MAMTA MOURNS DEMISE OF BASU
The strength of one’s reputation can best be ascertained from the opinion of one’s critics/rivals. And if your rival happens to be as bitter and brash as Mamta Bannerjee then no laurels or respite be expected. But the contribution and charisma of Jyotida compelled even Mamta to exercise caution. Her remarks therefore were respectful and restrained, diplomatic too.
She said “ Jyoti Basu was the first and last of the left leaders “.
Knowing the volatile relationship between her party and Left she could not have even hinted any appreciation of Left and therefore in her praise of Jyoti Basu she has conveyed that hereinafter no one else is of that stature. There is a definite taunt toward the other Left leaders in her tribute to the departed leader. I consider her homage to be sincere even though she may have said it as if addressing to the vast rural population of Bengal whom Basu did liberate with his consistent policy of Land reforms, though partially. Despite the failure of left in recent times she could not have afforded to annoy the masses who still revere Jyoti Basu.
Death indeed is a leveller and we forget our conflicts and antagonisms for sometime at least. It humanises us. Mamta was brutally assaulted in the writers building in 1996 whilst protesting against the Left regime of Jyoti Basu, that injury is deeply imbedded in her. It will only be redeemed when she is crowned the Queen of Bengal after the Assembly elections, which is a possibility. Ideological differences notwithstanding the left activated its nemesis the day it assaulted Mamta. Thereafter this lady with single minded determination defeated them in many battles – Nandigram, Singur and finally the recent Lok Sabha polls. The War is yet to be faught.
In her statement is hidden her anger for left and all left leaders who for her do not exist. Therefore Jyoti Basu was the first and last leader, and rest do not matter to her. The left and its leaders including Jyoti Basu always disregarded her, considered her as an irritant . So she conveys through her statement that only Jyotida was ideology, party and in his demise the left with its leaders and ideology too is dead . An incorrect statement as Left lives on and so will its leaders and we will await for some ‘Jyoti’ to lead us which Jyoti Basu could not.
Perhaps the greatest contribution of Jyoti Basu is that he made left leades acceptable to many sceptics who were constantly suspicious of Marxists by his wise administration of 23 years. It is also true that in his journey of more than two decades many flaws mushroomed which lead to the decline of his party; his protégé too lacked his charisma. His commitment to panchayati Raj and land reforms and substantial success too remains a challenge to all budding politicians.
I wonder how will Mamta feel when she will finally trounce the tottering regime of left and takes oath as the Chief Minister , for there will not be Jyoti Basu who inspired her resolve.
मंगलवार, 19 जनवरी 2010
गुरुवार, 14 जनवरी 2010
WE LIVE AND LEARN -- VISIT TO GOA
WE LIVE AND LEARN
It was more of a learning experience than entertainment during my recent vacation to Goa.
Since some time my wife and daughter ( son wants to travel with friends; too old for parents to handle ), have been taunting and teasing me that I never take the family out on vacation and if at all I do , it is to Tirth Sthans ( Holy places ). So in order to reconstruct my image ; just prior to the year ending when my LTC was about to lapse I took the plunge and managed to book to and fro tickets by Air to Goa. Was also lucky to get accommodation at Naval Mess despite heavy booking.
In the past I had visited Goa for short durations mostly on board ships . Our outings were therefore be limited to Bogmallo beach where most of us ship officers would find each other invariably in the evenings. The standard Goan food consisting of fish curry and rice accompanied by Beer or Aalay was relished and then return to our ships to sail the next day to Mumbai or Kochi.
Influence of Portuguese in my mind was limited to knowledge of wine and dine only. I was aware of the Goan liberation movement and had also watched Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’s ‘ Saat Hindustani’. In a lecture I attended during ‘Maritime History conference’ I remember that one speaker described the atrocities and cruelties of Portuguese on Indian subjects. The fact is that they ruled the place for 450 years and influenced the economy, society and culture of Goa.My guide at old Goa told me that there were about 35% Christians in Goa, which speaks of the penetration of Portuguese influence on Society.However I wondered that as British presence in India could be felt and seen in various facets still! Which was not case with Portuguese. British impact being on the language, architecture, the vast bureaucracy they created, education , religion custom and manners. The most important being that we can still interact with the human remnants of Raj --- Anglo Indians of British origin and some British themselves such as Mark Tully and Ruskin Bond .My Head Master in school was an Irish Brother. But to understand Goa and its Portuguese influence there remains no direct human medium, only the large number of Indians they converted. The football influence is distinct. I have yet to see or talk to any Portuguese or to an Anglo Indian of Portuguese root.
