Date: 2009-06-03 08:24 Subject: Cult Classics Security: Public Tags: entertainment, people

Caught up on Hrishikesh Mukherjee's directorials this week, Golmaal, Chupke Chupke and Guddi.
I cannot find any film maker make such entertaining films by using simpletons in the lead cast and also delivering social messages at the same time.

In Golmaal, he takes a dig at Bhavani Shankar a role which aptly suited Utpal Dutt and is some thing which is the highlight of his career. The protagonist is an employee working for Bhavani Shankar and looks to please him all the time to keep his job. Bhavani Shankar is flawed in his retrograde ideas about men having moustaches being the real men, a person should not be having any interests apart from his job in his employment period and some others.

In Chupke Chupke, again an elderly person Raghavendra Sharma is targetted who is obsessed over language perfection and is very confident about his knack for recognizing people for what they really are. The protagonist in this case tries to defy him by impersonating a driver who comes to work for him and is more obsessed with Hindi vocabulary than his employer.

In both movies, Bhavani Shankar and Raghavendra Sharma are pleasing characters, you will find nothing wrong with their viewpoints but only that they try to force it on the next generation and this is debated in these movies.

Guddi is Jaya (Bhaduri) Bachchan's first movie in Hindi, where she plays a coy school girl who is smitten by Hindi movies to a point that she thinks that she will forever be betrothed to the cinema hero "Dharmendra". My mother tells me that those were the times when Rajesh Khanna was very much popular among teenage girls including herself. Some had gone to the extent of marrying him by garlanding his photo.
Apart from educating Guddi, the film also touches upon the stark realities of film making in the 70s. It touches upon the issues such as the stars hog the limelight while some workers still struggle for "do waqt ki roti".

I can go on and on about these, as I kind of know most of the dialogues verbatim. But the real essence lies in watching these movies and enjoying the simplistic story telling, without spending much on the costumes, without having any "videshi" locations and having great music.

Date: 2009-05-22 09:28 Subject: Yet Another IPL post!! Security: Public Tags: cric mania

Alright, someone pass me salt and pepper, I need to eat my words. Will eating a straw hat do? I do not have one, but I can make up with Vihaan's straw hat for the time being. Ketchup will be an additional incentive for eating this one.

Well, to people who think I am speaking total gibberish, I am referring to the comments I made in my previous blog about Royal Challengers, Bangalore, about them being the underdogs and that they would not probably make it to the semifinals of the IPL this year.
But what a come back. Anil Kumble's (Hail the ex-RVCEite) intelligent captaincy and bold decisions worked out in his favor and came to Bangalore's rescue. The match against Hyderabad's Deccan Chargers yesterday just was the icing on the cake. Not to miss out on Manish's first Indian century in the IPL history as well. This match was a total 'masala' chat, if I can say that. ;)

I still hold on to the content of that blog though. I do have an identity crisis still, but well, I have stopped worrying about that too much. I kind of like all the four teams that have made to the semifinal and so one team against the other would not pose too much of a problem. I would have picked possibly Mumbai over Hyderabad, but that is still fine.

I am very pleased that the Kolkata, Mohali and the Jaipur teams are out of the semifinals. Not to take anything away from the teams, I like the men. But I am totally averse to making cricket only a visually appealing sport, in terms of promotions, cheerleaders, crazy out fits and crazier stars as owners (sheesh!!). The focus shifted from cricket on to SRK, Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty. And yes, I know that Katrina Kaif is a brand ambassador for the RCB, but yet she is not in the limelight, the team is, Anil Kumble is. The other teams hardly ever project their owners too much.

All the best RCB and Anil Kumble for the semifinals and (hopefully) the finals. All the best Dhoni, Sehwag and Gilchrist for your respective teams. Hope we have some exciting matches ahead as IPL draws to a close.

Date: 2009-05-07 16:39 Subject: Confessions of a Confused FAN Security: Public Tags: cric mania

And now there is IPL season 2, and frankly speaking I am totally confused.

