Under all the different Indian instruments we meet up the Nadhaswaram. It is world-wide the loudest, non metallic acoustical instrument, comparable with the volume of a trumpet. This wind instrument belongs to the group of the aerophones and is played mainly in South India. The Mukhavina is the much smaller version used for folk music. In North Indian Classical music (Hindustani) exists the relative of the Nadhaswaram, the Shehnai.
In India the Nadhaswaram is counted as an auspicious wind instrument – Mangala Vadya. Hardly any other instrument in Indian classics is in its character so close to the human voice.
An important role for the origin of the Nadhaswaram plays the Tiruvarur district in the South Indian Federal State Tamil-Nadu. Over many centuries Tiruvarur was a cultural center. The ancient city Tiruvarur is famous for the Sri Tyagaraja Tempel.
From Tiruvarur the tradition has its seed that two Nadhaswarm players are accompanied by two percussionists on the Thavil (barrel drum).
Thavil and Nadhaswaram are substantial components of the traditional celebrations and ceremonies in South India. With its impressing volume the Nadhaswaram usually is played out of doors.
The holy music (Mangala Isai) has great importance in Hindu temples and for further areas of Indian life. A colourful potpourrie of Indian music, traditional forms, folk music up to contemporary styles we find at an Indian Wedding ceremony.
P.S. Thought of writing about Nadhaswaram after a short chat with Mr. Eljay Aram for IMC.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Recall - Independence day oops Republic Day
WHAT is the one thing that would still make you blush? My guess is that the memories of that fancy dress competition you participated when you were little would make you blush. Those ugly Sarees that moms wrapped around you and made you go in front of a thousand sniggering adults and say G.gg..ggood morning, My name is Rahul. I am Indira Gandhi....you then gave a bewildered/puzzled/ jacked look for some time until you remembered the next sentence and then suddenly your face lit up and you said..I love my India, Thank you and ran off the stage.
I'm guessing we all have had such moments. Only, my parents were not as cruel as today's parents. Today's parents are all tech savvy. Wielding their freaking camcorder, waiting for you to come on to the stage. And as soon as you enter...phatak...the blinding flashlight is the beginning of your 16 seconds to shame for the rest of your life. To begin with, the freaking mike wouldn't work, when thats taken care of, you have to hold it in your hand and do a namasthe, and at the same time speak into the mike...Good morning...My name is Rahul...and..and...and (damn! You are forgetting again!)...I am Indira Gandhi...You look around and find everyone sniggering. Laughing. Ohh...how cute, some say. Look at him..his saree is falling off...Heheh...he has forgotten his dialogue, the crowd sniggers. You are pretty much numb by now. Your mouth is dry. Somehow the words finally manage to come out of your mouth...I love my country..Thank you, and you run off the stage.
Years later, you sweetly recall the moments. Its sweet because there are no details. You like it because you don't remember uncle Anand's ugly sadistic laugh when you almost tripped over the Saree. Because uncle Ravi is now old and you are in your prime. Because you don't laugh at Ashok uncle when he comes out toothless on days he cant find his dentures. You forget...you forgive.
Only now, your cruel parent has recorded it. Thinking of all the responses she/he is likely to get on Facebook/ Orkut/ Flickr/ Myspace/ other websites. The next day, or probably the same day, your moments of shame which are best enjoyed when they exist as blurred, almost forgotten images of your pathetic childhood somewhere in the back of your mind are now up on the cloud. In detail. Part by part. To be never forgotten. To be commented upon even after you grow old and die the miserable death meant for you. Total recall! You don't forget. And you don't forgive. You become the unforgiving kind.
PS: This is what happens when I wake up early! I'm gonna catch some sleep now. Happy Independence republic day.
I'm guessing we all have had such moments. Only, my parents were not as cruel as today's parents. Today's parents are all tech savvy. Wielding their freaking camcorder, waiting for you to come on to the stage. And as soon as you enter...phatak...the blinding flashlight is the beginning of your 16 seconds to shame for the rest of your life. To begin with, the freaking mike wouldn't work, when thats taken care of, you have to hold it in your hand and do a namasthe, and at the same time speak into the mike...Good morning...My name is Rahul...and..and...and (damn! You are forgetting again!)...I am Indira Gandhi...You look around and find everyone sniggering. Laughing. Ohh...how cute, some say. Look at him..his saree is falling off...Heheh...he has forgotten his dialogue, the crowd sniggers. You are pretty much numb by now. Your mouth is dry. Somehow the words finally manage to come out of your mouth...I love my country..Thank you, and you run off the stage.
Years later, you sweetly recall the moments. Its sweet because there are no details. You like it because you don't remember uncle Anand's ugly sadistic laugh when you almost tripped over the Saree. Because uncle Ravi is now old and you are in your prime. Because you don't laugh at Ashok uncle when he comes out toothless on days he cant find his dentures. You forget...you forgive.
Only now, your cruel parent has recorded it. Thinking of all the responses she/he is likely to get on Facebook/ Orkut/ Flickr/ Myspace/ other websites. The next day, or probably the same day, your moments of shame which are best enjoyed when they exist as blurred, almost forgotten images of your pathetic childhood somewhere in the back of your mind are now up on the cloud. In detail. Part by part. To be never forgotten. To be commented upon even after you grow old and die the miserable death meant for you. Total recall! You don't forget. And you don't forgive. You become the unforgiving kind.
PS: This is what happens when I wake up early! I'm gonna catch some sleep now. Happy Independence republic day.
Monday, January 25, 2010
3 Cups of Tea- Points
As a Global Oneness Project (GOP) volunteer who has worked with refugees in Kashmir, I was excited to read Three Cups of Tea.
It took me ages to finally make my way through this book. I felt like I kept reading the same thing over and over again. While I will not detract from the remarkable services Mortensen has accomplished through the CAI I will say what it seems that others are afraid to say. Point blank he is a selfish man, who puts strangers half way around the world before the wellbeing of his family. He kept globe trotting back and forth from Pakistan while neglecting his family here. And during the hysterics of the post 9/11 world none the less. Are you crazy, or just out of touch with reality? Yes, children of the world need an education...but your own children need a father to raise them. What was his wife to do if he was killed over there? When you make a decision to bring a new life into the world you are willingly relinquishing your right to put yourself first. I also question Mortensen's wife. If you think I would stay at home and play baby raiser while my husband was gallivanting around the world concerned with everything but the life he has at home you've got another thing coming. Especially on Mortensen's salary. It is great that poverty stricken children in the Middle East are receiving an education curtsey of Mr. Greg Mortensen, but the book literally could have been half the length and got the same thing accomplished. Mr. Mortensen, what about children here...?