Therefore I attempted to understand and assimilate Goa from its surroundings. During the four days when I visited the various places north and south of Panjim it was by the Architecture that I was struck; churches and chapels were indeed different from the stone cathedrals of British India. The Goan churches were large, there was external simplicity and at many places white lime was applied to the walls. Inside the gold paint at the altar, pulpit attracted my attention. The Structures were as if conveying well ! this is how mankind should be – external simplicity but heart of Gold! Government neglect and casual attitude of archaeological department was also visible. What enchanted me the most were the beautiful design of Goan homes spread along the long beach side surrounded by coconut trees. Similar such houses , cottages , bungalows I had seen in Kochi too but here the number was more and were homogeneously spread out . The tiled- sloping roof in harmony with the setting, glasswork, design of doors and windows , the balanced work indeed was pleasing. Fine mind of cruel? Rulers ! Another noticeable feature were the temples of Goa. Bold, wonderful colours in praise of God, similar to Kerala, but just. Small chapels/holy crosses along the way added to the serenity of the surroundings.
We had Goan food at numerous places. Small huts and smart restaurants but standard was strikingly same . The new feature is the influx of resident foreign tourist, who akin to migratory birds make Goa their home for the winter months sustaining on Indian warmth. They moved in hired scooters/bikes bare chest in conformity with the freedom and frolic of the place.
Prolonged presence of foreign tourists is slowly changing the colour and complexion of beaches and its approaches. The glossy shops selling Indian goods have cornered much of prime area virtually clouding the simplicity and nativity of semi urban setting. The well lit and colourful restaurants at Condolem beach could easily compete with that of Fremantle or any such foreign locale. Rates were reasonable and food variety and quality was good.
Multitude of middle class Indian tourist also visit Goa , but we seem to be in such hurry while on vacation that meaning of true leisure eludes us. Probably with some more prosperity and commercialism we will imbibe the taste and talent of English holidayers. On occasions I am compelled to think that we seem to tour only for status symbol, in order to show off ; dutifully completing the planned programme so that places visited could be ticked off as important jobs completed. Hoards of buses converge toward important beaches muscling their way through slim country roads unfit for such aggression in order to satisfy the search of Indian tourists for themselves !
Goa too cannot escape the eternal flux of time no matter how we conservatives! lament, this change is inevitable. The only redeeming feature of this process seems to be that the common man is gaining economically, his state is improving. The famous food of Goa which was its hallmark is giving way to multi-cuisine culture catering to the widening tourist strength. The old houses are being refurbished to international taste, new construction in Panjim has mounted the small hills.
I returned happy my family seems to have enjoyed. What I carried with me was the fact that there are certain good influences of any culture we should not ignore. I wondered as to why the people of Goa were so friendly and peaceful was it result of Portuguese life style influence? However Portugal still remains remote to me it is still distant in my mind, I will continue to make attempts in my subsequent visits to fathom this distant conqueror!
It was more of a learning experience than entertainment during my recent vacation to Goa.
Since some time my wife and daughter ( son wants to travel with friends; too old for parents to handle ), have been taunting and teasing me that I never take the family out on vacation and if at all I do , it is to Tirth Sthans ( Holy places ). So in order to reconstruct my image ; just prior to the year ending when my LTC was about to lapse I took the plunge and managed to book to and fro tickets by Air to Goa. Was also lucky to get accommodation at Naval Mess despite heavy booking.
In the past I had visited Goa for short durations mostly on board ships . Our outings were therefore be limited to Bogmallo beach where most of us ship officers would find each other invariably in the evenings. The standard Goan food consisting of fish curry and rice accompanied by Beer or Aalay was relished and then return to our ships to sail the next day to Mumbai or Kochi.
