A glass of steaming milky syrupy tea is best served cut. One by two or two by three, it embodies the spirit of sharing and camaraderie (and more significantly a resource crunch). Come, have a sip.
News organisations try to sell themselves in the garb of delivering the truth to their readers/viewers/listeners. Those are associated with the news industry are aware of the degrees, deviations and definitions of that truth (the public does too).
There are fabricated stories which popup occasionally and then rest peacefully in the archives. Then there are some untruths (though trivial) that we face daily. And these irritate. One such is the opening visual of CNN-IBN's primetime bulletin.
[00:00:20]
The voiceover triumphantly announces, "This is India at 9 and broadcasting live from the CNN-IBN headquarters at New Delhi with..."
As far as I know CNN-IBN (Global Broadcast News) is located at the Express Trade Tower (the building shown in the video) which is situated at Sector 16-A Noida, aka Film City. Noida isn't even a part of Delhi, leave alone New Delhi. It is Uttar Pradesh, a different state. New Delhi ends on the western bank of the Yamuna.
The logic of NCR (National Capital Region) also doesn't work, NCR isn't New Delhi, New Delhi is just the centre of it. And for all practical purposes the concept seems to be applicable for only the mobile phone networks and advertisers for realty developers.
Ideally the NCR (consisting of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Faridabad...) should be treated as a special zone with no restrictions. Autos from Delhi don't venture into UP or Haryana; if they do they fleece you for the bribe that they have to pay to the cops. Delhi Transport Corporation stopped its services to UP and the two states have been battling over the rights of inter-state routes.
The idea of Noida being a part of New Delhi is welcome to some. So let us be aware of the ground realities and attempt to present or viewers the same. Even if "Broadcasting live from the CNN-IBN headquarters at Noida," might not sound chic.
The verdict's out. And Cutting the Chai got 41 votes (seventh amongst the 19 in the 'Best Topical Indiblog' category). Nine people had confirmed that they did vote for this blog (I expected at the most 17 votes). Thanks to them and the other 32. Four blogs that I voted for, won in their respective categories.
The Great Bong is the 'Best Indiblog of the Year' and also the 'Most Humorous Indiblog.' And Digital Inspiration is the 'Best Science/Technology Indiblog.' For the rest of the list go here.
Since they didn't have any badges for the nominees to show off, I made one for myself.
[Click on image for a larger view / download options]
I'm enjoying putting up these slide shows. So thought of doing away with my (obnoxious) practice of putting up a separate post for title images which I 'retire.' Instead will have this single post with an updatable slideshow featuring all the images that adorned the title space of this blog.
[Click on image for a larger view / download options]
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Fathehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in honour of the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti {and also his conquest of Gujarat). It is believed that it was by his blessings that the Emperor got a son, Jehangir. Constructed in the sixteenth century, Fatehpur Sikri derives its name from Fatehpur (literally the City of Victory) and Sikri, an adjoining village where Salim Chisti resided. The red sandstone structure houses the tomb (dargah) of Salim Chisti, the humongous Buland Darwaza and the Jama Masjid.
Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned about a decade-and-a-half after it was built, purportedly for the lack of water (one woe that continues to ail modern India). We (four of us) visited Jalaluddin Muhammad's short-lived capital on the eve of the New Year. No partying for us, it was basking in history centuries old.
Last year everyone was all gaga about the Moto RAZR. I was too, looking at the ads and reading the reviews. Until I got my hands on one. It's good, but not as good as I had expected it to be, given the widespread extolment. Its lwasn't exactly the stunner that it pretended to be. It should have been a little slimmer. The guys at Moto overheard me (all my great ideas get lifted this way) and came up with the KRZR, over a centimetre narrower than its predecessor. But now it looks anorexic (usually happens with stolen ideas).
As the seventh year from the year that many celebrated as the beginning of the new millennium (but the Cubans didn't) began, the horticulturists at Apple unveiled to the world the hybrid of a mobile phone, an iPod and an internet communications device.
If you were all ogling that the sexy thing (expectedly) called the iPhone, LG and Prada delivered a sexy babe (the mobile, not the girl).
The drool session isn't over yet, here's a Swede bombshell - Neonode N2 (it supposedly can give the iPhone a real scare).
