tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243151702024-03-14T20:21:16.863+05:30Trystsudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-40993911454219864362012-02-24T16:35:00.003+05:302012-02-24T16:41:46.669+05:30Amu<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wrC8irhUKyRjjqN5V7zEqLJ5FKxOJQGMIBHnKRXe1vbUwa9QSllQm5FG2AoAghet_fBHZlXVgxYz8aHH7KTPb0NMe_PJzooJfkOf_vTYN-Mf5ZVdbGTrZ7kmwRs2LD6S1vgH/s1600/konkona-sensharma-as-kaju-in-amu.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wrC8irhUKyRjjqN5V7zEqLJ5FKxOJQGMIBHnKRXe1vbUwa9QSllQm5FG2AoAghet_fBHZlXVgxYz8aHH7KTPb0NMe_PJzooJfkOf_vTYN-Mf5ZVdbGTrZ7kmwRs2LD6S1vgH/s320/konkona-sensharma-as-kaju-in-amu.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712657915807436898" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Every once in a while you come across a movie which stuns you. I hadn’t heard anything about this movie and doesn’t seem like many people have, despite this being the information age. Anyway, sometimes lack of popularity adds charm to a movie. Sometimes you like a movie more because you know not many have seen it or even heard of it. Whether this was the case with Amu or not, I’ll never really find out, but I’m sure as hell that the movie has left me stunned and completely charmed. With its superlative story-telling and truly captivating screenplay it turned what would be a hot and boring Bombay afternoon into something special for me.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Konkona Sensharma is good. I knew that. What I did not know is that she’s so good. The American accent but Indian upbringing has never been shown with such perfection in Indian cinema. The only actor I know who can literally speak dialogues with her eyes and evoke emotion without moving a single facial muscle. She’s beautiful, charismatic and truly brilliant.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The movie takes you on a ride of a lifetime, makes you feel closer to your own roots and enthralls you completely for 100 odd minutes. Unabashed usage of Bengali, Punjabi, Hindi and English wherever appropriate – no justification, and no sub-titles – very real and truly genius. The characterization of Delhi – Bengali and Sikh families based in Delhi - Delhi University – Shakespeare society - UCLA. It just can’t get any better.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I guess the movie was initially targeted towards Bengal – with primarily Bengali directors and actors, but it really should be one of the artistic and cinematic gems of India.<o:p></o:p></p>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-63923783114640900392012-02-14T13:56:00.003+05:302012-02-14T14:32:52.959+05:30Architectural Infusion<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left; ">I recently attended one of the Architectural Heritage walks as a part of the Kalaghoda Arts Festival. As a result I am more knowledgeable and slightly ashamed at my previous knowledge about the city I have lived in forever. Even more so because it was about the area in the city I rank among my favorite – the Kalaghoda and Colaba area. The walk started off at the Jahangir Art gallery to regal cinema and then back. Yes, that short, but still quite informative. This post is thus an endeavor to make other people like me learn a little something about their own city and a way for me to ensure I don’t forget my newly gathered pieces of information,which although very little, have power to impress.</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The entire Kalaghoda area is designated as a heritage precinct. Some of the buildings in the region are listed and divided into grades – Grade 1, Grade 2A, Grade 2B and Grade C. Grade 1 buildings cannot be altered to any degree, except for restoration work undertaken after the permission of the Government. Grade 2A buildings are ones in which the exterior cannot be altered, although the interiors might be changed a little. Grade 2B buildings are generally reused for different purposes from which they were intended when built and changes can be made as felt suitable. You get the drift.</p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCjcVYSPAGsY-stqJNaN-_AeiIx7a23TgMzPtcn26_1gkfOMzn2E3eUqD7B2RZrYQOgNiHtukdBhyphenhyphen_MmmFApFYARtYINPJK0Z9G1jK8byoDcNuT-vosdFr_O_x_rUR-s-eawP/s320/2012+02+Mumbai+India.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708905691110943938" /><p class="MsoNormal">While restoration work has been done on most buildings, there are two guiding principles behind all restoration activity – minimal change and honest restoration. Minimal change is self-explanatory. As an example, if the sides of some wooden beams have been damaged, the entire beam is not replaced. Instead the middle portion remains as it is while sides are cut-off and replaced by say, steel joints. The use of steel joints explains honest restoration – the artists way of saying that he’s not trying to hide restoration by using wood itself.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; ">The Regal cinema circle is probably one of the most interesting architectural confluences of South Bombay. It has six roads leading up to it with each road guarded by a building built at a different time and different architectural style than the other, yet blending beautifully into the skyline and city-scape of Bombay.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p></o:p></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3VNVYylR6CGp0uHTVGuTiqXQZL_3TdWr_VnpilEpp-ShOZz78L8AhTnQxsDyXPtap6_f5zXxJxxFHmDioLl8ciQ0chm52OMOecyLi0luKxxxTjzTGeHa3ZVJdBH1ymVA-TJV/s320/IMG_2568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708905718232199618" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " />First is the <b>Prince of Wales Museum, </b>built in the early 1900’s. This building is of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Indo-Saracenic architecture represents a synthesis of Islamic designs and Indian materials developed by British architects in India during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The hybrid combined diverse architectural elements of Hindu and Mughal with cusped arches, domes, spires, tracery, minarets and stained glass, in a wonderful, almost playful manner.<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p> </o:p>Next is the Royal Alfred <b>Sailors home, </b>built a little before 1870, now the Headquarters of the Maharashtra State Police. This building belongs to the Gothic Revival style of architecture. The building was designed by Frederick William Stevens who was an English architectural engineer and is responsible for some of the coolest designs in the Old Bombay skyline, most prominent being the Victoria Terminus. He also designed the BMC headquarters, just across the street. The Sailors home is crowned with a triangular structure with two statues of Neptune – god of the sea (symbolizing the sailors). These two figures were actually designed by students of the JJ school of architecture from that time.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; ">Sailor's Home Building in 1870 - <a href="http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/s/largeimage57815.html">http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/s/largeimage57815.html</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p> </o:p>The Sailor’s Home is followed by the most famous of Mumbai structures, the <b>Gateway of India</b>. Built in the early 1900’s to welcome King George 5 and Queen Mary this structure is awe inspiring and one of the prominent sight-seeing attractions of the city.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; ">The structure in 1911 – <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gateway_of_India,_Bombay._1911.JPG">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gateway_of_India,_Bombay._1911.JPG</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p> </o:p>This is followed by <b>Regal Cinema</b>, built in the 1930’s belongs to the art-deco style of architecture. Art Deco, based on mathematical geometric shapes, is seen most prominently in Miami, New York, Shanghai and Mumbai. Interestingly, the Empire State building, Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Building in midtown Manhattan all belong to this style of architecture, which began in Paris in the 1920’s. The Regal cinema was designed by Frederick Stevens’ son, Charles Stevens and the first movie was screened there in 1933, starring Lauren and Hardy. The cinema was interestingly also the third venue to host the Filmfare awards night.