I have been over last few days thinking and did wonder as I asked myself...when I look back at life what would I remember...so let me think..ummm...
I would remember moments when I sat with a friend or colleague on a free wheeling chat..talking about each other's lives...apprehensions...fears...joys and aspirations...laugh a lot...laugh at ourselves or at the world around us
I would remember moments when I was myself...lost in my thoughts..being a nobody....just Jagan and no one else....maybe sitting by the roadside...on the platform observing the world around
I would remember the long cycle rides to JEE classes, the long hours of play in my beautiful neighbourhood
I would remember the 9AM -3PM classes during undergrad days and the amount of free time then..that looks a rarity now
I would remember the number of physics problems I tried to solve and wasn't too successful....yet was kicked with the learning and concepts I learnt
I would remember the yoga and shloka classes, the coming back school - home at 4PM, playing for 2 hours and back home doing my home work
I would remember the open cycle rickshaw rides to school and back
I would remember imitating my teachers and actors, both body language and voices
I would remember the incessant laughter with friends/cousins when a silly joke would have tickled us a little too much
I would remember walking aimlessly....wanting nothing to do or anything else to happen
Think about all of the above and smile...be happy and laugh a lot : ) :)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
RIP – COLONEL ANAND KUMAR SINGH
A classmate of mine, Anand from the ISB passed away last Friday to the complete shock and disbelief of the entire ISB community.
I didn’t know him very well but surely remember chatting up with him on and off (he was from another section) but what struck me was his ever-smiling face, a vibrant attitude and an energetic, brisk walk. All characteristics that constantly reminded you that he was (formerly) a man in uniform.
He was also in my group that was part of 3-4 feedback sessions to the ISB senior management. And I clearly remember that he would be calm, observant yet make his point in a measured manner. And it always concerned a policy matter or for creating better opportunities for the student community.
I also noticed in all my interactions with him that he was itching to do something…something different...something innovative...that’s the sense I got of him. He would always talk of an idea or what-if-I kinda situations…saying I wanna try this….
But yes….I can’t help notice the number of times I am using words like WAS, REMEMBERED, WOULD….because he is no more with us. That’s the bitter truth.
I feel a certain emptiness within as I think about all of this and saddened that a soul...a bundle of feelings….a human being…a heart full of hope was alive and kicking….till about 4 days back…and today it is no more…
RIP Anand.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
WIND BACK TIME!! REVISIT ‘’THALAPATHI’’
Being a big fan of Rajni I couldn't resist watching 4 movies of his…all in this weekend. SIVAJI: THE BOSS one more time….along with Thalapathi, Padayappa and Chandramukhi…..only this time on a large screen, with a fellow Rajni fan..good enough to add to the frenzy!!
Thalapathi (The Lieutenant) was released in 1991…and I saw it one more time today..I couldn’t help but revisit this film and the Rajni magic apart from Mani’s brilliance
Thalapathi is a Mani Rathnam film, loosely inspired by the Mahabharata; the Karna-Arjuna-Duryodhana connection. The film stars apart from Rajni, Mammootty, Arvind Swamy and Shobhana. So here is a quick view of plot:
Rajni plays Surya; orphaned as a baby by his then teenager mom (Sripriya) and brought up by the poor in the slums. He grows up on other side of law and initially is pitted against the rival local gang led by Devarajan (Mammootty). Circumstances drive Devarajan to save Surya from being jailed for murder. This indebtedness drives Surya to be faithful to Devarajan and he turns a trustworthy lieutenant (THALAPATHI). The plot thickens here as Sripriya moves into the same city with her husband and IAS son, Arjun (Arvind Swamy). Despite giving Surya up as a baby, she is living constantly in his memory and wondering where and how he is. Arjun starts to tighten the screws on the local mafia and clashes with Deva and Surya; completely ignorant of his elder brother in Surya. Sripriya’s husband played by Jaishankar reveals the truth about his parentage to Surya (much to his denial) and Sripriya does the same to Arjun. This happens just before the clash between the police and the gangs is to occur; a move to wipe off Surya and Deva.
