My Rightings !!

Alvida to this space

2007-04-07T02:52:00.000-07:00

I am moving ........................

http://the-other-side-of-mirror.blogspot.com/

No quarter given ...none taken

2007-03-16T23:50:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been a while since I scribbled something down. For a change this time, I was busy with work!! But the actual reason is that I had nothing to write about. I am an impulsive writer and just cannot open the word pad and stare at it thinking what to type.

Ok…Enough of the introduction. Those are always boring! Coming to the point…

Have you heard the phrase quarter life crisis? I hadn’t till lately, when a friend of mine told me about this. They say this is the time for you to remain in a state of confusion whatever you do in your life. I usually don’t relate to these psychological ideologies. But had to give this a thought since I am experiencing it. Not only me. But people who I know who are in their mid twenties seem to have been bitten by it.

So what is the big fuss about the mid twenties? In more than a way it decides where your life is heading. And if you are not happy with what you are doing with your career the issue worsens. And that is just the beginning of the list of problems that I am encountering. And so are the others. Was just trying to list down the problems, which are common and apparent. Some of these are from the numerous blogs I visit too. And the top 25 are ….

Where is my career heading
What am I doing in this office
Why is my salary so low
Why is it that I always get such pathetic rating
Should I jump now or wait a lil longer
Should I switch industry and follow my passion
When will I go onsite
Should I go back to India now? But who will give me such money and luxury
How the hell do I get into a B school without preparing
Should I do a PG …part-time?
What should I invest in
Where should I settle down
For the singles community….When will I find him/her
Why am I the only one who is single!
Should I get married now
Should I go hunting in Orkut
Am I becoming too fat
If you have found someone already .. Why cant she/he just say YES!!
Why is it that I who compromise often
Will this work out? Will both the parents agree?
Should I just chuck him/her and make my parents happy
Should I give him/her up for my career
Is he/she really the one!!
Shouldn’t I do something for the country (At least I mull over this)
Will India win the world cup!!

Was watching the weekly show “Young Turks” on CNBC India the other day. And it just struck me that there are people who overcome this phase very easily. And probably that is why they are featured in the show for being successful.

There are people who are content with what they have. Very few I would say. There are people who take control of their lives and get what they want. And there are others like me who are just like a leaf floating in a wind. Even a Gayle wouldn’t disturb us for we would wait for it to pass and start floating again allowing the wind to take us wherever it wants to rather than making the wind to carry us where we want.

You don’t have to be a Libran to be confused at 25!! Most of them find an answer to these questions as their life progresses. But seldom have I seen people who take this as a phase of their life and enjoy it. I guess that includes me too. But I am trying..

Let me signoff with the two of my current favorite one liners..

It takes little to reclaim your life!!

Life is calling …Where are you!!

Ps: Couldn’t resist mentioning the song that has been playing umpteen number of times in my music player - Tose naina laage from Anwar. If you haven’t heard it, then please do. From a lesser-known composer called Mithoon the track is mesmerizing. Kshitij the male voice in the track is talent to watch for and as for the female voice of Shilpa Rao ..All I can say to her is ….Will you marry me ?!! :)

Stop!

2006-12-30T02:31:00.000-08:00

Green Light, Yellow Light and Red Light. STOP!! Not rocket science, is it? Well for 90% of the people it is!! It amuses me how the rules and regulations does not matter them at all. They just would not stop their vehicle unless there is maamu standing at the other side of the signal with his left palm itching.

I live in Pune, a pretty urban and developed city. But the road sense I see in people around me is absolutely atrocious. Try stopping for a signal in which no policeman is standing, and your eardrums will go for a ride from the non-stop horns coming out of the vehicles behind you. Watch out for any lorries standing behind you. Since their horns might cause permanent damage to your ears. I guess they require announcing their arrival with some ultrasonic sounds. My friends tell me that I should take a trip to the cities in U.P & M.P then I would not complain about this kind of traffic.

You can argue the fact that even a city like Pune does not have good enough infrastructure. The roads are bad, many of the junctions are without signals, the policewala who is supposed stand near the signal stands at the near by pan shop, there are no proper lanes, there is no stop line, seldom do you find sign boards, you have to give due respect to the cats and cattle walking in the middle of the road………..The list is big.

All said and done isn’t there a moral responsibility in you to ride properly and let others do the same. I know all of us have non-stop meeting schedules to cover as we rush at 80 Kmph and jump all the red lights coming on the way. But can’t they understand that if they follow all the rules they would probably create lesser traffic jams and reach faster in turn.

The problem remains that we Indians are great “adjusters”. Whatever happens thoda adjust karne se kya jaata hai!! Why should anybody bother to follow rules? What if they do not have a driving license? We are all born with a bribing license. Jump signal, over speed, walk when you are not supposed to, don’t carry a license, go in the opposite direction in a one way, we have a simple solution to all of these – A fifty Rupee Note.

This is where the tag line of our country comes into play. “Is country ka kuch nahi hoga yaar”: A lame boneless thing to say in the most powerful democracy of the world. If you cant do anything about the country then why don’t you call back the British to do the needful. I know I cannot change the whole countries thought process. But there is a glimmer of hope in this country with the young and the restless thinking about the country much more than the earlier generations did. Changing the mindset of a whole nation is close to impossible. But if you can try to change ten people around you, it would make a huge impact.

So what is the solution to the road rage? I swear I do not have a clue. But at least I thought I should do my bit by stopping at red light. I try to stand right in the middle of the road so that I can block at least 3-4 people behind me from skipping the signal. If at all I am caught for not carrying any documents, I try to get a proper receipt for the fine imposed and also would ask the cop which section I am booked under. This is one area in which I respect the West. The ticket system is so organized that you would think a thousand times before skipping a signal. Since achieving that is a bit too far away, we can at least start by showing some self discipline while we are on the road. Trying to know what the rules are that govern you. As a small little step towards it you can try to go through the link below that I found which has the different sections under which you can be booked while driving/riding a vehicle in India.

http://www.indiandrivingschools.com/traffic-offences-and-penalties.html

Rather than bribing, try to know the section under which you are booked and get a receipt for the same. And try to resist from jumping the signal and if you are really interested block others from doing so too. Drive Safely!!!

All in a Day's Work

2006-12-12T21:57:00.000-08:00

(A tribute to George Costanza)

7.30 A.M: Snooze..... Thanks to the guy who invented it. After watching the pathetic Dhoom2 last night how am I supposed to wake up so early...... Was I really gaping at Hrithik yesterday in the movie? Or was it a dream. Damn man. The guy looks coo!!!Err.. I shouldn’t be saying that. I am straight!!...... God!! Run Vinod run. Bus driver is not your uncle.

9 A.M: “Gosh, Yet another day at office. How do people do this for years together? I should think about retirement now!!........ Look at the dress the guy is wearing!! For heaven’s sake somebody tell him he is not here to act in a bhojpuri movie..... The long walk now to my seat. Fake smiles through out....... I wonder what this guys thinks about me! Cool guy ? Over acting asshole? Whatever! Who the hell cares!”

9.30 A.M: Have to check my compensation letter.Damn.... Peanuts man!! Why the hell am I still here?.....People’s mood has changed abruptly. The guy who smiled at me in the morning is not smiling anymore. Why is it all about the money, honey? Well actually I can live with this. It is when you start looking into other’s wallet that one gets greedy.

12 Noon: “Kyun Vinod? Kuch kaam nahi hai ?”. Fake smile. What difference does it make to you? I earn as much as you without doing any major work. And when I get work sometime in future, I will try to find a way out of it. Let me call my gang out for a tea.

