Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Please! Let it Rain! Let it Rain!

It rains. It rains uninterrupted at Kolkata. School goers needed a rainy day. We used to get it each year. My school was few minutes away from home. And I have never enjoyed being pent in classrooms. I used to stare at the sky overcast with cloud. I used to wait for rains. And if it would start, I used to pray to the God – ‘Please! Let it rain! Let it rain!’ And I would merry staying confined in home during such a day. On the contrary, in college, I never missed to attend classes in a rainy day, and, so I’m now – when I am in my office. Days have changed a lot. May be, me too! But this is my vision – school goers must have at least one rainy day each year. This is their student-right.

There’s a gradual change in climate. I guess. There’s a sharp change in my mind. I enjoy every little drop of rainfall. Even now! But I try not to get drenched anymore. Now I’ve an umbrella fulltime. I need protection for my Pen drive, the Nokia Cell Phone, I carry, important papers in my typical college bag. Yes. I still carry a college bag, and not a regular office bag.

It rains today. It has been raining heavy since past few days. The city of joy gets back its classic rainy look. Streets are water logged. Low areas are just looking like a flood hit city. The street water in some low areas will encroach the entire ground floor. I know. Boats will soon take the place of cars, autos, and sundry other public vehicles in those areas. Yes. It’ll happen again.

I know those people in distress. I feel for them. I know - a lot of them must have already shifted to other parts of the city. Still there are a lot other, who must not have a better place to stay. And even if they somehow manage to move to some better place, the unending streams of people coming to the city for a better livelihood will fill up the vacant places almost instantly. There will always be some people staying in those low areas. They will be forced to stay there and to fight against their destiny. Lifelong! Oftentimes! I feel for them. The place is physically very close to where I stay, barely fifteen minutes away. We are saved. We stay in a rather high-area. There is stagnant water. But it will not occupy our living space.

The city drainage system is under a thorough overhaul. And believe me, it now works somehow better. In my school days, we used to see water logged streets for three to four days. And today’s school goers will never see it that long. Heavy-duty pumps are already in operation round-the-clock.

Kolkata looks greener in a rainy day. The grasses, the trees, bushes, the metal roads – every bit of things at Kolkata shine like mercury. If you somehow can free your mind from those people in distress – there is really some pleasure during this uninterrupted rainfall.

When I reached office, I took a cup of hot tea. Yes. I had to take off my shoes, my Nokia mobile phone, pen drive, all papers and documents. It is a complete chaos. Still somehow somewhere in my mind – I recalled my school days. And all the recent resentments, troubles, turmoil, stress, and what not got flushed off from my mind. I started feeling better.

Happy rainy day!

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Photo source: The Tribune

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Holi 2009

Holi Hai! Kolkata celebrates holi with gaiety.
Local stores displaying Holi merchandise with enthusiasts busy in bargain.

Pichkari for spraying colors – a deviation from traditional shape.

Few more:

Abeer - a perfumed colored powder:

Worship of Lord Satyanarayana for bringing the abundance and peace! A traditional stone (Shaligram Sila) symbolises the God.


The most important ritual of Satyanarayan Puja, Sinni, made of Wheat flour, milk, banana, Sugar/Jaggery, grated coconut, cardamom seeds, and kismis (dry grapes).

Homa, an important part of Satyanarayan puja:


Puja is over. Now ready for celebration with abeer, balloons, and colors.

It's play time.


Related blogs:


And finally, Rang Barse (Color rains) - A Sensational Bollywood Song That Reflects The True Holi Spirit.


Happy Holi!

Friday, February 27, 2009

Slumdog Millionaire - The Claps and Cries

Oscars 2009: Slumdog Millionaire wins eight Academy Awards!
And becomes the talk of the city! And lots of claps and rejoices! And some criticisms coming onto surface as well. 

iKolkata intends to introspect the reality! Read on!

Pre-release!
Another Mind blowing A. R. Rahman composition "Jai ho!" rocked the city! And introduced Slumdog to us!


A debate on use of the word "dog" in conjunction with slum dwellers seemed to hit up the air! Kids organized rally in protest. 
This was a pre-release campaign - "THE FEEL-GOOD FILM OF THE DECADE" Slumdog Millionaire by Danny Boyle. 

And a snippet of synopsis in the official Website! "Jamal is a story of modern India"! 