Here is when connect to the Mahabharata plot of Arjuna-Karna-Duryodhana shows up strongly; Surya refuses to move away from Deva and renews his commitment to Deva’s friendship. In the meantime, the aging mafia lord, Karivardhan (Amrish Puri) seeks revenge on Deva and Surya. As the relationships are revealed and the loved ones are out to save one another, Karivardhan kills Deva; Surya seeks revenge by killing him. The story ends with the complete family reunited; Sripriya deciding to stay with Surya as her IAS son, Arjun leaves to another town for an assignment.
This plot of friendship and rivalry is beautifully interspersed with love between Rajni and Shobana which doesn’t materialize into their marriage due to both his orphan and anti-social status; Shobana ends up marrying Arjun whilst Surya accepts to marry Bhanupriya on Deva’s request; Surya had killed her husband in an gang encounter.
I surely need to write a long piece on Rajni – about his acting in the film to be precise. No style, no big fights, no jazzy hairstyle, no fancy costumes, no makeup. Just raw Rajni magnetism and ruggedness to see for all his true fans. The actor inside Rajni I have always believed has immense potential and has never been fully exploited. After seeing Thalapathy I was convinced that Mani has done justice to this great actor. Rajni has over the years, fallen into the trap of his onscreen persona as SUPER STAR and expectations from his fans that his style and stunts have often been the only visible aspect of his acting. Through the film, he displays a range of emotions – the angry man fighting injustice, the orphaned son seeking motherly love, the one in denial of his mother’s identity and fight with his younger brother, the unflinching friendship and loyalty to Deva, the caring do-gooder to the slum dwellers; to name a few.
The highlights of this movie in no particular order are as below:
· A no-frills/no-style/no-makeup Rajni with loads of sheer magnetism and presence; and acting that shows his true mettle; needing someone like Mani to unravel
· Close-ups and brilliant yet subtle lighting that captures the emotional intensity of the plot
· Terrific songs by Ilaiyaraja – every song a masterpiece; melancholic, full of melody and connect with the plot
· Background score precisely and brilliantly captures exactly the mood in the movie at every stage
· A strong cast of actors apart from the 2 pillars – Jaishankar, Sripriya, Bhanupriya, Geetha
· Crisp dialogues that are integral to any Mani film and a fast paced narration that keeps you riveted throughout
· Amazing use of silence to capture the roller coaster of emotions, situations and characters in this film
· Mammootty’s presence as Deva and his understated acting
I can write endlessly about this film; blame it on my craze for Rajni if you wanna......but trust me the film is a must-must watch. Next to come – revisit to another masterpiece from Mani – IRUVAR…
Thalapathi (The Lieutenant) was released in 1991…and I saw it one more time today..I couldn’t help but revisit this film and the Rajni magic apart from Mani’s brilliance
Thalapathi is a Mani Rathnam film, loosely inspired by the Mahabharata; the Karna-Arjuna-Duryodhana connection. The film stars apart from Rajni, Mammootty, Arvind Swamy and Shobhana. So here is a quick view of plot:
Rajni plays Surya; orphaned as a baby by his then teenager mom (Sripriya) and brought up by the poor in the slums. He grows up on other side of law and initially is pitted against the rival local gang led by Devarajan (Mammootty). Circumstances drive Devarajan to save Surya from being jailed for murder. This indebtedness drives Surya to be faithful to Devarajan and he turns a trustworthy lieutenant (THALAPATHI). The plot thickens here as Sripriya moves into the same city with her husband and IAS son, Arjun (Arvind Swamy). Despite giving Surya up as a baby, she is living constantly in his memory and wondering where and how he is. Arjun starts to tighten the screws on the local mafia and clashes with Deva and Surya; completely ignorant of his elder brother in Surya. Sripriya’s husband played by Jaishankar reveals the truth about his parentage to Surya (much to his denial) and Sripriya does the same to Arjun. This happens just before the clash between the police and the gangs is to occur; a move to wipe off Surya and Deva.