1.15 P.M: Thank god I have got a good gang of friends here. Else lunchtime would have been boring.

2 P.M: zzzzzzz.

2.30 P.M: Hope my manager didn’t pass by. They should give us sleep breaks after lunch breaks. It’s not my fault. It has been inculcated in me from my UKG. The teacher taught us to sleep after lunch.

3 P.M: Damn. Some work. Why does all the work come only in the evening.

4 P.M : This cannot get over today. So why bother sitting over it now. Let me start it tomorrow afresh. Tea time !!! Err ..Coffee Time!! I should reduce drinking so many coffees a day. Damn I am putting on so much weight. Aise hi gaya toh I will be one uncle. Fat,Bald and lazy. Who cares? I am the way I am!! Would the girls care?? Ahh ..Forget it.

6 P.M: Hurray. Time to go home. But what would I do going home. TV? Browse? Worldspace? I should start working out from today. No. May be tomorrow!

7 P.M: Ahh …My one hour of relief.

9 P.M: What would the bai have made today. God please let it not be daal chawal….!!!Pleaseee…..
Dal Chawal it is!! Thank you god!!

10 P.M: Should I call someone for time pass? No my bill is shooting up!! Should I take up the books to prepare? The exam season is not over yet! How can I study when I m so tired after office work. Will start from tomorrow. And am I talking to myself too much these days? Is it bad to do so? ..........Whatever!!

10.30 P.M: Wow. It is cold. I love to hate this winter season. May be I should go out for a ride. But what if I catch a cold?

10.45 P.M: Did I lock the house properly? Wow. It is so calm and cold. Wish there was a girl sitting at the back seat....I should buy a car. Long drives are better than short rides!!

11.15 P.M: Time for some news. Damn these news channels. How can they be so unprofessional? Hyping up every single news they could get.

12 P.M: That was a long day. I should do something different tomorrow.

Time to sleep. Well not yet …

Main Shaayar Toh Nahi.....

2006-12-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

Aadhi Raat ki ye khamoshiyan,
Lati hain yadein un suhane lamhon ki
Badi zalim hoti hai ye tanhayiyan,
Aankhen bandh karte hi dikhati hai jhalak un nigahon ki.

Keyed this down in my mobile @ 1 A.M . The melancholic strains of ae ajnabi playing in my mp3 player brought back some distant memories.

Sher-o-shayari – An art, which I had quite a liking to. I still do. But may be not with the same passion. There are times in your life when the stupidest of the shers would sound amazing. Yup. You got it right .The time when you "fall" in love. I still am not sure if it was love. But it was something like it. And there I was writing poetry (if you could call it that).

I love collecting these shayaris. And since "someone" liked sher-o-shayari, it was more of a reason to do so. I liked the idea of expressing thoughts in a rhyme. But the problem was my hindi :) . I was not as bad as a south Indian would usually be at hindi. But the gender problem was very much there. Trying to overcome that, I ventured into an unknown territory. The problem arose when I just couldn’t write sensible things. Most of the sher I tried to write would end up being those bimar ashique wala stuff (Arrey samjho na…Impress jo karma tha madam ko). And since it was literally only words that all I had to take her heart away, tried writing some shers myself. When I look back at some of them today, I have a good laugh. Here are some samples –

Koi ek ho jo hum keh sakthe hain humare
Kaash hume bhi mil jaye kahin se koi ishaare
Sab dosthon ne apni humsafar doond li hai
Bus hum hi rah gaye hain aaj tak kunware.

Sota raha aapke khwab dekhthe hue raath bhar.
Ab din aaya toh kya hua, koi tikana nahi is khwab par.

Dil karta hai aaj bheeg jane ko,
Pani ke boondon mein kho jane ko.
Bhar gaya hai man suraj ki tapish se,
Koi jaake kahen baarish ko aajane ko.

Shukar hai bhagwan ka, Usne duniya gol banaya hai
Jitni duur wo gayi utni paas bhi toh aayi hai...

Sharaab ke nashe mein kya rakha hai
Kabhi mohobat karke toh dekho
Sharaab ka nasha tho yun nikal jata hai
Pyar ke nashe se ubharkar toh dekho

Tum bhi wahi ho,Main bhi yahi hun
Phir ye faasle kyun bad gaye
Ab tak ke safar mein toh saath chale
Ek mod aa jane par tum kyun mud gaye

Tere bina jiya hai, tere bina aur bhi ji lenge
Is tute hue dil ko Kisi aur ke dil se si lenge

Yes, I totally agree with you. I suck at it :) . And I should leave sher-o-shayar to the professionals.But after a long time when a sher occurred to me it just took me back in time. Nostomania spares no one I guess. And I visited back those pages where I scribbled these things. It was a funny feeling. I did not know whether to be emotional about it or laugh at myself.

GURU - Out of the world !!!

2006-11-28T05:27:00.000-08:00

It has been a week now since I bought GURU. And my music box is working over time. Boss is back!! And whenever Rahman’s music releases it gives me a kind of anxiety. From Dil Se, I have always waited for the music release of all his albums. The latest one was no different. And when it is a Mani-ARR combo then the anxiety doubles. It is good music guaranteed.

I will not be reviewing the album simply because of couple of reasons. One, I don’t have the musical knowledge to do so and two I think all(except may be very very few) of Rahman’s songs are good. I just wanted to express my thoughts as I listen to the 7 songs.

“Damdara Damdara Mast Mast” sang Rahman in an interview at the launch of the music. “Tere Bina” is an instant hit. It is unlike a Rahman song in the sense that you would like it instantly rather than at the 4th or 5th hearing. Watch out for Rahman’s vocal abilities when he sings “Aaja Chakri ke mare”!!! And it was good to hear Chinmayee singing in Hindi.

The first song that appealed to me in the album was “Ae Hayratein Aashiqui”. After a long time Hariharan has sung for Rahman. And was it worth a wait or what. The way in which Hariharan twists and turns his voice is magical. Call me if you want to hear the song. J

I have this strange habit where a line from the song gets into my head and I keep singing it till I hear it again. Sadly for my friends, I picked up this line from the song “Ek lo ek muft”. It is a sharaabi song. And I was singing like a sharaabi all the while. I wonder if Bappi Lahri sang it after a couple drinks too. So much natural it is. I bet it would funny to watch too.

“Baazi laga” and “Barso Re” are typical Rahman stuff. You would feel it is just another song. But when you hear it 10-15 times it would keep ringing in your head. Shreya Goshal and Udit Narayanan has done their job with ease.

“Mayya” has been sung by Mayyam Toller, an Arabic singer. The rhythm of the song is just breathtaking. It surely would make you dance. The song is complex least to say. Only Rahman could have come up with this number going away from the 1-2-3 1-2-3 style of songs.

And now coming to the song of the album –“Jaage hain”. The first time I heard this song I was thinking that here is one intense song. And I was not wrong. Masterpieces do not come very often. And here was one. Golden lines by Gulzar Sahab and Rahman has sung it like no one could.

“Jaage hain der tak humein
Kuch Der sone do
Thodi si raat aur hai
Subuha toh hone do

Aadhe adhure Khwaab jo
Pure na ho sake
Ek Baar phir se neend mein
Wo khwaab hone do.”

The fourth time I heard the song I cried. I do not know why. There was no reason for me to cry. But I just couldn’t block them. When I heard the song it just took me into another level and I just sat there weeping. Thank you Rahman !!

I rate a Rahman's album in 3 ways. 1)Good 2)Excellent and 3) Out of the world. Guru ofcourse is Out of the world.