Now who is Jamal?
Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), an eighteen year old Mumbai slum kid, is the would-be winner of a staggerring twenty million rupees hit TV Show contest, "Who wants to be the millionaire?"

Latika (Freida Pinto), an orphaned girl, Jamal comes to care for, and to love later on. 

Jamal participates in twenty million rupees contest and surprises everyone to reach the final question.  The show host, Prem Kumar (Anil Kapoor) refuses to believe in Jamal's ability. Prem Kumar already has Police waiting outside to arrest Jamal for cheating.


Police inspector interrogates Jamal only to find out how Jamal has come to know all answers. And we come to know about the interesting life story of Jamal, a slum dweller!

The Awards:

(1) Slumdog Millionaire Oscar 2009 Best Film 
(2) Danny Boyle, Best Director
(3) A R Rahman for the Best Original Score 
(4) A R Rahman for Best Original Song Jai ho
(5) Resul Pookutty for Best Sound Mixing.
(6) Simon Beaufoy, Best Adapted Screenplay
(7) Chris Dickens, Best film editing
(8) Anthony Dod Mantle, Best Cinematography

So, Indians have every reason to feel glorious!  But are we really responding to this big event that way? Probably, there's an element of confusion! There's a big doubt. Is it an Indian movie? Though admittedly directed by British Director Danny Boyle, Slumdog seems to be very much Indian in nature in terms of its presentation. It is more like any other Bollywood musicals. Besides, the plot itself is based on India.  The cast is also Indian or Indian origin.  This is what one Lekhni has to say in a blog entry. 

Accused for being "poverty porn"  the feat of Jamal gets glorified because of his background, the Dharavi Slum located in the suburb of Mumbai, India, where the reality is a nightmare! But Jamal comes across all obstacles to win the contest.  That's what Mr. Rahaman has pointed out - "The power of hope in our lives...". 

It should be noted that Slumdog is a movie and not a statement of the Developed nations about India. Western world is well aware of economic developments in India, and their recent studies suggest that India is going to be a giant economy by 2035.  

Above all, the movie is based on a novel written by an Indian bureaucrat, Mr. Vikas Swarup, entitled "Q & A". Simon Beaufoy wrote the script after a lot of field works based on "Q & A". A note from Simon Beaufoy regarding his goal for the script worth a mention -  "What you pick up on is this mass of energy."

And this is how Mr. Rahaman summerises the subject: "The essence of the film is about optimism and the power of hope in our lives."

Let's celebrate! Let's celebrate! Let's celebrate!




What was shooting in Mumbai like?
The city is in fast-forward economically. Even if it wasn’t, there would be so much going on. The people offer you up stuff all the time.

I think it will create a bridge between Western and Indian audiences, and lead to more people exploring Indian music.

The essence of the Mumbai was captured in its true spirit, in tough conditions. 

I think this is a film about hope and overcoming the impossible. That's kind of the flavor of the movie.











Monday, February 23, 2009

AIRTEL KOLKATA MARATHON 2009

Airtel Kolkata Marathon 2009

Airtel Kolkata Marathon 2009

This was an awesome Sunday morning! On the 22nd February, 2009! The maidan tent had more crowd than any other ordinary days. With over 20,000 participants ready to face the challenge to bag nearly INR 1.1 million prize money. City celebrities flocked into the spot with a festive mood. 


Women's Racing at Airtel Kolkata Marathon

Women participants run for 'Airtel Kolkata Marathon' in Kolkata

My friend, who was also a volunteer, told that the spirit was high! And it was sprouted with true sportsmanship. He spotted an aged person desperate to complete the race. When asked why, his reply was worth mentioning! "Let me finish the race!  If I can't run forty-two odd kilometers, I would rather walk to reach the finishing line!"

And that's the spirit.  The race comprising of three different categories - Men’s Marathon (42.195 km), Women’s Run (10.5 km), and SAIL Celebrity Run (4.2 km)! Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakrabarty flagged off the race, which is now into fifth year. Participants include corporate executives, school children and even those physically challenged persons.

Had you been there, you could have easily spotted all city celebs running for health, integrity and prosperity!

This is, claimed to be, the largest marathon in the eastern India.

Official Website: Airtel Kolkata Marathon
Photo by Bikas Das