"Hiiii, how're you, pappulo?"
That's what my 7-year old daughter said the other day, as I picked up the phone. There are some names that your parents keep. And then, there are names that your children keep, for you.
I'm sure, even 15 years down the line, I'll pick up the phone and here's what my daughter will say first thing:
"How're you, pappulo?"
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
goofy kind of love...
You know, this weekend I took my daughter to a movie - How to train your dragon(3D). That the movie was thoroughly enjoyable, and that all kids must go watch it is something I reserve for another post (hopefully) :-), but there was a scene in the movie which made me smile, and think - hey, that was neat! For the way it was written. And for the way, the animators successfully brought out the feelings of blossoming love (perhaps) in a way that was so typical of a tom-boyish girl.
There's this guy, the main lead, a young boy named 'hiccup', who's training to be a dragon-slayer, but doesn't fit in. He feels he's too mild to be able to bring down dragons with his bow and arrow, machette, or axe..whatever. But everyday, he goes to a secret hideout instead, for a training of another kind (won't tell you, would spoil the fun). And there's this girl, who's his batch-mate, doesn't quite like his mildness, but is curious about him..wants to know more, so she follows him to his secret haunt one day. Long story short, she discovers something out of the world and experiences a joy-ride of sorts, something she's never experienced before.
And when the joyride ends, their eyes meet for second, and she punches his shoulder.
"This is for scaring me (which happens initially when she discovers what's in the hideout)".
He goes 'ouch', totally zapped at the anti-climax the exhilirating joy-ride offered.
And then before he can realize it, she quickly plants a peck on his cheek.
"this is for everything else," and disappears into the woods, leaving a confused, yet happy hiccup behind.
Now, nothing earth-moving, or 'lightning strike' about this scene, but I somehow felt it was very romantic. Clumsy...but romantic.
Speaking of which, there's this another scene from the movie Sunday - don't know if guys've watched it (Ayesha Takia & Ajay Devgun). Nothing great, routine murder mystery with bits of comedy thrown in - in short, watchable fare. But here again, the said scene makes you go, 'huh?', but also makes you smile.
The girl is a voiceover artist, mimicking just about any cartoon character thrown at her - Mickey, Donald, Tweety bird etc. Nice. And the guy's a cop. Yeah, that's how different they are(of course the guy behaves like a cartoon for the most part).
The scene goes like this - She's a prime suspect in a murder; things are not so good - and he's trying to help (by now there is some chemistry here, we know). They're sitting on a bench, the girl is looking sad and lost, he..he's just trying to figure out how to get her out of the mess. And to top it, the feelings they have for each other.
To pep up her spirits he asks her to do those voices she's so good at. At first she's hesitant, but opens up later... and he keeps on giving her lines that she mimics in voices like tweety, donald etc.
And then suddenly he says, 'I love you."
She goes 'I love you' the way donald duck would croon to daisy duck, "I loooooove you." (Imagine donald's voice, yeah?)
And then he says, " I love you too," poker faced.
She's about to mimic that, when she realizes what he's upto. And stops. He raises his eyebrows. She laughs this embarrassing laugh, which turns to a kind of bashful laugh, and he keeps on giving her the quizzical look. And then she mock-punches him.
I mean..come on - this kind of scene is a first, you've got to give it to them. It was cute, and at the same time silly. But nonetheless, very romantic. Made me smile. I know, die-hard romantics would 'pooh-pooh' this, but sometimes these clumsy-awkward scenes have their own charm.
Don't you think?
*********
There's this guy, the main lead, a young boy named 'hiccup', who's training to be a dragon-slayer, but doesn't fit in. He feels he's too mild to be able to bring down dragons with his bow and arrow, machette, or axe..whatever. But everyday, he goes to a secret hideout instead, for a training of another kind (won't tell you, would spoil the fun). And there's this girl, who's his batch-mate, doesn't quite like his mildness, but is curious about him..wants to know more, so she follows him to his secret haunt one day. Long story short, she discovers something out of the world and experiences a joy-ride of sorts, something she's never experienced before.
And when the joyride ends, their eyes meet for second, and she punches his shoulder.
"This is for scaring me (which happens initially when she discovers what's in the hideout)".
He goes 'ouch', totally zapped at the anti-climax the exhilirating joy-ride offered.
And then before he can realize it, she quickly plants a peck on his cheek.
"this is for everything else," and disappears into the woods, leaving a confused, yet happy hiccup behind.
Now, nothing earth-moving, or 'lightning strike' about this scene, but I somehow felt it was very romantic. Clumsy...but romantic.
Speaking of which, there's this another scene from the movie Sunday - don't know if guys've watched it (Ayesha Takia & Ajay Devgun). Nothing great, routine murder mystery with bits of comedy thrown in - in short, watchable fare. But here again, the said scene makes you go, 'huh?', but also makes you smile.
The girl is a voiceover artist, mimicking just about any cartoon character thrown at her - Mickey, Donald, Tweety bird etc. Nice. And the guy's a cop. Yeah, that's how different they are(of course the guy behaves like a cartoon for the most part).
The scene goes like this - She's a prime suspect in a murder; things are not so good - and he's trying to help (by now there is some chemistry here, we know). They're sitting on a bench, the girl is looking sad and lost, he..he's just trying to figure out how to get her out of the mess. And to top it, the feelings they have for each other.
To pep up her spirits he asks her to do those voices she's so good at. At first she's hesitant, but opens up later... and he keeps on giving her lines that she mimics in voices like tweety, donald etc.
And then suddenly he says, 'I love you."
She goes 'I love you' the way donald duck would croon to daisy duck, "I loooooove you." (Imagine donald's voice, yeah?)
And then he says, " I love you too," poker faced.
She's about to mimic that, when she realizes what he's upto. And stops. He raises his eyebrows. She laughs this embarrassing laugh, which turns to a kind of bashful laugh, and he keeps on giving her the quizzical look. And then she mock-punches him.
I mean..come on - this kind of scene is a first, you've got to give it to them. It was cute, and at the same time silly. But nonetheless, very romantic. Made me smile. I know, die-hard romantics would 'pooh-pooh' this, but sometimes these clumsy-awkward scenes have their own charm.
Don't you think?
*********
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Long story shot!
Ajay looked up the cob-webbed staircase and coughed. He pointed his flash light and started climbing. He was aware that any creepy crawly creature would jump at him or wind itself round his legs any time now, but he was beyond all that. He was on a mission he had to accomplish at any cost. He climbed six stories quietly and finally emerged onto the small balcony-like open space that looked out at the city lights. After all that dust, the fresh air was life saving. He patted his back for having discovered this vantage point for himself.
The brief was simple. "Get the celebrity."
He unpacked his bag and brought out his equipment. He quickly checked and cross-checked if he had it all there. Then he holstered himself onto the ledge of the sit-out and waited. It was dark around him, and there weren't a lot of houses higher than this one. Good.
