tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87001975482993055002024-03-18T23:54:56.961+05:30harimohan paruvuHarimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.comBlogger5937125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-43333338899253789052024-03-18T23:54:00.001+05:302024-03-18T23:54:17.234+05:30Bhakshak - Movie<p> 2024. Based on the 2018 Muzaffarpur Shelter case, 'Bhakshak' kept me in my seat till the end (which is what a good movie does especially if you start with 'let's watch for 15 minutes and see!) I had dropped two films like that after a 10 minute start so this one worked. Starts with a crime against young girls in a shelter home - rape, abuse and murder -and then you watch how Bhumi Pednekar as Vaishali Singh, keeps at the story until the villains are arrested. I liked how they captured the essence of Bihar.</p><p>Watch. Not for the faint hearted or for those who cannot stand violence.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCXdaP95kHP40MARNmyHPteNom-LXc7w7-6xUBoQlKtJeHVnrD6H7iMje-W-W6JIhLZ0Loz6wZiXsROPnHfQfC-BHn5u4CvH5e-Ja5ZFIuzO_JX-rMh-hH0ZKAzER4qs8S2T_mCXDlktJE3hyphenhyphenyy1QU4u9BoTc7AQvXLrzRPusuLnT4GvLhMZK_3X7t-c/s275/Bhakshak_film_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="220" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCXdaP95kHP40MARNmyHPteNom-LXc7w7-6xUBoQlKtJeHVnrD6H7iMje-W-W6JIhLZ0Loz6wZiXsROPnHfQfC-BHn5u4CvH5e-Ja5ZFIuzO_JX-rMh-hH0ZKAzER4qs8S2T_mCXDlktJE3hyphenhyphenyy1QU4u9BoTc7AQvXLrzRPusuLnT4GvLhMZK_3X7t-c/s1600/Bhakshak_film_poster.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-51959893539264557722024-03-18T23:48:00.002+05:302024-03-18T23:48:37.523+05:30Up in the Air - Movie<p>2009. </p><p>Have the book, didn't read. Planned to watch the movie, didn't. Until the other day.</p><p>Finally got that right. Enjoyed watching it. Now even a 2009 film seems like a classic. George Clooney was good and so was Vera Famiga (she looks so familiar)!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGvbeUYburFvWsYeKYWxoAGft1x7ndLpvTu_SwRfc7k5pOcDfMJeWR1Fk2RvI66bAzWgDJcxoBgwyiWHs3D1fZDwqWIr6il5i8cZRMlu6z5K86EPB1sQB36ieHwHvVID-SWo_DqsfjDTFaV24KTYtYjrUtt2YcWNsr6eywAbbfLXUjjZ8KHHSOnsxzcw/s326/Up_in_the_Air_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGvbeUYburFvWsYeKYWxoAGft1x7ndLpvTu_SwRfc7k5pOcDfMJeWR1Fk2RvI66bAzWgDJcxoBgwyiWHs3D1fZDwqWIr6il5i8cZRMlu6z5K86EPB1sQB36ieHwHvVID-SWo_DqsfjDTFaV24KTYtYjrUtt2YcWNsr6eywAbbfLXUjjZ8KHHSOnsxzcw/s320/Up_in_the_Air_Poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-57521557127321907272024-03-16T20:15:00.002+05:302024-03-16T20:15:15.296+05:30Abhishek's Blog<p> Abhi, my nephew started a blog recently. He writes well, intensely, honestly, and prolifically and I am so glad he started writing. Sharing his blog link.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://hashbike.blogspot.com/2024/03/taking-chance.html">https://hashbike.blogspot.com/2024/03/taking-chance.html</a></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-42803328907469118462024-03-16T20:09:00.004+05:302024-03-16T20:10:53.593+05:30Song of the Day - Guzar Jaye Din Din<p> Last night while driving back from Shamshabad with Mani in his nifty Range Rover I asked him to play music and he instantly switched on the FM. I caught a strain of an old song that had a nice uplifting mood to it and checked it out on YouTube. </p><p>'Guzar Jaye Din Din' by Kishore Kumar from Annadata. Fell in love with the way he goes '...kisi ki haye yadon mein, kisi ke haye baaton mein, kisike mulaquaton mein, hai yeh silsile, kab se chale, khwab mere, ho gaye rangeen...' (someone wrote in the comments section on YouTube that Kishore Kumar had to do 18 retakes for this song).</p><p>I played it a hundred times today on my walk and was singing aloud many times without realising it causing other walkers some amused looks and smiles. But what to do when a song hits you like that, reminds you of all that filled your heart in so many years! Makes you want to do a SRK and open your arms wide - and receive all that the world has to give.</p><p>Enjoy!</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1ZBFOzNUxw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1ZBFOzNUxw</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zrNLSVvdGOY" width="320" youtube-src-id="zrNLSVvdGOY"></iframe></div><br /> Interestingly, I asked Mani his fav song and he said 'Jab deep jale aana' and one more song I fail to recollect.<p></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-5851771996918097942024-03-15T19:43:00.002+05:302024-03-15T19:43:14.077+05:30American Fiction - Movie<p> 2023. The film is a directorial debut by Cord Jefferson and is based on a novel 'Erasure' by Percival Everett. Its about a black novelist who writes regular fiction and finds no market and when he writes 'black' fiction with all the stereotypes as a joke, he finds amazing success. Perfect story.</p><p>My theory - you always get the most acclaim for the project you were least invested with. Or one which was easy for you.</p><p>And yes. Watch it!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEHzL8lZ4Yx6BzbOoI1ojgViBD0gwIntpeRI416JqJL6ZTGpc3JiqLLaP1ixad40YifPqKu4quUZ4OQwE24zQw4ZKVgh1sz-XFGt2BTsBHtGi8TblCm0pB1zHR5a8xs2BGrm_yeEZPyw541FtXeOO3cy9Umfv18hziNvd1q3j1K9oBSX5BAEqKrk63p0/s326/American_fiction_xxlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEHzL8lZ4Yx6BzbOoI1ojgViBD0gwIntpeRI416JqJL6ZTGpc3JiqLLaP1ixad40YifPqKu4quUZ4OQwE24zQw4ZKVgh1sz-XFGt2BTsBHtGi8TblCm0pB1zHR5a8xs2BGrm_yeEZPyw541FtXeOO3cy9Umfv18hziNvd1q3j1K9oBSX5BAEqKrk63p0/s320/American_fiction_xxlg.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-85931528944715878852024-03-14T22:44:00.001+05:302024-03-14T22:45:04.192+05:30Thought for the Day - The Loss of Decency<p> Today I got a call from my friend Vinod. We had met last evening and enjoyed time out - laughing, eating haleem, bajjis. Normally he does not call me unless there is something important. he said - shocking news. I have been sacked! Vinod worked for seven years in a reputed government institution headed by an IAS officer at a DY Director level. For someone to be told in the morning one fine day that they have been relived and can go and join their parent department the next day is shocking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSok6foOOxhsoqi4RUGH-f24maZqxVRWdo0iFvo259NGMc8fadMAPytIRhi3fZmdYbG8IrV08KebJEV22XXo8n7KspLznsyPd8yixp1X6SJiGNbwRfp-YjMuwLXgldG0Xpn4B71EPJLvlOLcgLtdPc1obw9cCuah97lx_WJkndHLHHeohiUxF0FcOLG8/s3072/IMG_3243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSok6foOOxhsoqi4RUGH-f24maZqxVRWdo0iFvo259NGMc8fadMAPytIRhi3fZmdYbG8IrV08KebJEV22XXo8n7KspLznsyPd8yixp1X6SJiGNbwRfp-YjMuwLXgldG0Xpn4B71EPJLvlOLcgLtdPc1obw9cCuah97lx_WJkndHLHHeohiUxF0FcOLG8/s320/IMG_3243.