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p> </o:p>The other two buildings guarding the regal circle are the Majestic MLA hostel and the National Gallery (Classic Revival) . The National Gallery leads up again to the Kalaghoda area which has some beautiful buildings such as the Elphinstone College, David Sassoon Library (Venetian Revival) and the Army and Navy building which now also houses Westside, a premiere clothing and apparel store in the city.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Xto7tehlYg5OKHhy2YtBE91hK-2z14OGlWiushuBrcgmFYrTk6FN_toNaroxt02t1-wbnZ4XFL4QEYvGapyVHL-23Z_d2_NvOlcbiab0hJ4OXiTWGyKwxny860knEntATjpg/s320/IMG_2562.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708911165904844674" style="text-align: left;color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></p><div style="text-align: left;"> Elphinstone College</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTv6XXLrhefmmxgsbArwv37_HzOn2wBEjavbOR3I_7wwG3dbsQnkCV782EM0ZFGqb0ILysO-lOqdJLmPS3HVDLdaMquqK0T5LbItnG91eI9kedHopFsO8-l51UdOdjw1ptLM1/s320/IMG_2581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708911162397735618" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /> Army and Navy Building</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><o:p></o:p></p></div>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-59844955613794083752012-02-08T12:27:00.005+05:302012-02-10T14:34:10.058+05:30Fulfilling Childhood DreamsThis past month has been highly eventful, educational and enjoyable. I've gotten to see a lot of things I've dreamed of since childhood. After reading Randy Pausch's Last Lecture this is the month I'd been waiting for. The month in which I would fulfill some of my most precious childhood dreams. The list below somewhat summarizes my past month, and for people who know me it should be quite clear as to why I've called this post what I have.<div><br /></div><div><div>1. German Film Orchestra performing Rahman live at NCPA, Jamshed Baba Theatre, Mumbai</div><div>2. Terry Riley Solo Piano Concert at NCPA, Tata Theatre, Mumbai</div><div>3. Golden Temple, Amritsar</div><div>4. Wagah Border, Amritsar/Attari</div><div>5. Jalianwala Baug, Amritsar</div><div>6. U2 coverband at Hard Rock Cafe, New Delhi</div><div>7. Republic Day Parade, New Delhi</div><div>8. Delhi 6 - Chandini Chowk </div><div>9. Delhi Metro</div><div>10. PVR Saket, New Delhi</div><div>11. Amber Fort and Palace, Jaipur</div><div>12. Jal Mahal, Jaipur</div><div>13. Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur</div><div>14. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur</div><div>15. Pink City Square, Jaipur</div><div>16. Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve</div><div>17. City Palace, Jaipur</div><div>18. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur</div><div>19. Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur</div><div>20. Jaisalmer Palace, Jaisalmer</div><div>21. Desert National Park, Jaisalmer</div><div>22. Wind Farm, Jaisalmer</div><div>23. Qutub Minar and Iron Pillar, Delhi</div><div>24. Lotus Temple, Delhi</div><div>25. Kingdom of Dreams, Delhi</div><div>26. Four Square (Play) - NCPA, Experimental Theatre, Mumbai</div><div>27. The Golden Dragon (Play) - NCPA, Experimental Theatre, Mumbai</div><div>28. Famous Last Words (Play) - NCPA, Experimental Theatre, Mumbai</div><div>29. Chokhi Dhani, Jaipur</div></div><div><br /></div><div>And I got to relive KGP with my closest friends from KGP - three days of non-stop laughter.</div>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-30420421570940720442012-01-20T12:15:00.004+05:302012-01-20T15:47:43.955+05:30I like to be here, when I canJanuary evenings in Bombay - as crisp as it can get<div>Feel the breeze in my hair as I watch the sun set</div><div>The sky turns blue to orange and then a deep red</div><div>"Mumbai beats New York", I had once said, and I say it again!</div><div>Marine Drive, Central Park or the Big Ben,</div><div>Sights and memories to cherish, but then</div><div>Bombay is home and as far as I may span,</div><div>I like to be here, when I can.</div><div>As I walk down the necklace before the sun sets</div><div>The children frolic as they run behind their pets</div><div>The oldies relax and breathe the fresh air</div><div>While taxis await to take them home to the wheel-chair</div><div>The lovers love and the loners stare</div><div>At the golden path the sun lays on the sea.</div><div>As free as a man can possibly be, </div><div>I walk down my favorite place in the world.</div><div>With each passer-by like a mystery would unfold</div><div>I connect the dots of their unrelated lives</div><div>Submerged in chaos, ambition, joy and strife.</div><div>The city I love, I must leave with only a smile and no grief</div><div>While I travel the world fulfilling selfish dreams</div><div>Bombay is in my heart and in my mind its set</div><div>Like every note and every beat of a song.</div><div>One day I'm bound to be back, back to where I belong</div><div>I will not tire, and I will not sweat</div><div>'Cause the journey home is never too long.</div><div>Bombay is home and as far as I may span,</div><div>I'd like to be here, when I can.</div>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-58636069860454035322010-08-20T09:32:00.009+05:302012-02-09T07:16:16.951+05:30Background Music<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Over the years, background music has increasingly become as important as the movie or play itself. (For me, that is). </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ever since, A.R Rahman was the only artist who had the power to move me with his background scores. Some people I'm sure have no clue as to what I'm talking about. Just watch (and more importantly listen to) the movie Swades once more, and you'll find out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now, though, there are many more artists focussing on background music. Its truly satisfying.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Amit Trivedi is one of them. And he's got this unique style in his background score. He actually uses poetry or 4 to 8 line songs, which perfectly suit the situation. Amitabh Bhattacharyya gives his music some captivating lyrics, and together they make the background music stand out as an intergral part of the cinematic experience. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'll leave you with two classic examples, both from Wake Up Sid.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*****************************************************</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ruthi hui hai tu,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ek pal mein maanegi,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dil se hamesha hai bacchi</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Aye zindagi tu bhi,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mere hi jaisi hai</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dikhti sayani, hai kacchi.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bura mood leke</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Baithi Kyun hai tu</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ungli meri, chal thaam le</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jahaan mai chaloon, wahin tu chale,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jahaan tu chale, wahin mai chaloon....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">****************************************************</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Boondon ke motiyon mein ghul ke ehsaas aaya,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Waqt se nikalke lamha dil ke paas aaya.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chhoo ke guzra tha par dil ko na mehsoos hua,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ab jo dekha toh woh lamha dil ko raas aaya.