This is one of the best moments coming out of B town in the year that's coming to a close. The wise ones who know Hindi cinema lament the fact that most stuff coming out of the industry, right now, is just not worth it and is senseless entertainment.
Babetude has been lamenting for the longest while now!
And someone sarcastic recently said on Face Book that even with all the nostalgia, in current B'wood it is just 1 good movie in many hundreds that are worth watching and those who don't agree either have a low IQ or just have very bad taste...
Anyone who knows who the upstart(उप्स्तार्ट) of B'wood right now, will enjoy this video.
Those who don't, can watch this video for more info and fun( of course the ones who understand Hindi...
Well, the subject of this conversation herself is a so called star in Hindi films and even after 10 years and actually much older in age, can't speak in Hindi...So guess she herself would have never read the topic of this title herself or mustn't have understood this video which came out 10 months ago.
LOL.
This lady, the subject of the interview, Rakhi Sawant is no star but rather an item girl( dancer) and a starlet, but one who's known for her honesty and frank ways...
Let's hope B'wood sees better days in the coming year and beyond with quality cinema, don't remain a subject of ridicule worldwide, starting with not non-actors like the ones talked about in the video going out and banned. The kind of image the likes of her are portraying on screen is indeed harmful for the society
and something to worry about, as kids and young people tend to copy such people in media glare and use them as role models.
There are a few movies of quality and hopefully more like those will be made(quality over quantity please) and real good actors (some from the past as well) will thrive and come back.
P.S For some reason the youtube video became private, therefore Babetude is pasting the new link for now and will try to upload the video too.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H50IYi-pG1c
Anyway, there are many more important things to do in life as 2011 comes to an end and hope for better days. So see you soon with another really important post.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Joy, peace and hope in the season of good cheer!
Merry Christmas everyone. Hoping that the season of good cheer will spread loads of peace, joy, love justice, and blessings in our homes and the world.
Check out this classic by Bobby Darin - Christmas Auld Lang Syne (Original). A unforgettable classic always...
Today is a day of peace, prayers and good will.And a day to seek blessings from the Lord.
Check out this classic by Bobby Darin - Christmas Auld Lang Syne (Original). A unforgettable classic always...
Today is a day of peace, prayers and good will.And a day to seek blessings from the Lord.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Homages to another Lost Legend
What an unforgettable beautiful melody 'Dil ka Bhanwar kare pukaar' was...Really soul stirring.
The art world of India has lost another legend. The legendary Dev Anand has passed on at the age of 88.
As observed by a few, the art world of India has indeed lost many gems in 2011. Yes some of them went away at a good age(in their 70s and 80s) and had left behind great legacies. It's still sad because the worry is the lack of fit successors.
We can only hope and pray that there will be more able successors who would come up in the near future...As of now, considering the downfall of quality in B'wood, it all looks bleak.
SOME Tribute tweets from Twitter in the memory of the legend---
mrrajatkapoor Rajat Kapoor
Bye Dev Sa'ab... loved your films- loved your style..
19 hours ago Unfavorite Retweet Reply
ShraddhaKapoor Shraddha Kapoor
Woke up to such sad news..Dev Saab...RIP :( He defied the age barrier & lived his days brimming with youthful energy.You will be missed..!
19 hours ago
SalmanRushdie Salman Rushdie
RIP Dev Anand. I grew up watching your films. Sorry to say goodbye. timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Legendar…
19 hours ago
IamOnir I AM Onir
Respect the energy he emitted till the end. Will always be a part of The history of Indian cinema for some of the all time cinematic gems
19 hours ago
virsanghvi vir sanghvi
RIP Dev Saab. He is the only man who went from youthful energy straight to heaven without the intervening stage of old age
19 hours ago
IamOnir I AM Onir
Dev Anand had come for the coronation of the king. My mom went for a brunch with him. She hid a tape recorder to record their conversation.
19 hours ago
shekharkapur Shekhar Kapur
On behalf of d family I thank ever1 fr d thousands of messages of love pouring in frm all over d world on passing of Dev Anand
19 hours ago
GulPanag Gul Panag
RIP Dev Sa'ab. You were truly the stuff legends are made of.
19 hours ago
vivek_oberoi Vivek Oberoi
Bollywood's evergreen superstar Dev Anand passed away in London.The legendary actor was 88.RIP DEV SAAB.You will live forever in our hearts!
19 hours ago
TandonRaveena Raveena Tandon
Sad to hear the Grand ol Gentleman of Indian cinema is no more...Rip Dev saab
20 hours ago
sandymridul Sandhya Mridul
RIP Dev sahab.. Abhi na jao chodh ke ke dil abhi bhara nahin..
20 hours ago
Purab_Kohli Purab Hersh Kohli
The sad Dismiss of a truly evergreen man. Dev Saab 1923-2011.
20 hours ago
atulkasbekar atul kasbekar
Word! RT @anandmahindra: As long as Dev Anand was alive, I thought I would live forever too....
20 hours ago
firstpostin Firstpost
Evergreen Dev Anand is no more, passes away in London bit.ly/vba1dB
20 hours ago
rampalarjun arjun rampal
Woke up to the saddest news and an emptiness in the heart, Dev Saab the man who lived every moment to the fullest with greatest energy. RIP
20 hours ago
AzmiShabana Azmi shabana
@
@shekharkapur he was instrumental in getting you to leave chartered accountacy and join films.
20 hours ago
shekharkapur Shekhar Kapur
Can I ask friends frm Media 2 b a little patient? The family is still coming 2 terms with his passing.
20 hours ago
chhabs Aseem Chhabra
It was expected, one day. The man was old, a caricature. But there's the #DevAnand of 50s, 60s, 70s, even the 80s. We should remember him!
20 hours ago
shekharkapur Shekhar Kapur
My Uncle Dev Anand. V spoke about him as if he wld live forever. Mayb he will.That which seemed immortal passes into myth.
20 hours ago
MadhuriDixit1 Madhuri Dixit-Nene
Sad to hear about Dev Anand's demise. Another icon leaves the stage. My condolences to his family. We will miss him.
20 hours ago
TejuKolhapure tejaswini kolhapure
Saddened to wake up to the news of dev anand sirs death .... Had the pleasure of meeting him last year on a one on one.he was full of life☹
20 hours ago
juniorbachchan Abhishek Bachchan
Never believed I would ever wake up to this news. Very sad!
21 hours ago
juniorbachchan Abhishek Bachchan
Shocked to read of the passing of Dev Saab. Such a great man and actor. A symbol of positivity.
21 hours ago
mbhandarkar268 Madhur Bhandarkar
Still the news is not sinking in,had celebrated his birthday with him,Devsaab was full of energy and life then,just cant believe !
21 hours ago
koenamitra Koena Mitra♥♡̮ ♥̸̨
2011.......... So many legends gone.. sad !! prayers ...prayers... prayers ....
21 hours ago
koenamitra Koena Mitra♥♡̮ ♥̸̨
I've always been a huge fan of Dev Anand Sahaab , his work and his attitude towards life! so inspiring. Several eras have truly ended! RIP.
21 hours ago
mbhandarkar268 Madhur Bhandarkar
Shocked to the core, a painful loss, a personal grief, cant believe DEVSAAB is no more !
21 hours ago
divyadutta25 Divya Dutta
T last I met devsaab was at his premiere,sitting nxt to him, n seeing his smiling face,full of zest energy n ethusiasm..memories!
21 hours ago
divyadutta25 Divya Dutta
Main zindagi ka sath nibhata chala gayam..RIP devsaab! Knowing u wrkin wt u is cherished!my evergreen hero!will miss u sir!
21 hours ago
koenamitra Koena Mitra♥♡̮ ♥̸̨
Just heard the sad news about Dev saab. Passionate, charming, kind hearted . A legend.. A great human! Rest in peace SIR.. You,ll be Missed.
21 hours ago
AzmiShabana Azmi shabana
Dev Saheb robustly lived life on his own terms.he will be missed by millions but will live on thru his movies.I salute his spirit
21 hours ago
SrBachchan Amitabh Bachchan
T 579 - An era has come to an end .. Dev Anand leaves a void never perhaps to be filled again .. his never give up belief, his joy of life !
21 hours ago
SrBachchan Amitabh Bachchan
T 579 -Had just met Dev Saheb at his premiere recently .. he was weak but full of spirit ..the news papers confirming his passing away ..sad
21 hours ago
MaheshNBhatt Mahesh Bhatt
"Dev Anand is dead". As the new dawn breaks over Mumbai I salute the memory of this star who has left left us with the glow of his smile.
21 hours ago
SrBachchan Amitabh Bachchan
T 579 - Just reading news about Dev Saheb .. praying it is not true ! He was such a positive person .. never associated death with him ..
21 hours ago
Here's another song from the golden age of Indian cinema. Indian movie lovers would recognize this classic song from 'Kala Pani' picturized on the ethereally beautiful and legendary Madhu Bala and Dev Sahab. They have been termed as one of the most good looking couples that graced Indian cine screens...
And this amazing romantic song with meaningful words ..Beautiful!
Then there are these unforgettable hits from 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna.'
Enjoy this beautiful patriotic song from a film of his and hail the legend...
The last song was basically picturized on South Indian beauty Vyajantimala,but Dev sahab is there too. It's from the memrorable hit 'Jewel Thief'.
