple joined us for a chat. It was fun.
The night was cold. The desert was lonely. The sky was beautiful. A faint sound of music from a distant camp added to the mysticism of the night. An interesting attendant by the name of Allah Bachaaya only added to the medieval feel.
Thanks to the two sleeping bags these guys had provided, my night in the tent was quite comfortable.
Sometime, I’ll visit the desert again- I may not go for the landcruiser ride though.
The night I spent there was one of contemplation for me. I was with friends and yet I was alone. I was alone and yet I could connect with so many near and dear ones I have known. It is an awesome experience walking in the desert a few minutes before sunrise.
One song that plays in my mind when I think of that night… Jagjit Singhing… Kal chaudhvi ki raat thi…. Na… I’ll not say more!!!
Its been a week now. Don’t’ know how long more it is going to be here- days/ weeks or months.
Started on a hectic note with work beginning from day-one. A long weekend made life easier for me.
I’m not yet able to digest the fact that Friday and Saturday would be weekend for me. I still find it difficult to cross roads- the thought that vehicles are coming in from my right has not yet registered in my mind. So I’m extra careful while crossing. The last days, I’ve had pulao for lunch. Nothing else is veg. One day I had to eat steamed rice and lettuce leaf.
I went on an overnight desert safari this weekend. Was amazing fun!! The safari began around 5 in the evening.
Started with a stunt ride on a land cruiser over the desert sands and the dunes. This lasted an hour. Was good fun, but a li’l over hyped.
The fun started after that. A model mehfil has been made in the desert, something like our own chokhi dhaani. You get to do some modern stuff like sand biking (which is exciting, yet, could be dangerous, as my friend and flatmate Abhishek learnt the hard way- his skin from his left thigh to the heel got burnt under the tyre). You also get to do some camel riding.
The loser that I’ve often been branded by friends often- I did neither. Took a walk around the desert- went to a no man’s land. I wondered what life would have been like- here in the desert a thousand years back. For some time, I felt like the protagonist in The Alchemist- wandering through the desert. As evening gave way to dusk and dusk to the night, I came back to the mehfil.
If you enjoy a few pegs- you get some stuff at a steep price. For the rest of us teetotalers, dates, Soft Drinks, food and tea were on the house. There were close to 150 tourists like me, under the open sky, a bright moonlit night and some catchy Arabic music.
The best part of the evening was reserved for the belly dance. The initial moments of the belly dance brought within me a sense of deep disgust at myself- here was a girl dancing in front of so many people- the sole aim seemed to be titillating the libido of spectators like me. A few minutes of self disdain (at watching the dance) later, I realized I was actually enjoying it. Before you take me otherwise, I think belly dance is an amazing art form. The costume may look scanty when you compare it with… say a Bharatnatyam. Besides the flexibility of the danseuse’ body, the grace of her movements and her ability to keep the audience engaged was beautiful.
Post the dance and the dinner (surprisingly, there is enough vegetarian fare for people like me), the crowd dispersed, ready to be taken back to their places of residence. 8 of us stayed put for the overnight experience. Four of us from ECS, a Norwegian couple and a Brit couple. The Arab music played on. The Norwegian couple joined us for a chat. It was fun.
The night was cold. The desert was lonely. The sky was beautiful. A faint sound of music from a distant camp added to the mysticism of the night. An interesting attendant by the name of Allah Bachaaya only added to the medieval feel.
Thanks to the two sleeping bags these guys had provided, my night in the tent was quite comfortable.
Sometime, I’ll visit the desert again- I may not go for the landcruiser ride though.
The night I spent there was one of contemplation for me. I was with friends and yet I was alone. I was alone and yet I could connect with so many near and dear ones I have known. It is an awesome experience walking in the desert a few minutes before sunrise.
One song that plays in my mind when I think of that night… Jagjit Singhing… Kal chaudhvi ki raat thi…. Na… I’ll not say more!!!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
gElf diaries 1- ahlan Dubai
My first day away from the country…
Often I’ve asked myself if a man is driven by his destiny or if he creates his own destiny. In the more emotional and religious moods, I’ve gone by the former and in the more rhetoric times, I’ve gone with the latter.
The events in the last week again raised this question in my mind. This time, the answer seems clear.
