Such Moments

I played a fundamentalist who vandalized an art galary, in a stage play called Wood. There was this guy called Prasanna who acted as one of the visitors to the gallery in it. Since his was a minor, non-speaking role he had come only a couple of times for the rehearsal. We had exchanged just a few words on those occasions. During one of our shows I cut my right index finger. I had to carry a blade for the role, which required me to bring down paintings. That was the time I was getting fascinated by method acting. While ravaging the gallery, in a moment of intensity, I managed to let the blade cut me.Despite of the blade being relatively bland the cut was deep enough to cause substantial bleeding. I did not even notice how bad it was until I left the stage.Our director was playing the lead role and was caught up on stage. Most of the cast and crew were preoccupied with various work related to the play. I went to the washbasin in the backstage room, and let water fall on my finger, which was bleeding quite badly by now. Prasanna came up to me at this time. When he saw me in some pain and noticed that the bleeding had not stopped, he immediately insisted on taking me to a hospital. I felt awkward being helped by a relative stranger. I insisted that I would manage until one of my friends came. Ignoring my polite reply he short of dragged me to the hospital. He oversaw the first aid and bandaging done by the nurse and doctor. He paid the bill at the hospital, dropped me off at Alliance,where the play was being staged and left.The injury turned out to be superficial, not requiring any stitches. So the next day I was able to perform with a bandaged finger. When I saw Prasanna the first thing I did was thank him and pay him for the hospital expenditure. I was very embarrassed that he had left the previous day before I had payed him. Was I really able to pay him back for what he did for me? Is it possible to measure the value of someone’s spontaneous kindness to a virtual stranger? Any effort to put such moments of genuine compassion and concern for a fellow human being in words can only result in failure. I don’t know if I will ever meet this guy again. But one thing I know for certain. I received affirmation that day of something Nalasivam, played by Kamal Hassan says in Anbey Sivam.Which is“muna pina teriyada ore paiyanukaga kanner odara anda manase iruke…adan kadavul”.Roughly translated this means, the heart that cares and aches for a stranger’s suffering, that is the divine.

Celebrities and Social Consciousness (Part-2)

Let us take the extreme example of Amitabh Bachan, who has quite literally made a Faustian bargain. He has been going around signing adds left, right and center.I am sure he does not mind the smell of tainted money. For those of you who don’t know Eveready batteries, which the actor endorses, is a subsidiary of Union Carbide, of Bhopal Gas Tragedy infamy. I was disgusted to see him endorsing the product in two successive young world issues. He seems willing to stoop to any level to build his already overflowing wealth. Other celebrities I am not judgmental of. Infact some of my favorite film personalities and sportsmen endorse some products like Coke or Pepsi. I just feel some of them don’t know, given their busy schedules how serious the violations-both environmental and humanitarian-caused by these companies are. It is the role of the media, socially aware citizens and NGO’s to bring this to their notice. Some of you might have seen a recent coke add on tv, that seems to say that, in India we don’t have water. But don’t worry coke is there even in such a place. As an Indian I feel insulted by this add. I also remember our teacher, Arun Anna, telling us in environmental science class, something that the Indian CEO of one of the colas said. Basically it was something to the effect of how in India the giant colas are not competing with each other, but with the guys who sell fresh fruit juices. They want to capture (and have probably done so substantially)that market. Several of our celebrities claimed that they wont directly or indirectly endorse alcohol or cigarette products, as it is unethical to do us. I want to bring it to their notice that some of the products they currently endorse are so dubious, that it would be better to campaign for alcohol or cigarette companies. Somebody told me that Mr.Bachan may not be aware of what Eveready represents. I think that is a whole lot of B S.In this age of information explosion all someone needs to do is a google search to find out the track record of what they are considering endorsing.So an attitude of not knowing is willful negligence. Ps-Amitabh Bachan is an exception and as mentioned above an extreme example. I still have faith in our celebrities. I am nobody to judge them and some of them are very nice people. All of us take time to figure things out. I can only hope our stars do that, regarding what they promote, sooner than later. As I mentioned in the first part of this article some of them contribute to society in some way or other.