I have two problems with this book. Reading it makes me feel like I'm stuck in the seat behind someone very tall in the movie theater. I have trouble, first, getting past the writer and his perceptions of Greg and second, getting to know Greg himself. Like a speaker introducing the guest - I just want to hear Greg tell the story but he only speaks every once in awhile. Like most authors, the motivations, feelings, emotions etc. are ignored. For example, there's no reaction of Greg's after he gets a garbage can dumped on his head in high school? Wouldn't this have been a good time to have Greg say he missed Africa and vowed to go back someday or something? It feels like there are two people in this book you are asked to get involved with and there should only be one: Greg.
P.S. special thanks to Hamsika Iyer for recommending this book.
It took me ages to finally make my way through this book. I felt like I kept reading the same thing over and over again. While I will not detract from the remarkable services Mortensen has accomplished through the CAI I will say what it seems that others are afraid to say. Point blank he is a selfish man, who puts strangers half way around the world before the wellbeing of his family. He kept globe trotting back and forth from Pakistan while neglecting his family here. And during the hysterics of the post 9/11 world none the less. Are you crazy, or just out of touch with reality? Yes, children of the world need an education...but your own children need a father to raise them. What was his wife to do if he was killed over there? When you make a decision to bring a new life into the world you are willingly relinquishing your right to put yourself first. I also question Mortensen's wife. If you think I would stay at home and play baby raiser while my husband was gallivanting around the world concerned with everything but the life he has at home you've got another thing coming. Especially on Mortensen's salary. It is great that poverty stricken children in the Middle East are receiving an education curtsey of Mr. Greg Mortensen, but the book literally could have been half the length and got the same thing accomplished. Mr. Mortensen, what about children here...?
I have two problems with this book. Reading it makes me feel like I'm stuck in the seat behind someone very tall in the movie theater. I have trouble, first, getting past the writer and his perceptions of Greg and second, getting to know Greg himself. Like a speaker introducing the guest - I just want to hear Greg tell the story but he only speaks every once in awhile. Like most authors, the motivations, feelings, emotions etc. are ignored. For example, there's no reaction of Greg's after he gets a garbage can dumped on his head in high school? Wouldn't this have been a good time to have Greg say he missed Africa and vowed to go back someday or something? It feels like there are two people in this book you are asked to get involved with and there should only be one: Greg.
P.S. special thanks to Hamsika Iyer for recommending this book.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
30 Things about SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE that we may not understand.
Was watching Slumdog Millionaire Yesterday night. Thought of writing something about it, though very late.
BEST FILM WINNER: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
30 THINGS ABOUT "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" THAT INDIANS/MUMBAITES MAY NOT UNDERSTAND..
We know that this film was made with all the ingredients of how Americans perceive India (Poverty, Slums, Taj Mahal, Call centres, Bollywood Dance, Filmstar-worships, Trains, People selling things in trains, Mumbai local trains, Crowd, Traffic jams, Red light areas, Beggar kids, Drainage pipelines, Underworld, Hindu Gods, Gandhiji etc etc etc)... And the Director surely ensured that all of that is present and backed it with fantastic Direction, Visuals, Performances and Music... Amazing Film making! Nothing could stop this film abroad and as we know, rest is history!
However, lets try to closely monitor how much of India does the film represent correctly... Here is a funny list of 30 things that Indians and esp Mumbaites, would not understand or relate with in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE... (Warning: Its purely for fun, and does not dither the film in anyway, which is FANTASTIC in totality)
1. The whole game show format with only 9 Questions instead of 15 & no Minimum secured funds after you cross certain benchmarks (For instance, Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 3,20,000 in Indian KBC)... Live telecast of the same!
2. The shrewd Host of KBC...
3. Dense "Dharavi-like" Slums in Juhu??!! Also - Call centres in Juhu!!??... See More
4. Jamal "actually" explaining the Indian Cops that Amitabh bacchan is the most popular man of the country!
5. Dahipuri on Juhu being referred to as Panipuri!! :-)
6. Every 5 year old kid in Juhu knowing who stole Constable Verma's Bicycle outside Santacruz Police Station!! :-)
7. Some little kid's "forced" presence as a disguise of Lord Ram in a tense chaotic Riot situation in the Slums... Also Lord Ram painted blue like Lord Krishna!!
8. Slum kids of India really know the name of 2 Musketeers!! :-)
9. Every beggar in India singing "Darshan Do Ghanshyam" bhajan while begging?!! And also knowing who wrote it....... :-)...
10. Slum kids who talk in local indian language at 8, but start talking in English (I mean good, proper English with neat pronunciations!) at 12!! :-)
11. Chaiwala's in Indian Call centres getting a minimum tip of 100 Dollars!!!???? LOL
12. A little-illiterate-blind beggar kid having a good general knowledge of recognising "Benjamin Franklin" on a 100 Dollar Note, when explained that its a picture of an Old man whose half bald!!
13. An English speaking Chaiwala working in a Call centre in Mumbai unable to recognise Mahatma Gandhi's picture on a 1000 Rupee Note!!??!!
14. A little girl who could barely talk in local indian language at 8, also starts talking in good accent English at 12 while getting trained in a low red light area!! :-)
15. Any kid using a Revolver knowing its called a "Colt-45" and also know that it refers to its inventor Samuel Colt!
16. Local goons of a local Gangster, who sit on the terrace of a low-grade movie theatre playing Carrom Board, talk in good English!
17. U.K based Excel-5 Mobile Phone Call centre database having information of Indian people in their systems, esp of some local-roadside-domestic-underworld goons like Salim!...
18. A Chaiwala working in an UK Call Centre can actually work some Calculations and find out that "Cambridge Circus" is indeed in London!
19. A Chaiwala, An Host and the whole Country awaiting him to become a Millionaire, without realising that he had already become a Millionaire on the 5th Question when he won 10 Lakhs!! :-)
20. The same Chaiwala who did not recognise Gandhi's picture, being very confident about Sachin Tendulkar not being the guy to have scored the max first class centuries!
21. A gameshow host being so persistent on "not B: Ricky Ponting?" over and over again, after the poor guy has already selected "D" for the 1-Crore question!
22. The same gameshow host who signs a cheque for Rs. 50 Lakh question, doesn't bother to do the same for Rs. 1-Crore one! :-)
23. Any Chaiwala being able to participate in the most popular show of the country "KBC" at his convenience, while others are shown being unable to even get through the Telephone line!...