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>It's downright rude. It lacks decency. Lacks grace.</p><p>The least we can give someone who is going away is a decent farewell. A recognition and acknowledgement of their work, maybe a few kind words from colleagues. Time to gather their breath, collect their stuff, say good bye properly. </p><p>But no, this has to be like death. Now!</p><p>Then I wonder what happened to decency in public life.What we see is a reflection of what we have become as a society. Someone dies, we do an RIP and then post a joke right after. Everything is ok - lies are ok, half truths parading as truths are ok, character assassination is ok. No one think twice about it because every single leader seems to be doing that.</p><p>Who cares for decency any more.</p><p>But I'd like to believe that somewhere in their corroded souls there is a small part where a sense of decency remains. I hope that we find that and grow that. Like the trainees who learned of his sudden transfer who quickly bought a gift for him. I hope they did not learn the stupid things from their seniors - of not treating people like people, with respect and dignity and decency.</p><p>But its also true - that we cannot expect it from those who do not have it. I do hope and pray for incidents like the ones with the trainees that reinforce my faith. For every single a..hole leader, we just need one incident like this to offset that. </p><p> </p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-87877241459903146482024-03-14T22:32:00.001+05:302024-03-14T22:32:42.833+05:30Aattam - Movie<p> 2023. Malayalam.</p><p>Loved it. A play with about 11 men and one girl. One new star comes into the play and steals the main part and all the limelight. The actor who lost the main lead and the heroine are in an affair. The girl complains after a party that someone groped her and she accuses the new hero. The rest of the cast is in a dilemma - the actor has promised them something lucrative and the girl's story is not looking very solid.</p><p>Loved the ending. Loved the characters and their frailties. Must watch.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRyv0sGizHd69JPMvxBlmD5Q9wH_gMxwt5gZosB_gfiUt0J_fWgzh_px-5HwBSU3V3Qvd8k0hhCIshNZy2YeTP6HGzZHaD_t0TjAQ_BGFm1t61w6kLyArt0J7ERNFSXNkyb7Vwu7k895X_vCp8-7Uk_WDXtBiSV6DSBUVDiD_MMLfp5LZgnjlPLoiUSE/s275/Aattam_film_poster.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="220" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRyv0sGizHd69JPMvxBlmD5Q9wH_gMxwt5gZosB_gfiUt0J_fWgzh_px-5HwBSU3V3Qvd8k0hhCIshNZy2YeTP6HGzZHaD_t0TjAQ_BGFm1t61w6kLyArt0J7ERNFSXNkyb7Vwu7k895X_vCp8-7Uk_WDXtBiSV6DSBUVDiD_MMLfp5LZgnjlPLoiUSE/s1600/Aattam_film_poster.jpeg" width="220" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-34750202059478929852024-03-14T22:28:00.002+05:302024-03-14T22:28:41.597+05:30Anweshippin Kandethum - Movie<p> 2024. Malayalam. Tovino Thomas.</p><p>Two stories - one in which the cop gets dishonorably suspended for letting a suspect run away and commit suicide and another when the cop is given a chance to redeem himself and he does, though once again without catching the killer alive - he commits suicide again. Interesting narrative - two stories, both similar but holding your interest all through.</p><p>It all looks so real like any Malayalam movie does. Tovino looks the part, acts the part. V nice.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxb7Raj4lWs_GAsBXXo5ztu2HiH5cijg2hyphenhyphentQLU-fMAlSxgfOlH0-SDcC9C-qmll6YwyyOM8nz7JWX63xwVP0nyuCsBpkCExLFZchFbQcuMZFR4DdsPSRo1BER2gYzFYyfn-QVtMTcsHx02hjlmIyN34oQaM9Blv6emUiznQ0PWWBUkb7KS2Vx-IdnIoY/s251/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxb7Raj4lWs_GAsBXXo5ztu2HiH5cijg2hyphenhyphentQLU-fMAlSxgfOlH0-SDcC9C-qmll6YwyyOM8nz7JWX63xwVP0nyuCsBpkCExLFZchFbQcuMZFR4DdsPSRo1BER2gYzFYyfn-QVtMTcsHx02hjlmIyN34oQaM9Blv6emUiznQ0PWWBUkb7KS2Vx-IdnIoY/s1600/download.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-55662321446189265612024-03-13T21:33:00.002+05:302024-03-13T21:33:39.995+05:30Best Loved Indian Stories of the Century Vol II - Edited by Indira Srinivasan and Chetna Bhatt<p>First published in 1999 this book really has the best collection of Indian stories - "Kabuliwala", "In the Flood", "Exchange of Lunatics", "The Shroud". It was great re-reading them all. Fabulous collection of short stories in Indian regional language writing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmy2UjMypqok6DWKdRSxEjm1NEZC2LgrraVZWgl1FqlyIGn39KtB2CXSA-g0KHwrQzX_3ysLtJ6_Svoqj_CNTWr5ojE2IeE2e3f8LEIaUrCoTGeR4uMOneJ5vDSMzqSmJHlMWj-tN3HzS6knSFVM2yj3jd22Hbq8ZBVo0Vt85wGtiCWsEWB0V-YILjmv8/s160/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmy2UjMypqok6DWKdRSxEjm1NEZC2LgrraVZWgl1FqlyIGn39KtB2CXSA-g0KHwrQzX_3ysLtJ6_Svoqj_CNTWr5ojE2IeE2e3f8LEIaUrCoTGeR4uMOneJ5vDSMzqSmJHlMWj-tN3HzS6knSFVM2yj3jd22Hbq8ZBVo0Vt85wGtiCWsEWB0V-YILjmv8/w300-h400/download.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>"The Letter" by Dhumaketu is about a coachman waiting for a letter from his daughter until his last day - the pain of his eager wait, the ridicule of the postmaster and when the letter finally arrives too late, the post master realises the pain of waiting for a loved one's letter. "Tabara's Story" is about the beaurocratic jungle and how one can lose a life (and a wife) while waiting for things to happen. 'Tai Esree' is about a lovely bond between a feisty aunt and her nephew who comes back to see her one last time - partition time, an aunt who makes magic in life's little moments and memories that drive a life. 