Monday, December 26, 2011
The Lost Symbol (Spoiler!)
I finally managed to read Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol'. Awesome! It was hard to put it down every night. Though it wasn't difficult to guess Malakh's real identity, the book kept me spellbound right till the end. Speaking of which, the end slightly disappointed me. I would have preferred a staircase spiraling down into the bowels of the earth in some far-away ancient cave rather than at the base of some Washington monument. :-(
Living History - by Hillary Rodham Clinton
I was in two minds when I saw Hillary Rodham Clinton's "Living History" on the library shelf. Politics is not one of my favorite subjects. Plus, such books, more often than not, present a lop-sided view of the events. So I was a bit reluctant to commit my time to reading it. Finally, I decided that I will read a few pages and return it if I don't find it interesting enough.
I must confess that though I found the first few pages interesting enough, I was hopelessly lost by the time Hillary started describing the health care reform initiatives. It felt as if all the related chapters were written only for American people. I didn't want to know about the various committees and organizations involved but it was impossible to understand the successive pages without a basic familiarity with things. I seriously thought about returning the book.
Then I stole a glance at the pages ahead. They appeared worth reading and so I decided to run through the chapters covering the Clintons' failed attempt at improving the health care facilities. Almost halfway through the book now, I am glad I did that.
A couple of things surprised me though. Hillary mentions how there was quite an uproar in the country because she kept her maiden name of 'Rodham' after marriage. This would have been an expected reaction in India a couple of years ago though now-a-days married Indian women prefer to keep their maiden names. Of course, she is talking about the 70s. But somehow I had assumed that things would have been different even then in the US.
Then there is reference to how people were surprised that she could hold on her own despite being a woman - the Talking Dog Syndrome. She mentions a quote by Samuel Johnson that is both, amusing and very much annoying:
Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; but you are surprized to find it done at all.
I could only roll my eyes at this :-)
So far, my favorite has been the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:
A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.
I must confess that though I found the first few pages interesting enough, I was hopelessly lost by the time Hillary started describing the health care reform initiatives. It felt as if all the related chapters were written only for American people. I didn't want to know about the various committees and organizations involved but it was impossible to understand the successive pages without a basic familiarity with things. I seriously thought about returning the book.
Then I stole a glance at the pages ahead. They appeared worth reading and so I decided to run through the chapters covering the Clintons' failed attempt at improving the health care facilities. Almost halfway through the book now, I am glad I did that.
A couple of things surprised me though. Hillary mentions how there was quite an uproar in the country because she kept her maiden name of 'Rodham' after marriage. This would have been an expected reaction in India a couple of years ago though now-a-days married Indian women prefer to keep their maiden names. Of course, she is talking about the 70s. But somehow I had assumed that things would have been different even then in the US.
Then there is reference to how people were surprised that she could hold on her own despite being a woman - the Talking Dog Syndrome. She mentions a quote by Samuel Johnson that is both, amusing and very much annoying:
Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; but you are surprized to find it done at all.
I could only roll my eyes at this :-)
So far, my favorite has been the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:
A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
If you like Gazals and Hindi movie songs, then maybe you should tune in to 'Purani Jeans' on Radio Mirchi 98.3 today and tomorrow at 9pm. Every week, on Thursdays and Fridays, a whole hour is dedicated to a particular genre of music. Last week the program played songs based on Indian classical music Ragas. This week is going to feature Gazals.
So as RJ Anmol says, when the hands of that clock make a sign of right angle, tune in to music from Golden Era and tune out all your worries :-)
So as RJ Anmol says, when the hands of that clock make a sign of right angle, tune in to music from Golden Era and tune out all your worries :-)
आजकाल टीव्ही चेनेल्सवर ज्या मालिका दाखवतात त्या प्रेक्षकांना नक्की कुठल्या युगात घेऊन जायचा प्रयत्न करताहेत काही कळायला मार्ग नाही. झी मराठीवरच्या ७ ते ९ ह्या वेळात दाखवल्या जाणार्या मालिकांचे नुसते प्रोमोज जरी पाहिले ना तरी डोकं भणभणतं.
