Death of Delhi’s Girl Child : ” A Candle In The Wind “

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           DECEMBER 29 , 2012           05.00 P.M.

Woke up today to the sad news of the death of  the unfortunate girl , who got gang raped in Delhi in a moving bus . She battled for her life for few days and finally succumbed to her wounds , physical and mental both .

I became numb . Shame and guilt engulfed me . In our religion we worship 51 SHAKTIPEETHAS , temples of goddess Durga , yet this happened . In our country even rivers and animals are called MATA , yet this happened . In our literature women are eulogized , yet this happened . Eons ago Manusmriti eulogized women as :

यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते , रमन्ते तत्र देवताः ,

यत्रैतास्तु न पूज्यन्ते , सर्वास्तत्रा  क्रिया अफलाः ।।

[ That house becomes abode of Gods , where women are worshipped . Everything fails in the place , where they get insulted . ]

Jay Shankar Prasad , a Hindi poet , also wrote about women in his epic book ” Kamayani ” :

नारी तुम केवल श्रद्धा हो , विश्वास रजत नग पगतल में ,

पीयूष स्रोत सी बहा करो , जीवन के  सुन्दर समतल में ।।

Durga puja at Burdwan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But it all seems in vain . Women are , in their daily life , subjected to rape , insult , verbal abuse and teasing . Their whole existence is at stake at their working places . In public transport they have to face leery looks of lecherous men .Voyeurism is prevalent in our culture and we do take voyeuristic pleasure while gaping at women . We eulogize women as Goddesses but the reality is pathetic .

Beggar Girl at one of New Delhi’s busy Metro Rail Stations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is unfortunate . Whatever happened was very unfortunate . But more unfortunate was the behaviour of our ruling oligarchs . Sheila Dikshit , the woman Chief Minister of Delhi , looked helplessly . Sonia Gandhi , the Chairperson of UPA and President of Congress made a pretence of meeting protesters . It is now alleged that they were members of NSUI , the student wing of Indian National Congress . Youth icon Rahul Gandhi is maintaining stoic silence . He does some drama of going to villages and eating and sleeping in the houses of Harijans whenever elections are round the corner . But a 23 old girl’s plight couldn’t move him . Most unfortunate behaviour came from Sushil Kumar Shinde , the Home Minister . He is a Dalit but was unable to empathise with the other weaker section , the hapless girl . President Pranab Mukherjee’s son is another nut case . His very unfortunate remark about some “  …..dented and painted ……. women coming for few second’s fame ” is deplorable . Sanjay Nirupam also came to chip in . His remarks against Smriti Irani shows his male chauvinism .

Sheila Dikshit , Chief Minister of Delhi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sonia Gandhi, president of the Indian National Congress (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rahul Gandhi . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pranab Mukherjee, current President of India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sanjay Nirupam , Congress MP (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Though the girl wanted to live , she is now dead . The ruling oligarchy is trying every trick in the book to save their skin . Delhi has become a war zone . India Gate is beyond reach of common people . Members of Congress are shedding copious tears . But everyone knows that these male chauvinist are just trying to gain time . Public memory is short and elections are still 2 years away . These morons know that by the time next general election is announced , this hapless girl child will be a forgotten news .

Today , when I was reading all the comments about this girl , I suddenly remembered Elton John’s song ” A Candle In The Wind ” . He had originally made it in 1973 for Marilyn Monroe  . He re – wrote the song in 1997 for Princess Diana . I am giving the original version . Words are still relevant , even though 39 years have passed and it was written for another person and in totally different circumstances :

Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
They crawled out of the woodwork
And they whispered into your brain
They set you on the treadmill
And they made you change your name

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did

Loneliness was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Hollywood created a superstar
And pain was the price you paid
Even when you died
Oh the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that Marilyn was found in the nude

Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the 22nd row
Who sees you as something more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe

These ominous words still haunt you . They are still relevant . I end my blog with agony , pain and head bowed in shame .

Good bye , young one ! You were destiny’s unfortunate child …….

And it seems to me , you lived your life

Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in

I have nothing more to say . If you stand for a girl child , I know what you can face . Whole system will gang up against you . Male chauvinist , their accomplices and their pathetic factotum , sycophants and fawning parasites will try to muzzle your voice . And voyeuristic India will only look with glee and sadistic pleasure . None will come forward to help . It will become a lonely , personal fight , an uneven , unequal battle .

But without caring for male chauvinist , I will try to inculcate these views of mine among the students of my acting school ,  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters . So that , if needs be , they could be of some help to a girl child and just won’t be a moot spectator .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.youtube.com/ividur

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturved

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Remembering Nora Ephron

 

Nora Ephron with Her Husband Nicholas Pileggi at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           DECEMBER 16 , 2012           11.20 P.M.

For common viewers and some upstarts , Hollywood history begins with Tom Hanks and ends with Tom Cruise . But for connoisseurs of cinema it is much more . It also includes eminent producers , directors , music directors, editors and screenplay writers . And when it come to screenplay writing , Nora Ephron comes as one of the top – rankers . Among the present day writers of Hollywood , she epitomizes excellence in screenplay writing . Three time Oscar – nominated Nora Ephron died on June 26 ,  2012 in New York at the age of 71 due to leukemia .