'Maguni's Bullock Cart' is about a man who lived his whole life serving his village by driving them hither and tither in his bullock cart and how he is forgotten the day a bus is brought into the village - only to be remembered one last time when he dies. 'Kabuliwala' is about an Afghan seller who sees his daughter in the daughter of his customer and how he goes to jail and comes back to find that the whole world was not as it had been before.</p><p>"Kamalini" by Gurzada Appa Rao is about a young woman who deals with her husband in a way that he probably will mend his erring ways - for good. "Poovan Banana" is a difficult theme to digest as the husband tames his wife by using rather extreme measures to fall in line - so much that whatever he shows her she has to say it is a Poovan Banana or else she gets a rap on her back. "The Cock Fight" is about two bickering neighbours and an unlikely cock that saves our heroines honor. "The Big Silver Rupee" - a generous gift by a happy father to his eight year old - places a huge burden on the child as the whole world starts suspecting the child of having done some mischief - won't let him enjoy it.</p><p>Premchand's "Shroud" is about human frailty as father and son drink away the money they had raised for the shroud of the dead wife of the son. "Prehistoric" is deeply disturbing as we see a world of darkness described in such gory detail that you wish the story would end - no happy endings though. C Rajagopalachari's "Ardhanari" deals with the subject of caste and how a low caste boy hides his caste from a high caste marriage prospect and seems to wish the worst things on his family (didn't really get why the low caste guys family had to be killed off to appease his guilt). "The Flood" is brilliant as it takes us into the very soul of the dog that is left behind by its master in a rising flood and how it stays loyal to its master till its death. Manto's "Exchange of Lunatics" reminds one of how our modern civilised world is actually run by lunatics. </p><p>"The Curds Seller" is brilliant play between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law and how they make peace and get their ways. "Womenfolk" is difficult to read - how their views though legitimate, are stamped down. "Redemption" is a happy ending, with a man whose heart turns into gold when he meets the old woman in a forest. "Must visit Eluru" is super progressive - a feisty woman who seduces a young neighbour and uses the child from that liaison to secure property and a good life for herself and her son - and when she meets her former lover years later as a widow, introduces their son and invites him to her house. "Death of a Banana Boat" is about a woman who is used like a pawn in the socil hierarchy of a landlord, his clerk and the servant - the pleasure is the upper classes and the burden is of the lower classes.</p><p>Fabulous read. Glad I read it. Again. </p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-70709918938458460752024-03-11T23:48:00.001+05:302024-03-16T20:35:39.630+05:30Svadhyaya - Srividya's Own Performing Arts Festival<p> Srividya is another highly accomplished artiste and was my student last year. A amazing capacity to learn despite her highly accomplished career makes her stand out. She is humble, energetic, cheerful, enthusiastic and certainly more driven than many I have seen. She spearheaded the alumni meet initiative last year and was largely responsible for making it a huge success.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy5c5IlqH7F6msDByJOf6udMVzUlQpexI-nHiJWWZBI3OcL2gaYYVXAMaUd0tiToxGkL7vrRqSlpvXxl51tOg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Srividya's organisation Citsabha Collective for Performing Arts conducted their own Performing Arts Festival last month and she sent some videos which are stunning to watch. I'll share a few links.</p><p>To learn about Citsabha's initiatives check this link.</p><p><a href="https://citsabhacollective.in/">https://citsabhacollective.in/</a></p><p> It has an awesome range of initiatives - Outreach (taking art-forms to places that cannot easily access them) , Roots (experiencing the energy of classical arts), Within (intimate viewing and understanding of classical dance and music) and Enable (social causes). I am very impressed.</p><p>Wishing you all success Srividya and Citsabha Collective. </p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-39968030995689179072024-03-11T23:39:00.001+05:302024-03-11T23:39:35.369+05:30Sannidhalaya - A Lovely Initiative by Sannidha <p> I loved the way Sannidha branded her institute - Sannidhalaya. Sannidha was a serious student, was quite accomplished in what she did and had an open and learning mindset. She worked hard during the alumni meet and it was always a pleasure to have her in class as she asked questions that provoked thought.</p><p>The other day she shared videos of performances by her students and I felt I should share the same on the blog. Here's wishing you and your students all success Sannidha. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8m7mkLWnLVA" width="320" youtube-src-id="8m7mkLWnLVA"></iframe></div>And another one.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nT4_mBUPkP0" width="320" youtube-src-id="nT4_mBUPkP0"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-39088213089648112462024-03-11T23:33:00.004+05:302024-03-11T23:33:38.992+05:30Thought for the Day - Deciphering the Zone<p> We experience flow as the famous book says. We experience being in the zone which I am assuming is the same. It is clear that this happens rarely. It is a heightened state of consciousness, of awareness, where everything seems easy, seems fully under control to the extent that you feel like you can thread a needle from a 100 feet away, seems in complete balance. There can be no other outcome but what you want to achieve, you are fully there with no doubt, no other thought in your mind.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGybgabkdsNHl7RapAXE3CVRW_vOXBI0_cq0yHWNsp0hjWcEgq2RCPY3-lhfIpHWEKYQkRjmE4wM-au_ZRrzSUL8qIGLp4bdn5kWT8v7o8jz0r5k5d66Gxe6tWCUxwWHzAZ7mqH-PjUy8lQnl8oVrzeAH2DlbVNAxno9aA9JcwuM0Z_LTxb71I_AXNS44/s1032/IMG-20170819-WA0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="581" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGybgabkdsNHl7RapAXE3CVRW_vOXBI0_cq0yHWNsp0hjWcEgq2RCPY3-lhfIpHWEKYQkRjmE4wM-au_ZRrzSUL8qIGLp4bdn5kWT8v7o8jz0r5k5d66Gxe6tWCUxwWHzAZ7mqH-PjUy8lQnl8oVrzeAH2DlbVNAxno9aA9JcwuM0Z_LTxb71I_AXNS44/w225-h400/IMG-20170819-WA0009.