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kyun, yeh tay..kar na paaoon re, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dil ki baat mai hawa ke zariye pahuchaaon re</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ya khud hawa pe chalke jaoon re</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tumse pyaar hai yeh khul ke,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kyun kah na paaoon re</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Shabd woh kahaan se laaoon re!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*****************************************************</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I wish God had made us so that our life and its events had a background music playing in our ears! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div class="im" style="color: rgb(80, 0, 80); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-83660819819778349882010-06-22T22:29:00.014+05:302010-06-22T22:58:10.471+05:30Inflection Point<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">There is no better way to describe this part of my life, and the lives of the people that surround me. There are some who have finished their studies and are beginning to take up their first hard-core jobs. There are others who are leaving their jobs and going back to studies to some of the best campuses in the world.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The points of inflection are by no means restricted to career alone. They span personal life, marriages, engagements, family commitments, bonds, promises and geographies. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Change is never easy. But change is also inevitable. We are in that stage of our lives in which only uncertainty is certain. But the uncertainty is accompanied by hope and excitement which is the essence of life. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Having recognized this fact, there is possibly no better way I could have encountered this change. Because this inflection point, as opposed to the previous one in my life in 2004 when I first went to IIT Kharagpur, somehow seems much less lonely. In some way or the other, I’ll be accompanied by some of my closest friends from all stages of life. And I’ve waited long to write this, but leaving alone again would not have made me even a fraction as happy as I am now and not just for selfish reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I leave Bombay, I leave India and I bring an end to what I consider to be the best two years of my life. All with the hope of seeing more of the world. It is important to recognize the right time to leave a place. Leave before you start disliking it, leave before you start forgetting the happy memories and leave while you’re still loved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But…everything can’t be so perfect, right? Life always gives you some lessons. Having gained so much, and being so comfortable with what’s going to follow comes at a price. I’ve probably lost the most amazing thing I once had and it’s pretty much irreplaceable. Then again, what makes it alright is that there is really nothing I could have done to prevent it. I lost it to the ego of a place in the other side of the country. Just makes me realize that unconditional friendship is probably the rarest thing on earth and perhaps also the most short-lived. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This comes with the best of wishes. God bless all on this point of inflection.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p></span><p></p>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-82369888102626870312010-05-12T18:12:00.004+05:302010-06-25T11:40:53.252+05:30Play Review: Ismat Aapa Ke Naam, Part 2(9.5/10)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rarely has a ‘part-two’ lived up to the bar set by a superlative ‘part-one’. Ismat Aapa Ke Naam Part 2 is one of those rare part twos. I knew I would enjoy this play even before stepping into the Experimental Theatre at NCPA, but I had not imagined it matching up to Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah’s top notch work in Part 1.<br /><br />This play too is a collection of three of Ismat Aapa’s hilarious and heart breaking short stories – Amar Bel, Nanhi Ki Naani and Do Haath, recited and performed verbatim by Manoj Pahwa, Loveleen Misra and Seema Pahwa respectively. The stories have the wonderful Urdu and Lucknow-style Hindi feel. The characters, costumes and the language create the atmosphere which rekindles the experience of watching Part 1 to perfection.<br /><br />Manoj Pahwa does a superb job in Amar Behl. Only a person as “healthy” as him would be able to pull off the comic impact required!<br /><br />Lovleen Misra is energetic and enthusiastic playing Nanhi ki Naani. The story has a RK Narayan feel to it, wherein the author simply spends the whole story building the character of the Naani. This story is very different from the five other Ismat Chughtai stories that I’ve come across (in part 1 and 2).<br /><br />The “show-stopper”, though, is the incredibly talented Seema Pahwa in Do Haath. She puts up an absolutely remarkable performance, makes you laugh till your stomachs hurt and makes you wish you were a theatre actor. Her comic timing is impeccable, so is her command over language and pronunciation.<br /><br />Amongst us who watched the play, three of us had seen part 1 and were glad we did part 2 too and the guy who had not seen part 1 only has more to look forward to.<br /><br />PS. I sent my parents for this play the very next day too.</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-90719766706113563822010-05-11T17:02:00.002+05:302010-06-25T11:41:21.167+05:30Play Review: The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (8/10)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial is your classic quintessential navy court-room drama – intense, evergreen and clever. It is a two-act play (one act each for the Prosecution and Defense respectively) by Herman Wouk, which he adapted from his own novel, The Caine Mutiny.<br /><br />In India, the Motley Group under the experienced direction of Naseeruddin Shah performs this celebrated play with oodles of zeal.<br /><br />Ankur Vikal (the guy who played the negative role in Slumdog Millionaire) is the star of the show, hands down. He plays Lt. Commander Philip Francis Queeg, the captain of the Caine, with sheer brilliance. He captures the emotions, mannerisms, thought process and body language of the character with perfection. His strong performance drives my score for this play to go from a six to an eight. His court-room monologue, with the marbles in his hand, and dimming lights is a masterpiece. I truly have never seen something like it before. The Defense Attorney does a commendable job while the two doctors who come as witnesses play small cameos. Some of the other actors are a let down, the novelist of “Multitudes Multitudes” for example, stutters with his English diction and pronunciation, which in itself is an oxymoron. The play, in my opinion, has potential to be amongst the best ones, but for the lack of attention to detail in casting.<br /><br />Though it is a gripping post-World War 2 courtroom drama, the play emphasizes the psyche of those at the forefront of battle rather than the battle strategy or a complex plot. This is definitely a must watch to complete the spectrum of contemporary Indian theatre. I’m pleased I did so and more so because I was accompanied by my “core-group” of friends.</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-3967386937119534912010-04-23T00:51:00.005+05:302010-04-23T01:02:11.221+05:30Play Review: Classic Milds (8/10)<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i></i></b></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Light, funny, intriguing, smart and classy. That’s Classic Milds for me. It is a collection of 6 short plays, with no common theme in particular written by legendary playwrights in the hundred years between 1885 and 1985.