The Great Tamasha - James Astill

It's a 2013 book but it's title was still intriguing enough as was the byline - 'Cricket, Corruption and the Turbulent Rise of Modern India'. James Astill, an award winning journalist, was the political editor of The Economist and was stationed in Delhi for a few years which he used we'll to write this book. Vinod picked it up for me (and it picked itself as I browsed through a few books before I left for my train journey).

Astill begins the story right at the beginning when cricket in India started thanks to the English. The years when the English educated princes played and ruled, the Pentangulars where teams played as Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, English teams, the incorporation of the Ranji Trophy, India being inducted as a Test playing nation (with some of the princes wanting to play and lead), partition and a free India and so on. Though there was not much patronage from the state, the game caught the fancy of the population and grew, mostly in the richer sections of the society and as Astill makes a point, the upper classes mainly. Interestingly though, the Palwankar brothers who were Dalits, actually played for India, the Hindus, and the eldest Palwankar actually led the Hindu team to victory, leading men liked CK Nayudu, who scored a hundred and won the game against the British. After Independence though, Dalit representation has been low and though I am unsure of the numbers Astill quoted (he named only Dodda Ganesh), fact is that it may look improbable to have a Dalit lead many teams in India.

There's much history of Ranjitsinhji and how he accessed the throne of Jamnagar and his great skill at the game. Interestingly we also see how the BCCI has been operated by the powers that be, how state Associations (he chooses Saurashtra as the case in point where Mr Niranjan Shah rules and his son led the state side for a long time). How power has no accountability in sports in the Indian context. He meets Sharad Pawar (the only politician he noted who said Thank you to the person who got chai) and understands how power works at the BCCI and at ICC. He takes us through the transition from Doordarshan trying to control the telecast rights and free market forces coming in which brought big bucks to Indian cricket. He covers the deals with Worldtel, the rise of Sachin etc. We also meet a few bookies in Bombay who talk about how games are fixed and how best go into crores.

And when the IPL began in 2008, he details the story of how Lalit Modi pitched the idea in 1995 to the board which was brushed off, how then Subhash Chandra of Zee TV launched his ICL unsuccessfully, how Lalit Modi first got into Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association and then into Rajasthan and as Vice President of BCCI, pitched and launched the IPL in 2008. And then the way the league took off, the corruption and power broking, Modi's downfall and removal as IPL Commissioner, induction of teams such a Pune and Kerala and then their removal. The India Pakistan story is covered in depth as well as are the events surrounding it - the wars, the terrorist acts and so on.

Astill ends the book with Sachin's last Test and I am not sure why. What I did like was how he tried to connect with cricketers who have no way to aspire for a better life, the ones in Dharavi, in the fields of UP (he talks of Kamran Khan the Rajasthan Royals hero in the first season who went back to working in the fields - why didn't he meet him), his friends in Dharavi with whom he stays in the slum. That he talks to Priety Zinta, Amir Khan, Harsha Bhogle, Pujaras father, Mallya, Warne and a host of others is to be expected anyways. 

Lots of interesting stories, very interesting research, interviews, insights, connections. One gets the impression that he's definitely not happy with most things in India or Indian cricket, and he makes no bones about mentioning who runs it and why, the money that goes into it. Very few pass his approval - his friend Shashi from Dharavi gets a clean chit while most others are viewed with some suspicion. But that's his experience as he wonders at how Indians put cricketers on a pedestal whereas even in Pakistan someone like Shahid Afridi is treated like an ordinary citizen. He ends with how difficult it was to access Sachin Tendulkar who he does get to meet but does not get an interview on a rainy day in London.

Many interesting insights and research heavy so I had to read it slowly, much too slowly for my comfort. But it's in a good way. I wonder how this book would have been if it covered the years from 2013 to now. Good stuff. Thanks Vinod Bhai for picking it up for me.

Victory Song - Chitra Banerjee Divakurani

I find this slim children's book in Anjali's shelf and have been planning to read it for a while. Mainly because A's book shelf always always more interesting and then it is a Divakarani book. And it's slim.

