VIBGYOR

Rock On thoughts

Watched Rock On this evening - besides thinking that I need to still do something to my TV corner rather than having a wirehouse corner, I also had a few thoughts running in my head during the movie.

Why is it that a lot of youngsters start bands and then as they move on in life, their life with their bands are lost somewhere in the process of living? "Rock On" talks about this, I have a friend who was also a part of the rock band in his home town and as he studied further, he moved on to more individual pursuits of music - forced by circumstances as each member of the band went to different places I assume, I recently read that one of my most serious classmates - who joined the same company along with me - recorded a song with one of the Belgian rock bands in his youth and I have yet another friend/ex-colleague who now sings as a part of the band - not rock though which makes me wonder whether it is rock music that drives bands apart.  

I must say the lyrics are funny in this song. Some of them come back years later to make one appearance again and many disappear. I wonder how many such talents are lost and how many interesting songs we have lost.  

I also wonder whether we can get rid of showing drama behind a song and I wonder how patient we as audience would be if there was no drama behind the song - can we really enjoy songs in films just for the music? Many times I have felt that Bollywood movies lose their charm because the flow of the story is broken each time by a song. Yet, in a story like Rock On, about music, I can imagine that there can be a full song - and this time I felt that the listener was distracted from the song by the sentiments and the story that were built behind it. I missed the guitar in this song when sung at the concert. Here is the non-studio one with the acoustic guitar as well as the one sung at the competition... If you need the final version you will have to wait until the 43-rd second of the video and we do have more singing than music itself...

Another trivia: You can take a horse to the water, you cannot make it drink.

With my feet up - I am in Sajjanpur

My knee is in a bad shape. So cancelling my evening program for another public filled evening, I transported myself to Sajjanpur. With all the stereotypical elements of rural India, the intermittent humour kept the laughs and the smiles coming. The good triumphs over the evil in most cases - after all with all the normal tensions who would want to watch a movie that leaves us with more pain in our life.

However, it did make me want to go back and travel in rural India and for sometime I missed my childhood holidays to my village and my travels through the villages.

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The picturesque Indian village stood out - Shyam Benegal tries hard to cling onto the India he knows with just a short glimpse of how technology is entering and even there he pulls in hope - a traditional letter writer gets to still keep his job - he now types smses and reads the replies to the recipients. Parts I liked:

• The part where the letter writer refuses to replace his ink pen with a ball point one (I prefer writing with the traditional pen to the ball point) - do you remember the old Hero pens?

• The table under the peepal tree

• the cycles and the mud houses

• the depiction of chain letters

• the way the interiors of the houses were decorated

• the Indian railways (ah! the fond old memories)

Yes! "Welcome to Sajjanpur" works for me - I doubt it would work for an "Oscar" Committee or any of the "foreigners".

Musings and the curious case

The latest Economist has a beautiful picture. It shows the really red hot spicy chillies spread out for drying and an Indian woman in saree and a basket walking checking the chillies. It showed the heat of the moment - the title of the article "Global Warming".
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Similarities between blogs and sending sms to some people: You are just throwing out thoughts - you do not know whether it has struck or not. Sometimes you get feedback, sometimes not. The difference: you do not know whether the sms has reached the person or not.
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I visited the Cinema with Heidi to watch the Curious Case of Benjamin Button. We grabbed dinner at the Brussels grill after picking up the ticket. We agonized over whether to have salad and dessert or main course skipping the dessert. We finally settled for the main course. We then ran into the theatre just in time to see the last advertisement comes on. Brussels has a speciality. Just after the commercials there is a small break when all the lights come on for a minute or so. The movie then starts.

Something else I love about Brussels is the variety of people who are there. In the theatre we sat next to a very young couple who spoke a very different language (I am sure I have heard it before but I could not remember which one it is).

The movie was in a way about the circle of life. You start in diapers and you end in diapers whichever you start from and end it. The movie itself moved like art on the screen - many times it felt like I was watching paintings flowing through. The grace at many instances caught me by surprise.

• Kate Blanchett and the attitude/grace and pride she showed through the movie stood out - the way she managed her attraction and rejection, the disappointments and the commitment. The dance aspect was a surprise though and added to the artistic charm of the movie.