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Intelligent comedy is a genre of its own. It is also probably the most difficult genre to conceive and enact. The treatment of unique situations is what makes you laugh instead of funny accents, confused make-up or wrongly matched clothes. It is subtle and not on your face. Again, it is intelligent comedy and not “mad-comedy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">While mad-comedy tends to do really well in our country, with movies like Welcome being big successes; it is rather unfortunate that the rare intelligent comedy kind of entertainment gets unnoticed. I sure hope that plays like this inspire movies too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Amongst the 6 plays, the best one is saved for last. The Still Alarm by George Kaufman is a beauty while Seduction by Neil Simon is almost as good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">The stories are fantastic, the actors not as good, but even then the experience is very satisfying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">What’s more I got two free tickets on purchasing two. Sold the two that I got free and ended up watching the play free of cost! Thanks to my idiotic mix-up of buying Sunday tickets instead of Saturday’s. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Anyway, all’s well that ends well.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p></i></b></span><p></p>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-56977559255226260562010-04-01T01:18:00.010+05:302010-04-01T01:32:52.219+05:30Play Review: Ismat Aapa ke Naam, Part 1 (9.5/10)<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Remember when we you were young? Remember your grandmother’s stories before you went to sleep at night? Remember the days when your forehead never wrinkled with worries? </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Seems long ago, right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Relive those days by spending a couple of hours with Naseer-ud-din Shah and his family as they take you along a journey into Ismat Aapa’s land of fiction. </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Revisit that corner of innocence, which you did not know existed in your mind anymore. Come out and see the world in a new light, at least while the impact lasts. It’s been over 24 hours and I’m still feeling the impact – it’s a high in itself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Okay, I have to digress here. Unfortunately, or rather sadly, I had not heard of Ismat Chughtai before. The loss was mine. </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Naseer-ud-din Shah begins the show with an introduction of Ismat Aapa and takes her name alongside O’ Henry.”That might be stretching it a little”, I thought to myself. I’ve read some of O’ Henry’s short stories, and they’re fascinating. But after listening to narrations of three of Ismat Aapa’s Indian, very earthy and captivating stories, I surrendered all my suspicion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ismat Aapa ke Naam is a collection of three stories, “Chui Mui”, “Mughal Baccha” and “Gharwali” narrated and acted by Heeba Shah, Ratna Pathak Shaah and Naseer-ud-din Shah, individually, one after the other. So it’s not your conventional play.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ratna Pathak Shah –I always thought she was nice, but I would never really refer to her as a “beautiful” woman. But that was before this play. As she dresses up in unique attire, kajal in her eyes, and warmth in her persona I realized that this kind of “beauty” is priceless. Her narration of Mughal Baccha is so genuinely surreal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Post interval is the master himself. Naseer-ud-din Shah has kept the most exciting story under his experienced hands. The expertise with which he conducts himself never stops amazing me. Such a master of his craft. Just look at his eyes – the depth, the experience, the skill, it’s all there. Also in his narration, be prepared to laugh</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The lights, set design and background music is simple, yet so perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’m glad that I’m disproven in my hypothesis that famous actors make not so good plays. (Waiting for Godot, Salesman Ramlal, Kuch bhi ho sakta hai, The Blue Mug)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’m glad that I could watch this play and experience the magic of Urdu – a truly charming language.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’m glad I did so with the right people, followed it up with good food, and a solitary car ride home with Fuzon’s Aankhon ke Saagar.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></span><p></p>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-72363758746350157512010-03-16T14:43:00.003+05:302010-06-25T11:41:55.434+05:30Play Review: Hamlet (8/10)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A friend of mine had been raving about this play since almost two years. I finally got to see it and was more than satisfied.<br />Hamlet is arguably Shakespeare’s finest piece of work. It is quite a pity that it’s not known to a lot of people in our generation. Though, I don’t blame them. It is not necessarily easy to find the “thy” “thee” “thou” interesting. Rajat Kapoor thus comes up with a spoof, which while entertaining, also manages to convey the events and emotions which Shakespeare intended to show in his greatest work.<br />The actors are quite remarkable, their French accents impeccable and comic timing a sheer delight. If you’re sitting in the front rows, be prepared to get “involved.” And if you are a female, suffice to say you may just get a flavour of stardom or disgust depending on how you see it. Confused? Well, go for the play to find out.<br />The play, being one dimensional, may not completely satisfy the thespian in you, but it will definitely make you forget a long week in the office as you revel in the comedy which was originally a tragedy. We laughed till our stomachs hurt, developed an appetite and followed it up with a nice dinner at Temple Flower next to Prithvi Theatre. Nice way to end the week.</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-34521003981275549472010-01-25T08:05:00.006+05:302010-06-25T11:42:26.970+05:30The last three months<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">**In no particular order and just the good stuff</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />The Phantom of the Opera…Meryl Streep…Julie and Julia…Chicago, the broadway musical...Woodside Inn, Colaba…Araku Valley... 2 States …TOEFL…Interest rate immunization model….Hyderabad airport…The winner takes it all…Don’t tell mama’s piano bar... The Arrangement…Wonderful weekend in New York with an old friend…Devil wears Prada…Walk from 42nd to 72nd and back to 14th…GMAT …Piano in the lobby…Falafel and hummus…Don’t stop me now, Queen…. Bade Miyan, Colaba…Rocket Singh: Salesman of the year…31st December dinner in all stir fry (the old dogs)… Mamma Mia, the musical…Commodities correlation matrix…South Indian thali at Minerva…JC Penny…The gift email…the SOP…the winter… Mocha in good company…Visit to Pittsburgh…Chocolate brownie at south city port in the rain…CMU Music and Drama building…Hussain sagar,Hyderabad aka gay lounge lol…Onion rava dosa at Status…Photograph exhibition at Marine Drive…Definitely, Maybe…Kuch bhi ho sakta hai…500 days of Summer…New York in the fall…Guntur idli…Iktaara in a New York subway…In the Heights…Embraceable Me…Banana pudding…g talking – Dun to NY…Broken neck friend…Anand Mela…Pizzeria…Drive on the flyover…Central Park bridge…Mamma Mia, the movie…Shaam tanha…The Namesake…Konkona Sen…It’s Complicated…All you need is love…Kimchi…Wake up Sid…Being called nice by nice…Byomkesh Bakshi…Babulnath mandir…November rain (literally and the song)…Midnight sukh sagar pav bhaji…JP on FB…Old friend’s sister’s wedding…Baccha made us proud…A recommendation…Mary Poppins…The music of the night…Makai ki roti sarson ka saag with the guy who introduced it…Mr. and Mrs. Iyer…Exotic fruits of the forest cake…The Last Lecture…Asset-liability management…Everyday you make me proud, today you get a card…Mice are nice…The ecstatic phone call…Life is crazy</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-89481998627509921352009-12-31T18:42:00.010+05:302010-06-25T11:43:09.769+05:30Don't stop me now....cause I'm having a good time!