It must be also be mentioned here, that this heart touching song will continue to be a painful reminder for all Madhu Bala fans. The song was said to have been heard by the unfortunate and ethereally beautiful actress during the later years of her life. She's supposed to have identified with this song...
Very sad.
Really wish things would have turned out differently for some amazing people of the world...
Saturday, November 26, 2011
When Mumbai wept tears of Blood...
There has been some grief in the air in the month of November,for a while now. Well, in 2011 the last few months have brought a lot of sad news from the world of art.Then what happened in 2008,just adds to the sadness.
I feel it even though I am thousands of miles away from the country of my birth-India.
It was among many heinous crimes against humanity. No true blue Indian,or anyone connected to India in any way or even humane people from around the world can afford to forget what happened 3 years ago. It's just like how one should and remembers/ prays for 9/11. Justice is long overdue.
Yes,sadly there has been no closure yet. But Prayers for Peace and Justice will be there always...Just pray and hope it happens soon.
Please view--
http://www.socialkonnekt.com/2611/candle.htm
A 26/11 tribute while asking people to light a candle in remembrance says:
"166 families grieved the inconsolable loss of loved ones. On those three dreadful nights and days, 166 people died, 300 others were wounded, many of them maimed for life. Someone's mother, someone's father, sister, brother, son, daughter, lover, friend.People of varied faiths(Hindu, Jew, Christian, Muslims et al) and even varied nationalities.
It is time to remember those who paid with their lives for the fanaticism of a few, to salute those who gave up their lives trying to shield others,and to honour those who survived the ordeal of terror.
It is time to light a candle, to show that something as heinous as that is neither forgiven nor forgotten.
It is time to light a candle; to show that as we move on, we cherish their memories, we value their sacrifice and we hail their courage."
For the uninitiated----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Mumbai_attacks
"Eight of the coordinated attacks occurred in South Mumbai: at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital(a women and children's hospital),the Nariman House Jewish community centre, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College.There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai's port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle. By the early morning of 28 November, all sites except for the Taj hotel had been secured by Mumbai Police and security forces. On 29 November, India's National Security Guards (NSG) conducted Operation Black Tornado to flush out the remaining attackers; it resulted in the death of the last remaining attackers at the Taj hotel and ending all fighting in the attacks."
The well made documentary from Europe for Channel 4,uploaded below will give more information as well as gory details.
Here's a tribute to the martyrs of the attack who very unfortunately went down shielding others. Also very sad is the fact that there has been no closure for their families and well wishers as yet. Justice has not yet been done. Actually there's no compensation for such noble sacrifices but then tributes are a kind of a little consolation---
http://www.rediff.com/news/mumterror08.html
http://www.rediff.com/news/report/slide-show-1-remembering-26-11-south-mumbai-jewish-centre-still-awaits-to-remove-26-11-scars/20111125.html
http://www.rediff.com/news/report/slide-show-1-remembering-26-11-by-not-hanging-kasab-we-are-sending-a-very-bad-message/20111125.html
http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/rich-tributes-paid-to-2611-martyrs-140929.html
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-26/india/30444008_1_perpetrators-of-mumbai-attacks-terror-speedy-justice
Please paste the links on your browser and also view Babetude's heartfelt homage last year for 26/11
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
http://thebabetudeblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/one-fateful-wednesday.html
Well, I don't live in that city any more,but I lived, studied and worked there for seven long years and was there when it happened. Also I have been an aware citizen and this will continue to affect me.
Though safe in suburban Mumbai,far away from the attacks,they will be always be etched in my memory,like how it has happened to many other Indians and Mumbaites.
Doesn't matter, even if people like us so far away right now.
The link below from Babetude's Indian Republic Day 2011 post. Putting the videos shot in 2009 up once again, as many I've known and seen have the Indian type of memory, i.e SHORT MEMORY.
http://thebabetudeblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/saluting-indias-real-heroes_26.html
"The families of Mumbai heroes are still grieving. It was not just another day in their lives. Good and compassionate citizens need to take out a little time and hope that some more people will grieve with them...And pray for justice too!
That's the least we can do...
I quite agree what the young Major's father said in the video that "the world changed only for them, the family and India went back to normal in a few days." I so wish people of the country would value a young son sacrificing his precious life much more and not make it look like just a personal loss of a family. There are some genuine sympathizers but the number is low.
Apathy is rampant. Someone with a sarcastic sense of humor had commented in an youtube video about how videos that has vulgar,improper or frivolous content gets much more views by people than the videos for patriots and martyrs!
Major Sandeep Unnikrishan, who I tend to remember most of the time would always be a personality close to my heart. Many people young and old, have felt connected to him, though they were not fortunate enough to know him before. Some feelings in life can't be explained and for me(an a few others),it was like losing a brother( that too a perfect one),I never had. My heart and many other hearts have bled for him many times.
I was in Mumbai that terrible day as a silent,weak, mute spectator and the pangs of guilt for not being able to do anything substantial will be there for a long, long time.The feeling of being powerless is terrible. How I wish I could have prayed harder, could have turned back time, could have changed the course of destiny...
Later I learned,he was a very humane person who donated much of his salary towards charity and various causes. When I look at his parents,I feel a lot of sadness.
http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/nov/251111-Unnikrishnans-father-wants-to-start-orphanage.htm
He was the only son of his parents and they are ones in whose hearts the wounds would be fresh forever. His father carries forward his legacy and both parents look quite strong. But it's really hard to fathom the storm going on inside him...
Like I mentioned on this blog before,I do sympathize and feel for the others top. But many young people tend to remember this young man a lot because he was so much like the middle class Indian youth that others of his like know of-convent educated, cosmopolitan, from a simple but cultured family, one with ambitions, one who loves to travel, enjoys the movies, life and so on. He seems so much like the guy next door to us.
The difference was that he was far too giving, selfless, patriotic...
He was a happy-go-lucky young man next door,our friendly neighborhood guy who was extra ordinary and whose selflessness and sacrifice seems so out of the world in this materialistic world. A truly great man, so out of the world.
No amount of compensation and tears are enough for a sacrifice like that. He didn't need to do that, he could have chosen to live life like anyone his age. Instead he decided to protect people he didn't even know. A kind of attitude which is hardly found anywhere around.
He still lives on in the memories of the ones who really care...
His father rightly said, "By being alive for some more years he could have done so much more for India and people." A precious life like that of his son, should have been there...The country needed him so much.
There were many stories of terrible grief---
A veteran food critic and writer who was well known in Mumbai intellectual circles was attending a wedding and couldn’t make it out of the Taj Mahal hotel safely. An elderly cleaner at the CST railway station became a victim.A railway employee was shot at the station on Nov 26 and his son who was turning a year older that day says he'll never cut a cake for his birthday again.A cab driver's wife now says she'll not rest until the surviving terrorist's death sentence is carried out.
And yes,there were also three fishermen of the hijacked Kuber ship which the the monsters used to enter Mumbai.
The Rabbi,Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka Holtzberg were greatly mourned.
From Wikipedia---"Several high ranking American politicians released statements on the Mumbai attacks, specifically referencing Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg by name, including US President-elect Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City, and Governor David Paterson of New York.
In December 2008, Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd told more than 1,000 people at a memorial service at the Yeshiva Center in New South Wales that Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah, had “devoted their lives to acts of goodness and kindness and compassion for others ... but they lost their lives in a senseless act of hatred. In the face of this terror we must not bow to fear. We must respond by spreading our own message of tolerance and respect for people of other backgrounds and other beliefs.” Federal Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull and U.S. Consul-General Judith Fergin also spoke at the memorial service. A representative from the Indian Consulate was also present.In a speech to Federal Parliament, Michael Danby, a Jewish member of the ruling Labor Party, said it was important to remember the names of the innocent victims of Mumbai attacks, stating that “I raise my voice in this national parliament and praise the memory of those innocent kedoshim who were killed in the Chabad House in Mumbai only because they were Jews.”
The family's nanny, Sandra Samuel who saved their baby son Moshe showed exemplary courage and presence of mind. Samuel is currently helping to care for the boy in Israel.
The poor little boy didn't quite yet fathom the seriousness of what happened, where his parents suddenly disappeared...He just kept crying for mommy.
"A video of Moshe crying at the funeral service for his parents and crying "Imma, Imma," which means "Mommy, Mommy" in Hebrew was widely published"
Here's the video of a song that was dedicated to him-----
http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/26-11-best-revenge-will-be-moshe-returning-to-city-as-rabbi-68763
An elderly German couple's dream just ended in the so called city of dreams at the Leopold cafe frequented by intellectual conversation loving people...
http://news.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/nov/25/slide-show-1-anniversary-26-11-dilip-dsouza-on-a-dream-that-ended-sadly.htm
Innocent lives got lost just like that due to the demonic natures of a few.
My heart goes out with the ones who made us all(the thankful as well as the thankless ones)feel safe and sleep peacefully by risking their lives. The ones that did what the soldiers of a country do every day- protect the borders to ensure the safety of the civilians, so that the normal people can sleep peacefully at night.
The citizens just need to do their duties and show solidarity.Let's hope a few more people become sensitive to their environments despite being so caught up in their lives or worse still stuck in their dangerously selfish & ungrateful little worlds. But the way, this once again brings to mind how some people achieve great levels of greatness in their lives, are mourned time and again while some others go un mourned and are considered good riddance.