एक आहे ती कुंकू - त्यात त्या आत्याबाईला अल्झायमर झालाय तर तिच्यावर इलाज करायचं सोडून घरातली बाकीची माणसं वेड्यासारखी वागताहेत. विवाहित व्यक्तीने दुसरं लग्न करणं हा कायद्याने गुन्हा आहे तरी पण मालिकेतल्या नरसिंहांचं पुन्हा लग्न लावायचा घाट घरातल्या शिकल्या-सवरलेल्या बायका घालताहेत.
'सासूच्या नानाची टांग' अशी जाहिरात करून सुरु झालेल्या 'दिल्या घरी तू सुखी रहा' ह्या 'बाबा आदम' पेक्षाही प्राचीन (आणि संतापजनक) शीर्षकाच्या मालिकेत आतीशा नाईक 'मला खाष्ट सासूची भूमिका करायची आहे' एव्हढं एकच ध्येय डोळ्यासमोर ठेऊन काम करतेय. 'सून म्हणजे पैश्याची खाण' असा पवित्र संदेश देणार्या ह्या मालिकेशी संबंधित कोणाही व्यक्तीला अविवाहित बहिण किंवा मुलगी नसावी कारण तशी असती तर आपण जे दाखवतो आहोत त्याचा समाजावर आणि पर्यायाने लग्न झाल्यावर आपल्या बहिणीवर किंवा मुलीवर काय परिणाम होऊन शकतो ह्याचा त्यांनी विचार केला असता.
'अरुंधती' मध्ये सासू विरुध्द सून असा सनातन धर्मापेक्षाही अधिक सनातन संघर्ष असल्यामुळे कटकारस्थानाना उत् आला आहे. अरुंधतीच्या आंधळ्या नवर्याला तोंडी लावण्यापुरतंही महत्त्व नाही. 'एकाच ह्या जन्मी जणू' मध्ये अंजली नवरयाचं वेड बरं करायला त्याच्या पहिल्या बायकोसारखी वागतेय. इथेही एक Overacting करणारी सासू आहे. 'आभास हा' मध्ये 'मुलं जन्माला घालणं' हेच प्रत्येक विवाहित स्त्रीचं आद्य कर्तव्य असल्याप्रमाणे मालिकेतल्या सगळ्या बायका वागत आहेत. कोणाला मूल होत नाहीये म्हणून प्रोब्लेम तर कोणाला होतंय म्हणून. ह्यातली एखादीही बाई नोकरी करून संसाराला हातभार लावताना का दिसत नाही?
झी मराठीची ही गत तर झी हिंदीवरची वाईट डोक्यात जाणारी मालिका म्हणजे - पवित्र रिश्ता. कथानक वीसेक वर्षांनी पुढे गेलं तरी अर्चना, तिची आई आणि तिची मुलगी सगळ्याचे केस सारखेच काळेभोर. मानव आईवडील, मुलंबाळं आणि घरी काम करणारी बाई ह्या सगळ्यांना कुठल्या व्हिसावर Canada ला घेऊन गेला? तिथे तो उदरनिर्वाहासाठी काय करतो? हे असे प्रश्न ह्या लोकांना पडतच नाहीत का? मला एक आश्चर्य वाटतं - एव्हढा आरडाओरडा करून ह्या लोकांचं ब्लडप्रेशर कसं काय वाढत नाही?
कलर्सवर दाखवल्या जाणार्या मालिकांबद्दल तर न लिहीलेलचं बरं. बालिका बधू, बाबा ऐसो वर धुंडो, उतरण ह्यांचे प्रोमोज पाहून मती कुंठीत होते. ह्या मालिका censor करा म्हणून कोणीतरी उपोषण करा रे!
एक आहे ती कुंकू - त्यात त्या आत्याबाईला अल्झायमर झालाय तर तिच्यावर इलाज करायचं सोडून घरातली बाकीची माणसं वेड्यासारखी वागताहेत. विवाहित व्यक्तीने दुसरं लग्न करणं हा कायद्याने गुन्हा आहे तरी पण मालिकेतल्या नरसिंहांचं पुन्हा लग्न लावायचा घाट घरातल्या शिकल्या-सवरलेल्या बायका घालताहेत.