The Spiritz bar was bang opposite this building and he had a clear view of the entrance. He had earlier received a tip-off that Abhimanyu Saxena and his ex-girlfriend would be partying at the bar later in the evening. This was his do or die chance to get the guy. There was big money here, and he just couldn't afford to screw it up. Not with his track record.
He knew that Abhimanyu didn't venture out without his security, what with the current scandal he was in, but he could handle that. The building was so desolate, it would take them a while before they could get to him. And he had his escape route all planned out a couple of trips before. Now, all he had to do was wait.
*******
It was close to 1 am when the couple walked out, she sloshed and hanging onto one of the security guys, and him not so sloshed, but a bit, nonetheless. Ajay smiled and took position, fixing his telescopic lens on the couple. He fixed his eye on Abhimanyu, when he saw a red stain appearing on the celebrity's chest, the size of a pea and then spreading. He took his eyes off, and looked across the street. There was commotion, of course. He didn't understand. This wasn't his work. He quickly darted his eyes around to rooftops of other buildings. Below, the security guys were already pointing to his building and shouting. Man, he'd better get out of there. He stuffed everything back in his back-pack and ran to the staircase. The water-pipe from the terrace, that was his escape.
He pushed the door of the terrace open and barged out, only to run into another figure who was running in. Both bumped into each other with such force, neither knew what was happening. Somewhere in the melee there was also a short cracking sound, like someone's bone snapping as they both went down on the floor, all hands and legs. Ajay realized he was on top of the other guy and scrambled up to his feet. The other guy lay still.
With his hands trembling, he shot his flash light at him. There was a gaping hole in the neck and the head was now in a pool of blood and flesh.
Despite the shock, years as a photographer made him pull out his camera, as he steadied his hands to capture the shooter. Then he thought, 'what's the bloody point?'
He rushed to the water-pipe and slid down into the darkness.
For the life of them, the cops couldn't figure out why a contract-killer would bump himself after shooting a celebrity. Conscientious guy, they thought.
********
The brief was simple. "Get the celebrity."
He unpacked his bag and brought out his equipment. He quickly checked and cross-checked if he had it all there. Then he holstered himself onto the ledge of the sit-out and waited. It was dark around him, and there weren't a lot of houses higher than this one. Good.
The Spiritz bar was bang opposite this building and he had a clear view of the entrance. He had earlier received a tip-off that Abhimanyu Saxena and his ex-girlfriend would be partying at the bar later in the evening. This was his do or die chance to get the guy. There was big money here, and he just couldn't afford to screw it up. Not with his track record.
He knew that Abhimanyu didn't venture out without his security, what with the current scandal he was in, but he could handle that. The building was so desolate, it would take them a while before they could get to him. And he had his escape route all planned out a couple of trips before. Now, all he had to do was wait.
*******
It was close to 1 am when the couple walked out, she sloshed and hanging onto one of the security guys, and him not so sloshed, but a bit, nonetheless. Ajay smiled and took position, fixing his telescopic lens on the couple. He fixed his eye on Abhimanyu, when he saw a red stain appearing on the celebrity's chest, the size of a pea and then spreading. He took his eyes off, and looked across the street. There was commotion, of course. He didn't understand. This wasn't his work. He quickly darted his eyes around to rooftops of other buildings. Below, the security guys were already pointing to his building and shouting. Man, he'd better get out of there. He stuffed everything back in his back-pack and ran to the staircase. The water-pipe from the terrace, that was his escape.
He pushed the door of the terrace open and barged out, only to run into another figure who was running in. Both bumped into each other with such force, neither knew what was happening. Somewhere in the melee there was also a short cracking sound, like someone's bone snapping as they both went down on the floor, all hands and legs. Ajay realized he was on top of the other guy and scrambled up to his feet. The other guy lay still.
With his hands trembling, he shot his flash light at him. There was a gaping hole in the neck and the head was now in a pool of blood and flesh.
Despite the shock, years as a photographer made him pull out his camera, as he steadied his hands to capture the shooter. Then he thought, 'what's the bloody point?'
He rushed to the water-pipe and slid down into the darkness.
For the life of them, the cops couldn't figure out why a contract-killer would bump himself after shooting a celebrity. Conscientious guy, they thought.
********
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Ph....D.
The university campus was near empty. Not even 6 pm. But it was winter, and it was getting dark.
Adhikari, the head of the humanities wing, was alone in the staff room. He pulled out the hefty file from below the mountain of documents and other papers. He hated paperwork. He hated office-work. Hell, he hated students.
He had barely opened the file when he found a boy standing in front of him. He jumped.
"Idiot! Knock first."
"Sorry, sir. The door was open, and..."
"Hmm. Department?" Adhikari growled and adjusted his glasses over his nose.
"Sir...humanities."
Adhikari looked up.
"Which subject?"
"Sir, psychology."
"Hmmm. Year?"
He didn't remember the guy's face, and of course - he didn't care.
"Sir..I've completed final year, I plan to do my PhD." The guy mumbled.
"Hmpfh!"
There was silence for a while. Adhikari pushed back his chair, rose to snap the light on behind him, and sat back again.
"So, what do you want to research? Quick. You see? I'm working."
And then he mumbled something about students not interested in studying, bunking, so on and so forth.
"Sir, parapsychology."
Adhikari didn't look up. "Parapsychology?"
"Yes, sir."
"And what makes you think that it is a walk in the park to do research on the after-life, occult and the such?" He looked up at the guy in the eye now. The boy's lips quivered.
Adhikari continued. "You look like you'll faint, right now. Parapsychology indeed. You think it is all fun?"
"No, sir..but.."
"But what? You need to put it down on paper. Make a proposal. Stating your reasons to do research on this subject. You understand? And then we have to see if you're fit enough to do research. And, what is the purpose of this research etc. You don't walk in here, like you were asking pocket money from your father." Adhikari went back to his file.
"Sir, I've been wanting to do research on this subject for so long now. It's my passion, and now I have the resources too. So..."
"What resources, huh?" Adhikari was clearly annoyed now. "What resources? You think this is some kind of school homework you would do, after ...what do you kids say - yeah, googling it? Huh?"
"No, sir."
"Then?"
"Sir, I'm Ravi Puranik."
Adhikari laughed. He didn't know whether to shout at this boy or pity him. "So? Are you connected to some political family? Stating your name, as if that is enough..."
Then he stopped suddenly and looked at the boy closely.
Puranik smiled, for the first time. A sad smile, but a smile nonetheless.
"Yes, sir. I see now that you remember."
(The Times, January 2000) Final year student of psychology jumps to his death from the 6th floor of department building
Adhikari wanted to swallow, but his throat had turned into this blocked tunnel of some sort, and everything else outside and inside of it had frozen.
And just then, the lights went out in the neighborhood. The staff room fell silent. Remained that way for a few moments.