Here is when connect to the Mahabharata plot of Arjuna-Karna-Duryodhana shows up strongly; Surya refuses to move away from Deva and renews his commitment to Deva’s friendship. In the meantime, the aging mafia lord, Karivardhan (Amrish Puri) seeks revenge on Deva and Surya. As the relationships are revealed and the loved ones are out to save one another, Karivardhan kills Deva; Surya seeks revenge by killing him. The story ends with the complete family reunited; Sripriya deciding to stay with Surya as her IAS son, Arjun leaves to another town for an assignment.
This plot of friendship and rivalry is beautifully interspersed with love between Rajni and Shobana which doesn’t materialize into their marriage due to both his orphan and anti-social status; Shobana ends up marrying Arjun whilst Surya accepts to marry Bhanupriya on Deva’s request; Surya had killed her husband in an gang encounter.
I surely need to write a long piece on Rajni – about his acting in the film to be precise. No style, no big fights, no jazzy hairstyle, no fancy costumes, no makeup. Just raw Rajni magnetism and ruggedness to see for all his true fans. The actor inside Rajni I have always believed has immense potential and has never been fully exploited. After seeing Thalapathy I was convinced that Mani has done justice to this great actor. Rajni has over the years, fallen into the trap of his onscreen persona as SUPER STAR and expectations from his fans that his style and stunts have often been the only visible aspect of his acting. Through the film, he displays a range of emotions – the angry man fighting injustice, the orphaned son seeking motherly love, the one in denial of his mother’s identity and fight with his younger brother, the unflinching friendship and loyalty to Deva, the caring do-gooder to the slum dwellers; to name a few.
The highlights of this movie in no particular order are as below:
· A no-frills/no-style/no-makeup Rajni with loads of sheer magnetism and presence; and acting that shows his true mettle; needing someone like Mani to unravel
· Close-ups and brilliant yet subtle lighting that captures the emotional intensity of the plot
· Terrific songs by Ilaiyaraja – every song a masterpiece; melancholic, full of melody and connect with the plot
· Background score precisely and brilliantly captures exactly the mood in the movie at every stage
· A strong cast of actors apart from the 2 pillars – Jaishankar, Sripriya, Bhanupriya, Geetha
· Crisp dialogues that are integral to any Mani film and a fast paced narration that keeps you riveted throughout
· Amazing use of silence to capture the roller coaster of emotions, situations and characters in this film
· Mammootty’s presence as Deva and his understated acting
I can write endlessly about this film; blame it on my craze for Rajni if you wanna......but trust me the film is a must-must watch. Next to come – revisit to another masterpiece from Mani – IRUVAR…
Saturday, August 29, 2009
I WONDER!!!
I wonder why I need to work hard for everything
I wonder if this actually means I am just unlucky or does it show how perseverent I am
I wonder why I need to be pushed to the limit in anything to break free or do something drastic
I wonder if all his indirectly validates the proverb - the best is always reserved for the last
I wonder if attention to detail is a virtue or a vice
I wonder how best one can live for TODAY yet work for TOMORROW
I wonder what the best way is for a great work life balance
I wonder if people can be as successful in both personal and professional lives
I wonder how tolerant is tolerant – when should one say ‘’that’s it’’!!