24. Someone actually answering the Telephone Lines of "KBC" Contest, where Contestants have to tell them: "I'd want to participate in WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE"!!
25. A goon forecasting that his brother may want to call his girlfriend, handing over his Mobile phone to the girl before letting her escape!
26. An "isolated" Call centre Supervisor, who's ignorant to the fact that his company's Chaiwala has already become the most popular person in the country since the last 24 hours and is on the verge of ..winning the most popular gameshow... This, esp when all the rest of the employees in the same company know it and are already hooked to the tv sets!!
27. The most popular guy in the country and winner of KBC sitting alone on a fairly populated V.T. Station in Mumbai on the same night, and no one recognising him nearby!
28. A Railway Platform which is populated with people gets empty in a Top Wide shot, and again gets populated before the Hero can meet and kiss the Heroine!
29. The couple suddenly breaking into a Bollywood Dance "Spoof" song with hundreds of dancers behind them!!
30. Character's facial structures and Voices changing drastically from 8 to 12 to 18, but everyone recognising the other's face and voice without any clues!!
---Blind little beggar and Latika recognises Jamal at 12...
---Salim recognises the voice of Jamal on the phone at 18, inspite of a complete pitch change...
---Jamal and Latika recognise each other without a word at 18...
BEST FILM WINNER: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
30 THINGS ABOUT "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" THAT INDIANS/MUMBAITES MAY NOT UNDERSTAND..
We know that this film was made with all the ingredients of how Americans perceive India (Poverty, Slums, Taj Mahal, Call centres, Bollywood Dance, Filmstar-worships, Trains, People selling things in trains, Mumbai local trains, Crowd, Traffic jams, Red light areas, Beggar kids, Drainage pipelines, Underworld, Hindu Gods, Gandhiji etc etc etc)... And the Director surely ensured that all of that is present and backed it with fantastic Direction, Visuals, Performances and Music... Amazing Film making! Nothing could stop this film abroad and as we know, rest is history!
However, lets try to closely monitor how much of India does the film represent correctly... Here is a funny list of 30 things that Indians and esp Mumbaites, would not understand or relate with in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE... (Warning: Its purely for fun, and does not dither the film in anyway, which is FANTASTIC in totality)
1. The whole game show format with only 9 Questions instead of 15 & no Minimum secured funds after you cross certain benchmarks (For instance, Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 3,20,000 in Indian KBC)... Live telecast of the same!
2. The shrewd Host of KBC...
3. Dense "Dharavi-like" Slums in Juhu??!! Also - Call centres in Juhu!!??... See More
4. Jamal "actually" explaining the Indian Cops that Amitabh bacchan is the most popular man of the country!
5. Dahipuri on Juhu being referred to as Panipuri!! :-)
6. Every 5 year old kid in Juhu knowing who stole Constable Verma's Bicycle outside Santacruz Police Station!! :-)
7. Some little kid's "forced" presence as a disguise of Lord Ram in a tense chaotic Riot situation in the Slums... Also Lord Ram painted blue like Lord Krishna!!
8. Slum kids of India really know the name of 2 Musketeers!! :-)
9. Every beggar in India singing "Darshan Do Ghanshyam" bhajan while begging?!! And also knowing who wrote it....... :-)...
10. Slum kids who talk in local indian language at 8, but start talking in English (I mean good, proper English with neat pronunciations!) at 12!! :-)
11. Chaiwala's in Indian Call centres getting a minimum tip of 100 Dollars!!!???? LOL
12. A little-illiterate-blind beggar kid having a good general knowledge of recognising "Benjamin Franklin" on a 100 Dollar Note, when explained that its a picture of an Old man whose half bald!!
13. An English speaking Chaiwala working in a Call centre in Mumbai unable to recognise Mahatma Gandhi's picture on a 1000 Rupee Note!!??!!
14. A little girl who could barely talk in local indian language at 8, also starts talking in good accent English at 12 while getting trained in a low red light area!! :-)
15. Any kid using a Revolver knowing its called a "Colt-45" and also know that it refers to its inventor Samuel Colt!
16. Local goons of a local Gangster, who sit on the terrace of a low-grade movie theatre playing Carrom Board, talk in good English!
17. U.K based Excel-5 Mobile Phone Call centre database having information of Indian people in their systems, esp of some local-roadside-domestic-underworld goons like Salim!...
18. A Chaiwala working in an UK Call Centre can actually work some Calculations and find out that "Cambridge Circus" is indeed in London!
19. A Chaiwala, An Host and the whole Country awaiting him to become a Millionaire, without realising that he had already become a Millionaire on the 5th Question when he won 10 Lakhs!! :-)
20. The same Chaiwala who did not recognise Gandhi's picture, being very confident about Sachin Tendulkar not being the guy to have scored the max first class centuries!
21. A gameshow host being so persistent on "not B: Ricky Ponting?" over and over again, after the poor guy has already selected "D" for the 1-Crore question!
22. The same gameshow host who signs a cheque for Rs. 50 Lakh question, doesn't bother to do the same for Rs. 1-Crore one! :-)
23. Any Chaiwala being able to participate in the most popular show of the country "KBC" at his convenience, while others are shown being unable to even get through the Telephone line!...
24. Someone actually answering the Telephone Lines of "KBC" Contest, where Contestants have to tell them: "I'd want to participate in WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE"!!
25. A goon forecasting that his brother may want to call his girlfriend, handing over his Mobile phone to the girl before letting her escape!
26. An "isolated" Call centre Supervisor, who's ignorant to the fact that his company's Chaiwala has already become the most popular person in the country since the last 24 hours and is on the verge of ..winning the most popular gameshow... This, esp when all the rest of the employees in the same company know it and are already hooked to the tv sets!!
27. The most popular guy in the country and winner of KBC sitting alone on a fairly populated V.T. Station in Mumbai on the same night, and no one recognising him nearby!
28. A Railway Platform which is populated with people gets empty in a Top Wide shot, and again gets populated before the Hero can meet and kiss the Heroine!
29. The couple suddenly breaking into a Bollywood Dance "Spoof" song with hundreds of dancers behind them!!
30. Character's facial structures and Voices changing drastically from 8 to 12 to 18, but everyone recognising the other's face and voice without any clues!!
---Blind little beggar and Latika recognises Jamal at 12...
---Salim recognises the voice of Jamal on the phone at 18, inspite of a complete pitch change...
---Jamal and Latika recognise each other without a word at 18...
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Kabul Disco
Just started reading a graphic novel Kabul Disco by Nicolas Wild. Finished about 30 pages and I'm loving it. You can pick one up at Blossoms/ Bookworm/ Goobe's etc for about Rs 250.