Nora Ephron will always be known and remembered for the hugely popular RomComs like ; ” Silkwood ” [ 1983 ] , ” Heartburn [ 1986 ] ” , ” When Harry Met Sally ” [ 1989 ] , ” Sleepless In Seattle ” [ 1993 ] , ” Michael ” [ 1996 ] , ” You’ve Got Mail ” [ 1998 ] ,  and her last film ” Julie & Julia ” [ 2009 ] .

Apart from writing , she also produced films like ; ” When Harry Met Sally ” [ 1989 ] , ” Michael ” [ 1996 ] , ” You’ve Got Mail ” [ 1998 ]  and ” Julie & Julia ” [ 2009 ] . She directed films like ; ” Sleepless In Seattle ” , ” Michael ” , ” You’ve Got Mail ” and ” Julie & Julia ” .

In total she wrote 13 films . Out of these 13 , she also produced 10 films and directed 8 .

She was nominated thrice for Academy Awards for films like ; ” Silkwood ” ,” When Harry Met Sally ” and ” Sleepless In Seattle ” ,  though she never got it . She got BAFTA Award in 1994 for ” When Harry Met Sally ” .

 

Cover of Silkwood

 

Heartburn (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cover of When Harry Met Sally

 

Cover via Amazon

 

Moive Poster from film “Michel” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cover of You’ve Got Mail

Cover of Julie & Julia

She was a multi – faceted personality . She , apart from being a White House intern , began her career as journalist and then started writing for movies . Apart from writing screenplay for films , she wrote for stage also . Her plays like ; ” Imaginary Friends ” [ 2002 ] and ” Love , Loss and What I Wore ” [ 2009 ] are known to all .

Her collection of essays like ; ” I Feel Bad About My Neck : And Other Thoughts About Being a Woman ” [ 2006 ] and ” I Remember Nothing : And Other Reflections ” [ 2010 ] were very popular and much acclaimed . In fact her first mentioned book was a bestseller and was on the New York Times List .

Cover of I Feel Bad About My Neck

It is sad that a personality of this kind died so young . 71 is no age to leave the world . I wanted to write and post this blog much earlier but due to unavoidable circumstances in my professional life , I could not post it earlier . I express my regret .

I , on behalf of all the acting students and staff of my acting academy in Mumbai ,  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , pay my condolences to the family of Nora Ephron .

May her soul rest in peace !!

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.youtube.com/ividur

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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Pandit Ravi Shankar : The Sitar Silenced

Pandit Ravi Shankar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           DECEMBER 14 , 2012           11.55 P.M.

Pandit Ravi Shankar , the Sitar maestro and the unofficial ambassador of Indian Classical music , died on December 11 , 2012 in San Diego , California , United States of America at the age of 92 .

I am fortunate that I could attend one of his concerts in Allahabad . My Allahabad days are very important for me because they shaped my life and personality immensely . I could meet literary figures like Firaq Gorakhpuri , Sumitra Nandan Pant , Vijay Dev Narayan Sahi and Amrit Rai . I could interact with politicians like Murli Manihar Joshi , who was a professor in the university in those days . I could attend the concerts of various musicians like ; Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad  Alla Rakha Khan and some others .

The year was 1971 / 72 . One evening I was sitting in my room in Sir Ganga Nath Jha Hostel and was studying . My friend Pramod Vajpayee came running and informed me that Pandit Ravi Shankar along with Ustad Allarakha Khan is going to perform in Lakshmi Talkies . Lakshmi Talkies in Katara area of Allahabad was stones throw away from Sir Ganga Nath Jha Hostel . In those days it was our favourite hang out . I don’t know whether it still exists or not . But in those days it was almost a part of our lives .

I refused to believe that a musician of the stature of Pandit Ravi Shankar would be performing live in a small cinema hall like Lakshmi Talkies . But my friend’s excitement forced me to believe that it is really going to happen .

I rushed , almost sprinting , to the talkies along with my friend , bought the ticket and entered into the hall panting for breath and took my seat . I waited with bated breath . After some time hall was reverberating with deafening sound of claps and whistles . Pandit Ravi Shankar along with Ustad Allarakha Khan appeared on stage . He gently took his seat and started playing Sitar . Ustad Allarakha Khan was accompanying him on Tabla .

Ah ! I remember only this much . I am just a connoisseur and not an authority of Indian classical music . So I can’t write about the ragas or other nuances of that concert . But I can still remember the moment when time froze . My body became numb and nothing seemed to exist . There were two magical figures on the stage and the hall was full of etherial sound . I am unable to explain that moment .

I cherished that moment till now . That experience has become a part of my being . On December 11th , when I read about his death , it dawned on me that I won’t be able to see him ever . That fateful evening in Allahabad’s Lakshmi Talkies was my first and now the last occasion when I was so close to the colossus legend .

God ! I can live with pride that I could see the Tansen of my generation performing live in front of my eyes . Pandit Ravi Shankar is gone but my experience of attending his concert will live with me till my last breath .