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100% there, in flow (until I get a better pic)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The zone.</p><p>Now it happens in games. In performances. At work. </p><p>In relationships. </p><p>Let me share my 'flow' or 'in the zone' experiences. </p><p>In the game of cricket I can pick at least two clear examples - once when I scored 158 for Osmania in a league match - absolute control over ball in terms of placement, timing, balance. Another when I got 6 wickets in a league match when I suddenly found the state after the first wicket. That day, I could make the ball talk like thy say - it did whatever I wanted it to!</p><p>In my TEDx talk at VNR VJIET I felt I hit the zone after a quarter of the talk was over. Where I had begun feeling rather alone and disconnected on the stage initially, I slowly felt I had an individual connection with every single one in the audience, that we were attached by a string and they would react the way I wanted them to. Extremely powerful feeling.</p><p>The odd lecture when we are in flow - and everything is happening as we want with no effort. Nothing can go wrong we feel. At times while writing, when the idea comes across perfectly!</p><p>Other flow states - in conversations with friends when an idea seizes us and we are in complete sync with one another, completing sentences for the other. </p><p>...</p><p>The desire therefore is to own the flow state and figure how to keep it on tap. So I examined what the aspects of flow are - fully in control and in balance (happens as a result so no control over it), absolutely present with no other thought (can attempt this aspect to be completely present), complete ease with minimum effort (again, seems to be an outcome and have no control over it).</p><p>Of the above the one or two things I can control are - being in the present and being fully there. Now being in the present is easier said than done but I think there is a way to get the mind to work here. That's in the second part - being fully there.</p><p>To be in flow - one thing one can do is to be fully there working towards an objective you want to achieve - i.e. every single cell of your body should be engaged in that act with zero resistance or judgment or bias or doubt or fear. Just 100% of yourself, your every cell being present to the moment, to the act. For eg you are speaking with someone, ask yourself if every single cell of yours is working towards the objective you want - to be in flow with the person. If you are playing ask yourself if every single cell of yours is fully engaged in the act towards achieving the outcome you want.</p><p>My two cents. I'll try and practice it some more and let you know the results! </p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-57434353291065684182024-03-11T23:03:00.005+05:302024-03-14T22:45:52.063+05:30Alvida Prashanth Sheorey<p> Prahsanth Sheorey was one of the gentlest people I knew. Unassuming to a fault, I have never seen him angry or emotional. There was always a genial smile on his face and his entire demeanor instantly put the environment in a peaceful mode. Prashanth also loved the small things in life.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLK6dTUDc_nmn3mju07pfxHWS9QJRP7RlVifhEI5N7DeFmpGvoKVPRG8_O0xkAz8nllZrKoQ_RnI3tjL-xOUH1FhfaKDLYqDKcrYoxhCJLu6PeXK2kInhc27hY6ODIMlYozjqA90_e6a0QtYBtyXIZyaPP5hVzpEWpri5A_M7P6ut7YYii0vHjWtOVik/s1280/4e96661d-061e-4a55-9e1f-f1deaa719663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLK6dTUDc_nmn3mju07pfxHWS9QJRP7RlVifhEI5N7DeFmpGvoKVPRG8_O0xkAz8nllZrKoQ_RnI3tjL-xOUH1FhfaKDLYqDKcrYoxhCJLu6PeXK2kInhc27hY6ODIMlYozjqA90_e6a0QtYBtyXIZyaPP5hVzpEWpri5A_M7P6ut7YYii0vHjWtOVik/s320/4e96661d-061e-4a55-9e1f-f1deaa719663.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prashanth Sheorey</td></tr></tbody></table><p>But there was so much more to him that I never really discovered. He was intelligent - more than the normal intelligence we assign to people - because I think he knew what he wanted and made peace with that. </p><p>I first met him in the 1990s, when Shobha took me along to her cousin Chitra's house for lunch one day from college. Tall. handsome, someone who makes you instantly comfortable (as opposed to many people who try to make you feel uncomfortable). My take on this is - the more secure a person is the more comfortable he makes you feel, the less secure a person is, the more uncomfortable he makes you feel! By that standard, he was immensely secure in his space.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUYYMA76Ozcvkwe1WzeYrPvOOnc2YrNmJ5tYRRTSycWt9RsnN1M9EvRKsYJr4_hoRFEmT0PO6Ch7qA9QKduzUUL5h5EWAieFQKC-5cvZ17WDKXQVRTEnh2U-hqM3bNkvIfGzZdouhDX7oKiSkTN2t7Au7Lc_8wgpjdExV13gpG09HHITVkpt7x7oxkTU/s3872/DSC_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUYYMA76Ozcvkwe1WzeYrPvOOnc2YrNmJ5tYRRTSycWt9RsnN1M9EvRKsYJr4_hoRFEmT0PO6Ch7qA9QKduzUUL5h5EWAieFQKC-5cvZ17WDKXQVRTEnh2U-hqM3bNkvIfGzZdouhDX7oKiSkTN2t7Au7Lc_8wgpjdExV13gpG09HHITVkpt7x7oxkTU/s320/DSC_0534.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chitra and Prashanth</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Prashanth had some interesting family history in the North of India - Madhya Pradesh or UP. His ancestors had property there and there was some conspiracies that happened and they lost that land - he told me that story once. Never asked him more about that! His father was a journalist if I remember right and they lived in King Kothi. Prashanth did his early education in Vivek Vardhini School ad college and loved his childhood in Hyderabad. He would happily recount the days they would go to Sangeet theatre late at night to watch movies, the many movies they watched etc.