The CD cover gives credit to each and evey musician involved in it and even to the dilect coach. I can’t wait to see the movie now and I am sure Mani Ratnam would do justice to the songs. I just pray that Rahman keeps composing for a long time and I just keep listening to him.

I killed the Cat

2006-11-20T01:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have finally killed it. (Read it properly… I didn’t say I have cracked it!!).

The exam season has started and started with a bang this time. It is the mother of all exams CAT that is first in line. This is the third time I am attempting the CAT. It is almost like a part of my life now. Come November and there I am trying to find a way into the bus, which is a short cut to success. And this time it has to be my best attempt. Given that I could win over my stupid, dumb, lazy conscience and take those books in my hand to prepare. The first time around, it was more of a trip to Chennai that prompted me to write it. Then I got into the big, dead world of software industry. So gave a shot at CAT again last year thinking that miracles do happen (I later realized that 90% of the people over here thought the same). Come on, if miracles do not happen, then the faith of people in miracles would go away!! This time it was a more stream lined effort. I am not saying I have been burning mid night tube light for the past 6 months. But ya by my standards, I did put in a lot of effort.

It was amazing to see the responses of the people when I told them I am giving the CAT again. My friends were celebrating the fact that I had hit a hat- trick. One of my friends called me up in the morning of the day of the cat and said “Many many happy returns of the day man!!!”. I laughed my head out. Yet another response was “Why don’t you give the money to charity rather than donating it to the Institutes every year”. And one of my best friends,Sankar, was telling me ”Nammalle kondu ithonnum pattula dei”(These things are not in our reach man). May be that was the truth. And at times you have to accept some things for what they are. But I thought I shouldn’t regret later that I did not try.

In fact I had a detailed discussion with Pillayar (Ganpati) on the day before the CAT. It went something like this:

Me: Please let me crack it this time!!
Him: No
Me: What? Why? Don’t I deserve this time atleast?
Him: No
Me: Come on. I have even studied this time.
Him: How much?
Me: Ok .. Not like people who spend a year through out with full hearted effort. But still…
Him: Exactly. What do I tell them then ?
Me: What about my talent. Don’t you think I deserve it just for that?
Him: Ya right. Thank me that you have reached this far in life.
Me: Hmm …Please please please … 108 thengas? (108 nariyals)
Him: Nope.
Me: I can’t fail this time. All my friends will laugh at me.
Him: Whatever. You reap as you sow.
Me: Ok fine. I will give my best tomorrow in the hall. If you think I deserve then get me through. Ok ?
Him: Ok ..Let me see. But chill. See I postponed the release of GURU’s music just for you. Now be happy listening to that.

May be I will make it this time. May be I won’t. But whatever the result is I will take it with all my heart. And as I retire from the CAT Test takers community, here is wishing the entire CAT lovers the best of luck. May the CAT god bless you all!!

GPL - Ab aur kya kya dekhna padega!!

2006-11-14T04:42:00.000-08:00

Did you get to watch this new show on MTV called GPL ? This is one of the most absurd shows I have ever seen in my life. As the Indian media gets a rush of the reality shows, this show comes in as yet another trial to increase their TRPs. The concept is that two people will try and woo this guy or girl who eventually they would get to date! It is usually two guys trying to fight for a girl or two girls trying to fight for a guy. At the end the guy/girl gets to choose which person he/she wants to go out with. They call it MTV Gehre Pyar pe Laath. I would call it Reality shows ke naam pe dhabba. I am not talking in a cultural or ethical view point. But the whole idea itself is so yucky that I would consider it as a disgrace to MTV.

In the episode I saw, there were these two girls who would literally fight amongst each other like dogs do in mating season!! One girl was showing her dancing and singing skills while the other had a beach game with this guy. And I can’t see why on earth one would want to participate in such a show. I always go around saying that my life is heading nowhere. But seeing these guys, I get a big breath of relief.

MTV is supposed to represent the gen next. And if this is our gen next then god save our country.

Get Inspired ...Well, try to ..

2006-11-08T06:17:00.001-08:00

Have been trying to read some inspirational and self-help books these days. I am not a fanatic reader and the fact remains that I am usually too lazy to get up and get the book from where it is. I have always tried to read the self-help books but I usually failed miserably. No, I haven’t hit such a rock bottom in life that nothing can inspire me. But somehow these books really don’t do the trick for me.

There was this book called “How to motivate yourself” in a library. I took it up. I couldn’t go beyond the second chapter. The book was full of ideologies and ‘To Dos”. As I was reading through the book I realized that I know 90% of the things mentioned in it that needs to be done. The problem has always been in the execution of things. And I can bet no book can change my laziness or my hesitation to go full stretch to have things the way I want. No book can tell me better than myself, what my weakness are. Infact I would rather ask my friends to tell me that. And most of never let go an opportunity to trash me left and right!

‘The Alchemist’ & ‘It’s not about a bike’ were the latest additions to the miniature list of books I have read. Alchemist was pathetic and Lance Armstrong’s Autobiography was depressing. But I did manage to read through the whole book in both the cases this time around.

I can understand why The Alchemist is such a popular book. It tells you a story about a boy who chased his dreams. Who wouldn’t love to do that right? I related to the guy in the story who spends the first half of his life as a shepherd. All he had to do was to watch the sheep. Same thing happens to me usually. All I do is to sit and stare at this computer! But the story was stretched too far. And at the end the boy turns himself into a wind to win his treasure and the girl he loved. Phew! Like that would inspire me!

Lance Armstrong’s story is worth reading. But again I got bored. There was nothing wrong with the way it was written or the content. The book tells you in depth about the feelings of a guy who reached the gate of heaven and returned. Kudos to Lance for that. But again when I just couldn’t relate to some of the things he was saying. And probably that’s the reason why he wrote an Autobiography and I wrote a blog!

I for one believe that inspiration should come from within. Else it wouldn’t last for long. A book, a movie or even a quote can inspire you. But the effect would remain only for a short period of time. If the inspiration comes from within you then you can count on it to make you stretch that bit more to achieve whatever you want. Well there is nothing coming within me right now. If at all it does I will probably also write an inspirational book myself!!

Iyerish Musings

2006-10-26T22:56:00.000-07:00

"Pyar soch samajhkar nahi kiya jaata ; Bus ho jaata hai
Agar aisa hai toh mein woh pyar ko hone hi nahi deta"

Akash couldn’t keep his words and fell in love with Shalini. So what about you Mr.Iyer?

Around 65 % of the Indian middle class youngsters stick to arranged marriage (BTW 44.3% of statistics is useless!). And around 80 % of them I guess would have given up on their love just because of pressure from their parents. No, this is not a preview of any Hindi movie. Nor is it an age-old debate of Arranged Marriage Vs Love marriage. These are just musings of a middle-middle class Iyer guy. (Relax Amma. I am not trying to tell you something through this :))

The fact is that most of the TamBrahms are conservative when it comes to marrying their child off to a guy/girl of different caste (forget religion). Even more so are the Marwadis or the Kobras or Shastris(Not even considering the muslims). In fact we can generalize this to a wider range of communities in India. So caught in between the devil (love) and the deep sea (society) are the young minds.

We all know that when Cupid strikes it is really tough to resist. It might be the lamest of the reasons; like I cant live without looking at her eyes; he is so caring and sensitive; both of us like Hum Aapke hain Kaun etc etc. But it does drive people crazy. So much that they would go to any extremes for him/her. Thanks to the movies that give a million permutations and combinations of the ways in which love unfolds, wins, fights or loses, we are never short of examples of a lover’s tale. So when you do realize that you are in love with someone, would you be able to resist?

