Just because it is possible to push twigs along the ground with one’s nose does not necessarily mean that that is the best way to collect firewood
-- Anthony Berglas
-- Anthony Berglas
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Supernatural - The Purge
This one reminded me of VLCC and Anjali Mukerjee - what with all the talk of cellulite and weight loss. :-) On a serious note, it was a huge relief to watch something other than Gadreel, Metatron, demons and angels even if it was about a fat-sucking monster from Peru! Thanks to the variety of monsters that we have been exposed to so far, Vampires and Werewolves seem so routine that the last episode on the Winchester brothers' pal Garth turning into one seemed kind of run-of-the-mill :-)
It's also good to see Sam and Den work together once again though I wonder where Castiel is. I still cannot understand what Sam is so worked up about. There is no denying the fact that they need each other to cover each other's back. But he is caught up in some sort of inexplicable death wish. I think next time Dean should ask him if he wants to be saved before doing it!!
Something that Sam said at the end of the episode rattled me - he said that Dean shouldn't have saved him when he was prepared to die and if the shoe were on the other foot, he wouldn't have done the same. I have a creepy feeling that this will be tied up with the price that the mark of Cain on Dean is supposed to exact in the future storyline. :-(
It's also good to see Sam and Den work together once again though I wonder where Castiel is. I still cannot understand what Sam is so worked up about. There is no denying the fact that they need each other to cover each other's back. But he is caught up in some sort of inexplicable death wish. I think next time Dean should ask him if he wants to be saved before doing it!!
Something that Sam said at the end of the episode rattled me - he said that Dean shouldn't have saved him when he was prepared to die and if the shoe were on the other foot, he wouldn't have done the same. I have a creepy feeling that this will be tied up with the price that the mark of Cain on Dean is supposed to exact in the future storyline. :-(
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
The museum - which is one of my favorite places in the city - is a stone's throw away from Kala Ghoda. I had read about the Cyrus Cylinder exhibition there so I decided to check it out. On reaching there, I discovered that it was holding two more exhibitions - one of paintings by late artist Mr. Mohan Samant (1924-2004) and another titled 'Flemish Masterpieces From Antwerp'. The entry ticket an Indian adult is Rs 60. I paid Rs 20 for mobile photography and was given a bright pink paper strip as the receipt for it. The guy at the security gate tied it to my hand. I understand that the color was bright so that the guards can observe it even from a distance but nonetheless it felt weird to roam about with a bright pink band on my hand (kinda reminded me of college friendship days!) :-)
Now about the Cyrus Cylinder. King Cyrus the Great (576-530 BC) founded the Achaemenid Dynasty 2600 years ago in ancient Persia. His thoughts are inscribed on this sun-dried clay cylinder found in city walls in Babylon (now in Iraq). As per the information displayed in the exhibition it is also probably the oldest known declaration of human rights! Along with this cylinder the exhibition also displays a couple of coins, seals and things used in religious rituals. I took some photos outside the main exhibit hall but was dismayed to find that photography was prohibited inside. :-( This exhibition is on till 25th February.
A disclaimer is in order before I write about the two painting exhibitions - I don't understand a thing about paintings unless it depicts nature. And I absolutely hated the drawing class in school though God knows the hapless teacher did his best to reform me!
There wasn't a soul in sight when I stepped into the hall displaying paintings by late artist Mr. Mohan Samant except for two security people. I realized that the paintings had a sort of layered effect - real objects had been used along with what was painted in different sections of the drawings. It was an interesting technique which I had never seen anywhere so far. But sadly there was no information given about it. The plaque below each painting just named it, if all all, along with the period in which it was painted. I must confess though that barring one or two, I wasn't able to make head or tail out of any of them - despite the name on the plaque. And most of them appeared downright creepy to my untrained eyes - especially the ones which contained skulls and skeletons, hopefully fake ones! Decidedly, stuff that nightmares are made up of. I left rather hurriedly.
I wasn't too keen on going to the 'Flemish Masterpieces From Antwerp' after this experience but decided to check it out anyways now that I was here. I was relieved that I was able to understand what the paintings were all about without having to glance at the plaques. I especially liked a family portrait, the bull market as well as a huge painting depicting evening time. Of course, this exhibition too had more than its fair share of the creepy, the scary and the melancholy - a painting depicting food meant for the poorer sections of the society and another one of a pile of hunted animals like rabbits (despite being a non-vegetarian I turned away from this one).