Why Taylor Swift Fearless about 'Fearless'?
I was thinking of writing review for 'Fearless' by Taylor Swift. And no doubt this is my favourite album for the year 2009.
Even country music needs its own Britney Spears." That's what the store manager in Planet M, Brigade Road, Bangalore, said about the disk when I bought it. I was gonna spout off a quick reply, something like 'thanks but no thanks for your opinion,' but then I thought about it. If Britney represents her values to her fans thru singing and songwriting, then sure Taylor Swift represents her values to her fans in the same way ... so I let the comment pass.
Bursting onto the scene not very long ago (this is only her 2nd album), Taylor has quickly become a voice of empowerment for young women (and those young-at-heart!) everywhere. Her lyrics are real -- based on her own "fearless" living -- and she deserves every recognition she's receiving in both the country and pop music communities.
Fearless (8 out of 10)
"You take my hand and drag me headfirst fearless." Love, like life, is all about taking chances.
Fifteen (7 out of 10)
Reflective, poetic in a mildly melancholy way. "This is life before you know who you're gonna be."
Love Story (9 out of 10)
Uh? young love. It always seems so real when you're in it, and it always seems so unreal when you're looking back on it. William Shakespeasre's "Romeo & Juliet" never ended as happily as this confection sounds, but wouldn't the world be a better place if it did? Easily one of the best tunes here.
Hey Stephen (7 out of 10)
"I can't help it if you look like an angel." It sounds like someone named Stephen is getting lucky with Taylor, and deservedly so. More celebration of young love, and I gave it an extract. Taylor's opening and closing humming.ha. Lovely. What gives the song much of its charm is she allows her voice to be a bit more 'raw' and real than anywhere else on the album, which matches the lyrics perfectly. (If my name was there inplace of Stephen, i would probably given a perfect 10!!)
White Horse (10 out of 10)
"I'm not a princess, this ain't no fairy tale ..." Love gone bad and turned into disappointment never sounded quite so sorrowful as it does behind Taylor's youthful voice, tinking piano, soft guitar, and weeping strings. Some girls everywhere will be crying into their pillows at bedtime with this song playing in the background. "It's too late for you and your white horse to come around."
You Belong with Me (10 out of 10)
We've all been here before (in the middle of a friendship that coulda/shoulda/woulda been so, so much more), and perhaps that's why Taylor sounds so strong here. She's a lyrical 'everyman,' capturing how we've all felt in the simplest terms. Big refrain. Crankkkk
Breathe (9 out of 10)
Sorry, guys, but humming in music is so sexy, and Taylor works it to great effect here. Unexpectantly. Breathy. And, yet, wholesome. "You're the only thing that I know like the back of my hand." Getting past the mistakes made in a relationship pose the greatest challenges, and that's what this tune is all about.
Tell Me Why (5 out of 10)
"You could write a book of how to ruin someone's perfect day." God..It hurts..Would say Ouch. Getting past some of the mistakes made in a relationship pose some challenges not quite worth enduring.
You're Not Sorry (5 out of 10)
Woooowww. Taylor Swift has an awful lot to say about being jilted in a relationship ... and at such a young age, too. I'm starting to feel real bad for this gal. Sad piano turns into a reflection on ending love. Good song, but fairly repetitive to sentiments already explored on the disc. Not the strongest tune here.
The Way I Loved You (5 out of 5)
One of the strongest tracks here, musically, it builds into something that you never expected. A girl finds the perfect man (opens her doors, treats her like a lady, loves her parents, etc.) ... "but I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain, it's 2 am and I'm cursing your name, I'm so in love that I acted insane, and that's the way I loved you." It's tragic when you realize that you love someone else more than the one you're with, and Taylor Swift hits bulleye here.
Forever & Always (5 out of 10)
Sorry, but this is WAY too repetitive for the same themes already explored on this album. And for god's sake, someone give this girl a hug! Go and kiss her in the rain, already! Heaven knows she needs it at this point!
The Best Day (5 out of 10)
A young girl reminiscing about being an even younger girl. Wonderfully poetic lyrics.
Change (9 out of 10)
Sure, maybe it's a bit predictable, but it's a good kind of predictable. All things change, and the true leaders predict it, welcome it, embrace it, celebrate it. It's about making the world a better place. "It's a revolution, throw your hands up 'cause we never gave in ..."
So what's Taylor so FEARLESS about? Clearly, it's love, and, while anyone can learn a world of lessons by plunging fearlessly into life's greatest mystery, there's a whole other series of lessons waiting for Taylor once the tempering effect that fear has on age. Don't let my 5-star-rating scare anyone, this is one classy effort and deserves to be celebrated. But what I'm more interested in is Taylor's command of lyrics. I really want to see where this young soul will be in ten year's time. I want to see her develop her skills beyond where she is today, and there's plenty of room (and time) for that to happen ... fearlessly or not.lol.
Even country music needs its own Britney Spears." That's what the store manager in Planet M, Brigade Road, Bangalore, said about the disk when I bought it. I was gonna spout off a quick reply, something like 'thanks but no thanks for your opinion,' but then I thought about it. If Britney represents her values to her fans thru singing and songwriting, then sure Taylor Swift represents her values to her fans in the same way ... so I let the comment pass.
Bursting onto the scene not very long ago (this is only her 2nd album), Taylor has quickly become a voice of empowerment for young women (and those young-at-heart!) everywhere. Her lyrics are real -- based on her own "fearless" living -- and she deserves every recognition she's receiving in both the country and pop music communities.
Fearless (8 out of 10)
"You take my hand and drag me headfirst fearless." Love, like life, is all about taking chances.
Fifteen (7 out of 10)
Reflective, poetic in a mildly melancholy way. "This is life before you know who you're gonna be."
Love Story (9 out of 10)
Uh? young love. It always seems so real when you're in it, and it always seems so unreal when you're looking back on it. William Shakespeasre's "Romeo & Juliet" never ended as happily as this confection sounds, but wouldn't the world be a better place if it did? Easily one of the best tunes here.
Hey Stephen (7 out of 10)
"I can't help it if you look like an angel." It sounds like someone named Stephen is getting lucky with Taylor, and deservedly so. More celebration of young love, and I gave it an extract. Taylor's opening and closing humming.ha. Lovely. What gives the song much of its charm is she allows her voice to be a bit more 'raw' and real than anywhere else on the album, which matches the lyrics perfectly. (If my name was there inplace of Stephen, i would probably given a perfect 10!!)