The saying is so right- A tyrant dies and his reign happily ends( read people rejoice), a martyr dies and his reign begins(he lives warmly in millions of hearts).
The pictures below are from a visit this summer(the slogans and a little graphic designs came with a little help from Photoshop).
As for my trip,even if it was just a week in the city,we made sure we say some prayers at the Taj Hotel,one very important spot that was attacked and pay a little homage.
But it's not like the 9/11 memorial of New York, Ground Zero in any way which has been so meticulously built.There's not much emotional elements and vibes seen around here.Many seemed to have moved on.
Sadly there are no proper remembrance,memorial spots et al to pay homage.Really sad. Maybe the passive ways of the Indian system shows off once again, in every thing that's done.
Well,I have heard there's some spots inside the hotel but going inside is also quite a lot of hassle right now,with the heavy security. It of course is a good thing, but sometimes people in power tend to trouble the honest citizen more than the real culprits! Sad, but true.
It's not like pre 2008(things seemed so much better),when I had been to various parts of the hotel for meetings and then for the Will Smith press conference,and when Brad Pitt- Angelina Jolie had visited.
I wanted to leave some flowers(the least I could do) but there was no spot to float them. So I ended up floating some in the nearby Arabian sea.
9/11 is commemorated in a huge scale. We all know that. The American President and other notable figures pay rich homage. In May this year they rejoiced the killing of a demon-Osama Bin Laden. Many hailed it across the world as 'good riddance'.But that's not the case for Mumbai.
The day is commemorated in a simple way by some who remember and care. By the way,it's not just on 26/11 that one needs to remember the victims and martyrs.They are ought not to be forgotten any day.
In fact there have been many other attacks thereafter too and that has made the city look, very, very vulnerable.
India shouldn't have made serious issues like these a habit. In fact 26/11 brought out into the open, the huge lapse in the security system,how the government failed the public and later even news such as the police officials not being given proper bullet proof jackets, guns etc.Constables with laathis( sticks from British days)were not capable of fighting well armed terrorists.
Wise folks say it's the corruption and the huge population, the lack of great leaders unlike in the past, of the calibre of Gandhiji, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Netaji et al that has lead to a situation like this...
I have said this before and I am saying it again. Even civilians have lots of responsibilities.But many are only concerned about themselves. It's okay till a point as it's self preservation but when it crosses all limits and that attitude harms others in the process it becomes very dangerous. Many are ready to stoop to any level and harm if there’s a need, to do what they want to do. It's like in a city of 19.5- 20 million people,roughly 200 suffering isn't such a big deal.
The terrorists act out of hate and many like that around us do so the same though in a smaller way! They can't control their various vices of lust, greed, unhealthy attachment, envy, ingratitude,arrogance, sloth, selfishness, manipulation ,ignorance cruelty,and so on.
And if given a chance they would make the demons in them(someone very wise calls it 'lower nature') rise high and take over to make poor innocents suffer! After all, the terror and the violence like the values, start in the mind itself. Once all that is cultivated, it can really become dangerous.
The young major had put hypocrisy, sycophancy, apathy and lack of compassion as 'turn offs' on his social networking profile. And majority he sacrificed himself for are still ruled by these terrible vices.It's really so very sad.
Here was a young man(and a few others) who gave up all to shield total strangers. And the so called normal people around can't even be a little humane and kind to people they know and are supposed to be close to! Just look at the contrast...Very, very sad.
Also it's very painful for any honest citizen of the world to see that Justice is taking way too long. The fact that there's no closure yet, is very painful.The lone surviving terrorist and the masterminds of the attack of November 2008 are yet to be punished for their heinous and demonic crimes against humanity. Martyr and lion of a man,police constable Tukaram Omble had got about 20 bullets pumped into him to catch the lone terrorist. If he had not done that,there would have been much more havoc on the roads. Since he was caught,a lot of truths about him and his connections with Pakistan could be revealed and established. We can't bring the heroes back but the supreme and noble sacrifices like that should bear at least some fruit.
The delay in delivering justice is not setting a good example and giving out a very wrong message.All aware citizens agree that it has made the country look even more vulnerable. How can one be sure that there won't be any more repeats? Making the Indian system look very passive and slow, so unlike the US, the UK and first world nations.
One Face Book fan of 'Indian Army fans' that did beautiful online homages and organised candle light vigils in many places across India such a Pune,Jaipur,Noida et al said---"Kitna candle jalayenge(how many candles will we burn?). Just hang that guy"
A small time celebrity/actress/activist Gul Panag rightly tweeted a Hindi adage,'Yahaan der bhi hai aur andher bhi"( there's both a long wait and darkness here...)
In one of the news articles,where one of the ministers gave quotes about how much sympathy he has with the families, what is being done right now,what talks are on with Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crimes to justice someone wisely commented---"Reciting the same old lines like a parrot.Typical politician...'
Speeches and talks in the parliament and elsewhere are not enough for a wounded country,more so for the families.It's action that matters.
The whole sad scenario is like what the scene from this meaningful movie'Rang De Basanti' said more than 5 years ago,about the level of corruption in India(all aware citizens of the world know such is the case in India and other 3rd world countries), of things never changing, of the system suffocating the honest citizen and so on...
What Sir Winston Churchill said more than 64 years ago seems to be coming true:
"Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters; all Indian leaders will be of low caliber & men of straw. They will have sweet tongues & silly hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power & India will be lost in political squabbles. A day would come when even air & water would be taxed in India."
BUT WE HAVE TO LIVE IN HOPE. Don't we all have to do so sometimes?
These verses from HOLY BIBLE help---
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
Ezekiel 25:17:
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
Popular media, inspired by the Holy book: "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who,in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."
And here's a verse from the HOLY BHAGAVAD GITA which gives ample hope----
A promise from God---
"Yada Yada Hi Dharmashya
Glanir Bhavathi Bharata
Abhyuthanam Adharmasya
Tadatmanam Srijami Aham
Paritranaya Sadhunaam
Vinashaya Cha Dushkritaam
Dharma Sansthapnaya
Arthaya Sambhavami Yuge Yuge.."
"यदा यदा ही धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत, अभ्युथानम् अधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् |
परित्राणाय साधुनाम विनाशाय च: दुष्कृताम, धर्मं संस्थापनार्थाय सम्भावामी युगे युगे ||"
Translation---( A promise from GOD)
Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice/decay of righteousness,O descendant of Bharata,and a predominant rise of unrighteousness-at that time I descend Myself to safeguard, deliver the pious and destroy the evil doers and to re-establish the principles of religion. It happens every millennium.
So let's keep praying and working for peace and justice in India and the world. Amen to that.
P.S -Babetude's pics of the little candle we lit and the flowers we used in memory and honor,while saying prayers for peace and justice.
I feel it even though I am thousands of miles away from the country of my birth-India.
It was among many heinous crimes against humanity. No true blue Indian,or anyone connected to India in any way or even humane people from around the world can afford to forget what happened 3 years ago. It's just like how one should and remembers/ prays for 9/11. Justice is long overdue.
Yes,sadly there has been no closure yet. But Prayers for Peace and Justice will be there always...Just pray and hope it happens soon.
Please view--
http://www.socialkonnekt.com/2611/candle.htm
A 26/11 tribute while asking people to light a candle in remembrance says:
"166 families grieved the inconsolable loss of loved ones. On those three dreadful nights and days, 166 people died, 300 others were wounded, many of them maimed for life. Someone's mother, someone's father, sister, brother, son, daughter, lover, friend.People of varied faiths(Hindu, Jew, Christian, Muslims et al) and even varied nationalities.
It is time to remember those who paid with their lives for the fanaticism of a few, to salute those who gave up their lives trying to shield others,and to honour those who survived the ordeal of terror.
It is time to light a candle, to show that something as heinous as that is neither forgiven nor forgotten.
It is time to light a candle; to show that as we move on, we cherish their memories, we value their sacrifice and we hail their courage."
For the uninitiated----
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Mumbai_attacks
"Eight of the coordinated attacks occurred in South Mumbai: at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital(a women and children's hospital),the Nariman House Jewish community centre, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College.There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai's port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle. By the early morning of 28 November, all sites except for the Taj hotel had been secured by Mumbai Police and security forces. On 29 November, India's National Security Guards (NSG) conducted Operation Black Tornado to flush out the remaining attackers; it resulted in the death of the last remaining attackers at the Taj hotel and ending all fighting in the attacks."
The well made documentary from Europe for Channel 4,uploaded below will give more information as well as gory details.
Here's a tribute to the martyrs of the attack who very unfortunately went down shielding others. Also very sad is the fact that there has been no closure for their families and well wishers as yet. Justice has not yet been done. Actually there's no compensation for such noble sacrifices but then tributes are a kind of a little consolation---
http://www.rediff.com/news/mumterror08.html
http://www.rediff.com/news/report/slide-show-1-remembering-26-11-south-mumbai-jewish-centre-still-awaits-to-remove-26-11-scars/20111125.html
http://www.rediff.com/news/report/slide-show-1-remembering-26-11-by-not-hanging-kasab-we-are-sending-a-very-bad-message/20111125.html
http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/rich-tributes-paid-to-2611-martyrs-140929.html
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-26/india/30444008_1_perpetrators-of-mumbai-attacks-terror-speedy-justice
Please paste the links on your browser and also view Babetude's heartfelt homage last year for 26/11
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http://thebabetudeblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/one-fateful-wednesday.html
Well, I don't live in that city any more,but I lived, studied and worked there for seven long years and was there when it happened. Also I have been an aware citizen and this will continue to affect me.