I know every individual has the right to shape his life up. And a life partner is the most important part of it. But in out society where parents are still not open minded and secular enough, should we take a risk? I call it a risk because many a times you might be able to convince them that your decision is not erratic. And if they do not approve of it then starts the battle. Elope, register your marriage, come with a baby in one year’s time and ask your parents to forget everything. So is it really worth this fight. Should you hurt your mom and dad’s sentiments? After all they lived their life for you!

So now starts the struggle: To find someone of your same clan and fall in love. How much ever stupid that sounds! I mean, you can’t go to girl and say, “I love You. Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me? Err …By the way you are an Iyer right!!”
Like love in itself is not complicated enough! As you try day in and day out to sustain it, and at last decide that she/he is the one, there comes the problem of meeting the parents! Probably people have been there and done that would be able to explain the intricacies of the whole thing.

Is it really possible to step aside and defend the Cupid when it strikes? When you meet some one who is so meant for you. Some one with whom you will be happy to spend the rest of your life with. Or should you just go into a shell and be narrow-minded?
I guess this confusion would occur only to a set of people. Some wouldn’t even understand what I am talking about. People from the west would laugh out loud at this. Sometimes I wonder if their approach to life is much more simpler. Like a daughter would go to her mom and say “Mumma, I am getting married” and the mother would jump and embrace the girl and say “Oh honey, I am so happy for you!” But since I am in the part of the world where people are not that broad minded (but perhaps sensible), I would think a million times before venturing taking the devil’s side! And in the end I guess I would decide to kick away the cupid. What about you ?

Khosla & Dor - The eveolving phase of hindi movies

2006-10-17T00:21:00.000-07:00

Hindi movie industry has matured. It was in its teens till lately. Suddenly it has come of age. There is a stream of movies, which no one would have dared to make a few years back. Be it Omkara, Dor,Khosla ka ghosla, or Pyar ke side effects. These movies are bringing in a thing called variety into the hindi films.

Khosla Ka Ghosla: Feel Good!

Saw this movie on the 4th week of its screening. Heard from a couple of friends that it is a must watch. So there I was, watching a movie with no real stars in it. The first scene gives you a clear indication of how the movie is going to be. Simple, but realistic. All the actors from Anupam Kher to Boman Irani just sink into the characters with ease. You suddenly realize the amazing pool of talent present in the country. Parvin Dabas,Ranvir Shorey & Vinay Pathak(Channel V VJs), navin nischo(From Dekh Bhai Dekh). Even the girl who plays Ranvir’s younger sister. All have done a fantastic job. Amazing script and a brilliant screenplay. Watch out for the walking style of Boman Irani. This guy is just too good. Dibakar Banerjee, the first time director is someone to watch out for. It was great to watch a full length situational comedy movie. You feel really light in your head after you walk out of the movie. And you will be singing the song “Ye duniya ut pattanga” as you come out.

Dor: A beautiful Movie

A beautiful movie: That’s what it is. I have seen the Malayalam version of this movie in bits and parts. But since Nagesh Kukunoor was making it, I was sure that it would be somewhat different. And he didn’t dissapoint me. The Malayalam version was a really depressing one. But Dor in the end turned out to be a high class drama and an inspirational one at that. First up, a round of applause for Ayesha Takia, Gul Panag and Shreyas. The story runs between Gul and Ayesha with shreyas playing a cameo. Shot extensively from the greens of Himachal to the rustiness of Rajasthan, the movie is a visual treat. The only complaint you might have is that it is slow paced except for the scenes that feature shreyas. But again you can expect that from a hard-core drama. Screenplay remains Kukunoor’s strength and the wit he can produce is classy. I was watching a movie alone for the first time and was I glad that it was Dor. The song “Yeh hosla kaise jhuke” is a classic. Great music by Salim sulaiman and an amazing words --

“Raah pe kaante bhikre agar,
Uspe toh phir bhi chalna hi hai
Laakh chupale suraj magar
Raath ko ek din dalna hi hai

Rut ye tal jayegi
Himmat rang layegi
Suhuha phir aayegi”

Oh my God, Get out of here!!

2006-10-14T00:12:00.000-07:00

The two lines synonymous to two of the greatest shows I love: FRIENDS & SEINFELD. I remember seeing the pilot of friends on star world. It was kinda nice. Then once it was into full flow, it got the nation watching it, like it did to the People in states. I mean Chandler, Ross, Joey, Monica, Pheobee, & Racheal became a part of our lives. I remember watching the show every night and then watching the repeat the next day. It is amazing how the episodes remain fresh even after watching them an umpteen number of times. Chandler Bing would be my personal favorite out of the whole lot. Funny is what funny does! He is my idol when it comes to impromptu speaking. One episode I would watch a million times is the one in which the girls compete against the boys in Ross’s Quiz. I can go on and describe a thousand such episodes but so many others would have done that already. So saving this space!

I thought I wouldn’t be able to live without watching Friends. I thought there was no show, which could match this one. Then came Seinfeld. Even though this show had been telecasted in the US television before I had not heard about it. Like the Americans thought friends is just a replica of Seinfeld, I thought the other way around. But then I had to change my p.o.v soon. This show turned out to be the mother of all shows in the world. It is a show about nothing. Seriously it is. Four people hanging out together in apartments, movies or restaurants. Jerry Seinfeld, Elaine Benis, George Costanza & Cosmic Cramer. I mean, there are no sentiments, drama, friends parting, break ups, make-ups. It is sheer situational comedy. These guys can turn any situation into a comic one. Be it movie watching, Baptism, Anniversary, Break up, shopping: You name it. They can just turn it into a laughter ride. Meet George Costanza. My guru. This guy is one hell of a character. This guy is a born looser. And prides himself of being one. Life to him is nothing but a series of disaster. If any girl likes him he suspects the girl of being abnormal. That’s him. Seinfeld, a comedian himself rocks. Elaine is the most irritating person ever to hit a TV screen. But you would love to have a friend like her. And Cramer. … Hua!! No words to describe his character. The show ended after running for a good four years in US. And what was the last episode? No it was not friends parting off to different locations. All four of them end up in Jail!!
Kudos to Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld for a fantastic show.

All right, why am I blogging about them? There would be a million blogs written around the globe praising the shows. But yet these two shows made a difference to my life. It changed the way I look things. These people inspire half the humour that I crack. These guys taught me how to be funny. Not that I am an amazing comedian now. But whatever little comedy occurs in my life is a tribute to these characters. There have been several occasions when I face some situation, then remember an episode from one of the two shows and laugh by myself. My only concern is that people would think I am mad laughing away by myself. But do I care!

Life is full of problems and unsolved situations. But if you could view that from a comic angle the depth of the situation lessens. After a day’s work (or no work) spending an hour watching these two shows makes my head feel lighter. And if I were to rate the two I would say 49-51 in favor of Seinfeld. It would be great if they were to come back and do a season more. Waiting for it like a million others.

Life is a lesson ..You learn it when u r through !

2006-10-14T00:09:00.000-07:00

The line out of the Limp Bizkit song is so true. I have been out of action for sometime when it comes to blogging. And I got to learn a few things during this time.

1)Never go for swimming in a public pool in rainy season : It was one of the things in my “want to do list” for a long time. But the time I chose was perhaps wrong. My good friend Sarin and me decided to learn swimming. We thought we would learn it in 15 days and then swim across the Atlantic. Well not only did we not learn it; we ended up with having jaundice. It is tough when you are down with any kind of illness. When you whole body goes for a toss and you just not are in control. But it is worse when you have to do it alone! I still remember getting dehydrated in the middle of the night. It’s amazing how wonderfully a human body works. You don’t faint while sleeping. So it will wake you up and make you faint! The walk from my bed to kitchen to make a cup of tea for myself was like participating in a marathon!

