the blue umbrella-review

The Blue Umbrella(the film) is by Vishal Bharadwaj. The book from which the movie is adapted from, carries the same name, written by Ruskin Bond. The movie was aired recently. And i made it a point to watch it. Makdee by the same director impressed me, quite a lot.

The movie is just about fine. Yes, it's meant for children, has young kids participating in it. The movie quite did not make the impact that the novel made. I felt that it could have been done much better. Makdee was much better. Except this, the mountains are shown beautifully. The cineamtography is worth-watching. But, the characters seem weak.

As a whole, it's ok. I think you should for the panoramic views of green ranges.

attitude, big time!!

I was browsing at Landmark yesterday, picking up books. A guy walked out of the entrance. The guard standing there, stopped him saying that exit was at the next floor. He put his hand to block the latter's path. Our guy almost yells at the guard that he's not running away with the store's merchandise, that he'll .

The guard allows the irate man to walk away, staring at him. Our guy returns and again shouts at the guard, for glaring(?) at him. The guard appeared hapless. Another person from the store was called by the guy to teach the guard some mannerisms.

The guy looked more then fifty, and must have been rich. But, that doesn't mean that he treat a guard in this manner. It looked that he was insulted because some low guard stopped him. Rules are rules, and should be followed by everybody. I felt like giving the guy a peace of my mind.

How insolent can people get! Pathetic. I was sorry for the guard. Perhaps, these scenes were not new for him. On the other hand, the rich guy needs two shots. One for good mannerisms, and the second for humility.

weddings and me

I was busy in a wedding since 3 days. Busy, meaning, deck up, walk around, yap, run around, play/chat with B... and everything else. It's tiring, and i was quite exhausted at the end of it.

I found weddings boring (it's the same now). I never know what the purohit chants (why?), what the bride and the bridegroom does (why?). It's all a big issue, the fine details of which are something that are not understood by me. Call me an ignorant fool, if you want.

On the other hand, i should say, i was looking forward to it. It's been quite some time since i met cousins, and talked rubbish, laughed crazily with them. I thought i missed put on a lot of fun, as i study in a different city. But, in a way, it's good. I would've liked to do this kind-of-a-thing than chit-chat with cousins on a weekly basis. I wouldn't have anything to speak with them, then. Atleast, now, i assume i have something to share with people.

every other person is in 'feeling'

Yes. I'm still irritated by yesterday's movie.

Of late, if you've noticed the word 'feel'(and it's various forms) is used ample number of times in today's cinema.

The heroine does not recognize our hero, and he is in 'feeling'. A mother loses her hero, she 'feels' pathetic. Somebody is orphaned, somebody dies, somebody cries, somebody does not eat, somebody does not sleep, somebody starves, somebody sleepwalks, somebody slams himself against the wall, somebody jumps into a well.... the cliche here is, they are into 'feeling'.

Why is this particular word used in such abundance? Don't we have any other word in our vocabulary which indicates the same?

Is it a fundo word, made popular by some stupid person, in some flimsy movie? And the rest of the country apes it.

It irks me, to hear this word, every other second. Really. And the context in which this word is utilised is, simply very poor, to say the least.

The talkies 'feel'! Depressing!

Is anybody listening?

mussanje maatu-bah!!

It's been quite some time since i complained about Indian cinema. I guess, it's time for me to do it again. I've hardly seen any new movies, recently. But, yes. I did watch some not-so-old ones.

Today, i saw Mussanje Maathu.

Perhaps, the various reviews that i received made me go to the theatre to catch this up. And my folks wanted us to go. So i had to.

It's boring, to say the least. I was squirming in my seat throughout the length of the movie. The story, i bet is repeated a hundred times over. Except that we have some bright colours here and there.

Sudeep overacts. Big time. He reminds me of Shah Rukh Khan. The latter's style, his expressions, body language, everything is overdone. Mr. Sudeep, can you please cut down on these aspects, please.

The songs are forgettable. In fact each scene is. I could never find one memorable instance worth the ticket.

At times, i see this show on CNN-IBN, that features, opinions on the week's movies. The host, there, slams a 'bad' movie. Reasonable enough. We'd obviously praise a good film, wouldn't we? Why can't we have a similar show on one of the Kannada channels, which analyses films in a pretty accurate manner. Somebody should declare a movie 'stupid', if it is. But, every movie is praised by some channel.

Nothing is exciting about Mussanje Maatu. You can as well watch repeated telecasts of Full House. Or, simply, look out of the window. The night sky is wonderful, decked up with the moon and stars.

habits change

During exams , i tend to reread novels. At the same time, i'll be keen to lay my hands on new ones. To support my eagerness, i'd have some books within reach.

About a few years back, i could start reading any novel right after my exams. Any kind, if i can say that. Now, i think, i can read only light material. Not something that has me getting into the crux of it. And i tend to stop midway, and pick another. This is a habit that i've picked up recently. Perhaps, my selection is not alright. Different from what i used to read previously.