Influence of Portuguese in my mind was limited to knowledge of wine and dine only. I was aware of the Goan liberation movement and had also watched Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’s ‘ Saat Hindustani’. In a lecture I attended during ‘Maritime History conference’ I remember that one speaker described the atrocities and cruelties of Portuguese on Indian subjects. The fact is that they ruled the place for 450 years and influenced the economy, society and culture of Goa.My guide at old Goa told me that there were about 35% Christians in Goa, which speaks of the penetration of Portuguese influence on Society.However I wondered that as British presence in India could be felt and seen in various facets still! Which was not case with Portuguese. British impact being on the language, architecture, the vast bureaucracy they created, education , religion custom and manners. The most important being that we can still interact with the human remnants of Raj --- Anglo Indians of British origin and some British themselves such as Mark Tully and Ruskin Bond .My Head Master in school was an Irish Brother. But to understand Goa and its Portuguese influence there remains no direct human medium, only the large number of Indians they converted. The football influence is distinct. I have yet to see or talk to any Portuguese or to an Anglo Indian of Portuguese root.
Therefore I attempted to understand and assimilate Goa from its surroundings. During the four days when I visited the various places north and south of Panjim it was by the Architecture that I was struck; churches and chapels were indeed different from the stone cathedrals of British India. The Goan churches were large, there was external simplicity and at many places white lime was applied to the walls. Inside the gold paint at the altar, pulpit attracted my attention. The Structures were as if conveying well ! this is how mankind should be – external simplicity but heart of Gold! Government neglect and casual attitude of archaeological department was also visible. What enchanted me the most were the beautiful design of Goan homes spread along the long beach side surrounded by coconut trees. Similar such houses , cottages , bungalows I had seen in Kochi too but here the number was more and were homogeneously spread out . The tiled- sloping roof in harmony with the setting, glasswork, design of doors and windows , the balanced work indeed was pleasing. Fine mind of cruel? Rulers ! Another noticeable feature were the temples of Goa. Bold, wonderful colours in praise of God, similar to Kerala, but just. Small chapels/holy crosses along the way added to the serenity of the surroundings.
We had Goan food at numerous places. Small huts and smart restaurants but standard was strikingly same . The new feature is the influx of resident foreign tourist, who akin to migratory birds make Goa their home for the winter months sustaining on Indian warmth. They moved in hired scooters/bikes bare chest in conformity with the freedom and frolic of the place.
Prolonged presence of foreign tourists is slowly changing the colour and complexion of beaches and its approaches. The glossy shops selling Indian goods have cornered much of prime area virtually clouding the simplicity and nativity of semi urban setting. The well lit and colourful restaurants at Condolem beach could easily compete with that of Fremantle or any such foreign locale. Rates were reasonable and food variety and quality was good.
Multitude of middle class Indian tourist also visit Goa , but we seem to be in such hurry while on vacation that meaning of true leisure eludes us. Probably with some more prosperity and commercialism we will imbibe the taste and talent of English holidayers. On occasions I am compelled to think that we seem to tour only for status symbol, in order to show off ; dutifully completing the planned programme so that places visited could be ticked off as important jobs completed. Hoards of buses converge toward important beaches muscling their way through slim country roads unfit for such aggression in order to satisfy the search of Indian tourists for themselves !
Goa too cannot escape the eternal flux of time no matter how we conservatives! lament, this change is inevitable. The only redeeming feature of this process seems to be that the common man is gaining economically, his state is improving. The famous food of Goa which was its hallmark is giving way to multi-cuisine culture catering to the widening tourist strength. The old houses are being refurbished to international taste, new construction in Panjim has mounted the small hills.
I returned happy my family seems to have enjoyed. What I carried with me was the fact that there are certain good influences of any culture we should not ignore. I wondered as to why the people of Goa were so friendly and peaceful was it result of Portuguese life style influence? However Portugal still remains remote to me it is still distant in my mind, I will continue to make attempts in my subsequent visits to fathom this distant conqueror!
सोमवार, 11 जनवरी 2010
CREDIT AND COMPETENCE
CREDIT AND COMPETENCE
The credit controversy regarding story of ‘Three Idiots’ seems to have resolved but since the subject is of reoccurring nature it needs some discussion. Such credit related issues are part of the very functioning of our film industry; film making being collective and creative! Venture.