"Sir?"
No answer.
*********
Adhikari, the head of the humanities wing, was alone in the staff room. He pulled out the hefty file from below the mountain of documents and other papers. He hated paperwork. He hated office-work. Hell, he hated students.
He had barely opened the file when he found a boy standing in front of him. He jumped.
"Idiot! Knock first."
"Sorry, sir. The door was open, and..."
"Hmm. Department?" Adhikari growled and adjusted his glasses over his nose.
"Sir...humanities."
Adhikari looked up.
"Which subject?"
"Sir, psychology."
"Hmmm. Year?"
He didn't remember the guy's face, and of course - he didn't care.
"Sir..I've completed final year, I plan to do my PhD." The guy mumbled.
"Hmpfh!"
There was silence for a while. Adhikari pushed back his chair, rose to snap the light on behind him, and sat back again.
"So, what do you want to research? Quick. You see? I'm working."
And then he mumbled something about students not interested in studying, bunking, so on and so forth.
"Sir, parapsychology."
Adhikari didn't look up. "Parapsychology?"
"Yes, sir."
"And what makes you think that it is a walk in the park to do research on the after-life, occult and the such?" He looked up at the guy in the eye now. The boy's lips quivered.
Adhikari continued. "You look like you'll faint, right now. Parapsychology indeed. You think it is all fun?"
"No, sir..but.."
"But what? You need to put it down on paper. Make a proposal. Stating your reasons to do research on this subject. You understand? And then we have to see if you're fit enough to do research. And, what is the purpose of this research etc. You don't walk in here, like you were asking pocket money from your father." Adhikari went back to his file.
"Sir, I've been wanting to do research on this subject for so long now. It's my passion, and now I have the resources too. So..."
"What resources, huh?" Adhikari was clearly annoyed now. "What resources? You think this is some kind of school homework you would do, after ...what do you kids say - yeah, googling it? Huh?"
"No, sir."
"Then?"
"Sir, I'm Ravi Puranik."
Adhikari laughed. He didn't know whether to shout at this boy or pity him. "So? Are you connected to some political family? Stating your name, as if that is enough..."
Then he stopped suddenly and looked at the boy closely.
Puranik smiled, for the first time. A sad smile, but a smile nonetheless.
"Yes, sir. I see now that you remember."
(The Times, January 2000) Final year student of psychology jumps to his death from the 6th floor of department building
Adhikari wanted to swallow, but his throat had turned into this blocked tunnel of some sort, and everything else outside and inside of it had frozen.
And just then, the lights went out in the neighborhood. The staff room fell silent. Remained that way for a few moments.
"Sir?"
No answer.
*********
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Angry young man to sad old man, to...happy young boy!
He was my first style icon. My screen idol so to say. Well, nothing new here; he was all that and more to millions like me. But well, like for all other kids my age, he too was my 'Hero' in totality. There could be nobody else. I'd drive my mom crazy, asking her to buy me/stitch me those 'broom-like' bell-bots, after I first saw him - in Khoon Pasina (Though that was not his first action outing). I modelled all my 'manly' gestures after him: the way he ran his fingers through his hair, the way he stood hands on his hips, the way he frowned when he was disturbed, the way he grit his teeth and moved his jawline when angry, the way....well, the list could go on.
He was the man who changed the direction of action movies in Indian Cinema. He was the man who every guy secretly wished to be like. Girls swooned over his tall stance, his deep baritone, his smile, his ...everything. And guys did street-fights, watching him in Naseeb, or maybe...well, any of his movies in the 80s. Being macho, was being....Bachchan.
As I grew up and the veil gradually dropped off his larger than life image, I mulled over the kind of movies he'd always done his whole life. Action-packed, high voltage, the 'all-in-one' kind of movies - typical masala stuff. Nothing to write home about role-wise or content-wise, but for his superb acting. Of course, there were the few gems early on (Anand, Chupke chupke, Kabhi Kabhie, and then some..but countable). It was only later, much later in his career that he really started experimenting with roles. I think he did a true volte-face with Aankhen...or was it Aks?
Well, long story short (pun wasn't intended at all) - like any good old wine, he also has mellowed over the years, the sharp jawline has given way to a rather soft 'goatee-lined' chin, the crisp and well-defined baritone (remember the Kaalia, Deewar, and Shakti dialogues?) has given way to the somewhat aged and soft voice that is natural of any aging process. But he has acted in all kinds of roles ever since he stepped over to his 60s- serious, angry, sad, hilarious and so on. Oh, and even as a ghost and a genie.
And now life has come a full circle I guess. Tomorrow, he'll be introduced to the world as - a happy-go-lucky young boy. All of thirteen.
All the best, Mr. Bachchan. This time round I'll try (won't promise) to imitate that 'monkey-dance' you do so well in the promos. Haiin??
He was the man who changed the direction of action movies in Indian Cinema. He was the man who every guy secretly wished to be like. Girls swooned over his tall stance, his deep baritone, his smile, his ...everything. And guys did street-fights, watching him in Naseeb, or maybe...well, any of his movies in the 80s. Being macho, was being....Bachchan.
As I grew up and the veil gradually dropped off his larger than life image, I mulled over the kind of movies he'd always done his whole life. Action-packed, high voltage, the 'all-in-one' kind of movies - typical masala stuff. Nothing to write home about role-wise or content-wise, but for his superb acting. Of course, there were the few gems early on (Anand, Chupke chupke, Kabhi Kabhie, and then some..but countable). It was only later, much later in his career that he really started experimenting with roles. I think he did a true volte-face with Aankhen...or was it Aks?
Well, long story short (pun wasn't intended at all) - like any good old wine, he also has mellowed over the years, the sharp jawline has given way to a rather soft 'goatee-lined' chin, the crisp and well-defined baritone (remember the Kaalia, Deewar, and Shakti dialogues?) has given way to the somewhat aged and soft voice that is natural of any aging process. But he has acted in all kinds of roles ever since he stepped over to his 60s- serious, angry, sad, hilarious and so on. Oh, and even as a ghost and a genie.
And now life has come a full circle I guess. Tomorrow, he'll be introduced to the world as - a happy-go-lucky young boy. All of thirteen.
All the best, Mr. Bachchan. This time round I'll try (won't promise) to imitate that 'monkey-dance' you do so well in the promos. Haiin??
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
This Diwali...
It was getting dark. Raghu watched the sky painted with all those bright colors. He loved Diwali. Especially those 'rockets', as they went 'whoosh!'
He stood outside the house where they lived years back. A couple and their little son cleared the porch to burn the crackers. He smiled.
********
"Careful Vivek," The father warned. Vivek nodded happily and continued making circles with the sparklers.
Raghu walked through the gate. Ten years ago, if he'd been careful enough, he'd be here in flesh and blood, enjoying the festival with his parents. They'd left the house soon after his fatal fall from the terrace, trying to duck a neighbor's 'rocket'. He should've listened to his dad and kept away from the parapet. Well...