I had great plans for this weekend- a rafting trip in Rishikesh, a visit to Siliserh in Rajasthan and was all set to travel to Hissar in Haryana next week.
I’m writing this sitting in a room in Dubai. I landed last night. The trip was not too very exciting. After the busy last 4 days trying to vacate my room, I was tired- and my body acting in mechanic motions. My mind has been rather blank and it has been as if I’m playing somebody else’s character in a play. Also, to anyone who is flying into Dubai, I strongly strongly recommend that you avoid Indian Airlines. Pathetic is an understatement.
Most of the significant happenings in my life- the good, bad and ugly , have happened without my asking for it. After a heartbreak, I was sitting with a mentor cum good friend and he quoted Ghalib and said, “Ishq par zor nahi, hai ye wo aatish Ghalib… jo jalaaye na jale, jo bujhaaye na bujhe”. I remember him also mentioning that that this is true not just of ishq, but of life in general. The more I think about it, the more I agree… and the more I think.
Since morning, the song, “ye jo des hai tera” has been playing in my mind and I know that I’m obviously not here to settle down; I am here only for a few months- and am not indulging in brain drain that I have been critical of through these 25 years. Nevertheless it is a strange feeling. I don’t know if my friends and readers will agree with me or understand me as I write this. But, “strange” is exactly how I feel.
I was just beginning to get used to Gurgaon. I was beginning to get used to the thought of having my dinner in a new outlet in a different mall every night. I was now getting used to sitting on the terrace every night, sipping a hot cuppa milk… looking into the night sky… singing a few songs… listening to some… chatting on the phone…
Gurgaon aint as bad a place to stay as I’ve been portraying to some of you. It has its spots which are worth living.
I’m more contemplative than usual today- the excitement of an overseas project indulging n a game of see-saw with the emotion of leaving India- more specifically, my beloved Delhi/ NCR.
In the days to come, I may write more of these musings from the Gulf. When I landed in dubai, I remembered the title music in a 70’s Sukumaran movie- it shows him landing in Dubai. It has amazing Arabic beats in the background.
This blog is dedicated to a friend I was having conversation with- till a few seconds before I boarded the aircraft. She once again told me, as she had in the past, that jo ek baar gaya videsh, wo fir waapas aane ka naam nahi leta.
This is also dedicated to the guy standing next to me in the loo at the Dubai airport, who asked me something, after which I lost all the anxiety of landing in a foreign land.
He asked, “saare, samayam ethra aayi?”
Cheers to the gElf Malayalee!!!
Often I’ve asked myself if a man is driven by his destiny or if he creates his own destiny. In the more emotional and religious moods, I’ve gone by the former and in the more rhetoric times, I’ve gone with the latter.
The events in the last week again raised this question in my mind. This time, the answer seems clear.
I had great plans for this weekend- a rafting trip in Rishikesh, a visit to Siliserh in Rajasthan and was all set to travel to Hissar in Haryana next week.
I’m writing this sitting in a room in Dubai. I landed last night. The trip was not too very exciting. After the busy last 4 days trying to vacate my room, I was tired- and my body acting in mechanic motions. My mind has been rather blank and it has been as if I’m playing somebody else’s character in a play. Also, to anyone who is flying into Dubai, I strongly strongly recommend that you avoid Indian Airlines. Pathetic is an understatement.
Most of the significant happenings in my life- the good, bad and ugly , have happened without my asking for it. After a heartbreak, I was sitting with a mentor cum good friend and he quoted Ghalib and said, “Ishq par zor nahi, hai ye wo aatish Ghalib… jo jalaaye na jale, jo bujhaaye na bujhe”. I remember him also mentioning that that this is true not just of ishq, but of life in general. The more I think about it, the more I agree… and the more I think.
Since morning, the song, “ye jo des hai tera” has been playing in my mind and I know that I’m obviously not here to settle down; I am here only for a few months- and am not indulging in brain drain that I have been critical of through these 25 years. Nevertheless it is a strange feeling. I don’t know if my friends and readers will agree with me or understand me as I write this. But, “strange” is exactly how I feel.
I was just beginning to get used to Gurgaon. I was beginning to get used to the thought of having my dinner in a new outlet in a different mall every night. I was now getting used to sitting on the terrace every night, sipping a hot cuppa milk… looking into the night sky… singing a few songs… listening to some… chatting on the phone…
Gurgaon aint as bad a place to stay as I’ve been portraying to some of you. It has its spots which are worth living.