There was this Indian cricket team who used to win and lose and unsettle me for a complete day if not more, with its trysts in the field. And then there is IPL2 which ceases to catch my imagination, attention and enthusiasm.
Here I was discussing with my colleagues in office about which team might/shall win the IPL this time, and I realised I did not care at all.
I sought out the reason for this. Found out that IPL does not generate an identity within me.
So, ok, I live in Bangalore and I should support Royal Challengers. So, when Jacques Kallis bowls to Sachin Tendulkar, I really should hope that Tendulkar plays a bad shot and gets out. I should really enjoy when MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh walk out in the middle of the ground not playing in the same team, but to toss out a coin and decide who bats first.
I should be happy that it is the Kolkata Knight Riders is out of contention for the semifinals and not the Royal Challengers, when I know that Saurav Ganguly is not going to play in the semifinals.

And you might ask, but doesn't that happen in Football (Soccer) with their Premier Leagues, doesn't that happen in other sports at all, and why shouldn't it happen in cricket? Well, for me the Indian team as a contingent is as dear as the game itself.
With the Ranji trophy, atleast it is the battle between the states. I do not follow England's county cricket.

Probably I am fading away to a past generation, as I like ODI's more than T20s. Probably similarly as my ancestors liked a test match more than an ODI.

Makes me feel old. And whoa, I hope I am not the 'past' yet. ;)

Date: 2009-04-28 09:13 Subject: 'Shoe' them away! Security: Public Tags: country

There have been more than few incidents of our politicians targetted by shoes, chappals or any kind of footwear.
L K Advani, Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram too not spared.

I am not sure whether I am entitled to this feeling, but I really do not get disturbed by these incidents. I actually feel good about these. Though the persons who are targeting the politicians are most likely from a different political party and not the normal disturbed and distraught citizens, some how I am not too much worried about the trend. Perhaps that is the kind of respect our leaders have built up in us.

And yes, I did vote, and I have that long black line on my index finger. The lady who examined my finger was not too pleased at the first attempt to colour it and so she made good by pouring more ink which almost ran through half the length of my finger. I voted inspite of thinking that no candidate is accountable enough. I possibly voted for a person whom I thought was the lesser of the evils who intend to govern me.

A sad part though, my constituency (Bangalore Central) recorded just a meagre 45% turn out on the polling day. After all the persuasion by the Media, and initiatives like the "Jaago Re", the voters did not seem convinced that they could make a difference, maybe a slight difference if at all.

Let's see who takes the 'cake' this time, who gets to govern the massive Indian population, a great country which intends to stay respectable through its trying and testing times.

Date: 2009-04-03 16:34 Subject: Pleasantly "peeved" Security: Public Tags: country

Alright I know that it is an oxymoron and also an alliteration.
It is about the election situation in India. The Lok Sabha elections for the uninitiated (may be there are many).

Peeved because I do not like the ads coming up on television advertising about the election scenario, each party quoting its agenda and using the latest Bollywood songs, and the Slumdog Millionaire song "Jai Ho".

As it is we are getting our share of false promises through the slogans being shouted on the road, and yet this is where it goes beyond. Not withstanding, while I write this blog, Google has put an ad of BJP prime ministerial candidate LK Advani's blog on my right side. Whew, why is the huge noise along with the huge costs incurred which could be reasonably used for many other causes.

And yes, pleasantly happy about the 'jaago re' campaign, which urges people to vote and makes the procedure of getting a voter id easy. Also glad that many youth icons are coming across and urging people to vote while themselves exercising their franchise for the first time.

Let's leave the discussion about whom to vote for, to another day, shall we, or shall we not? ;)

Date: 2009-03-13 13:27 Subject: Blast from the past - Chanakya Security: Public Mood: happy Tags: country, entertainment

This time I was catching up on Chanakya, the Doordarshan series originally aired in 1991. During that time, I was about 11 years old and could not comprehend the entire story. I was not able to judge the strength of the people during that time, the characters, the political situation and the issues then.

Now, having attained more maturity, am able to understand it much better.

Chanakya was a Political Science professor at the Takshashila university in the kingdom of Gandhaara. Originally from Pataliputra in Magadha kingdom, he was forced to move out of his place of birth due to the political unrest during the rule of the unjust leader Dhanananda. He took refuge and sought education in Takshashila, one of the very prominent universities of those times (around 400 BC).
During these times, Alexander, the Greek warrior in a bid to become the emperor of the world invaded the Indian subcontinent. Chanakya does not want to surrender his motherland to a Greek warrior and having stiff opposition from his adopted kingdom's ruler AmbhiRaj, approaches his parent kingdom Magadha. There he receives nothing but humiliation and apathy from Dhanananda.
He pledges to unite the nation to fight the Greek invaders and how he goes about his mission is the crux of the story.