All the news papers are full of the minutest details of his life . So there are no need to reproduce them . Today I just remembered the early days of Pandit Ravi Shankar . I was telling my acting students how Pandit ji was vehemently criticized by his peers and competitors . A puritan like Ustad Vilayat Khan , a life – long bete noir of Pandit Ravi Shankar , left no stone unturned to decry Pandit ji . According to him , Pandit Ravi Shankar was a fake wannabe Sitar player .Ustad Vilayat Khan’s rivalry turned into open animosity with the passage of time . He refused to accept Padma Shri in 1964 , Padma Bhushan in 1968 and Padma Vibhushan in 2000 because Pandit Ravi Shankar was conferred Padma Bhushan in 1967 , Padma Vibhushan in 1981 and finally Bharat Ratna in 1999 , and according to Ustad Vilayat Khan he would not accept any award that other Sitar players , his juniors and in his opinion less deserving , had been given before him . He even said , ” if there is any award for Sitar in India , I must get it first . ” He also refused Sangeet Natak Akademy Award and even boycotted All India Radio for a while . It is alleged that it all happened because of his jealousy and animosity for Pandit Ravi Shankar . And the end result was that Pandit Ravi Shankar got international fame and ultimately the Bharat Ratna . While Ustad Vilayat Khan had some decrepit awards called ; Bharat Sitar Samrat and Aftab – E – Sitar .

I told acting students of my acting institute , Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , that in the beginning of one’s life’s journey one can be called a fake , a wannabe , a cheat or a person of lesser knowledge by his jealous and less successful competitors . One should not get disheartened or affected . Time settles everything . Time has given a final and decisive verdict in the case of Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan . It will and it can happen to any one . Only time can tell . Only time will decide .

I bow my head in reverence and pay my respect to the Tansen of my generation . With the demise of Pandit Ravi Shankar , Sitar will never be the same again . The world of music is orphaned .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.youtube.com/ividur

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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Inder Kumar Gujral : Father of A Failed Doctrine

I K Gujral (Photo credit: ramesh_lalwani)

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           DECEMBER 02 , 2012           11.40 P.M.

Inder Kumar Gujral , the 12th Prime Minister of India , ruled the country for almost 11 months . He was Prime Minister from April 1997 to March 1998 . He , apart from his brief tenure , will always be remembered for 3 (in) famous legacies . He was the second Prime Minister of India , who ruled the country without being elected to Lok Sabha . He was member of Rajya Sabha throughout his tenure . His immediate predecessor H. D. Deve Gowda was the first one to govern the country from Rajya Sabha . His second controversial act was to dismiss BJP government of Uttar Pradesh led by Kalyan Singh . His third (in) famous legacy was a foreign policy doctrine known as ” Gujral Doctrine ” .

Born on December 04 , 1919 in the Jhelum district of undivided Punjab , he died on November 30 , 2012 in Gurgaon , Haryana .

As a student in Lahore , he was member of Communist Party of India . He joined Indian National Congress in 1964 . He was Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Indira Gandhi government during the dreaded emergency . He allegedly refused to obey commands of Sanjay Gandhi and thus was out of favour . He was later appointed as the ambassador of India to USSR [ Union of Soviet Socialist Republic ] , now known as Russia . It goes to his credit that he continued to hold the position during the tenure of Morarji Desai and Charan Singh regimes also .

He , after returning from USSR , resigned from the Congress in 1980 and joined Janata Dal . He was Minister of External Affairs during the regime of V. P. Singh . He again retained the same ministry during the tenure of H. D. Deve Gowda . The year was 1996 . During this period he propounded his (in) famous doctrine , known as ” Gujral Doctrine ” .

In 1997 , Congress withdrew support to H. D. Deve Gowda government and it collapsed . To avoid general election a compromise was stitched and Inder Kumar Gujral was sworn in as the 12th Prime Minister of India on April 21 , 1997 .

As I have stated earlier , as a Prime Minister he supported the dismissal of Kalyan Singh government of Uttar Pradesh in 1997 and tried to impose president rule . The then president of India K. R. Narayanan refused to sign the recommendation and sent it back . Inder Kumar Gujral government had egg on its face when Allahabad High Court also gave decision against the President’s rule . He had to eat crow .

His another controversial legacy is his (in) famous ” Gujral Doctrine ” . According to this doctrine India , being a big brother , should not demand reciprocity while dealing with her immediate neighbours like ; Pakistan , Nepal , Bangladesh , Bhutan , Maldives and Sri Lanka . Without caring or demanding for any kind of reciprocity , India should give all she can with generosity and magnanimity .

Though I have all the respect for this erudite statesman , I submit with all the humility that ” Gujral Doctrine “ is flawed . 26 / 11 and other terrorist incidents are ample proof of the futility of ” Gujral Doctrine ” .

As the news of his death came , I remembered his suave and gentle persona . He was our 12th Prime Minister during fluid and turbulent times . He erred when he dismissed Kalyan Singh government in Uttar Pradesh and again succumbed to his innate kindness while propounding ” Gujral Doctrine “ . Real – politic should follow Chanakya or Machiavelli . It should never be based on utopian philosophy of goodwill and generosity .

As per Hindu tradition one should not speak ill of the dead person . But since Inder Kumar Gujral was the Prime Minister of this country and his actions affected us enormously , so it is pertinent to analyze his tenure . This blog precisely does that .

I mourn his death and offer my condolences .

I , on behalf of all the students and staff of my acting institute , Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  , pray for the departed soul .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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A Tearful Tribute to Bala Saheb Thackeray

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           NOVEMBER 22 , 2012           11.20 P.M.

