Very recently, I crawled into a philosophical mode wondering if meditation is a form of distraction. I mean, you stress yourself with hajaar worldly matters and then you run for that yoga class that helps you meditate. Aren't you distracting yourself from those matters? Is it not escapism? Is it not running-away? In short, is it not cowardice?
Spoke with papa about it. He opined that meditation surely is running away from these stress-catalysts, but only temporarily. It is a way for one to focus on the mind, and strenghten it. And once this is done, this strength is to be utilized in focussing on solving those 'worldy-matters'. So, meditation is more of a 'conditioning camp' to better prepare the 'top-floor'!
Speaking of 'conditioning camp' and all, I *have* to speak about Prahaar. Saw it today in bits and pieces. I must have seen this movie 7-8 times when I was younger, and everytime I saw it I would love it without bounds. This time, though, it was different. I could read the symbolism hidden within many moments/objects/expressions. In less than 20 such minutes, I had become a Nana Patekar fan for his amazing direction. And it wasn't just the rough and tough scenes, it was also the highly emotional scenes as well (I felt like flooding at one scene involving Madhuri); and ofcourse the scene where our commando-jokers (2by2 - remember?) are trying to find some breathing space.
('haal kaisa hai janaab ka' playing in the background)
diganta (2by2): Cigarette kaun pee raha hai? Usko bol .. thoda dhuan idhar bhi fenke!
and then ..
Joker 1: Peter .. Peter .. meri naak pe makkhi bathi hai usko uda de yaar
Peter: Ud jaa .. bhai .. Ud Jaa...... Ud Gayi?
Joker 1: Nahin yaar. Ye bhi najaayaz fayda utha rahi hai.
Peter: Chauhan (Patekar) se kaho .. use dus round ka order de. Run .. run ... !!
The music in the film was rendered by Laxmi-Pyare - and it is phenomenal. Just too much - and I hate to realise that how such lovely songs get lost in the oblivion just because the film wasn't an out-and-out commercial movie nor an out-an-out art movie. For one, Manna De has sung a nice song in this movie. Anyway, I would recommend my friends to watch it soon in solace at tea time.
Here's why innovation is so important - just imagine yourself walking straight .. and straight .. and straight without daring to explore newer directions. After a long time, a lot of effort, and a great deal of sweat, you shall find yourself just where you started. That's how are planet is. Makes any sense?
While I am at radiating useless gyaan, here's a piece of criticism - positive! The Bangalore Passport Office rocks - they reply to your queries on email, they render apointments online so that you can avoid the famous Indian 'Q', they respond on the phone, they respond to form-submissions on the net, they just do whatever they can to help you out! It's such a nice feeling to sit at home and not worry about the passport - finally. Know what! I won't even mind giving a 500/- gift to the guy at the counter! Tech city surely!
I can't, normally, post without mentioning about music. I felt Guru's painu song - Tere Bina - was one of the worst singing performances by Rahman. Everytime I hear him going 'high' in this song, I have to shut my ears and press my eyes. Chinmaye, the lady singer, sings so well. I wish Rahman never does this kind of thing again. Speaking of singers, isn't Vasundhara Das sensational?!
By the way, I just realised how unique the song, "Mere Dushman Tu Meri Dosti Ko Tarse" is. I have never heard a song where someone curses a loved-one with so much spite. One of these days, when you are in the Rafi mood, go for this song. Listen to it. It's awesome!
Wondering what the picture is all about? That's "Virgin Cherry" ...! No offences meant - if I meant any, I would have gone to Arsene Wenger. Arsenal could do with some offensive potency given their recent goal scoring form!
The most common form of a marriage proposal: "YOU'RE WHAT!!?"