He noticed Vivek was looking at his parents, the sparkler flame about to reach his finger. He quickly reached out and pushed the sparkler away from his hand.
********
Happy Diwali, friends. Just...be careful, ok? (Am gonna be away till Monday).
He stood outside the house where they lived years back. A couple and their little son cleared the porch to burn the crackers. He smiled.
********
"Careful Vivek," The father warned. Vivek nodded happily and continued making circles with the sparklers.
Raghu walked through the gate. Ten years ago, if he'd been careful enough, he'd be here in flesh and blood, enjoying the festival with his parents. They'd left the house soon after his fatal fall from the terrace, trying to duck a neighbor's 'rocket'. He should've listened to his dad and kept away from the parapet. Well...
He noticed Vivek was looking at his parents, the sparkler flame about to reach his finger. He quickly reached out and pushed the sparkler away from his hand.
********
Happy Diwali, friends. Just...be careful, ok? (Am gonna be away till Monday).
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
It's Different!
Everybody experiences one 'bubble-burst' moment in their lives. At some point in their lives, I'm sure. For me, the first one happened when I actually saw Usha Uthup for the first time, if you know what I mean. And then many other such instances followed, for various other reasons. But I remember that was my first 'bubble-burst' moment.
I was ten.
Well..the point is - how many times have you associated a voice you heard, to a certain face in your mind? Obviously many times, huh? But have you any time felt that the voice you heard 'tasted' like something you ate? Ok, don't frown - it may be weird, but it has happened to me a couple of times lately.
The new crop of singers, especially girls, have such a range of voice texture that it is impossible to think of them, or at least compare them to the voices of yesteryears. It is a good sign too, we get to hear so many different voices. And they go well with the new faces you see on screen as well. You don't have to cringe when you see Amritha Rao mouthing her lines to...maybe Latha Mangeshkar? No offence, I salute the nightingale and there was a time when I couldn't even imagine any other singer's voice in hindi films. But now...
Ok, enough of the foreword. Here's a list of singers and songs they crooned in the recent past I personally like. They taste...err..sound really yummy. There's a certain 'crack-jack' feel to their voices. Have you felt the same?
I'm sure I missed out a lot more - fill me in... Oh, and btw, no bubble-burst moment happened this time round ;-)
I was ten.
Well..the point is - how many times have you associated a voice you heard, to a certain face in your mind? Obviously many times, huh? But have you any time felt that the voice you heard 'tasted' like something you ate? Ok, don't frown - it may be weird, but it has happened to me a couple of times lately.
The new crop of singers, especially girls, have such a range of voice texture that it is impossible to think of them, or at least compare them to the voices of yesteryears. It is a good sign too, we get to hear so many different voices. And they go well with the new faces you see on screen as well. You don't have to cringe when you see Amritha Rao mouthing her lines to...maybe Latha Mangeshkar? No offence, I salute the nightingale and there was a time when I couldn't even imagine any other singer's voice in hindi films. But now...
Ok, enough of the foreword. Here's a list of singers and songs they crooned in the recent past I personally like. They taste...err..sound really yummy. There's a certain 'crack-jack' feel to their voices. Have you felt the same?
- Shruti Pathak - Mar Jaawan (Fashion)
- Hema Sardesai - Badal pe paon hai (Chak de India)
- Aneela Mirza - Say na say na (Bluffmaster)
- Anushka Manchanda - Golmaal (Golmaal)
- Tanvi Shah - Fanaa (Yuva)
- Mahalaxmi Iyer - Kabhi Neem Neem (Yuva)
- Rekha Bharadwaj - Namak Ishq ka (Omkara)
- Sunidhi Chauhan - Sajna ji waari (Honeymoon Travels)
- Bombay Jaishree - Zara zara (Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein) This is a bit older in comparison.
- Gayatri Ganjawaala & Sunidhi Chauhan - Pyar ki yeh kahani (Honeymoon Travels)
- Kavitha Seth - Iktara (Wake up Sid)
- Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - O re piya (Aaja Nachle)
- Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Mahalaxmi Iyer - Bol na halke halke (Jhoom baraabar Jhoom)...Don't even ask about the movie, though.
I'm sure I missed out a lot more - fill me in... Oh, and btw, no bubble-burst moment happened this time round ;-)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
touché
He cracked his neck, pushed the door open, and stepped out into the rain. The deafening sound complemented the deafening silence he'd just left behind. Both were essentially the same, the din never left you.
He turned right and walked leisurely, wiping the water off his eyes and face. If you passed by him, you'd almost miss the tiny muzzle hiding in his palm. He clutched it tighter and walked across the street to the nearest phone booth.
He had already pulled the handle off the hook, when the shopkeeper in the adjacent building started to holler, "Sir, the phone doesn't..."
*****
The teenager ducked in time, more out of reflex than anything else, as the 'thing' flew over his head, barely millimetres away, making a whip-like sound. Maybe that's why he didn't hear the sound of the explosion. When he rose and turned his head around he saw people screaming. He was confused, he quickly turned all around, trying to locate the cause of this chaos, and then he saw it. The body lay below the phone booth across the street, smoke billowing out of it. Then with his heart thumping he turned around, behind him. The head lay against a wall, leaving a messy trail of blood and brains all over it.
******
From the half open window, a couple of buildings away, the middle-aged ex-intelligence officer and explosives expert, smiled in satisfaction and pulled the bullet-proof vest off his chest. He shook his head, helping himself to the scotch.
"Newbie..kids don't do any homework these days."
******
He turned right and walked leisurely, wiping the water off his eyes and face. If you passed by him, you'd almost miss the tiny muzzle hiding in his palm. He clutched it tighter and walked across the street to the nearest phone booth.
He had already pulled the handle off the hook, when the shopkeeper in the adjacent building started to holler, "Sir, the phone doesn't..."
*****
The teenager ducked in time, more out of reflex than anything else, as the 'thing' flew over his head, barely millimetres away, making a whip-like sound. Maybe that's why he didn't hear the sound of the explosion. When he rose and turned his head around he saw people screaming. He was confused, he quickly turned all around, trying to locate the cause of this chaos, and then he saw it. The body lay below the phone booth across the street, smoke billowing out of it. Then with his heart thumping he turned around, behind him. The head lay against a wall, leaving a messy trail of blood and brains all over it.
******
From the half open window, a couple of buildings away, the middle-aged ex-intelligence officer and explosives expert, smiled in satisfaction and pulled the bullet-proof vest off his chest. He shook his head, helping himself to the scotch.
"Newbie..kids don't do any homework these days."
******
Saturday, May 09, 2009
It happened one weekend...
