If there is anything that this gap of 10 months reflects, it is the inability to be disciplined about anything. Unless it is affecting basic survival, don't move your ass. But what about something that you really enjoy doing? Do you know what you really enjoy doing? I know..inaction or minimum effort task. But that is not completely true and you know that.
Thankfully,these guys do not delete inactive accounts. But then this is a blog account and the people who would have thought of this would know all about long periods of lull.
So sometimes,its history,then fiction followed by non fiction and then an autobiography. But one thing remains unchanged, and that is the India factor. Can't recall who had said it but its the absolute truth that sometimes you are not ready for the book. Keyboard is so less stressful when you are writing here and not a mail/strategy everyday.
Will it really happen in 2012, am I actually ready or do I even know what I want out of that 70 hour journey? Is it just a fad that has grown on me or is there a genuine desire to do this? Desire there is, but there is clearly a doubt about my capability to actually endure the hardship.
Hardship I say now because of the way you have become so used to worldly comforts. It was me only who used to find convenience anywhere in any class of travel amidst hundreds of people. And here I am now when even 1st AC seems little disturbing. Amazing. Its not the lack of comforts which is an issue. I guess its the inability to tolerate other people which is a problem. Yes,that is the issue. And that is what is causing these doubts.
That even if I do discover what I want out of this effort, my peculiar approach to people around will foil the whole objective. But why is this the case now?
Thank God for the quick save act..ass hurts. So, what has made you so averse to people? The desire to be humble and modest is limited only to that utopian thought of yourself which wakes up upon either watching a movie or reading a book. Permanent state of mind or attitude..yes attitude. How does one achieve that? I guess changing the inherent human nature is the toughest things to achieve. But then, that's what determination is all about. Don't forget that objective for even a minute, not even for a conversation. Everything must reflect that. Even a one line conversation. Saleh.
Back to square one again. Unless it is something that affects the sustenance of livelihood, there is no need to move :)
Nothing to be happy about. Guess the whole life will only reflect half an effort to bring about that change. This is the difference between people who achieve excellence and people who write such blogs. Are bulls really like this, or is it your slow digression towards being one?
God only knows whats stopping you. Get up and take charge. RAISE YOUR GAME. Shaking you out of your slumber is one hell of a task. And come to think of it, that has been the case for a very long time. Guess Perfect derived so much out of you coz the very environment was so challenging. So unless in unsure territory, our man wouldn't raise the bar. Enough.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Friday, August 13, 2010
August 15
When I was a school going kid and when Doordarshan was the only broadcast experience for all of us, August 15th/January 26th used to be designated for telecast of the movie, Gandhi. It was almost an yearly routine.
This was coz possibly not many movies that could inspire national integration were made during those days and may be Doordarshan genuinally believed in the non violent initiatives of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and considered them as a valuable lesson that must be passed on to generations. Whatever be the case, as we grew up, we have at least had the opportunity to see a cinematic masterpiece and also a glimpse into the history of a time that we today cannot relate to or for that matter cannot even correctly recall.
Day after tomorrow its August 15 once again and I do not see any of the numerous movie channels advertising about them telecasting Gandhi. Its undisputed slot has now been taken by Maa Tujhe Salaam, Sarfarosh and many such war based flicks that do a stellar job of only inflicting hatred for the country across the border. Please dont get me wrong. Some of these movies are good and I have enjoyed watching them as much as the next person.
However, what disturbs me is not the story line of these potboilers, but the fact that what is it that we want to associate our nation's Independence Day with now? Is it all about watching movies with a high dose of exaggerated valour?
Cinema has always been a reflection of the society in which we live in and hence it is no surprise that it is only such flicks that find their way into our homes on such days of national importance. I do not blame the channels for choosing such movies as they have to worry about their TRP's and that too on a holiday when there is an opportunity of capturing maximum eye balls for the adverts.
The broadcasters are smart enough to realise that a movie such as Gandhi will not have many takers, so why spoil the extra prime time opportunity? Get the product that sells..and Gandhi is certainly not that product. Clearly a reflection of our current times.