As i said before, i wouldn't prefer any solid stuff. In fact, i do not automatically seek a book(which i always did, initially). Maybe, i need a break after reading my course material. Thus, i tend to do anything other than reading.

Habits change, yes.

At times, i miss reading. It's not that i'm doing worthless things during that time. It's just i don't read for hours together. That was me, about 2-3 years ago. I used to go into the back, so phone calls were unattended, folks at home had to push me into the bathroom, into the kitchen for lunch(at times), ask me to sleep when it was late night.

Now, i'm trying a variety of things, including painting. Well, that takes time. But, i do adore those long, uninterrupted periods of happy reading.

I'm waiting for it to rain. It rained heavily in Bengalooru when i was in Mysooru. Not that it didn't rain in Mysooru. I was banned from getting wet.

Now, that i have the time and the energy to get soaked, the heavens are yet to open up. In fact, i sense the heat that surrounds me.

Another thing that i noticed is the days are becoming longer. The sun can be observed at about 5:30 in the morning if not earlier. And the sun sets later than 7 in the evening. I was then, explained that the summer solstice is soon approaching. Until then we witness days which progressively becomes longer and longer, till the 21st of June.

It's raining hard in coastal Karnataka. So hard that it is impossible to step out of the house. I know that the same does not happen here. Nevertheless , i'm eager.

PS: I understand that it's boring to read of the rain everytime. But the monsoon has begun again.

a wet dewdrop

It glistened in the warm rays of the sun. If a hand were to touch it's nest, it quivered. Like, it would fall onto the dry ground within a blink of the eye.

It was amongst hundreds of them found on leaves, tender or dry, green or brown. The harsh rays of the sun couldn't yet dislodge it from it's hiding place. This particular plant stood under the shade of a broad tree. Thus, some amount of time had to elapse before the sun could reach it.
Leaves, the size of a child's palm, of the tree, protected the young shoot from bright sunlight, torrential rains and speedy gales. Moreover, the shoot was still young, waiting to grow.

As time passes, the others' disappeared into thin air. By what they call as 'evaporation'. It was granted more time by Nature, as it lay on one of the lower leaves. More time was required, and was available.

A little girl ran in it's direction, as the sun began it's mount A ball had fallen by the leaf on which it lay. Two small hands rummaged amidst the leaves and stems in search of it. A cry of joy was heard as the object was found.

The dewdrop was brushed aside, while the ball was picked. The former collected in the central vein, ran down till the tip of the leaf. Where it appeared a perfect sphere. That which reflected light. Making one assume that something precious was sighted upon. An outstretched palm came to the dewdrop's rescue. Only after the dewdrop wet a tiny area of loose sand, located right under the leaf.

Eyelids shut, in disappointment and in happiness.

they ask me to chat!

Off late, people have been asking me to talk.

I was taken aback, really!

When i sit with friends for a chat, after a meal, or for a cup of tea in the evening, people say, 'You talk, we'll listen.' That gives me the impetus to go on and further on.

Now, that i'm home, i'm requested to cut short on my chit-chat. Which, by-the-way is usual. I still go non-stop, at full speed. Until somebody looks blank in the face. That's when, i am to understand that i've to repeat the entire stretch, slowly. Hence, the intangible mop of words, acquire some meaning.

When will i get this straight?!

no Pure Science, please!

I know a couple of P.U.C people. A boisterous, mischievous lot( A little less on the boisterous side though, when compared to me!!)

Each one of them wants to be a doctor or an engineer. More opt for the former than the latter, as medicine comprises long years of study. Like they cannot afford any other stream.

I suggested them to think of some other subject. Not to limit themselves to a particular thing. On the other hand, it's pretty fine to be specific. But, they refused even to think about anything apart from these two lines.

I was disappointed. I fancy my subject. The fact that i understand it, and like it made me opt for it. I can't think of myself sitting on a chair, working out a nine-to-six(/nine) job. Me being an engineer, is something not digestible.

What will happen to Pure Sciences if this opinion is mirrored by every science student. Dr. Kalam, Dr. C. N. R. Rao , they all seem anxious about it.

It's depressing to see very few turning in this direction. To see a countable number in a class of biology or chemistry.

I'm glad i've taken Biochemistry. Really!

patches of sun

The road looked wonderful. With scattered shadows of leaves and boughs from the trees which lined the avenue. It looked pretty. Dark patches amidst the steel-gray of tarred roads.

At times, one could spot beams of sunlight piercing through the green foliage. It created areas of sudden brightness, where the ground appeared lit. A dash of life amidst the dark jungle.

During the time when cameras were fought for, somebody spotted a bison. It's strength and sheer mass was visible from afar. Cameras clicked. Excited voices could be heard. With shushing in the background. Something to restore the quietness of the surroundings.

The pair of eyes lingered on that sun-lit stretch. And it remained etched in memory. When tree-lined roads were shown, those irregular forms that fell on those vehicles which regularly passes underneath them looked amazing.

I'm reminded of our safari at Nagarahole, as i write this. We visited the sanctuary about five-six years ago.