In a way I was glad that no photography was allowed in either of the painting exhibitions. :-( But I had paid some money to be allowed to take pictures - though it was a paltry sum of Rs 20. So before leaving I did manage to take a few snaps of the idols on display on the ground floor.
I must say that it was petty on my part to do that just to get the maximum bang for the buck paid - something I am neither proud of nor would have thought myself capable of doing. But then we do end up surprising ourselves every now and then. This was just one more such instance for me.
Now about the Cyrus Cylinder. King Cyrus the Great (576-530 BC) founded the Achaemenid Dynasty 2600 years ago in ancient Persia. His thoughts are inscribed on this sun-dried clay cylinder found in city walls in Babylon (now in Iraq). As per the information displayed in the exhibition it is also probably the oldest known declaration of human rights! Along with this cylinder the exhibition also displays a couple of coins, seals and things used in religious rituals. I took some photos outside the main exhibit hall but was dismayed to find that photography was prohibited inside. :-( This exhibition is on till 25th February.
A disclaimer is in order before I write about the two painting exhibitions - I don't understand a thing about paintings unless it depicts nature. And I absolutely hated the drawing class in school though God knows the hapless teacher did his best to reform me!
There wasn't a soul in sight when I stepped into the hall displaying paintings by late artist Mr. Mohan Samant except for two security people. I realized that the paintings had a sort of layered effect - real objects had been used along with what was painted in different sections of the drawings. It was an interesting technique which I had never seen anywhere so far. But sadly there was no information given about it. The plaque below each painting just named it, if all all, along with the period in which it was painted. I must confess though that barring one or two, I wasn't able to make head or tail out of any of them - despite the name on the plaque. And most of them appeared downright creepy to my untrained eyes - especially the ones which contained skulls and skeletons, hopefully fake ones! Decidedly, stuff that nightmares are made up of. I left rather hurriedly.
I wasn't too keen on going to the 'Flemish Masterpieces From Antwerp' after this experience but decided to check it out anyways now that I was here. I was relieved that I was able to understand what the paintings were all about without having to glance at the plaques. I especially liked a family portrait, the bull market as well as a huge painting depicting evening time. Of course, this exhibition too had more than its fair share of the creepy, the scary and the melancholy - a painting depicting food meant for the poorer sections of the society and another one of a pile of hunted animals like rabbits (despite being a non-vegetarian I turned away from this one).
In a way I was glad that no photography was allowed in either of the painting exhibitions. :-( But I had paid some money to be allowed to take pictures - though it was a paltry sum of Rs 20. So before leaving I did manage to take a few snaps of the idols on display on the ground floor.
I must say that it was petty on my part to do that just to get the maximum bang for the buck paid - something I am neither proud of nor would have thought myself capable of doing. But then we do end up surprising ourselves every now and then. This was just one more such instance for me.
Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2014
One word - disappointing! The stalls last year definitely had more variety and were less pricier. The artistic creations scattered across were more creative. And it was more difficult this year to take pictures because the college students were hell bent on getting themselves photographed with each exhibit from every imaginable angle. It was simply maddening! I managed to take some photos when no one was around. Some exhibits always had crowd so I saw no option but to take photos with the people in the frame. Finally, I lost enthusiasm and gave up altogether. I think from next year onwards, there has to be some arrangement in place to control the over-enthusiastic people looking for their "Kodak Moment" :-(
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
रस्त्याने जाताना कधीकधी एखादा कुत्रा लंगडताना दिसतो. "गाडीचं चाक पायावरून गेलं वाटतं. कशाला झोपतात हे कुत्रे गाड्यांच्या खाली कोणास ठाऊक?' आपण हळहळतो आणि पुढे निघून जातो. पण त्यापलीकडे जाऊन त्या मुक्या प्राण्याला मदत करायला वेळ खर्चायची आपली तयारी नसते. पण असा एक मुलगा आहे जो आपला वेळ आणि पदरचे पैसे खर्च करून त्यांची सेवा करतो. हा आहे मीत आशर
Mono Mania
The Monday newspapers were filled with photos of the crowds that had gathered at the stations of the Monorail that started operating in the city since Sunday. Some photos had managed to capture the beaming faces of the citizens as they rode the Mono. From the published reactions it was evident that the aam aadmi was super excited to have this newest weapon in his/her arsenal to aid in the never-ending, and I suspect forever-losing, battle against city's traffic snarls and congestion. Some of them had even confessed to have stayed at a friend's or relative's place overnight on Saturday to be able to travel on the Mono on Sunday morning!