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I like working. Contrary to what i hear in general, I never really get the Monday morning blues, though I do fear the ride to Saki Naka. After the regular late Friday night movie, lazy coffee shop Saturdays and Sunday studies, theater and drama, music etc., I'm generally charged to go to office again on Monday.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Given this backdrop, I never thought I would appreciate the concept of a mandatory two week vacation from office so much. But now that I'm living those two weeks - Don't stop me now....cause I'm having a good time :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No deadlines to meet, no 2 hrs to travel, no Mumbai heat. I finally traveled for "non-business" purposes in 2009. Vizag and Hyderabad - rediscovered how much I loved teaching.. when I taught my 4th std, 6th std and 12th std cousins maths. Rediscovered the music of the Beatles, Queen, Freddie Mercury's immaculate voice, the joy of singing aloud with friends in a fast moving car - playing the board game of pictionary with so much focus that you forget everything else in the world, losing and winning at games of poker.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Am now about to head out with old friends, together at one place after 6 years - one's broken his neck and the other's been sleepless in some remote place, very much like that Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan movie that you've seen. The location is ditto. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Meg Ryan- I came across a sketch of hers I was gifted, that came with a really clever joke. Goes up on the pin-board over my desk today.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">** For people who have not already, please listen to this song called "Don't stop me now" by Queen, its fantastic</span></span></div>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-16773202672323749182009-12-17T18:15:00.004+05:302010-06-25T14:09:10.861+05:30The best things in life are free<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Swimming in the sea/river/lake vs. swimming in the pool of your club</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A three hour long conversation with your best friend as opposed to a party with 100 people, half of whom you don’t like in the first place</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A jog by the seaside as or in the woods vs. the treadmill in a fancy gym</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Singing!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dancing in the rain</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The cool breeze on your face on the train ride home after a long day at work</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Your school friends, your childhood memories</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">8.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Your family</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">9.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The view from the window of your house, even if it is not a good one by conventional standards, you can find a way of romanticizing it</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">10.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Getting high on </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">life</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> as opposed to alcohol</span></span><p></p>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-21760809656697232352009-11-23T06:19:00.010+05:302010-06-25T11:43:42.742+05:30The music of the night<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Darkness, silence clouds covering the moon,<br />Something tells me there’s no happiness soon<br />Until the clouds fade and the night is bright again<br />Let’s get together; this time should not go vain<br /><br />The sounds will fade, the world will sleep<br />Along with us the notes we shall keep<br />The stars will shine, and keep us company<br />Until we reach the end of our journey<br /><br />The trees will watch and protect us<br />The nightingale will lead the chorus<br />The bells will ring, the piano will play<br />The rivers will harmonize when you say<br /><br />Let me warn you of the miserable plight<br />That awaits you if you lose sight<br />Won’t you join me in this journey, in this fight?<br />Help me make the music of the night<br /><br />Close your eyes let the dream begin<br />In this intoxication, let your darker side give in<br />To the power of the music that I write<br />The power of the music of the night<br /><br />You alone can make my song take flight<br />Help me make the music of the night<br /><br />As I sat alone in that grand theatre on 44th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue, amongst a diverse crowd representing all countries of the world - I saw for myself that music holds no boundaries.<br /><br />The Phanotom of the Opera is the longest running Broadway musical of all time. It is inspiring. Andrew Lloyd Weber's music is captivating. And the phantom is arguably the most intriguing character ever written. Every song in the musical is powerful. The sound of the church organ infuses your blood with ten emotions at the same time. It energizes your brain and each muscle of your body.<br />The songs of The Phantom of the Opera </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">must </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">be heard, I bought the CD for $24</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-22021064525993517982009-11-14T07:30:00.007+05:302010-06-25T14:16:13.682+05:30Iktara in a New York subway<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last month in Bombay I saw Wake up Sid thrice in 15 days. I still can’t get over it.<br /><br />I’m in New York now. There is something special about this city. In some very weird way it’s almost like a home away from home. I can relate to its fast pace. I can relate to its diversity. I can relate to its culture.<br /><br />Anyway...<br />I was coming home after taking an exam on 32nd street. Yes exams have followed me here too.<br /><br />If I were in Bombay, I would be celebrating the end of an exam, even though I may not have put in any effort what so ever to prepare for it. Well, this time I had no one to celebrate it with. I could feel my mood swaying towards depression. As this realization struck me, I reached the subway station. Got in. Bought a ticket. Switched on my i-pod thinking, “let’s sink into melancholy with some music”<br /><br />In shuffle mode, the first song that played started with the most soothing tone the guitar has known, followed by the warmest voice the mic has faced. A voice which combines the comfort of your mother’s lap, the chirp of your best friend, the beauty of Konkona Sen’s character in the movie and the heartiest love you have ever received. I had heard Iktara a hundred times before this, but in a New York subway, the song felt different.<br /><br />Needless to say, I went from melancholy to joy in 4 minutes and 14 seconds. Soon I saw myself get off the subway, head all the way back to JC Penny. What happened there was self indulgent shopping: Three pairs of shoes, three shirts, two formal trousers, and a pair of jeans. And for the first time in my life I enjoyed shopping for myself.<br /><br />I slept well that night with Iktara echoing in my ears and Konakana Sen’s innocence in my mind.</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-25826284488004229512009-10-16T18:18:00.004+05:302010-06-25T14:15:12.939+05:30Play Review: Salesman Ramlal (4.5/10)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Salesman Ramlal is an ordinary story presented in an ordinary way. Even then, it appeals to one’s sensibility at times because after all the story of a loser somehow does gather some sympathy.<br />Ramlal is entangled in the web of financial debt, lack of skill and technological expertise, and humiliation. He adopts the escapist strategy and weaves a dream world in which he entraps his family. This hampers his child raising abilities severely and his children never really grow up. The play explores the relationship between a father and his eldest son; a typical relationship wherein the father believes his son to have a lot of potential but at the same time doesn’t endorse any of his actions.