I was trying to write this obituary since Saturday . But I couldn’t . There were many things , many thoughts running in my mind simultaneously . And in such circumstances flood-gates of memory gets opened and submerges our psyche .

On Saturday November 17 , 2012 , I was sitting in the office of my Acting Institute , Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , when I heard about the demise of Shri Bala Saheb Thackeray . I closed my Acting Class immediately and returned home . Then I started watching TV . Every channel was full of the sad news . While watching the channels , I was thrown into the year 1967 , the year I passed high school examinations , left my native place Deoria and went to Allahabad for higher studies .

In Allahabad I heard about Shiv Sena , the 1-year-old new emerging force in Maharashtra .

Shiv Sena Symbol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The year was 1967 and Shiv Sena was just 1-year-old organization . I took admission in the Government Inter College , Allahabad and like all the youngsters of my age , I was trying to gather more knowledge , was trying to know more things about the world . I , along with my friends , used to read news papers and discuss events and personalities . Because of Shiv Sena’s pro – Marathi policies and staunch parochial attitude , the organization Shiv Sena and its leader Bal Thackeray [ as Bala Saheb was known then ] , was centre of debate and topic of many heated discussions .

I finished my studies , returned to my native place again and started my life afresh . Destiny sometimes plan things differently and plays unique games . So in 1989 I landed up in Bombay . The city , yet to be rechristened Mumbai , became my permanent abode . In 1989 Shiv Sena got registered as a political party . So my life in Mumbai and life of Shiv Sena as a political party began simultaneously in 1989 .

As I started living in Mumbai , I took note of Shiv Sena , started reading about it and started appreciating Shri Bala Saheb Thackeray and his ideology . I was not mature in 1967 , so I was critical of Bala Saheb’s policies and as a north – Indian felt bad when he uttered something against the north Indians . But as my life began in Mumbai , I started feeling that if someone feels that Marathi language , Marathi culture should be paramount in Maharashtra , there is no harm . If a leader says that Marathi should get preference in Maharashtra and it should be the state language , it is absolutely fine . Marathi language should get preference as the state language . If some organization advocates , propounds and is vocal about jobs for the son – of – the – soil , I feel that it is not unjustified at all and is definitely not anti – national .

So re – evaluation of Bala Saheb as a person and as a leader of Shiv Sena began in my mind . I must admit that slowly all the misgivings of previous years evaporated from my mind . 1990 onwards I could appreciate him in a much better way . I came to know about his early days as a cartoonist in ” The Free Press Journal ” . I saw some of the cartoons , which were published in ” Marmik ” , a magazine which he started after leaving ” The Free Press Journal “. He was second to none as a cartoonist , not even to the legendary R. K. Laxman . His cartoon character Kaka Ji , though not as famous as the Common Man of R. K. Laxman , was a poignant work of art . He even designed the famous logo of Raj Kapoor‘s R. K. Films .

As an orator , he had few equals . His connect with the masses was absolute . When I heard him for the first time , I was mesmerized , though my knowledge of Marathi was limited in those days .

It is unfortunate that I could not meet him in person . I am writing a book on acting and it was my secret wish that Bala Saheb should launch the book . Alas , along with so many wishes , my this wish will also remain unfulfilled .

While sitting at home and watching his funeral procession on Sunday , I remembered some other funeral processions of eminent Indians . I have seen Mahatma Gandhi’s funeral procession in photos . He attracted mammoth crowd even after his death . I do remember Jawahar Lal Nehru’s and Indira Gandhi’s last journey . Again the crowd was unprecedented . Last year I visited Anna Durai’s memorial in Puducherri and was stunned to see photos of his last journey . Apart from these above mentioned last journeys of  great Indian leaders , I have never seen such huge crowd for anybody’s last journey . Jawahar Lal Nehru , Indira Gandhi and Anna Durai held high positions in government . Mahatma Gandhi is the sole example of not holding any post and still commanding such respect after his death . Bala Saheb stands second only to Mahatma Gandhi .

I am sad that I could not meet him earlier and now after his demise it is not possible anymore .

Photo of Uddhav Thackeray (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On my behalf and on the behalf of my acting institute Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , I offer condolences to Shri Uddhav Thackeray and the whole Thackeray family .

Nation lost a great leader and I lost an opportunity .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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Kekoo Gandhy : A connoisseur Par Excellence

 

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           NOVEMBER 11 , 2012           11.20 P.M.

Kekoo Gandhy, co-founder of Mumbai’s Gallery Chemould , one of the oldest commercial art galleries of India , passed away in Mumbai on November 10 , 2012 . He was 92 at the time of his death .

He , along with his wife Khorshed , opened his Gallery Chemould in 1963 at the first floor of Jehangir Art Gallery . Last month on October 17 , 2012 , Jehangir Art Gallery completed 60 years of its existence . It is ironical that Kekoo Gandhy died within a month of this historic event .

Jahangir Art Gallery (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have written a blog about the 60th year of Jehangir Art Gallery . I am posting the link :

20 Oct Kamal N. Chaturvedi ‏@VidurChaturvedi

60 Years of Jahangir Art Gallery http://wp.me/ptyXI-2nj

Kekoo Gandhy is considered one of the most significant figures in shaping India’s modern art . He established Chemould Frames, his frame manufacturing business through which he started his association with Mumbai’s first group of post-modern painters like ; Maqbool Fida  Husain , Syed Haider Raza , Tyeb Mehta and Kattingeri Krishna Hebbar , a.k.a. K. K. Hebbar .