You know what? For all the absurdities, I still have a soft corner for bollywood movies of the early 90s. Case in point - Dil Hai ke Manta Nahin (1991), which I chanced upon while surfing channels yesterday. And sat through it. It was a nostalgic experience given that this movie came out at a time when we were in college, and life was footloose & fancy free.
It was one of those 'assembly-line' thingies the Bhatt camp used to dole out back then. It was good, clean fun. DHMN was supposedly an inspiration of a hollywood classic (ok, stop rolling your eyes) 'It happened one night', which was once earlier made in bollywood before DHMN itself. It was called 'Chori-Chori' starring the show-man Raj Kapoor, and amchi munnabhai's real-life mom Nargis.
It gives a different kind of a high when you see the lead pair bickering and fighting tooth 'n nail the first half of the movie and then falling in love in the end. But DHMN holds a special place in my heart because the first rays of romance were entering my own life, and I remember going to this movie with almost the entire class, and yes...my future wife as well. And a movie becomes all the more special when you start relating to the characters, and your life had situations similar to those on the screen.
Well yeah, at hindsight it does seem a bit silly, compared to movies of today which are more technically advanced and realistic (and most times..err..bold, for want of a better word), and given that the movie's hero is so well known for those realistic movies today. DHMN in that sense was the perfect mix, a perfect antidote for boredom, and a perfect reckoner for people hopeful of love. It had all the masala in it, the 'drop-of-a-hat' song sequences, and of course a happy ending. And to top it, you didn't find it embarrassing to watch it with anyone...heck, I could watch it with my neighbor, Mr. R. I couldn't be seen dead with him in any movie hall today. I swear.
Rent the movie today and watch it. You'll smile through the weekend. Trust me. :-)
It was one of those 'assembly-line' thingies the Bhatt camp used to dole out back then. It was good, clean fun. DHMN was supposedly an inspiration of a hollywood classic (ok, stop rolling your eyes) 'It happened one night', which was once earlier made in bollywood before DHMN itself. It was called 'Chori-Chori' starring the show-man Raj Kapoor, and amchi munnabhai's real-life mom Nargis.
It gives a different kind of a high when you see the lead pair bickering and fighting tooth 'n nail the first half of the movie and then falling in love in the end. But DHMN holds a special place in my heart because the first rays of romance were entering my own life, and I remember going to this movie with almost the entire class, and yes...my future wife as well. And a movie becomes all the more special when you start relating to the characters, and your life had situations similar to those on the screen.
Well yeah, at hindsight it does seem a bit silly, compared to movies of today which are more technically advanced and realistic (and most times..err..bold, for want of a better word), and given that the movie's hero is so well known for those realistic movies today. DHMN in that sense was the perfect mix, a perfect antidote for boredom, and a perfect reckoner for people hopeful of love. It had all the masala in it, the 'drop-of-a-hat' song sequences, and of course a happy ending. And to top it, you didn't find it embarrassing to watch it with anyone...heck, I could watch it with my neighbor, Mr. R. I couldn't be seen dead with him in any movie hall today. I swear.
Rent the movie today and watch it. You'll smile through the weekend. Trust me. :-)
Monday, May 04, 2009
Scream Test
Shetty frowned as he flipped the various portfolios.
"Damn. Damn, and more damn," he muttered. He should've never listened to that Desai kid. These US-returned youngsters thought no end of themselves. One measly degree from some bloody university and they thought they knew what film-making was all about. MBA too, to top it. He shook his head and wiped his bald head.
"Next," he barked into the intercomm.
The lanky guy peeped his head through the door and stepped in with a meek "sir?"
"Come in," Shetty grunted.
He looked nervous, this guy. Shetty sized him up quickly. Hmm..not so bad actually.
"So, you are..." he pored over his profile, hooking on his glasses on the nose.
"Ankit...sir."
"Ankit," Shetty repeated and leaned back, his hands over his head. He looked at the nervous guy's face for a few seconds, a smirk slowly creeping across his own face. "So, you want to be a star, huh?"
"I want to be in this film, sir."
Shetty rolled his eyes.
"No, really sir..."
"You see, Mr. Ankit," Shetty said, leaning forward keeping his hands on the table. "This will be our most expensive movie till date. Special effects. Music. You name it. And we want actors," he said with a typical gesture. "Actors. Not dreamy-eyed stars. And that is why we're interviewing and auditioning new faces."
Ankit nodded sagely.
"And..."
"I know sir," Ankit interrupted. "And I understand that. I think...I'm..I'm your guy."
Shetty raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And what makes you so confident, young man? We'll have a screen test, and..."
Ankit interjected again. "Sir, I'm telling you..."
"Listen young man. I don't like to be interrupted. I'm the director of this film, and I can show you the door, rightaway. Ok? You're lucky the producer of the film isn't here with me today, else..." Shetty wiped his brow with a frown.
"Anyway..what makes you think you're so qualified for this movie? What's so great about you anyway?"
"Sir, this is a horror movie right?"
Shetty nodded.
"Sir, I think I can give it that authenticity. And you won't even need special effects."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes sir," said Ankit, pulling out his head and placing it on the table.
"You see sir," the head spoke. "I died last year on my way to the same studio, for the same film. And I really want this film. I'm dying to do it, excuse the pun."
Then guiltily, he picked up his head and screwed it back on.
"So, I'll get the role, right sir?"
"Sir?"
"Sir?!!"
******
"Damn. Damn, and more damn," he muttered. He should've never listened to that Desai kid. These US-returned youngsters thought no end of themselves. One measly degree from some bloody university and they thought they knew what film-making was all about. MBA too, to top it. He shook his head and wiped his bald head.
"Next," he barked into the intercomm.
The lanky guy peeped his head through the door and stepped in with a meek "sir?"
"Come in," Shetty grunted.
He looked nervous, this guy. Shetty sized him up quickly. Hmm..not so bad actually.
"So, you are..." he pored over his profile, hooking on his glasses on the nose.
"Ankit...sir."
"Ankit," Shetty repeated and leaned back, his hands over his head. He looked at the nervous guy's face for a few seconds, a smirk slowly creeping across his own face. "So, you want to be a star, huh?"
"I want to be in this film, sir."
Shetty rolled his eyes.
"No, really sir..."
"You see, Mr. Ankit," Shetty said, leaning forward keeping his hands on the table. "This will be our most expensive movie till date. Special effects. Music. You name it. And we want actors," he said with a typical gesture. "Actors. Not dreamy-eyed stars. And that is why we're interviewing and auditioning new faces."
Ankit nodded sagely.
"And..."
"I know sir," Ankit interrupted. "And I understand that. I think...I'm..I'm your guy."
Shetty raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And what makes you so confident, young man? We'll have a screen test, and..."
Ankit interjected again. "Sir, I'm telling you..."
"Listen young man. I don't like to be interrupted. I'm the director of this film, and I can show you the door, rightaway. Ok? You're lucky the producer of the film isn't here with me today, else..." Shetty wiped his brow with a frown.
