As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, I probably was born a few decades too early to have looked forward to the relevance of Valentine’s Day. I had neither heard of it nor it was a vogue to flaunt one’s love interest or romantic interludes so to say. Even dating was subdued and was not called dating but “seeing “, though it’s besides the point that I neither dated nor saw anyone. So the romance part of my life very much started post my marriage.

However, that doesn’t take the significance of Valentine’s Day away from it. For today’s youth as also those in love with their partners, it has come to be celebrated as a major festival. The tradition of showering gifts and spending a quite moment with your loved ones makes this day to be extra special. While it can be argued that why only one day in a year be dedicated to your beloved, the fact is that in spite of our hearts overflowing with love for our beloved, we are so much caught up in our routine that we miss to express our feelings. Valentine’s Day reminds us that loving in itself is not enough, one needs to express the same to one’s lover.

There are moralists and self styled conscious keepers who are against celebrating Valentine’s Day, it being against our culture. To my mind, anything that celebrates love, the most beautiful emotion of all, cannot be against any culture. And more so for our society that’s increasingly displaying the symptoms of polarisation on religious, linguistic and ethnic lines, such festivals that propagate love have immense relevance.

There’s nothing called moral turpitude about the pure feeling of love and people should be allowed to celebrate in whichever manner they want to.

I love you deeply but don’t say it ofter

But let me express my feelings this day

For pure love doesn’t need wine, flowers or gifts

But just a reminder of love on Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

My journey with P G Wodehouse continues abd I make it a point to read at least 2-3 pages of his compendium of work that I have downloaded on my kindle. In fact, my kindle tells me that currently I have just finished 12% of the total contents and it’s going to be a slow but long roller coaster ride with the Master.

What makes his work exuding old world charm is not the mere fact that most of it was written in the early part of last century in colonial Britain, but that he uses words that are no longer in use- quaint English words. Dictionary itself says for many such words as being used colloquially in Britain or quaint English no longer in use! Moreover, most of his stories cannot be thought of and concocted in today’s scenario when the technology , especially the mobile and internet, rules the roost. Although his main character Bertie’s extended family stays in suburbs or upcountry places drivable within a couple of hours from London today ( in those days when there were no metros, speed trains or expressways, it would take much longer), the only mode of communication in those times was telegram ( I think even personal landlines were rare in those days) and therefore, the surprise element of an event having occurred or not that was possible then would be totally out of place today, when people are connected on real time basis.

To elaborate the above point further, the story I am currently reading has Aunt Agatha announcing expulsion of Bertie’s two cousins from college for their acts of omission and commission and that decision had been taken to onboard them on to the next ship to Johannesburg, South Africa, a British colony for them to start their life afresh there. For that the cousins would be coming a night before to London from their upcountry residence to be spending a night with Bertie so that they could catch the ship next enroute Johannesburg. How these young ruffians spent their last night in London, fell in love ( with the same girl) and deceive each other and Aunt Agatha by not having caught the ship, but staying back much to Bertie’s chagrin is another story and how Aunt Agatha would react to this act of disobedience and irresponsibility of Bertie in not facing ensured that his younger cousins were on their way to Johannesburg , I am sure, is going to make up for an interesting story as I read it further.

But in today’s milieu the above kind of humour or story is not possible. The two cousins needn’t have come a day in advance to fall for London’s charm but started early morning on the day of journey by a fast mode to board their ship. They couldn’t have ditched their ride as they would have been caught in no time based on their mobile and GPS. The humour is quaint as it’s based on telegrams, tram cars, ships and laid back life of British nobility and this can be savoured only by reading the likes of PGW. The humour is subtle, situational and classy and not loud or crass.

While surfing television channels, I bumped into live telecast of Australian Open second round match between World no 6 Alexander Zverev and unseeded Maxime Cressy, a French American player. The unseed was hard serving and backing up his express service ( often crossing 200 Km/ hour) with volley at the net. Of course, while Cressy was erratic, Zverev was steady and he won the match three sets to nil.

It reminded me of the days gone by when I was a sports aficionado and would cuddle up in bed to watch live telecast of Wimbledon semis and finals. With players like Borg and Lendl playing from baseline and McEnroe and Connors playing serve and volley game, the event was a feast for the eyes. I would remember names of up to 16 male seeds and at least top 10 female seeds and would keenly follow their progress.

Also, while Wimbledon was played on fast grassy courts, French open was played on clay courts that were slower and encouraged long baseline rallies.