White Horse (10 out of 10)
"I'm not a princess, this ain't no fairy tale ..." Love gone bad and turned into disappointment never sounded quite so sorrowful as it does behind Taylor's youthful voice, tinking piano, soft guitar, and weeping strings. Some girls everywhere will be crying into their pillows at bedtime with this song playing in the background. "It's too late for you and your white horse to come around."
You Belong with Me (10 out of 10)
We've all been here before (in the middle of a friendship that coulda/shoulda/woulda been so, so much more), and perhaps that's why Taylor sounds so strong here. She's a lyrical 'everyman,' capturing how we've all felt in the simplest terms. Big refrain. Crankkkk
Breathe (9 out of 10)
Sorry, guys, but humming in music is so sexy, and Taylor works it to great effect here. Unexpectantly. Breathy. And, yet, wholesome. "You're the only thing that I know like the back of my hand." Getting past the mistakes made in a relationship pose the greatest challenges, and that's what this tune is all about.
Tell Me Why (5 out of 10)
"You could write a book of how to ruin someone's perfect day." God..It hurts..Would say Ouch. Getting past some of the mistakes made in a relationship pose some challenges not quite worth enduring.
You're Not Sorry (5 out of 10)
Woooowww. Taylor Swift has an awful lot to say about being jilted in a relationship ... and at such a young age, too. I'm starting to feel real bad for this gal. Sad piano turns into a reflection on ending love. Good song, but fairly repetitive to sentiments already explored on the disc. Not the strongest tune here.
The Way I Loved You (5 out of 5)
One of the strongest tracks here, musically, it builds into something that you never expected. A girl finds the perfect man (opens her doors, treats her like a lady, loves her parents, etc.) ... "but I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain, it's 2 am and I'm cursing your name, I'm so in love that I acted insane, and that's the way I loved you." It's tragic when you realize that you love someone else more than the one you're with, and Taylor Swift hits bulleye here.
Forever & Always (5 out of 10)
Sorry, but this is WAY too repetitive for the same themes already explored on this album. And for god's sake, someone give this girl a hug! Go and kiss her in the rain, already! Heaven knows she needs it at this point!
The Best Day (5 out of 10)
A young girl reminiscing about being an even younger girl. Wonderfully poetic lyrics.
Change (9 out of 10)
Sure, maybe it's a bit predictable, but it's a good kind of predictable. All things change, and the true leaders predict it, welcome it, embrace it, celebrate it. It's about making the world a better place. "It's a revolution, throw your hands up 'cause we never gave in ..."
So what's Taylor so FEARLESS about? Clearly, it's love, and, while anyone can learn a world of lessons by plunging fearlessly into life's greatest mystery, there's a whole other series of lessons waiting for Taylor once the tempering effect that fear has on age. Don't let my 5-star-rating scare anyone, this is one classy effort and deserves to be celebrated. But what I'm more interested in is Taylor's command of lyrics. I really want to see where this young soul will be in ten year's time. I want to see her develop her skills beyond where she is today, and there's plenty of room (and time) for that to happen ... fearlessly or not.lol.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time- Review
My Review on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
What I loved about this book is the graceful way Haddon uses the literal mind of Christopher to develop our understanding of his life. No neurotypical person may ever fully grasp the working of the autistic mind. We must rely on them to tell us, and as we see with Christopher, the viewpoint is told in language quite different from the words we neurotypicals usually use for description. Christopher tells us from his words and his descriptions. Very clever. Does Haddon get all the details precisely right? Perhaps people with autism in a book group discussion might be able to tell us that.
I, too, have a friend with Asperger Syndrome, Certainly Christopher isn't my friend -- just as every literary hero or heroine is not an exact replica of a true life man or woman. I found surprising insight in how Christopher tells his story ... and it is insight into my own friend and the other people I know who have autism. Christopher's eating preferences, literal thinking, sensory difficulties, and math facts as a calming technique seem quite accurate.
As to the comment about savant capabilities. People with Asperger Syndrome must have a perseverating interest; it is part of the psychiatric diagnosis. In creating a character whose interest is math, Haddon hasn't done "rainman" sterotyping, nor is he creating a circus freak to entertain us. He's shown us into one character's world. This world fascinates those of us who are not quite so gifted. How many of us say, "I hate math," or "I don't do math?" Christopher,effortlessly performs difficult "maths." His world is just opposite that of mine.
Christopher's "maths" also represent hope. Math is what is good and constant and dependable to him. And, it is marketable! When an autistic person has a special interest, we are to nurture it ... it may be their career one day.
As to the relationship of the parents. Anyone with a disabled or ill child will tell you that it takes a toll on your marriage. To ignor that is to hide your head in the sand. Do they all end chaotically? Certainly not. But, is that good drama? Would that draw us into a book? The parent's broken relationship and the raging affect to which Christopher is oblivious illustrate beautifully how little the autistic mind picks up on what neurotypicals take for granted. But, by doing his methodical detective work, Christopher nearly independently walks through the minefield his Mom and Dad have created. How very, very clever he is!
I have a new insight into the fascinating way that my friend's mind might work. This novel fits well to all. A must read for everyone, but especially for people who live and work with people who have autism. One word to describe A.W.E.S.O.M.E !!!
What I loved about this book is the graceful way Haddon uses the literal mind of Christopher to develop our understanding of his life. No neurotypical person may ever fully grasp the working of the autistic mind. We must rely on them to tell us, and as we see with Christopher, the viewpoint is told in language quite different from the words we neurotypicals usually use for description. Christopher tells us from his words and his descriptions. Very clever. Does Haddon get all the details precisely right? Perhaps people with autism in a book group discussion might be able to tell us that.
I, too, have a friend with Asperger Syndrome, Certainly Christopher isn't my friend -- just as every literary hero or heroine is not an exact replica of a true life man or woman. I found surprising insight in how Christopher tells his story ... and it is insight into my own friend and the other people I know who have autism. Christopher's eating preferences, literal thinking, sensory difficulties, and math facts as a calming technique seem quite accurate.
As to the comment about savant capabilities. People with Asperger Syndrome must have a perseverating interest; it is part of the psychiatric diagnosis. In creating a character whose interest is math, Haddon hasn't done "rainman" sterotyping, nor is he creating a circus freak to entertain us. He's shown us into one character's world. This world fascinates those of us who are not quite so gifted. How many of us say, "I hate math," or "I don't do math?" Christopher,effortlessly performs difficult "maths." His world is just opposite that of mine.
Christopher's "maths" also represent hope. Math is what is good and constant and dependable to him. And, it is marketable! When an autistic person has a special interest, we are to nurture it ... it may be their career one day.