• Brad Pitt - the make up was good, the way the young boy in the body of an old man still stood out and was portrayed was interesting. The lisp as a young boy - yet, was there an emotive problem due to all that make up in the initial parts? The effect he had on the audience when he was shown for the first time getting younger (himself again) - there was a gasp through the audience as the wrinkles fell out and nervous giggles amongst the ladies. Not having been a great fan of his looks at any point of time, I must say that I can imagine some people are very much taken up the the kind of effect.

• The clock - Quite an interesting looking one - I would be curious to see a clock that ran backwards though I wonder what purpose it really served to the people coming to the Station where the story was set.

The way the clock turns around in different lives - the rewind effect was very touching. Many times I had found myself wondering same things - it was a surprise to see it portrayed the same way. Sometimes when I sit in a meeting room (I was just there last week), I find myself wondering - what if I had not stayed back that evening in that meeting room, what if I had not got the call that evening, what if ... would 2008 have turned out this way at all? Similarly I have wondered, what if certain events of 2007 had not happened - would 2008 have turned out like this at all? Which one of the events really caused the turning point which changed my life completely? Similarly, if Parmanu's parents had not come in July 2004, if I had not had to cancel my appointment to meet a certain Dr. Thomas something to do check up for Laproscopy, would all those things in 2008 have happened? I will not write more about this as it happens in the movie so I do not spoil the moment for you - yet, the way this was captured - it certainly was a poignant portrayal of events.

The direction was the most important part of the movie but the screenplay also took the cake. The kind of episodes the director has picked to show the difference between the body and actual age very quite common place and yet telling. Things that others discussed with him which he could not have experienced, yet, I felt there was an innocence missing at times - an innocence that comes out of not knowing. However, as my boss remarked the other day to me "nobody can be perfect".

I did feel cheated towards the end though as the movie took an easy route out to end the tale. Again, I will not reveal what it was but it was certainly an easy way to explain away the whole story and an easy way to end it. However, the strong impression did not change much since most of the movie was captured in a leisurely detailed manner at times making me feel impatient at the pace and yet leaving me to savour each moment just as one would look at the details in a piece of art.

Effects of Kramer vs Kramer

This evening saw me sniffing with tears flowing down my face. No, the sniffing had nothing to do with the really bad flu which kept me in bed for the larger part of the last 3 days. We had just watched Kramer Vs Kramer. This tear jerker that starts slowly initially had me squirming in my seat. Where is this one going? - an impatient movie watcher I longed to open the laptop next to me and peep into the Google space to find the synopsis. Parmanu kept me away for sometime and kept the suspense up. Yet, it was just before the case came up in court that I looked into the synopsis. Inspite of me knowing the end, the movie managed to squeeze out the tears from my eyes.

 

 

I was wondering about the effect the film had on me. Perhaps it was the effect of seeing a lot of separated people with children nowadays. I spent 2 weeks with my nephew and I know the challenges and efforts of a single parent when the other one is completely absent. I could sympathise with Dustin Hoffman's struggles as he fit into the role of a single parent after being an absent father. Perhaps the remorse of having been an absent father and an unlistening/unaware husband made him try even harder to be there. It also made the paradox of single parents stand out much more - you are the only one to earn for the family - and you are the only one there to support the family through all travails. For this sometimes you had to put your dreams aside.

 

As much of a feminist as I am, I could not understand how anyone who could abandon a child for 1.5 years could claim him back without any thought to the effect on the child in ripping him apart from familiar situations again and from the new trust that he would have built up. I think it goes without saying that it applies for fathers as well as mothers. Unless there is a very harmful reason for the child it is not a reason to take him away from the environment that he is comfortable in. Anything else is selfish.

 

No doubt these are all very oft repeated statements about this film.

 

At this stage it is also something quite close to what I am thinking about. I had for the last few weeks thought long and hard - work or work-life balance? I was leaning towards work-life balance and had found new interests to pursue and new areas to explore. Suddenly there are some new opportunities knocking on the door. Rumour mills say this is going to be one that requires forgetting work-life balance - yet, it promises to be a huge learning curve - a sure way to notch myself up and iron out a few quirks in my working character. The way research has been done about me and the support promised to coach my quirks out indicates that there is an interest in the side of the person offering this to challenge me in an even more positive way.