Though safe in suburban Mumbai,far away from the attacks,they will be always be etched in my memory,like how it has happened to many other Indians and Mumbaites.
Doesn't matter, even if people like us so far away right now.
The link below from Babetude's Indian Republic Day 2011 post. Putting the videos shot in 2009 up once again, as many I've known and seen have the Indian type of memory, i.e SHORT MEMORY.
http://thebabetudeblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/saluting-indias-real-heroes_26.html
"The families of Mumbai heroes are still grieving. It was not just another day in their lives. Good and compassionate citizens need to take out a little time and hope that some more people will grieve with them...And pray for justice too!
That's the least we can do...
I quite agree what the young Major's father said in the video that "the world changed only for them, the family and India went back to normal in a few days." I so wish people of the country would value a young son sacrificing his precious life much more and not make it look like just a personal loss of a family. There are some genuine sympathizers but the number is low.
Apathy is rampant. Someone with a sarcastic sense of humor had commented in an youtube video about how videos that has vulgar,improper or frivolous content gets much more views by people than the videos for patriots and martyrs!
Major Sandeep Unnikrishan, who I tend to remember most of the time would always be a personality close to my heart. Many people young and old, have felt connected to him, though they were not fortunate enough to know him before. Some feelings in life can't be explained and for me(an a few others),it was like losing a brother( that too a perfect one),I never had. My heart and many other hearts have bled for him many times.
I was in Mumbai that terrible day as a silent,weak, mute spectator and the pangs of guilt for not being able to do anything substantial will be there for a long, long time.The feeling of being powerless is terrible. How I wish I could have prayed harder, could have turned back time, could have changed the course of destiny...
Later I learned,he was a very humane person who donated much of his salary towards charity and various causes. When I look at his parents,I feel a lot of sadness.
http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/nov/251111-Unnikrishnans-father-wants-to-start-orphanage.htm
He was the only son of his parents and they are ones in whose hearts the wounds would be fresh forever. His father carries forward his legacy and both parents look quite strong. But it's really hard to fathom the storm going on inside him...
Like I mentioned on this blog before,I do sympathize and feel for the others top. But many young people tend to remember this young man a lot because he was so much like the middle class Indian youth that others of his like know of-convent educated, cosmopolitan, from a simple but cultured family, one with ambitions, one who loves to travel, enjoys the movies, life and so on. He seems so much like the guy next door to us.
The difference was that he was far too giving, selfless, patriotic...
He was a happy-go-lucky young man next door,our friendly neighborhood guy who was extra ordinary and whose selflessness and sacrifice seems so out of the world in this materialistic world. A truly great man, so out of the world.
No amount of compensation and tears are enough for a sacrifice like that. He didn't need to do that, he could have chosen to live life like anyone his age. Instead he decided to protect people he didn't even know. A kind of attitude which is hardly found anywhere around.
He still lives on in the memories of the ones who really care...
His father rightly said, "By being alive for some more years he could have done so much more for India and people." A precious life like that of his son, should have been there...The country needed him so much.
There were many stories of terrible grief---
A veteran food critic and writer who was well known in Mumbai intellectual circles was attending a wedding and couldn’t make it out of the Taj Mahal hotel safely. An elderly cleaner at the CST railway station became a victim.A railway employee was shot at the station on Nov 26 and his son who was turning a year older that day says he'll never cut a cake for his birthday again.A cab driver's wife now says she'll not rest until the surviving terrorist's death sentence is carried out.
And yes,there were also three fishermen of the hijacked Kuber ship which the the monsters used to enter Mumbai.
The Rabbi,Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka Holtzberg were greatly mourned.
From Wikipedia---"Several high ranking American politicians released statements on the Mumbai attacks, specifically referencing Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg by name, including US President-elect Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City, and Governor David Paterson of New York.
In December 2008, Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd told more than 1,000 people at a memorial service at the Yeshiva Center in New South Wales that Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah, had “devoted their lives to acts of goodness and kindness and compassion for others ... but they lost their lives in a senseless act of hatred. In the face of this terror we must not bow to fear. We must respond by spreading our own message of tolerance and respect for people of other backgrounds and other beliefs.” Federal Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull and U.S. Consul-General Judith Fergin also spoke at the memorial service. A representative from the Indian Consulate was also present.In a speech to Federal Parliament, Michael Danby, a Jewish member of the ruling Labor Party, said it was important to remember the names of the innocent victims of Mumbai attacks, stating that “I raise my voice in this national parliament and praise the memory of those innocent kedoshim who were killed in the Chabad House in Mumbai only because they were Jews.”
The family's nanny, Sandra Samuel who saved their baby son Moshe showed exemplary courage and presence of mind. Samuel is currently helping to care for the boy in Israel.
The poor little boy didn't quite yet fathom the seriousness of what happened, where his parents suddenly disappeared...He just kept crying for mommy.
"A video of Moshe crying at the funeral service for his parents and crying "Imma, Imma," which means "Mommy, Mommy" in Hebrew was widely published"
Here's the video of a song that was dedicated to him-----
http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/26-11-best-revenge-will-be-moshe-returning-to-city-as-rabbi-68763
An elderly German couple's dream just ended in the so called city of dreams at the Leopold cafe frequented by intellectual conversation loving people...
http://news.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/nov/25/slide-show-1-anniversary-26-11-dilip-dsouza-on-a-dream-that-ended-sadly.htm
Innocent lives got lost just like that due to the demonic natures of a few.
My heart goes out with the ones who made us all(the thankful as well as the thankless ones)feel safe and sleep peacefully by risking their lives. The ones that did what the soldiers of a country do every day- protect the borders to ensure the safety of the civilians, so that the normal people can sleep peacefully at night.
The citizens just need to do their duties and show solidarity.Let's hope a few more people become sensitive to their environments despite being so caught up in their lives or worse still stuck in their dangerously selfish & ungrateful little worlds. But the way, this once again brings to mind how some people achieve great levels of greatness in their lives, are mourned time and again while some others go un mourned and are considered good riddance.
The saying is so right- A tyrant dies and his reign happily ends( read people rejoice), a martyr dies and his reign begins(he lives warmly in millions of hearts).
The pictures below are from a visit this summer(the slogans and a little graphic designs came with a little help from Photoshop).
As for my trip,even if it was just a week in the city,we made sure we say some prayers at the Taj Hotel,one very important spot that was attacked and pay a little homage.
But it's not like the 9/11 memorial of New York, Ground Zero in any way which has been so meticulously built.There's not much emotional elements and vibes seen around here.Many seemed to have moved on.
Sadly there are no proper remembrance,memorial spots et al to pay homage.Really sad. Maybe the passive ways of the Indian system shows off once again, in every thing that's done.
Well,I have heard there's some spots inside the hotel but going inside is also quite a lot of hassle right now,with the heavy security. It of course is a good thing, but sometimes people in power tend to trouble the honest citizen more than the real culprits! Sad, but true.
It's not like pre 2008(things seemed so much better),when I had been to various parts of the hotel for meetings and then for the Will Smith press conference,and when Brad Pitt- Angelina Jolie had visited.
I wanted to leave some flowers(the least I could do) but there was no spot to float them. So I ended up floating some in the nearby Arabian sea.
9/11 is commemorated in a huge scale. We all know that. The American President and other notable figures pay rich homage. In May this year they rejoiced the killing of a demon-Osama Bin Laden. Many hailed it across the world as 'good riddance'.But that's not the case for Mumbai.
The day is commemorated in a simple way by some who remember and care. By the way,it's not just on 26/11 that one needs to remember the victims and martyrs.They are ought not to be forgotten any day.
In fact there have been many other attacks thereafter too and that has made the city look, very, very vulnerable.
India shouldn't have made serious issues like these a habit. In fact 26/11 brought out into the open, the huge lapse in the security system,how the government failed the public and later even news such as the police officials not being given proper bullet proof jackets, guns etc.Constables with laathis( sticks from British days)were not capable of fighting well armed terrorists.
Wise folks say it's the corruption and the huge population, the lack of great leaders unlike in the past, of the calibre of Gandhiji, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Netaji et al that has lead to a situation like this...
I have said this before and I am saying it again. Even civilians have lots of responsibilities.But many are only concerned about themselves. It's okay till a point as it's self preservation but when it crosses all limits and that attitude harms others in the process it becomes very dangerous. Many are ready to stoop to any level and harm if there’s a need, to do what they want to do. It's like in a city of 19.5- 20 million people,roughly 200 suffering isn't such a big deal.
The terrorists act out of hate and many like that around us do so the same though in a smaller way! They can't control their various vices of lust, greed, unhealthy attachment, envy, ingratitude,arrogance, sloth, selfishness, manipulation ,ignorance cruelty,and so on.
And if given a chance they would make the demons in them(someone very wise calls it 'lower nature') rise high and take over to make poor innocents suffer! After all, the terror and the violence like the values, start in the mind itself. Once all that is cultivated, it can really become dangerous.