'सासूच्या नानाची टांग' अशी जाहिरात करून सुरु झालेल्या 'दिल्या घरी तू सुखी रहा' ह्या 'बाबा आदम' पेक्षाही प्राचीन (आणि संतापजनक) शीर्षकाच्या मालिकेत आतीशा नाईक 'मला खाष्ट सासूची भूमिका करायची आहे' एव्हढं एकच ध्येय डोळ्यासमोर ठेऊन काम करतेय. 'सून म्हणजे पैश्याची खाण' असा पवित्र संदेश देणार्या ह्या मालिकेशी संबंधित कोणाही व्यक्तीला अविवाहित बहिण किंवा मुलगी नसावी कारण तशी असती तर आपण जे दाखवतो आहोत त्याचा समाजावर आणि पर्यायाने लग्न झाल्यावर आपल्या बहिणीवर किंवा मुलीवर काय परिणाम होऊन शकतो ह्याचा त्यांनी विचार केला असता.
'अरुंधती' मध्ये सासू विरुध्द सून असा सनातन धर्मापेक्षाही अधिक सनातन संघर्ष असल्यामुळे कटकारस्थानाना उत् आला आहे. अरुंधतीच्या आंधळ्या नवर्याला तोंडी लावण्यापुरतंही महत्त्व नाही. 'एकाच ह्या जन्मी जणू' मध्ये अंजली नवरयाचं वेड बरं करायला त्याच्या पहिल्या बायकोसारखी वागतेय. इथेही एक Overacting करणारी सासू आहे. 'आभास हा' मध्ये 'मुलं जन्माला घालणं' हेच प्रत्येक विवाहित स्त्रीचं आद्य कर्तव्य असल्याप्रमाणे मालिकेतल्या सगळ्या बायका वागत आहेत. कोणाला मूल होत नाहीये म्हणून प्रोब्लेम तर कोणाला होतंय म्हणून. ह्यातली एखादीही बाई नोकरी करून संसाराला हातभार लावताना का दिसत नाही?
झी मराठीची ही गत तर झी हिंदीवरची वाईट डोक्यात जाणारी मालिका म्हणजे - पवित्र रिश्ता. कथानक वीसेक वर्षांनी पुढे गेलं तरी अर्चना, तिची आई आणि तिची मुलगी सगळ्याचे केस सारखेच काळेभोर. मानव आईवडील, मुलंबाळं आणि घरी काम करणारी बाई ह्या सगळ्यांना कुठल्या व्हिसावर Canada ला घेऊन गेला? तिथे तो उदरनिर्वाहासाठी काय करतो? हे असे प्रश्न ह्या लोकांना पडतच नाहीत का? मला एक आश्चर्य वाटतं - एव्हढा आरडाओरडा करून ह्या लोकांचं ब्लडप्रेशर कसं काय वाढत नाही?
कलर्सवर दाखवल्या जाणार्या मालिकांबद्दल तर न लिहीलेलचं बरं. बालिका बधू, बाबा ऐसो वर धुंडो, उतरण ह्यांचे प्रोमोज पाहून मती कुंठीत होते. ह्या मालिका censor करा म्हणून कोणीतरी उपोषण करा रे!
