Last Saturday, I saw Aboorva Sagotharargal after many years. I have seen the move twice in Theatres - Coimbatore Archana and Jai Shanti - during my 3rd std annual holidays and few times on the TV too. But only, this time, I was intrigued by the opening sequence. The first shot opens with a duck swimming(but we see only the close-up of the duck's neck) and then it starts running in a narrow mud path quacking with other ducks following this one. In the next Shot, we see a man herding these ducks; a baby crying in front of a hut. A Granny comes and picks up the baby, and the baby's father asks her to give the baby for mother feeding; then he gets into the hut. The moment he gets in we see a car crashing through the hut by a sidekick with the Hero chasing him in the Bike. My question is: What's the point to show all these details which are no way related to the chasing. Straight away the director could have shown the Highway with Hero chasing the villain's man. But the director didn't. First he creates a calm atmosphere and then all of a sudden this chasing happens.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Why Do Indian Films Need Oscar ?
Oscar - One of the useless and over-rated awards on Earth will be out on this Sunday. Indian Media have already started their betting on Leonardo Di Caprio; plus their usual complaints that when are our movies going to fetch the Academy Awards, blah, blah, blah...
First of all, I couldn't understand the logic behind these over-hyped Academy Awards, which are solely for American Movies. Why the hell we have to compete for American Movie Awards? Just like throwing a peanut salary these gentlemen have a Foreign Film Category, in which a bunch of clowns who don't know anything about our culture, preferences, roots but analyse our movies like a Cardiologist. Who are these guys to decide?
By the way, I sincerely wish as an ardent admirer of Leonardo Di Caprio, he shouldn't get the award this year. The way the Media and Oscar lovers create such a hype for that wonderful actor and surprise finally, why wasn't he awarded is nothing but stupid as if Academy Awards hitherto has been given to every right person.
Leonardo Di Caprio & Ennio Morricone worth more than an Oscar.
Media - Judge an artist out of his works than from these so-called awards.
First of all, I couldn't understand the logic behind these over-hyped Academy Awards, which are solely for American Movies. Why the hell we have to compete for American Movie Awards? Just like throwing a peanut salary these gentlemen have a Foreign Film Category, in which a bunch of clowns who don't know anything about our culture, preferences, roots but analyse our movies like a Cardiologist. Who are these guys to decide?
By the way, I sincerely wish as an ardent admirer of Leonardo Di Caprio, he shouldn't get the award this year. The way the Media and Oscar lovers create such a hype for that wonderful actor and surprise finally, why wasn't he awarded is nothing but stupid as if Academy Awards hitherto has been given to every right person.
Leonardo Di Caprio & Ennio Morricone worth more than an Oscar.
Media - Judge an artist out of his works than from these so-called awards.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Yanni - The Master who taught me "What is Music".
The first time I encountered the name "Yanni" was from one of my distant relative who had been listening to his Optimystique Album, in a Cassette, way back 18 years ago. At that time, I had not been exposed to World Music with my listening strictly limited to Rahman. I wasn't sure whether this particular incident happened before Yanni's Taj Mahal Concert or after. But, I just saw the Cassette Cover and moved on without even bothering to listen. Later, moving to Bangalore, I, inadvertently got a chance to download a Torrent, Frostwire. I don't know whether this Torrent still exists. But, at that time, I didn't realise that Frostwire going to be a watershed moment in altering my musical taste thereafter. After successfully downloading the Torrent, I didn't have a clear idea how to use or whom to listen. Randomly, I typed some artists whoever came to my mind like Elton John, Phil Collins, Mozart, Yanni. And in a few minutes, I got the musical pieces in my Desktop. That's how I stepped into the World Music from an average Tamil Film Soundtrack listener.
For the first few days, I was completely hooked to Easy Lover. I was blown away by its terrific energy, heavy Bass Guitars and Drums. Most of the day, the song would be screaming in my office speakers. Yes, this is one of the best advantages working in a Start-Up unlike boring service MNC's environment where a middle-aged manager would be chasing the resources asking the Test Case Count. Then, one fine evening, I suppose, a Thursday, in June 2007, I had one of the best musical experience ever in my life. While I was in my boring Manual Testing, the musical piece playing in my System just took me away from the work. To be honest, I could never capture those precious moments in my writing, still, I would try. The musical piece, which amazed me was "Keys to Imagination". Until then, I had never heard such a musical piece; it was so fresh; whether the Orchestration or the new sounds or a mix of Synthesisers with live instruments, I don't know. But it lifted my spirits immensely. Immediately, I switched to find what the song was and who composed it. That moment I found my Master - Yanni. Subsequently, each and every track of Yanni I heard heightened my emotions significantly. In the next few days, I almost became a devotee to Yanni.
In between work, I started seeing a majority of his videos in the YouTube. Unfortunately, at that time, I couldn't afford an iPod or a portable musical player. So, I started visiting Browsing Centres with the sole intention of listening to Yanni. In such scenario, one evening, my friend's friend came to my room with a Discman. I couldn't resist my temptation that I went to a nearby shop at Indira Nagar Planet M Store and bought a 399Rs DVD. Needless to say, my friend's friend saw me as a nutcase. Till he went back to his room, I was deeply lost in Yanni's Songs.
Actually, Yanni helped me to expand my musical boundaries. I realised the power of Instrumental Music. Through Yanni, I explored Beethoven, Mozart, Ilaiyaraaja, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, and Vivaldi. I started paying attention to the Orchestration and the instruments part of it. He made me single out Oboe, Clarinet, Cello, Bass Guitar sounds in an Orchestration. I remember my bachelor days listening to his classic solo Album "In My Time" at midnight alone in a room. By chance, I found his memoir in the Landmark, Koramangala and grabbed it in spite of its huge price(785 INR).