It's 1939. The story is set in Shonu Gram in a farmer's house. Preparations are on for the marriage of his eldest daughter. The younger daughter Neela is the rebellious one. At the wedding feast a bunch of freedom fighters show up and ask the congregation to give up something for the cause. Encouraged by a baoul (who also teaches Neela how to sing 'Vande Mataram') the guests give up money and jewellery. Neela gives away her gold chain.

Neela's father leaves home to join the freedom movement and goes to Calcutta. One of the freedom fighters, a 16 year old called Samar, comes to hide at Neela's house after being injured. Neela goes to Calcutta to search for her father. With the help of Samar and other freedom fighters, she finds her injured father and has to somehow get home while escaping the police who are looking for them. Will she or won't she? Will she and Samar meet? And marry? 

It's a children's book so they make it home. She sings Vande Mataram as Samar leaves and he says he will come back. I'm sure that's good enough for a child to sleep happily at night. 

Can't believe I picked a book which has a theme of Vande Mataram at a time when there's so much discussion going on about it. Can't also believe that there's so much discussion going on between people who probably can use their time better in building the nation.

Something New - Pickleball

Akshar booked a Pickleball court for an hour after we realised that the table tennis table was not operational. Rakesh, Anjali, Akshar and me then drove to Hive a place which had several courts for Pickleball, Padel, box cricket etc.

It was a first for me and Anjali. The raquets are slightly bigger than TT raquets, the ball is plasticky, it makes a sound like a wooden raquet on a plastic ball, but it's rather manageable. Akshar said it's a geriatric sport.

Anyway even for geriatrics an hour of playing five games was slightly tiring. I think we stopped at the right time. Some tt techniques worked, some didn't, but I am learning. 

Nothing like playing a game. Need to go back to playing.

The Champion's Mindset - Jim Afremow

Jim believes that champions can be made. And much of the making of a champion is mental. How do you believe you can be a champion? Simple - if you can spot greatness in others, then you have the qualities of greatness in you too. The qualities need to be worked at though, which needs a lot of mental discipline and strength. And yes, mental strength can be built through training. 

As with anything else that we want to get better at, start with assessing yourself on the four key areas that a champion needs to look at - Psychological, Physical, Technical and Tactical. Physical is easy - there are parameters that are set and one can keep working at them. Technical is stuff that coaches can teach which results in improvements in skill. Tactical is something one can learn by constant  discussions with coaches and peers and by experience.

Jim gives a lot of broad ideas on how to build the champions mindset.  

1) Know Process - Know the right processes on training and follow the process - skill routines, training programs, nutrition plan, sleep, relaxation, feedback, update life goals. Focus on basics when things go wrong.

2) Win the day - Follow process diligently everyday. What can you achieve today. Manage your priorities well. Include fun in daily activities.

3) Work - To be a champion there are no short cuts. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. No coach or team thinks in terms of happy or comfort - keep competing, executing and trying to improve. Does not matter if you have the best or the worst record. 

4) Work on the Mental Aspect - Beliefs - Shift beliefs and expectations to what you can achieve, not what you cannot. Visualise - Imagine what will your life look like as a champ. Put in the extra work. Affirmations and Self Talk - Use phrases like -Personal best.

5) Develop People skills - be present, listen, do not mind read, discuss problems when they begin, criticise behavior and not the person.

6) Focus on team work  - Its always about the team, bring the best you can to the work.