Is it just violence and one sided fiction that is adequate for celebrating the essence of Independence Day? Is that what our next generation will remember of August 15? Or may be they will remember this day with the Big Bazaar super sale that is organised once a year or may be the August 15 weekend travel deals due to which they have always gone on long weekend breaks. None of this enjoyment and celebration is wrong or should be frowned upon. These are all fruits of our economic liberalisation and we should take full advantage of it.
But while we do this, do we spare few minutes on at least this day to understand the state of the nation today and learn about the history with which this day is linked? Do we spend few minutes with our children talking to them about the long lasting struggle that started in 1857 and culminated on this day in 1947? Sure our children feel proud to see Sunny Deol hoisting the National Flag on India's border in the movies, but I am sure they will feel more proud of their nation once they learn about the great leaders and revolutanaries of our nation that unfortunately existed only in the past.
Today as Kashmir burns and our own people who opperesed for ages when initiate an armed struggle are termed as the greatest internal threat, I wonder if it is even ethical to celebrate this day with pomp and show. Coz quite clearly there is hardly anything that has been achieved in recent times with regards to building the nation that should be celebrated on this day and we definitely are not celebrating the freedom struggle of fifty years ago.
It will never be the doing of just one day that will make August 15 an occassion to be celebrated. It will instead be the toil of many years that will be dedicated towards building the nations character that will in true sense make it a day to be celebrated. And when that happens, you will see that the nature of celebrations would have also changed. It will then not be about movies and shopping and gathering liquor stocks in advance.
It would then be about passing on the reins of that nation building proces to our offsprings and telling them proudly about our contribution towards it. I am sure they will then not need a Sunny Deol to be their national hero. Then..we the citizens of India will all be heroes. Jai Hind
This was coz possibly not many movies that could inspire national integration were made during those days and may be Doordarshan genuinally believed in the non violent initiatives of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and considered them as a valuable lesson that must be passed on to generations. Whatever be the case, as we grew up, we have at least had the opportunity to see a cinematic masterpiece and also a glimpse into the history of a time that we today cannot relate to or for that matter cannot even correctly recall.
Day after tomorrow its August 15 once again and I do not see any of the numerous movie channels advertising about them telecasting Gandhi. Its undisputed slot has now been taken by Maa Tujhe Salaam, Sarfarosh and many such war based flicks that do a stellar job of only inflicting hatred for the country across the border. Please dont get me wrong. Some of these movies are good and I have enjoyed watching them as much as the next person.
However, what disturbs me is not the story line of these potboilers, but the fact that what is it that we want to associate our nation's Independence Day with now? Is it all about watching movies with a high dose of exaggerated valour?
Cinema has always been a reflection of the society in which we live in and hence it is no surprise that it is only such flicks that find their way into our homes on such days of national importance. I do not blame the channels for choosing such movies as they have to worry about their TRP's and that too on a holiday when there is an opportunity of capturing maximum eye balls for the adverts.
The broadcasters are smart enough to realise that a movie such as Gandhi will not have many takers, so why spoil the extra prime time opportunity? Get the product that sells..and Gandhi is certainly not that product. Clearly a reflection of our current times.
Is it just violence and one sided fiction that is adequate for celebrating the essence of Independence Day? Is that what our next generation will remember of August 15? Or may be they will remember this day with the Big Bazaar super sale that is organised once a year or may be the August 15 weekend travel deals due to which they have always gone on long weekend breaks. None of this enjoyment and celebration is wrong or should be frowned upon. These are all fruits of our economic liberalisation and we should take full advantage of it.
But while we do this, do we spare few minutes on at least this day to understand the state of the nation today and learn about the history with which this day is linked? Do we spend few minutes with our children talking to them about the long lasting struggle that started in 1857 and culminated on this day in 1947? Sure our children feel proud to see Sunny Deol hoisting the National Flag on India's border in the movies, but I am sure they will feel more proud of their nation once they learn about the great leaders and revolutanaries of our nation that unfortunately existed only in the past.
Today as Kashmir burns and our own people who opperesed for ages when initiate an armed struggle are termed as the greatest internal threat, I wonder if it is even ethical to celebrate this day with pomp and show. Coz quite clearly there is hardly anything that has been achieved in recent times with regards to building the nation that should be celebrated on this day and we definitely are not celebrating the freedom struggle of fifty years ago.