I wonder if patience and tolerance is still a virtue or a vice
I wonder if I didn’t do stuff that I ought to have done at the right time
I wonder if there is at all a right time for anything
I wonder if one needs to stop, reflect & ponder or just keep moving forward
I wonder what life will be in exactly 2 years time
I wonder if I can chill out a lot more without any pre-occupation
I wonder if this actually means I am just unlucky or does it show how perseverent I am
I wonder why I need to be pushed to the limit in anything to break free or do something drastic
I wonder if all his indirectly validates the proverb - the best is always reserved for the last
I wonder if attention to detail is a virtue or a vice
I wonder how best one can live for TODAY yet work for TOMORROW
I wonder what the best way is for a great work life balance
I wonder if people can be as successful in both personal and professional lives
I wonder how tolerant is tolerant – when should one say ‘’that’s it’’!!
I wonder if patience and tolerance is still a virtue or a vice
I wonder if I didn’t do stuff that I ought to have done at the right time
I wonder if there is at all a right time for anything
I wonder if one needs to stop, reflect & ponder or just keep moving forward
I wonder what life will be in exactly 2 years time
I wonder if I can chill out a lot more without any pre-occupation
WHAT IS & HOW SPACIOUS IS ONE’S PERSONAL SPACE!!??
I got thinking over the last few weeks on these two very important words – PERSONAL SPACE.
So what is the personal space???
· Does it mean time to be just alone with yourself?
· Does it mean physical space around you?
· Why do people need personal space?
· Does it mean being independent?
Lot more questions!! Lot more thoughts inside my mind…
As human beings we all surely have our own unique set of opinions, apprehensions, habits (physical and emotional), experiences. So these create and develop our day-to-day actions..because we all do and perform actions in both personal and professional lives…based on all of the above. Amidst the sea of humanity around us, our actions, reactions and emotions are completely unique. In all of this change and action, we all have this amazing ability to cut off, be lost in thoughts, chase our pursuits and live in our own small world.
So, when someone enters that small world (or should I say SPACIOUS!!??), it helps us understand, wonder, analyze or even question the similar/different perspectives that comes along. This person could be your mom, sister, girlfriend, spouse, co-worker….None of us likes being told what we should do, how we should think…simply because it questions our intrinsic thoughts/views/mindset….it is like being taken out of our comfort zone!!! Isn’t it??
And that I think is personal space…our thought process….having said that, it is only when we realize all by ourselves what should have / should our thoughts, actions and emotions be, that we get a different perspective….or reflect back on what other person might have intended…so I think personal space is surely also virtual…can be any size….and is constantly evolving!!!
So what is the personal space???
· Does it mean time to be just alone with yourself?
· Does it mean physical space around you?
· Why do people need personal space?
· Does it mean being independent?
Lot more questions!! Lot more thoughts inside my mind…
As human beings we all surely have our own unique set of opinions, apprehensions, habits (physical and emotional), experiences. So these create and develop our day-to-day actions..because we all do and perform actions in both personal and professional lives…based on all of the above. Amidst the sea of humanity around us, our actions, reactions and emotions are completely unique. In all of this change and action, we all have this amazing ability to cut off, be lost in thoughts, chase our pursuits and live in our own small world.
So, when someone enters that small world (or should I say SPACIOUS!!??), it helps us understand, wonder, analyze or even question the similar/different perspectives that comes along. This person could be your mom, sister, girlfriend, spouse, co-worker….None of us likes being told what we should do, how we should think…simply because it questions our intrinsic thoughts/views/mindset….it is like being taken out of our comfort zone!!! Isn’t it??
And that I think is personal space…our thought process….having said that, it is only when we realize all by ourselves what should have / should our thoughts, actions and emotions be, that we get a different perspective….or reflect back on what other person might have intended…so I think personal space is surely also virtual…can be any size….and is constantly evolving!!!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
My Name is Rajnikanth!!
The last 2 weeks of my mind share (or should I say heart share) has been dominated by Rajnikanth. Ya ..ya the superstar himself. Well chill…he doesn’t know me….I know him very well though :P
Watched one of his recent movies called KUSELAN. The name is from Indian mythology. Kuselan or Sudama is the name of Lord Krishna’s close childhood friend. With the passage of time, Krishna becomes King of Dwaraka while Sudama leads a life of poverty and distress in a small village. While Sudama/Kuselan is ashamed of his progress in life vis-a-vis Krishna and hence stays away from even trying to contact him; when he finally does, Lord Krishna remembers him fondly and in the memory of true friendship provides him wealth and comforts of his life.