It is one of best biography I've ever read. There wasn't a dull moment; it was simple, engaging, and very inspiring.
So, what draw him to Music?
Music was in their family. His mother was a good singer; during the weekends, post-lunch, she used to sing with Yanni's brother playing an instrument and Yanni supervising it without knowing the Music. Yanni remembers his childhood days; one of the main reason to learn music was to impress the girls. Strumming a Guitar, he used to sing down the girl's house only to father threw a bucket of water from the window. That day he stopped singing and started concentrating on analyzing the score. He was a self-learner. Luckily, his home was close to a theater. He could clearly hear the background scores playing in the movie. In particular, he was attracted to Ennio Morricone musical pieces. Besides, he had his portable Radio where he listened to all kinds of Music - Jazz, Middle East, European. But here his life took a sudden turn. His town Kalamata was a port town. So, most of the people were natural swimmers. Without any coaching or prior experience, he agreed to participate in Athens Swimming championship. He came first in the under 19 Championship and set a new national record in Greece.
But this didn't go for long as he felt he wasn't super-fit to become a champion in Olympics. He quits the swimming coaching and leaves to America for his higher studies. There, he stays with his elder brother in the Campus; finds an old Piano in one of the room. He practices, and slowly gets returned to music after a hiatus.He sets up a room, buys Synthesizers and starts writing down the small musical pieces. In between, he gets acquainted with Bands and tours most parts around Minnesota as a Keyboard player. Finally, he concludes and settles to compose his own set of music. Interestingly, most of the Radio Stations except few couldn't find a slot for his compositions as they were instrumentals.
Yanni doesn't like the way Media labels him as New Age (mainly used for Meditation - Birds, Water Falls, Om Chants) Composer. In fact, he prefers contemporary Instrumental. He has an Orchestra that has LIVE instruments as well as Synthesisers.
For the first few days, I was completely hooked to Easy Lover. I was blown away by its terrific energy, heavy Bass Guitars and Drums. Most of the day, the song would be screaming in my office speakers. Yes, this is one of the best advantages working in a Start-Up unlike boring service MNC's environment where a middle-aged manager would be chasing the resources asking the Test Case Count. Then, one fine evening, I suppose, a Thursday, in June 2007, I had one of the best musical experience ever in my life. While I was in my boring Manual Testing, the musical piece playing in my System just took me away from the work. To be honest, I could never capture those precious moments in my writing, still, I would try. The musical piece, which amazed me was "Keys to Imagination". Until then, I had never heard such a musical piece; it was so fresh; whether the Orchestration or the new sounds or a mix of Synthesisers with live instruments, I don't know. But it lifted my spirits immensely. Immediately, I switched to find what the song was and who composed it. That moment I found my Master - Yanni. Subsequently, each and every track of Yanni I heard heightened my emotions significantly. In the next few days, I almost became a devotee to Yanni.
In between work, I started seeing a majority of his videos in the YouTube. Unfortunately, at that time, I couldn't afford an iPod or a portable musical player. So, I started visiting Browsing Centres with the sole intention of listening to Yanni. In such scenario, one evening, my friend's friend came to my room with a Discman. I couldn't resist my temptation that I went to a nearby shop at Indira Nagar Planet M Store and bought a 399Rs DVD. Needless to say, my friend's friend saw me as a nutcase. Till he went back to his room, I was deeply lost in Yanni's Songs.
Actually, Yanni helped me to expand my musical boundaries. I realised the power of Instrumental Music. Through Yanni, I explored Beethoven, Mozart, Ilaiyaraaja, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, and Vivaldi. I started paying attention to the Orchestration and the instruments part of it. He made me single out Oboe, Clarinet, Cello, Bass Guitar sounds in an Orchestration. I remember my bachelor days listening to his classic solo Album "In My Time" at midnight alone in a room. By chance, I found his memoir in the Landmark, Koramangala and grabbed it in spite of its huge price(785 INR).
It is one of best biography I've ever read. There wasn't a dull moment; it was simple, engaging, and very inspiring.
So, what draw him to Music?
Music was in their family. His mother was a good singer; during the weekends, post-lunch, she used to sing with Yanni's brother playing an instrument and Yanni supervising it without knowing the Music. Yanni remembers his childhood days; one of the main reason to learn music was to impress the girls. Strumming a Guitar, he used to sing down the girl's house only to father threw a bucket of water from the window. That day he stopped singing and started concentrating on analyzing the score. He was a self-learner. Luckily, his home was close to a theater. He could clearly hear the background scores playing in the movie. In particular, he was attracted to Ennio Morricone musical pieces. Besides, he had his portable Radio where he listened to all kinds of Music - Jazz, Middle East, European. But here his life took a sudden turn. His town Kalamata was a port town. So, most of the people were natural swimmers. Without any coaching or prior experience, he agreed to participate in Athens Swimming championship. He came first in the under 19 Championship and set a new national record in Greece.
But this didn't go for long as he felt he wasn't super-fit to become a champion in Olympics. He quits the swimming coaching and leaves to America for his higher studies. There, he stays with his elder brother in the Campus; finds an old Piano in one of the room. He practices, and slowly gets returned to music after a hiatus.He sets up a room, buys Synthesizers and starts writing down the small musical pieces. In between, he gets acquainted with Bands and tours most parts around Minnesota as a Keyboard player. Finally, he concludes and settles to compose his own set of music. Interestingly, most of the Radio Stations except few couldn't find a slot for his compositions as they were instrumentals.