"Anyway..what makes you think you're so qualified for this movie? What's so great about you anyway?"
"Sir, this is a horror movie right?"
Shetty nodded.
"Sir, I think I can give it that authenticity. And you won't even need special effects."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes sir," said Ankit, pulling out his head and placing it on the table.
"You see sir," the head spoke. "I died last year on my way to the same studio, for the same film. And I really want this film. I'm dying to do it, excuse the pun."
Then guiltily, he picked up his head and screwed it back on.
"So, I'll get the role, right sir?"
"Sir?"
"Sir?!!"
******
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Chalk-a-block
Mom was hospitalized last week for complications related to her diabetes. She's back home now, and doing much better. That sets the context. We all dread hospitals (at least us non-medical folks) for the simple reason that it is synonymous with illness, in some form or the other. But despite being a not-so-desirable place to be in, it can sometimes help one meet some interesting characters. No, not the patients. But the ones accompanying them.
I was keeping watch one night last week, and there's this middle-aged man who sat next to me. I wasn't exactly in a conversational mood, but his infectious optimism slowly warmed me up to him and we got talking about this and that.
I was keeping watch one night last week, and there's this middle-aged man who sat next to me. I wasn't exactly in a conversational mood, but his infectious optimism slowly warmed me up to him and we got talking about this and that.
"So, what do you do?" He asked eagerly.
"Uh, I'm a software professional. Well, not exactly in that sense - I'm a technical writer."
"Oh, writer. Ok, ok.." He mulled over it for a few seconds.
The next salvo. "So, what do you write about?"
I sighed, smiling. "User manuals."
"Ok, ok. Like that manual that comes with consumer products?"
Here goes. I sighed again.
"Well, technically yes...you could compare it with that, but it's not the same."
He nodded. We talked some more about my background, where I studied and so on.
"So, why don't you work in a newspaper? You did journalism..."
Explained. I told him I also wrote other stuff to gratify myself, like writing fiction and stuff online.
"Ah, yes. My niece also does that."
"Yeah? OK..." I nodded.
"She blocks."
Images of a Karate instructor came to mind. Blocks. Maybe she defends blows. Wait a minute. She could also be working as an anti-spammer. Images of a nerd now.
But just to be sure..." uhhh, block?"
"Yes. What you said just now. Online writing. Block."
"Oh, blog!"
"Yes. Block." He grinned.
"Uh..it's called blogging. It's a 'g'.." I try explaining.
"Oh. But I'm sure she said block." He had this 'wait-lemme-remember' look on his face now.
"So, what is blog? Is it a website?"
"Well, technically yes, but it's more interactive?" I try explaining again.
Five minutes later...
"Nice. Internet has so many facilities these days."
Facilities. Hmmm.
"So, what do you write in your blog?"
I explained again.
"Oh, good. So do you get paid for it?"
I shook my head.
"Then, why...?"
"Well, there are ways of making money on a blog...I explained some more.
He nodded. And then he went on this trip - he used to write as well as a student, college magazines, articles etc etc. He then turned to me.
"Can I blog too?"
"Of course you can."
"Uh...please give me your email ID. You explain to me over email."
I nod. "Sure." I handed him my business card.
"Thanks. But what do I write?"
"It's upto you, sir," I smiled.
"Hmmm," he mulled over it again.
"Can I write to my old friends?"
"You have emails for that, right..sir?" I said.
"Oh, right." He laughed.
He was silent for a few seconds. I did a shut-eye. Then he nudged me.
"I think I will write poems. I used to, you know."
"Great. That's a good way to start," I agreed.
"Can I write in my mother-tongue? You have all these vernacular software, right?"
"Uh..sure, I think you can. But, you might need assistance from someone who has already done that."
I knew what was coming next, so.."I'm afraid I can't help you out on that one." I smiled apologetically. He smiled equally apologetically. I wondered why.
"Ok."
Then he shook my hand. "Thanks, young man."
I smiled. "Pleasure, sir."
He smiled too and left.
I watched him go, and thought, "Interesting man. I must block this."
Friday, February 13, 2009
Joy ride...
1991 - First year of college. And I heard the laughter. I just had to find out who it belonged to. It belonged to you. I'm glad I found out. :-)
1992 - You came into my life. You became a dear friend.
1993 - We fell in love. We made some nervous promises, we didn't know what the road ahead held for us.
1994 - Graduation. The big bad world waited for us. We held hands and promised to stay together.
1995 - While I did my Masters, you worked; took care of your family.
1996 - Some ups, some downs. We managed to brave it together.
1997 - My first job. The going wasn't easy, but you were with me, and that's all that mattered.
1998 - We got married. A big sigh of relief for both of us. Finally we made it!
1999 - Turbulence in work. I lost my job. You held yours. But mostly you held my hand tighter. I can never thank you enough for it.
2000 - We found it hard to make ends meet. But we had each other. Most importantly, I had you.
2001 - I wasn't heading anywhere with my career. I was distraught. You held me firmly and pushed me to do better.
2002 - You gave us the most precious gift one could have - Aayushi! :-)
2003 - Things were getting better. But you decided to stay home and take care of the little one. I didn't want you to sacrifice a great career. You didn't call it sacrifice. You called it a joy-ride.
2004 - Our little one was growing up. And you were there for both of us. We braved some rough weather.
2005 - In between changing jobs, the one thing that didn't change was our love.
2006 - My lucky break. All because of you. But I had miles to go. And your love was the fuel. That was enough.
2007 - Things were settling down. We looked back at how we'd built our home with love and care. And Aayu made it all the more better.
2008 - You decided to pursue your passion for music. I'm so glad you did.
2009 - Another year, another milestone. But we're far from done. We have a lot to look forward to. I'm sure I'll do it with you by my side.
This Saturday (14th) is when you first came into this world, years ago. Probably the best valentine gift God could've given me? We're gonna be away from the online world that day, right? So in advance, Happy Birthday my love!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Booo Chronicles is back... :-)
For those who came in late (it all started here), Boo Chronicles is about one of the most amazing places in Kolkata, the 'Plaza Complex' (name changed, so no use googling it) where the living and the 'already-lived' co-exist harmoniously. Well, harmonious or not..it certainly makes great food for thought. My friend N, who was the manager there, recently found some free time over the weekend to narrate some more incidents,which proved beyond a point that, forget us, even ghosts are touchy when it comes to personal space. Read on.