And a few days ago when I stepped into a music store and I found out exactly how music companies can win in this battle. Most of the MP3 albums that music companies (the legit ones) release are either instrumental or cover versions of popular numbers. The original is still relegated to the overpriced audio CDs. Therefore I was surprised to find a huge number of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's MP3 CDs on the rack (there were others too). They were from T-Series. I looked at the price; it was a very pleasant Rs 35 (around 75 cents). The number of songs, 35. That's merely a rupee a song!
The 35 songs might occupy only 236MB of the disc space and you'd say what a waste of 464MB. Could have fitted in 90 more numbers. Even the packaging looks cheap. But at a rupee a song you just can't ask for better. And T-Series' MP3 bouquet of original music is increasing. Other companies should take a lesson from the company which gave them a run for their money since it began operations two-decades ago. The alleged pirates of the 1980s are showing the way to fight the pirates of the 2000s.
I didn't hesitate a moment before purchasing the CD. Not will others, given the price and the choice available. I would rather not waste half-a-day looking for 'free' stuff on the net and another half downloading it. Is anyone else hearing me?
I had got my very first Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan album back in the mid-nineties for Rs 27 (an audio cassette), and that too was from T-Series. Titled Mera Piya Ghar Aaya, it had Madhuri Dixit (performing in the lifted number) on the cover.
Black Friday Producer: Arindam Mitra Director: Anurag Kashyap Music: Indian Ocean Lyrics: Piyush Mishra Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Aditya Shrivastava, Pawan Malhotra Cinematography: N Nataraja Subramaniam Editor: Aarti Bajaj
A couple of years back my brother called me up and asked to courier him Indian Ocean's latest album. It hadn't reached the music stores in faraway Shillong. I got it and when as the strains of Aare ruk jaa re bandeh... started flowing from my desktop speakers, I sat on the ground. Indian Ocean was just getting better and better.
To experience a similar experience, I waited for the movie to release, and stopped myself from getting a pirated copy which was selling and circulating quite well since the ban. Yesterday as I sat in a 3/4th empty mosquito infested hall at a multiplex in Noida and the opening scenes had a similar spellbinding effect. Marvellous! But that was the highpoint of the movie. You see the best as soon as the film begins and you expect better as the film progresses, but that is a tough task, which Anurag Kashyap couldn't perform, so he again brings back the film, through the series of flashbacks and flashforwards, to the blast at the Bombay Stock Exchange.
A docudrama, Black Friday gets us into what happened before and after Friday, March 12, 1993. Someone who is not really clued into the details of the blast would at parts be left clueless trying to comprehend what is happening. Some scenes towards the later part of the movie do not gel into the whole frame and I was left thinking from where did these characters come from and who are these guys. Maybe I should read S Hussain Zaidis' book and then go for a second helping.
Talking of performances, it was excellent. Kay Kay, as usual, was good, but he seems to lack in versatility. He appears similar in all the movies. Kay Kay doesn't deserve to go the Nana Patekar way (you've seen one, you've seen all). But the best is Nawazuddin, playing the role of Asgar Muqadam (Tiger Memon's secretary manager). You have to see him act to understand what I mean, especially in the interrogation scenes. Naseeruddin Shah was supposed to play the role of Tiger Memon (played by Pavan Malhotra) and Irrfan was to be Badshah Khan (played by Aditya Srivastava), but both backed off as they didn't want to play a Muslim terrorist. Irrfan was comfortable playing Rakesh Maria, but Anurag insisted on Kay Kay. The cast is long and even Anurag makes a cameo (we thought so). And yes, there's Dawood Ibrahim (Gajraj Rao) too. The scene in which Dawood makes his first appearance is beautifully shot.
There were light hearted moments in between the blood and the violence, especially a long-drawn realistic but hugely hilarious chase sequence where the police try to catch Imtiaz Ghavate. The book and the movie might have been about the Bombay Bomb Blasts and doesn't shy away from taking names. My friend who accompanied me to the film, asked, "Where was Sanjay Dutt?" Dutt as the court verdict said wasn't directly linked with the blasts, but the AK56s were there (even in the film), and the public wanted a glimpse of the man who kept the news channels so uselessly busy of late.
My complaint, Indian Ocean's excellent music was not used well.
Rating? Do I need to come up with a rating system for my inconsistent reviews?
A synopsis of the film is available here Cast and crew details can be found here
It might not be the Oscars, but is surely close to a blogadesh Filmfare (given the public polling and the little controversies). And the news is that Cutting the Chai is in the final nomination list (the vote me badge on the left panel is explicit enough). Thanks, Dwaipayan for letting me know.