</p><p>Slowly the responsibilities of being an adult fell upon him. His father had started a press and Prashanth ran it - Everest Printers - right on the Kothi Main Road as you go towards Naya Pul. For years, decades he ran the press. He had a fixed routine - home to work, back for lunch, a nap. back to work, back home at 9. </p><p>Their home at Basant Talkies was a lovely home with a welcoming vibe. Chitra and Prashanth, their young son Varun. We watched Varun grow up into a fine, handsome boy until tragedy struck. Varun contracted an autoimmune illness and for no apparent reason, we lost him just like that. Losing a twenty year old son, an only son, can be devastating, even to listen to, and one can only imagine what Chitra and Prashanth went through. But they bore it, survived it.</p><p>Chitra would come home those days to take care of Anjali who was just born and she did that until Anjali was five or six perhaps. It was a huge help, a welcome sight to see Chitra coming home with Anjali. Prashanth loved Anjali and would always have this amused, loving look on his face when he spoke to her.</p><p>Prashanth took solace in his spiritual guru - the Ramchandra Misison - of which he was an ardent follower. Many a visit he would make for their gatherings. He also said he communicated through a preceptor with Varun's soul - he said he was ok and in a better place and they should not worry about him. Prashanth made his peace there. His life became more and more spiritual. He even shared one book with me on the Mission. I need to complete it. </p><p>One interesting thing was how Prashanth, through sheer will power (and Chitra's help) and changing his lifestyle, cured himself of diabetes. One could see him enjoying the many Whatsapp forwards of his friends. Nothing flustered him much, he had no strong attachments, or opinions. Long as the world was happy and harmonious, he was fine.</p><p>From there to shutting down the press, moving to Pune, robbed us of having an address in Kachiguda to go to. We have many fond memories there - lunches, dinners, movies followed by biryani etc. We went on trips together - Nagarjuna Sagar, Girivan, Shrivardhan.</p><p>For someone who took care of himself so well it was a surprise to hear that Prashanth had moved on after feeling uneasy for a short while, a few days ago. He had had an angiogram, a stent was put in place to clear a block and he seemed to be recovering when he decided to leave. As peacefully and without troubling anyone as he would have wanted to perhaps.</p><p>If one can get that peace in Prashanth's eyes, his acceptance and contentment with his life, one can call oneself successful. He must have been a monk in his previous life, and lived like one too - no alcohol, no meat, no vices at all. The perfect guy to take home to and marry one would say - and surely Chitra would endorse this.</p><p>Alvida Prashanth. Until we meet again somewhere, someplace. My journey has been quietly but greatly enhanced with your presence. And each time we pass by Everest Printers or go past Basant talkies, it will not be without a twinge and a fond memory in my heart. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7z-UDcx42n0D5Ij_-Ue50oUREy6OyCidenk9F6aqlijVqz9FKjN-KhXk9A2cb0na7gblvVILu5bxwGENKiDeMtdIaKep1Ewaosl2utsEW-aAkJYBlBcAHh_JDDWqvnvInqRov3dQzYIcxfRbkhYPrpJwWuExbza6567w8PIRNr6Db-AgSEvdD0r8rUYc/s3872/DSC_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7z-UDcx42n0D5Ij_-Ue50oUREy6OyCidenk9F6aqlijVqz9FKjN-KhXk9A2cb0na7gblvVILu5bxwGENKiDeMtdIaKep1Ewaosl2utsEW-aAkJYBlBcAHh_JDDWqvnvInqRov3dQzYIcxfRbkhYPrpJwWuExbza6567w8PIRNr6Db-AgSEvdD0r8rUYc/s320/DSC_0534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-42676127027447361122024-03-09T22:24:00.001+05:302024-03-09T22:24:45.924+05:30Merry Christmas - Movie<p> 2024. Sriram Raghavan takes us along for a 2 hour 25 minute ride and leaves us rather bored. Nothing Merry about this Christmas. Its based on a French novel apparently.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2C0t6mU-57ZC6Ysw5yjCQb_Yly0NqKxwv46A-5Fi0fhUJvUdKKDtqqkB1AqNm3ORjEVUdbav4Y-TTuot0K3_BqPdIzN0NKrFAxc_-awGB06BF2edRNtepurWekt-EmeaegVG2NkUvONXznotA0wd1uQiIgdS46xntgg9REvV6S97DtCcXAR8CQVHdbyY/s275/Merry_Christmas_film_poster.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="220" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2C0t6mU-57ZC6Ysw5yjCQb_Yly0NqKxwv46A-5Fi0fhUJvUdKKDtqqkB1AqNm3ORjEVUdbav4Y-TTuot0K3_BqPdIzN0NKrFAxc_-awGB06BF2edRNtepurWekt-EmeaegVG2NkUvONXznotA0wd1uQiIgdS46xntgg9REvV6S97DtCcXAR8CQVHdbyY/s1600/Merry_Christmas_film_poster.jpg.webp" width="220" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-67070162954481572312024-03-09T22:16:00.003+05:302024-03-09T22:17:05.151+05:30Thought for the Day - Dropping Hurt and Disappointment<p> When I turned 40 I had this great realisation. That guilt and shame were completely useless emotions to entertain. Life has been pretty good since then.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57rBmhKYmX_5Vh_5BHkezwE57MUrSWFjvgfMPScv2tjdCiY9s1s8JvOal6mst3J4Z64Z_WJ_MCDybcMQAM-foLR3VsMduS7_2_fxEPadADnw3p8leK3jyIqOIMCYwNT1M40ClyWMD6o6_C0NBKprtQctCtQzcvJKc112UlVBJxKxBzcge7PAPkDz75Tg/s4032/IMG_7637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57rBmhKYmX_5Vh_5BHkezwE57MUrSWFjvgfMPScv2tjdCiY9s1s8JvOal6mst3J4Z64Z_WJ_MCDybcMQAM-foLR3VsMduS7_2_fxEPadADnw3p8leK3jyIqOIMCYwNT1M40ClyWMD6o6_C0NBKprtQctCtQzcvJKc112UlVBJxKxBzcge7PAPkDz75Tg/w400-h300/IMG_7637.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The other day I had another realisation and decided to add two more to this small list - hurt and disappointment. I realised both come from a space of feeling like a victim. There's no point being extra sensitive to hurt (which can be used to manipulate or to anesthetise ourselves against any learning) nor is there any benefit in being disappointed (which shows that one is tied to some idea of perfection which will not allow us to see reality as it is and flow with it.</p><p>The amount of time I wasted being hurt and disappointed is crazy and I am feeling rather stupid about it all.Good for drama and nothing else.</p><p>Time to grow up and move on. Travel light! Drop hurt and disappointment. </p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-79187537740490543532024-03-09T22:10:00.004+05:302024-03-09T22:10:53.794+05:30Poacher - Web Series<p> 2024.