I’m more contemplative than usual today- the excitement of an overseas project indulging n a game of see-saw with the emotion of leaving India- more specifically, my beloved Delhi/ NCR.
In the days to come, I may write more of these musings from the Gulf. When I landed in dubai, I remembered the title music in a 70’s Sukumaran movie- it shows him landing in Dubai. It has amazing Arabic beats in the background.
This blog is dedicated to a friend I was having conversation with- till a few seconds before I boarded the aircraft. She once again told me, as she had in the past, that jo ek baar gaya videsh, wo fir waapas aane ka naam nahi leta.
This is also dedicated to the guy standing next to me in the loo at the Dubai airport, who asked me something, after which I lost all the anxiety of landing in a foreign land.
He asked, “saare, samayam ethra aayi?”
Cheers to the gElf Malayalee!!!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Sach is life...
...Jab tu bada hoga na, tab bhi tere saath khel raha hoga woh...." And he laughed.
Y'day evening, after watching Sachin do what he did to the Aussies, I was taking a walk in the neighbourhood park. A kid was playing cricket with his brother and his Dad. I was in a mesmerized state y'day. I stood by to watch the family play. Once the game was over, the kid asked his Dad, "papa, tendu-laker world ka best batsman hai na...". This is when the Dad said, "Jab tu bada hoga na, tab bhi tere saath khel raha hoga woh...." And he laughed.
Circa late 80's and early 90's.
There was a boy who played cricket in a small non-descript village in Kerala. His dad often told him that when he grew up to be a cricketer, Sachin would be his captain. The boy could never fulfill his dream of being a cricketer; he went on to get into HR. But, Sachin was a name that spelt magic for him. And still spells magic for him.
What is it that makes Sachin Tendulkar the phenomenon that he is? What is it about that makes his nations, other cricket loving nations and even opponents drool over him? What makes Sachin... Sachin...
I'm sure, for those of us who grew up in the late 80's and 90's, Indian cricket has been synonymous with Sachin. Interestingly, for even the kids of this century, Sachin is still Indian cricket.
People say that cricket is their religion and Sachin their God. Each time he walks on to the field and each time he walks off it, look at the hysteria that is generated across the cricket loving public. Look at the way commentators struggle to find words of appreciation that justify his talent. I remember Ian Chappell was a person who was a fierce critic of his- not so long back, even suggesting that he should retire. Y'day he said, "A lot of us say a lot of things about him- the journalists, the experts and commentators. He doesn't bother about all that. He has his targets set and he has his standards. He would be his worst critic if he doesn't meet these standards."
There are many things that separate him from the rest of us mortals. In spite of all his achievements, his feet seem firmly on the ground. The ability to say, "I learn a lot of things from these juniors" speaks a lot about his persona. The way he let Rohit sharma bloom while batting with him exemplifies that that these are not merely high thoughts, but, he manifests these in his behaviours. The ability to adapt and change with changing times speaks so highly of him. He has been able to discern opportunities while the rest of the world perceived obstacles. There is Sachin, and there are the rest.
Look at the way he handled the aftermath of Lee's beamer y'day. Beautiful!!!
Not just a great sportsman, but a great human being and an ideal role model.
They say, commit your crimes when Sachin is batting. For when he bats, even the Lords would do nothing but watch him play...
Some time, like Kapil Dev, like Gavaskar and Lara, he too will retire. There will be a time, when for the kids growing up, Indian cricket may not be synonymous with Sachin. There will be a time when our future generations will ask us if we saw Sachin playing.
But, there shall never be a generation now when kids shall ask, "Sachin- who?". In the generations to come, the best batsman shall always be faced with the ominous possibility of being compared with HIM.
To the noblest cricketer that ever walked the earth, to the guy who made me feel even greater to be Indian... to the guy who repeatedly makes me realise that the greater you grow, the humbler you become... to the guy who's given me and a billion others, so many reasons to smile.... to the guy who has been the role model to so many many kids like me... Long Live Sachin... Long Live your Legend!!!