2)Never travel alone when you are ill: Thanks to the airhostess who came up to me and covered me with a blanket. I was down and out. For once I was thankful that I was flying Air India! I had almost missed the flight. After a 6 hour journey from Pune to Mum(which normally would take 3 hrs) , I was running at full speed to catch the flight. I couldn’t believe that I was running .In the bus I couldn’t feel my legs. I bet the thermometer would have soared past 100, had I used one.

3)There is no place on earth like Home: And no one loves you more than your parents. And I mean NO one. I felt relieved once I reached home. I could see the concern in my Amma’s and Appa’s faces. And it felt so good to just lie there in my bed. Half the illness was cured there.

4)Doing nothing is the toughest thing on earth: That coming from one of the most laziest persons living. For around a month I was lying on my bed staring at the ceiling. TV was junk. No access to mails, blogs or any kind of entertainment. I thought I could do nothing and yet enjoy life. But I guess I was wrong. The period made me lazier. But it was great to catch up with lots of things you missed out in your daily routine.

5)Map your future, But do it with a pencil: I missed one of my best friend’s wedding and with it a lot other things while I was down with illness. I had planned one month in advance a trip home and also attending her marriage. But then had to change plans! Life never comes through as you plan it. Why do you think the airline companies give low price tickets with no refund? Half of the booking would be cancelled or rescheduled! That’s when you realize how important it is to have a plan B.

6)Birthday is also one of the 365 days: Just passed a Quarter of Century living in this planet last month. And as usual the b'day chills were running on me. Who all would call? Who all would remember it? Would I get a gift ? How many people would I have to treat?I realised that it was not only me who went through this. Each and every person does and that too each and every year.It was a quite b'day with just some good wishes and blessings from my friends.Quite relieving to escape the bums.But the fact remained that it was just another day.And it should always be that way I believe.Ok..you are born on that day.So what? You want the world to celebrate it?Atleast a million people would be celebrating birthdays everyday.But the fun around it never seem to end.

7)Gandhi was not that bad: What ? Gandhi- Bad ?? Yes. I was one of those people who thought that gandhian idea ruined out country. I presumed him to be a guy who went begging to the British for independence. I thought the bhagat singh way was much better. Drive them out of the country. I still do. I would have loved to have Bhagat singh as the first prime minister of India. Anyways, seeing Lage Raho Munnabhai changed my opinion to a large extend. Gandhi was not that bad. He was doing something, which a normal man would have never done. Not only did he follow ahimsa and non-violence. He inspired a whole generation to do so. I admire him for his marketing skills!! Imagine driving the whole nation into believing that they can do it his way to get independence. And now coming back in a movie and inspiring the next generation. Hats off to Raju Hirani for a wonderful movie. A wonderful thought. I know the effect of the movie wouldn’t last long. But if he can influence at least ten people who watched the movie, he can pat himself on his back. And by the way, the movie was awesome. The perfect blend of humor and drama. And with my darling Vidya in it …I am buying a DVD least to say!Gandhigiri –A good thought which is tough to practice. We need another Gandhi to preach it all over again.

8)India is not going to win the champions trophy: Sad but true. I hope I go terribly wrong on this. But I feel I wouldn’t. With the ‘crazy chap’ doing his experiments to derail the Indian cricket, I don’t see them performing up to their caliber. May be some individual performances would save a day or two for the team but eventually the absurd strategies would back fire. Again I wish I were pathetic at predictions.

The first part of this writing would seem like I want to be a sentimental hero like Dada. But the fact is I am a forget head. Few months down the lane I would forget all about these things which I don’t want to do. I want to come back and see this space, which would tell me that life is not that easy. And I have to learn from these lessons which life tries to teach me.

Your Attention Please

2006-08-05T01:36:00.000-07:00

Hindi Film music has always been flying high. There is no second opinion on the fact that composing music is an art. And only a blessed few would have it in them. Many a tune comes to my head. But when I analyze it, it would have a similarity to some other note. Else I would just lose the tune in 5 minutes. So I admire even a Sajid-Wajid for their capability to pull out the whole song. From Naushad sahab to Rahman and many more to come, this is one industry which has been progressing through out.

Amongst the thousands of musicians that come and go there are many who do not get rewarded for their good work. Just wanted to list out a few names who deserve more than the appreciation they get. And I am not going into the past since I don’t want the past Vs present debate to kick off.

1.Vishal Bharadwaj: From Maachis to Omkaara this is one guy who has delivered consistently. I agree he has the great company of Gulzaar Sahab in lyrics in almost all his compositions. But still to produce such soulful music time and again can be done only by a genius. Betaabi, Jahan Tum Le Chalo, hu tu tu, Satya, Love ke liye, sunset point, omkara all have a master touch of his.
2.Ranjith Barot: Remember the Nescafe ad tune? It is this guy’s work of art. There was a period when Annu Mallik produced some great compositions. Like Ashoka, Yadein, Border. Ranjith Barot was assisting him in all the movies. They did not put forth his name as a guest composer but some of the songs were so not of Annu Mallik’s Caliber (Again no offence meant!). Holiday (if u know the movie) has a few amazing numbers by him.
3.Vishal & Shekar: The duo has an amazing chemistry. They just rock! Jhankaar beats was a masterpiece. Suno na is one of my all time favorites. These guys can range their compositions from typical hindi movie stuff to rap numbers. Bluffmaster was too good. And can u forget Allah ke Bandeh? Gold it was.
4.Harris Jayaraj: Hindi audiences rack up your brains. RHTDM strikes a chord ? This guy is a big name in south. Although he produces amazing numbers he has to live with the shadow of A.R.Rahman. Just like Sehwag lives in the shadow of Sachin!! Zara Zara(Vaseegara) is a timeless piece. The word was around that ARR did that composition for him. But he followed it up with great numbers in tamil movies to prove his worth. May be he could be a bit more consistent in his work.
5.M.M Kreem: Awarapan Banjarapan …. Such a melancholic note it is that I at times fear to listen to it lest I breakdown. Yet another guy who is provided with very less chance in the industry. Even changing his name from Maragadamani to M.M Kreem did not help! Hope to hear more from this guy.
6.Sandeep Chowta: Not sure why RGV left this guy. He produced some amazing scores in the RGV company. Also you should hear his score in a telugu movie called "Super".It was mind blowing.I do not understand a word of telugu,but saw the movie just for the songs!!

I could go on and list a lot more names. But these are the deserving candidates that I chose. I would give them an award each for the sheer talent they have in them. While we are celebrating the Himeshs and Pritams of the world just spare a thought for these guys. And please do let me know if you could think of anyone else!

Ps: Missed Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy purposefully since they seem to be getting what they deserve after years of perseverance.

Red Card for Green Card

2006-07-22T03:32:00.000-07:00

‘Mittal Strikes Steel’ read the newspaper after the day he struck a deal with Arcelor. It was great to see an Indian calling the shots and heading the world’s largest steel company. Later on the Mittal-Arcelor group announced large investments in India (Orissa). Lakshmi Mittal featured in the list of world’s richest men.

The whole thing made me think about writing something on this one topic, which is very close to my heart – Brain Drain. Going to a foreign country to make a living. Let me get things straight – I am not talking about the public who go out for business purpose for a short term (including the on-siters). I am talking about people who go and settle abroad for good. People who would die to become the citizen of that country. People who proclaim to miss their country and its traditions. I had always advocated the fact that you should not leave your motherland and serve another nation, just because things are better out there. No, I am not writing Swades’ review here. But yes, the idea is something that I would treasure.