The young major had put hypocrisy, sycophancy, apathy and lack of compassion as 'turn offs' on his social networking profile. And majority he sacrificed himself for are still ruled by these terrible vices.It's really so very sad.
Here was a young man(and a few others) who gave up all to shield total strangers. And the so called normal people around can't even be a little humane and kind to people they know and are supposed to be close to! Just look at the contrast...Very, very sad.
Also it's very painful for any honest citizen of the world to see that Justice is taking way too long. The fact that there's no closure yet, is very painful.The lone surviving terrorist and the masterminds of the attack of November 2008 are yet to be punished for their heinous and demonic crimes against humanity. Martyr and lion of a man,police constable Tukaram Omble had got about 20 bullets pumped into him to catch the lone terrorist. If he had not done that,there would have been much more havoc on the roads. Since he was caught,a lot of truths about him and his connections with Pakistan could be revealed and established. We can't bring the heroes back but the supreme and noble sacrifices like that should bear at least some fruit.
The delay in delivering justice is not setting a good example and giving out a very wrong message.All aware citizens agree that it has made the country look even more vulnerable. How can one be sure that there won't be any more repeats? Making the Indian system look very passive and slow, so unlike the US, the UK and first world nations.
One Face Book fan of 'Indian Army fans' that did beautiful online homages and organised candle light vigils in many places across India such a Pune,Jaipur,Noida et al said---"Kitna candle jalayenge(how many candles will we burn?). Just hang that guy"
A small time celebrity/actress/activist Gul Panag rightly tweeted a Hindi adage,'Yahaan der bhi hai aur andher bhi"( there's both a long wait and darkness here...)
In one of the news articles,where one of the ministers gave quotes about how much sympathy he has with the families, what is being done right now,what talks are on with Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crimes to justice someone wisely commented---"Reciting the same old lines like a parrot.Typical politician...'
Speeches and talks in the parliament and elsewhere are not enough for a wounded country,more so for the families.It's action that matters.
The whole sad scenario is like what the scene from this meaningful movie'Rang De Basanti' said more than 5 years ago,about the level of corruption in India(all aware citizens of the world know such is the case in India and other 3rd world countries), of things never changing, of the system suffocating the honest citizen and so on...
What Sir Winston Churchill said more than 64 years ago seems to be coming true:
"Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters; all Indian leaders will be of low caliber & men of straw. They will have sweet tongues & silly hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power & India will be lost in political squabbles. A day would come when even air & water would be taxed in India."
BUT WE HAVE TO LIVE IN HOPE. Don't we all have to do so sometimes?
These verses from HOLY BIBLE help---
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
Ezekiel 25:17:
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
Popular media, inspired by the Holy book: "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who,in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."
And here's a verse from the HOLY BHAGAVAD GITA which gives ample hope----
A promise from God---
"Yada Yada Hi Dharmashya
Glanir Bhavathi Bharata
Abhyuthanam Adharmasya
Tadatmanam Srijami Aham
Paritranaya Sadhunaam
Vinashaya Cha Dushkritaam
Dharma Sansthapnaya
Arthaya Sambhavami Yuge Yuge.."
"यदा यदा ही धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत, अभ्युथानम् अधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् |
परित्राणाय साधुनाम विनाशाय च: दुष्कृताम, धर्मं संस्थापनार्थाय सम्भावामी युगे युगे ||"
Translation---( A promise from GOD)
Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice/decay of righteousness,O descendant of Bharata,and a predominant rise of unrighteousness-at that time I descend Myself to safeguard, deliver the pious and destroy the evil doers and to re-establish the principles of religion. It happens every millennium.
So let's keep praying and working for peace and justice in India and the world. Amen to that.
P.S -Babetude's pics of the little candle we lit and the flowers we used in memory and honor,while saying prayers for peace and justice.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Celebrating Art, the right way!
Now there are some things that one does right in life...Yes, we all make mistakes and some of us feel sorry about them later. But we should also be thankful for the good things and the good decisions we make, right?
Of course ignorance can never be bliss.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Visiting Prithvi theatre with my family this July was one of them.
Our mistake was not knowing the fact that the Bard from Assam was ill in the hospital and not being able to meet him.
Prithvi theatre named after the late theatre/ acting stalwart Pritviraj Kapoor,started by his son and daughter-in-law the late Jennifer Kapoor and accomplished actor Shashi Kapoor and now run by their daughter Sanjna Kapoor, son Kunal Kapoor and a few other wonderful people, has a unique place in Mumbai for all art lovers.It has encouraged lots of upcoming and struggling actors, writers, directors et al in the city.
Some of them are ones who wish to graduate to doing movies and some others who don't care about the glitz and glamor of B-town much.
Sanjna Kapoor is a wonderful lady. She did a couple of Hindi films, starting as a very young girl in her father's productions such as 'Junoon', 'Utsav' etc. Later as a young woman, she could have signed many films and accepted many offers as she had the Kapoor name, one of the most respected surnames in B-town. But she studied acting in New York, went ahead with managing Prithvi as she became convinced Hindi films were not her cup of tea. She says, she missed nothing,as she isn't too fascinated by Bollywood which 'wasn't called Bollywood' in the eighties and early nineties when she had started out.
She believed and believes theatre will survive all the over shadowing and all the intense competition...
In the picture above, Sanjna is pictured with Paddy Hater of Footsbarn Travelling Theatre Company. Her maternal grand parents Geoffrey and Laura Kendal had a very famous traveling theatre group in the past.Sanjna knows it's a hard thing to have now, but still hopes to accomplish that dream of hers someday.
Just for info- Apart from other Kappors in the family, Sanjna's aunt(mother's sister) Felicty Kendal is a known British actress and her brother Karan Kapoor is an actor turned accomplished, award winning photographer from London.
By the way, over shadowing is a hell of a thing, since Bollywood with it's copied name, more mindless entertainment than substantial ones has a huge fan following and kind of reflects Indian culture(when it's actually not true) abroad as well.
There's so much more to Indian culture, it's just that many don't know.
And the quality in Bollywood has gone down big time. First there were formulaic films but they were connected to the culture. But now, except for a few sensible ones, it;s total cultural degeneration.Something Babetude has said,time and again.
And some of these artistes are really very talented.Some have showcased their talents in the better known movie industry( Gandhi,my father was a beautiful movie made by Feroz Abbas Khan, a well known theatre and film director, playwright, screenwriter) while some are lesser known.
Not that I hadn't visited Prithvi before. Each experience has a fantastic one. This time, really enjoyed showing off Indian art and culture to some who weren't from India, sitting and enjoying the hospitality at the Prithvi Cafe where lots of creative people discuss ideas, going through their collection of books and enjoying the play Classic Milds, 2,where they staged a collection of short stories by world renowned writers.
http://www.prithvitheatre.org/home.php
http://www.prithvitheatre.org/home.php
http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/02/26/stories/2005022602440100.htm
http://www.verveonline.com/27/people/sanjna/full.shtml
http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/12/24/stories/2008122450090600.htm
Monday, November 7, 2011
Remembering the Bard from Assam, the balladeer of the Brahmaputra, with lots of respect & love...
"A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with.A man is what he makes of himself."- Alexander Graham Bell
It's a very beautiful saying by the eminent scientist,inventor,engineer and innovator who gave us the first practical telephone. And it stands true for the personality who I am going to talk about today.
Well,Babetude is making a sad post yet again,with a heavy heart.
First off,I have to answer this or just probably repeat something again-why do I celebrate art so much,in so many posts in the Blog?
Without art and culture,how will a barbaric world be to live in? Sounds cliche but it's so very true.
Science and technology has moved the world forward, there's no doubt about that.But where would the beauty in the world be without art and it's able appreciators? Art has given a soul to a world which would only have emotionless living beings or things like that without it.
So each time as I lament the loss of a veteran artiste from the world of art,culture and even stalwarts from other productive and progressive field,it's like lamenting the death of art and other wonderful things which make life so very beautiful.
"It is not length of life, but depth of life," that's a great adage by Ralph Waldo Emerson .
That is very true as well. But some people deserve to be mourned deeply and remembered lovingly and with respect,regardless of what time they make their departure from the world. It's hard to say goodbye as the world needs/needed them so much.
Many led fulfilling lives, yet the loss is huge,a void that's hard to fill and the grief will be there.
And hence,Babetude has been mourning the losses of veterans in the world of art, music,culture, spiritual and other productive worlds for a while now.The great Steve Jobs had said-'Old has to go to make way for the new."
Babetude remembers that from making the tribute post for the tech guru who changed the world,when he went away too soon,just last month.
In the areas of science, medicine and technology in the world, I strongly feel, things are going good and even getting better. But the same can't be said about the field of art and culture,more so in India.
Well,I have to analyse what's happening in India's entertainment scene(even more than Hollywood and international cinema which I've been following passionately for so long) because that's where I came from and worked in for a while.One has to be immersed in a culture to judge it or make comments about it! That's how the wise do it.
So the truth is there are few in the generation today who can be called able successors. The regional film industries(more so from the states of Bengal,Assam and the South)which made wonderful movies in the past are being over shadowed by the Hindi film industry or more popularly(known by it's copied name)Bollywood.