Y'day evening, after watching Sachin do what he did to the Aussies, I was taking a walk in the neighbourhood park. A kid was playing cricket with his brother and his Dad. I was in a mesmerized state y'day. I stood by to watch the family play. Once the game was over, the kid asked his Dad, "papa, tendu-laker world ka best batsman hai na...". This is when the Dad said, "Jab tu bada hoga na, tab bhi tere saath khel raha hoga woh...." And he laughed.
Circa late 80's and early 90's.
There was a boy who played cricket in a small non-descript village in Kerala. His dad often told him that when he grew up to be a cricketer, Sachin would be his captain. The boy could never fulfill his dream of being a cricketer; he went on to get into HR. But, Sachin was a name that spelt magic for him. And still spells magic for him.
What is it that makes Sachin Tendulkar the phenomenon that he is? What is it about that makes his nations, other cricket loving nations and even opponents drool over him? What makes Sachin... Sachin...
I'm sure, for those of us who grew up in the late 80's and 90's, Indian cricket has been synonymous with Sachin. Interestingly, for even the kids of this century, Sachin is still Indian cricket.
People say that cricket is their religion and Sachin their God. Each time he walks on to the field and each time he walks off it, look at the hysteria that is generated across the cricket loving public. Look at the way commentators struggle to find words of appreciation that justify his talent. I remember Ian Chappell was a person who was a fierce critic of his- not so long back, even suggesting that he should retire. Y'day he said, "A lot of us say a lot of things about him- the journalists, the experts and commentators. He doesn't bother about all that. He has his targets set and he has his standards. He would be his worst critic if he doesn't meet these standards."
There are many things that separate him from the rest of us mortals. In spite of all his achievements, his feet seem firmly on the ground. The ability to say, "I learn a lot of things from these juniors" speaks a lot about his persona. The way he let Rohit sharma bloom while batting with him exemplifies that that these are not merely high thoughts, but, he manifests these in his behaviours. The ability to adapt and change with changing times speaks so highly of him. He has been able to discern opportunities while the rest of the world perceived obstacles. There is Sachin, and there are the rest.
Look at the way he handled the aftermath of Lee's beamer y'day. Beautiful!!!
Not just a great sportsman, but a great human being and an ideal role model.
They say, commit your crimes when Sachin is batting. For when he bats, even the Lords would do nothing but watch him play...
Some time, like Kapil Dev, like Gavaskar and Lara, he too will retire. There will be a time, when for the kids growing up, Indian cricket may not be synonymous with Sachin. There will be a time when our future generations will ask us if we saw Sachin playing.
But, there shall never be a generation now when kids shall ask, "Sachin- who?". In the generations to come, the best batsman shall always be faced with the ominous possibility of being compared with HIM.
To the noblest cricketer that ever walked the earth, to the guy who made me feel even greater to be Indian... to the guy who repeatedly makes me realise that the greater you grow, the humbler you become... to the guy who's given me and a billion others, so many reasons to smile.... to the guy who has been the role model to so many many kids like me... Long Live Sachin... Long Live your Legend!!!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Katha parayumbol...
"Balandemakkal" (Balan's children), says AshokRaj(Mammootty's character) as he hugs the children of Balan (Srinivasan). And then, with misty eyes, looks up at Balan.
This is one of the last scenes in this awesome movie called Katha Parayumbol which I chanced to see in a hall@Bangalore. This film was just one more of those things which makes me take even greater pride in being a Keralite.
I can bet that the same scene in any other language would have stretched much much longer with some flowery dialogues and melodramatic moments.
Hmm, what did I like about the movie? Plenty.
To start with, I was watching the movie with a cousin who I have begun to discover as an individual, only over the last 2-3 years in spite of knowing each other since the last 25 years. Second, watching a Malayalam movie in Bangalore was something I had not hoped for in this trip. Third, it came at a time when I was wondering if Malayalam films are taking the same familiar masala route taken by movies in other languages.
The movie is set in rural Kerala- the scenic beauty of Kerala has been beautifully captured- you know why it is God's own country. The settings are so natural- the local chaayakkada (tea shop) serving as the centre for village gossip and general banter (one amazing scene is when the local communist politician says why the prices for hair cuts have gone up coz of globalization). One has to have some experience of Kerala to appreciate these scenes. The different characters presented in the movie look like they've been plucked out of a story book.