 

 

"When Joanna returns with her own lucrative job and the intent to take custody of Billy, Ted finds employment that won't interfere with his paternal duties. "

 

So the question now - do I complete what I set out to do? - Should I jump into this opportunity to check out for one last time whether staying away is worth it? Perhaps like Ted Kramer, I will find out in time a work that will not interfere with duty to oneself. Perhaps this is one opportunity that will help me find a way to work and yet do what I need to do for myself.

Long due thoughts

I have been thinking of writing this for a long time but a conversation last evening brought it forth again and I decided to let the poison out.

Everyone I meet who has seen Mamma Mia has so far liked it. I did not. I have been trying to figure out ever since I left the theatre why this is so. I do not hate ABBA - on the contrary there are even some songs which have the charm that I like and I play multiple times when the CD is playing.

Yet, when the first few scenes played out I thought that it looked more like a school play converted to movie. Heidi, who is a fan of the Mamma Mia play and has seen the movie commented "Have you seen the play? Perhaps that is the reason." - no I have not seen the play.

When the actors started with the first song, I felt it was different from the original (maybe the seeing the actors made the difference). I could stand most of the songs that the female actors sang. Yet when  - Pierce Brosnan, my favourite actor since Remington Steele days, started in his voice the disappointment was strengthened but this happened quite late into the movie.

I had gone for the movie with my parents-in-law and Parmanu and in Germany. The Germans around me enjoyed it and so did my family - laughing at the right moments, tapping along at the right moments. I sat frozen and frigid in between all the revelry even Chiquitita not warming my heart and nothing making me let go off the British STIFF Upper Lip - not even Colin Firth, another actor I like. As I walked out of the movie, I tried to understand why I could not enjoy. Parmanu said "maybe you are still not able to let go of your mood". Perhaps as I told Heidi a few weeks back, I should watch it again.

So when I met someone who is not a fan of ABBA and he said he liked the movie - I just decided that I must have been a priggish purist not letting myself go and perhaps I was still hung up in the cloud that had enveloped me for a few months.

Before Sunset

Before Sunset ends on hope - somehow seems to tie up what started but never finished. Two people who never spent much time together but when they talk everything else around seems to stop and time seems to fly... and it seems to be as if even I cannot imagine a time when the conversation will stop. I am anxious that the 7:15 will come, I am anxious that the driver will come, I am least anxious about the missing the flight - more anxious that Jesse will be on the flight.

The topics are of conversation of wide ranges, they do not seem to agree on most of it - yet there is an understanding, a feeling underlying all the time about not wanting to leave - of being completely involved, of touching one another deep inside.

Based in my favourite city and starting at Shakespeare and Company (Honey, I still have the picture of us in front of this one taken in 2000), my favourite looking bookstore, it starts in a slow pace, introducing us to the awkwardness of meeting after a long time. I doubt I will have such reunions, yet the feeling is still captured.

This dialogue hit hard (if you have not watched the movie it "might" be better not to see this one ... but she bursts out so beautifully.. I really like the spirit and what she said - hmm.. perhaps one part of me will always be a teenager)

and this song remained on my mind long after the movie was done. Both brought tears and I was happy for the darkness.

Before Sunrise

Today we watched Before Sunrise before sunset. The movie had beautiful moments.

Jessy reminded me of a friend's worst habits. Perhaps some of the behaviour, that arise from the extrovertism which I normally found irritating in this friend of mine, caught my attention in the first few minutes. Yet, like this friend, it seemed to be a facade to cover up the romanticism and yet to show the romanticism. Perhaps that is what made it so irritating.

The movie also made me force my mind to steel itself against missing "Before Sunrise"s when I am now trying to gain strength over the loneliness of not being able to share such moments. It is a credit to the movie that I was not successful during many of the scenes. Yes, conversations and getting to know someone and the intimacy shared from such interactions can be beautiful. Conversations can also make you miss the person when you do not have that luxury anymore and when you are far apart later.

