That strain again was it not Shakespeare

Bhopal , MP     Mar  12,  2011        Sat  8 : 36 PM

” That strain again …. ” was it not Shakespeare ! I think yes .. What a delight when that strain of music you suddenly hear, and stop everything to listen to it again, then again … and again ….

Heard something that had remained in my iTunes account while tinkering around with the computer and then it just stuck. And you put it on repeat and it plays … and the visuals keep coming fast and furiously … imagining a moment in film … that look … that smile of acceptance … a vivid memory … flashing back to the past … perhaps an association, a connect .. and your spirits rise, you feel a part of that situation that keeps building up gradually within you. Creativity bursting from the sides, the rush of blood on your face, excitement, joy, accomplishment, victory, acknowledgment, applause … and you have transported yourself into that imaginary realm … !!

Then as suddenly as you had noticed the refrain, the doorbell rings … reality ! Back to the moment in time and date and vocation … dinner sir … tomorrows schedule .. scenes to be read … we need to start early, there are location changes … a deep breath, and down to earth from that temporary sojourn in the clouds …

There have been so many such moments in lives of people and in the lives of artists, particularly in the art of making films. An idea comes, as come it must, in the middle of the most undesired moment. Thoughts and flights of fancy overtake you. The filming starts, the performances get executed and we are on screen even before ‘jack robin’ can be uttered .. Pity, though. It never really happens as rapidly as imagined. I wish we all had that magic wand where thought could be translated into finite at the snap of a finger … would be such a wonderful world … or maybe not .. depending on what you may have desired or not .. ha ha !!

As artists we sometimes think up in our minds how particular scene needs to be executed. It remains all worked out and locked. There is a feeling that the issue has already been dealt with, but in fact when the camera rolls, as roll it must, perhaps several days or months later, what had been internally processed never ideally comes to pass. And that is where we all fail. At least I certainly do. I cannot say about the others …

Process of my work !! ha ha .. intriguing at times is it not. Would be an interesting topic to discuss and narrate what goes through the mind when the camera rolls. May be someday we shall ..

The drums of wedding and celebration wind up outside the window … and its another such evening .. or is it the Saturday that brings it all on ..

And its rather strange that your thoughts for this platform seem to rise and fall with the rhythm of the music outside .. right now its predominantly ‘bhangra’, so the flow of thoughts and words is … well short staccato and exuberant .. or is it just my Sikh genes !!

Sikh genes, brings me to the topic often raised by some on why I say so much about my Father and nothing about my Mother. I tweeted back on that - what can I say but this - my Mother built a home and an environment for my Father to prosper and for me to be able to talk about it !! There can be no bigger contribution for a Mother than this. She always felt strongly that the creative to flourish in a home that housed talent, it was mandatory for the lady of the house to insure that a peaceful cohesive and conducive atmosphere prevailed within the four walls of the home. Artists of all hues will perhaps endorse this. To sensitive minds the environment and its functions play hugely on their thinking and then subsequently on the output. My Father went through a most dark period in his life with poverty and death stalking at every bend. It reflected in his works. His books were titled of that period in consonance with the state of his mind - ‘Aakul Antar’, disturbed insides ; ‘Ekaant Sangeet’, the music of solitude .. but on meeting my Mother and after marrying her, the tone of hope, joy and happiness reflected in his poems ..

Perhaps tomorrow shall be the winding up of the schedule for ‘Aarakshan’ .. perhaps .. and as has customarily been my practice I shall be hosting a get together for all those that worked along with us - from spot boys, drivers, light men right to the stars. It is these unnamed and forgotten heroes of a film that deserve the biggest compliments and attention and it is wonderful to invite them into the same environment as the others and give them the acknowledgement of their worthy contribution in the making of film. They are the true spirit in every production. They work tirelessly, beyond the call of duty, beyond schedule and time and never ever clamor for attention or complain. They are truly quite phenomenal and deserve all attention and commendation !

Time for contemplation and thought and … yes the pillow !

Love to all ..

Amitabh Bachchan

IPL Apeening will host Big B! आईपीएल की आपेनिंग होस्ट करेंगे बिग बी!

IPL Apeening will host Big B!
Mumbai. April to begin next month are going to be eight Indian Premier League (IPL) Opening Ceremony of the fourth season in the Bollywood Shahenshah Amitabh Bachchan are expected to attend.