7) Lead with vision, enthusiasm, feedback, confidence, care about others, respect, lead on and off the field, hold everyone accountable, adapt, do the right thing

The Mental Skills Tool Kit - Start with these Tools

1) Goal setting - define what you want to achieve in clear, specific terms, write them down and  display them so you can see it everyday and work towards it
2) Mental imagery - practice visualisation, see images of you playing well, achieving, that feeling of winning, feel, enjoy
3) Self talk - watch your self-talk, your thoughts and words, flip all negative thoughts into positive thoughts, not a single negative word
4) Confidence - show confidence through proper preparation and demonstrated performance, until then fake it to make it
5) Focus - it is selective attention, eliminate distractions, think long term when it comes to success (the entire career and not one game) and short term when it comes to failure (forget failures soon after learning the lesson), lose yourself in the process of what you are doing
5) Breath control - Deep breathing, keep practicing this to stay present and mentally aware
7) Mental toughness - increase it by doing hard things every day, push every day a little more
8) Anxiety management - anxiety is about grey areas, address grey areas - the what ifs, channel thoughts and anxiety positively, prepare, breathe, be present
9) Enjoyment - be here and now, enjoy the process and have fun
10) Body language - smile, dress up
11) Intensity - be balanced in your intensity, throttle up, throttle down, 
12) Personal affirmations - have key phrases that are positive, the subconscious recognises the present so affirm in the present, I am the best, I got this

The Winning Mindset  

1) Play to win, not to not lose.Look to thrive and not just survive.
2) Be unapologetic about wanting to win.
3) Playing to win allows you to play within yourself (when you play not to lose, you either over do or  under do). 
5) There is a fear of winning and also a fear of failure. Look them in the eye. Get comfortable with both. Don't fear either. Focus on what you want to happen, not what you're afraid of.
6) Its okay to fail as long as you don't give up. 
7) Be in relaxed awareness state. Breathe. Tension is what you think you should be, relaxed is who you are.
8) Stay loose. Let the play come to you. Flow, don't force.
9) Focus on process - the present moment. On action.
10) Keep it simple.
11) Be quick but don't hurry.
12) Play ugly but stay in.
13) Know your job and do it.
14) Ask good questions in tough situations - what do I want to happen? What would help me now?
15) Have no excuses.Deal with whatever comes to you.
16) Adapt  - look at the what ifs, plan contingencies, be flexible.
17) When everyone else is nervous, I am excited. Train it and trust it.
18) During competitions forget mistakes. Use the blade of grass technique - pick up a blade of grass and look at it as if it was the mistake you made and blow it away in the wind - gone. Move on.
19) When you fail, get right back up, keep pushing it

Wisdom of  champion

It's not about winning only. It's about being the best you can be.

1) Seek mastery. Be your toughest rival.
2) Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you're capable of becoming - John Wooden
3) Manage your limitations
4) Get help
5) What does not kill me makes me stronger
6) Practice is everything. Keep learning, training, 
7) Chase your weaknesses, build your strengths. 'I make my weaknesses my strengths and my strengths stronger' - Lisa Fernandes
8) Move the chains
9) In crunch moments tell yourself - this is who I am and this is what I do everyday
10) Accept yourself unconditionally
11) Control the controllables
12) Look at the big picture, instead of one competition
13) Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
14) He who grasps, loses - Lao Tzu, Relentlessly pursue perfection
15) How to become my best
16) Intense discomfort is often the price tag for greatness 
17) Do what you are coached to
18) Commitment is either in or out
19) Sustained obsession
20) Do what others won't do
21) A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning
22) Set out to do your absolute best
23) A real victor arrives at the finish line with no regrets