The movie is based on this old mythological tale. Rajni plays himself while Pasupathi plays his childhood mate who is now a barber. Shy as his friend is to get back to his now celebrity friend, he lives a life of penury. Rajni lands up in his village for a 40 day shooting but Pasupathi is unable to meet Rajni in the midst of all the security and thronging local public desperate to catch a glimpse of the superstar.
Coincidentally, the school where Pasupathi’s children study wants to invite Rajni for their annual day function and knowing Pasupathi’s relationship with Rajni, expect him to ensure the star’s participation. The barber fails here again. Rajni accepts the invitation on his own and attends the function. His speech at the function is the highlight of the film where he remembers this old friend from the same school and recollects how what he is today is only because of that friend and his sacrifice of money to make Rajni pursue a film training course.
I was very touched and moved by this film; the underlying message and theme of the film. FRIENDSHIP!! A leaf out of Rajni’s real life. A friend from his days in Bangalore invested in paying the fee for Rajni’s course at the Chennai Film Institute. The lines in the film where he addresses the school annual function were written by Rajni himself. Probably a pouring out of feelings that were in him for years and something he has been conscious of.
I also picked up the biography of Rajnikanth (the title same as that of this post) just to get a closer look at this phenomenon. I have always been fascinated by him, a fan of his since childhood; better said, intrigued by his charisma and inner persona.
Well, he even came in my dreams; a sign of a high level of mind share that I started off this post mentioning about!!!
Watched one of his recent movies called KUSELAN. The name is from Indian mythology. Kuselan or Sudama is the name of Lord Krishna’s close childhood friend. With the passage of time, Krishna becomes King of Dwaraka while Sudama leads a life of poverty and distress in a small village. While Sudama/Kuselan is ashamed of his progress in life vis-a-vis Krishna and hence stays away from even trying to contact him; when he finally does, Lord Krishna remembers him fondly and in the memory of true friendship provides him wealth and comforts of his life.
The movie is based on this old mythological tale. Rajni plays himself while Pasupathi plays his childhood mate who is now a barber. Shy as his friend is to get back to his now celebrity friend, he lives a life of penury. Rajni lands up in his village for a 40 day shooting but Pasupathi is unable to meet Rajni in the midst of all the security and thronging local public desperate to catch a glimpse of the superstar.
Coincidentally, the school where Pasupathi’s children study wants to invite Rajni for their annual day function and knowing Pasupathi’s relationship with Rajni, expect him to ensure the star’s participation. The barber fails here again. Rajni accepts the invitation on his own and attends the function. His speech at the function is the highlight of the film where he remembers this old friend from the same school and recollects how what he is today is only because of that friend and his sacrifice of money to make Rajni pursue a film training course.
I was very touched and moved by this film; the underlying message and theme of the film. FRIENDSHIP!! A leaf out of Rajni’s real life. A friend from his days in Bangalore invested in paying the fee for Rajni’s course at the Chennai Film Institute. The lines in the film where he addresses the school annual function were written by Rajni himself. Probably a pouring out of feelings that were in him for years and something he has been conscious of.
I also picked up the biography of Rajnikanth (the title same as that of this post) just to get a closer look at this phenomenon. I have always been fascinated by him, a fan of his since childhood; better said, intrigued by his charisma and inner persona.
Well, he even came in my dreams; a sign of a high level of mind share that I started off this post mentioning about!!!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Under the Tuscan sun
I caught a movie recently a movie by this name on HBO and mighty liked it.