The relationship between the father (played by Srinivasan) and his children (and with his wife) are beautifully depicted. In particular, 2 scenes come to my mind- one, when the father asks the daughter what she wants to become...and she says that she wants to be the daughter of a father who can pay her school fees. And second, when her dad does not fulfil her wish of getting her to meet the superstar, the royal ignore she gives him.
I liked the way in which some nice nigs have been taken on the politicians of Kerala- especially the union leaders. (have u heard this- 1 mallu is an innovator, 2 mallus= 2 political parties, 3= 1 trade union, 4= 2 trade unions). Something unique about the movies of Sreenivasan (and Sathyan Anthikkadu) is that the protagonist will make you smile and laugh- however, he is himself going through very troubled times. The protagonist, like the proverbial clown, can see the brighter side of things.
The film also highlights another aspect of human relationships- one of the beautiful aspects of friendship is that in spite of not having met a good friend in years, the relationship still can remain as beautiful, or even more beautiful; as strong or even stronger.
The blog will be incomplete without a mention of Mammootty- one of the greatest actors the country has ever seen, in an extended guest appearance. This will go down as one of his best roles ever.
This undoubtedly is amongst Srinivasan's best yet- I would place it almost on par with Sandesham. The experience of watching this movie reaffirmed my pride in being a Keralite- we Keralites still can laugh at ourselves better than anybody else; we still are much more "aware" than anybody else. Also, my respect for Malayalam films as opposed to films in other languages, stands, as strong as ever. I love sounding like a regional fanatic/ chauvnist.
This one is dedicated to my cousin, who I've begun to know and understand only recently. This process of trying to know him would remain extremely special to me.
This one is also a tribute to my dear friend- "neela bukkett", who stays across the office; someone who I see as the best Mallu in the making.
The one song whose lines have been playing in mind as I write all this is... Ende Keralam, Ethra Sundaram....
This is one of the last scenes in this awesome movie called Katha Parayumbol which I chanced to see in a hall@Bangalore. This film was just one more of those things which makes me take even greater pride in being a Keralite.
I can bet that the same scene in any other language would have stretched much much longer with some flowery dialogues and melodramatic moments.
Hmm, what did I like about the movie? Plenty.
To start with, I was watching the movie with a cousin who I have begun to discover as an individual, only over the last 2-3 years in spite of knowing each other since the last 25 years. Second, watching a Malayalam movie in Bangalore was something I had not hoped for in this trip. Third, it came at a time when I was wondering if Malayalam films are taking the same familiar masala route taken by movies in other languages.
The movie is set in rural Kerala- the scenic beauty of Kerala has been beautifully captured- you know why it is God's own country. The settings are so natural- the local chaayakkada (tea shop) serving as the centre for village gossip and general banter (one amazing scene is when the local communist politician says why the prices for hair cuts have gone up coz of globalization). One has to have some experience of Kerala to appreciate these scenes. The different characters presented in the movie look like they've been plucked out of a story book.
The relationship between the father (played by Srinivasan) and his children (and with his wife) are beautifully depicted. In particular, 2 scenes come to my mind- one, when the father asks the daughter what she wants to become...and she says that she wants to be the daughter of a father who can pay her school fees. And second, when her dad does not fulfil her wish of getting her to meet the superstar, the royal ignore she gives him.
I liked the way in which some nice nigs have been taken on the politicians of Kerala- especially the union leaders. (have u heard this- 1 mallu is an innovator, 2 mallus= 2 political parties, 3= 1 trade union, 4= 2 trade unions). Something unique about the movies of Sreenivasan (and Sathyan Anthikkadu) is that the protagonist will make you smile and laugh- however, he is himself going through very troubled times. The protagonist, like the proverbial clown, can see the brighter side of things.
The film also highlights another aspect of human relationships- one of the beautiful aspects of friendship is that in spite of not having met a good friend in years, the relationship still can remain as beautiful, or even more beautiful; as strong or even stronger.
The blog will be incomplete without a mention of Mammootty- one of the greatest actors the country has ever seen, in an extended guest appearance. This will go down as one of his best roles ever.
This undoubtedly is amongst Srinivasan's best yet- I would place it almost on par with Sandesham. The experience of watching this movie reaffirmed my pride in being a Keralite- we Keralites still can laugh at ourselves better than anybody else; we still are much more "aware" than anybody else. Also, my respect for Malayalam films as opposed to films in other languages, stands, as strong as ever. I love sounding like a regional fanatic/ chauvnist.