Everlasting Music

* He is the first Indian to have written a western classical symphony. The year is 1976.In a highway tea kadai(shop) somewhere in South India, the radio is playing a Hindi song. Somebody decides to change the frequency to the Tamil radio station to hear the day’s tidings. After the news a song going “machana parthingala?”is played. The people in the teashop sit spell bound by it. This could be a description of anywhere in southern India where music was being played at that time. *He is the first Asian to have performed at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, of England. My father used to love this song Pongathave from Nilalgal.His singing this song to me is probably my first conscious memory of being mesmerized by Illayaraja’s music. From the pathos of ‘tenpandi chemayile’ to the mild jazz swing song ‘rambambam arambam’one did not have to be a conosier of music to appreciate the sheer genius and variety of this man’s oceanic music. *He has invented new ragas, Panchamukhi, being just one among them. As a boy growing up in Madras, other than the little of Bee Gees or Abba I had been exposed to, music literally meant Illayaraja.Can any of us who were kids at that time forget humming, with traces of malalai(baby talk)”Anjali…anjali…anjali’?After a few years when a new wave in the form of Allah Rakha Rehman had us all spellbound, I started rediscovering Raja’s music again. The sabbatical from listening to his music only made me value it further once I got back to it like a prodigal fan. *He introduced Digital music, synthesized music and track recording into the music industry in South India. After several years of exposure to his music I am still spellbound by its infinity.Now as an adult I am able to appreciate his works such as, “How to name It?” which I had not heard as a child. The only word to describe the fusion between western and eastern classical music in this album is magical. There are still innumerable works of Raja, Ost’s, albums such as Nothing But Wind and his devotional albums I have not listened to. This leaves me feeling excited.As I grow in life I can grow in my appreciation and love of Raja’s music. *He is the winner of multiple honorary doctorates at home and from abroad, and the recipient of several national and state awards. On the eve of,the release of his magnum opus,Tiruvasagam in Symphony, I have an earnest request to all lovers of music in India. We as a people have an uncanny knack of ignoring true genius when it is amongst us. We did not know to value Satyajit Ray in his lifetime or after. Stephen Spielberg or Yanni are more easily recognizable icons to the common Indian youngsters than Raja or Ray. Let us rectify this and make a beginning with Illayaraja and celebrate him when he is still very much present in flesh and blood.We owe this to the spirit of genius.

Our Class

Our class in school was special. What we shared together is something, which will be with us forever. Our lives have parted and we have gone in different directions. We all of us are in touch with some of our classmates at various levels. Like everything beautiful in life I realized the value of what we all had together only long after those innumerable special moments. After returning from a coffee house about a fortnight ago, this classmate of mine and I sat in his car outside my house, talking of our memories of our time together. There are so many happy and pleasant memories. I am sure all our classmates in such moments, with themselves or with others feel that bonding to every person of our wonderful class. And at such moments the passing of time stops mattering and we can almost feel being together again. All those misunderstandings and ego wars seem so petty now. For most of us I think the reason that we had these drifts was because we all wanted time to freeze in the bliss of our days together, especially the last two years. Somehow because this inevitably could not happen, it became painful, leading to some of us loosing touch. But I don’t think any of us really lost touch emotionally or ever will. For me personally, I have finally been able to overcome the pain of being separated from my wonderful classmates. All I am left with is a feeling of tremendous gratefulness for having been part of this special bunch of people. Of course there are some of them I feel more bonded to then others in my class. But that does not make me value the rest any less. This whole piece might seem sentimental, chicken soup kind of thing for some people reading this. But if any of my classmates are reading they are feeling exactly the way I am. We all celebrate what we had and indeed still have. Life is long and none of us know where it may lead us. Like someone said change is the only constant in our lives. But as we live I am sure those of us who have lost touch, will rediscover each other and those of us still in touch will never take for granted what we have. And always will.