वाऱ्यावरची वरात
नाही नाही म्हणता ह्या वर्षी बरीच नाटकं पाहून झाली - सूर्याची पिल्लं, हमीदाबाईची कोठी, सारे प्रवासी घडीचे, झोपी गेलेला जागा झाला. अजून काही नाटकं पहायची बाकी आहेत - आलटून पालटून, सुखांशी भांडतो आम्ही, मी रेवती देशपांडे, लव्हबर्डस वगैरे. हे वर्ष संपायला जेमतेम काही दिवस राहिलेत. त्यामुळे बहुतेक उरलेली नाटकं पुढल्या वर्षीच पाहून होणार असं वाटत होतं. पण अचानक काही दिवसांपूर्वी पुलंचं 'वाऱ्यावरची वरात' बघायचा योग आला. तसं काही वर्षांपूर्वी ह्याचं नाटकाचा एक प्रयोग पाहिला होता. पण आपले पुलं म्हणजे एव्हरग्रीन. त्यांची नाटकंही तशीच. कितीही वेळा पाहिली तरी समाधान होतच नाही. :-)
तर शिवाजी मंदिरला ठरल्या वेळी पोचले आणि मोठ्या उत्सुकतेने पडदा वर जायची वाट पहात बसले. पडदा उघडताच पुलंच्या वेशात आनंद इंगळे आले आणि सगळ्यांची दाद घेऊन गेले. गावातल्या कार्यक्रमाला पाहुणे म्हणून जायचा प्रसंग छान रंगला. "दिल देके देखो' प्रवेशातल्या शिरपाचं काम करणारा नट तर अफलातून. आतिशा नाईक कडवेकर मामी म्हटल्यावर माझ्या कपाळावर आठ्या पडल्या होत्या. कारण झी मराठीवरच्या 'दिल्या घरी तू सुखी रहा' ह्या अत्यंत टुकार मालिकेच्या (तश्या झीवरच्या सगळ्याच मालिका टुकार असतात म्हणा!) प्रोमोजमध्ये ती अतिशय डोक्यात जाते. पण कडवेकर मामीच्या भूमिकेत भाव खाऊन गेली. मामी ओरडल्यावर कडवेकर मामांचा अभिनय एकदम खास.
मात्र 'दारू म्हणजे काय रे भाऊ?' चा नाटकात समावेश नव्हता :-( काही ठिकाणी पार्श्वसंगीत फार जोरात लावल्याने गाण्यांचे बोल ऐकू येत नव्हते आणि १-२ वेळा नट बोलत असतानाच पाठीमागे नेपथ्य बदलले जात होते ते खटकलं. एव्हढा देखणा प्रयोग सादर केल्याबद्दलं सगळ्या कलाकारांचं आणि नाटकाशी सम्बंधित व्यक्तींचं कौतुक आणि मनापासून धन्यवाद!
तर शिवाजी मंदिरला ठरल्या वेळी पोचले आणि मोठ्या उत्सुकतेने पडदा वर जायची वाट पहात बसले. पडदा उघडताच पुलंच्या वेशात आनंद इंगळे आले आणि सगळ्यांची दाद घेऊन गेले. गावातल्या कार्यक्रमाला पाहुणे म्हणून जायचा प्रसंग छान रंगला. "दिल देके देखो' प्रवेशातल्या शिरपाचं काम करणारा नट तर अफलातून. आतिशा नाईक कडवेकर मामी म्हटल्यावर माझ्या कपाळावर आठ्या पडल्या होत्या. कारण झी मराठीवरच्या 'दिल्या घरी तू सुखी रहा' ह्या अत्यंत टुकार मालिकेच्या (तश्या झीवरच्या सगळ्याच मालिका टुकार असतात म्हणा!) प्रोमोजमध्ये ती अतिशय डोक्यात जाते. पण कडवेकर मामीच्या भूमिकेत भाव खाऊन गेली. मामी ओरडल्यावर कडवेकर मामांचा अभिनय एकदम खास.
मात्र 'दारू म्हणजे काय रे भाऊ?' चा नाटकात समावेश नव्हता :-( काही ठिकाणी पार्श्वसंगीत फार जोरात लावल्याने गाण्यांचे बोल ऐकू येत नव्हते आणि १-२ वेळा नट बोलत असतानाच पाठीमागे नेपथ्य बदलले जात होते ते खटकलं. एव्हढा देखणा प्रयोग सादर केल्याबद्दलं सगळ्या कलाकारांचं आणि नाटकाशी सम्बंधित व्यक्तींचं कौतुक आणि मनापासून धन्यवाद!
Friday, December 9, 2011
WSD Calendar 2012 - 'Best Friends' is now available!