<br />The character of Ramlal, played by Satish Kaushik is conflicting and interesting! He is an egoistic, self centered and closed-minded individual who ever so often displays a boyish charm. He shows no respect to his wife’s opinions and thoughts but at the same time expresses fondness towards her. He is disloyal to her, but at the same time wishes to give her as much happiness as he possibly can. He is dedicated to his work, has spent his blood and sweat for the sake of the toy manufacturing company he works with. But in the process, over the years, he has failed to acquire any additional skills. With modern technological advances, he is now obsolete in the professional world. His ego prevents him to take up a job under his best friend Thadani and he spends his life in petty jealousy and comparison with others.<br />Satish Kaushik does a decent job. I think he would have been better in initial performances. He seems too well rehearsed to be natural any more. Most other actors are quite average…Ramlal’s kids in particular seem to have been picked up from the street, with no acting background. The eldest son’s childhood friend, Ramlal’s friend Thadani, and Ramlal’s elder brother are by far the most interesting characters. They make a dull play lively.<br />Overall, what this play lacks is something fresh. You will not see anything in this play that you have not seen or read about before. Even then, it could prove to be a reasonable outing on a lousy day when you’re stuck at home.</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-45257741353980408742009-09-30T16:01:00.003+05:302010-06-27T10:35:12.677+05:30Play Review: Some Girl(s), 7 (+0.5)/10<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some Girl(s) is an entertainer. Written by Neil LaBute, this play is a hilarious take on a today’s modern young man who is about to get married. Before he takes this “big step” he visits some girls…his ex girlfriends – four of them to be precise.<br />The most striking aspect of the play is the sheer variety in the four girls he meets up with in hotel rooms of their respective cities. It symbolizes the confusion he’s always been through in “search” of the perfect girl. The first is the homely kind who is married and settled with kid(s) but dreams of a more “exciting” life, the second is this adventurous and super- hot interior designer who does not believe in marriage and the third is an older woman who has an even older husband! The fourth girl has a twin sister, who also happens to be one of our guy’s ex’s.<br />The play is equally divided as conversations with each of these four girls. The conversations are light, humorous, witty and truly entertaining. This is intelligent comedy almost as good as it can get.<br />Like The Shape of Things, another Neil LaBute play which I loved, this one too has a nice twist in the tale. It’s not something which will blow your head off, but like the rest of the play, it is light and humorous.<br />If you’re a guy and have ever been dumped/ broken up with a girl (which I presume is around 40% of people who’ll be reading this, the other 50% probably being girls and a small 10% guys who’ve never been dumped) you’ll really enjoy this play. Living vicariously through the protagonist, this play is going to make you feel that you CAN command some power in your relationship. Well, in real life, this is not true. If it is a relationship, the girl will have all the power. But this is a play, wishful thinking is allowed. :D</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-44501598413453692582009-09-23T16:37:00.005+05:302010-06-27T10:34:18.941+05:30Play Review: Waiting for Godot (I can’t rate this)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Waiting for the interval is what we were doing while watching this play. And what did we do in the interval, well, we left!<br />Written by Nobel laureate Samuel Beckett, this play, is voted by some as “the most significant English language play of the 20th century”. Wikipedia says so. This has left me quite perplexed. I asked myself a million times, is something wrong – why have I found the “</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">most significant</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">” play of the </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">last century</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to be “</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">rather insignificant</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">”. But when eight other friends who were watching echoed my thoughts, I let out a sigh of relief.<br />Some plays are better off left behind in the century to which they belong (“pal do pal ka shayar” and all). With all due respect to the writer and actors, Waiting for Godot, in my opinion is one such play. There may have been some relevance in the 1950’s for this kind of thing. Today, in fast moving times, though people love their entertainment they do not have the time to wait for some random person named Godot.<br />Like I said we could only let ourselves watch the first half. There were these two tramps, talking things which didn’t make much sense. Fine, we laughed a few times when they did or said some silly things. They were waiting for some Godot. No further information was ever given. After sometime Naseer-ud-din Shah entered. We chuckled a few times because he did a few silly things too.<br />There was something commendable though. These actors had amazing diction, pronunciation, a general command over the English language and all of that. It was amazing how they could go on talking without ever having a subject or theme. And perhaps that is what the audience was supposed appreciate. Maybe some people can do that…in these times may be one in a hundred.<br />Before the play begun, some guy had come and announced that Waiting for Godot is a play in which “nothing happens…twice”. I had not imagined in my wildest dreams that he meant it LITERALLY. Because, really nothing happened! (dint wait to see the "twice" part of it)</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-19056170262194536092009-09-20T23:49:00.006+05:302010-06-25T14:09:33.071+05:30Play Review: Flowers (8.5/10)<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Points to note before you think of watching this one<br /></span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. It is a </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">monologue</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (only one actor talking for long without an interval)<br />2. The actor is </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rajit Kapur</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />3. The play is </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NOT</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> for </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">pure entertainment</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> – it’ll make you </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">think</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, NOT make you laugh even once<br />4. Don’t make this the first play you watch – you need a little bit of maturity and play-watching experience to be able to appreciate something like this<br />5. Make sure you watch this with </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">good company</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> – it’s important that the person sitting next to you is also able to appreciate it<br /></span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. When you do go to watch this, make sure you sit behind. Believe me, you will not regret it.