The situation is not too different from the British rule of India. Only that the British were far more methodical in annexing the different parts of India and far more shrewd. It took a MK Gandhi to finally drive them out.

The thing that differs from Chanakya's realm and the 20th Century India is that, then, India was far more cohesive in terms of culture. 20th Century India had already faced too many invasions and too many dents on her cultural binding that it was much more difficult to unite her.

Coming back to the serial, the main thing I like about these DD serials is their Hindi vocabulary and also the purety of the language used. Not adulterated with Urdu, English, Punjabi and other language words, this is as pure as we can get. I absolutely loved it.  Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi, the writer-director and lead actor originally holds a medical degree, but the love for literature lead him to change his profession. I thought his expressions were a tad stiff but possibly suited the role as well.

Check out the following song from the serial, it comes at the time, when Chanakya and his students are on a mission to unify India.

हम करें राष्ट्र आराधन
हम करें राष्ट्र आराधन.. आराधन

तन से, मन से, धन से
तन मन धन जीवन से
हम करें राष्ट्र आराधन
हम करें राष्ट्र आराधन.. आराधन...

For the full song, you can check out this link.
This ignites the patriotic spirit like few other songs do.

Date: 2009-02-04 09:20 Subject: Team India 8 on trot! Security: Public Mood: cheerful Tags: cric mania

Team India goes straight on and wins the 8th ODI, possibly same as the 8th wonder of our times.
About a year back, nobody would have thought that this would be feasible by Dhoni and men.

Some enthusiasm was generated after the T20 World Cup victory in 2007, and since then,  the team has been winning series on and off. The very well documented Australian series was a good show.



Just few years back, I used to sit at the edge of my seat, just hoping that India will not waste away an advantageous position in an ODI, which it eventually did. The great ODI demise in World Cup 2007 shattered my very premise and I began to question my love of cricket. See this (point 4).
Now, my mind seems to relax, because there is an assurance that India will do its best to bounce back from a disadvantageous position many a time.

Attribute the current situation to the Great Aussie decline, or the young blood in the veins of the composition, Team India will still have to go a long way to prove themselves, as they still have to match up to South Africa, the number 1 ODI team now. Everybody now tends to make a mincemeat of the Aussies.

Now shall come the New Zealand series. Next to the Down Under, NZ will pose a challenge for the Men in Blue as conditions are so different.

MSD has been nicknamed Captain Cool and Captain Courageous. I sincerely hope that he keeps all these 'Cs' intact when India look to win the ODI World Cup in 2011.

Date: 2009-01-15 10:04 Subject: Carry me along! Security: Public Location: Bangalore Mood: amused Tags: festivals, vihaan-o-soar

Had my day spent with Sonny dearest on the festival of Sankranthi.

Vi is 10 months old, and he squeaks and has a vocabulary of his own. Yet, he is not able to crawl effectively yet. Attribute this to his prematurity or probably he is a late starter, whatever.
The point I am getting to is that though he is unable to stroll around, he is very desirous of looking at places, has a keen interest in what is going around in his surrounding rather than his very home.

And so, we have to carry him along.

I did not do anything except that yesterday, apart from the routine - feeding, cleaning, bathing, dressing, rocking him to sleep  and so on, the rest of the time, I mostly spent in taking him around the house, and the balcony.
If I resisted this little bit, I had to content myself with his loud yells for a walk about.

Attributing to the very cold Sankranthi this year, could not take him outside the house.
Happy Sankranthi folks. Hope you had a good time this season.

Date: 2008-12-29 10:19 Subject: Hello 2008 and err.. humm... Good Bye! Security: Public Location: Bangalore Mood: peaceful Music: None

Seems like my first and the last entry of 2008.
After a second long break, I am posting this. I hope that I will not take such long breaks (more than a year) in the future... as I do like to write and am not finding the urge to write so often nowadays.