The movie, though shot in Vienna, makes you focussed so much on the discovery they are making of each other that the city becomes immaterial. The beauty of the life and the city forming the backdrop and yet taking a complete backseat in the sequence of events adds to the relationship that is growing in front of your eyes. It is a testimonial to the feelings that exist under the iceberg between the two people. Each interaction with another person in the movie grates as it takes you out of the bubble but succeeds only in drawing you more into them.

Well... I do not know yet whether I want to watch "Before Sunset" yet. In fact I would say I am even scared to watch it - perhaps I do not want to know what happens next - perhaps things are not fine again. If you let yourself get carried away by your feelings too quickly can there be happy ending at all? Aren't feelings like pickles or wine? They probably have to be kept locked away, preserved and opened only at the right time - the taste will then be better - the intensity even more?

Paadariyen Padippariyen

Why do I like Paadariyen Padippariyen?

He first glares at his Mrudangam player when he is about to play the Mrudangam when she starts singing - a few moments into her song, he himself tells the player to give the rhythmn and then asks the violinist to join in. One songs tells the transformation. Her over enthusiasm gets to me though. His acting also gets to me! It is a beautiful movie which could have done with more subtle acting.

He sings on the beach - and earns a shell necklace from a fisherman. The reaction of his wife against her reaction is a contrast to what he is looking for.

Is the attraction to the movie Sindhu Bhairavi (story in the link) because of the link to music or because of the story - I cannot really say. I just wish it was ended differently though.

A beautiful day spent partly on the balcony, working, cleaning, cooking, missing some people... chatting with some really good friends. Another good weekend already gone by as we move into the penultimate week before the D-Day approaches. I wonder how my life will change after this project.

Khoya Khoya Chand

Kyun Khoye Khoye Chand Ki Firak Mein Talash Mein Udas Hai Dil
(Why is the heart sad in the search of the lost moon?)
Kyun Apne Aap Se Khafa Khafa Zara Zara Sa Naraz Hai Dil
(Why is the heart upset with itself?)
Yeh Manzilee Bhi Khud Hi Tai Karein
(The goals are decided by oneself)
Yeh Faslein Bhi Khud Hi Tai Karein
(The faslein [I do not know how to translate that] are decided by oneself)

There is something magical about the interaction between those two people as they get closer and end up together, separate and then end up together again. Even with the limited acting of the lead characters, the film made an impression on me. There could be many improvements but there has not been a movie that left this feeling - a half and half but it made my hair rise in some parts.

Little Children

We were at India Garden this afternoon for lunch where we bumped into 2 friends and their 1 year old on. Neel and I feel in love with each other instantly and cooed to each other sitting across tables. So I have to withdraw the statement about languages - here we built our own language. Finally he turned around completely on his chair so that he could see me most of the time instead of having to turn his face each time he wanted to talk. He is a charmer and showed his three teeth to me everytime he banged the table with my car key or dropped my car key. I finally had to become practical and not pick up the key when he dropped it so that I do not lose any of the tummy I have carefully built up after so many years of putting effort at eating.

We later watched "Little Children" which talks about a mother and her pride, self-doubt and desires. A movie about a middle class society, if you look under the obvious there might be things you can relate to. All of us, in each of our own ways our own aspirations and get consumed by some of them.

The title of the film first puzzled me. However, after watching the movie it seems inept for the movie and for many of us living through the rigmaroles of life. The unreality of what they were going through also stands out - I think I am beginning to like movies where "unreality" of the moment seems to be a theme. However, I wonder whether it is "unreality" or whether it is a "reality" that we do not want to accept that generates a feeling of living through something unreal.

It reminds me of the IAGD classes where we were told many times to focus on the "now" and what is going on at the moment throwing out everything else - throwing out all the outside influences, the past, the present, the future and the surroundings. It maynot always end in nice compact situations but as a friend pointed a poem that was published in the IMD MBA Diary, without taking risks you will not have experiences. It was an interesting entry "To trust is to take a risk, yet trusting the wrong people can be costly." and the poem:

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams before the world is to risk loss
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try at all is to risk failure
But to risk we must
Because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing

The man, the woman, who risks nothing
Does nothing, Has nothing, Is nothing.