A Boy Named Holden Caulfield

Some believe that there was a pattern in the suicides among young Americans who had read it. It was branded anti-Christian, disrespectful and vulgar. John Lennon's assassin was found with it when he was arrested. The above factors and others ensured that The Catcher in the Rye became and still remains a book steeped in controversy. More than half a century after he was created by J.D.Salinger, Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of this book remains one of the most provocative and enigmatic characters of world fiction. When I read this book as a schoolboy I felt immediately connected with the alienation, confusions and discontent that Holden feels. Nothing I have read, seen or experienced portrays so unashamedly the conflict and semi-innocence of an adolocent. His aversion to phonies (fake people) is ageless and not limited to adolescence. It is part of the human experience itself. Holden is terrible at small talk and even more terrible at dealing with plastic people. His cynicism, utter scorn and disregard, for living by and for popular society and its rules, are endearing. I never understood what made this book unacceptable to a lot of people. The only conclusion I can draw is that Holden Caulfield succeeds in making them uncomfortable. His observations of people around him and the isolation a young idealist feels in a big city (New York) where an individual’s identity gets trampled, I believe shattered the myth of a perfect post war society. It made people uncomfortable in their little comfort zones. Holden’s views, as his moods, vary from funny to obnoxious (to some), to downright innocent. We were studying Shakespeare’s Hamlet when I was reading this book and Holden’s utter dismissal of him, as a “sad screwed up kind of guy”, was hilarious to say the least. His pondering,” Where do the ducks go in winter?” is a desperate attempt of not wanting to let go of his boyhood. This is not a review or discussion of images and motifs in this book or any such thing. It is mearly an attempt to give one of fictions greatest literary mirrors, Holden Caulfield,his due. I thought I would end this article with an excerpt from the book. "I woke up singing this morning.I mean, I was happy and all. But last night, what I really felt like was jumping out the window. All I could see were these phonies -I never left the house though. They were on TV, in books and stuff,acting out madman stuff in the goddam movies.I swear sometimes I think I'm crazy,surrounded by these goddam princes making out like life's perfect and all.That kills me.Then someone wakes them up,and they all get sore as hell about it.But I lie singing in bed -there goes my crazy sense of humour again..."

Dear All, I have received conformation that an article of mine called 'Who is Tenzin Tsundue?',has been published in the Tibetan World Magazine.This is my first published article,so I am very excited.I would like to thank my friend Chime Tenzin,who read this article,and sent it to the magazine.I would also like to think Mr.Tenzin Wangchuk,Editorial Board member of the magazine,who thought my article worthy of publication and has allowed it to be published without any deletion or censoring dispite of some provocative statements about the Chinese Goverment. I thank all of you,who have been reading my blog for your support.The above mentioned article can be found in the April Archives in my blog,for those of you who have not read it.For most of you who seem to think I am a blind supporter of the Left,this article may help change that perception.I have decided that all my articles,if and when they get published in the future, will be written under my orginal name which is Ramana Siddharth and not R.S.Siddhartha(which is the name in my school and college certificates). Thanks, Yours Sincearly, Ramana Siddharth

Ullam Kekume

Directed By-Jeeva Starring-Laila, Shyam, Arya, Asin and Pooja Music-Harris Jeyraj Genre-Nostalgia College friends get together for the marriage of one of their classmates. Eman (Arya) who is a popular cricketer is getting married. As they meet they nostalgically reflect about their college life together, and the triumphs and tribulations that accompany it. The story while including several college friends is primarily about a circle of five friends. Ullam Kekume is a movie in the same genre as Autograph, that is, nostalgia. Though obviously this is not a movie in the same class as the former, it has the same effect on the audience. It will remind some of their college days, some about their school days. For me it is the second, as I am sure it will be for most of my classmates. The movie is an affirmation that despite time having passed, these people (for me my school friends),have forever touched one’s life and changed it. Director Jeeva must be appreciated for making campus life and interaction between the genders look so natural.The humor and the romance are so realistically portrayed. Harris Jeyraj has come up with quite humamble songs. My favorite is Kanavugal.However the background is so blatantly inspired by (guess who?) that it is like a tribute to THE KING.I mean Illayaraja of course. My favorite character in the movie, like everyone else’s is Pooja played by Laila.The proverbial tomboy, who guys would like as a platonic friend, but nothing more. Nothing more? Well almost. This movie has a fairytale ending, for Laila’s character.Though some may think it was clichéd I thought it was appropriate. Arya has come up with yet another noteworthy performance after Arindum Ariyamalum.He is an actor to watch out for. As I keep mentioning this movie reminds me of my school days. Any of my class guys will roll out laughing especially at the scene in the guy’s bathroom during the class trip. Can’t get into specifics in public, but you know what I mean :). I recommend this movie to all wanting to feel good and entertained. I guarantee you it will take you on a trip down memory lane, which you will love.