Yanni doesn't like the way Media labels him as New Age (mainly used for Meditation - Birds, Water Falls, Om Chants) Composer. In fact, he prefers contemporary Instrumental. He has an Orchestra that has LIVE instruments as well as Synthesisers.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
A Sample of Good Song Making - 1 - Jigarthanda.
Jigarthanda - I haven't seen the full movie except few scenes. And, the making of those few scenes were so artistic like a painting I am looking forward catching up the full movie one day. About the music: Santhosh Narayanan, as expected delivered some off-beat songs and the score. This Kannamma Kannamma prelude is typical Santhosh Narayanan stamp with the song starting off with a quirky "Aama" sounds (which comes throughout the song) and then shifting to a rustic female voice.
However, the real stunner in the song is the picturisation. As far as I remember, Madurai never looked so beautiful in any of the Tamil Song. The song has some great lightings - when Siddharth and Karunakaran are eating in a roadside eatery, market, and in temple shots too. Plus, the country-style-home interiors- The shot where both Siddharth and Lakshmi Menon play Carrom" aptly suits the song.
However, the real stunner in the song is the picturisation. As far as I remember, Madurai never looked so beautiful in any of the Tamil Song. The song has some great lightings - when Siddharth and Karunakaran are eating in a roadside eatery, market, and in temple shots too. Plus, the country-style-home interiors- The shot where both Siddharth and Lakshmi Menon play Carrom" aptly suits the song.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
25 Years of Economic Liberalisation.
This year marks 25 Years of Economic Liberalisation in our country. But I am wondering, how none of the media doesn't even bother to write a comprehensive report on our country's, Post-90's growth, development, where we failed, what are the challenges ahead.The way India transformed in the last 25 Years is dramatic for a country, which was crying for reforms during the period from 1947-1990. But, sadly, was it an over-all growth hangs a bigger question. Telecommunications, Service Sector has grown leaps and bounds with manufacturing sectors lagging far behind.
On this very day, when we are going crazy for 251Rs Smartphone, three essential things prices never seems to come down - Health, Education, Housing. A Single Water can cost 40+Rs, who would have dreamt before 25 years that one day a situation would come to shed a significant share of our salary to Water, Education, Housing, which were not at all a big concern before 25 years.
The striking thing I feel in the last 25 years is a sudden gap that came between the middle class and the poor. Post 90's Middle classes have become upper middle classes and upper middle classes have become rich but sadly leaving behind the poor and BPL as before. The worse part, unlike before 25 years, there's no mix of middle class and the poor at all in public places, schools, theatres. With Gated communities, Multiplexes, International Schools, improved lifestyle, the current generation kids don't even get an opportunity to mix with less-privileged kids and families. Worse, the upper-middle-class kids aren't aware of another India residing in the same city struggling for accommodation, schools, sanitation.
Migration is one of the biggest challenges I've seen in the last 20 years. With people from Bihar and North-east are migrating even to the interior parts of Tamilnadu, we don't have a proper mechanism and schemes for them and their families. All their accommodation is a line of corrugated tin roofs with humans beings packed like a herd of cattle. Whether do they have ration cards, what about their children's education, their basic needs ?
On this very day, when we are going crazy for 251Rs Smartphone, three essential things prices never seems to come down - Health, Education, Housing. A Single Water can cost 40+Rs, who would have dreamt before 25 years that one day a situation would come to shed a significant share of our salary to Water, Education, Housing, which were not at all a big concern before 25 years.
The striking thing I feel in the last 25 years is a sudden gap that came between the middle class and the poor. Post 90's Middle classes have become upper middle classes and upper middle classes have become rich but sadly leaving behind the poor and BPL as before. The worse part, unlike before 25 years, there's no mix of middle class and the poor at all in public places, schools, theatres. With Gated communities, Multiplexes, International Schools, improved lifestyle, the current generation kids don't even get an opportunity to mix with less-privileged kids and families. Worse, the upper-middle-class kids aren't aware of another India residing in the same city struggling for accommodation, schools, sanitation.
Migration is one of the biggest challenges I've seen in the last 20 years. With people from Bihar and North-east are migrating even to the interior parts of Tamilnadu, we don't have a proper mechanism and schemes for them and their families. All their accommodation is a line of corrugated tin roofs with humans beings packed like a herd of cattle. Whether do they have ration cards, what about their children's education, their basic needs ?
Friday, February 12, 2016
Triplicane - Those beautiful days, 10 years before.
In Dec 2006, I moved to Bangalore on account of an offer from a company. In the beginning, it took some months to get adjusted to the new place due to my sentimental attachment towards Triplicane. And, I never thought I would be thrown all of a sudden to a new state. But I had to. I came to Bangalore with an intention of returning within one year(But I stayed for 8+ years)
It was exciting to see a sudden change in the weather after getting roasted for 2.5 years in the sweltering Triplicane Mansions.
Imagine, Electronic City, 10 years before: The road that leads to STPI from Infosys would be a beautiful no man's island ideal for walking. A not-so-big main road with full of trees blooming with Java Cassia and other flowers strewn on the road; with only few buses and cabs plying; a serene place with few shops-small Darshini Hotel, Browsing Centre etc. makes our daily journey to office ecstatic.