</p><p>Based on real life incidents, on 'Operation Shikaar' when the Kerala Forest Department went after poachers who had killed elephants for ivory. The poachers had links everywhere - from Japanese and Korean gangs to local networks, running a billion dollar industry. In the web series Nimisha Sajayan plays a DFO on a mission who is aided by an IT Engineer and a wildlife enthusiast, Alan. They work under the guidance of an ex-Intel man. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBEWfMDD-US73v4FIoeph0C-IkIgDTGg1itmwsTyIGBcF97IqfBzQCqwwQFI19znjk2Xw2rdijF-z2kN9QC4Jt3jiMkaG_AIjAkCELhxljAd-dufVp2b-9RYeRiPg3fgr-QAZPswi8ly3isBycfnR1Hu6kNpZ2g7cFEijB8U1cF0415ltnSYZYX_Jn1I/s275/Poacher_TV_series.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="220" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBEWfMDD-US73v4FIoeph0C-IkIgDTGg1itmwsTyIGBcF97IqfBzQCqwwQFI19znjk2Xw2rdijF-z2kN9QC4Jt3jiMkaG_AIjAkCELhxljAd-dufVp2b-9RYeRiPg3fgr-QAZPswi8ly3isBycfnR1Hu6kNpZ2g7cFEijB8U1cF0415ltnSYZYX_Jn1I/s1600/Poacher_TV_series.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Poacher is directed by Richie Mehta of Delhi Crime fame (and of Amal fame, a movie I remember watching in the early days of OTT and which for some reason still remains clearly etched in my memory).</p><p>Loved it.</p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-60734382691551179202024-03-08T00:16:00.004+05:302024-03-09T21:57:36.916+05:30Laapata Ladies - Movie<p> Absolute cracker. Watch immediately. Loved it.</p><p>Two young brides with their ghunghats covering their faces get mixed up and the rest of the film is about what happens after - a journey that touches upon an amazing number of subjects and themes with a feather touch! Ravi Kishen is brilliant as the cop! </p><p>Way to go Kiran Rao. Brilliant.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNceORnrH6wfUvNk5IbCCvG9GUjkOc8OdTgjUDIm5Jt93kwPyXKF-gUZTuIPeCSVClWc7GSEtc3EvLmBWDQSevXdyYksLsJia-BUU9kBuTg0yQ_e47aX0Y1r418ynF90evHbKVjBLJzUC7HoH_DEJmaFjzaYGZZ1gPGuL-fNigCtByr05-h1oYyj5_6-A/s220/Laapataa_Ladies_poster.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNceORnrH6wfUvNk5IbCCvG9GUjkOc8OdTgjUDIm5Jt93kwPyXKF-gUZTuIPeCSVClWc7GSEtc3EvLmBWDQSevXdyYksLsJia-BUU9kBuTg0yQ_e47aX0Y1r418ynF90evHbKVjBLJzUC7HoH_DEJmaFjzaYGZZ1gPGuL-fNigCtByr05-h1oYyj5_6-A/w400-h400/Laapataa_Ladies_poster.jpg.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-33100357432077276712024-03-05T16:20:00.005+05:302024-03-05T16:22:56.928+05:30Thought for the Day - The Child, Adult and the Parent <p> Every once in a while we slip into these roles - adult, parent, child. As adults we behave more childishly than any child i.e. we put up walls, talk rationally, keep emotions under control, be more transactional, watch out for oneself first and not make mistakes that can come back and bite you. As a result we do get a wary version of an insecure person who is trying to be safe and perhaps 'smart' (as in taking all the benefits minus the responsibility or the work!).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyx80LggSkjT-pQWlIDI-I1aYnw8MZ-UA3wq0bdd-rLiuAbn2nFp8tKIpFNwkByPvcesTaL0ggW1zwZHCPKv0V4wHWBxHNlMvxhiTY6hijLpLr5Yz_9d1UtdBE_YLgv93BZh1EhYpiv8gEgqyKHwvtxPbVCIsBm1dlaVTlG8AecTg57q4Dn5vc89ozCAw/s4096/IMG20240304072325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyx80LggSkjT-pQWlIDI-I1aYnw8MZ-UA3wq0bdd-rLiuAbn2nFp8tKIpFNwkByPvcesTaL0ggW1zwZHCPKv0V4wHWBxHNlMvxhiTY6hijLpLr5Yz_9d1UtdBE_YLgv93BZh1EhYpiv8gEgqyKHwvtxPbVCIsBm1dlaVTlG8AecTg57q4Dn5vc89ozCAw/s320/IMG20240304072325.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>When we do behave like children (or like the child) we are perhaps behaving more spontaneously and being more vulnerable than the more sanitised version of being an adult. When we behave like a child however we do put ourselves out there without being 'smart', without thinking of the pros and cons, of benefits etc. It is a version where the child can ask for the moon, for irrational things. Once again without responsibility, without any work, and perhaps no thinking about benefits. Just an 'I want..'</p><p>The parent is stuck with being responsible and unfortunately also has to put in the work of placating the child. One cannot do this as an adult because there is no benefit involved in this transaction. Its a losing transaction actually and can only be done for love - like a parent. So any adult looking for an adult relationship will quickly tire of the 'child' because they do not want to 'take care'. </p><p>In such scenarios any relationship where the child pops up in an adult, can put the other adults under strain, especially if the child in the adult does not know the line. The line can easily be crossed if the adult-child behaves like an irritating juvenile who only wants more and more - without any responsibility. This would in all likelihood make other adults quickly get bored and tired because no one wants a cry baby under the guise of being spontaneous or child like.</p><p>The solution to this - find a leadership position and figure where you want to be - adult, child, parent. What do you want? Take responsibility for it. Find the line. If you're unsure, stay within the line. A boring adult is preferable to an irritating child! </p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-86597944715099232062024-03-05T16:04:00.005+05:302024-03-05T16:04:39.553+05:30Some Nice Feedback - Department of Dance<p>Received some nice feedback from a student VM. It's always good to hear good feedback which make sit all worthwhile.</p><p>"Hello Sir, I want to acknowledge to you that your classes have an impact on each one of us . Every quote, statement formulas and exercises are the essential life skills for a happy, efficient and purposeful living. You have a wonderful gift of empathy which we see in the way you talk, listen and Interact. I see that these kind of classes should be a part of our curriculum much earlier from school level...it would give a proper understanding and direction to the innocent young minds. It is visible how each one of us are opening up more , understanding ourselves and the way we are with others. This class will be the best one to take as a parting note."