Zen stories

Empty cup - only if you empty your cup can you can absorb, learn new things (keep learning)
Monk and the mirror - I am the source, the problem and the solution (look within for answers)
Carrying the burden - Once it is done, move on (stay present, don't build stories)
Drop of water - Don't waste even a drop of water, be aware (use all resources well)
Maybe good, maybe bad - Have no judgment, because things change (don't judge to see clearly)
Cliffhanger - If you are present, you can enjoy even the most difficult times (there's a opportunity in the toughest times)
Gifts - You need not react to everything, you can choose not to (react only when needed)
Working hard - when you have one eye on the goal you have only one eye on the path (full focus on process)
Great waves - become the wave, and you will be at full potential (Immerse yourself fully)
Frog and centipede - until the frog pits doubt in the centipedes mind it does great with its hundred legs (don't doubt, overthink)
Taming the mind - do things when the going is tough (conquer the mind so its the same in all situations) 
Masterpiece - King seeks peace in paintings, peace in the eye of the storm (find peace in turmoil)
Painted lion - Fellow paints a lion and then gets scared of it (don't get scared by your own creations)
Breathing - it will pass
Chop wood and carry water - Do the same things before and after, only your awareness changes
Go with the flow - man in rapids surrenders to the flow and survives (don't fight, surrender)
Destiny - one believes in destiny but one also has agency like the two sided coin (create your own destiny by believing in it)
Chasing two rabbits - Cannot catch two rabbits at once, do it one at a time (one thing at a time)
The inn - palace, ask what it really means and is (its not the labels, its the function)
Statue of gold - can hide gold under clay

Golden reflections from Champions

1) Be focused on what it takes to win a competitive edge over my opposition. Barely left the room so not to get distracted - eat, train, sleep. No excuses. Cannot arrive less than your best and lacking confidence. Confidence comes with training
2) Don't give up after a weak moment. Come back stronger.
3) Effective practice is conscious presence, focused effort, with our entire being. Be in the now during 4) practice. Imagine a teacher standing on my shoulder and telling me 'Be here now'.
5) To win, uncover your authentic best self
6) How hard are you willing to work on competition day. Race day is a special day.
7) All team members must commit to the goals of the team. If you wanna win you gotta buy in. Commit 100% to the philosophy of team. Commit to my role in the team. Trust my coach and team mates.
8) Focus on each tiny step. Full focus on the process. Preparation is the key. Hey, I am ready.
9) Dream big.
10) That's what I want. Then go and get it. Commit to it. Tell others. Live the gold life.
11) Teaming is asking for help.
12) Focus on yourself. Not others. Take chances.

Game Plan - Before The Game

Goal setting (what to accomplish, clear and specific numbers, process)
Mental imagery (see yourself performing well, clear visual of process, of outcome)
Self talk (keep it simple, positive, remove all negative)
Confidence (can do attitude)
Focus (on target)
Breath control (breathe easy and deep)
Mental toughness (do the hard, stay within)
Anxiety (visualise your butterflies in formation)
Enjoy (have fun)
Body language (strong)
Intensity (energy level just right)
Affirmations (power phrases)

Principles
Go with what you got (don't doubt or underestimate yourself)
Most important thing is how you prepare for battle (you already are prepared)
Develop good routines to get a head start on opponent - reduce pre-competiton nervousness (music, visualisation, breathing)
Don't abandon the routine when most needed (stick to process)
Pep talks - keep it simple, clear, powerful/evoke previous success/ what you need to focus on to play your best/nothing to lose, everything to gain/enjoy each moment/ All night long, till the end give your best

Common Mental errors

- over emphasising the outcome
- trying too much 
- tracking the negative

List of Motivating Songs

One of the most interesting parts of the book is the list of motivational songs. I listened to a few. Here is the list.

1) Enter Sandman - Metallica

2) Pump it - Black Eyed Peas

3) Go Getta - Young Jeez

4) Lose Yourself - Eminem

5) Intro - The XX

6) Thunderstruck - ACDC

7) Drown in the now - The Crystal Method

8) Remember the Name - Fort Minor

9) Welcome to the jungle - Guns n Roses

10) Through the Fire - Pete Miser

11) Can't hold us - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

12) Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Happy Listening

...

There are a lot of ideas in the book in a rather disorganised manner. Overall it seems to say - have a big vision, know your strengths and weaknesses, assess yourself all round, find help, get proper routines and work diligently, work towards the big vision, no substitute for hard work, have clear plans for game days, go for win, keep your mind on what you can do, if you fall get up and get going, use mental skills to be at your best mental state, follow process. Jim gets support from a lot of Zen stories, has a bunch of champions talk about their experiences (which was quite useful). Lots of information but just not organised in a manner - it is rather repetitive not delving deep. I have attempted to organise it the way I would like it because it does have some interesting parts to it. Maybe later I will write these down in a manner that makes sense to me as insights. The good parts are that it gave me some framework on mental preparation (too many again), some insights on preparing for the big games (don't change process, it's not another game, take chances), the level of comfort or happiness one needs in champion teams (none). 