Giving me company in the 'Best Topical Indiblog' category are quite a few familiar blogs which I frequent and that makes me feel overawed. Well there's the typist Dilip D'Souza; the anonymous (not exactly) K; the crusade against the eve-teasing menace Blank Noise Project; the Bombay Addict (who sways between Mumbai and the older name and puts up a question on the URL only to answer it in the title); TA Abinandanan who is researching on 'computational modelling of microstructural evolution during phase transformations, grain growth, sintering and high temperature deformation' (not that I could make much of that); Anant Rangaswami, who got me thinking of pigs with wings and multi-religious cigarettes; Rashmi Bansal always preferring her curry without Eye Eye Pee Em adulterants; and, ahem! eM.
While going through the list, I found that an overwhelming number of nominees blog on Blogspot, a very few from the WordPress domain and a respectable number own personal domains. The much touted (but massively unsuccessful) desi blogging platforms are nowhere.
There were more than 700 nominations, the jury then came up with a shortlist of 175 for the public to decide. I haven't voted yet, but will before February 20, 2007, the last day of the polls.
Well... not exactly. The title of the post is a bit misleading. In fact it is the best Bollywood (Hindi / Hindustani) love songs that I could recall and also find the videos of. Which makes it a compilation of convenience rather than a comprehensive one.
Anyway, befitting the mood of the day (though I never did 'celebrate' this day, but it being associated with love, I'm all for it) here are The Best Bollywood Love Songs Ever*(*conditions apply) (A list of included songs is at the end of this post).
(In no particular order and with many notable omissions. Reasons mentioned above)
* Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein (Chori Chori) * Aankhen Bhi Hoti Hai Dil Ki Zuban (Haasil) * Abhi Na Jao Chod Kar (Hum Dono) * Ae kaash ke hum (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa) * Aye Mere Humsafar (Quayamat Se Quayamat Tak) * Aye Uri Uri Uri (Saathiya) * Baahaon Ke Darmiyan (Khamoshi) * Chalo Dildar Chalo (Paakezah) * Chehra Hain Ya (Saagar) * Chookar Mere Man Ko (Yaarana) * Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar (Tere Ghar Ke Samne) * Do Dil Mil Rahein Hain (Pardes) * Dil Tadap Tadap Ke (Madhumati) * Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua (Shree 420) * Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna (Kudrat) * Jo Wada Kiya Woh (Taj Mahal) * Khoya Khoya Chaand (Kala Bazar) * Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar (Junglee) * Ek Ajnabee Hasina Se (Ajnebee) * Ek Ladki Ko Dekha (1942 A Love Story) * Hoshwalon Ko Khabar Kya (Sarfarosh) * Pehla Pehla Pyar Hain (Hum Aapke Hain Kaun) * Hum Hain Is Pal Yahan (Kisna) * Jiya O (Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hain) * Karvate Badalte Rahen (Aap Ki Kasam) * Khwaab Ho Tum Ya (Teen Deviyan) * Lag Jaa Gale (Woh Kaun Thi) * Mein Shayar To Nahin (Bobby) * Mein Yahan Hoon Yahan (Veer-Zara) * Mein Koi Aisa Geet Gaaun (Yes Boss) * Mere Sapno Ki Rani (Aradhana) * O Re Chori (Lagaan) * Phoolon Ke Rang Se (Prem Pujari) * Raat Akeli Hain (Dev Anand) * Suraj Hua Madhyam (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum) * Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina (Abhimaan) * Tere Mere Sapne (Guide) * Tere Mere Beech Mein (Ek Duje Ke Liye) * Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jana Sanam (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) * Tum Aa Gaye Ho (Aandhi) * Tum Bin Jaaon Kahan (Pyar Ka Mausam) * Tumse Milke Aisa Laga (Parinda) * Dil Cheez Kya Hain (Umrao Jaan) * Kabhi Neem Neem (Yuva) * Pehla Nasha (Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar) * Chura Liya Hain (Yaadon Ki Baarat) * Jab Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (Mughl-e-Azam)
Love, the mainstay of Indian cinema and film-music (over 95 per cent of film songs would be love-based. Maybe I'm underestimating) cannot be relegated to a list of 47 songs. What's your favourite love song (that this list missed)?
Peugeot's India story didn't have a happy ending. Differences between partners, cash crunch, labour unrest and mounting losses led the Italian French automaker take the exit route from India. But one of its ads shot in India did stay, in email attachments, video sharing sites and a few blogs.