Apart from that, I missed Triplicane terribly. Before getting into the climatic conditions of Triplicane Mansions let me say its exceptional things. Triplicane is the best example in Chennai for its diversity. Nowhere in Chennai, you would find lots of people with various race, religion and in different ages. From a Construction worker to a Project Manager, from a Govt employee to North-East College students - the place is filled with diverse folks.
Triplicane is basically cut into two halves with Pycrofts road in the centre. The Left-Side of Pycrofts road has all the Mansions, large Muslim Houses, Messes and the right-side has Agraharams, Krishna Sweets, Theppakulam, Parthasarathy temple. But the common thing to both parts is its narrow lanes.
Triplicane is arguably the best place in Chennai apt for bachelors who don't know to cook or don't like to cook. You can choose your Mess based on the food you are going to eat:
Pongal and Vadai - Monisha Mess(Pongal and Vadai used to cost mere 10+ Rs during 2004-2006 times)
Poori - Selvi Mess
Meals - Undoubtedly, Kasi Vinayaga - Mini Meals 17Rs :-) (In the worst case, we may go to Ambal Mess or an Andhra Mess in the Sydoji Lane)
Dinner - Amman Mess nearby Chepauk Stadium.
Nowhere in Chennai, you had these many options for the food. Plus, tons of Tea shops, Book Shops, Browsing Centers, Mansions. You no need to have a Bike or need to walk miles in search of your daily needs. You could get a bed coffee/tea along with Kings/Beedi served in your bed by the kid working at the nearby tea-shop. At every street, there would be an Iron-Wala. So that you could press your clothes at the last moment of leaving for an interview. You would also have your school friends, seniors, college-mates staying in the surrounding Mansions. So at any time, you would have a company even if your best friends are placed in MNC's.
At times, when there is none to give you a company, theatres come to the rescue. I have seen all the movies from classics to craps in these theatres: Woodlands, Devi, Anna, Shanthi, Jayaprada, Sathyam. Finally, after goofing up an interview, you need a place to share your grief; there comes the iconic Marina. I couldn't count on the days, I had wandered aimlessly in my job-search days on the pavements of Marina Beach.
On the downside, the weather and the water: You have to experience it to feel it. Unbearable during summer seasons with temperature touching 40+. Adding to this, most Mansions won't have windows. As a result, The Five Elements of Nature would never dare to visit your room. You would be jam packed in a room longing for fresh air when your room fans are breathing fire in the name of producing air. And, the water in the bathroom is a straight connection from the Indian Ocean. The water would be so heavy and salty; the moment you come out of the bathroom, you would start sweating and your strands of hair would become sticky.
Aside these issues, Triplicane is a heaven for Bachelors. It consoles you like a mother, excites you like a girlfriend, helps you like a friend.
Triplicane is more than a geography. A place with varied emotions; waiting to embrace anyone who wants to be a part of it.
It was exciting to see a sudden change in the weather after getting roasted for 2.5 years in the sweltering Triplicane Mansions.
Imagine, Electronic City, 10 years before: The road that leads to STPI from Infosys would be a beautiful no man's island ideal for walking. A not-so-big main road with full of trees blooming with Java Cassia and other flowers strewn on the road; with only few buses and cabs plying; a serene place with few shops-small Darshini Hotel, Browsing Centre etc. makes our daily journey to office ecstatic.
Apart from that, I missed Triplicane terribly. Before getting into the climatic conditions of Triplicane Mansions let me say its exceptional things. Triplicane is the best example in Chennai for its diversity. Nowhere in Chennai, you would find lots of people with various race, religion and in different ages. From a Construction worker to a Project Manager, from a Govt employee to North-East College students - the place is filled with diverse folks.
Triplicane is basically cut into two halves with Pycrofts road in the centre. The Left-Side of Pycrofts road has all the Mansions, large Muslim Houses, Messes and the right-side has Agraharams, Krishna Sweets, Theppakulam, Parthasarathy temple. But the common thing to both parts is its narrow lanes.
Triplicane is arguably the best place in Chennai apt for bachelors who don't know to cook or don't like to cook. You can choose your Mess based on the food you are going to eat:
Pongal and Vadai - Monisha Mess(Pongal and Vadai used to cost mere 10+ Rs during 2004-2006 times)
Poori - Selvi Mess
Meals - Undoubtedly, Kasi Vinayaga - Mini Meals 17Rs :-) (In the worst case, we may go to Ambal Mess or an Andhra Mess in the Sydoji Lane)
Dinner - Amman Mess nearby Chepauk Stadium.
Nowhere in Chennai, you had these many options for the food. Plus, tons of Tea shops, Book Shops, Browsing Centers, Mansions. You no need to have a Bike or need to walk miles in search of your daily needs. You could get a bed coffee/tea along with Kings/Beedi served in your bed by the kid working at the nearby tea-shop. At every street, there would be an Iron-Wala. So that you could press your clothes at the last moment of leaving for an interview. You would also have your school friends, seniors, college-mates staying in the surrounding Mansions. So at any time, you would have a company even if your best friends are placed in MNC's.
At times, when there is none to give you a company, theatres come to the rescue. I have seen all the movies from classics to craps in these theatres: Woodlands, Devi, Anna, Shanthi, Jayaprada, Sathyam. Finally, after goofing up an interview, you need a place to share your grief; there comes the iconic Marina. I couldn't count on the days, I had wandered aimlessly in my job-search days on the pavements of Marina Beach.