However for the uninitiated, I have a 9 month old son. This chap was born in March 2008, a premature baby. I was quite tensed for him for some time, but now he is a sly old chap, very capable of demanding his own way.

To describe him in short, Vihaan (that's his name) is an early morning (wakes up at 5:30 AM, like his mom, and very much like his name), noisy (blabbers) and an active person. Likes to go out, likes the colour RED, has choices in his apetite and is a people's person (especially likes kids).

Gone are the days when I used to think of myself as an individual, now I think of myself in duality, with the individual in me taking the back seat, the front seat very promptly occupied by Vihaan.
I have lost my independence, but probably am enjoying this responsibility as well as I should.

I have not completed a book (ok, I have read 'The 3 Mistakes of my Life', but that is hardly serious reading) nor watched a proper movie in a long time. Have to get back to the basics.

Date: 2007-07-04 14:00 Subject: tick TAG toe Security: Public

Ok, and so I have been hibernating for months now, and close to a year. yodha beckoned me to write this up by tagging me. Actually I wanted to post an entry in a long time, but this prodding did help. Those who are wondering what it is to get tagged, here are the rules to be followed when some one tags you:  

1. Players start with 5 random facts about themselves.
2. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 5 random facts.
3. Players should tag 5 other people and notify them they have been tagged. 

Here are the facts about me.

1. Every Bangalorean will have this crib. I spend close to 3 hours traveling to my work and back. Pollution and a problem of plenty of people. Lots of 'p's there.  A pride in my hometown still persists but don’t know till when it is reasonable.
2. I long to travel and see places, more so because I haven’t done this earlier in my life. By traveling I mean, not the random retreats to a far away country side. But a calculated and a planned travel to a place worth visiting, that preferably has a historical value attached to it.
3. I feel compelled now, more than ever to get a spiritual and a religious education. There seem to be lot of explanations for the quality of life and how life is to be lead. I presently feel a personal need for such an education.
4. Till recently I used to be a cricket fan, like most Indians are. After the world cup debacle, that interest has waned and how. Actually I don’t know what to do with the time I get, which I used to spend watching the matches India used to lose.
5. For the fifth fact, I don’t know what to write, may be I am short of things to say about myself. So be it.

I tag these people: sandykins vaidyavenkateshramanvinodkumarvcmekin

Date: 2006-09-22 16:08 Subject: God's Debris Security: Public

A book review from me in a long time. I take time out to review 'God's Debris'  by Scott Adams. Hey, wait, haven't I heard that name somewhere. Well, it is the very person who is ever too famous for Dilbert comics. There is no comparison to the humorous office politics he brings out in Dilbert, in this book. 

This book involves no direct satire,  but it does, in the course of its description, scoff at some of the very well established notions about God. 
Also he offers no reference to any religion, rather it is a serious attempt at going beyond religion trying very much to be in the practicality of things. In my opinion, he offers explanations which can be appreciated by the atheists, agnostics and believers in God alike. He talks about God in terms of probability, statistics and other scientific facts.
"How in the 'God'damned world?" you might say. That is what is so refreshing about it. 

It isn't a non-fiction book, and is not very boring, because it is all of 144 pages.

Adams himself spells out in his book, that "The target audience for God’s Debris is people who enjoy having their brains spun around inside their skulls." So, how many of us here want to go on a merry-go-round? 
People who are game for it can attempt to read this ebook, which is to the advantage of us e-bibliophiles, very freely available.

Date: 2006-08-21 10:30 Subject: 'K'loseup on KANK Security: Public

Watched Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna over the weekend. I am quite a critic of Bollywood movies, but I don't dismiss them off altogether. I know how much it takes to make a movie, and all the hard work that goes into it. I am a fan of film making in its entirety.

This movie is good in its visuals, its music and it, of course boasts of a starcast to reckon with. But the story, I cant help is very flawed. I dont vouch for infidelity in any situation, except in cases of physical or mental abuse by the spouse. But well, films on infidelity are very interesting, nonetheless. The best movies I have seen in this genre are Arth and Masoom. Silsila too was fine.

The very reason that Shahrukh's and Rani's characters get close is that they think that they are not getting their worth. But the catch here is that Abhishek's and Preity's characters are shown to be successful. Shahrukh and Rani seem to have too much time on their hands, to indulge in infidelity. 