When there were practically no venues in Mumbai for showing modern art , Gandhy would use his showroom window as an informal exhibiting space for budding artists and also seek prospective clients for them.

“Despite being such a huge figure on the art circuit, he was never intimidating to young artists . He was known to be friendly and approachable though he belonged to a different generation ,” said painter Atul Dodiya , who has held several shows at Gandhy’s gallery.

In 2007, Gallery Chemould moved out of Jehangir Art Gallery to a larger, state-of-the-art space . It is now headed by his daughter Shirin Gandhy .

I am not a connoisseur of modern art . It is not because of lack of appreciation but because of my penury . I don’t have money to buy paintings or a huge space to display them properly . But whenever I visit South Mumbai , I do visit Jehangir Art Gallery at Kala Ghoda . I love to be there .

I don’t know Kekoo Gandhy in personal capacity . I knew him through the columns of news papers . I do know that he is considered a father – figure in the field of modern art . His demise is really an irreparable loss .

I express my condolences . On behalf of me and my Acting Institute , Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , I pray for the departed soul .

May his soul rest in peace !

[ Since I had no contacts with Kekoo Gandhy , I have quoted relevant facts of his life from news papers like , Times Of India and Indian Express . I am indebted . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

Jaspal Bhatti : This Is Not Funny Sir Ji !

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           OCTOBER 26 , 2012           00.30 A.M.

Just four days after Yash Chopra‘s death , one more tragedy struck us . India‘s most loved comic genius and satirist Jaspal Singh Bhatti died yesterday on October 25 , 2012 in the morning in car accident . He was just 57 at the time of his death . One more fine human being is gone .

I had no personal contacts with him . I knew him only through his work and it is needless to say that I am a huge fan . Years ago , I saw his two TV serials, which came on Doordarshan, and I was hooked . Those serials were hugely popular . Name of the serials are ;  Ulta Pulta &  Flop Show

He had sharp and very subtle sense of humour. It was not crass or vulgar . Whole family can sit and watch and enjoy his satirical take on the mundane problems of the common man and that precisely everyone did in those days .

I am posting photos of his many campaigns , which were hilarious as well as hard – hitting at the same time .

Before he hit the national television , he , during his college days in Amritsar , used to do street plays . ” Nonsense Club ” was his most famous street play . For some time he also worked as a cartoonist for The Tribune .

Later on he moved to do some more serials and did many movies also . Again he left his mark .

Movies

• Power Cut (2012) – Actor and Director
• Mausam (2011)
• Hum Tum Shabana (2011) Guest Appearance
• Chak De Phatte (2009) – Pyara Singh Lovely
• Ek: The Power of One (2009)
• Fanaa (2006) – Jolly Good Singh
• Nalaik (2006) – Daku Mann Singh
• Mera Dil Leke Dekkho (2006)
• Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye (2005) – Ram Saran Dubey
• Nalayak (2005)
• Kuch Naa Kaho (2003) – Monty Ahluwalia
• Tujhe Meri Kasam (2003) – Sardarji
• Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002)
• Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002) – Naraaz Shankar
• Shakti: The Power (2002) – Nandini’s uncle
• Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002) – Buta Singh
• Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000) – Balwinder (Balu)
• Khauff (2000) – Hava Singh/Dava Singh
• Woh Bewafa Thi (2000)
• Kartoos (1999) – Mini’s uncle
• Mahaul Teek Hai (1999)
• Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) – Iqbal
• Jaanam Samjha Karo (1999) – Tubby, Rahul’s Secretary
• Kaala Samrajya (1999)
• Kaala Samrajya]] (1999)

TV serials

• Ulta Pulta
• Flop Show
• Full Tension
• Thank you Jijaji
• Hye Zindagi Bye Zindagi

Towards the end , he set up a training school and a studio in Chandigarh . It is known as Joke Factory .

He died in a freak accident when his car , driven by his son , rammed into a tree . He was returning after promoting his latest film ” Power Cut ” . We have lost a fine comedian with a sense of social justice .

I deeply regret and mourn his death . On behalf of all the students and whole staff of Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , I pay homage to the departed soul .

R.I.P. Mr. Bhatti ! Though your last act is definitely not funny .

[ List of his films and serials is taken from Wikipedia . I express my gratitude . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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Yash Chopra : ” Waqt ” Stopped ; ” Silsila ” Snapped

Yash Chopra at Suzanne Roshan’s The Charcoal Project Launch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           OCTOBER 23, 2012           11.59 P.M.

Yash Chopra , the eternal romantic died on October 21 , 2012 . He was 80 years young at the time of his death .

On Sunday night , I was sitting in my study and was writing blog about Karan Johar’s  film ” Student Of The Year “ , I suddenly checked my twitter handle and was shocked beyond words . There were spate of tweets about the demise of legendary film maker Yash Raj Chopra .