Talk at Kalari, Alliance University, Bangalore

My students from the Department of Dance, University of Hyderabad, Kavya and Datta have both joined Alliance University, Bangalore as faculty. They are both Assistant Professors and teach Kuchipudi. 

I had taught them in 2019 so I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from Kavya asking me if I could take a session or two on Arts Management which is the course I had taught them. Since I was going to Bangalore on some work I told her I could do a session and we fixed it for today. 

Alliance University at Anekal is a 60 acre campus, lush with trees and greenery, full of students. It's very well organised, beautiful buildings etc. I loved their department, the food courts, the grounds and so on.

Since I went early I met Dr Sreedharan, Director of Indian Knowledge Systems, and was amazed at the body of work he has done in translating many rare works. 41 books he said and gifted me a copy of a book with Tulu poems (The Land that Speaks) that he translated into English with Dr Sruthy Chandrasekhar, Head of Department. 

The session was from 10 to 1 and we had about 30-35 students who participated actively as we discussed having a purpose, the approach to doing their best work, learning mindset, the 10000 hour rule to expertise, theories on how to be an expert, deliberate practice, deconstructing skill, preparation on three levels - physical, skill and mental, importance of feedback, touched a bit on marketing, finance, and made them do 20 year goals as an exercise. It was great fun and I enjoyed the interaction, the sharing.

Kavya and Datta took me out to lunch at the food court and we took a pic and parted. Thanks Kavya and Datta.

Act of Love - Peace, Style and Life on Even Terms

Something about this gentleman caught my eye - the way he was sitting, his leg hanging loose, a cigarette in his hand, smoke in the air (haven't been able to catch that smoke), a defiance or acceptance of life on its terms - not subservient, not hopeful, just on even, equal terms. A warrior. A king. On his throne. 

Or just someone who made peace with himself. With life. Who perhaps loves himself.

Loved his attitude. If I see him again another time I'll buy just to know him some more.

A Passion for Success - Kazuo Inamori

Kazua Inamori founded the Kyocera (Kyoto Ceramics) Company at 27 years of age, made it a success based on certain principles, established the Kyocera Corporation in California in 1976, founded DDI Corporation and Nippon Iridium and has donated 200 mn for the Inamori Foundation. His principles and philosophies are very simple - have no self interest, don't be a slave to money, grow other people, team before self, have big dreams and work relentlessly for them, find ways, empower people, be fair, be honest, be a learner, be humble. Harsha gave me this book to read and I found it validated many principles I believe in too.

The book has two parts - "How to Succeed in Life" and "How to Succeed in Business". 

To succeed in life he says one must be the hero (like in a movie, write your script and be its hero, not a side character), learn from all sources available (much wisdom available in elders), have a purpose and work for it, look at yourself objectively know your areas of strength and weakness, put in continuous effort towards your goal and most importantly follow his formula of
 Success = Ability X Effort X Attitude

Ability -
know where you stand objectively and try to learn and improve
overcome limitations through effort
imbibe some boldness and sensitivity which will help
control your instincts so you make better decisions (and not emotional ones)
focus your intellect
work on your character
to raise your ability you can set an impossible goal and work towards it with a time frame.

Effort 
Work is spiritual satisfaction
grow through your work by setting big goals
open new eras by being passionate about them (begin every project assuming you are starting with nothing)
things change when you learn to love your work
concentrate on one thing - by mastering one thing completely, you gain access to all things
be open to learning (misfortunes an be blessings, just be open)
be humble and satisfied, do what's right
infuse your energy into others because then you will get success even when material resources are lacking (if team members say they will do it you have a 30% chance of success, if they say they will do their best you have a 50% chance of success but if you infuse your energy and they consider the project their own, you have  a90% chance)
Make your team burn with passion. 

