Sunday, October 29, 2006

Love struck

No no, I am not love struck yet, just watching and reading many love stories. Mera naseeb hi kahaan. People keep asking me “koi gori mili kya?” But here, forget whites, not even any black, brown, yellow, blue or even green. Oops, I shouldn’t mention colors. So ignore the last line and replace with –“Forget Caucasians, not even Africans, South Asians, Mongoloids, mermaids or even aliens.”

Anyway, that’s not the point of the blog! 2 of my friends either proposing their GF’s or taking up the issue with parents, made me at least look for love in movies n books. I started with Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Wonderful movie. I agree that there are loads like it and you begin to hate that too when you see it, but we should not forget that it was the pioneer, and definitely a welcome break form Shahrukh Khan’s dark movies- Darr, Baazigar etc and of course better than Govinda’s flashy clothing and bhabhie movies. The movie was immensely funny at times with so many typical Shahrukh’s and typical Kajol moments. But the scenes like catching hand from the running train and getting behosh at time of karwa chauth really brings smile to your face. Frankly, the movie made me think. Where am I going, too busy with career to forget the simpler fun.

Love scores- 1-0

But no, the next movie opened my mind. It was Bas Ek Pal. The movie stars my two favorites. Juhi and Urmila. But frankly, the movie was so bad. Only I could bear their looks, so I could stay up till the end. But ya, the movie points to another aspect. And I hate that aspect of love. I agree, its ok to fall in love, but why pursue it if it’s not two way. Surely Sanjay Suri, though he had good intentions, could have just let the people as they are and forget about Urmila, but no that was not to be. Love is blind, but atleast lovers have eyes. Open your eyes, people.

Love looses- 1-1.

Now the next one and this is the best, rather this is what I wanted to write the blog for. It’s the last story of “Interpreter of the Maladies”. The story is “The third and final Continent”. Do read it. I should put a spoiler warning here, but if you believe me/arundhati, reading further won’t prevent you from reading the story. Halfway through the story and you think the story is about a guy and his struggles in the initial days in USA. Already bored with the topic? There are zillions of storied and movies like this, but there come Jhumpa Lahiri, she won’t let you put down the book. Till half the story there are limited references about how he HAD to marry before coming home and how he received the first letter from his wife in English as a part of her getting prepared to come to USA. But as she touches USA, she steals the show. The way Jhumpa describes their first moment of liking each other, I was spellbound. Never was arranged marriage so appealing. Arranged marriage had only won once before, and that too in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, but that is hardly a match. Well what should I rate this incident as, love scores or it looses?

Let’s make it a draw. 2-2.


But love wins, I want it to. And so I finish of this love week with Love Actually. Its really one of the best movies I believe. Several sweet love stories sweetly blend together and the wonderful PM speech where he tells what Britain is famous for. To add to the wonderful story line it has gorgeous people and the awesome British accent. Love scores. 10-2.

Reminds me, color of love is red. So that’s another color. All lovers are red in color.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Apne Moonh miya mitthu

Well, the article is about how i am so good, but as i thought of the title, lots of thoughts poured about the title also. Had a funny sensation. Everytime i open my mouth to say ths, its ens up being a round shape of the lips. Mitthooo. And feels like I have paan in my mouth. Anyway, enough of that.
These stories below somehow relate my ability to tackle difficult situations, whether that is good or bad, I leave for you to decide.

The first one was may 2004, 24th may to be exact.
I was coming back to bangalore form my college for the last time. 23rd was my last day at the college. I had a suitcase, a bag, a trunk and 3 boxes for computer. And as expected I missed the suitcase when I was getting off. I realized it as soon as I got my bags in an auto and so asked the auto to follow the bus but it had long gone. So i headed for bro's home where parents were also there then. I kept my cool and thought of future plan of action. As soon I reaced home, broke the news there, they were obviouosly irritated. They asked me if it had my certificates and all. I said no, though it was there. Atleast why increase their tension. Then I called upu the travel company and asked them about my bag. They said the bus has not reached its final destination yet but will reach soon. We just asked where the bus stops and me and dad headed off there. It was KRPuram, the eastern end of bangalore. Meanwhile I kept calling and finally we traced the driver. He said he has a suitcase and will leave it near our house ka stop at night. But mom and dad didn't believe in that. Finally we found the bus at Bannerghatta, the southern corner and came back.
Well what's great miya mitthu in this? It was for me, first of all, my parents were so tensed over a small thing, what would have happened if I had told them that it had all my docs? Secondly the tracing till the end location was solely done by me and though everybody mom,dad and bro lost their cool, i was composed. And it was because of that , we could trace the bag.
Now whether my suggestion of waiting for the driver to drop it near the house was a good idea or not, i leave it at your choice.

The second one is better.
This was the day of my GRE. I was taking it form bangalore. Brother was in Kolkata, his roomie in office far away. I was alone at home preparing. Test was from 1. At 10:30 i decide to act according to what ananth had said and went to the vinayaka temple nearby. Did puja with full devotion. Coming back, had pongal rice in Shanti Sagar and then went back to home. But alas, I have no key. Rather, i have dropped the key somewhere. Looked for it on the road, no use. Called up Sourav da, bro's roomie. He says he can't come as he is badly stuck up with meetings.
And i had the passport inside without which i just can't go for the test. It was almost 11:45. I asked the landlords, no use. Then called up my bro in kolkata, he suggests: Tublu, forget GRE, keep yor cool and search again. I knew that was useless and the idea o forgetting GRE after months of preparartion was just not the choice I would like. I kept his call. Now there was only 1 way. With all the courage , I start banging at the thick wooden door. 5 shots, the fifth one, Bam, it opens up. I still remember, when the bolts gave up and the door opened, i still had my leg in the air, I took tiime, took it down like Neo does in matrix, first putting it on one side and then moving it down. I savoured every moment. then went for the test.
Well i guess in this case, there is no mia mitthu explanations needed. Its self explanatory:)

I agree that both the incidents were for my carelessness and a normal person would not have done that. But i bet a nnormal person would not have reacted the same way also if it DID happen.