Like other games, Tennis has also changed. The delectable game of Borg and McEnroe has given way to power show by likes of Cressy. Serve and volley is also becoming rarer. Above all, I am not really sure how closely is today’s generation following with all its nuances and icons?

Connors, McEnroe, Borg, Lendl, Navratilova, Evert, Graf and our very own Amritraj brothers and Ramesh Krishnan are firmly entrenched in my memory. Hopefully, I will create more awareness in myself for the new generation of players playing new brand of tennis .

Kapoor family is commonly known as the first of Bollywood. The family patriarch Prithviraj Kapoor led a group of artists that gave performances going from place to place and that became the cornerstone of the family’s foray into Bollywood and then its unbroken reign for more than last 7 decades after the eldest son of Prithviraj, Raj Kapoor set up his production house R K Studio. He produced and acted in some of the great movies, a few of which like Aawara and Sangam acquired almost cult status. His younger brothers, other 2 sons of Prithviraj, Shammi and Shashi also established themselves as highly popular and successful actors.

The next generation of the clan comprised three sons of Raj Kapoor – Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv and two sons of Shashi Kapoor – Kunal and Karan and also his daughter Sanjana. Of the above lot, barring Rishi Kapoor, who carried forward his illustrious father’s legacy by acquiring superstar status, others met with limited success. Shashi’s children busied themselves in managing the affairs of Prithvi theatre. Randhir after initial flashes of brilliance, settled for a reclusive life. The youngest son Rajeev had one super hit under his belt, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, directed by the showman Raj Kapoor himself. Thereafter , Rajiv or Chimpu as he was fondly addressed, couldn’t really climb the success ladder of Bollywood.

Unlike his elder brothers, Randhir and Rishi, who married popular Bollywood actresses Babita and Neetu and whose next generation comprising Randhir’s daughters Karishma and Kareena and Rishi’s son Ranbir are the flag bearers of the family tradition, little is known about Rajiv’s personal life. As it now transpired, he was married for a short period of time to one Aarti Sabharwal before getting separated and had no issue.

It’s so ironical that this first family of Bollywood that has been endowed by God with an overdose of beauty and talent has being seeing number of tragedies in the recent past. While Rishi’s death last year after his battle with cancer was a well covered event, the fact is that the family also lost Raj’s daughter Ritu Nanda and Matriarch of the family Krishna Kapoor, Raj’s wife, and with Rajiv’s death now, the life seems to have gone harsh on the family.

Hope the family now sees some pleasant and happy events, which it deserves after a spate of tragedies at close intervals.

We sometimes associate modernity with how we speak, what we wear and what’s our social status, to be read as our wealth and assets. But these are all outwardly things – real modernity is one that’s reflected in one’s attitude and action.

Widowed at a young age, lost her only young son to uncertainty and not death, with that uncertainty reigning over the rest of her life, supporting her daughter in an unhappy marriage to get divorce and walk out of her husband along with an infant daughter, encouraging her separated daughter to acquire professional skills to become financially independent, while she looked after her infant granddaughter and remained independent till her last breath thanks to her late husband’s pension.

To my mind, many of us educated folks with high social status and top notch jobs wear a facade of modernity though from inside we remain enmeshed in our deep rooted beliefs, superstitions and old school of thoughts. The above quoted instance of a difficult life full of challenging circumstances and yet lived with utmost pride and forward looking attitude is a true example of modernity or advancement as we think of, especially in the context of women liberation and empowerment.

Mother of my colleague and dear friend Swagata Bhaumik, Aruna Roychowdhury breathed her last a few days back at the ripe old age of 94 after a life full of struggle but extremely well lived!

Rest in peace ! My pronam to you!

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference

Mahatria’s thoughts continue to enamour me for these comprise deep philosophy expressed in simple words. As I have explained in my earlier blogs, my old friend Nachiappan, who is on a life transformation journey under Mahatria’s influence, continues to enrich my life by sharing Mahatria’s thoughts daily. Today’s thought reads:

“When I resist, what is happening continues to happen, creating misery in me.

When I accept, what is happening continues to happen, leaving me blissful.”

And the above is indeed my experience as it has helped me soothe my frayed nerves so often. Not going too far back, Covid pandemic really caused panic and worry and it agitated me, creating misery in me. Then I thought that neither was I the cause of this pandemic nor could I do much about except for observing the normal precautions. Yet I suffered Covid and recovered out of it too! Once I accepted this worldwide phenomenon, I became at peace with me.

