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Showing posts from September, 2007

Revealing Van Gogh

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‘Lust for Life’ a book by Irving Stone on Vincent Van Gogh changed the way I looked at paintings and creative art. This book came in my life in 1999. Now when I look back to all my trips to France and Netherlands prior to 99, I do feel tinge of regret of not knowing Van Gogh then. Van Gogh lived for just 37 years and in last ten years he produced 900 paintings and 1110 drawings. But his last two years of work netted him more recognition and fortune than all his life. For anyone who is passionate about Van Gogh and his work, life of his last two years is fascinating aspect of his life. Most of the Van Gogh – as a person behind great masterpieces - got revealed through hundreds of his letters that he wrote to his brother Theo, Sister Wilhem and mother. A recent public display of his letters to his 15 year junior friend- Émile Bernard- displayed his hitherto unknown facet of his personality along with his penchant and passion for colors. These letters also tells us how much crucial Arles

Pancham's final Journey.

Lee Iacocca in his autobiography mentioned that he was lucky to have been born in USA and also being born at this period of USA. I feel, we all are lucky to have Pancham been born in India but we would have been more fortunate if he were to arrive two decades later - when fruits of digital music and globalization is making Indian talent shine on the world horizon. Pancham with A R Rahman would have ruled music scene globally. I cant imagine how FM's in India would have commercially survived without Pancham. Today most popular remix are churned out of Pancham's old melodies of 70's and 80's and they co-exist with original songs enchanting almost four generations. His ever presence melodies on FM makes us feel that he is very much part of us. Only when we see the above video, realization hit us that he is no more .

Ganesha, Ram and India

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What would be the three most popular personalities that have been drawn, painted and sculpted in the history of the world? The answer perhaps would be Jesus Christ, Gautama Buddha and Ganesha. But if I were to narrow down the choices, the race could be between Jesus and Ganesha. Religion statistics of Christianity population with 2.1 billion with Hinduism at 900M and Buddhism 375M would make Lord Jesus outscore Ganesha by his presence in billion Christian homes, numerous churches spread throughout Europe and Latin America and also Paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance period. But in recent years, popularity and appeal of Lord Ganesha too has soared and it’s amazing to see his diverse forms being presented in innovative manner by artists’ world over. Asha Sasi has nicely associated Ganesha’s physical attributes to our social and moral behavior. She says ‘In spite of being an elephant, he is so light that he can travel on a mouse. We all become so heavy, because of our ego, pride

Akshta in her 5th month

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Story of Sholay

These days, most movies partner with TV channel and project it as media partner. TV channel in turn is genrous with air time in creating an upbeat mood towards a movie to draw people to movie theater. So far so good ! But recently I see a change in the approcah of different TV channels. Those channels who are not in partner with the project go all out to in projecting this movie as flop and sabotage its chances of survival. I was surprised to see one channel projecting Ramu Ki Aag movie as an utter trash and to prove that it created special program on 'Making of Sholay'. I didnt like their approach but enjoyed the narrating the trivia that went behind in making one of the meomeorable epic saga in hindi movie history. Today, one of the pancham bhakt gave this link from BBC Asian Network celebrating Sholay's 30th anniversary. Its enjoyable listening to Ramesh Sippy on making Sholay, Music and Dharmendra's interview. You can click Story Of Sholay

"Dooba Dooba rehta hoon Ankhon main teri" ... "I am submerged in the depth of your eyes".

Get this widget Share Track details In my teenage years , Guitar was the symbol of liberation and youth and it very much remained till I finished my college. Attractive shapes, colors and variations made this instrument looked sleek to most of other modern instruments. In those days, in commercial orchestra team, Guitar player took a prominent place along with saxophone, accordion and drums. I never got a chance to play around Guitar but always made it a point to touch this instrument whenever I walked in to any music shop. During Mount Mary fair, in the bylanes of Bandra west, I would stop outside the home of christian families when I would hear strings of Guitar. Listening to Brijbhushan Kabra in ‘Call of the valley’ brought the beauty of Guitar as an instrument that can bring finer nuances of Indian classical Raga. But with growing years, impact of Guitar got diminished with other string instruments like Sitar, Sarod quenching the thirst of musical ears. With Bruce Springsteen and

Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge( this friendship will not be broken)

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Gulf news introduced me to Hanumantha and reading his story, I immediately developed liking and respect towards him. Today, Hanumantha is sick, in fact very sick. He is 75 and feels he has only few months left to live. He is keen to go back to his country and die. Since 1997, he has been in UAE and been to his home town in Andhra Pradesh just once – that too when UAE Govt. offered amnesty for illegal residents. He came back as domestic helper but since last few years found himself on street after the death of his master. With loss of job, he had to vacate his shared accommodation and soon take solace in public garden. Deteriorating health, lack of food made him go from place to place till he slumped back on a pavement in Sharjah. Seeing him weeping, a passerby stopped. A good Samaritan he must be. He brought Hanumantha to Indian association who with the help of volunteers arranged for necessary money for his journey back. Luckily for Hanumantha, another amnesty scheme is already on and

modern feminine version of arjuna