It will never be the doing of just one day that will make August 15 an occassion to be celebrated. It will instead be the toil of many years that will be dedicated towards building the nations character that will in true sense make it a day to be celebrated. And when that happens, you will see that the nature of celebrations would have also changed. It will then not be about movies and shopping and gathering liquor stocks in advance.
It would then be about passing on the reins of that nation building proces to our offsprings and telling them proudly about our contribution towards it. I am sure they will then not need a Sunny Deol to be their national hero. Then..we the citizens of India will all be heroes. Jai Hind
Thursday, April 8, 2010
I wanna grow up once again
Give me some sunshine give me some rain....I wanna grow up once again. Grow up once again..who does't want to go back in their past and start all over again..I guess if the genie were to actually come out of a magic lamp then instead of being alive for ever, it would be much better to ask for a start once again.
Start once again..sounds great..but what would you do differently if you were to start again. Look out for the mistakes that you know you have committed..career choices, love blunders, crime, wrong path..the list can be endless for the billion people inhabiting this planet.
What is it that would make this starting over business absolutely worthwile? Is it going to be only about rectifyig mistakes or would you would want to lead another life altogether. Assuming that it has to be the same life, then what would you do?
Rectify mistakes in the same course of life or steer life in a manner this time that the feeling of contentment overtakes as you bid good bye. There is a golden message in the bitter fact of life and death cycle..and that is that there are no real second chances in life. It is a single shot in which you not only have to understand that what is it you want in life but also live the entire lifetime achieving it.
Look around..millions and millions in a race to just lead a livelihood..materialistic trivial pursuits that have no end. The entire process seems to be a mega marketing cycle that has got everyone involved in itself to an extent that barring a few, all of us are blinded in thinking that this is why we are living.
Start once again..sounds great..but what would you do differently if you were to start again. Look out for the mistakes that you know you have committed..career choices, love blunders, crime, wrong path..the list can be endless for the billion people inhabiting this planet.
What is it that would make this starting over business absolutely worthwile? Is it going to be only about rectifyig mistakes or would you would want to lead another life altogether. Assuming that it has to be the same life, then what would you do?
Rectify mistakes in the same course of life or steer life in a manner this time that the feeling of contentment overtakes as you bid good bye. There is a golden message in the bitter fact of life and death cycle..and that is that there are no real second chances in life. It is a single shot in which you not only have to understand that what is it you want in life but also live the entire lifetime achieving it.
Look around..millions and millions in a race to just lead a livelihood..materialistic trivial pursuits that have no end. The entire process seems to be a mega marketing cycle that has got everyone involved in itself to an extent that barring a few, all of us are blinded in thinking that this is why we are living.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Return to innocence
Enigma's Return to innnocence is actually pretty much return to innocence for me. Listening to this song late late into night sitting on the iron footsteps of Soumik's house talking about crazy stuff..mostly girls.
106.2 AIR FM was the companion till early hours of morning. Beautiful numbers used to be played from this radio station then and I guess even now, basis what I heard briefly during my last visit to India. Anyways, Enigma,GnR and many more led us through so many nights that we spent in CR Park. Giving crank calls at 1 A.M to random numbers was a must..thats what infatuation with a new landline connection can do to you.
The nights were even more special during the much awaited Durga Puja festivities. What uttery blissful days those were. Getting hold of a bike was such a major achievment. Dressed to kill..or so you would think, trying every bit to be a bengali, a part of the crowd that was so high on adrenalin during the Puja nights.
Not that anything significant was ever accomplished by us even during those puja days, the excitement alone I guess was worth the entire effort. The return trip home on 864 used to be so depressing.
I guess this is what innocence is all about. Wish there could be a real life return to innocence
106.2 AIR FM was the companion till early hours of morning. Beautiful numbers used to be played from this radio station then and I guess even now, basis what I heard briefly during my last visit to India. Anyways, Enigma,GnR and many more led us through so many nights that we spent in CR Park. Giving crank calls at 1 A.M to random numbers was a must..thats what infatuation with a new landline connection can do to you.
The nights were even more special during the much awaited Durga Puja festivities. What uttery blissful days those were. Getting hold of a bike was such a major achievment. Dressed to kill..or so you would think, trying every bit to be a bengali, a part of the crowd that was so high on adrenalin during the Puja nights.