On the downside, the weather and the water: You have to experience it to feel it. Unbearable during summer seasons with temperature touching 40+. Adding to this, most Mansions won't have windows. As a result, The Five Elements of Nature would never dare to visit your room. You would be jam packed in a room longing for fresh air when your room fans are breathing fire in the name of producing air. And, the water in the bathroom is a straight connection from the Indian Ocean. The water would be so heavy and salty; the moment you come out of the bathroom, you would start sweating and your strands of hair would become sticky.
Aside these issues, Triplicane is a heaven for Bachelors. It consoles you like a mother, excites you like a girlfriend, helps you like a friend.
Triplicane is more than a geography. A place with varied emotions; waiting to embrace anyone who wants to be a part of it.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
60 Years of "The Room on the Roof".
This applies to all book lovers: As an avid reader, we read many books; we have our own favorite authors; even among those, there would be very few authors who would remain to us close-to-heart. Ruskin Bond is one such author.
This applies to all Ruskin Bond lovers: There are scores of people who not just read his books but relish his poetry prose, re-read again and again to cherish those beautiful moments. They pray to god: if there's another birth, let me born in the surroundings of Mussorie/Dehra. Let me live along with those beautiful trees, slopes, streams, Mynahs and with his famous creations like - Binya, Rusty, Somi, Suri, Ranbir. This is the magic of Bond's prose. He has created a different landscape with innocent people, small railway stations, clock towers, bazaars part of it, which, everyone wants to be part of it, while reading.
My first experience with Ruskin Bond Books happened five years before. The Room on the Roof came to me as an Anniversary Gift from one of my close friends. At that time, I had no idea of Ruskin Bond's world and his characters. I started reading his first novel without any pre-conceived notion. Within 2-3 pages, the book took me over completely. By the time, I had finished the novel, I was in awe of the characters and the world painted by Ruskin Bond.
The Room on the Roof is a coming-of-age novel. The hero, Rusty, a British boy in his teens was brought up in a rigid manner by his guardian. Resisting this, Rusty comes out of his home and wanders in the town. There he gets some nice friends and other relationships. Rusty has his own dreams and goals. How these relationships and his dreams alter his life is the basic premise of the novel. But there are a lot more than this. Author's beautiful description of each character - Somi, Suri, Kishen, village life, chat shops makes the book engaging. In one chapter, author's description of rains coming down on the streets is a lovely piece of writing worth reading many times.
With rains outside, curling up in the bed with a cup of hot coffee, soothing classical music(I was listening to Umrao Jaan/Bazaar Songs), this is the best companion for monsoon days.
This applies to all Ruskin Bond lovers: There are scores of people who not just read his books but relish his poetry prose, re-read again and again to cherish those beautiful moments. They pray to god: if there's another birth, let me born in the surroundings of Mussorie/Dehra. Let me live along with those beautiful trees, slopes, streams, Mynahs and with his famous creations like - Binya, Rusty, Somi, Suri, Ranbir. This is the magic of Bond's prose. He has created a different landscape with innocent people, small railway stations, clock towers, bazaars part of it, which, everyone wants to be part of it, while reading.
My first experience with Ruskin Bond Books happened five years before. The Room on the Roof came to me as an Anniversary Gift from one of my close friends. At that time, I had no idea of Ruskin Bond's world and his characters. I started reading his first novel without any pre-conceived notion. Within 2-3 pages, the book took me over completely. By the time, I had finished the novel, I was in awe of the characters and the world painted by Ruskin Bond.
The Room on the Roof is a coming-of-age novel. The hero, Rusty, a British boy in his teens was brought up in a rigid manner by his guardian. Resisting this, Rusty comes out of his home and wanders in the town. There he gets some nice friends and other relationships. Rusty has his own dreams and goals. How these relationships and his dreams alter his life is the basic premise of the novel. But there are a lot more than this. Author's beautiful description of each character - Somi, Suri, Kishen, village life, chat shops makes the book engaging. In one chapter, author's description of rains coming down on the streets is a lovely piece of writing worth reading many times.
With rains outside, curling up in the bed with a cup of hot coffee, soothing classical music(I was listening to Umrao Jaan/Bazaar Songs), this is the best companion for monsoon days.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Jaidev - An Unsung Hero of Hindi Film Music.
10 Years before, in an interest to explore Old Hindi songs, I bought a Kishore Kumar Mp3 Cd from a shop at Ramanathan Street(T-Nagar). Those days, I don't even have a basic idea of who is the composer, singer. Somewhere before I had heard Kishore Kumar's name. So purely out of instinct, I bought the CD. Coming back to the Mansion, I played the CD in my friend's system. This continued for few days but ultimately I lost the interest as those songs failed to appeal me.
Then, after 3 years of that disappointing experience, one day, I was glancing (one of) my friend's video playlist in Orkut. Among that, I inadvertently listened to a song, which literally shook me, by its heart-rending composition. It was a Eureka moment for me as I had discovered that is the music I had been seeking for. And, the Composer for that song was Jaidev. From there my search began for his songs in Youtube, Google. Whatever song I dug from his treasure, yielded great listening experience. Subsequently, in the next few weeks, Jaidev became my favourite composer in Hindi Film Music. I started collecting his songs, news, or any trivial fact about him. But sadly, even Google couldn't throw much information about him. Even the people who listen his songs aren't aware Jaidev is the composer. It's a pity that such a great composer doesn't have a biography or books written about him. All we can know Jaidev only through Wikipedia.
Jaidev was born in Kenya before moving to India(Ludhiana). Interestingly, he ran away from home seeking a chance in acting. After acting as a child artist in few movies he zeroed in Music as his area.