As to the relationship of the parents. Anyone with a disabled or ill child will tell you that it takes a toll on your marriage. To ignor that is to hide your head in the sand. Do they all end chaotically? Certainly not. But, is that good drama? Would that draw us into a book? The parent's broken relationship and the raging affect to which Christopher is oblivious illustrate beautifully how little the autistic mind picks up on what neurotypicals take for granted. But, by doing his methodical detective work, Christopher nearly independently walks through the minefield his Mom and Dad have created. How very, very clever he is!
I have a new insight into the fascinating way that my friend's mind might work. This novel fits well to all. A must read for everyone, but especially for people who live and work with people who have autism. One word to describe A.W.E.S.O.M.E !!!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Spices Board will spend 300 crores on subsidies
Thodupuzha 21-Jan-2010
Spices board will spend 200 crores in subsidies in the state of Kerala, said Sri V J Kurien, Chairman of Spices board, while inaugurating the seminar on spices conducted as part of the Karshikamela. 120 crores will be spend for pepper, 50 for cardamom and 30 for other spices. Three crores will be distributed within the next two month he said. 1200 tons of cardamom was exported in 2009. In 2008 it was only 300 tons. He also said that spices board is planning to bring in rice stability by increasing the production of spices in the state. He also gave elaborate details of the spices park being opened in Puttadi in Idukki district.
Pepper and nutmeg is predicted to have a bright future, said Dr. P A Mathew, principal scientist, Indian institute of spices research. Speaking on the occasion, Sri. B Sasikumar, deputy director, Kochi trade information service, said pepper production in India has gone down and Vietnam has made massive progress in pepper production. He said that Indian pepper is comparatively of better quality and we can compete only by increasing the production. He also mentioned that the spices park in Puttadi will have storage facility for spices and farmers can decide when to sell it considering the market situation and prices. Initially they will be given 80% of the current market price and when the actual selling occurs, the price will be adjusted accordingly.
The seminar was presided over by Sri M C Mathew, chairman, Thodupuzha residents association. Sri K N Murali said the welcome address. Sri Vakkachan Mattathil, ex MP, Sri K N Murali, District Panchayat member and Sri Varkey Mankootam, chairman, circle cooperative union also delivered speeches.
Spices board will spend 200 crores in subsidies in the state of Kerala, said Sri V J Kurien, Chairman of Spices board, while inaugurating the seminar on spices conducted as part of the Karshikamela. 120 crores will be spend for pepper, 50 for cardamom and 30 for other spices. Three crores will be distributed within the next two month he said. 1200 tons of cardamom was exported in 2009. In 2008 it was only 300 tons. He also said that spices board is planning to bring in rice stability by increasing the production of spices in the state. He also gave elaborate details of the spices park being opened in Puttadi in Idukki district.
Pepper and nutmeg is predicted to have a bright future, said Dr. P A Mathew, principal scientist, Indian institute of spices research. Speaking on the occasion, Sri. B Sasikumar, deputy director, Kochi trade information service, said pepper production in India has gone down and Vietnam has made massive progress in pepper production. He said that Indian pepper is comparatively of better quality and we can compete only by increasing the production. He also mentioned that the spices park in Puttadi will have storage facility for spices and farmers can decide when to sell it considering the market situation and prices. Initially they will be given 80% of the current market price and when the actual selling occurs, the price will be adjusted accordingly.
The seminar was presided over by Sri M C Mathew, chairman, Thodupuzha residents association. Sri K N Murali said the welcome address. Sri Vakkachan Mattathil, ex MP, Sri K N Murali, District Panchayat member and Sri Varkey Mankootam, chairman, circle cooperative union also delivered speeches.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
"Good" mov
What makes a good movie?
Before I attempt to answer that - All i know is that a movie is meant to tell a story to the audience.
Remember the times when you heard stories from your grandparents? I recall now how half those stories didn't have any real meanings. Those were meant to entertain - to keep a child involved and spend time without annoying others. Somehow - my notion of stories never changed. Whether or not there really was any story, a movie was good only if I could sit from beginning to end and not be bored.
And needless to say - I could not sit through/stay awake through most movies. And if a movie that lacked probably all characteristics of a "good" movie ["A good movie is three good scenes and no bad scenes" - as reinforced by my friend in fb] still managed to grab my attention, it has really achieved something.
Think about it - it doesn't take much for talent to attract attention. But it takes a hell lot to lack the required talent and STILL be at par or better than talented people. That's the case why Mammootty and Mohanlal,Kamal and Rajini enjoy the same status in Malayalam/Tamil cinema - for talent and showmanship.
I come back to the original argument: Does Avatar deserve an award? Maybe - maybe not; I have no idea on what basis movies are judged for awards. But does it qualify as a good movie? Of course - even though the story is a one-liner, it captures the audience from beginning to end. People knew what the story was - and yet they sat through the movie, more than once.
IF that is not proof of a good movie - I don't know what is.
P.S. - Yes, people have their own definitions of good movies. I am just stating what I felt.
Before I attempt to answer that - All i know is that a movie is meant to tell a story to the audience.
Remember the times when you heard stories from your grandparents? I recall now how half those stories didn't have any real meanings. Those were meant to entertain - to keep a child involved and spend time without annoying others. Somehow - my notion of stories never changed. Whether or not there really was any story, a movie was good only if I could sit from beginning to end and not be bored.
And needless to say - I could not sit through/stay awake through most movies. And if a movie that lacked probably all characteristics of a "good" movie ["A good movie is three good scenes and no bad scenes" - as reinforced by my friend in fb] still managed to grab my attention, it has really achieved something.
Think about it - it doesn't take much for talent to attract attention. But it takes a hell lot to lack the required talent and STILL be at par or better than talented people. That's the case why Mammootty and Mohanlal,Kamal and Rajini enjoy the same status in Malayalam/Tamil cinema - for talent and showmanship.
I come back to the original argument: Does Avatar deserve an award? Maybe - maybe not; I have no idea on what basis movies are judged for awards. But does it qualify as a good movie? Of course - even though the story is a one-liner, it captures the audience from beginning to end. People knew what the story was - and yet they sat through the movie, more than once.
IF that is not proof of a good movie - I don't know what is.
P.S. - Yes, people have their own definitions of good movies. I am just stating what I felt.
Is Google's China exit threat a Googly?
What does Google's statement to back out of China mean? Why did they make such a rigid statement when they have been listening to the Chinese government for the last four years? Why would they put all the money to be grabbed from the world's largest online market at stake?
