After long time I have written so much. Always wanted to do this but never managed to bring myself to do it. With year end and new beginning, I was wondering what do I want to do this year. Procrastination came on top list - i.e. to stop doing it and getting things done. I am a writer of many unpublished thoughts and stories. I must have written numerous stories and essays in mind but hardly on paper.
Procrastination was just 1 reason. Probably it was effect and not cause of lack of writing. Underlying issue is my lack of self-confidence in my writing skills. I must have tried - not full heartedly - numerous books that could teach me tricks on writing. Finally I found the book: A Writer's Coach (http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Coach-Editors-Guide-Words/dp/0375423273). And I learned, there is no short cut - daily writing is the only way. To add to this, I am reading Naipaul's essay and I knew it - there is writer in me and I need to bring it out.
In this tech era - a blog era - how difficult can it get. My initial posts are just to fight my inertia. I will persevere to improve and write on for life. This is just a beginning of new year.... I aim to write weekly here. Hopefully....
Finally my typing can't keep up with my speed of thought. I got to go... . Catch up later.
Friday 28 December 2007
Taare Zameen Par - A must watch
A Little Sweet, A Little Sour
A Little Close Not Too Far
All I Need, All I Need
All I Need Is To Be Free (http://www.sweetslyrics.com/540060.TAARE%20ZAMEEN%20PAR%20movie%20-%20Mera%20Jahan.html)
This song from movie aptly describes Ishaan, protagonist's emotions and feeling. The story is about Ishaan. (More: http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/13306/index.html) I am not going to repeat here what can easily be googled i.e. movie preview, reviews. Below is my personal review on the movie.
Aamir Khan was my hero when I watched him in Hum Hai Rahi Pyar ke. A lost and confused uncle, trying to understand himself and his 2 nephew and a niece. It was my favourite movie as a child. Last week I watched Taare Zameen Par - and I was glad to be Aamir's ardent fan. He proved everyone wrong and emerged as one of the finest director. I believe TZP going to go down in history has 1 of the finest cinema. Songs, direction, acting - just perfect.
Performances: I love the lady who acted as Ishaan's mum. She has starred in some serials. I remember her as Riya from Astitva. Always liked her bold, confident look. She is natural as distressed mum. Each and every scene well delivered. Aamir, he is but the best. Again a new role and new image. He is great but this time he is only a supporting actor. The real star Ishaan a.ka. Darshil.
He was just amazing. I am waiting to see more from him now. I really hope he turns out decent looking because he is a fantastic actor. If as a child he can deliver so much - bollywood is waiting for him. But I hope he doesn't turn out as Kunal Khemu (again from Hum Hai Rahi..). He looks not-so-good.... Kher long way to go for Kunal. Waiting for Aamir's next movie.
Also, I found this blog, supposedly by Aamir. http://www.aamirkhan.com/blog.htm. I have posted my thoughts there and congratulated him. I hope its actually his blog. Assuming it is, he is a good writer.
About songs: They are inspirational and composition awesome. Shankar Ehsaan Loy are great pair. But it was getting monotonous - similar beats - rock n roll soniye, It's the time to disco... but this movie - its simply brilliant. Song 'Mera Jahan' makes feel like flying in the open skies....
As usual, lot to say but too tired to type. Will add later. Cheers!
A Little Close Not Too Far
All I Need, All I Need
All I Need Is To Be Free (http://www.sweetslyrics.com/540060.TAARE%20ZAMEEN%20PAR%20movie%20-%20Mera%20Jahan.html)
This song from movie aptly describes Ishaan, protagonist's emotions and feeling. The story is about Ishaan. (More: http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/13306/index.html) I am not going to repeat here what can easily be googled i.e. movie preview, reviews. Below is my personal review on the movie.
Aamir Khan was my hero when I watched him in Hum Hai Rahi Pyar ke. A lost and confused uncle, trying to understand himself and his 2 nephew and a niece. It was my favourite movie as a child. Last week I watched Taare Zameen Par - and I was glad to be Aamir's ardent fan. He proved everyone wrong and emerged as one of the finest director. I believe TZP going to go down in history has 1 of the finest cinema. Songs, direction, acting - just perfect.