After Ilaiyaraaja, Rahman, Jaidev is the only Bollywood composer to win Three National Awards for Film Music. Despite his achievements, he couldn't become a star composer. Those days, almost every director/actor had a dedicated composer: Raj Kapoor - Shankar- Jaikishan, Guru Dutt, Dev Anand - S.D. Burman, Rajesh Khanna - R.D. Burman. But Jaidev didn't have any backing of a star or a director. Though he composed timeless melodies, they were all washed away in the Box office disasters and unreleased movies.
Jaidev is the one who introduced Hariharan to Hindi Film Music with the classic ghazal "Ajeeb Samantha Mujpar" after the singer had impressed Jaidev with his voice in AIR. But it took years for Hariharan to cement his place, Thanks to Rahman who brought the great singer after a hiatus.
The trademark of Jaidev's songs: They are strongly rooted in classical, heavy compositions. This could be yet another reason that they didn't strike a chord with larger audience. But that is what edges Jaidev than other composers. His songs had some excellent usage of Classical instruments like Santoor(Yeh Dil Aur Unki), Sarod(many songs), Sarangi and even in Western Classical(Har Aas Ashqbaar Hai). Jaidev is one of the Composers in Bollywood who gave us Music in its Purest form.
I wish someone brings a good Biography on this unsung genius.
Note: In 2006, Outlook came out with an issue listing Greatest 20 Songs of Bollywood. Even Shankar-Ehsan-Loy's song managed to find a list in that 20, but, Jaidev couldn't.
Then, after 3 years of that disappointing experience, one day, I was glancing (one of) my friend's video playlist in Orkut. Among that, I inadvertently listened to a song, which literally shook me, by its heart-rending composition. It was a Eureka moment for me as I had discovered that is the music I had been seeking for. And, the Composer for that song was Jaidev. From there my search began for his songs in Youtube, Google. Whatever song I dug from his treasure, yielded great listening experience. Subsequently, in the next few weeks, Jaidev became my favourite composer in Hindi Film Music. I started collecting his songs, news, or any trivial fact about him. But sadly, even Google couldn't throw much information about him. Even the people who listen his songs aren't aware Jaidev is the composer. It's a pity that such a great composer doesn't have a biography or books written about him. All we can know Jaidev only through Wikipedia.
Jaidev was born in Kenya before moving to India(Ludhiana). Interestingly, he ran away from home seeking a chance in acting. After acting as a child artist in few movies he zeroed in Music as his area.
After Ilaiyaraaja, Rahman, Jaidev is the only Bollywood composer to win Three National Awards for Film Music. Despite his achievements, he couldn't become a star composer. Those days, almost every director/actor had a dedicated composer: Raj Kapoor - Shankar- Jaikishan, Guru Dutt, Dev Anand - S.D. Burman, Rajesh Khanna - R.D. Burman. But Jaidev didn't have any backing of a star or a director. Though he composed timeless melodies, they were all washed away in the Box office disasters and unreleased movies.
Jaidev is the one who introduced Hariharan to Hindi Film Music with the classic ghazal "Ajeeb Samantha Mujpar" after the singer had impressed Jaidev with his voice in AIR. But it took years for Hariharan to cement his place, Thanks to Rahman who brought the great singer after a hiatus.
The trademark of Jaidev's songs: They are strongly rooted in classical, heavy compositions. This could be yet another reason that they didn't strike a chord with larger audience. But that is what edges Jaidev than other composers. His songs had some excellent usage of Classical instruments like Santoor(Yeh Dil Aur Unki), Sarod(many songs), Sarangi and even in Western Classical(Har Aas Ashqbaar Hai). Jaidev is one of the Composers in Bollywood who gave us Music in its Purest form.
I wish someone brings a good Biography on this unsung genius.
Note: In 2006, Outlook came out with an issue listing Greatest 20 Songs of Bollywood. Even Shankar-Ehsan-Loy's song managed to find a list in that 20, but, Jaidev couldn't.
Tuesday, February 09, 2016
A Sample of Good Film-Making - 2 - Taxi Driver
The moment I hear Martin Scorsese, the thing which comes to my mind immediately is Taxi Driver. Yes, it affected me than any of his other movies I've seen - After Hours, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Departed, and Mean Streets. And, when I was watching this movie, one scene fascinated me in the way the Camera movement was handled.
The Scene goes like this: After the bad porno theatre incident Travis is desperate to revive the relationship with Betsy. So, he calls up and requests her meeting again for a dinner/coffee. In the middle of the conversation, the Camera slowly moves and points at the empty corridor.
When seeing this scene, I was wondering why the Camera suddenly moved. After searching in Google for few days, finally, I got the answer from the director himself. The rejection from the Betsy was so painful to see that the Camera doesn't want to see Travis. So, it moves to the empty hallway. Interesting, isn't it. In cinematic terms, people call this as a Tracking or Dolly Shot. Another Brilliant example of this kind of Tracking shot is from The Departed. In the opening scenes, you can see the way the Camera moves along with Jack Nicholson as he slowly walks in his Garage. It's one of the beautiful Dolly Shot aptly suited to that scene.
The Scene goes like this: After the bad porno theatre incident Travis is desperate to revive the relationship with Betsy. So, he calls up and requests her meeting again for a dinner/coffee. In the middle of the conversation, the Camera slowly moves and points at the empty corridor.
When seeing this scene, I was wondering why the Camera suddenly moved. After searching in Google for few days, finally, I got the answer from the director himself. The rejection from the Betsy was so painful to see that the Camera doesn't want to see Travis. So, it moves to the empty hallway. Interesting, isn't it. In cinematic terms, people call this as a Tracking or Dolly Shot. Another Brilliant example of this kind of Tracking shot is from The Departed. In the opening scenes, you can see the way the Camera moves along with Jack Nicholson as he slowly walks in his Garage. It's one of the beautiful Dolly Shot aptly suited to that scene.