And like many times I said before and many knowledgeable ones who have researched deeply would agree,the artistic quality in B'wood has gone down.Period.There are no two ways about that.There are good films, but their number is very low.That's why Babetude had made a post not very long back-"Where is current B'wood's soul & substance?' Talked about it this terrible thing many times too.
Well,getting back to the topic,Babetude is mourning someone from her homeland,her place of birth, her state in the north eastern corner of India,Assam(well,maybe the name of my state too is being revealed for the first or second time in the blog).
It is Dr. Bhupen Hazarika who left the world on 5th November,2011,making it one of the saddest days in the history of Assam.
There never was and probably for a while never be a day like that in Assam history for a while now, when so many people from different walks of life and even outside of Assam and India grieved so much together.
He's been aptly called the Bard of Assam, and the Assam Ratna(gem).That title also comes from the fact that the state's highest civilian award 'Asom Ratna' was conferred on him,not very long ago.
And yes "he owed very little to what he was born with"(a small place in a state towards the quite neglected north eastern side of India) and it's more about what "he made of himself".
There's a lot of info here for the uninitiated or those who came in late(yes,it's kind of too late now,still it's never too late to know a legend whose legacy lives on).I have to say this because where I live right now, the Caribbean,except for the very few NRIs, not many know him yet.
A report said-"Dr. Hazarika was regarded as one of the greatest living cultural communicators of South Asia. He had been a poet, journalist, singer, lyricist, musician, filmmaker and writer."
His Wikipedia profile says-
A pioneer who is solely responsible for placing the fledgling Assamese cinema on the all India and on the world cinema map. He had been the only person in the past 40 years to propagate the better cinema movement and had integrated all the seven north-eastern states, including tribal culture, through the medium of cinema.
And he was not just an artiste, he was multifaceted and he was an academician too who earned his doctorate from Columbia University, New York, way back in the 50s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhupen_Hazarika
The Guardian UK obituary called him an Inspirational Indian singer,lyricist and political activist and wrote--"One of the most important cultural figures of north-east India, Bhupen Hazarika, who has died aged 85, used music, cinema and the written word to stitch political ideology and ancient traditions into the fabric of popular culture. His distinguished career as a film-maker, singer, lyricist and political activist spanned 70 years. He won many major awards in India and leaves an impressive body of work that includes more than 1,500 songs."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/06/bhupen-hazarika?fb=optOut
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?278921
Another news report said--"His music carried the smell of the dark earth and the hum of the deep rivers he sang so passionately about."
A noted publication wrote-"Most of singer Bhupen Hazarika’s songs dwelt on the themes of love, nature and the varied hues of human emotions.The soulful lyrics in Hazarika’s unique powerful voice speaking of people, nature and love, were lapped up by all generations and for long his songs played over gramophone discs and cassettes formed an integral part of political meetings.His song on Bangladesh war of independence “Joi Joi Nabajato Bangladesh” also moved people."
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-06/india/30366271_1_dil-hoom-hoom-kare-bhupen-hazarika-kalpana-lajmi
Here are videos with some of his immortal songs-
The Bengali version of the song played above,titled'Manush manusheri janya(man is for mankind) and which talks about the need for compassion among humans,was selected as the'best song of the millennium' by the BBC Bengali service.
One of the many tributes coming from India that touched Babetude---
There are many bards who have done works which are an artist's delight. But, the biggest of all is someone who is able to reach out to - the common folk in the fields, a dejected youth, a successful man through the same song without requirement of any advertisement. Long Live the King. !!!
From Twitter and other media sources. Please check some tributes by noted Indian personalities--
The President, the Prime minister, political leaders,academicians, artistes and various state heads expressed their grief at the loss.
India's President Pratibha Patil described him as "a creative genius whose deep baritone voice was instantly recognised by poetry and music lovers across the nation".
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said,"India has lost one of its most gifted artists".
latamangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata)in Hindi
Bhupen hazarika ji,ek bhohot hi guni kalakar the,wo bohot acche sangeetkar aur gayak to the hi,par saath saath bahot acche kavi aur,film director bhi the,unki Assamese film mein mujhe gane ka mauka mila ye mere liye saubhagya ki Baat thi,aisa mahan kalakar ab humare beech nahi rahe, iska mujhe bohot dukh hai,,ishwar unki aatma ko shanti de..
The gist of this is that he was not only a talented singer,artiste and musician but also a great poet, a film maker.I was fortunate to sing for his Assamese film. I am sad such a great personality is not there with us today.May God rest his soul in peace.
AzmiShabana Azmi shabana
Sorry to learn about Bhupen Hazarika.His was a unique voice and he wrote lyrics using Assam's folk music as an instrument of social change..
5 Nov
SrBachchan Amitabh Bachchan
T 549 - Bhupen Hazarika passes away !A musician of many talents and what a voice .. prayers and condolences !!
5 Nov
TandonRaveena Raveena Tandon
Bhupen Hazarika passes away.. Indias Rich Culture and Heritage of Art and Music loses another Gem.Rest in Peace Bhupen Da..
5 Nov
»
sanjaysuri Sanjay Suri
Very very Sad to hear about Dr Bhupen Hazarika...spent some wonderful time with him during Daman.
5 Nov
Akshay Kumar: “After Jagjit Singh, India has lost another musical wonder, RIP Bhupen Hazarika. The man who gave us ‘Dil Hoom Hoom Kare’ from Rudaali, truly our hearts recite this song with grief today.”
Madhur Bhandarkar: “Sad to hear the demise of legendary music maestro Bhupen Hazarika, RIP.”
Shantanu Moitra: “Bhupen Hzarika passes away… It’s a big loss for all music lovers.”
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt had said about the Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner(for contribution to Indian cinema) was a ‘not just a musician but a giant among giants with the heart of a child’ while actor Farooque Sheikh said a gem like "Hazarika can’t be replaced easily."
SushmaSwaraj,Indian politician and MP from the BJP(Bhartiya Janata Party)
Bhupen Hazarika is no more. That is a very painful sound of music.
5 Nov Favorite Retweet Reply
SushmaSwaraj
His doctoral thesis was "Proposals for Preparing India's Basic Education to Use Audio-Visual Techniques in Adult Education".
5 Nov Unfavorite Retweet Reply
SushmaSwarajBJP Sushma Swaraj
I knew Bhupen da well. I was greatly impressed by the fact that he obtained doctorate in journalism from Columbia University in 1952.
5 Nov
SushmaSwarajBJP Sushma Swaraj
In Guwahati for the final journey of Bhupenda
17 hours ago
SushmaSwarajBJP Sushma Swaraj
There was a sea of humanity to bid farewell to Bhupenda. I am deeply touched by the warmth of the people there.
11 hours ago
SushmaSwarajBJP Sushma Swaraj
Bhupenda was a great son of India. I request the Prime Minister to honour Bhupenda with Bharat Ratna
IamOnir I AM Onir
Very sad to hear about the demise of Bhupen Da .Had started my career in Hindi Film Industry workin in DAMAN with Kalpana Lajmi n Bhupen Da.
IamOnir (Film Director Onir)
worked with BhupenDa for the music of Daman n his music album GANGA Remember our love for good food N THE Lunches N Dinners We had TOGETHER
6 Nov
IamOnir I AM Onir
Remember Bhupen Da for his warmth and love and the incredible voice and melody .will remember him with love
Composer Lalit Pandit: He was a genius.He was the king of folk music and he did a lot of work in Hindi music.He will be remembered among this generation because he was a person of pure music.It is really sad that he has gone away.A person like him of that generation,that purity,that knowledge would be hard to find now."
Others who paid tributes were Indian music legend Manna De who said he always felt great rendering music under Hazarika’s direction. He had added,"I told him so many times that there was something in his songs which gave me a different kind of feeling while singing his songs under his direction.”
Tina Ambani, wife of Anil Ambani, filmmaker Mrinal Sen, singers Usha Uthup, Ila Arun, music director Pritam, classical singer Pandit Jasraj, actress Deepti Naval, singer Abhijeet and radio commentator Ameen Sayani also conveyed their condolences.
THERE WAS MORE Lata Mangeshkar had to say....A excerpt from the story---
"""Tue Nov 08 2011 IANS
Mourning the death of Bhupen Hazarika, Lata Mangeshkar says there won’t be another one like him and that she not only fell in love with his music but enjoyed his company as he was always full of life and joy.
“I sang for him way back in the 1950s in Assamese. I was scared of getting the pronunciation wrong. But he was confident. And I was game since I love singing in various languages. And the song was so lovely ‘Jo na kare rati’. I fell in love with Bhupenda’s music,” she said.
“Our association began from there, and continued through decades. He became close to my entire family specially my youngest sister Usha who sang innumerable Assamese songs for him,” she added.
“I had gone for the recording of some Bengali songs for Bhupenda in Kolkata. I stayed with him and his wife (Priyamvada Patel) in their home. They made me so comfortable. There’re very few people in my life I felt so relaxed with. Bhupenda was always full of life and joy, so much so that I hated the thought of him being ill,” she added.
“Two years ago he came home. I was dismayed by the change in his health. Seeing him so frail, I was depressed. From then onwards I didn’t have the heart to meet him. I was supposed to record a song with him, I chickened out.
“I am frightened of seeing loved ones in pain. When my mother fell ill, I had to be dragged by the rest of the family to see her. But I kept abreast of his health through my sister Usha who was on the SMS with Kalpana Lajmi. I got to know of his hospitalization. He was really in pain.