Performances: I love the lady who acted as Ishaan's mum. She has starred in some serials. I remember her as Riya from Astitva. Always liked her bold, confident look. She is natural as distressed mum. Each and every scene well delivered. Aamir, he is but the best. Again a new role and new image. He is great but this time he is only a supporting actor. The real star Ishaan a.ka. Darshil.
He was just amazing. I am waiting to see more from him now. I really hope he turns out decent looking because he is a fantastic actor. If as a child he can deliver so much - bollywood is waiting for him. But I hope he doesn't turn out as Kunal Khemu (again from Hum Hai Rahi..). He looks not-so-good.... Kher long way to go for Kunal. Waiting for Aamir's next movie.
Also, I found this blog, supposedly by Aamir. http://www.aamirkhan.com/blog.htm. I have posted my thoughts there and congratulated him. I hope its actually his blog. Assuming it is, he is a good writer.
About songs: They are inspirational and composition awesome. Shankar Ehsaan Loy are great pair. But it was getting monotonous - similar beats - rock n roll soniye, It's the time to disco... but this movie - its simply brilliant. Song 'Mera Jahan' makes feel like flying in the open skies....
As usual, lot to say but too tired to type. Will add later. Cheers!
Bhutto Assassinated
In the morning when I picked up the paper - I didn't believe the headlines. "Bhuto Assassinated". Shock, disbelief and worried - my initial reaction. Benazir Bhutto was ex-prime minister of Pakistan, first woman to lead an Islamic state. She led Pakistan from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. Later, President Farooq Leghari dismissed her second administration amid accusations of corruption, intimidation of the judiciary, a breakdown of law and order, and undermining the justice system. After 8 years of self imposed exile, Bhutto had returned to Pakistan to stand for the Jan 8. But with her exit, the equation has changed.
Initially, I was reminded of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Only similarity is both are from political background and both were assassinated. I was not comparing the situation but rather the feeling of what a nation will be going through, the change in political landscape and long term implication of this.
Though Al Qaeda has claimed the reponsibility, conspiracy theories are rampant. Mushraff could have been involved. All the militant groups who hated Bhutto could have finally succeeded. I can't rule out Nawaz Sharif, who is leader of Muslim League-N party. Just my instincts in the last one.
Sadly, I am not familiar with different policies of parties in election and who may win. But for sure, it is not going to be the same. I will read up and add on here.
Bhutto's orbituary on CNN. Good read: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/27/bhutto.obit/index.html
Initially, I was reminded of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Only similarity is both are from political background and both were assassinated. I was not comparing the situation but rather the feeling of what a nation will be going through, the change in political landscape and long term implication of this.
Though Al Qaeda has claimed the reponsibility, conspiracy theories are rampant. Mushraff could have been involved. All the militant groups who hated Bhutto could have finally succeeded. I can't rule out Nawaz Sharif, who is leader of Muslim League-N party. Just my instincts in the last one.
Sadly, I am not familiar with different policies of parties in election and who may win. But for sure, it is not going to be the same. I will read up and add on here.
Bhutto's orbituary on CNN. Good read: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/27/bhutto.obit/index.html
Friday 18 May 2007
In pursuit of creativity - how creative...
I was never artistic. Nope, its not revelation nor acceptance but a simple statement. Yesterday, after dinner PD showed her cartoon drawings. She had this sudden inspiration from somewhere and she drew beautiful Tom & Jerry cartoons. Flaunting her art, this fact was revealed to me.
During my teens, in Ankleshwar I was living in colony. My friends used to sign up for all sorts of arts courses – glass painting, nib-painting heena etc etc etc. Not me. I blamed my mother for not putting me in those courses. But the fact is – I hated it. I lacked the patience. And creativity is not my realm.