I found the whole thing very amusing. But then I have a rather pessimistic view of the city's infrastructure. To be frank, I am almost sure that there will be traffic jams even if we managed to have ten such monorails operating stacked one on top of another. Just as work is said to expand to fill up the available time, I believe the crowd will increase in proportion to the efforts made to relieve the stress on the infrastructure. That's because no one is making an effort to address the root causes - the stream of people who continue to pour into the city almost daily in search of livelihood and the unchecked proliferation of two-wheelers and cars.
While you and me can do precious little about the first, it is well within our hands to do something about the second. Anyone who takes a look at the traffic during rush hours can see that this city not only needs more reliable, convenient and affordable modes of public transport but also the will on the part of its residents to use them. Bringing your car to office is considered a status symbol even if it means a daily struggle to find a parking place. Car pool is looked down upon. There is a popular theory that those who cannot afford a car go for a 2-wheeler. But I guess there are also those who consider 2-wheelers handy because they can be got out of traffic jams more easily than a car. There is an urgent need to change such mindsets. Once we do, we will have a much cleaner, efficient and less-stressed city on our hands.
As I looked at the clean interiors of the Mono I wondered how long it will take for my fellow Mumbaikars to paint it red with the paan stains and adorn with discarded biscuit/chips wrappers and plastic bottles. Any guesses?
I found the whole thing very amusing. But then I have a rather pessimistic view of the city's infrastructure. To be frank, I am almost sure that there will be traffic jams even if we managed to have ten such monorails operating stacked one on top of another. Just as work is said to expand to fill up the available time, I believe the crowd will increase in proportion to the efforts made to relieve the stress on the infrastructure. That's because no one is making an effort to address the root causes - the stream of people who continue to pour into the city almost daily in search of livelihood and the unchecked proliferation of two-wheelers and cars.
While you and me can do precious little about the first, it is well within our hands to do something about the second. Anyone who takes a look at the traffic during rush hours can see that this city not only needs more reliable, convenient and affordable modes of public transport but also the will on the part of its residents to use them. Bringing your car to office is considered a status symbol even if it means a daily struggle to find a parking place. Car pool is looked down upon. There is a popular theory that those who cannot afford a car go for a 2-wheeler. But I guess there are also those who consider 2-wheelers handy because they can be got out of traffic jams more easily than a car. There is an urgent need to change such mindsets. Once we do, we will have a much cleaner, efficient and less-stressed city on our hands.
As I looked at the clean interiors of the Mono I wondered how long it will take for my fellow Mumbaikars to paint it red with the paan stains and adorn with discarded biscuit/chips wrappers and plastic bottles. Any guesses?
Elementary, AXN, 10pm
I wonder what the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's reaction would have been to the new Dr. Watson, who is not a He, but a She. And one who has oriental looks on top of that! As for me, I did a double take when I chanced upon an episode of 'Elementary' (Season 1) on AXN channel yesterday night. I doubt that it was the very first episode of the season but it was easy to follow the storyline.
If I think back about the original characters, Holmes was obviously the quicker of the duo. He would make deduction, completely stumping poor Dr. Watson in the process and then shell out the explanation for the same. It has been a few years since I read the original stories but from what I can remember, Dr. Watson's medical knowledge wasn't much apparent except to confirm that someone is dead. Holmes, though over-excited occasionally, would appear composed and methodical as he went about the business of solving the cases.
The new Holmes, however, seems perennially on edge, as if he has overdosed on cocaine. Somehow that gives an impression as if he is anxious to impress the world. The new Dr. Watson, on the other hand, sounds calmer and more practical rather than sentimental like her original counterpart. She also seems to be putting her sound medical knowledge to good use during the investigation. I must confess however that these changes, though difficult to digest for a die-hard Holmes fan, are nevertheless welcome.