</p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-62659570886690797212024-03-05T15:59:00.000+05:302024-03-05T15:59:24.297+05:30Premalu - Movie<p> 2024. Malayalam.</p><p>One of the cutest films I have watched in many years. Starts off with an Engineering college farewell where our hero Sachin realises that he has not expressed his love to the love of his first year. When he does, she rejects him. His UK Visa gets rejected too and he comes to Hyderabad with his friend to join GATE coaching. Meets cute girl, falls in love, twists and turns, funny scenes and it all ends well.</p><p>Loved it.</p><p> </p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-39630900629625165542024-03-03T22:28:00.002+05:302024-03-03T22:28:51.938+05:30Fire Bird - Perumal Murugan<p> 'Fire Bird' is translated from Perumal Murugan's original work in Tamil 'Aalandapatchi' (a mystical bird in Tamil). The story is set in interior Tamil Nadu and courses through a month's time in the life of a small farmer in Tamil Nadu.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwMAaBJGg5ZAOXrMPrxRGDdxvp2-kj_a0R6xm-HYKe0RyIw0iZDX0lwEDIC0pnKfLBTErMWpkbeHiReMMh6eCeg0fcKxz-oBuhVSkVlzmABSNhlLt22_tf6M0pVLjA34l2wUs_Z3D_wzgali0kGYF9pyXeqU8ddVYHd3hcpNQ0E4LQ5G2zhGJVSQ0foA/s276/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="182" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwMAaBJGg5ZAOXrMPrxRGDdxvp2-kj_a0R6xm-HYKe0RyIw0iZDX0lwEDIC0pnKfLBTErMWpkbeHiReMMh6eCeg0fcKxz-oBuhVSkVlzmABSNhlLt22_tf6M0pVLjA34l2wUs_Z3D_wzgali0kGYF9pyXeqU8ddVYHd3hcpNQ0E4LQ5G2zhGJVSQ0foA/s1600/download.jpg" width="182" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The story begins with Muthu and his man Friday Kuppan taking their bullock cart in search of a piece of land to buy. As the story unfolds it is revealed that Muthu is the youngest son of a farmer's family that has recently divided up its land along the five sons. Muthu, the youngest gets a raw deal, and when things go from bad to worse, his wife moves out of their land and gives Muthu an ultimatum to sell that land and buy a new one. The travails of the young Muthu who has hitherto not been exposed to dealing with the outside world, and his search for the perfect piece of land with the able and aged Kuppan, makes for the rest of the story.</p><p>Murugan describes the life of a farmer and his many skills and understanding of soil, the land, trees, creatures that live off the land, water, seasons, weather, people, practices, processes, food in a detail that amazes you. When he takes you on a detour into the life of a toddy tapper or a tree climber he treats you to a lesson in when to climb a toddy tree, how to climb, how to hide the produce from the police. And when he takes you into the details of how to deal with people in a hostile village when buying their land and keeping the money safe through the process its a lesson in people management and how to assert oneself without spoiling relations. The harsh and coarse language used by the men and women, the constant insults and sexual innuendos, are real - and one wonders what reason they had to be so harsh. But nothing was done without reason. The way they divided the property, the role of women in appropriating more for their own family, the conspiracy of the older brothers to gain more and in their greed going past all limits of propriety as he molests his younger brother's wife in a bid to get rid of them. The way the mother and the older brother's wife side with the older brother saying that its no big deal also shows the gender politics - always coming down to money. Greed.</p><p>How Muthu and Kuppan finally negotiate and seal a good deal, how he brings his daughter and an old paati to help him, and how the rocky and barren land slowly offers hope in every square inch is the story. The term 'Fire Bird' is what Muthu's fiery wife Peruma's personality signifies. </p><p>Perumal Murugan's novel is a how-to book of how one must go about while dealing with family feuds, while buying land, how to overcome seemingly humongous obstacles with grit and commitment and by using whatever resources one has. How much ever the detail frustrates at times, it is still compelling reading as in every act their is a thought, a lesson from nature. One can only marvel at the wonderful translation by Janaki Kannan because even in the translation I can detect how difficult the original language must have been. After 'Pyre' and 'One Part Woman', this is my third Perumal Murugan novel and its much more layered, subtler and beautifully woven. </p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-13518898957610394242024-03-03T22:00:00.001+05:302024-03-03T22:29:03.374+05:30Manjummel Boys - Movie<p> 2024. Malayalam.</p><p>Based on a true story about a group of boys from a place called Manjummel who go to Kodaikanal on a holiday and find one of their friends missing in the notorious Guna caves. The group stays back despite locals and authorities telling them that there is no point hoping for their friend's survival. One of the boys Siju David volunteers to go down the deathly caves when the firemen refuse to help, and actually manages to rescue his friend in a death-defying operation.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRbYcBseX_53l7qygUuLORMdCivZoaLdUy1QDKqxxzILKWBqFQqguaYgUNe8QvqoM4VBVGmqtih_Taugw8ytDUB5f0YWu21l5bUJ_BJMpn10tlogWMObV6akO_CD2vYRv-IXxBkCzJgK_zyLfkhndihhZFIO334peL12K3-1HwbH8jAPGB4hN3fQyBfA/s275/Manjummel_Boys_poster.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="220" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRbYcBseX_53l7qygUuLORMdCivZoaLdUy1QDKqxxzILKWBqFQqguaYgUNe8QvqoM4VBVGmqtih_Taugw8ytDUB5f0YWu21l5bUJ_BJMpn10tlogWMObV6akO_CD2vYRv-IXxBkCzJgK_zyLfkhndihhZFIO334peL12K3-1HwbH8jAPGB4hN3fQyBfA/s1600/Manjummel_Boys_poster.jpg.webp" width="220" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-33639115803296124702024-03-03T21:50:00.002+05:302024-03-03T22:29:17.787+05:30Le Femme Nikita - Movie<p> 1990. French.</p><p>Starts out crazy with a street gang looting and killing cops in an armed robbery. The one girl who survives is taken into custody, her death faked and made into a state weapon to kill people. Superb action! Anne Parillaud is brilliant as Nikita.