Within moments several posters of his films , many scenes of his all – time classics rushed to the firmament of my memory lane . Though unaware of his greatness then , first Yash Chopra film , which I watched was ” Waqt ” [ 1965 ] . I watched it in Amarjyoti Talkies , Deoria . During my years in Allahabad , I watched many of his films and became aware of his greatness . This ” Silsila ” [ 1981 ] continued till ” Veer Zaara ” [ 2004 ] .

Waqt (1965 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kaala Patthar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Silsila (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dil To Pagal Hai (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cover via Amazon

I have nothing new to say about Yash Chopra . Everything is there in news papers . What I would like to say is , I had honour and privilege to meet Yash ji , as he is fondly called, several times .

Mohabbatein (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I was called by Aditya Chopra to train 6 new – comers of  ” Mohabbatein ” [ 2000 ] . One day when I finished class with Jimmy Sheirgill , Uday Chopra , Jugal Hansraj , Shamita Shetty , Preeti Jhangiani and Kim Sharma and came out of the room , I saw Yash ji sitting there in the outer room . I rushed to greet him . He fondly shook hand with me and said , ” I am hearing great things about you .” I was overwhelmed . ” Mohabbatein “ was my first big film . And Yash Raj Films was my first big banner , I was sure that after the release of this film I would be able to come out of my obscurity . And here was a legend complimenting me about my training , I felt ecstatic .

It was not a compliment by some wannabe . It was from The Legend himself . To understand my feelings and elated state after Yash ji’s compliment just look at his credentials .

FILMS AS DIRECTOR :

” Dhool Ka Phool ” [ 1959 ] , ” Dharmputra ” [ 1961 ] , ” Waqt ” [ 1965 ] , ” Aadmi Aur Insaan ” [ 1969 ] , ” Ittefaq ” [ 1969 ] , ” Daag ” [ 1973 ] , ” Joshila ” [ 1973 ] , ” Deewar ” [ 1975 ] , ” Kabhi Kabhie ” [ 1976 ] , ” Trishul ” [ 1978 ] , ” Kaala Patthar ” [ 1989 ] , ” Silsila “[ 1981 ] , ” Mashaal ” [ 1984 ] , ” Faasle ” [ 1985 ] , ” Vijay ” [ 1988 ] , ” Chandni ” [ 1989 ] , ” Lamhe ” [ 1991 ] , ” Parampara ” [ 1992 ] , ” Darr ” [ 1993 ] , ” Dil To Pagal Hai ” [ 1997 ] , ” Veer – Zaara ” [ 2004 ] and ” Jab Tak Hai Jaan ” [ 2012 ] .

FILMFARE AWARDS :

1965 , Filmfare Best Director Award , ” Waqt “

1969 , Filmfare Best Director Award , ” Ittefaq “

1973 , Filmfare Best Director Award , ” Daag “

1975 , Filmfare Best Director Award , ” Deewar “

1991 , Filmfare Best Movie Award , ” Lamhe “

1975 , Filmfare Best Movie Award , ” Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge “

1997 , Filmfare Best Movie Award , ” Dil To Pagal Hai “

2004 , Filmfare Best Movie Award , ” Veer – Zaara “

2006 , Filmfare Power Award

2007 , Filmfare Power Award

2008 , Filmfare Power Award

NATIONAL FILM AWARDS :

1998 , Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment , ” Dil To Pagal Hai “

2005 , Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment , ” Veer – Zaara “

AWARDS & HONOURS :

2001 , Dadasaheb Phalke Award

2005 , Padma Bhushan

2008 , Officier de la Legion d’Honneur

FILMS AS PRODUCER :

Daag (1973) Kabhi Kabhie (1976) Doosra Aadmi (1977) Trishul (1978) Noorie (1979) Kaala Pathar (1979) Silsila (1981) Nakhuda (1981) Sawaal (1982) Mashaal (1984) Faasle (1985) Vijay (1988) Chandni (1989) Lamhe (1991)

Darr (1993) Aaina (1993) Yeh Dillagi (1994) Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) Humko Ishq Ne Maara (Telefilm) (1997) Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) Mohabbatein (2000) Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002) Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002) Saathiya (2002) Hum Tum (2004) Dhoom (2004) Veer-Zaara (2004)

Bunty Aur Babli (2005) Salaam Namaste (2005) Neal N Nikki (2005) Fanaa (2006) Dhoom 2 (2006) Kabul Express (2006) Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007) Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007) Chak De India (2007) Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007) Aaja Nachle (2007) Tashan (2008) Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (2008) Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008)

Roadside Romeo (2008) Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) New York (2009) Dil Bole Hadippa (2009) Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) Pyaar Impossible (2010) Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge (2011) Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011) Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011) Ishaqzaade (2012) Ek Tha Tiger (2012)

When I was working with Uday Chopra as his private tutor , I used to go to Yash ji’s iconic bungalow in Juhu . I bumped into him several times . He was always gracious , always kind . Though he was a legend and I was not even a spec in the scheme of universe .

Once , years later , I went to meet Uday Chopra at Yash Raj Studio . I came out of his office after meeting him and approached the lift . Yash ji was standing there . Door of lift opened . Yash ji went in . I hesitated to enter and was standing still in front of the door . To my utter surprise Yash ji told me to come in . I went in and was almost numb that I am standing so close to him . I am sharing the space with him . Any other person of his stature would have ignored a non – entity like me . But Yash ji , in spite of being a legend , was kind enough to gesture me to come in . I will never forget that moment .