I am not saying that they are wrong in getting bored with their respective spouses, or thinking that they have made a mistake in marrying them. But they are wrong as well for the reasons they chose each other. SRK's and Rani's characters also seem to have many differences, that sooner or later they are bound to separate as well. I never found the intimacy oozing out in their characters,  the script doesnt give much scope for that. The script rather emphasizes too much on the guilt trips they both make, and does have a lot of time for the songs in between. That makes it very less entertaining.

I don't endorse Karan Johar's movies, but I have to admit that I have watched each of his productions in the theaters. I have never been too disappointed in his ventures, nor too impressed as well. But KANK was disappointing. To take such an interesting and deep emotional topic and make quite a mockery of it, not good. I would like to say something to Karan Johar if  I could get a chance. "KJ, you are better of making sugar coated romantic stories, that you better stick to them, rather than experimenting with such topics. Leave them to Vishesh films and Mahesh Bhatt."

Date: 2006-07-20 15:01 Subject: The aftermath Security: Public

I cannot stop gushing about my own wedding.

Not that I think all the following points were true about my wedding, of course, I am ever too pragmatic for that.
1. That it was the best wedding that anyone ever had on this planet.
2. That my husband is the most handsome and the sweetest of all the guys.
3. That I was the prettiest bride ever to be seen in a wedding attire.
4. That it seemed like the Gods themselves came down to bless the divine couple.

Not for the above reasons but for the reasons coming up.
1. It is a new phase of my life.
2. I am at calm with myself and finally with no blame for making my decisions.
3. My parents and in-laws seem quite contended with the marriage, and with us.
4. My husband and I seem to understand each other quite well, and do not have too many hitches as of now.

Thanks all the people who wished me on this particular day. We are very grateful to you all.

Date: 2006-05-14 19:21 Subject: (K)Not Kidding! Security: Public Mood: hopeful

The big day is soon to arrive. I am tying the knot. I had intentionally kept this information under wraps for quite some time, but many got to know by the word of mouth.

We have known each other for 3.5 years now. Started as friends and slowly progressed into the current relationship. I, for one, went through some soul searching and circumspection before deciding that he was the one.

Am excited and nervous as well. This would change my life, hopefully for the better. There are many things that I am looking forward to, in the aftermath. Have to prioritize and get them going soon, very soon!

Date: 2006-01-06 12:39 Subject: Sources of Inspiration Security: Public Mood: okay

I get inspired. Yes, very merely by good words of some one competent. To maintain that level of enthusiasm and stay focussed and motivated all through is the problem. I require these dozes at regular intervals. People or things that have inspired me till now (not exhaustive, as I dont remember all of them myself) would be listed below. In chronological order. 

1. My brother: Very unintentionally. He used to and even now condemns me (in no kind words) for any of my inherent flaws. My handwriting, now I regard as one of the best, was under his continuous scrutiny, right from my kindergarten classes in school to my engineering days. His response, when I got my ranks in my Engineering and Medical Entrance tests was a mere 'good'. I have always strived to be live up to his expectations and hear him say "EXCELLENT" for once. I think I will have to bear the brunt, now, that I am visiting Bangalore, my hometown. All set, brother, for your 'kind' words of inspiration. ;)

2. My professor of physics in 12th grade: Professor Viswanath Shastri, he was a person who scared the shit of many in my tution classes. I liked him, I liked him so much because he could inspire me to the hilt. I used to be on a high (something like on cloud number nine) every time I finished attending his class. I was never too good at Physics till then (my interest was always in Math), and I began to like Physics to the core. Did quite well in it too. :)

3. My other sources of inspiration have been books. Ayn Rand (I rant about her in many of my posts) for the sheer brilliance and simplicity. Richard Feynman for His sheer genius and immense capability. After all, a professor of theoretical physics (my cherished subject with Math) ;). Adolf Hitler (I share my birthday with him), though flawed in his thoughts, had the immense capability to inspire millions and fool another set of millions. The way he conquered Poland, Czechoslovakia, France and Britain was truly amazing. His energy and intelligence, if channelized in a proper direction, would have done him and the world, a world of good.

4. My professors in Stony Brook. They just exude brilliance. I was just reading this speech by Prof. Skiena, which paved the way for this particular post.