Not that anything significant was ever accomplished by us even during those puja days, the excitement alone I guess was worth the entire effort. The return trip home on 864 used to be so depressing.
I guess this is what innocence is all about. Wish there could be a real life return to innocence
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Pictures, holidays..Mr Mishra
Pictures have never been this fun. I guess viewing them with music in the background has a different effect altogether. No wonder movies are fun. Kritee and I look so good when we are laughing and are having fun together.
2009 holidays were beyond doubt the best that I have experienced in a long time. It felt great to be in Haridwar with Papa Mummy and it was equally great to be in Rishikesh, albeit for a short duration. These are some of the places where I would probably happily settle down at some point of my life. I guess it would be a small town and not a metro..for sure.
I have little doubt that Simla is the destination of choice for people who just want to get over and done with their holidays. That is not to take away anything from this British Raj summer haven. Thanks to the random urbanisation, the city resembles a cluster of tin objects from a distance and as Mr Mishra says, the view does not get better even from near.
But in all this chaos, there are some beautiful remnants of Simla's golden days. The cutest post office that I have ever seen, the unending pine trees (hope they stay there forever) and some fabulous victorian architecture buildings.
Besides the time at hand, it is important to know, what exactly you need from your vacation. The idea of spending days altogether in Mashobra sounds exhilirating. But as Mr Mishra was growing uneasy in the first few days, I guess I too will, and then of course there is the constant urge to check with the real world if everything is ok. Anyways, cant do much about that.
Idleness is not such a bad thing after all. Lazing in the sun and just exploring surrounding regions aimlessly is probably something that I know I would love doing. I don't know if I should call this coincidence or destiny, but Mr.Mishra seems to be living the life that I would want to experience at some point in my life time. Thanks to that abrupt visit to CP on that dusty afternoon.
Is it really that big a deal that I am connecting with him at so many levels. Be it the travel part or his takes on random things..they all seem to fit in with me very nicely. Whatever it is, his is one of the most interesting non fiction that I have ever read.
If there is time for a short holiday, I would go straight away to Haridwar, with a must stop at Mohan ji Poori waale (its sad I don't have any pic of the place) and then switch to Rishikesh. This is one place where I would want to spend a few days and be away from the commotion in Haridwar.
Mohan Ji Poori Waale will hopefully be suitably compensated for by Chotiwala. While enroute to Neelkanth, I learnt that there is a separate trail to the temple which people follow on foot. What fun it will be to walk on that scenic path.
Once again the length and breadth of my country amuses me. Time and again it gives me the feeling about how little I have seen of it and how shyly I have met with it for the past 31 years. It is after all our home.
And that brings us once again to the biggest fantasy that I have lived. My train journey across the hinterlands of India. At least Mr Mishra's writings based on his travels are helping me in the interim. May be as everything else I am after all destined to undertake that journey and capture it in a beautiful way and I will be able to do that only once I gain more insights into how to do that actually.
may be yes..no..I am sure yes.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Mr Mishra
So Mr Mishra will be a 2 hour drive away from Dubai tomorrow. Or most probably he already is. I have never felt so connected with an author before in my life. Upamanyu carried the mantle so far, but Mishra ji has walked away with the honours hands down.
What is it about his writing? Is it the content or the fact that most of his work that I have read till now or will be reading shortly is based on travelogues? May be yes. But how does it matter? Besides the content is extremely indepth and well researched. I find my opinions and perceptions challenged.
The question that I wanted to ask him if I could meet him was that how could he capture so many aspects of his travels so effectively? May be he always planned which aspect he will focus on. Thats why in Butter Chicken he talks only about the changing small towns and in Temptations he goes on to comment on national issues over a period of time along with the ones of our neighbouring countries.
I wonder how would he have reacted to my idea of taking that train journey and then penning it down. Why should he give importance to it anyways..many many people do that all across the world. Especially in this time and age of blogs et all, the numbers would be endless. However I dont intend to do it for any book writing purpose..this is a journey that I have always wanted to take to not just see my country, but to also in some sense connect with its soul.