So I delved on, what would I have done if not these courses. Computers. How I wish they existed in Ankleshwar and there was all the programming and coding to be done then. My earliest memory for computer dates back to turtle. Left 5, up 8 and right 5 and down 8 – there we go – my square. It is from computer labs from Gyan Dham, Vapi. So I was barely 10 then. How I wish it would have continued and during my teens I would have atleast learn basic dos. But well that’s the loss of being raised in small town. (Just discovered that Ank is town of 67000 people.)
Computer ruled out, next, I could have taken up writing. Ah, now it sounds something plausible. And I did write. My loose poetries, attempt at essays and I am unsure if I was good at it. The only recognition I have is winning poetry contest in 6th standard at age of 12. Now that should have motivated me. But na, it lasted a while.
Next, I started collecting – pictures to make a collage. Thought, can’t draw a straight line, can atleast cut and paste pictures! I have good cards and pictures collected over last 4 years. But still, they are just lying there. Here I lost myself not due to lack of creativity, but to admit - laziness. However, frankly said, I did attempt to paste it – but then it was so dumb and so dull – I called quits.
That reminds me of incomplete needle work lying in study table. It is simple flower and embroidery of approximately 2x2 inches. But it lies there, abandoned and forgotten. Many such half hearted attempts, calligraphy, needle work, keyboard, heena and others
Leaves me with tinge of guilt and it says – you are no good with this work, give up – your pursuit of creativity.
But, I have one last skill which vouches for my creative gene – dancing! I was a decent Bharatnatyam dancer. My first performance at age of 9; leader at age of 13 and choreographer since – around that age as well. Bottom line, I am performance artist.
So, till date I succeeded at 2 attempts – dancing and writing. A common link, expression. Though none have admired my writing, like dancing, but both allow me to be lost and take me to place where I am one with One. Bring me closer in pursuit of the One.
During my teens, in Ankleshwar I was living in colony. My friends used to sign up for all sorts of arts courses – glass painting, nib-painting heena etc etc etc. Not me. I blamed my mother for not putting me in those courses. But the fact is – I hated it. I lacked the patience. And creativity is not my realm.
So I delved on, what would I have done if not these courses. Computers. How I wish they existed in Ankleshwar and there was all the programming and coding to be done then. My earliest memory for computer dates back to turtle. Left 5, up 8 and right 5 and down 8 – there we go – my square. It is from computer labs from Gyan Dham, Vapi. So I was barely 10 then. How I wish it would have continued and during my teens I would have atleast learn basic dos. But well that’s the loss of being raised in small town. (Just discovered that Ank is town of 67000 people.)
Computer ruled out, next, I could have taken up writing. Ah, now it sounds something plausible. And I did write. My loose poetries, attempt at essays and I am unsure if I was good at it. The only recognition I have is winning poetry contest in 6th standard at age of 12. Now that should have motivated me. But na, it lasted a while.
Next, I started collecting – pictures to make a collage. Thought, can’t draw a straight line, can atleast cut and paste pictures! I have good cards and pictures collected over last 4 years. But still, they are just lying there. Here I lost myself not due to lack of creativity, but to admit - laziness. However, frankly said, I did attempt to paste it – but then it was so dumb and so dull – I called quits.
That reminds me of incomplete needle work lying in study table. It is simple flower and embroidery of approximately 2x2 inches. But it lies there, abandoned and forgotten. Many such half hearted attempts, calligraphy, needle work, keyboard, heena and others
Leaves me with tinge of guilt and it says – you are no good with this work, give up – your pursuit of creativity.
But, I have one last skill which vouches for my creative gene – dancing! I was a decent Bharatnatyam dancer. My first performance at age of 9; leader at age of 13 and choreographer since – around that age as well. Bottom line, I am performance artist.
So, till date I succeeded at 2 attempts – dancing and writing. A common link, expression. Though none have admired my writing, like dancing, but both allow me to be lost and take me to place where I am one with One. Bring me closer in pursuit of the One.
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