Monday, February 08, 2016
Ey Sandakkara and India's Foreign Policy.
Since morning, I've listened to Ey Sandakara over 20 times and still it's irresistible. This man-Santhosh Narayanan, impresses almost in every movie with his avant-garde compositions. To quote some of his best strengths : they don't come in the usual 1 Pallavi and 2 Charanams structure and sound completely fresh amidst run-of-the-mill songs. His love with Jazz is evident in his Jazz-soaked numbers. I was stunned by the brilliant Jazz Song which he had used in the Local Bar sequence in Soodhu Kavvum. It was striking to have that kind of Jazz number in a Local Bar ambience. The first love with Santhosh Narayanan songs happened the day I heard the Aasai yoer pulveli. The beautiful Guitar strumming and a fresh feel in the song(which I couldn't have in others) surprised me.
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Presently, reading Shashi Tharoor's Pax Indica. I bought this one with much excitement, as I loved his previous books : The Elephant, The Tiger and the Cellphone and Nehru: The Invention of India. But unfortunately this one isn't up to the mark. Till now, I have completed 105 Pages (with 250+ pages to go) at snail's pace and I don't know how long it would take to complete the full book. This book deals with India's Foreign Policy - How was it till now but mostly gives suggestions how it should be in in the Globalised World so that it could transform India Politically, Economically and Culturally. There's a big chapter specifically devoted to Pakistan. But he keeps saying the same point over and over as we get bored before we could come to the end of the chapter. I wish the book would have been editing better by cutting short repetitive pages.
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Presently, reading Shashi Tharoor's Pax Indica. I bought this one with much excitement, as I loved his previous books : The Elephant, The Tiger and the Cellphone and Nehru: The Invention of India. But unfortunately this one isn't up to the mark. Till now, I have completed 105 Pages (with 250+ pages to go) at snail's pace and I don't know how long it would take to complete the full book. This book deals with India's Foreign Policy - How was it till now but mostly gives suggestions how it should be in in the Globalised World so that it could transform India Politically, Economically and Culturally. There's a big chapter specifically devoted to Pakistan. But he keeps saying the same point over and over as we get bored before we could come to the end of the chapter. I wish the book would have been editing better by cutting short repetitive pages.
Friday, February 05, 2016
Ilaiyaraaja and his Title Scores.
Navin Mozart has pulled off uploading "The Greatest Title Scores of Ilaiyaraaja" which none could imagine. I wonder how much painstaking effort would have gone in selecting the best movies and carefully cutting the Title Themes. This around 2 Hrs of Title Scores gives us some of the best musical experience in our life. Prior to Ilaiyaraaja none of the composer in Tamil Cinema has given a Title Score that is relevant to the movie. His scores are like Preface to a Novel-which helps the viewers to expect what from the movie, by capturing various moods of the movie from the Title Score itself. For Eg. in the Varusham 16: the theme is same but comes in various moods with happy mood in the flute and then gradually moving to melancholy mood in the full orchestration. This gives a picture of the movie's journey to the audience. Take any of Ilaiyaraaja's Title Score. It carries the weight of the entire movie. This is what that makes Ilaiyaraaja a class apart from the rest of the composers.
When listening to these 50 Title scores, all one can wonder at its versatile and rich orchestration conveying apt emotions based on the movie.
Esp.Japanil Kalyanaraman(What a grand orchestration all of a sudden),Nooravathu Naal nail-biting percussions followed by Bass Guitar, Nilavu Suduvathillai(What a Stunning Bass Guitar intro), Kickass and funky Paayum Puli, Ninaivellam Nithya, Netrikan - Solo Violin Piece and the sudden outburst of Violins in Vikram.
Finally, a solo Cello piece was so haunting but I couldn't recollect the movie name. When found it was so surprising that the piece was scored for a Dabba movie like Kannukulle. Ivar Manasukulle Ennapa Irukku.
When listening to these 50 Title scores, all one can wonder at its versatile and rich orchestration conveying apt emotions based on the movie.
Esp.Japanil Kalyanaraman(What a grand orchestration all of a sudden),Nooravathu Naal nail-biting percussions followed by Bass Guitar, Nilavu Suduvathillai(What a Stunning Bass Guitar intro), Kickass and funky Paayum Puli, Ninaivellam Nithya, Netrikan - Solo Violin Piece and the sudden outburst of Violins in Vikram.
Finally, a solo Cello piece was so haunting but I couldn't recollect the movie name. When found it was so surprising that the piece was scored for a Dabba movie like Kannukulle. Ivar Manasukulle Ennapa Irukku.
Thursday, February 04, 2016
Visaaranai - Preview.
I had some mild hope that at least in one theatre Visaranai would find a show here in Pune. But sadly, it failed to get even a single show. Literally, it was a heart-breaking moment for a cinephile and Vetrimaran fan like me. A movie which was premiered in major film festivals, got an Amnesty Award in Venice Film Festival but not released here is something I couldn't digest. This is the first Vetrimaran movie I think I'm going to miss it in Theatres. In fact, even in Tamilnadu, Visaranai didn't get many screens in multiplexes, compared to Bangalore Naatkal, Aranmanai-2. All I can hope for now is to wait for an Original DVD with director's cut. And for the guys who are in the cities having Visaranai released in theatres, don't miss it.