<br /></span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />Girish Karnad captures the thoughts of a priest and flower decorator who is caught in the severe tug-of-war between his love for god and love for a courtesan. The priest has dedicated his entire life to the Shiv- ling in the kingdom temple, decorating it with flowers. His art is appreciated widely and so is his devotion and loyalty. Then one day a courtesan who visits the temple comes into his life and chaos unfolds. He is torn between his feelings for his wife, his devotion to the Shiv ling who he considers as his friend and guide, and his responsibility to the society. It is a situation which can make the strongest of people, fall down like a pack of cards. As Rajit Kapur narrates the events, you realize why the play is a monologue. Simply because the narration makes you imagine the story and other characters. That’s unique.<br /><br />Rajit Kapur does a mind-blowing job as he submits himself to the character and spills his heart out to the audience. To single-handedly keep the audiences captivated, to remember line after line of top quality dialogues and to do it all making it look easy – that’s what makes Rajit Kapur one of the most respected theatre actors in the country.<br /><br />The ambience created by the lights, set and background music is spectacular. Monologues require these details to be correct and they were. Watch out for the last scene – it’s like two parts of a mysterious painting.<br /><br />Flowers is not merely a play. It is an experience. I should actually thank my friend who planned this, for making it a memorable one.</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-74369043945148872062009-09-17T13:12:00.006+05:302010-06-25T14:10:03.475+05:30Play Review: Chaos Theory (10/10)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yes, this is the best play I’ve seen!<br />In contrast to the name of the play (and for that matter my other reviews), I thought I’ll write this review systematically.<br /><br /></span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. The Theme</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: The play provides a new take on love. Unlike all previous insights into this phenomenon as a perfect chemistry between two people, the writer explores it as an imperfect branch of physics – as </span></span><strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">chaos theory</span></span></em></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.<br /><br /></span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. The Story:</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> It is a tale of unarticulated love between two English academicians, spanning generations and continents. They meet in the 1960’s in Stephen’s College of Delhi and move on to become English professors in US universities of Boston and New York. They witness each significant and non-significant event of each other’s life, without ever really being with each other. In the fast changing eras from the 60’s to the 70’s to the 80’s with changing social and cultural trends, changing lifestyles and fashions one thing remains constant – the presence of the other person in each of their lives.<br /><br /></span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. The Dialogues:</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> This is the department in which Chaos Theory blows away any of its competitors. The lines are brilliantly crafted – hit you right in the heart when needed, make you laugh out when that’s the intention. “You, my friend, are a semicolon in the sentence of life” and “I would rather take conscious advantage of livestock than unconscious advantage of you!!” Shakespearean quotes and references to literature are precise and classy. The remarks on Calcutta and Delhi are written in such a subtle style, they convey the characterization while making you laugh. Anuvab Pal, the writer – Hats off to him! Well, this play was actually a finalist in the BBC World Playwriting Contest in 2007 and won the Julliard Playwriting Fellowship in 2004.<br /><br /></span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. The Actors and the director:</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Anahita Uberoi stands out. She seems to be at such ease with the character it’s almost surreal. I always thought natural acting to be an oxymoron, till I saw her performance in Chaos Theory. Zafar Karachiwala has also done a spectacular job. He seems well rehearsed and polished - amazing dialogue delivery. Shaana Levy and Sohrab Ardeshir provide awesome comic relief. Sohrab’s monologue on the “samosa” and the “vagina” is hilarious. Watch out for it! Rahul Da Cunha is the director – I don’t see anything that could have been better in this play. So I’m sure he deserves most of the credit.<br /><br /></span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. The background music, set and costumes:</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> The play uses the changing genres of music to depict the flow of time. From the Beatles to Queen and Kishore Kumar, the music is what sets the tone for everything portrayed in the play. In some ways it’s the soul of the play. The costumes are well chosen. A friend of mine noticed the way Anahita Uberoi changed her scarf/shawl in each scene to set the tone of the character. Details like this separate the men from the boys. They make good plays world class.</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-45881430907576425212009-09-10T15:10:00.007+05:302010-06-25T14:10:26.386+05:30Play Review: The Shape of Things (9.5/10)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To put it short, </span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Shape of Things</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is a bullet through your brain. Especially being Indians, this play will shock you to the core and shake your belief systems. At least that’s what I experienced watching it with a couple of friends. Written by Neil LaBute, the play is set in the American Midwest and involves 4 young art students who become romantically involved with each other.<br /><br />A random rendezvous between a guy working part time in the Museum security with an enchanting girl, with surprisingly iconoclastic views, gradually turns into a captivating romance. The guy who was once docile and introvert turns confident, much to the astonishment of all his friends and acquaintances. People who once ridiculed him now appreciate the clothes he wears and the confidence he steers. He goes through a complete transformation in personality, induced and encouraged directly by his girl-friend. Slowly but surely his life changes, as he is so lost in his relationship which definitely seems to be doing wonders for his personal growth.<br /><br />A “double date” with another couple, the guy’s best friends, unfolds a new twist in the story. And as the play progresses the plot thickens and draws your attention 100%. As you approach the climax you can’t be thinking of anything going on in your life as you’re glued to the events in the life of these individuals.<br /><br />The play delves deep into the psychology of relationships and how far people are willing to go for their sake. It is an intense, and at the same time a disturbing study of power within relationships. It poses questions on the ethics in a relationship. It shows that there exists but a thin line between art and life. The play dares to question centuries old social beliefs about love and its existence. And trust me, how much ever your heart tries to disagree with the point of view elaborated in the play, your head will not succeed in finding a logical flaw in it! You will try to disagree, but the thought will follow you.<br /><br />Watching plays of this class makes you hate your job, your education and your ambitions. Why couldn’t I be doing something like this!! If you’re a science, engineering or commerce student…go watch this play..to get a crash course on psychology and arts, which, let me tell you, is far more complex than anything we do. If you're a psychology and arts student, watch this play to get a new perspective on your subjects, perhaps make it the topic of your thesis!</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-65835343618193634282009-09-07T18:54:00.006+05:302010-06-25T14:08:07.913+05:30Play review: Me, Kash and Cruise (8/10)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Me, Kash and Cruise is a saga of three friends, in the back-drop of the city of Mumbai and its ephemeral social, political and civic scenario. Pooja Thomas (Me), Rajesh Kashyap (Kash) and Cruise Khan (Cruise) begin their journey in 1984, in the field of theatre and witness the ups and downs of the city from the 1992 riots and corrupt civil officers to the marketing gimmicks and bollywood gaga.