I got the following email from The Welfare Of Stray Dogs(WSD) and am spreading the good word :-)
You will be happy to know that our calendar(Wall and Desk) for 2012 is now available. The theme of this year's calendar is Best Friends. It is a celebration of the bond that street dogs have developed with other living beings � be it other dogs, cats, and of course�people.
The calendar is available at various outlets in Mumbai.(Please see given below). It can also be couriered to various cities outside Mumbai (check with us on the courier costs depending on the no and type). It is priced at Rs 150 (Wall and Desk) as a donation towards WSD's sterilisation, immunization and health care programmes.
The WSD Calendar for 2012 is inspired by Julie from the Oval Maidan. Julie�s life truly epitomized what friendship is all about. Providing a gentle haven where the other can be relaxed and feel safe. Being together without needing to pretend. Loving another person in spite of flaws and imperfections.
Julie got along famously with the pets that came to the Oval and the strays that lived there. She did not distinguish between the pedigreed and the pariah. She embraced them all with the joie de vivre that was so characteristic of her.
As you flip through the pages of this calendar, you will be moved by the uplifting stories that tell of the unconditional love and devotion shared among friends (on twos and fours!)
So come, join the Best Friends as they sing their �Song of Friendship�
To order a calendar, E-mail: wsdindia@gmail.com or you can buy them from the list of outlets given below.
Mumbai
South Mumbai
Colaba and Kala Ghoda
WSD Office: C/o Mr F. Broacha, 2nd Flr, Yeshwant Chambers, B.Bharucha Marg, Near Fab India, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 23 Tel : 64222838
Rhythm House : 40, K. Dubash Marg (Rampart Row), Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400023. Tel: 4322 2727
Greenfields : Army Navy Building ( back entrance), Behind Westside, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 23. Tel : 22853784
Churchgate
Dr Leena Dalal�s Clinic :Green Fields, Opposite Oval Maidan, Churchgate, Mumbai 21 Tel: 66153497
Kemps Corner
Ibrahim�s Pet Shop : Kemps Corner, Mumbai Tel: 23806278
Tardeo
Pawfect : Shop no AS 10, Forjett Street, Anand Nagar building , Tardeo, Mumbai. Tel : 64463129
Central Mumbai
Blue Frog : Mathuradas Mills Compound, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Opposite Kamala Mills Compound, Entrance From Tulsi Pipe Rd Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013 Tel : 40332300
Dr Makrand Chavan�s Clinic : Shop No 1, Matoshree Tower, Kohinoor Mills Lane, Shivaji Park, Dadar Mumbai- 28 Tel: 24380756
Western Suburbs
Bandra
Paws and Furs : Shop No 3, Kailash,156, Waterfield Road, Bandra, Mumbai. Tel: 66990858
Tailwaggers : 16th Road, Behind Hawaian Shack, Bandra, Mumbai. Tel: 9820127572
Khar
Dawgz : B4, Snowhite CHS, Ground Floor, 18th Road, Opposite Fabindia on Khar Danda Road, Khar (W), Mumbai. Tel 26056810
Vile Parle
Pet Range : Shop No 4, Saroj Building, Opposite Grasshopper Restaurant, Near Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle, Mumbai 400 056.
For more info: visit http://www.wsdindia.org/
You will be happy to know that our calendar(Wall and Desk) for 2012 is now available. The theme of this year's calendar is Best Friends. It is a celebration of the bond that street dogs have developed with other living beings � be it other dogs, cats, and of course�people.
The calendar is available at various outlets in Mumbai.(Please see given below). It can also be couriered to various cities outside Mumbai (check with us on the courier costs depending on the no and type). It is priced at Rs 150 (Wall and Desk) as a donation towards WSD's sterilisation, immunization and health care programmes.
The WSD Calendar for 2012 is inspired by Julie from the Oval Maidan. Julie�s life truly epitomized what friendship is all about. Providing a gentle haven where the other can be relaxed and feel safe. Being together without needing to pretend. Loving another person in spite of flaws and imperfections.