"Tera husan bahut mujhe bhaata hai, Tere sang naachun jee chahta hai..." the catchy song in the ad (which re-emerged later in many hit remixed avatars) was composed by Dutch musicians Niels Zuiderhoek and Jeroen den Hengst. A free downloadable file [MP3 3.74 MB 192kbps 44 kHz 00:02:43 Stereo] of the song can be found here.
Don't go for megapixels I tell everyone and even had written about it in a tech column that I used to pen for a youth magazine. But given all the guru gyaan and the advertising blitzkrieg that digicam companies have embarked upon, very few people had taken my advice seriously.
About a year later I find a voice of support, from New York Times columnist David Pogue.
I own a 4.1 megapixel camera, but I hardly shoot any photos using the highest resolution, most of my photos are shot at 1 megapixel, and the results are as good. In fact a few of my best photographs have been shot at VGA resolution (640X480) and the prints are as clear as the rest. Unless I need a humongous print of my pics (which is a 1 in 100,000 possibility), what would I do with a 10 megapixel camera?
Most of us hardly get prints of our pics and when we do we get at most a postcard-sized print. That's many thousands of rupees of worthless megapixels down the drain. I would suggest that you put your money where it matters - the lens. And no digital zoom please. That's another hoax.
[The accompanying pic was shot at VGA resolution (640X480)]
San has been scribbling on her blog since April 2005 and she had 32 posts in the first month itself (I managed only three). She's into film reviewing (though her profile states that she's quite fussy about her choice of films) on her blog nowadays, but also writes about haircuts, matrimonial woes, love, cricket (yes, women also write about cricket) and gymming. San has a liking for Indian writing in English, her blog's good to look at too (I've a weakness for the darker backgrounds in blogs) and her slippers are fluffy.
For the reasons cited above (and more) the Tenth Isspecial Cutting Chai (January 2007) is offered to San of Sanny's Scribbles.
And they (including the awards jury and the critics) find the noisy, unimaginative and slapstick Hum Paanch funny?
Sarabhai vs Sarabhai is directed by Deven Bhojani, who many of us will recall as Karima from another classic comedy, Dekh Bhai Dekh. He also plays the role of Dushyant, Mara Sarabhai's son-in-law in the serial (friends say that I often act like the character). Here's some select shots from season one.
Eagerly awaiting season two. Still wondering why they took it off air in the first place?
Complete episodes are available for download at Indya.com. The introductory episode is available for free (though you need to feed in your credit card details)
Reads, "Japanese Jinrickshaws, very light, strong and easy runnin..." and the specifications follow.
A 1925 ad for Colgate's Cashmere Bouquet Toilet Soap.
Another early Colgate ad. This time for Colgate's Ribbon Dental Cream.
Fancy a Chevrolet for Rs. 2700? Well there's the Coach for Rs. 3600 and Sedan for Rs. 3900. But then it was in the 1920s, else I would've had one for each day of the week.
Since it seems to be a season of kids in ads at Cutting the Chai. Here's another classic.
[Kid at a railway station.]
Bablu: Ramu Kaka! Ramu Kaka: Aare Bablu yahan kya kar rahe ho? (Bablu! What are you doing here?) Bablu: Sab gussa karte hain. Main ghar chor ke ja raha hoon. (Everyone gets angry with me. So I'm leaving home) Ramu Kaka: Magar ghar mein to Mummy ne garma garam jalebiyan banayee hain! (But at home, Mummy has prepared hot jalebis!) Bablu: Jalebee! Ramu Kaka: Hm
[Ramu Kaka takes Bablu home on his bicycle.]
Mummy: To kya tai kiya aapne? (So, what have you decided?) Hm? Bablu: Mmmm... Jana to hain... magar.. (Have to go, but...) Dad: Haan magar bees pachis saal baad (But after 20, 25 years) VO: Vishudha Dhara. Ankokha asar. Dhara (Pure Dhara. Unique effect)
[Agency: Mudra]
Enough of reading. Now to the real stuff (the video).
Pity, I never ran away from home (though did a lot of searching for people who did. Hope you idiots are reading this). Once I thought of it, but the darkness outside and the stories of the lurking snakes, foxes and ghosts put cold water over all my plans. Anyway, it's too late now.
News organisations try to sell themselves in the garb of delivering the truth to their readers/viewers/listeners. Those are associated with the news industry are aware of the degrees, deviations and definitions of that truth (the public does too).