I am honoured that I got an opportunity to work with his banner . It was an experience to remember . Today as I am writing this blog , I remember several fond memories of the legend , who was so kind , ever smiling and always benevolent .

Apart from Mr. Dev Anand , Mr. Yash Raj Chopra is the most important factor in my life . He , along with Aditya Chopra and Uday Chopra , helped an obscure Acting Trainer and thus made me what I am today .Vidur’s Kreating Charakters ,  as an Acting Institute and Acting Trainer Vidur , as a person owe their existence to Yash ji and his Yash Raj Films .

Thank you sir ! I will always be grateful to you because you never made me feel small in your presence . I always got love from you , though I deserved none . You were always condescending , though I was not worthy of anything . You were always kind , though I was just a pigmy in front of a titan like you .

Rest in peace sir !

[ List of his films have been taken from Wikipedia . I express my gratitude . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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Norodom Sihanouk : Maverick Prince of Cambodia

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           OCTOBER 17 , 2012           00.30 A.M.

I know that the name Norodom Sihanouk does not ring a familiar bell . Ask so – called Acting Trainers of Mumbai and they will start scratching their heads . Or for that matter ask any Acting Trainers of Bollywood and they will show ignorance . It is one thing to run an Acting School in Mumbai and it is totally another thing to have knowledge of world affairs .

People of my generation , who are not only Acting Trainer , or have just an Acting School in India , know him very well . In spite of being king of  Cambodia , he was known as Prince Norodom Sihanouk . He was a friend of India .

Norodom Sihanouk [ 31 October 1922 – 15 October 2012 ]  was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until 2004. He was the effective ruler of Cambodia from 1953 until 1970. After his second abdication in 2004, he was known as The King-Father of Cambodia , a position in which he retained many of his former responsibilities as constitutional monarch.

King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The son of King Norodom Suramarit and Queen Sisowath Kossamak, Sihanouk held so many positions since 1941 that the Guinness Book of World Records identifies him as the politician who has served the world’s greatest variety of political offices.These included two terms as king, two as sovereign prince, one as president, two as prime minister, as well as numerous positions as leader of various governments-in-exile. He served as puppet head of state for the Khmer Rouge government in 1975–1976.

Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia visiting Communist Romania in 1972 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When his maternal grandfather, King Sisowath Monivong, died on 23 April 1941, the Crown Council selected Prince Sihanouk as King of Cambodia. At that time, colonial Cambodia was part of French Indochina. His coronation took place in September 1941. In March 1945, the Empire of Japan deposed the French colonial administration and took control of French Indochina. Under pressure from the Japanese, Sihanouk proclaimed Cambodia’s independence. Unlike the Vietnamese Emperor Bảo Đại, Sihanouk was careful not to compromise himself too much in collaboration with Japan. The Japanese imposed Son Ngoc Thanh as foreign minister then, in August, as prime minister of Cambodia. After Japan’s surrender, the French gradually retook control of French Indochina: Son Ngoc Thanh was arrested in October 1945, while Sihanouk, considered by the French a valuable ally in the chaotic Indochinese situation, retained his throne.

After World War II and into the early 1950s, King Sihanouk’s aspirations became much more nationalistic and he began demanding independence from the French colonists and their complete departure from Indochina. This echoed the sentiments of the other fledgling nations of French Indochina: the State of Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and the Kingdom of Laos. He went into exile in Thailand in May 1953 because of threats on his life by the French and only returned when independence was granted on 9 November 1953. Whilst independent, Cambodia retained an alliance with the French Union, until the end of the First Indochina War and the subsequent official end of French Indochina. On 2 March 1955, Sihanouk abdicated in favor of his father, established the Sangkum and took the post of Prime Minister a few months later, after having obtained an overwhelming victory in the parliamentary elections on September 1955.

Following his father’s death in 1960, Sihanouk won general election as head of state, but received the title of Prince rather than King. In 1963, he made a change in the constitution that made him head of state for life.

On 18 March 1970, while Sihanouk was out of the country travelling, Prime Minister Lon Nol convened the National Assembly which voted to depose Sihanouk as head of state and gave Lon Nol Emergency powers. Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak, Sihanouk’s cousin who had been passed over by the French government in 1941, retained his post as Deputy Prime Minister. The new Khmer Republic was immediately recognized by the United States.

After he was deposed, Sihanouk fled to Beijing, formed the National United Front of Kampuchea and began to support the Khmer Rouge in their struggle to overthrow the Lon Nol government in Phnom Penh. He initiated the Royal Government of the National Union of Kampuchea, which included Khmer Rouge leaders. After Sihanouk showed his support for the Khmer Rouge by visiting them in the field, their ranks swelled from 6,000 to 50,000 fighters. Many of the new recruits for the Khmer Rouge were apolitical peasants who fought in support of the King, not for communism, of which they had a little understanding. King Sihanouk would later argue (1979) that the monarchy being abolished, he was only fighting for his country’s independence, “even if [his] country had to be Communist.” During Lon Nol’s regime, Sihanouk mostly lived in exile in North Korea .