Guest Article/Democratic Movement From Below

By Christian Hofmann The conflict of capitalism and communism is dead now since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the decline of the Soviet Union in 1989/91. The system of capitalism has won this battle – and is now creating new world-problems. But does it not also export freedom and democracy to the world? Certainly capitalists want a "free market", therefore they do not like stately intervention but an autonomous class of independent merchants.So, capitalists have an economic interest to establish more societies in the world which respect freedom of the economy. Freedom of the economy might probably lead to political freedom, but there is no guarantee that this would automatically happen . The capitalists like to be seen as the supporters of freedom in the world (according to G.W. Bush: his only aim as a president seems to be fighting for the propagation of freedom against "the enemies of freedom"..). And maybe one should take this rhetoric speech seriously and measure the capitalists´ actions by their demands. On the other hand there is the US ignorance towards the injury of human rights as long as it does not touch their own interests. The history of Latin America is full of examples of US-politics supporting bloody dictators against democratic movements and the will of the people (just look at their policies towards Chile and Nicaragua). But capitalism did also produce new communicational technologies and a variety of media (newspapers, TV channels, the Internet). For example,in the time between the Gulf wars of 1991 and 2003, there is the rise of Al-Dschasira. You can criticise both CNN and Al-Dschasira as not being objective, but the progress in the medial situation of 2003 is that you now have an alternative, that you can choose between two perspectives of reporting. The totalitarian US point of view is supplemented by an Arab perspective. These new possibilities for getting information can be used as a weapon against the rule of the market, because they give chances for the people to organize their protest and to let their voices be heard in the world (I know that there is certainly also the danger of disinformation and confusion as a result of the mass-media´s style of "reporting" – but there is the possibility for the people to get informed if they really want). These social movements in every part of the world are the true democratic outcome of this whole process of "globalisation". Democracy is coming from the people below, not from their representatives, the professional politicians who are institutionally led into a compromise position between the economy and the voters. The state and the government should be seen as an instrument for the people. And elections and social movements should be regarded as the power of the political will to change wrong economical and political structures. This kind of political action is certainly not a communist revolution.But maybe it can establish a democratic consciousness and a direct expression of the people, which is able to change a capitalist world-society into a democratic world-society. #The writer lives in Bohn,Germany and can be contacted at christiansitar@gmail.com

Celebrities And Social Consciousness (Part-1)

Celebrities, such as sportsmen and film personalities, have a huge impact on any society. And in a nation, which is starved of heroes like ours the tendency to put them on a pedestal,and their almost hypnotic power over the people is even greater. Along with the fame and adulation they get comes social responsibility. Unfortuntely in India most stars choose not to have a social consciousness. There are naïve people who will buy a product simply because their favorite public person endorses it. Given this reality how many of our celebrities think about the repercussions their endorsements have on people who almost worship them? My intention is not to indulge in negativism, so I thought I would first mention some celebrities and their initiatives, which have been refreshingly laudable. Nandita Das and Kamal Haasan are two names, which come to mind immediately. Das made documentary adds on rain water harvesting, AIDS and education, along with her husband who works (worked?) for Ogilvy.Kamal Haasan has a narpini yerkum (association for social work) rather than a fan club. He proactively encourages his fans to involve themselves in social work. On occasions such as his birthday, his fans donate wheelchairs for the disabled, books and uniforms for poor students, etc. Through his movies, he communicates his stances regarding various issues. Cricketers such a Dravid have done ads for aids awareness. Everybody knows of Vivek Oberoi’s post Tsunami relief efforts. I am sure that advertisers have worked for these ads at very low rates or even for free. All these instances go to prove that there are good samaritans among the celibrities/corporates who are socially conscious out of genuine concern. But these people are in the overwhelming minority. The actions of most of our stars prove that on a whole they are a bunch of greedy, irresponsible and money at any cost individuals. To be continued…