Why only me..When Mahatma Gandhi came back to India from South Africa, before taking up an active role in the Congress, he ventured on a nation wide travel to understand the country. Jawaharlal Nehru did the same and then asked the same question..what is the true soul of this country and how is it that it has stayed intact for centuries all together.
I am not such a visionary or a thinker. My desire stems from my love for trains and to satisfy my desire to criss cross the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. As this would beyond doubt be one of the most expansive journeys of my lifetime, it is imperative to capture this in a way that it stays with me for the rest of my life.
Pictures, write ups..in a nut shell capture this journey in the most comprehensive manner possible. That is why I feel extremely connected with Mr Mishra..for his ability to do this so effectively.
It would have been nice to meet him and ask him how he does it.
What is it about his writing? Is it the content or the fact that most of his work that I have read till now or will be reading shortly is based on travelogues? May be yes. But how does it matter? Besides the content is extremely indepth and well researched. I find my opinions and perceptions challenged.
The question that I wanted to ask him if I could meet him was that how could he capture so many aspects of his travels so effectively? May be he always planned which aspect he will focus on. Thats why in Butter Chicken he talks only about the changing small towns and in Temptations he goes on to comment on national issues over a period of time along with the ones of our neighbouring countries.
I wonder how would he have reacted to my idea of taking that train journey and then penning it down. Why should he give importance to it anyways..many many people do that all across the world. Especially in this time and age of blogs et all, the numbers would be endless. However I dont intend to do it for any book writing purpose..this is a journey that I have always wanted to take to not just see my country, but to also in some sense connect with its soul.
Why only me..When Mahatma Gandhi came back to India from South Africa, before taking up an active role in the Congress, he ventured on a nation wide travel to understand the country. Jawaharlal Nehru did the same and then asked the same question..what is the true soul of this country and how is it that it has stayed intact for centuries all together.
I am not such a visionary or a thinker. My desire stems from my love for trains and to satisfy my desire to criss cross the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. As this would beyond doubt be one of the most expansive journeys of my lifetime, it is imperative to capture this in a way that it stays with me for the rest of my life.
Pictures, write ups..in a nut shell capture this journey in the most comprehensive manner possible. That is why I feel extremely connected with Mr Mishra..for his ability to do this so effectively.
It would have been nice to meet him and ask him how he does it.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Long awaited travel
With every passing day, the desire to go out there and do the journey through the heart of India's small and big towns is growing stronger. Partially because of the long cherished desire to undertake this journey and more recently because of Pankaj Mishra.
I had never thought that a random browsing of a bookstore on a cold dusty afternoon in Delhi would lead me to Butter Chicken in Ludhiana, which by far is the closest tangible write up that I have come across to what I have been wanting to do all these years. I of course had not thought of spending certain days into some of the cities en route, but most other aspects are similar to my thoughts, most importantly a dekko into the small towns of India, the very foundation of our country.
I can literally visualise myself on this journey already, in the Himsagar Express or Kerela Express, whizzing past the hinterlands of state capitals, noticing the changing landscape, language, food, architecture, weather and what do you know even the colour of the soil. I can see myself armed with a camera, my writing book and limited baggage embarking on this journey with nothing else on my mind, but just the desire to absorb as much as I can from this cross country travel.
Capturing images of the travel, train, landscape, cuisine and myself in the midst of it all, with the satisfaction of having completed this journey at last. It is a vision which I am living everyday, with a desire to actually live it one day
I had never thought that a random browsing of a bookstore on a cold dusty afternoon in Delhi would lead me to Butter Chicken in Ludhiana, which by far is the closest tangible write up that I have come across to what I have been wanting to do all these years. I of course had not thought of spending certain days into some of the cities en route, but most other aspects are similar to my thoughts, most importantly a dekko into the small towns of India, the very foundation of our country.
I can literally visualise myself on this journey already, in the Himsagar Express or Kerela Express, whizzing past the hinterlands of state capitals, noticing the changing landscape, language, food, architecture, weather and what do you know even the colour of the soil. I can see myself armed with a camera, my writing book and limited baggage embarking on this journey with nothing else on my mind, but just the desire to absorb as much as I can from this cross country travel.
Capturing images of the travel, train, landscape, cuisine and myself in the midst of it all, with the satisfaction of having completed this journey at last. It is a vision which I am living everyday, with a desire to actually live it one day
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