1. Successful diversion from the fact that Google accounts were hacked.
2. Founder Sergei, who was against censorship and operations in China from the beginning (four years back) gets ammo to take a go at Eric Schmidt who was in favor of Chinese operations.
3. To regain the trust it was losing in parts of Europe, US and Asia. (Stories about Google being the next Skynet and videos like these)
4. Looking into the future, Google does not want to become so dependent on the largest online market so that one day it will be dictating terms to the largest Internet company about how it does business in the rest of the world.
5. Google's motto-- Do no evil? Moral high ground?
1. Successful diversion from the fact that Google accounts were hacked.
2. Founder Sergei, who was against censorship and operations in China from the beginning (four years back) gets ammo to take a go at Eric Schmidt who was in favor of Chinese operations.
3. To regain the trust it was losing in parts of Europe, US and Asia. (Stories about Google being the next Skynet and videos like these)
4. Looking into the future, Google does not want to become so dependent on the largest online market so that one day it will be dictating terms to the largest Internet company about how it does business in the rest of the world.
5. Google's motto-- Do no evil? Moral high ground?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
"Love means never having to say you're sorry."
This blogger notes with grief the death of Erich Segal.
AFP reports:
"Love Story" author Erich Segal, whose popular romantic drama coined the phrase "Love means never having to say you're sorry", has died of a heart attack at the age of 72, his daughter said.
Segal was a classics professor at Yale University when he wrote the book "Love Story", which was made into a 1970 hit film directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw.
He is survived by his wife, Karen James, and daughters Francesca, 29, and Miranda, 20.
Erich Segal is the author of the one book which is seminal to ALL love story hits of Bollywood.
AFP reports:
"Love Story" author Erich Segal, whose popular romantic drama coined the phrase "Love means never having to say you're sorry", has died of a heart attack at the age of 72, his daughter said.
Segal was a classics professor at Yale University when he wrote the book "Love Story", which was made into a 1970 hit film directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw.
He is survived by his wife, Karen James, and daughters Francesca, 29, and Miranda, 20.
Erich Segal is the author of the one book which is seminal to ALL love story hits of Bollywood.
Lensman with a vision
N P Jayan, photojournalist, who now resides in Bangalore, has won the UNESCO- United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI) Asia Pacific Photo Contest 2009 for his photograph of Namma Makkala Dhama — a home for children infected with HIV in Bagalkot.
Jayan has been a photojournalist for the past 15 years, contributing photographs to some of the leading newspapers and magazines in India, such as The New Indian Express, The Hindu, The Madhyamam Daily, Down To Earth, Marie Claire and Malayalam Varika.
To see Jayan's works CHeck out www.malabarphoto.com
PS: Excerpts from my three hour conversation with Jayan at Ujwal bar last week: A photographer has a particular body language.Human values are above all-- money, name and fame. Your work talks of itself, not publicity.
Jayan has been a photojournalist for the past 15 years, contributing photographs to some of the leading newspapers and magazines in India, such as The New Indian Express, The Hindu, The Madhyamam Daily, Down To Earth, Marie Claire and Malayalam Varika.
To see Jayan's works CHeck out www.malabarphoto.com
PS: Excerpts from my three hour conversation with Jayan at Ujwal bar last week: A photographer has a particular body language.Human values are above all-- money, name and fame. Your work talks of itself, not publicity.
Is it British? Or cops being cops?
The Independent reports:
When heavy snowfall threatened to scupper Paul Chambers's travel plans, he decided to vent his frustrations on Twitter by tapping out a comment to amuse his friends. "Robin Hood airport is closed," he wrote. "You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together, otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!!"
Unfortunately for Mr Chambers, the police didn't see the funny side. A week after posting the message on the social networking site, he was arrested under the Terrorism Act and questioned for almost seven hours by detectives who interpreted his post as a security threat. After he was released on bail, he was suspended from work pending an internal investigation, and has, he says, been banned from the Doncaster airport for life. "I would never have thought, in a thousand years, that any of this would have happened because of a Twitter post," said Mr Chambers, 26. "I'm the most mild-mannered guy you could imagine."
PS: Now you know what Tharoor is getting away with!
When heavy snowfall threatened to scupper Paul Chambers's travel plans, he decided to vent his frustrations on Twitter by tapping out a comment to amuse his friends. "Robin Hood airport is closed," he wrote. "You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together, otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!!"
Unfortunately for Mr Chambers, the police didn't see the funny side. A week after posting the message on the social networking site, he was arrested under the Terrorism Act and questioned for almost seven hours by detectives who interpreted his post as a security threat. After he was released on bail, he was suspended from work pending an internal investigation, and has, he says, been banned from the Doncaster airport for life. "I would never have thought, in a thousand years, that any of this would have happened because of a Twitter post," said Mr Chambers, 26. "I'm the most mild-mannered guy you could imagine."
PS: Now you know what Tharoor is getting away with!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Get Healthy with Organic farming- Mullakkara
Thodupuzha, Karshikamela, 18-Jan-2010,
Kerala must strive hard to become a healthy state and going Organic will be a significant step towards it, stated Sri Mullakkara Retnakaran, Hon Minister for Agriculture, Kerala. He was inaugurating the Karshikamela organised by Gandhiji study centre in Thodupuzha. Kerala has 3% of the total population in India but consumes 20% of the total medicines that are sold in the country. This is an alarming picture he said. He also said that protecting traditional knowledge for future generations is the need of today, especially in the farming sector. India must stop depending on world market and should focus on achieving self-sufficiency in food production, he commented. He said that if India and China approaches the world market for food items, that would lead to black marketing and price rice, thus creating artificial scarcity.
In his presidential note, Sri P J Joseph, Hon. Minister for PWD, said that the current economic crisis is partly due to the neglect shown by countries towards agriculture sector. Kerala must focus on value added product placement of it's agricultural products, he said.
The Karshikamela will be held from 18-26 Jan 2010. The exhibition stalls will be open to public from 10:00 AM on 19-Jan-2010. One of the major topics for the seminars is Precision framing, which will be presented by a team of professors from Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, headed by Dr. E Vadivel.
Kerala must strive hard to become a healthy state and going Organic will be a significant step towards it, stated Sri Mullakkara Retnakaran, Hon Minister for Agriculture, Kerala. He was inaugurating the Karshikamela organised by Gandhiji study centre in Thodupuzha. Kerala has 3% of the total population in India but consumes 20% of the total medicines that are sold in the country. This is an alarming picture he said. He also said that protecting traditional knowledge for future generations is the need of today, especially in the farming sector. India must stop depending on world market and should focus on achieving self-sufficiency in food production, he commented. He said that if India and China approaches the world market for food items, that would lead to black marketing and price rice, thus creating artificial scarcity.