I know there is a huge amount of revenue that comes in from NRIs. Yet, wouldn’t the country been richer by n times if they were to serve here in the country. Keeping in mind all the disadvantages (population, illiteracy, joblessness…) the country is facing, wouldn’t it be better to stay back and fight them. The personal gains somehow easily over-ride the major cause that should concern them. Let me put it this way. How would you like it if Sachin chooses to play for Australia just because he would earn more there?

In all the debates I had a chance to talk on this topic, I have always stood against the idea of settling abroad. But when I saw Mittal, who has been settled in the US for a while now come back and invest such a huge amount of money, it made me re-think on the whole topic. Is there a chance that this guy could have grown so fast if he were to set his base in India rather than the US? I believe not. I mean, even though the Ambani’s are setting an empire of their own in the country, it would take them a hell of a lot of time before they start acquiring international firms. But still, wouldn’t you rather be an Ambani than a Mittal?

Ask a Japanese guy to ditch his country and come he would tell you to take a walk. That is one nation where people have worked their ass out to take their nation to the level, which they are in. Agreed, we Indians are lazy by nature and we all want the easier way out. All we do is to sit back and blame the system and rue about our misfortunes of being in this country. Trust me. I have seen people who would do anything to get a job in the US. Or to marry someone who has a job in the US. If the best brains in the country are to leave, how do we expect to grow fast?

I don’t expect things to change anytime soon in the near future. If Ashutosh Gowariker couldn’t change things Vinod Iyer certainly cannot! I know for sure that I wouldn’t consider settling abroad.

Tu na poochh raaste mein kaahe
Aaye hain is tarha do raahein
Tu hi toh hai raah jo sujhaaye
Tu hi toh hai ab jo ye bataaye
Chaahe toh kis disha mein jaaye wahi des

2006-07-05T23:36:00.000-07:00

"Music, like life is simple. If you try to understand it, it gets complicated"

A thought I just came up with while returning from my music class!!
(Need the copywrite & so blogging it:))

Wat say ?

Krishh - The Super Zero

2006-06-30T03:03:00.000-07:00

Rakesh Roshan is one of the most hyped up directors in the Hindi film industry. All his movies have nothing but too much of melodrama. His last 3-4 movies worked only because of one reason – Hrithik! Saw the latest baap-beta combo last week …Krrish!!

The movie is supposed to be a super hero movie. But as it turns out it is nothing but a typical Rakesh Roshan saga with some brilliant actions scenes fitted into it. I must agree that the actions scenes were really good. It would match even the Hollywood movies. But the action scenes are really, a misfit there. Poor Hrithik had to do all the rope-climbings. This super hero is set out not to save the world. He is going around jumping through the buildings just for his girl. And later to retrieve his dad (Jaadu wala hrithik) who apparently is not dead. He is under the captivity if the great villain, Nasuruddin Shah who has kept him alive for turning ON a super-computer which only he can do. The movie goes on with a pathetic screenplay with no effective dialogues.

I am surprised how people can take the audience for granted like this. How many times in a movie would we have seen the son going to save his father. And the villain just cannot find a way to stop this guy. All his gundas run around with Lattis is their hand. For god’s sake can’t the villain buy them a revolver each? At the end only one revolver is there and Hrithik snatches it and kills Nassuruddin . Blah!!

I would give –5 rating to Rakesh Roshan for wasting talents like Nassuruddin Shah, Hrithik and Priyanka Chopra. The most irritating character in the movie is the lady who comes in as Priyanka’s friend. I could have really got into the screen and given her a slap!

I appreciate his idea of taking Indian cinema a step ahead and all that. But he is far away from doing it. It’s in fact a step backward. And if you think that it is a Children’s movie then you are far from it. The only good reaction from the kids was when Hrithik was drinking Bournvita. One of the kids shouted in the hall saying “Mujhe bhi bournvita peena hai” J. In fact in whole of the movie parallely runs a ad campaign. For various brands ranging from Bournvita, Tide, Vicks, Hero Honda . I would sit at home and watch the adds. I don’t have to spend Rs.180 for that(Yes …180 Rs !!!:( )

The action scenes, as I said, deserve appreciation. It is as good as a Spiderman or a superman flying around. I sincerely hope that this movie has seen the birth of a super hero. But I would like some other talented guy to take the legacy forward with some sensible screenplay. And hope that the action hero does what he is best at – save the world. Hrithik – Good job. Rakesh – Please spare us!

Shall we eat out today?...

2006-06-24T02:02:00.000-07:00

Golden words which mom or dad would say once in a blue moon. There used to be a time when my bro and me would have to request for days before we get to eat out. It would be nothing great. We would go there and eat the same old dosas and puris of the world. But the sheer pleasure of going into a restaurant, sitting in an AC room and eating was something we always looked forward to. And in a laid back city like Trivandrum you wouldn’t have much options to choose from. There was “Hotel Arulakam” and “Hotel Alankar”. Once in a month, was appa’s budget, I think. The craze to eat biriyani and to drink rose milk took us to the same restaurants time after time. And of course amma had to make a comment every time we went in there “ I could have made all this at home. I don’t know why we should come here and spend like this”.

The practice of going out to eat kind of faded away once Vijay moved out of the city. Now it was time for me to save pocket money and eat out with friends. The income was less and the demands were too high. Going for movies without telling appa, eating out, buying cassettes…Boy!! I do manage finance well! :) I would have to force my friends to go into a hotel where I can get some veg food. Poor guys used to compromise a lot of times for me. Other times I would compromise and eat aloo mutter (which would be the only veg dish) in a hard-core non-veg hotel.

And there were the famous “thattu kaddas”(Roadside stalls) where you would get amazing dosai and rasa vadai. How much ever you eat the bill wouldn’t cross 20 Rupees. Heaven!! Another option would be the local “Brahmin hotels” like Venkateswara Bhavan and Balaji Hotel, which would give you full value for money. Typical south Indian dishes like sevai (our sub for noodles!), karavadai and all can be found only here.

It has been a while now since I have moved out from home to Pune to “work”. The clock has come a round circle. Eating out is no more a pleasure. Even the AC rooms don’t make a difference. I have to hunt down places to eat different things. The food culture is totally different here. The word roti scares me. For a full-fledged rice eater like me having to eat rotis subah-sham is really difficult. The sambhar they make in the hotels are sweet. Why would anyone want to eat sambhar sweetly!!! I thought that’s what the gheers of the world were made for. I know the restaurants are not run for people like us. So I shouldn’t be complaining. Almost all the bearers in these restaurants are my great pals. I can even go in and say “the usuals” and they would bring me food.

Have been Trying the Dabbawalas these days and they are no good either. Again, the sight of rotis inside that Tiffin carrier makes me feel like jump out of my window, hang on to the plane passing by and go home. I have lot of places to choose from now - Chinese, Punjabi, Gujarati, Maharashtrian, and the so-called south Indian restaurants. But there is no homemade thair sadam (curd rice). No amma’s cookings. I used to scream at amma if there would be no appalam (paapad) with rice. Now I go 10-15 kms just eat a south Indian meal in a south Indian mess over here. And they don’t give appalams!