When the Khmer Republic fell to the Khmer Rouge in April 1975, Prince Sihanouk became the symbolic head of state of the new régime while Pol Pot remained in power. Sihanouk, who had imagined living like a retired country gentleman and perhaps being ‘a public relations man for [his] country was to spend the next few years virtually as a hostage of the Khmer Rouge. The next year, on 4 April 1976, the Khmer Rouge forced Sihanouk out of office again and into political retirement. During the Vietnamese invasion, he was sent to New York to speak against Vietnam before The United Nations. After his speech, he sought refuge in China and in North Korea.

The Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia in December 1978 ousted the Khmer Rouge. While welcoming the ousting of the Khmer Rouge government, he remained firmly opposed to the Vietnamese-installed Heng Samrin government of People’s Republic of Kampuchea. Although claiming to be wary of the Khmer Rouge , Sihanouk again joined forces with them in order to provide a united front against the Vietnamese occupation. In 1982, he moved completely into opposition of the Vietnam-supported government, becoming President of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK), which consisted of his own Armée Nationale Sihanoukiste (ANS), Son Sann’s Khmer People’s National Liberation Front (KPNLF), and the Khmer Rouge. The Vietnamese withdrew in 1989, leaving behind a pro-Vietnamese government under ex-Khmer Rouge cadre Hun Sen to run the People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK).

Peace negotiations between the CGDK and the PRK commenced shortly thereafter and continued until 1991 when all sides agreed to a comprehensive settlement which they signed in Paris. Prince Sihanouk returned once more to Cambodia on 14 November 1991 after thirteen years in exile.

In 1993, Sihanouk once again became King of Cambodia. During the restoration, however, he suffered from ill-health and traveled repeatedly to Beijing for medical treatment.

His Majesty King Sihanouk went into self-imposed exile in January 2004, taking up residence in Pyongyang, North Korea and later in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. Citing reasons of ill-health, he announced his abdication from the throne on 7 October 2004.

The Throne Council met on 14 October and appointed H.R.H. Prince Norodom Sihamoni, one of Sihanouk’s sons, as the new King. The elderly Sihanouk was then proclaimed as His Majesty The King Father of Cambodia .

Sihanouk died after a heart attack in Beijing, China on 15 October 2012, aged 89.

Image of King Norodom Sihanouk at Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Isn’t it a maze ? Isn’t his life story too complicated ? I am witness to all these happening and used to follow the happenings of Cambodia and her Prince Norodom Sihanouk avidly . I had forgotten him but news of his death brought back old memories of the maverick prince of Cambodia .

I have quoted extensively from Wikipedia because to untangle his life story is not easy , though I know most of the incidents .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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Sad End of Varsha Bhosle

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           OCTOBER 10, 2012           00.45 A.M.

On Monday October 08 , while I was going through the tweets of some of the eminent people , whom I follow , I suddenly noticed that many people are paying tribute to Varsha Bhosle . I knew that Varsha Bhosle is the name of legendary singer Asha Bhosle’s daughter , but it didn’t occur to me that this Varsha Bhosle is the same person .

Lata Mangeshkar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Asha Bhosle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Though I am a die-hard Lata Mangeshkar fan but I do respect Asha Bhosle immensely . It is sad that at this age she has to face this kind of tragedy . In her tumultuous career and eventful life , she faced many challenges and she faced them bravely . But a tragedy of this magnitude is unimaginable .

I am extremely fortunate that I had opportunity to have telephonic conversation with legendary Lata Mangeshkar once . I am honoured that I had visited Lata Mangeshkar’s apartment at Prabhu Kunj once . I am yet to meet Asha Tai . But I can say that I know Varsha Bhosle . I know her through her writings. I loved her column on internet . When , during pre – social media boom , she started writing her column on a portal called Rediff.com , she got huge fan following . I was one of the followers . Though she wrote for print media also but her internet column was beyond words .

She wrote columns for the web portal, Rediff, during 1997 – 2003; columns for The Sunday Observer during 1994 – 1998; and for Gentleman magazine in 1993. She also wrote a little for the Times of India and for Rakshak – The Protector police magazine .

Before writing columns , she worked as a playback singer in Hindi and Marathi movies, and appeared in concerts with her mother. She sang for a Dev Anand film ” Lootmaar ” [ 1980 ] .

Varsha ji finished school from Hill Grange High School, on Pedder Road, Mumbai, in 1974, with an ISC. She studied Political Science at Elphinstone College, which is affiliated with Bombay University in Mumbai.

She lived in Mumbai with her mother, Asha Bhosle. She had married a sports writer and public relations professional Hemant Kenkre but the couple divorced in 1998. On September 9, 2008, she attempted suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping pills, after which she was admitted to Mumbai‘s Jaslok hospital. Later, on October 8, 2012, 56-year-old Varsha committed suicide at her residence in Mumbai. She shot herself in the head at her Prabhu Kunj residence in Mumbai.

Almost all the readers of her columns are her life-long fans . She had her own distinct style . She was honest . She was blunt . She was iconoclast . But she always admired and respected her critics . It never took more than a moment to accept her mistakes . And she always accepted it with dignity and without ill – will .

It is extremely sad that such a gifted writer left us too soon . I always wanted to meet her . But now it wont be possible ever .

Rest In Peace Varsha ji . You shall always be with us through your written words .

[ I have quoted few things from Wikipedia . I express my indebtedness .]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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