“When I heard of his illness, I rang him up in the hospital. Kalpana put the phone to his ear. I believe Bhupenda responded to my voice. They even played my songs for him in the hospital. I know he was very fond of me and my singing. And I of him. Three days ago, a journalist came to me saying Bhupenda was very critical. I recorded my get-well message for him. Then, it was over,”said Lata.
“My most popular song for Bhupenda in Hindi was ‘Dil hoom hoom kare’. The composition was very special. Bhupenda sang the song originally in Assamese. Today, I smile as I remember how entertaining he was in person. I enjoyed his company. And I enjoyed singing his songs. There will never be another Bhupen Hazarika.”
Around 2-3 years ago when Lata ji had met him she had reportedly told him-"Dada, the film industry is falling apart. People like you and I are becoming legacies of the past’.(Must say TRUTHFUL WORDS WHICH HURT A TOO).
Later Lajmi had talked about how Dr. Hazarika has always had a very soft corner for Lata Didi and how he’ll carry this meeting with him forever and how he's blessed to have shared a unique friendship with her.
Another musical veteran, Mahendra Kapoor had passed on that year and it was said,“Every year Lataji is reminded of the passing forth of the golden era. It’s not an easy thing for her to see all those colleagues and co-singers whom she worked with pass her by. This is why she had decided to meet Bhupen Hazarika(in 2008),”
That's also the reason why Babetude admires and loves Lata ji so much...She is a legendary singer and a wonderful human being too.No wonder she is such a huge name and hugely liked too
Here's a little piece of info which by the way, is already known to people who have known Dr. Hazarika's work. While doing his PHD at Columbia university in NY, Dr. Hazarika had met, befriended and became closely associated with the legendary Paul Robeson between 1949 and 1955 in the USA.
It's being said that during this period that he was also awarded a Gold Medallion in New York as the best interpreter of India's folk songs by Eleanor Roosevelt.
So some of his most famous compositions were adaptations of African American spirituals that he had learned from Paul Robeson.He had been very inspired by the classic 'ol' man river' sung by Robeson in the movie Showboat(1936).Later it was covered by Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ray Charles and other greats.
He later most famously made his own versions in Bengali, Assamese and Hindi on the River Ganga(Ganges) and the river Brahmaputra from Assam(also fondly called 'Luit' in Assamese). It talked about the indifference of the river which kept flowing without caring about the issues, difficulties of the people, among the people who live around and the world over.
His lyrics always had deeper meaning...
He's been called the 'Bard of the Brahmaputra' as he sang about the river in many of his compositions.
It's been said and Babetude must add here again that Dr. Hazarika or fondly Bhupen Da(elder brother in Assamese and Bengali),claimed and used his music,mostly inspired by Assamese folk for social reform. In the process he made Assam famous and a journo colleague of Babetude who's been covering with heart warming devotion the stories of his ailments in recent months rightly said, "Assam has lost her best son and it's difficult for another Assamese to do even a fraction of what he had accomplished."
Another favorite classic, Lead Belly's 'We are in the same boat brother' which he translated and covered in Assamese and Bengali, with due credit shows the influence of the African-American Spiritualists and the wish to convey messages with his songs!
Check the video where he hailed Nelson Mandela with this composition...It also shows how he wanted to connect with his music, not just locally but internationally too! So he can very well be called'the first true global Assamese.'
One more news paper wrote as they paid homage--"Singer, songwriter, composer, filmmaker-he was a complete artist. Dr. Hazarika composed for Bollywood films too without ever compromising either on his creative integrity or abandoning his roots in traditional Assamese folk. Yet he unfailingly found the popular pulse with tracks such as 'Dil hoom hoom kare' (Rudaali), 'Zara dheere zara dheeme'(Ek Pal) and 'Naino mein darpan hai'(Aarop)."
Here's a popular song from 'Aarop' made in 1973. This was earlier an Assamese song "Tumar Uxah Konhwa Komal'.
A youtube comment said-"Masterpiece like this happens rarely when poet like Maya Govind meets music legend like Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. That too when Lata and Kishore gives their voices. Ultimate."
Another well known Assamese song 'Buku hom hom kare' was remade in Bengali and in Hindi for the national award winning film 'Rudaali' by Dr. Hazarika's long time companion and friend Kalpana Lajmi who looked after him till the end.
"He was not just a singer but a social reformer who brought the Northeast closer to the rest of India," Kalpana Lajmi had said.
The lady, a director of critically acclaimed films such as Daman, Darmiyaan, Chingari(where she had collaborated with Dr. Hazarika) also happens to be India's classic actor/ director Guru Dutt's niece and painter Lalita Lajmi's daughter. She had said,"He was extraordinary. We won't have another Hazarika again."
Only she would feel and know her grief at the loss of her companion of 40 years.It's immense, it's beyond words and we understand why she said she "has lost everything"...She also said how it would be difficult for her to go back to Mumbai and start life all over again in the lonely, harsh city.Her grief is beyond words.We understand and sympathize a lot.
She had said the North east of India is orphaned and it's true.
Right now many out there have claimed they are feeling the same way. One can say 'it's like a feeling of becoming totally culturally orphaned.'
Lata Mangeshkar had sung the song in Hindi superbly.
During M.F Hussain's Gaja Gamini, the master painter is said to have told Dr. Hazarika after asking him to provide the music for his film,:"You paint through your songs, Bhupen. But I can't sing with my paintbrush. It's up to you to fill this lacuna in my artistry. That's why I have taken you.
Sadly M.F Hussain had passed away in June this year too...Hope they are continuing their good artistic work up there in Heaven.
Here is a popular song an Assamese film 'Chameli Memsaab',Dr. Hazarika was associated with(he made films in regional Indian languages-Assamese and Bengali).
Some of the songs were in association with his talented brother Jayanta Hazarika who is regarded as probably the most melodious Assamese singer.Within his short life, Jayanta Hazarika had belted out many hits.
Dr. Hazarika used to sing about being a gypsy('Zazabor' in Assamese and 'Awaara' in Hindi)
The zazabor who has seen a lot of the world-the Mississippi, the Volga, Austria,Paris et al and is a wanderer with a playful heart and how he connects with the world
Check the beautiful melody( a repeat for those who know it already.)
It of course has a deeper meaning - about people wandering to find the true meaning and purpose of life.
The gypsy returned home finally...Home to Assam
Awards, accolades won and some more info...
He was honored with the Padma Shree in 1977 for his outstanding contribution in the field of culture and the Padma Bhushan in 2001. In 1987, he had received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. He was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime contribution to development of Indian cinema in 1993. Dr. Hazarika got the National Film Award for best music direction in Assamese hit 'Chameli Memsaab' in 1975. In 2009, the Assam govt honored him with the Asom Ratna award, the state's highest civilian award.Various circles have made demands for a Bharat Ratna(the country's highest civilian award) for a while now and the momentum has increased right now.
The Northeast MP Forum, the body of all the Northeastern MPs had written in their letter to the Prime Minister in September- "There is no parallel in the field of culture in the country that can combine the strengths of creativity, music composition, lyrics and voice rendition as beautifully as displayed by Dr. Hazarika. Till this day, he has been writing and composing masterpieces to address the ills of contemporary society. His works make him a true exponent of National Integration. He is considered the last of the great mass singers and the only great ballad singer alive in India. He commands pan- Indic appeal. The North East Members of Parliament Forum strongly feels that recommending a person of his caliber and standing for the highest civilian award of the country not only befit the cause but also a quantum leap in emotional integration of the people of North Eastern region with the rest of the countrymen."
As already mentioned, apart from Assam, he popularized other North Eastern Indian states- Arunachal Pradesh,Meghalaya, Tripura and even the kingdom of Nepal
This one of his many songs that hailed Shillong, which is sometimes called the Switzerland of the east.
Another published material said-"The All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union, the organization of Gorkha youths and students of Assam, has decided to take the 'seeta bhashma(ashes) of Dr Bhupen Hazarika to Gorkhaland territorial administration region and immerse it in the river Teesta, and preserve a part of it atop Tiger Hill and Mount Kanchenjunga.Late Dr Hazarika was closely associated with the Gorkhas since his birth in 1926, at Sadiya in Tinsukia district of Upper Assam, and he grew up in Tezpur in today’s Sonitpur district – both Gorkha-populated regions of Assam. He loved the Gorkhas, their tradition and culture, and wore the ‘vadgawley Gorkha Cap’ throughout his life and sang songs such as Kopili Noir parat Gorkha Gabhoru Joni... after seeing a Gorkha girl fetch water in clay pots on the bank of Kopili river in Assam. Gorkhas in Assam henceforth will call the black coloured ‘vadgawley’ Gorkha cap worn by Dr Bhupen Hazarika ‘Bhupenda Gorkha topi’. AAGSU appealed to the Indian Gorkha population and across the globe to replace the word ‘vadgawley’ by Bhupenda and call it ‘Bhupenda Gorkha topi’ henceforth to pay true homage to the legend.
The love of the people in Assam and the North East has been immense.Truly it's like they lost a father. The state went into mourning with people gathering at his residence and lighting earthen lamps and candles in their houses as a mark of respect.Close to a million people from different parts of Assam and different walks of life, paid their tributes, bid tearful good byes and the funeral had to be postponed. There were state holidays kept in his honor. So does it mean he has become even greater in death?