Cellular Spam

My first tryst with cell phone spam was when this guy from my ex-office started sending forwarded jokes, and one-liners about how great friendship is. Considering I barely knew the guy I found it really stupid. But I did not want to be rude so I put up with it .To start with he sent only a couple of these forwarded sms’s a day. Soon it became around half a dozen messages. And finally it reached a stage when I started receiving at least twenty such crazy forwards everyday. I kept deleting them, but there seemed to be no respite from this downpour. Finally I had to confront him and tell him point blank to stop sending me forwards. Another guy I had spoken to just a couple of times asked me for my cell number. Since he seemed like a typical prankster I was not exactly enthusiastic about giving it to him. Never the less I gave him my number. And the crank calls began. When in a friend’s house I would get a call from so and so saying that they wanted to advertise in my prestigious newspaper. In the middle of a gripping movie I would reluctantly pick a call from an unknown number, and the speaker would in mock earnestly say that they would like to book for a wedding, at such and such a wedding hall on such and such a date. The speakers for these crank calls, which I receive still receive, vary and so do the numbers. I wonder what makes these mass junk forwarders and crank callers do what they do? Atleast some of these forwarders seem to genuinely believe that these forwards are interesting to their readers.A couple of other guys,who are decent have also drenched me with these forwards. But I fail to understand how these crank callers operate or even what their motive is, other than to irritate which is obvious. For a few days the calls stop and just when I am relieved that the torment is over they start all over again. Who are these callers? Are they a bunch of jobless people? Do these pranksters have some ulterior motive of acquiring personal information? Or are they the agents of an enemy I don’t even know exsists? All this may sound extremely hilarious and I myself am amused at the absurdity of it while I write this. But believe me when answering one of these calls I am far from amused. I am rabid and it is a colossal effort not to heap abuses at the caller. I am still wondering, who are these callers? I suppose like agent Moulder of The-X-Files would say, the truth is out there!

Tennyson’s Ulysses and Colonialism

A casual reading of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Ulysses creates the impression that the poem is the reaching out of a heroic person towards something more substantial than mere survival. In fact when we first did it in school we studied it merely based on its face value-a poem using the technique of dramatic monologue, which talks about the struggle of a human being to break free from mediocrity. I had the same poem in college. A professor made a casual observation about the poem encouraging the British to go out and capture the world. Upon closer inspection I was shocked at some of the things the poem implies. It is little more than propaganda for colonialism. In the Victorian Age (1837 –1901), only the first born legitimate sons were entitled to property. This left the other sons (illegitimate and not first borns) discontended. Since they had no claim to property a feeling of unrest developed among these people. All these people needed something to do. Some believe that Tennyson was commissioned by Queen Victoria to be a virtual mouth peace for imperialism.When looked at from that perspective, the poem Ulysses seems to encourage,the sons with no claim to their father’s fortunes, to embark on a voyage of conquest. Tennyson is not alone as a poet who sings the praises of England's world conquest being honourable. Rudyard Kipling among others spurs the British to adopt an imperial role through his writing. These writers support the notion that it is Britain’s obligation (read birthright) to rule and ‘culture’ the rest of the world. While all this may seem very noble and patriotic for the Britisher, as he is asked to champion the cause of his nation's expansion, it is sinister in what it implied for the rest of the world. Especially in the context of what colonialism did and is still doing (neocolonialism) to the rest of the world Tennyson’s words “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”, takes on a whole new meaning.