Julie got along famously with the pets that came to the Oval and the strays that lived there. She did not distinguish between the pedigreed and the pariah. She embraced them all with the joie de vivre that was so characteristic of her.
As you flip through the pages of this calendar, you will be moved by the uplifting stories that tell of the unconditional love and devotion shared among friends (on twos and fours!)
So come, join the Best Friends as they sing their �Song of Friendship�
To order a calendar, E-mail: wsdindia@gmail.com or you can buy them from the list of outlets given below.
Mumbai
South Mumbai
Colaba and Kala Ghoda
WSD Office: C/o Mr F. Broacha, 2nd Flr, Yeshwant Chambers, B.Bharucha Marg, Near Fab India, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 23 Tel : 64222838
Rhythm House : 40, K. Dubash Marg (Rampart Row), Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400023. Tel: 4322 2727
Greenfields : Army Navy Building ( back entrance), Behind Westside, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 23. Tel : 22853784
Churchgate
Dr Leena Dalal�s Clinic :Green Fields, Opposite Oval Maidan, Churchgate, Mumbai 21 Tel: 66153497
Kemps Corner
Ibrahim�s Pet Shop : Kemps Corner, Mumbai Tel: 23806278
Tardeo
Pawfect : Shop no AS 10, Forjett Street, Anand Nagar building , Tardeo, Mumbai. Tel : 64463129
Central Mumbai
Blue Frog : Mathuradas Mills Compound, NM Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Opposite Kamala Mills Compound, Entrance From Tulsi Pipe Rd Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013 Tel : 40332300
Dr Makrand Chavan�s Clinic : Shop No 1, Matoshree Tower, Kohinoor Mills Lane, Shivaji Park, Dadar Mumbai- 28 Tel: 24380756
Western Suburbs
Bandra
Paws and Furs : Shop No 3, Kailash,156, Waterfield Road, Bandra, Mumbai. Tel: 66990858
Tailwaggers : 16th Road, Behind Hawaian Shack, Bandra, Mumbai. Tel: 9820127572
Khar
Dawgz : B4, Snowhite CHS, Ground Floor, 18th Road, Opposite Fabindia on Khar Danda Road, Khar (W), Mumbai. Tel 26056810
Vile Parle
Pet Range : Shop No 4, Saroj Building, Opposite Grasshopper Restaurant, Near Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle, Mumbai 400 056.
For more info: visit http://www.wsdindia.org/
Purani Jeans - Radio Mirchi
This is one FM program that I wish I could listen to right from 9pm till 1am. Sure, it plays songs from the Golden Era. But that is just one reason. Another one is that when you tune in to this program, it gives a nice feeling that you are listening to it along with many others across the country who share your affinity for songs from that era. There is no doubt that RJ Anmol is doing an excellent job of anchoring it.
Moreover, it feels immensely good to see that this audience not only includes people from all walks of life but also spans across generations. Just the other day, a person close to retirement requested that the song 'सौ साल पहले मुझे तुमसे प्यार था' be played for his dear wife. I am sure all those who heard that request must have smiled. Then yesterday there was a student who told Anmol that he would like to work on this program with him. The fact that the music that was composed in the 60s and 70s is liked by today's generation is a glowing tribute to those who were instrumental in producing it.
BTW, Purani Jeans is featuring a special program on the late actor Dev Anand this whole week from 9pm to 10pm. Today is the last day of it. So don't forget to tune in.
Moreover, it feels immensely good to see that this audience not only includes people from all walks of life but also spans across generations. Just the other day, a person close to retirement requested that the song 'सौ साल पहले मुझे तुमसे प्यार था' be played for his dear wife. I am sure all those who heard that request must have smiled. Then yesterday there was a student who told Anmol that he would like to work on this program with him. The fact that the music that was composed in the 60s and 70s is liked by today's generation is a glowing tribute to those who were instrumental in producing it.
BTW, Purani Jeans is featuring a special program on the late actor Dev Anand this whole week from 9pm to 10pm. Today is the last day of it. So don't forget to tune in.
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