In his presidential note, Sri P J Joseph, Hon. Minister for PWD, said that the current economic crisis is partly due to the neglect shown by countries towards agriculture sector. Kerala must focus on value added product placement of it's agricultural products, he said.
The Karshikamela will be held from 18-26 Jan 2010. The exhibition stalls will be open to public from 10:00 AM on 19-Jan-2010. One of the major topics for the seminars is Precision framing, which will be presented by a team of professors from Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, headed by Dr. E Vadivel.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Good news
Good news for all A.R.Rahman fans.
Cant reveal it now coz of some technical reasons.
Stay tuned!!
Cant reveal it now coz of some technical reasons.
Stay tuned!!
Swayamvara
Swayamvara, the film was a dream project for my dear brother. He got the offer only coz of Kitty. Being with him at the time of composing was real fun. He composed 5 songs in 5 days and all was approved by the director. Rhythm programming was done by him only.Kadriskeys is always fun.Shakthi,Joe,Sriram,Hriday,Phulak haaa...these guys are the different organs for my bro. This time for a change he tried Gopisundar.. Gopi..ha, he completed 2 songs in 3 days. Babu Annan aka Titanic Babu ,our coordinator, Shit man, he always come to studio and his only activity...SLEEPING brrrrr. Anitha, Naveen, Keba, Karthik and Priya ..people behind d scene. As promised he made Maya sing a song,who is from our voice hunt..GLAD!! Yesterday was the audio release of Swayamvara.. All popular stars were present..Puneeth, Ramya, Diganth, Kitty, Sharmila ,Yograj nd all. Bro was hiding behind all, could hardly see him. lol. Shakthi was all laughing seeing this. Ramya is one HOT girl, cant take eyes off her.. And interestingly Diganth still remb me!! How cool s dat? I thought Puneeth is one big *** Hole.. Pretty good actually. bro was specially thanked by him for the great songs in his upcoming film PRITHVI. Watchout for that. Back to the topic.. Song was played before start..after hearing the songs, all were like.. AHHH, Wat was that? Let me stop this.. Today i got a mail.. from bro asking did u like the songs? guess wat i replied.. NUTS. buwahaha..
Marxist of the masses
Veteran Journalist M J Akbar in todays Times of India writes about Basu:
The gentle silence of a last goodbye began to seep through the Calcutta dusk on January 6 as Jyoti Basu’s city began to absorb the final drift of an icon from the shadow of age to the darkness of eternity. It had heard the code words ‘critical’ and ventilator’. There was nothing left to say.
Marx and Oxbridge were not that distant when Jyoti Basu went for his degree in the 1930s, with some compromise on both sides. Jyoti Basu returned with the heart of a gentleman and the head of a Marxist. He was the perfect Bengali.
Our paths first crossed in a strange, distant fashion. I was trapped in my small town mohalla in Telinipara by communal riots in 1968. He was home minister of Bengal. He arrived on a duty call. He did not come to our mohalla but learnt that I had not been able to go to my college, the famed Presidency, for weeks.
The next day the police provided safe passage. Whenever the endemic and poisonous eczema of riots troubled our land he would send a message to ensure that Telinipara was safe. He rarely forgot the individual in the tumult of the crowd.
A few months ago, on a sudden impulse, I asked to meet him. He was sitting in an armchair, in his familiar casual wear. Age had shrunk his face to a pale, taut mask on which I saw the flicker of images from the past: India’s most charismatic Chief Minister, a man whose sentence could change the dynamic of power, whose speech was all the assurance that the Bengali, Hindu or Muslim, needed.
I tried small talk, with increasing difficulty. I gave him a couple of books. “I can’t read anymore,” he said, gently. The fire returned, if only as a flame. “The doctors come every day. I think they must be laughing after they leave.” A pause. “Why did you come? Why did you come to see a dead man?”
I broke down.
The gentle silence of a last goodbye began to seep through the Calcutta dusk on January 6 as Jyoti Basu’s city began to absorb the final drift of an icon from the shadow of age to the darkness of eternity. It had heard the code words ‘critical’ and ventilator’. There was nothing left to say.
Marx and Oxbridge were not that distant when Jyoti Basu went for his degree in the 1930s, with some compromise on both sides. Jyoti Basu returned with the heart of a gentleman and the head of a Marxist. He was the perfect Bengali.
Our paths first crossed in a strange, distant fashion. I was trapped in my small town mohalla in Telinipara by communal riots in 1968. He was home minister of Bengal. He arrived on a duty call. He did not come to our mohalla but learnt that I had not been able to go to my college, the famed Presidency, for weeks.
The next day the police provided safe passage. Whenever the endemic and poisonous eczema of riots troubled our land he would send a message to ensure that Telinipara was safe. He rarely forgot the individual in the tumult of the crowd.
A few months ago, on a sudden impulse, I asked to meet him. He was sitting in an armchair, in his familiar casual wear. Age had shrunk his face to a pale, taut mask on which I saw the flicker of images from the past: India’s most charismatic Chief Minister, a man whose sentence could change the dynamic of power, whose speech was all the assurance that the Bengali, Hindu or Muslim, needed.
I tried small talk, with increasing difficulty. I gave him a couple of books. “I can’t read anymore,” he said, gently. The fire returned, if only as a flame. “The doctors come every day. I think they must be laughing after they leave.” A pause. “Why did you come? Why did you come to see a dead man?”
I broke down.
Last founding politburo member of CPI(M) no more
With a heavy heart, this blog records the death of veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu.
Jyoti Basu (8 July 1914 – 17 January 2010) was an Indian politician belonging to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) from West Bengal, India. He served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1977 to 2000, making him India's longest-serving Chief Minister as of 2010 of any Indian state. He was a member of the CPI(M) Politburo from the time of the party's founding in 1964 until 2008. Since 2008 till his death in 2010 he remained a permanent invitee to the central committee of the party. On his death, the last of the founding Politburo members of Communist Party of India (Marxist) passed away.
Jyoti Basu (8 July 1914 – 17 January 2010) was an Indian politician belonging to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) from West Bengal, India. He served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1977 to 2000, making him India's longest-serving Chief Minister as of 2010 of any Indian state. He was a member of the CPI(M) Politburo from the time of the party's founding in 1964 until 2008. Since 2008 till his death in 2010 he remained a permanent invitee to the central committee of the party. On his death, the last of the founding Politburo members of Communist Party of India (Marxist) passed away.
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