********
It was late, and N yawned. The clock read 1 AM. But he had to complete two sets of reports for the christmas season round the corner, and had to prepare requisitions for a whole lot of inventory and permissions for various vendors who'd set up their wares on the D day. He knew that the third floor of the house had a small one-room studio apartmentish kind of a guest room, which was reserved for his boss, when he flew in from Mumbai. He decided to spend the night there. He called home, informed his wife and sat down to draft the reports. An hour later, he stepped out of his office and trudged down the stairs. After a few steps, he thought he heard another set of footsteps, echoing his own. 'Clop, clop' and then immediately a 'clop'. He stopped and turned around. No one. He ignored the echoes and reached the ground floor, where the security guy sat. The uniformed man was slumped in his chair. At a glance, you'd think he'd been stabbed or something. The snore gave him away. N woke him up and asked for the keys to the apartment. The guy hastily pulled out the keys from his pocket and handed it to him. As N was returning to the flight of stairs, the janitor, who slept right below there, peeped out and called out.
"Sir, you're still here?"
"Oh, yeah..I had some work, so I decided to sleep over at the Boss' apartment. Why do you ask?"
The small wiry guy quickly stepped out of his bed and came to N.
"Please don't stay there sir. You better go home."
"But why?" N said and paused. Then he shook his head. "Don't tell me..."
The janitor nodded. "Yes, sir. They're there as well."
"Holy ghost," N muttered.
The janitor said. "And this guy is a tad more touchy than the other ones."
N waited for him to continue.
The janitor said, "You know I used to sleep there, on the 3rd floor, right outside the apartment, don't you?"
"Yeah, now that you mention it, I do remember that."
"Hmmm..and now I sleep here on the ground floor. Know why?"
"Enlighten me," N said, sleep slowly hovering over his eyes.
"Well, one night after my usual round of duties, I slept there, in front of the guest room. And in the morning, I found myself here, below these stairs."
N raised his eyebrows.
"Yes sir...and I don't walk in my sleep. Never have. I have been sleeping there for the last four years. And this happened about two months ago. That's when I suspect, the apartment might've had a new visitor."
N scratched his head. "Well, ok. We'll see. Maybe I'll find myself beside you here in the morning." He chuckled and climbed up the stairs to the guest room.
The next morning he woke up inside his car, in the basement parking lot.
********
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Lonely night...
Shireesh opened the door and stepped into the silence.
He clicked the lights on, walked over to the couch and slumped in it. He looked at the bottle on the center table and hunched forward to take it. His hands trembled and he slumped back.
He looked around the empty house, which a few hours ago, was filled with laughter and animated gestures. He and Sandeep had planned a perfect evening. Catch a couple of beers, have some chinese grub, and then walk down Brigades to Rex for the night show. He looked at the clock. The movie would've begun; in fact it would be well nearing intermission.
He looked down at his blood-soaked shirt, and dug his fingers into his breast pocket. He pulled out the two tickets he'd booked for the show. With his hand still trembling, he crumpled the tickets and threw them on the floor. He then fished out his cell and navigated to the Contact list. Neethi. Sandeep's girlfriend of two years. His blood-stained thumb hovered around the green button for a few seconds before he threw the instrument on the couch and leaned back, clutching his head. Then he broke down and let it all out for a half hour.
*******
It was a first, for the cops. They found a guy, who would later be identified as Sandeep, with his neck slit. They knew it was 'Knife' Raju's trademark style. But what stymied them was, his own body was right there beside Sandeep's body, his trademark knife sticking in his mouth and out the back of his neck.
*******
He clicked the lights on, walked over to the couch and slumped in it. He looked at the bottle on the center table and hunched forward to take it. His hands trembled and he slumped back.
He looked around the empty house, which a few hours ago, was filled with laughter and animated gestures. He and Sandeep had planned a perfect evening. Catch a couple of beers, have some chinese grub, and then walk down Brigades to Rex for the night show. He looked at the clock. The movie would've begun; in fact it would be well nearing intermission.
He looked down at his blood-soaked shirt, and dug his fingers into his breast pocket. He pulled out the two tickets he'd booked for the show. With his hand still trembling, he crumpled the tickets and threw them on the floor. He then fished out his cell and navigated to the Contact list. Neethi. Sandeep's girlfriend of two years. His blood-stained thumb hovered around the green button for a few seconds before he threw the instrument on the couch and leaned back, clutching his head. Then he broke down and let it all out for a half hour.
*******
It was a first, for the cops. They found a guy, who would later be identified as Sandeep, with his neck slit. They knew it was 'Knife' Raju's trademark style. But what stymied them was, his own body was right there beside Sandeep's body, his trademark knife sticking in his mouth and out the back of his neck.
*******
Monday, November 10, 2008
It's never too late...
He didn't believe in ghosts.
"What rubbish, ghosts are but figments of your terrified, primitive brains, working overtime" he'd argue with friends.
Even when they found him hanging by the ceiling fan one day, his suicide note read: "No one but I am responsible for my death. And please, for heaven's sake, don't think that I'll come and haunt you all as a ghost. There's no such thing as a ghost."
It's a different matter that a couple of days later, his friend Ashish, who lived alone in a one-bedroom apartment, choked on his dinner and died when this guy appeared at his dining table.
"Well, I just realized I was wrong. I'm sorry."
*******
"What rubbish, ghosts are but figments of your terrified, primitive brains, working overtime" he'd argue with friends.
Even when they found him hanging by the ceiling fan one day, his suicide note read: "No one but I am responsible for my death. And please, for heaven's sake, don't think that I'll come and haunt you all as a ghost. There's no such thing as a ghost."
It's a different matter that a couple of days later, his friend Ashish, who lived alone in a one-bedroom apartment, choked on his dinner and died when this guy appeared at his dining table.
"Well, I just realized I was wrong. I'm sorry."
*******
Friday, October 31, 2008
'extra'-ordinary
Rajiv always liked to watch the junior artistes, or extras, whenever a funeral scene or any other serious scene played on the big screen. He chuckled when he spotted some dumb oaf in the last row of 'mourners' smiling at the camera to catch its attention.
Today was no different. A similar funeral scene was playing and everyone was sitting around the 'dead body', dabbing their glycerined eyes. The heroine sniffed into her hanky. Heart-rending scene indeed. But Rajiv was busy looking at the lesser actors, shaking their heads vigorously, and wailing their guts out. He smiled. Then he looked at one girl who was standing in a corner. The camera was not directly focused on her, her face partially hidden behind another face. That was odd. She looked familiar. Maybe acted in some dumb TV serial. Rajiv craned his neck. Then he realized how stupid that was. It was a two dimensional screen, stupid...he laughed at himself. Then the camera moved and zoomed on the girl. She looked up. At him. He didn't know how to react. Then she tilted her head to her right, as if telling him to turn to his left. He turned his head slowly. It was her, sitting beside him, but watching straight at the screen. He swallowed and turned to the screen again. She was gone.
And so was the girl on his left.