And movies, how could I leave them out. Not listed chronologically. There are quite a few worth mentioning, but I stray away from mentioning them, as I cannot convince people of my choices of movies anyways. I am very bad at convincing. The components that would inspire me would be the lyrics, gestures, music, dance movements, story, the whole thought process of the writer, director, music director and the actors. The movies that I look at, are mainly in Hindi and Kannada, though I have, in my list, few English movies as well.

Now, the aim is to get inspired by myself, elevating me to that status that I can get inspired inherently, not depending on these external sources. One day, I should be writing a post on how I inspired myself.

Date: 2005-12-20 18:32 Subject: Non Linear vector derivations?! Security: Public

The Indian girl looks more like a South Indian to me. Sangeeta Singh, hmm... BTW, what are non linear vector derivations?

Date: 2005-11-09 22:15 Subject: Hmm, again and again... Security: Public

Been away too long. Got to get back. And as usual, it is a book that prompts me into writing. However, no new book this. For the umpteenth time, turned the pages of Atlas Shrugged. Whew!! haven't I mentioned enough of that book already! I can hear cries of plea, of restrain.

This time, Henry Rearden meets with Francisco D' Anconia, in a party hosted by the former.
"I haven't asked for gratitude, I dont need it."
"I have not said that you needed it, but of all those whom you are saving from the storm tonight, I am the only one who will offer it."

For the uninitiated, I am sorry, I cannot elaborate. But those who are merely acquainted with the writing, will surely guess the context and the importance of the words in the above situation.

Atlas Shrugged has always inspired me and it continues to do so. No matter, how many times, I read it.

Date: 2005-09-15 18:25 Subject: There you go Security: Public

 I don't know what to write, but it has been a short hiatus from writing, so thought I will drop in some words. Experiences of sorts in the past one month. Nothing too bizarre, but crazy stuff. I think that I am the only person here who is still homesick. The weekend was good, enough to perk me up for some time. Waiting for more good times.

Date: 2005-08-28 17:19 Subject: Straight from the Mind! Security: Public

Into the center pages of JACK, Straight from the Gut. It is Jack Welch's autobiography. It is going to be the last book entry from me for quite some time. What's with the classes starting on Monday, 29 August 2005!

Jack Welch was the Chairman and CEO of General Electric. Quite a coincidence that the previous book I had read was Lee Iacocca's autobiography. Both seem to have similar qualities. Have obtained doctorates in their respective fields. Iacocca obtained a PhD in Industrial Engineering, and Welch in Chemical Engineering. None a businessman from the B-schools. But thorough in their functioning. Which leads me to believe that business learning comes more from experience. Again, both despised bureaucracy. Worked their way up. Welch even mentions Chrysler in his book. While GE did not go through the same near bankruptcy state as Chrysler did, Welch had to struggle to 'change' the way the company functioned.

They both had no 'mercy' for the under performers. Had to hand out termination letters to many. Tough bosses, as they were called.

Ok, where does all this lead me to?! Understand that I share similar ideologies ( if I have some). Don't know if I can face up to the situation and fire people who are under performers, if faced with the same scenario. Which also means to say that I might be wondering if I will ever lead a company in the next say, MILLION years.

And here I am, wondering what I will do in the coming week. All's set for CS Fall 2005 Semester? Dont know! ;)

Date: 2005-08-16 19:30 Subject: SUNY sights. Security: Public

Hmm ... I think I tend to update my blog when ever I finish a book. This time, finished Iacocca's autobiography. The 21 hour flight from Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Airport to NYC's JFK lent me a lot of time to complete the scanning. Also, the one hour wait each at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and London's Heathrow. :D Whew!, I remember all the airports' names.

Arrival at Stony Brook at around midnight, checking into my room at around 2:30 AM EST on Saturday 13 August, left me exhausted. Not to mention shifting again on Indian Independence Day from that one to a new accomodation. SUNY SB is giving me jitters as of now. :)) Find it amusing, when viewed in hindsight.

Had been experiencing home sickness all the while. But finding many Compskis around here is just very comforting. Thanks Chetan, Karthik, Mehkri, Ashish, Sandhya, Krishna and Nithin. Each one helped me in various ways. Hoping to meet Manjunath when he comes back to SB.