A Starmaker I Knew

In loving memory of my Chitappa (Uncle), P.N.Sadasivan(1939-2001) Recently I had gone for Ullam Kekume at Devi Paradise. This was the movie in the midst of whose production, G.Venkateswaran,popularly known as G.V.,passed away in a most unfortunate manner. Inevitably I was reminded of this and flooded with memories of my uncle who is also no more. My uncle was the General Manager of G.V. films and stood by G.V.Sir, as he used to call him, until his own death, which was in January 2001. G.V. was the producer of several blockbusters such as Nayagan, Thalapathi and Anjali.Nayakan, arguably the most celebrated film in the history of Tamil Cinema may not have even hit the screens if it had not been for this soft spoken producer. Muktha Srinivasan who was the initial producer of the film refused to finance it when it was well under production and GV had to step in and take over financing the film. Next to G.V. himself, it was my uncle who did all the important work for Sujatha Films(G.V’s production company).From financing to overseeing minute details such as organizing preview shows for movies nothing happened in G.V. films without Sada Chitappa’s knowledge. During the Michael Jackson case (the pop star took a huge advance from G.V for concerts he was supposed to perform in Madras and Bombay and dropped out without repaying the advance) my uncle used to go to court almost on a daily basis. When the production company’s films such as May Madham started regularly flopping he was among those who suggested that G.V give up film production and focus on distribution. The stress of having so much responsibility on him started having a huge toll on Sada Chitappa.Inspite of everything he was unwavering in his rock solid commitment to his work. In the last months of his life terminal health complications (heart problem and cancer) forced him to stop working. And yet, inspite of being incapacitated, until his passing he remained the General Manager at Sujatha films.Such was the esteem in which he was held. Rajnikant’s fans boast about how their talaivar(leader)’s film Muthu became a blockbuster in Japan. Few would remember it was G.V’s idea to market the film in Japan and it was his ingenious marketing of the film, which made the above-mentioned actor popular in that country.People like G.V and my uncle are the starmakers behind the stars.How many of us think about the backbreaking work that the production and distribution units of a film have to do? When a movie bombs it is the production team, which has to bear the brunt. When it succeeds new stars are born, exsisting stars become demi-Gods.What happens to the starmakers behind the stars? Only some occasional outpouring from the heart,from an emotional family member like me. But you know what I really believe? For my uncle the satisfaction he derived from his total commitment to his work was all that mattered.That is a starmaker for you.

The Guitar Player

Tuning strings, Giving wings to words, Yet to be set in motion. Humming mild, Melodies never heard by, Ears never meant to hear them. He sits, With a guitar sweet, Playing the music of his soul. Afterword-This is a poem I wrote a couple of years back.The guitar player who inspired me to write this poem is my friends neha and puj's father,Suneet uncle.I dont write poetry anymore.This is the only poem I have written which I find worth preserving.

The Shawshank Redemption

Directed By: Frank Darabont Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman As I watched this film one recurrent thought was it is so obviously inspired by One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Even some of the main characters are like the ones in that movie. But don’t get me wrong. Inspiration is not plaigiarism. This movie has its own soul quite different to One Flew…Songs of the same raga may vary completely and the same is true of films depending on the director’s handling. Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a young banker is convicted of murder and sent to prison. Initially reserved by nature it takes time for his fellow inmates to accept him. A few notorious inmates abuse him. He befriends Red(Morgan Freeman),who is also the narrator. He buys some freedom within the confines of the prison, by assisting the guards and the corrupt warden, helping them evade tax and in laundering money. He brings about changes in the prison like greatly improving the prison library. Some of his unconventional activities like arranging for his pals to have beer and playing music via the prison loud speaker endear him to the inmates. A fresh convict comes in who claims that he met the real murderer of the crime Andy has been convicted of. Fearing that if this is true Andy will go free and reveal the corruption within, the warden arranges for the convict to be killed. Is Andy innocent? Does he regain his freedom? No spoilers! Watch the film!Tim Robbins as Andy stands out. His underplay at points is so pronounced that at times one forgets he is the protagonist! But it is his respect for screen grammar (not trying to compete with the other artists), which makes his performance memorable. I doubt this would have happened if he tried to dominate in every frame. The other performance that stands out is James Whitmore as Brooks, who has lived most of his life in prison and when sent out on parole unable to survive in the alien environment. Morgan Freeman as Red was ordinary. Overall, I would say The Shawshank Redemtion is one of the better Hollywood movies.