******
Today was no different. A similar funeral scene was playing and everyone was sitting around the 'dead body', dabbing their glycerined eyes. The heroine sniffed into her hanky. Heart-rending scene indeed. But Rajiv was busy looking at the lesser actors, shaking their heads vigorously, and wailing their guts out. He smiled. Then he looked at one girl who was standing in a corner. The camera was not directly focused on her, her face partially hidden behind another face. That was odd. She looked familiar. Maybe acted in some dumb TV serial. Rajiv craned his neck. Then he realized how stupid that was. It was a two dimensional screen, stupid...he laughed at himself. Then the camera moved and zoomed on the girl. She looked up. At him. He didn't know how to react. Then she tilted her head to her right, as if telling him to turn to his left. He turned his head slowly. It was her, sitting beside him, but watching straight at the screen. He swallowed and turned to the screen again. She was gone.
And so was the girl on his left.
******
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thank You...
Look! Up in blogosphere...
Is it a Booker? An Oscar? No, it's the Brilliante Weblog
________________________________________________________
I've penned down the retrospective many a time; so I'll refrain from going down that lane again. Instead, let me today spend a moment to think of those people who I've been at b(logger)heads with the past several years (ok, some are new but heck, I feel like I've known them for years).
I'm really bad with acceptance speeches. While I feel overwhelmed when someone says a nice word about my writing, I never know how to handle a 'real' big compliment. A sheepish thank you is all I can manage. Man of few words? Naaah, too lazy to say anything. :-)
Mampi and Pinku, both who I've known now for a few weeks now, have been gracious enough to bestow the Brilliante Weblog award on me. Thank you ladies. But be that as it may, I've realized that blogging is more about connecting. To another person's mind, life, his or her world of fantasy, adventure, feelings, and a whole lot of other aspects, which maybe don't come to the fore in person. Ok, enough already.
Now for the toughest part. Passing the baton (as the rules go). The rule of this award says, pass it on to seven or more bloggers. I say tough not because of the number seven, but I probably have so many bloggers in mind I already feel guilty that I might miss out on someone whose writing I probably loved, but have forgotten the person's link ever since. Well, anyways, here goes (And bloggers who've known me for more than a few years now, if I missed you, it's entirely due to forgetfulness, and has nothing to do with me not liking your blog. I've liked all the blogs I visited till date. All of you rock!):
Gratisgab: One of the early bloggers I got to know. Fantastic sense of humor and a sensitivity that's very rare to find these days. (Psst, she also shares my wife's name).
Alpha: Again, an old bloggerhead - great writer, terrific sense of humor. It's been a while since I visited her. This could be a great way of doing it.
Manuscrypts: Cool dude, and quite befitting his trademark 'devilish' logo he displays on his blog, at least the old one. You rock, pal!
Pinku: A recent discovery, and what a discovery! Here's a woman that deserves a standing ovation for what she's stood for. A truly gutsy lady.
Mampi: Have you seen a coconut? Tough on the outside, but quite soft on the inside. That's mampi. A very sensitive person, but at the same time, she knows how to take potshots at life. She can pack a punch. With her words, of course. ;-)
Shub: Very rarely do you come across a girl whose idea of a date is a candle light dinner, with, perhaps M.S. Dhoni?? (Shub, please forgive me if that was a totally off the hook reference). But she's a true sports lover and cries when a sportsman/woman hurts himself/herself on the field, and exhults when they excel.
Cynic in Wonderland: Hahahahahahhahahahahahaha. That's how I go when I read her posts. Our very own P.G. Wodehousini. Terrific humor writer. Must remind her again about that book I want her to come out with.
Prerona: An old bloggerhead again, a good friend, and again, a very sensitive person. Where are you girl? Don't see you at all these days. And to top it, her blog's open only by invitation these days...
GaramBhejaFry: My very good friend, in fact, he's like a younger brother. If you wanna roll on the floor laughing, then he's the guy for you. I think he's not a single 'serious' bone in his body. All are funny ones. Check him out.
There. Did it. But I repeat; there's more to this list than meets the eye. And please..all of you deserve this one. At least from me.
Is it a Booker? An Oscar? No, it's the Brilliante Weblog
________________________________________________________
I've penned down the retrospective many a time; so I'll refrain from going down that lane again. Instead, let me today spend a moment to think of those people who I've been at b(logger)heads with the past several years (ok, some are new but heck, I feel like I've known them for years).
I'm really bad with acceptance speeches. While I feel overwhelmed when someone says a nice word about my writing, I never know how to handle a 'real' big compliment. A sheepish thank you is all I can manage. Man of few words? Naaah, too lazy to say anything. :-)
Mampi and Pinku, both who I've known now for a few weeks now, have been gracious enough to bestow the Brilliante Weblog award on me. Thank you ladies. But be that as it may, I've realized that blogging is more about connecting. To another person's mind, life, his or her world of fantasy, adventure, feelings, and a whole lot of other aspects, which maybe don't come to the fore in person. Ok, enough already.
Now for the toughest part. Passing the baton (as the rules go). The rule of this award says, pass it on to seven or more bloggers. I say tough not because of the number seven, but I probably have so many bloggers in mind I already feel guilty that I might miss out on someone whose writing I probably loved, but have forgotten the person's link ever since. Well, anyways, here goes (And bloggers who've known me for more than a few years now, if I missed you, it's entirely due to forgetfulness, and has nothing to do with me not liking your blog. I've liked all the blogs I visited till date. All of you rock!):
Gratisgab: One of the early bloggers I got to know. Fantastic sense of humor and a sensitivity that's very rare to find these days. (Psst, she also shares my wife's name).
Alpha: Again, an old bloggerhead - great writer, terrific sense of humor. It's been a while since I visited her. This could be a great way of doing it.
Manuscrypts: Cool dude, and quite befitting his trademark 'devilish' logo he displays on his blog, at least the old one. You rock, pal!
Pinku: A recent discovery, and what a discovery! Here's a woman that deserves a standing ovation for what she's stood for. A truly gutsy lady.
Mampi: Have you seen a coconut? Tough on the outside, but quite soft on the inside. That's mampi. A very sensitive person, but at the same time, she knows how to take potshots at life. She can pack a punch. With her words, of course. ;-)
Shub: Very rarely do you come across a girl whose idea of a date is a candle light dinner, with, perhaps M.S. Dhoni?? (Shub, please forgive me if that was a totally off the hook reference). But she's a true sports lover and cries when a sportsman/woman hurts himself/herself on the field, and exhults when they excel.
Cynic in Wonderland: Hahahahahahhahahahahahaha. That's how I go when I read her posts. Our very own P.G. Wodehousini. Terrific humor writer. Must remind her again about that book I want her to come out with.
Prerona: An old bloggerhead again, a good friend, and again, a very sensitive person. Where are you girl? Don't see you at all these days. And to top it, her blog's open only by invitation these days...
GaramBhejaFry: My very good friend, in fact, he's like a younger brother. If you wanna roll on the floor laughing, then he's the guy for you. I think he's not a single 'serious' bone in his body. All are funny ones. Check him out.
There. Did it. But I repeat; there's more to this list than meets the eye. And please..all of you deserve this one. At least from me.
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