So from here on, my 10pm is reserved solely for Holmes and Dr. Joan Watson. :-)
If I think back about the original characters, Holmes was obviously the quicker of the duo. He would make deduction, completely stumping poor Dr. Watson in the process and then shell out the explanation for the same. It has been a few years since I read the original stories but from what I can remember, Dr. Watson's medical knowledge wasn't much apparent except to confirm that someone is dead. Holmes, though over-excited occasionally, would appear composed and methodical as he went about the business of solving the cases.
The new Holmes, however, seems perennially on edge, as if he has overdosed on cocaine. Somehow that gives an impression as if he is anxious to impress the world. The new Dr. Watson, on the other hand, sounds calmer and more practical rather than sentimental like her original counterpart. She also seems to be putting her sound medical knowledge to good use during the investigation. I must confess however that these changes, though difficult to digest for a die-hard Holmes fan, are nevertheless welcome.
So from here on, my 10pm is reserved solely for Holmes and Dr. Joan Watson. :-)
It was an ad by Canara Bank - possibly to advertize a recurring deposit scheme - that was plastered all over the bus stop. I cannot be sure because I really didn't pay much attention to the rest of its content. It would be more accurate to say that "I couldn't". Why?
I couldn't take my eyes off the two pictures in the ad and the captions above them. One was a picture of a young girl in a bridal attire. The caption above read 'For your children's marriage'. The other picture was of a young boy on his graduation day. The caption above read 'For your children's higher education'.
I wonder if the people who design such campaigns ever pause to think about what messages they are sending. I could think of three and not one of them was positive. First, if you have a daughter, you will need money for her wedding - but maybe not for her higher education. Second, if you have a son, you will need money for his higher education - but not for his wedding because his would-be in-laws will be responsible for all the expenses. And third, not perhaps immediately apparent - because you have spent for your son's education his wedding is your chance of getting all that investment back, in the form of dowry.
Just goes to show how deeply patriarchal our society is and how hard it is going to be to change it.
I couldn't take my eyes off the two pictures in the ad and the captions above them. One was a picture of a young girl in a bridal attire. The caption above read 'For your children's marriage'. The other picture was of a young boy on his graduation day. The caption above read 'For your children's higher education'.
I wonder if the people who design such campaigns ever pause to think about what messages they are sending. I could think of three and not one of them was positive. First, if you have a daughter, you will need money for her wedding - but maybe not for her higher education. Second, if you have a son, you will need money for his higher education - but not for his wedding because his would-be in-laws will be responsible for all the expenses. And third, not perhaps immediately apparent - because you have spent for your son's education his wedding is your chance of getting all that investment back, in the form of dowry.
Just goes to show how deeply patriarchal our society is and how hard it is going to be to change it.
A couple of days back I came across an article in a Marathi newspaper that cautioned people, especially ladies, against getting into shared vehicles that pick up random passengers at the bus stops. While some of the vehicles are cars that are being driven by the chauffeurs who are returning after dropping off their owners at the airport, others are buses operated by companies that are running empty after dropping off their employees. You would think women would think twice before getting into such a vehicle after the Delhi incident. But sadly it is true what they say about the public memory being short.
I realized this today as I waited at the bus stop. A lady, who must have been waiting for a very long time, was getting restless by the minute as there was no sign of any bus. Just then a private car stopped by, the driver looking expectantly at the people waiting. I was taken aback when this lady approached the driver, discussed something and then got in. What's worse, she got into the front right next to the driver. I remember an article that I had read years ago - probably when I was in college - that advised ladies to sit diagonally opposite i.e. in the left rear seat when using cab or rickshaws. The logic was that the driver will have to stretch himself to reach you.
Anyways, coming back to this vehicle in question, an old guy got in and occupied the left rear seat before the car zoomed away. And I wondered why we never seem to remember the old adage - better safe than sorry.
I realized this today as I waited at the bus stop. A lady, who must have been waiting for a very long time, was getting restless by the minute as there was no sign of any bus. Just then a private car stopped by, the driver looking expectantly at the people waiting. I was taken aback when this lady approached the driver, discussed something and then got in. What's worse, she got into the front right next to the driver. I remember an article that I had read years ago - probably when I was in college - that advised ladies to sit diagonally opposite i.e. in the left rear seat when using cab or rickshaws. The logic was that the driver will have to stretch himself to reach you.