And, coming to numerous appreciations, the film got, I consider Priyadarshan and Mani's as genuine of all. This is the first time I am seeing Priyadarshan's speech; I liked his to-the-point comment without a bit of exaggeration.
Mani's comment: Vetri is a COMPLETE director. The word COMPLETE signifies a lot for a director. Although many in the industry carry the tag as a director it doesn't mean they are all directors. Cinema being a Visual Medium solely relies on the director for the execution of the script. Converting a script into an effective film is a heavily taxing task that only a few directors do that like Vetrimaaran. His execution and brilliant film language show enough in his two films - Polladhavan and Aadukalam.
And, coming to numerous appreciations, the film got, I consider Priyadarshan and Mani's as genuine of all. This is the first time I am seeing Priyadarshan's speech; I liked his to-the-point comment without a bit of exaggeration.
Mani's comment: Vetri is a COMPLETE director. The word COMPLETE signifies a lot for a director. Although many in the industry carry the tag as a director it doesn't mean they are all directors. Cinema being a Visual Medium solely relies on the director for the execution of the script. Converting a script into an effective film is a heavily taxing task that only a few directors do that like Vetrimaaran. His execution and brilliant film language show enough in his two films - Polladhavan and Aadukalam.
Wednesday, February 03, 2016
Easy Listening - Title Score of Tintin.
As a father, since last few years, I have been watching cartoons along with my son either I like it or not - In fact, these cartoons are far better than regular TV shows. Additionally, to the existing ones - Motu Patlu, Ninja Hatori, my son added yet another favourite - The Adventures of Tintin. Even if he forgets, the moment it becomes 10 I would switch to Discovery Kids just for the brilliant Title Score.
Actually, I have seen the movie itself for two Masters - Spielberg and John Williams. It was quite good. But now I couldn't remember the score or haven't felt to listen to the score after seeing the movie. But the score which comes in TV series attracted me in just 2-3 days listen. I couldn't imagine just for a TV series the composers have created a rich piece of music with full-fledged orchestra kind of composing a symphony with all brass/woodwind/brass/string section. Nothing gives the pleasure of listening to LIVE instruments.
Tuesday, February 02, 2016
A Sample of Good Film-Making - 1 - Polladhavan.
Let's observe a scene from Polladhavan.
The scene starts with a voice-over Narration from Daniel Balaji which describes his brother's dominance in North Chennai. Once the scene unfolds, we see Anju serving a heavy meal to the gang; and, in another room, the leader of the gang(Kishore) is thrashing his own guy for breaching the code of conduct in their profession - i.e. his men would have attacked the adversary when he was with his family. In between, Kishore gets a call from a person who urges him to take the goods from the harbour soon, in turn, the task is given to a guy named OUT, who is the right-hand of Kishore. But this doesn't go well with Kishore's younger brother Daniel Balaji. When Anju feels for that guy being thrashed and asks Kishore, he replies it is not correct to attack a person amidst their family. He should have waited for that person when he was alone and then he should have gotten rid of him. Finally, when Kishore is about to enter back into the room, his son comes with hands full of dog-poop. This dialog would be kick-ass in native Tamil.
Appa!
What the hell is this?
Naaipee paa(Dog-Shit, Pa)
Why did you bring this?
You only told me to bring this right, to make Maanja(a very important ingredient in making Kites which are made in North Chennai)
The gangster smiles and replies: that should be dry'da not as wet as you have brought. Go and wash the hands.
The scene ends with this.
The scene shows us many information to the viewers: the henchmen rapport with the gangster leader family; Anju's kind feelings for the guy being attacked; Kishore's strong work ethic philosophy; Daniel Balaji's jealousy; Kishore's bonding with his son.
But everything happens in 1.20+ seconds. This is how a film language should be: audience come to get a panoramic view of villain's lifestyle and his family. Not everyone can do with such a brevity unless he has good mastery over film direction (with some brilliant effort from editing too).
The scene starts with a voice-over Narration from Daniel Balaji which describes his brother's dominance in North Chennai. Once the scene unfolds, we see Anju serving a heavy meal to the gang; and, in another room, the leader of the gang(Kishore) is thrashing his own guy for breaching the code of conduct in their profession - i.e. his men would have attacked the adversary when he was with his family. In between, Kishore gets a call from a person who urges him to take the goods from the harbour soon, in turn, the task is given to a guy named OUT, who is the right-hand of Kishore. But this doesn't go well with Kishore's younger brother Daniel Balaji. When Anju feels for that guy being thrashed and asks Kishore, he replies it is not correct to attack a person amidst their family. He should have waited for that person when he was alone and then he should have gotten rid of him. Finally, when Kishore is about to enter back into the room, his son comes with hands full of dog-poop. This dialog would be kick-ass in native Tamil.
Appa!
What the hell is this?
Naaipee paa(Dog-Shit, Pa)
Why did you bring this?
You only told me to bring this right, to make Maanja(a very important ingredient in making Kites which are made in North Chennai)
The gangster smiles and replies: that should be dry'da not as wet as you have brought. Go and wash the hands.
The scene ends with this.
The scene shows us many information to the viewers: the henchmen rapport with the gangster leader family; Anju's kind feelings for the guy being attacked; Kishore's strong work ethic philosophy; Daniel Balaji's jealousy; Kishore's bonding with his son.
But everything happens in 1.20+ seconds. This is how a film language should be: audience come to get a panoramic view of villain's lifestyle and his family. Not everyone can do with such a brevity unless he has good mastery over film direction (with some brilliant effort from editing too).
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