This one is dedicated to my cousin, who I've begun to know and understand only recently. This process of trying to know him would remain extremely special to me.
This one is also a tribute to my dear friend- "neela bukkett", who stays across the office; someone who I see as the best Mallu in the making.
The one song whose lines have been playing in mind as I write all this is... Ende Keralam, Ethra Sundaram....
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
a year and 200 times later...
I remember doing it for the first time in February last year. I was nervous. It was my first time, so there was no experience I could rely on. I did not know what were her expectations of me. I did not know if I was capable of satisfying her expectations.
Everybody had a view on it; people who had done it for years now and those who had started doing it just a few months, weeks or days back. I was still in a mood to learn. I was open to most inputs- even if they sounded contrary.
Some said that the act of context setting and foreplay was the most important part during the entire session. Some said, to hell with context, the act of getting her to talk is most important. Some felt that it was a divine opportunity to touch another life.
Some said that time does not matter. Some felt 45 minutes was too much. Some claimed to finish it in under 20 minutes. Some actually said that it depended on the money the "client" was willing to pay.
Everybody said that a session would leave you exhausted. Six is the upper limit you could do in a day. People had claimed to have done it 8 and even 12 times in a day. But they felt it was a little too much for a human being- specially when you have it back to back.
Most of them felt that I should prepare for it, if not a day in advance, atleast a few hours in advance. I actually tried practising it front of the mirror. (Even after a year of doing it the first time, over 200 times later, I still try to practise before the actual act begins).
I wondered if it would be a humiliating experience for the other person. The experienced ones said that it all depends on me and how comfortable I let the other person feel. Some were even generous enough to let me sit through in sessions when they were doing it- of course without letting the other person know about it.
And when it started, she was nervous. So was I. Only that she did not know why I was nervous. I tried to set a context, but I guess, messed it up. Nevertheless, the show went on for the next 60 minutes. She smiled at times. I thought those were the moments her expectations were satisfied. (over 200 times later, I now know and realise that a smile does not indicate satisfaction and a frown/ sounds and words of disapproval does not indicate a lack of satisfaction).
That was the first developmental dialogue with a person where I had to deliver a feedback. It was tough then. I still feel uncomfortable delivering the feedback at times. I've just come back after a session that I felt very difficult to complete.
Thought I'll pen down these thoughts...
PS-- dedicated to all the experienced friends who've helped me through these days in the act of delivering feedback
Everybody had a view on it; people who had done it for years now and those who had started doing it just a few months, weeks or days back. I was still in a mood to learn. I was open to most inputs- even if they sounded contrary.
Some said that the act of context setting and foreplay was the most important part during the entire session. Some said, to hell with context, the act of getting her to talk is most important. Some felt that it was a divine opportunity to touch another life.
Some said that time does not matter. Some felt 45 minutes was too much. Some claimed to finish it in under 20 minutes. Some actually said that it depended on the money the "client" was willing to pay.
Everybody said that a session would leave you exhausted. Six is the upper limit you could do in a day. People had claimed to have done it 8 and even 12 times in a day. But they felt it was a little too much for a human being- specially when you have it back to back.
Most of them felt that I should prepare for it, if not a day in advance, atleast a few hours in advance. I actually tried practising it front of the mirror. (Even after a year of doing it the first time, over 200 times later, I still try to practise before the actual act begins).
I wondered if it would be a humiliating experience for the other person. The experienced ones said that it all depends on me and how comfortable I let the other person feel. Some were even generous enough to let me sit through in sessions when they were doing it- of course without letting the other person know about it.
And when it started, she was nervous. So was I. Only that she did not know why I was nervous. I tried to set a context, but I guess, messed it up. Nevertheless, the show went on for the next 60 minutes. She smiled at times. I thought those were the moments her expectations were satisfied. (over 200 times later, I now know and realise that a smile does not indicate satisfaction and a frown/ sounds and words of disapproval does not indicate a lack of satisfaction).
That was the first developmental dialogue with a person where I had to deliver a feedback. It was tough then. I still feel uncomfortable delivering the feedback at times. I've just come back after a session that I felt very difficult to complete.
Thought I'll pen down these thoughts...
PS-- dedicated to all the experienced friends who've helped me through these days in the act of delivering feedback
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