The current political situation in the country, be it ongoing farmers’ agitation or ensuing Bengal elections, caused restlessness and worry ! The very thought of election related violence in West Bengal or Khalistani proponents behind farmers agitation made me miserable. Then I thought, who wants Khalistan and whether a fistful of misguided protagonists can even touch the communal fabric of the country that is woven around the principles of brotherhood and freedom ! Muslims understand, Sikhs understand and Hindus understand – India is their motherland and their fate and well being is connected to the destiny of this country! Who are these handful of misdirected people to cause any anxiety ?

I am at peace now. It doesn’t mean inaction. I will continue to contribute to the oneness of India in my own humble way; but by accepting the happenings around me, I am blissful rather than miserable!

Pranam Mahatria for the path shown by you is helping millions like me to lead a better life!

In 2001, we shifted to Mumbai and fixed up accommodation in a residential complex in four Bungalows, Andheri. Just behind the complex wall was a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. While the temple was relatively non descript by the usual standards of temples in our country, it had an almost iconic status as this was the place where in 1997 Music baron, owner of T series, Gulshan Kumar was gunned down by some contact killers. Gulshan Kumar ran for his life and his driver also tried to save his life, but Gulshan Kumar succumbed to his injury at young age of 41 years leaving behind his shocked family and a vast musical empire.

The reason for the above tragic incident suddenly coming to my mind is the last episode of Indian Idol telecasted last Saturday and Sunday in which participants sang songs originally rendered by Kumar Saanu, Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. These were the songs of 90s and the first decade of this century. And while there were songs composed by music directors popular during that period namely Jatin-Lalit, Anand-Milind, Anu Malik etc, more than 75% songs that were sung in these two episodes were composed by Nadeem Shravan, the music duo that ruled the roost post LP, RD, KA and Bappi era! The duo’s flourishing career came to an abrupt end when Nadeem Saifi of Nadeem Shravan duo fled the country to England to escape being charged with murder conspiracy of Gulshan Kumar.

The aforesaid tragic incident led to breaking up of Nadeem Shravan duo and this ended a musical journey of more than a decade that brought us soulful music of such blockbusters as Deewana , Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, Raja Hindustani, Saajan, Sadak, Phool Aur Kaante – actually the list is quite long and formidable. The duo won 4 Filmfare best music directors awards, with three in a row in the years 1991, 1992 and 1993.

The duo can be credited for having brought the melody back into the Bollywood music that suffered badly in 80s and early 90s with maestros like RDB, LP and Bappi Lahiri going into oblivion. And they didn’t have a Kishore, Rafi or Mukesh at their disposal, with Lata and Asha also becoming more selective and less prolific. But the ditties they created mainly with Udit, Saanu and Alka in 90s and early part of this century were brought back to us along with old memories and unbridled joy thanks to the last episodes of Indian Idol.

I wish that artists could only focus on their activity instead of indulging in non artistic themes! This is the lesson as in spite of their glorious work, no body remembers or at least wishes to remember or mention the name of the duo.

These are testing times for the mankind. Coronavirus has created situations that were simply unimaginable till the pandemic hit the world. Though the strain seems to have weakened and is not communicable the way it was when it first hit and also the chances of people recovering from it have improved manifold, its departure still seems some distance away.

While physical suffering due to coronavirus had been unprecedented- my wife got infected, followed by me and now my octogenarian mother; but mercifully all of us came out relatively unscathed. Of course, due to her age, my mother required hospitalisation, but I must confess that I was a lot worried about her because Corona has been particularly harsh on senior citizens. However, more than physical suffering, it has been mental agony that’s becoming increasingly more unbearable. February is the month when we go to South Africa to be with our daughter’s family, but this time neither there are flights nor SA as a destination is advisable for a new mutant of Covid seems to have originated from there. It’s been more than a year when we last met our two little grandkids and don’t know when shall we meet them next! My mother, who stays in Delhi, has not seen me for more than a year and I couldn’t be by her side when Corona struck her. And there are stories galore – my wife’s sister comes to India twice a year from Singapore but hasn’t been here for more than year and half and that includes not been able to join funeral of her brother, who succumbed to cancer during Corona period. And my uncle’s annual visit to India from US et al! And this is not unique to us. So many of our colleagues and acquaintances have their children abroad and Corona has separated all of them!