The story is about a recently separated woman writer (played by Diane Lane) who in a bid to recover from the personal sorrow hops onto a tour bus going to Tuscany (somewhere in Italy I guess). She suddenly grows fond of a old villa there in Tuscany and decided to buy it!!! Being an old villa, she spends an entire year redoing it with the help of a few random workmen who are busy recreating the home the way she likes it.
She says in the movie ''I want to stop being afraid of doing something and be fearless!! If that means doing something as weird as buying a villa in Tuscany (!!) then so be it. I am at least not scared of action and went ahead with what my heart said''
The personal sorrow also turns her to constantly seek love and be SOMEONE SPECIAL for that someone. She also yearns to cook for someone and have a wedding in what is now a beautiful villa.
The story moves onto her search for love and people who belong to her. First it is love at first sight with an Italian businessman which doesn't take off as planned. But then she supports the marriage of a young couple (whom she knows well) despite being against the wishes of the parents. This is the sense of belonging she craves for and finally finds love in the form of a fellow writer.
The wedding of this young couple happens in the villa she recreated and as she finds love, there is a sense of magic she feels that Tuscany and the Tuscan sun created for her. She then realises that all that she wished for came true; people to cook for, finding love and belonging to people who matter to her.
One of her close friends in the movie says ''Whatever happens, never let the childish innocence in you die!!''. I was very moved by this thought. I also saw a strong underlying theme of HOPE in the movie. Searching constantly with the HOPE that there is a better tomorrow. The fact that all of us yearn for love and care; giving or sharing was depicted beautifully in the film.
And who better to play this role than Diane Lane?? She has this sense of adventure, a constantly ticking mind yet looking vulnerable & longing for simple human needs of love and care. Check out how amazingly well Diane Lane portrays being a woman and a girl all at the same time.
Check out:
The story is about a recently separated woman writer (played by Diane Lane) who in a bid to recover from the personal sorrow hops onto a tour bus going to Tuscany (somewhere in Italy I guess). She suddenly grows fond of a old villa there in Tuscany and decided to buy it!!! Being an old villa, she spends an entire year redoing it with the help of a few random workmen who are busy recreating the home the way she likes it.
She says in the movie ''I want to stop being afraid of doing something and be fearless!! If that means doing something as weird as buying a villa in Tuscany (!!) then so be it. I am at least not scared of action and went ahead with what my heart said''
The personal sorrow also turns her to constantly seek love and be SOMEONE SPECIAL for that someone. She also yearns to cook for someone and have a wedding in what is now a beautiful villa.
The story moves onto her search for love and people who belong to her. First it is love at first sight with an Italian businessman which doesn't take off as planned. But then she supports the marriage of a young couple (whom she knows well) despite being against the wishes of the parents. This is the sense of belonging she craves for and finally finds love in the form of a fellow writer.
The wedding of this young couple happens in the villa she recreated and as she finds love, there is a sense of magic she feels that Tuscany and the Tuscan sun created for her. She then realises that all that she wished for came true; people to cook for, finding love and belonging to people who matter to her.
One of her close friends in the movie says ''Whatever happens, never let the childish innocence in you die!!''. I was very moved by this thought. I also saw a strong underlying theme of HOPE in the movie. Searching constantly with the HOPE that there is a better tomorrow. The fact that all of us yearn for love and care; giving or sharing was depicted beautifully in the film.
And who better to play this role than Diane Lane?? She has this sense of adventure, a constantly ticking mind yet looking vulnerable & longing for simple human needs of love and care. Check out how amazingly well Diane Lane portrays being a woman and a girl all at the same time.
Check out:
- That strong emotion called HOPE seen in the movie
- Strong human emotions like LOVE sprinkled throughout the film
- The picturesque Tuscany
- Diane Lane's ever-ticking & resilient mind
- Nice Italian background score & 'that' accent
- Fast paced narration
- For the women (ladies first you see!!) - the good looking Italian men with that above mentioned accent ;);)
- For the men - Diane Lane herself ;);)
Ogays!! Enjoy watching this film..bubye!!
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