Of course I do “try” to cook at times. But for a lazy bone like me it cannot be a daily activity. And most of the times the cooking would be restricted to maggi or a rice and curd- Nothing compared to the ones you get at home. And for a food buff like me dieting does not appeal too much. I guess there are at least a million people who feel the same way I do. Probably it’s a phase of life everyone has to go through. So let me try and get past this (Eligible) Bachelor’s life of mine :). Let me leave. It’s time for lunch. The restaurant guys would be worried why I am late!

Up Above the verse so high...

2006-06-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

Standing at this point you can see the whole Fort and it’s in the form of a big curve. And that is why the name “Korighad”, said KD: our guide cum leader cum cook cum etc etc. This was my first ever, proper trekking experience. The whole thing started off as a project trip. But as it would be, most dropped out and 8 of us were left.Eight of us on 4 bikes; away we went

Trekking was never my cup of tea. Or, let’s say walking is not. For a lazy bum like me climbing up a two-storied building is a Herculean task. Forget a whole large mountain!I would rather go to a beach trip, on a moonlit night! (Alas!). But still I always liked the idea of camping and living in a tent and stuff. It’s human tendency, I guess, to get back to primitive age.

So away from the mayhems of the urban world we went …

We reached the bottom of the mountain and I asked KD.. “Where is it?”. KD pointed to the top of the mountain and said….”There”. I felt a rock falling on my head! Then we started the long walk. When we reached the top, we could guess why shivaji would build a fort there!! Who is gonna attack him after climbing a mountain..Phew!! All of us, exhausted, were trying to find a place to put our tents. KD said, “This is actually a small trek”. He could say that since he was born to live in the mountains. Manoj had removed his shirt and as Madhu said—He was looking like a “Mallu porn star”(Hope his wife doesn’t read this blog).

It was almost dusk as we reached there. We were exploring the whole area when we came to a point where we could see a huge part of the Amby Valley . We all wished we had brought some eno!! The first words of wisdom came from Sarin. He started yelling at the top of his voice, “You rich F****rs, I hate you!!!”. Roshan followed it up with some desi galis.

The tents were looking cute. KD made soup for all. Knorr soup had never tasted this good!! Then all got settled down to the main purpose of the trip- “Cheers!”. I had not had a hard drink before (Ya ya …I am one of those guys who is not a born drinker). But I wanted to try it out just once to know what the hell the world is so crazy about (If u didn’t notice I am trying to portray my good boy image!). After months of thinking I decided to give it a go that day!! Sandeep was the only non-drinker! I could really relate to what he was feeling. He would have the right to eat all the ‘chaknas’. They made my first drink as hard as possible! I had mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the chaknas more I would say :D. After the 3rd drink I could feel giddy in my head. Was strange, I should say. My feet were not listening to me when I told them”Walk”. But I was not “out” as they call it. After that day I am stillnot decidedwhether to drink again!

KD, the cook again came into action and made some awesome pulav! Thankfully Manoj’s cell had a radio and we were playing it all through. Long live radio! “Yeh hai meri Kahani” received mass acclaim. Everyone could relate to the song and we felt the lyrics was written just for us! All were discussing our miserable lives with Abhinav talking non-stop as usual!

It was a full moon night and I was staring at the moon. Madhu exclaimed” The moon looks beautiful” .I blabbered for the first time ever. I said, “The moon looks like _____” (I am not gonna blabber nowJ). I wanted to tell him “Dai, Yaar Kittayum Ollaradhe (Don’t tell anyone)”, but it was too late. I guess they reported it on NDTV next day. We all slept peacefully in confined spaces that were allotted to us. KD said he went mid way down during the night to fetch water from a stream!!!

In the morning there were a few tourists here and there but no major crowd. There was a guy and a girl who had come to “visit the fort”. The girl was giving him a stare as to say ”You said there would be no one!”.

Now coming to the point of writing this blog (What? You are just starting up?!) ….

The morning we decided to take a closer look at the amusing City that was lying beneath. Apart from the huge huge bungalows, there was a golf club,Disco, swimming pools, an artificial lake, and believe it or not; an airstrip! The Scottish style row houses were mind blowing!

Some guys were playing Tennis and later we could see them leave in a “luxury car”. There was a boat, which was carrying people to the artificial island made in between an artificial lake. Sarin repeated his words of wisdom until he was tired.

All of us could wonder only one thing – When are we gonna be on the other side!!Would a day ever come when a software engineer like me could dream of buying a house in an island for a weekend outing!! We all decided to buy a bungalow each and come back to the same place and spot the bungalow from the top! May be in a couple of janams from now! I promise to write a blog about it then.

Over and Out !!!

2006-06-07T02:34:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was in my usual routine of having a tea in my office at around 11 am. This is one of the means of spending half an hour’s time!! And discussing worldly important things like movie reviews, cricket controversies, life, etc, etc. One of the senior managers of my company was sitting there. The conversation was something like this:

M: So Vinod, Wat’s up?
Me: Nothing!! Everything is AS USUAL.
M: Come on yaar, you are a billable resource now (A jargon popular in the software industry where company charges the client for hiring me!!!). You are earning in Dollars now.
Me: (fake laughter) I am not earning, the company is earning J
M: Ya. But even the Tea that you are drinking is given by the company!!
Me: Ya. That is why they are giving it free these days, I supposeJ. (And I take off with my tea)

Just after the incident, my friend and me started a conversation. She said “Couldn’t u just have nodded and smiled at what he said. You shouldn’t have reacted to him. He is a senior manager. What would he think about u??”

That was the topic for the day and we debated it with our hearts out. But it made me think a lot as to what people really think about me! Probably that day he would thought ‘what an over-smart’ guy he is!’

I always thought I am a smart, confident, enthusiastic guy. Just add a word “over” to all those attributes; it would still suit me. Infact, coming to think about it, it might suit me better!! I always have found it difficult to find a balance and find a point where I should stop being smart. The line is pretty thin! And once someone thinks you are “over” then it is pretty hard to get back to normal! Then whatever one does will be considered as an act of over doing. And if you exceed the limit then comes the term “show-off” added to your vast range of reputations. I know at least 50% of the people I met might just think that I am a show-off. Probably the other 50% know me!! (Confidence or over-confidence?!)

In that case me writing these things in itself is a show-off!! Why should I write everything and put it in some website instead of writing it in a personal diary? (I hate the idea of writing personal diary anyways!!Why do you have to write one if u don’t want anybody to read it ?!)

But still, I just cannot find the line where it goes “over”! And neither do I have tons of experiences to sit back, think about and learn from. So before it hurts me real badly I should get on to look for the LOC. Probably I should stop chasing my dreams and search for the line instead!! Hey, Have you seen the line by any chance?:)

That Crazy Chap!!

2006-05-24T05:13:00.000-07:00

I was watching the IND vs. WI match yesterday on TV and for once I was happy that this Indian team is losing. I used to hate it when anybody spoke negatively about the team and its performance. I would even watch a match in which India is trashed by the other team. And then would sit back and hope that the team will do well in the next match. From that point to this where I wished that India should loose badly in WI, only one man is to be blamed- Mr.Chappel.

After the British it is now the turn of Aussies to come and rule us!! This guy with his dumb 5-bowler theory has not only started the downfall of Indian cricket (opposite to what others think is a rise of Indian cricket) but he also has brought in useless players like Venugopal Rao and Sreesanth. Seriously, Do u think this guy has the potential to become a McGrath ? Or atleast a srinath ? I don’t think so. Within a years time these guys would be history. You cannot compensate for talent with anything else. We won 3 series just because of yuvraj,dhoni and dravid(the batsman)

And we have a humble captain, who would nod to anything that chappel says. I rate Dravid the player as high as Sachin even. But his captaincy s*** big time. Yuvraj would be a much better option if you ask me (I know nobody is gonna ask me J). And Mr.More please pack your bags and go. I wonder who selects these selectors. They should be fired first. You would give Kaif a thousand opportunity in which he would score in a couple of matches like a tortoise but still you wont consider giving Ganguly a chance. Why? Because Chappel said so!! I am one amongst the millions who hope against hope that Dada comes back. Just for the sheer reason that he would be much worthier a player than venugopal rao!! And I still hope Ind loose badly in WI .Damn you chappel for making me feel like this!