In the case of ‘ Three Idiots ‘ I think that no matter what the terms of agreement between Chetan Bhagat and film producer were he should have been given story credit during the main titles of the film and not in the last. Because even though the scenes from his book in the film were limited the film idea was germinated from his book.
The story once sold to film is the property of a new person and he shapes it according to his desire. Cinema and story writing are also different creative expressions. The unit of story is ‘word’ whereas that of cinema is ‘sound ’and ‘image’. Therefore in the process of presenting the story on screen a new personality is acquired which is so different from the origin and yet its originality is retained for the seed belongs to the original story writer and therefore the rightful credit. It is akin to giving your child for adoption to new parents, the child is now in a new environment and will shape up according to the aspirations of his new parents , the original parent have no further say on the matter and yet no matter what the child acquires at new home he carries their seed their ‘DNA’ .Must not some credit be given to the biological parents ? Are they not responsible for his success or failure?
Why it was not given its rightful place is subject of examination. To my mind the inherent insecurity among film makers could be the reason. Despite much success and fame and talent too film makers such as Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra feel so insecure that they do not wish to share their success even with legitimate contributor . It is believed that many talented and aspiring writers lend their ideas and expression to reknowned directors before they are allowed to claim their credit even though partially. What goes on is simply ‘exploitation’ unabashedly. Are we not aware that knowing the limits of Vinod Chopra’s talent that he is incapable of penning screenplay of the film and yet his name appears as one of the screenplay writers of ‘ three idiots’. Along with the money our filmmakers need creative security too which comes by denying to others.
Truly competent and confident directors offer their talent to others for them to make fame . Does it require some special survey to understand that ‘Hum Dono’ was the creation of Vijay Anand and not of Amarjeet to whom it was credited. Guru Dutt never took credit for ‘Sahib Bivi Gulam’ though his personality pervades the film and there are many others who posses true talent and were not mere creepers.
The credit controversy regarding story of ‘Three Idiots’ seems to have resolved but since the subject is of reoccurring nature it needs some discussion. Such credit related issues are part of the very functioning of our film industry; film making being collective and creative! Venture.
In the case of ‘ Three Idiots ‘ I think that no matter what the terms of agreement between Chetan Bhagat and film producer were he should have been given story credit during the main titles of the film and not in the last. Because even though the scenes from his book in the film were limited the film idea was germinated from his book.
The story once sold to film is the property of a new person and he shapes it according to his desire. Cinema and story writing are also different creative expressions. The unit of story is ‘word’ whereas that of cinema is ‘sound ’and ‘image’. Therefore in the process of presenting the story on screen a new personality is acquired which is so different from the origin and yet its originality is retained for the seed belongs to the original story writer and therefore the rightful credit. It is akin to giving your child for adoption to new parents, the child is now in a new environment and will shape up according to the aspirations of his new parents , the original parent have no further say on the matter and yet no matter what the child acquires at new home he carries their seed their ‘DNA’ .Must not some credit be given to the biological parents ? Are they not responsible for his success or failure?
Why it was not given its rightful place is subject of examination. To my mind the inherent insecurity among film makers could be the reason. Despite much success and fame and talent too film makers such as Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra feel so insecure that they do not wish to share their success even with legitimate contributor . It is believed that many talented and aspiring writers lend their ideas and expression to reknowned directors before they are allowed to claim their credit even though partially. What goes on is simply ‘exploitation’ unabashedly. Are we not aware that knowing the limits of Vinod Chopra’s talent that he is incapable of penning screenplay of the film and yet his name appears as one of the screenplay writers of ‘ three idiots’. Along with the money our filmmakers need creative security too which comes by denying to others.
Truly competent and confident directors offer their talent to others for them to make fame . Does it require some special survey to understand that ‘Hum Dono’ was the creation of Vijay Anand and not of Amarjeet to whom it was credited. Guru Dutt never took credit for ‘Sahib Bivi Gulam’ though his personality pervades the film and there are many others who posses true talent and were not mere creepers.
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