Attitude

never give up in the darkest hour
believe in the right path
think win-win
to build trustworthy relationships understand that it is about your mind's reflection, trust comes from within
try to see things as they are, unselfishly, then you can achieve anything
a person's ability is measured by decisions - to make a good decision one must see things as they are
give attention to detail
the subconscious mind makes the right decisions
your inner compass leads to the right decisions
base your judgement on fundamental truths and principles. 

To Succeed in Business he gives his formula of PASSION - Profit, Ambition, Sincerity, Strength, Innovation, Optimism and Never Give Up. Can't not succeed if you practice all these or even some of these. He looks at the enterprise as a drama on stage where everyone has a role to play and only when everyone does their role with commitment and passion do we have a successful play.

Profit - 

In his words - it is about maximising revenues and minimising costs. Do not chase profits - just do these two diligently. Kyocera shifted priority from technology to employees and rewrote their mission as 'the management rationale is to provide opportunities for the material and intellectual growth of all employees and through our joint effort, contribute to the advancement of society and mankind.' He says profit is society's reward for those who serve its interests.
Believe in basic rules and principles.
Pricing is management.
The essence of management is to maximise profit while satisfying the customer fully.
Follow the P&L daily.
Develop an internal reserve and act like it does not exist
Set ambitious goals and share goals with everyone, the master plan. Then see that every unit has their own plan.
He advises us to wrestle from the centre of the ring which means don't wait till it gets dangerous. Always place group interest above yours.

Ambition
Our desire to succeed should be so strong that it reaches and permeates our subconscious mind.
Have a clear and strong vision.
Be a self starter.
Work from the centre of your vortex- excel in your work and radiate excellence from it.
Your passion to succeed will open paths where none existed before.
If you have a virtuous motive - you do not need to worry about the results.

Sincerity

Any business victory should create harmony.
Work with the heart as base - abandon self-interest.
Being virtuous is the ability to make others spontaneously respect us.
All members should share the same values. be a humble leader.
A balanced executive has the qualities that posses dual extremes.
Practice great love where a great number of people get happiness form your work. Little love keeps everyone small.
Evaluate, assign and follow up - instruct rigorously and clearly, assign tasks, promote confidence, evaluate person's character, his or her attitude, constantly observe, follow up and coach.
Treat subordinates with love - give them guidance, discipline and training. Great virtue can be seen as being merciless but small virtue is seen as a great vice. Small love brings temporary popularity and short term results.
Show that you care in small ways - a pat, a word.
Communicate with the heart. Sincerity binds the speaker with the listener.

Strength

Strength is the courage to do the right thing.
One must sacrifice self interest, set a moral example. The team will reflect the leader.
Before you challenge and innovate prepare extensively on financial and mental side. 
Be tough, push limits and open new paths.

Innovation

Be creative and encourage others to be creative so they make some improvement everyday.
Creativity - burst with energy.
Elevate the mid and see from a higher plane.
Face difficult situations head on - and when you do that you have access to divine intervention.
Don't lose your base when you innovate - stay stable at some place so you don't lose everything.
Take calculated risks.
Reject common sense, rebel against traditional thinking.

Optimism

Have a clear vision and stay optimistic.
Get high on your dream, live it.
Remove all fear of failure.
Conceive optimistically, plan pessimistically and execute optimistically.

Never Give Up

Progress comes from taking the same daily steps, however trivial they seem to appear.
Remember you don't fail until you stop.
Your desire must turn into conviction.
Pursue all possibilities, set high expectations.
Be a stern task master. Workers reflect leaders.
The joy and appreciation of colleagues is the reward we get. pursue perfection.
To influence others, be fair.
Ask questions, create a learning culture.
To create harmony, don't be greedy.                  

...

Very nice. I liked his insights on people management, on detail, on simplicity and just the virtue of sincere, hard work. Thanks Harsha.