<br /><br />The USP of the play is the characterization- and that’s where Director Rahul Da Cunha is a sheer genius. The play probes into various perspectives on the city of Bombay. Cruise, a Delhi-ite who has come to the city in hope of making it big in the acting business faces the struggles associated with the city, from the pains of traveling in local trains to the misery of having to sustain the high cost of living. In contrast, Kash who belongs to a rich south Bombay family is the kind who romanticizes with Greek philosophical plays and looks for social meaning and relevance in theatre. He is not on stage to make money or sustain a living; he looks for complex characters, deeper meanings and cannot care less about audience appreciation. The usage of a Muslim (Cruise Khan), a Hindu (Kashyap) and a Christian (Pooja Thomas) character each is a sheer stroke of brilliance. The subtleties in their mannerisms the “che man, wat men” for the Christian, the Muslim using the word “begum” and the Hindu describing his religion as “moderate” are just some of the nuances Rahul da Cunha has managed to capture with real class.<br />Cruise is played brilliantly, especially the metamorphosis from a fun-loving, unsophisticated and blunt north Indian, who sees humor in everything and can be the life of any party to someone who faces the strife of Bombay life. Kash, on the other hand, being measured and sober, someone who typically blames the system and does nothing about it, jumps off his fence only to face blood shed and tears.<br /><br />The surprise package, (or packages rather) is played by Rajit Kapur. If you think you’ve seen him do everything, think again. He plays multiple cameos, from a Mumbai Police guy, to a high profile event manager, he manages to put the audience into fits. To me personally it was amazing how “Byomkesh Bakshi” could play such a variety of roles especially the ones which provided comic relief in the true sense.<br /><br />The play is also a satire on the problems plaguing the city and perhaps the country as a whole. The journey of 25 years takes one through a whole gamut of issues, Hindu Muslim violence, dug up roads, problems caused by festivals to name a few. But the bottom line still remains that the city is still loved. With all its flaws people have learned to live with it. Whether this is the right thing or not is left open. The play doesn’t talk about revolutionizing the way the city is run. It rather concentrates on the journey, on friendships that can take you across the biggest hurdles in life and the spirit of humanity which eventually is bound to win.<br /><br />As Pooja Thomas takes you along their journey, you get involved. You can feel what the characters feel and very soon you consider them as your friends. Anyone who has spent time in Bombay will appreciate and be able to relate to some character or perhaps a combination of characters. Infact, I recommend watching this play only once you can feel the pulse of Bombay…</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-1380133670350997392009-02-22T21:06:00.005+05:302010-06-25T14:08:32.614+05:305 most loosely used words in investment banking<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">1. Investment banking<br />2. Investment banker<br />3. Model<br />4. Relative value<br />5. Trade idea</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24315170.post-70601084234086749172009-02-09T01:06:00.008+05:302010-06-25T14:07:27.558+05:30Golden era for Indian music?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I look back at the last 6 to 8 months.. something has changed! Yes..I now work in an office and instead of "studying" in a college..i live at home instead of a shabby old hostel room..but all thats fine.<br />Well what is that change then? Its the fact that there has been a sudden surge of top quality music in Indian cinema...its literally "raining" good music. I now spend more time listening to music than I ever did..(what with the bombay travelling to work in the train and traffic) and even then music related conversations with friends make me realise there are a good number of good songs that i still have not heard and vice versa. Compare this with a year ago when I tried hard to look for songs that were worth listening to. Each Rahman album was eagerly awaited. (well i guess that still hasn't change and never will).<br />Just to prove my point I'll list a few songs/albums which have led me to believe that we very well may be witnessing the "golden era" of Indian cinema music.<br />1. Jaane tu ya jaane na - title song of the movie..India's first </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">original jazz song</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">..sung by Rahman himself<br />2. Kahin toh - same movie..its a personal favourite (its made for the piano)<br />3. Kabhi kabhi aditi - this one is obv the most popular..its amazing to have someone's name in almost each line of the song (tu khush hai toh lage ki jahaan mein chaayi hai khushi!..wow!)<br />4. All the other songs of this one too..nazrein milana, pappu cant dance..gr8 stuff.<br />5. Rock on, sindbad the sailor, socha hai!..hats off to Shankar ehsaan loy and farhaan akhtar.. bulls eye!<br />6. Phir dekhiye and yeh tumhaari meri baatein..both from Rock on!- multiple hearing..awesome lyrics.. khush hai wahi jo thoda betaab hai!<br />7. Kuch khaas hai, mar jaawan..and the backgrnd music of Fashion<br />8. Slumdog millionaire...wow!! Oh saaya, Jai ho, Mausam and escape, dreams on fire, paper planes<br />9. delhi 6.........Rehna tu!!!!! i dont understand the genre of this song..seems arabic+jazz+blues god knows wat...agen sung by rahman himself<br />10. and obv the other songs of delhi 6.. masakalli, title song, genda phool(with its sudden beat change after "saiyaan hai vyapaari") , arziyaan....tujhe kya gham tera rishta gagan ki baasuri se hai, pavan ki guftagu se hai sooraj ki roshni se hai :D<br />11. And something class apart.. the album of Dev D...its mind blowing..to be very honest no single song of the movie in my opinion is extraordinary..but wen you put it all together and in the context of the movie...wat emerges is something completely different..imaginative..including such a wide gamut of genres that will appeal rickshaw walas upto music connoisseurs!<br />12. There is the standard good music of yash chopra type movies...even that got better.. with rab ne bana di jodi..chance pe dance..it shows that even dance songs can be musically appealing..and musically appealing songs can be danced to!<br />13. rahman and ghajini too...kaise mujhe tum mil gayi...its a classic<br />14. Luck by chance...sapno se bhare naina! shankar mahadevan proves his classical backgrnd with very well scripted digital music.<br /><br />Im sure I have missed a couple...yeah..kismat connection for example..bakhuda (finally atif aslam has come up with something good)..even bachna aie haseeno..ahista ahista and khuda jaane. And funny numbers like cool cool from roadside romeo..charlie ka laila and laila ka charlie :D<br />Now who has had the largest role to play in this transformation??<br />For this we have to thank someone...who does not feature in the list above..the guy who is almost single handedly responsible for this era....Himesh Reshamiya..<br />God bless him to say that he'll only give music and sing in movies he acts in :)<br />and well also composing so much of nonsense that everything seems so refreshing now!!<br />Well im not totally against his music..and wud like to have two songs in a year or somethin by him...well who else can come up with hilarious stuff like "tandoori nights!" but 40 songs in a year by that nut...please no!!<br />Anyway..Rahman,shankar ehsaan loy, salim sulaiman..and now amit trivedi (dev D)..you guys have a lot to live up to..hope this is just the beginning of the "golden era".</span></span>sudhanshuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03242461805985052102noreply@blogger.com3