Actress Seema Biswas of Oscar nominated 'Water' fame(directed by Deepa Mehta) had said,“I haven’t seen such orderly conduct given the huge turnout anywhere in the world.People came freely and spontaneously set aside any fear.”
http://telegraphindia.com/1111109/jsp/frontpage/story_14725888.jsp
The one and only son of the maestro-Tej Bhupen Hazarika, a book publisher and writer from New York flew down to do the last rites.
Tej Hazarika is a devout Buddhist and a humanitarian too who has carved a niche for himself on his own. As he rightly said by him in an interview,"without living in the shadow of his father." He had visited Assam and India in the past.But it wasn't publicized much.
The Siddhartha Kendra Vidyalaya, North Lakhimpur, Upper Assam was inaugurated by him along with his son in April 2007 and now he is academic director of the school. He had also made a short film on a school for the hearing impaired located in Guwahati, Assam and the innovative techniques used by them.
From a report-Tej Hazarika is said to have thanked the sea of fans and mourners for their overwhelming display of affection towards his late father and is reported to have said-”No words can describe what I am witnessing. It clearly has something to do with the life of my father and his works. I have to learn from my father’s works." He had said in english, apologising for not being fluent in Assamese due to his upbringing in the US,”I am proud to be my father’s son and I am proud of my family.This is a special occasion. My father will hope his words will live on. I also hope his words (lyrics) will be understood and people will learn to live in this wonderful world as envisaged by him, ”
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Lately,I also heard that his wife Candice and teenage son Sage joined him as well in Assam.This is a sad occasion, but still an occasion to remember indeed!
Please read more----
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Rahul-Gandhi-meets-Bhupen-Hazarika-s-son-in-Guwahati/Article1-766972.aspx
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/rahul-gandhi-meets-bhupen-hazarikas-son-in-guwahati_100575952.html
http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/hundreds-thousands-pay-tribute-bhupen-hazarika-photo-125438375.html
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/bhupen-hazarika
Youth leader Rahul Gandhi paid his tributes and respects as well--
Before the funeral Forensic experts preserved footprints of the maestro for eternity on a plate of plaster of Paris. A 21 gun salute was given to him by the Assam police.
Touching comments from various sites after the funeral--"Read in many places that four Doves had come from unknown places and had stayed continuously watching over his body as tens of thousands of people payed tribute. After the completion of his cremation the doves flew away."
"O'burha luit, aaji tumi iman nishobdo kiyo? kune gabo tumar shei projar upakhan...tumi aaji sthobdo hoi nujua kiyo... tumi aaji buaa kiyo"
This is in Assamese and the gist of it is- The river Brahmaputra( from Assam, India) about whom he sang so much,is silent and would also feel the pain as the poet who sang and wrote about many songs about it,so much is not there any more. After all, who's going to sing about it now?
Please view some beautiful memories, some pictures taken with wife Priyam Hazarika(Priyamvada Patel)who now lives in Canada and some other veterans such as Mohammed Rafi,Dev Anand and Lata Mangeshkar, in the years gone by...
Here are some tributes made by fans on you tube...(Pls ignore if there are minor spelling and other errors in the videos.) We have been just so overwhelmed, especially in Assam, and also the region's people outside of India, like myself...
SOME PERSONAL MEMORIES
On another important note, Babetude has hardly revealed personal affairs, but I have to do so here. It's the right time.
Actually I and my family share the same surname as the maestro and is actually related to the illustrious family from my father's side(even though they were cousins with distant relations).
This is also true that most Assamese with the kind of connection they had with Dr. Hazarika's art,would feel related to him and it's being proved even more now.
Like many others in Assam who grew up hearing his music,I and my family have always hummed and listened to his songs and have preserved his Cds, audio cassettes(as a child)and all the other reading materials over the years.
I fondly and now sadly remember meeting this great man as a little girl in the early nineties at my home town,in fact just around my parental home where I was growing up.That was when he was the president of the Assam Sahitya Sabha(literary organization of Assam)in the year 1993 and had come down for the big meeting.
He was already a big celebrity and it was a great honor. Childhood memories are precious and this will always be a cherished memory.
So was the memory of the phone call I made as a teenager when he had asked me to come and see him at his home in Mumbai. Sadly that never happened thanks to a over protective and enthusiastic office assistant/ secretary. But soon after there was another meeting at a cultural event where I did have the honor to seek his blessings.
There were a couple of other personal meetings and viewings later on too.
There would have been more meetings but with the all the pressures of life in the big hard city, the various domestic issues and later the traveling,they were not to be:(:(:(
If I was still living in Mumbai, I would have seen him at the hospital too as a journalist and a well wisher.After all, my journo colleague and a few others were doing it with sincere devotion in the last few months.
That was a very important time to visit someone at the hospital.But it was not to be for me and I regret it immensely. I am grief struck too and have been feeling the heaviness felt by many around this time(so what if I am far away?).
I must also say here that this is the time I am missing Assam,more than ever before and feeling once again-"no matter where I live,I am an Assamese and an Indian at heart." Yes,one should never abandon one's roots.
I did say wishes and prayers for a full recovery on Face Book(through the journo colleague) on the occasion of his birthday on September 8th this year and kept Lataji's beautiful tweet with loads of wishes which said---
latamangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata)
Posted Thursday 8th September 2011 from Twitlonger
Namaskar. Aaj hamare desh ke prasiddha sangeetkar, Shri Bhupen Hazarikaji ka janamdin hai. Main unhe unke janamdin ki bahut, bahut badhaai deti hoon, aur asha karti hoon ki unki tabeeyat bahut jaldi acchhi ho jaye; aur woh jald hi ghar laut aaye.
Many fans had wished him a speedy recovery too.There were prayers, candle light vigils from family, friends, well wishers from his home state and other places...
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-05/news-interviews/30363671_1_kalpana-lajmi-bhupen-hazarika-rubbishes-rumours
But sadly he went away a little less than two months later:((:( Is it so that more prayers could have helped and he would have really recovered? Like some other, I too wish his health was maintained even as he was getting older.
Health indeed is wealth. Sufferings of old age when one is seriously unwell can be immense and then loved ones, well wishers are known to ask and pray for a release and for an end to the sufferings as well.
The end for him came at the ripe age of 85 but I must say this again here-gems like that are needed in the world,especially from a place like Assam which hardly has too many.
I am just praying like many others now:::May peace be upon your soul. May the legacy live on forever. Rest in peace our friend. Amen.
In fact,it has to be mentioned here that in my years as a teenager and rookie reporter for some TV production houses making shows for channels, I had the honor to either have telephonic or face to face interviews with many veteran artistes, great departed souls such as Naushad Sahab, Hrishikesh Mukherjee(who emphasized on how ill he was then), Shammi Kapoor, and even the ones who are fortunately around now such as Saira Banu, Vidya Sinha, Hema Malini,Prema Narayan,et al.
As observed by many noted people, most in the industry and the janta(public)today, does have the habit of forgetting the veterans, more so if they have retired or are not in the news. Or sometimes the respect given is just not enough. None of the producers I was assisting then, encouraged me, the youngster, their junior at that time to respect them more either. It's a harsh reality of life.Maybe it was not so, many years back and hope it changes.
Some of my relatives attended the funeral and the memorial services.There is also the immersion of the maestro's ashes in different rivers across Assam as well as the states of Arunachal Pradesh,Tripura,Meghalaya, the kingdom of Nepal et al he popularized with his work and even the Mississippi, the Volga and other known rivers he celebrated through his music and art.
More musings...
Aristotle had most famously said-"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."
As promised while starting this blog, Babetudue has been trying to celebrate the noteworthy who have excelled in life and in art and who have known themselves well..
From even tragic events,some very important lessons of life can be learned. People have failings,we all do. But the one who rises above these failings and leads a productive, progressive, constructive life working productively for oneself and the world is usually remembered lovingly.Some people are meant to receive fame,name and money but to handle it well,without letting it go one's head and without arrogance is a challenge,an art in itself. Sometimes fame, money et al doesn't last long either. That's where spirituality steps in. Handling it well comes to the truly spiritual quite easily.
The rich legacies the truly great leave behind is preserved with love and respect.It's written in many books, it's cliche again,but it's very true. It's very important to try to live a good, peaceful life and try to do good,constructive deeds.
Sadly there are too many others who never realize that and go unsung,unknown and unmourned. Worse till, they are considered good riddance.
I too have known that one of my many duties in the world, is to celebrate art. Hope I am and will do it better as the time goes by. The spirit of the Bard from the land of the Brahmaputra inspires me more, to be more productive, constructive, progressive just like many others today ...A spirt like that should and will live on.
Last but not the least, Babetude would like to thank all youtube users and all those who contributed to the making of the lovely videos...
Leaving you all with Oscar and Grammy winning Indian composer/ singer, A.R Rahman's version of the 'Jana Gana Mana',the Indian national anthem, where artistes from all over India had performed. One can see Dr. Hazarika and another late great Jagjit Singh in the video as well.
(Videos and some reports and quotes courtesy: All the wonderful people on youtube, other media and social media sources.)
The ending prayer: Salute the spirits of the true artistes.Peace be upon them.May there be goodness all around. God bless.
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