A Dream(in the) Job ??

2006-05-19T01:56:00.000-07:00

‘Thanks a lot Boss, it was a pleasure working with u’, I told my manager as I packed my stuff to leave the office for one last time. Your first job is always close to your heart. A job which I did not even dream of being in. A job in which I never thought I fitted in. A job in which I learnt basically nothing! Staring at the computer for hours together trying to figure out what it wants me to do. Honestly, I get scared when people talk about stuffs like the codes, application, different languages to learn, different platforms blah blah blah.. The jargons related to this IT industry are unlimited. I would like to meet the people who came up with such terms. I am sure they would be someone like me, who did not know what he/she was doing in life.

And there were those work-less days. Some people call me lucky for always having no work to do. But I think otherwise. I never had a problem with working! But there has to be a work to do. I am no workaholic alright, but can easily bend my back to do finish off things given to me. Probably if I had work I would have loved the job a bit more. I am sure this industry could do with half the resources they have. But then people like me wouldn’t have got into it. A typical IT industry related thing – either u have loads of work or u have none! If someone does figure out a solution please do tell the world!

May be if you have the aspiration, you can excel in this field. Aspiration-Now where do I find that? The major aspirations I see in others are to get a foreign country and make money. It doesn’t appeal to me much to go so far and live in a place where you don’t belong. May be I can make some money? But I would like to be one of those who would be in the country and still earn a good living (Good = luxurious!!!). You need a conviction in your beliefs for that. Conviction- what is that!

The road ahead was challenging. After all I was gonna join one of the most premier institutes in the country. I was all set to join college….again! This PG was a thing I had wanted to do two years back. Nevertheless, I have a chance now. I had always thought that I would excel in management, since I just have to talk talk and talk, which I believe I am good at. The pressure will be high. Much more than sitting at my desk and counting the hours left in the day. A couple of years down the lane I would be in demand!!

At last there was a change in life! … As if I found the restart button for the life. Suddenly I heard someone call me …. “Vinod .. Vinod .. Wake up!!! Man U slept off at ur desk? We have training now in ten minutes..chal jaldi” My colleague woke me up.

Damn … These daydreams ….They will ruin me one day .. Or may be they wont!

My Firstest Blog

2006-03-07T22:33:00.000-08:00

My Firstest Blog!!

As soon as I decided to become a “Writer”, the obvious question came to my mind, what should I write about? I mean, it’s my first blog and it will be closely monitored (Assuming that at least one person apart from me does read this blog!!) So what should it be about? Maybe I should write about my life. No…I wouldn’t really want my first blog to be blank! So moving on I thought about the things I like. There are a million things least to say. I am famous for being the joker of all trades. But then I thought I should start my writings with the thing I love most. …Music.

It is strange that a guy who does not have any musical background can be addicted so much to music. Till I reached some basic maturity level, which would be like some 12th grade, the only thing that interested me and which I thought could be the only pass time a man could have, was cricket!! All I used to do was play cricket and get about my life’s routine. The only knowledge that I had about music to start with was the amazing slokas my Amma would sing. Her “shree chakra raja simhasaneshwari” still resonates in my ears. The other source of music was from the mallu songs that used to play in Vividhabharathi. Some of those songs still give me creep. It brings back the memories of me heading to my nursery school weeping through out my way!! Then came a “National” Tape Recorder to the very stringent electronic resources found at my home. I still remember me and Vijay (my Bro) trying hard to find out how to play back, after pressing the pause button. It took us a day long to find out that we have to press it again to release it! Then came the luxury of listening to songs whenever we wanted. But still our resource of music remained very minimal. Most of the songs playing would be the slokas that Amma would play early in the morning in the likes of good old Vishnu Sahasranamam and Lalita Sahasranamam. Vishnu Sahasranamam in M.S.Subbulakshmi’s voice, I believe, is still the best thing that has ever happened to music!! Hear it once in the morning and your day will be good at least, if not great.

It was long before we started to get some Hindi and Tamil songs recorded in a plane cassette. Buying cassettes was like buying a 29” flat TV. So Vijay used to get the songs recorded from somewhere and we used to listen to them till the tape used to get stuck in between the head and gave up. Again I did not even know Bappi Lahri then, Leave alone the likes of Madonna and MJ.

One day Vijay came home recording a new Tamil album called “Roja”. It was supposed to be this huge hit. That was my first acquaintance to Boss! (Ok …I got the idea of calling him the Boss from Jhankar Beats!!) . I heard Chinna chinna aasai (Choti si aasha) and it sounded kinda cute. My favorite then though was Rukmani Rukmani. Never had I heard such rhythm. I wont say that Roja swept me off my feet and I became a music fanatic. It kinda told me that, yes there is something called music in life. After that it was like, if it is Rahman’s album we have to get it recorded and listen. And that was fair enough given that the albums he came up after that kept on being fantastic. The hits kept on coming: Bombay, Gentleman, and Kadhalan…..The list kept growing. His first Hindi album Rangeela announced that he was here to stay. By then I had graduated to buying cassettes saving the small pocket moneys I used to get. My Appa till date believes I waste lot of money on music.

I was in my tenth grade when I heard Dil Se first. This time it did make me a fanatic. That’s the first time when I started idolizing Rahman. Have you ever noticed the Background score in Dil Se? I saw the movie 8 times in the theater just to listen to the BGMs. Things changed around then. There was a song for every occasion. Happy, sad, romantic, frustrated whatever was the mood I started to associate it with a song. I still do! The love for music became a passion when Vijay gifted me with a keyboard. Even though it was an one and a half octave one I cherished it like it was a 15” long bar of gold. I played a tune from Daud first. I went to the moon and came back when I played a tune out of the blue. Now I have a proper five and a half-octave keyboard with me. Guess what? This one too was gifted to me by Vijay. Thanks Vijay! Since then I have developed my love for all kinds of music. From carnatic classical to hard-core rock I adore every kind of music these days. As I said there is a song for every occasion and I like to sing my heart out (My room-mates would agree to that sorrowfully).

So Rahman kept on scoring music and I kept listening to them. One thing that amazes me of the man is his consistency. Imagine, not one album has gone by in which at least a couple of songs are good. If you ask me, I would say all are good!! Every song of his found a place in my life. Of course he has come up with some songs below his standards. But then again he compensates by giving another masterpiece the next time. From Roja to Rang de Basanti and many many more to come I will be glued to his music. I am not here to argue whether he is better than the greats like Illayaraja, R.D.Burman or whomsoever. For me, his music drives me crazy and I am proud to be a Rahmaniac.
To Rahman I would quote:

“ Teach me half the gladness
That thy brain must know
Such harmonious madness
From my lips would flow
And then the world would listen
As I listen to you now. “

Well, I started off talking about music, and ended up talking about Rahman. For me it’s one and the same! I know, I have not done anything to music yet. But I hope to, sometime. And my ultimate dream still remains the same: Working with Rahman!! They say it takes courage to disclose your dream to someone. But I think it’s good to have a dream, which is close to impossible. You still would have something to look forward to in life! Music is my food of life and I will play on!

Vinod R Iyer.