Offices have opened, so have clubs and restaurants. Last week after more than 1 year, we had guests at our place, which shows people have started visiting each other, at least locally. We do see people in shopping malls and bazaars. Maharashtra government is opening local trains for all from tomorrow. Above all vaccination has gathered pace. But the life is far from being normal. It once again brings us back to the theme of one of my recent blogs that had translated work from an Urdu article, which was titled – there’s everything yet nothing ! That strange feeling of nothingness or emptiness seems to be prevailing in spite all seemingly coming back to normal.

Life seems to be teaching this lesson

Not once but again and again

Man had conquered distances and overpowered nature

But now he’s facing the nature’s game !!!

Read a very thought provoking article published in an Urdu daily written by redoubtable Hassan Nisar. It’s title read “ Sab kucch hai or Kucch bhi nahin” loosely translatable as “ there’s everything yet nothing”. As I have maintained, capturing the spirit of any story or article originally published in another language while translating the piece into English is not at all easy, especially given my limited knowledge of the beautiful Urdu language; but as the country celebrated its 72nd Republic Day yesterday and there was unfortunate incidents of rioting in New Delhi yesterday, the relevance of the article assumes added importance. Of course, the article is long and I am translating only a part of it, but hopefully, it conveys the sense by capturing the spirit.

“There’s everything yet nothing”

Is it all a scam, a forgotten dream or a mystery? There is boat but no oars and oars but no boat; If both are there, there’s no river and if river is there it’s totally dry! Night is sleepless and even if one sleeps there are no dreams; dreams, if there, are inexplicable! Government is there but no rulers and if rulers are there, where is government? Patients are there but no physicians attending to them and if doctors are there, there are no patients; if both are there, where’s the medicine and even if medicine is there, it’s spurious! Eyes are sans vision, brain sans insight! Track is there but no train, train is without track and if both are there, where is the station? Heart has no empathy, eyes no shame, head no ideas and tongue is speechless! Market has no customers, customers have no money and money has no buying power! Path has no destination and if both are are there, no one is traversing that path! We live but where’s life and we die, but death eludes us! Child has no childhood and young are deprived of youth! Wires have no current, taps run dry! Governor is doing no governance, sugar has no sweetness ! Sun has no rays and moon is without moonlight, rain is sans showers and trees are no longer providing shade!

The article goes on to describe a few more haves having have nots and towards the end the author picks up folklore of Heer Ranjha, shirin Farhad and Sassi Punnu to conclusively bring out the irony of today!

I found the thought to be highly coaxing and provocative when on the face of it, we seemingly have everything yet in real sense are bereft of all due to our preoccupation with material assets and rat race to rise higher and possess more! We need to just look around feel the warmth of the sun and appreciate the beauty of moonlit night and leaves of tress shining in it!

Today’s episode of Indian Idol is something to be relished and cherished for long long time to come – a collector’s episode indeed! Telecast on the eve of our country’s 71st Republic Day, the theme was nationalism or more pronouncedly patriotism and the mood was understandably sombre though proud.

And while the special audience comprising jawans of CRPF and other dignitaries lent an aura and grace to the occasion, the life of the programme certainly was new generation poet and lyricist par excellence Manoj Muntashir . His poetry at the start of the programme and then before each of the performances gave goosebumps and I, being a connoisseur and admirer of poetry would admit unabashedly that I haven’t heart such impacting, touching and patriotic poetry in long long time. His words made heart heavy, eyes moist and yet head held high with pride.

And what stories – whether it was Havaldar Ansur who got hit by four bullets in his leg in an anti-terrorist operation or bravado of Major Mohit Sharma who slaughtered four terrorists before attaining martyrdom, awarded Ashok chakra posthumously, Kler family that has served the nation for 300 years or the grandfather (Nana) of one of the contestants, who armed the fighter planes that sortied to destroy enemy destinations, it was amply clear that bravery of our brave hearts is no ordinary matter and what makes our country and our forces so special- it’s because we don’t attack but fight for truth and justice and that’s why our civilisation has seen it all and survived to see a new day and no evil force in the world dare doubt this strength of ours!

Almost all the singers sang from their heart and got emotionally overawed by the occasion. The host Aditya Narayan was expectedly understated and three judges – Neha, Vishal and Himesh were at their gracious best, but the programme belonged to our brave hearts, our great nation and of course, Manoj Muntashir !

Congratulations Sony Entertainment Television and the content director for creating such an impactful episode that wrenched the heart yet made it felt proud and I am sure this will be watched over YouTube and Sony requested to rerun it for long time to come!

It was truly overwhelming!