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOhZDiDffANYKn74YhkuAdXMwOt6Jb4fMWdXVLdHchNHEXUQW5pR3hKfO5EFc5isz94p2Dug2-qKnVh_W3ycZg6vqNRhtgxi1XCykow-Q6yXliboM2T5HU5-aYG6yPPbSsCkOk8dNPXaJf99tXwbHB4FlgEH55I8H2MUe9kdGXQuvnQQE6UNYk3hTbsY/s291/Nikita_france.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="220" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOhZDiDffANYKn74YhkuAdXMwOt6Jb4fMWdXVLdHchNHEXUQW5pR3hKfO5EFc5isz94p2Dug2-qKnVh_W3ycZg6vqNRhtgxi1XCykow-Q6yXliboM2T5HU5-aYG6yPPbSsCkOk8dNPXaJf99tXwbHB4FlgEH55I8H2MUe9kdGXQuvnQQE6UNYk3hTbsY/s1600/Nikita_france.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-35036594133298851572024-02-29T19:12:00.002+05:302024-02-29T19:12:26.480+05:30Baig Sir's Book Launch by the Chief of Navy Staff in Delhi<p> In a wonderful gesture to its personnel, especially those who went on to serve the nation in other fields such as cricket coaching, the Indian Navy launched the book written by its own Lt Cdr Hemanth Kumar, a past student of Mr MR Baig who had served in the Navy before turning into a full time cricket coach. That the Chief of Navy Staff himself, Admiral R. Hari Kumar launched the book along with Mrs Fatima Baig, wife of Mr M R Baig (who passed away last year) and cricketers VVS Laxman and MSK Prasad, shows how big hearted and noble this gesture was.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_FWU_WRZcCnSAueGfg0T8ovXrI4DmbRcGjH_X7rJKwbpwxki89e-X-hLkoFCZSZqbwtvdROpaj-XymKegCPLTecVFx_GVxkeCru_hQba63wSvqEsA-AI-XvyI2AJf-4K5pwkiBtCaU3W6OTKUIfOummdiijXhIb-BbH4MfC0J6x_Jd1dt6o9W8oOuqM/s1600/4a67ee02-2bf3-4a91-b941-47c446132ce5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_FWU_WRZcCnSAueGfg0T8ovXrI4DmbRcGjH_X7rJKwbpwxki89e-X-hLkoFCZSZqbwtvdROpaj-XymKegCPLTecVFx_GVxkeCru_hQba63wSvqEsA-AI-XvyI2AJf-4K5pwkiBtCaU3W6OTKUIfOummdiijXhIb-BbH4MfC0J6x_Jd1dt6o9W8oOuqM/w400-h225/4a67ee02-2bf3-4a91-b941-47c446132ce5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MSK Prasad, VVS Laxman, Adm Hari Kumar, Mrs Baig, Prakash, Naval Official, Lt Cdr. Hemanth</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sIqRkd-snZn81PXafBuLrJ7Q5YX6Kr74A9ZYoG9h_hL6LS_CW0wF3EhZ8-HZ2OwwFwlazNceM2cNPILvQEBQCDGd4XvMzXeWP8k1olKhWEvjFUlf6fA85lJ1EKKZpdjM5TRIJ283qHHEBzGzphhPvRAyZCdWi1odrYw4Yp5PTaJUgDevkiSFk6VbNGI/s5472/KSMA8782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sIqRkd-snZn81PXafBuLrJ7Q5YX6Kr74A9ZYoG9h_hL6LS_CW0wF3EhZ8-HZ2OwwFwlazNceM2cNPILvQEBQCDGd4XvMzXeWP8k1olKhWEvjFUlf6fA85lJ1EKKZpdjM5TRIJ283qHHEBzGzphhPvRAyZCdWi1odrYw4Yp5PTaJUgDevkiSFk6VbNGI/s320/KSMA8782.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CNS R Hari Kumar meeting the author of the book Lt Cdr Hemanth Kumar</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Prakash went to attend the function with his family. It was a huge, well decked affair, well attended by the press. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwISyO5kTgIM8dYwZdUPfUNz2t4CfN1qGhmXAfF-z43oEQ5VH-ih2WVc7vv8vOUdHNJdMPjWfvusEyNRECoBQu5U0VknAOZN0T0vPOysRxhwPqRFypwtqr5SM_kaNSqUIPD77YOnmd8exG-OMyaFdc8-eI51-Ee2tKFFf9Yydsvi9HeGB7Gn8hqFkniQ/s5472/KSMA8823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwISyO5kTgIM8dYwZdUPfUNz2t4CfN1qGhmXAfF-z43oEQ5VH-ih2WVc7vv8vOUdHNJdMPjWfvusEyNRECoBQu5U0VknAOZN0T0vPOysRxhwPqRFypwtqr5SM_kaNSqUIPD77YOnmd8exG-OMyaFdc8-eI51-Ee2tKFFf9Yydsvi9HeGB7Gn8hqFkniQ/s320/KSMA8823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Mr Baig's family was represented by his wife, his daughter and grand daughter. Fitting launch. Mr Baig would have been thrilled to be part of it. But I am sure he is smiling from the heavens.</p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8700197548299305500.post-13813159425161490392024-02-29T12:24:00.002+05:302024-02-29T12:24:26.866+05:30 A Surprise, Welcome Gift!<p> I was surprised and frankly a mite apprehensive when I saw a message on my phone - Blue Dart delivery. I had not ordered anything so what was this? Anyway I found out that there had indeed been a delivery at home, the size of a few books, but not books. Back home from the University I went about opening the package and what do I find - a One Plus Nord phone. I looked for the sender. My nephew Abhishek from Bangalore.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kVT_IFrjUCmfRLcgsWnH4Evp6iMx1_NxSPInJVXW7z8HUiqpgBeVDM6vjsKxm-5DJRcOUXdcLlVzvK6TMRIAhu_PXlvRLEK_N61yOZb8A6TWfvVTJ5H0aexW5K_K1E10DVYEAw1EVJUSgbXSNdYRDkXRfV_SXGM2k81o-BSp_dkxwOh6junG2ZVLbi8/s4080/IMG_20240228_183513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kVT_IFrjUCmfRLcgsWnH4Evp6iMx1_NxSPInJVXW7z8HUiqpgBeVDM6vjsKxm-5DJRcOUXdcLlVzvK6TMRIAhu_PXlvRLEK_N61yOZb8A6TWfvVTJ5H0aexW5K_K1E10DVYEAw1EVJUSgbXSNdYRDkXRfV_SXGM2k81o-BSp_dkxwOh6junG2ZVLbi8/s320/IMG_20240228_183513.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> I messaged him right away wondering what this was about. Maybe it was to be a gift for Anjali! He messaged back.</p><p>'You use the phone a lot Hari mama,'he said. 'You need a new phone. I saw the pictures on your blog. Grainy. Decided you will not buy one until this breaks down, so got you this. It has a good camera.'</p><p>I am blown. How thoughtful. How generous. How beautiful.</p><p>A few weeks ago it was my brother Ram who asked me to take his old Vivo phone. I did not know that they had all seen my faithful Nokia and were not too impressed with it. I did not yet get down to the phone my brother had given because the season was in progress (and I did not want to lose any data) but this new phone came just in time - right after the end of the season.</p><p>And I think of the many angels in my life who keep thinking of me, helping me along, buying me such generous gifts, giving me time, energy and love, and I truly understand the meaning of the word 'blessed'. It's a beautiful world out there.</p><p>I am also aware of the fact that something in me also opened myself up to receive such love from all hose around me, all who wish me well. I sometimes wonder why they do that, but I am glad they do!</p><p>Love you all. </p><p><br /></p>Harimohanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17080410333580185917noreply@blogger.com0