Anyways, coming back to this vehicle in question, an old guy got in and occupied the left rear seat before the car zoomed away. And I wondered why we never seem to remember the old adage - better safe than sorry.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Trees are becoming rarer by the day in Mumbai. And trees with branches spreading wide overhead are almost an exception that seems to be proving the rule.
I find the sight of such branches against the backdrop of the sky simply irresistible. Here are 3 of such trees that I managed to capture during my recent outing in Matunga.
I find the sight of such branches against the backdrop of the sky simply irresistible. Here are 3 of such trees that I managed to capture during my recent outing in Matunga.
Arya Bhavan, Matunga (East)
I cannot claim to be a die-hard fan of South Indian food but there is no denying the fact that it doesn't leave you feeling as if you have just consumed a whole elephant plus some part of a hippopotamus. What I mean to say is that it is pretty light on stomach.
But Komala's at Phoenix has closed down and since then I have been on the lookout for a nice place serving the cuisine. Then an article in a newspaper - that covered eateries around Matunga - mentioned Arya Bhavan. I decided to drop in to check it out.
A group was already waiting patiently when we reached the place. The place seemed to be full. But upon inquiring we were told that the wait will not be more than 5-10 minutes. Turned out that this period was not mentioned in Indian Standard Time units and we really were inside within 5 minutes of our arrival.
We decided to ignore uttappam, sandwiches, pizza, pav bhaji and rice sections of the menu altogether. And decided to go for Brahmin Idli, Idiyappam with coconut stew and Appam with stew.
The waiter had told me that Brahmin Idli is cooked in Ghee. So I knew it would be soft - I just had no idea how wonderfully :-) Each idli looked like a mound of creamy kulfi! The dish was served with the usual accompaniments of sambhar, coconut chutney and tomato chutney. But there were two more small bowls - one was of what I suspect was podi and the other was molten ghee. When mixed together, they formed a spicy mixture that did wonders to the idli. The Sambhar was delicious and the chutneys, simply heavenly.
I had seen the Idiyappam being cooked in a recent episode of 'My Sri Lanka with Peter Kuruvita. The one that was served to us was as fluffy and tasty as the Idlis. But the stew was very disappointing. Despite the presence of red chillies, it was very bland and hardly had any vegetables in it. :-(
I guess we should have gone for something other than the plain Appam - a Mysore Rava Masala dosa perhaps. Because I think this Appam wasn't much different from the Idiyappam. Ah, maybe some other time!
We finished the meal with Anando's Choco Almond and Choco Vanilla. Frankly, I wasn't impressed by either one. But this was the first time that I tasted their products. Looking at their website, they seem to have a lot many offerings - Blackcurrant Delight, Splendid Strawberry and Tango With Mango, for example - than the eatery seemed to have stocked. Perhaps, I should have gone for the Thandai or Paan version that they did have.
So, in all probability it looks like I will drop in again (and again!) whenever I feel like having an Idli or dosa with a bowl of nourishing Sambhar or tasty tomato chutney :-)
But Komala's at Phoenix has closed down and since then I have been on the lookout for a nice place serving the cuisine. Then an article in a newspaper - that covered eateries around Matunga - mentioned Arya Bhavan. I decided to drop in to check it out.
A group was already waiting patiently when we reached the place. The place seemed to be full. But upon inquiring we were told that the wait will not be more than 5-10 minutes. Turned out that this period was not mentioned in Indian Standard Time units and we really were inside within 5 minutes of our arrival.
We decided to ignore uttappam, sandwiches, pizza, pav bhaji and rice sections of the menu altogether. And decided to go for Brahmin Idli, Idiyappam with coconut stew and Appam with stew.
 |
| Brahmin Idli |
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| Idiyappam with Coconut Stew |
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| Appam with Stew |
We finished the meal with Anando's Choco Almond and Choco Vanilla. Frankly, I wasn't impressed by either one. But this was the first time that I tasted their products. Looking at their website, they seem to have a lot many offerings - Blackcurrant Delight, Splendid Strawberry and Tango With Mango, for example - than the eatery seemed to have stocked. Perhaps, I should have gone for the Thandai or Paan version that they did have.
So, in all probability it looks like I will drop in again (and again!) whenever I feel like having an Idli or dosa with a bowl of nourishing Sambhar or tasty tomato chutney :-)
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