According to sources, the Opening Ceremony held in three companies engaged in the race have included Big B in his list. Sources said the companies bidding for the inaugural IPL Ghwaranig Council recently presented a detailed description of the program before.

Amitabh Bachchan as the host is said to take. Moreover, according to corporate Preejeteanshne to Amitabh - Aamir Khan will host. According to sources, the cost of the final decision before the event to be considered.


Hindi
आईपीएल की आपेनिंग होस्ट करेंगे बिग बी!
 
मुंबई। अगले महीने आठ अप्रेल से शुरू होने जा रहे इंडियन प्रीमियर लीग (आईपीएल) के चौथे सीजन की ओपनिंग सेरेमनी में बॉलीवुड के शहंशाह अमिताभ बच्चन के शिरकत करने की संभावना है।

सूत्रों की मानें तो ओपनिंग सेरेमनी के आयोजन की होड़ में लगी तीन कंपिनयों ने अपनी लिस्ट में बिग बी को शामिल किया है। सूत्रों ने बताया कि उद्घाटन समारोह के लिए बोली लगाने वाली कंपनियों ने हाल ही में आईपीएल गवर्निग काउंसिल के सामने कार्यक्रम का विस्तृत विवरण पेश किया।

इसमें अमिताभ बच्चन को होस्ट के तौर पर लेने की बात कही गई है। यही नहीं कंपनियों के प्रेजेटेंशन के मुताबिक अमिताभ के को-होस्ट होंगे आमिर खान। सूत्रों के अनुसार अंतिम फैसले से पहले समारोह पर होने वाले खर्च पर विचार किया जाएगा।

Rimjhim gire saawan Lata Mangeshkar

rimjhim gire saawan-lata mangeshkar

I have realized eventually that my extended family : Big B

I have realized eventually that my extended family : Big B

Bhopal , MP        Mar  10 , 2011    Thu  11 : 09 PM

I have realized eventually that my extended family consists of many that are far more conversant with philosophy and many other aspects of life, than me. They are also more intelligent, astute and literate and have that great capacity to be able to take on any debate on any subject.

This comes about after a quick run through of all the responses that I garnered this evening. Many among them gave valuable commentary, challenged aspects of what they had read and believed, which was most enlightening. And many admired my own little argument on the subject. Some felt it to be out of place for me to have indulged in a topic as vast and concentrated as this, whilst others wondered if I had been sitting on the Himalayas before putting down my words of ‘wisdom’.

The Himalayas, apart from being the highest mountain range in the world, apart from being the symbolic, and for long, before science improved and deflated beliefs, the physical protector of the region, has been an important element in our literature, religiosity and our social morality. Its vastness and its magnitude has been looked upon as insurmountable, giving the thinkers and writers sufficient ammunition in referring to them when ever a metaphor was desired to express awe and wonder, purity and beauty. In Hindu religious reference,  it has been the abode of great divinity, the home of the supernatural, the region where Gods and Goddesses finally found residence and existence and where those that wished to be in their vicinity, practiced preached and devoted themselves to prayer and meditation. Going to the Himalayas was always construed as devoting oneself to sainthood. In the more contemporary mode of converse, it has become a common sarcastic and at times tongue in cheek reference to someone wanting to rise above the travails of modern life and living - ‘ if your’e going to be so moralistic and clean and pure, why are you here with us, within the evils of modern society, go to the Himalayas, buddy ! ‘ Or, when there is need or reference to the absolute disgust with the ‘modern, corrupt and uncivilized world’, there is the need to ‘go to the Himalayas’ !!

How magnificently mankind has incorporated natures wonders to be as close and representative of the Godly. The reverence to the rivers that supplied them their daily needs of living. The masses of ocean that protected them from invasion and therefore their god sent presence. The awe and wonder and fear of the bursting lava from unpredictable volcanoes, and the reverence there to prevent it occurring again. The ‘anger of the heavens’ as they thundered and lit up the sky with ferocity, bringing devastation in its excesses. And despite the 21st century and development and science and invention, we still remain dependent and vulnerable to one such force that for reasons inexplainable, remains imbedded in us and for which we still seek answers.

Many of the atheists among us will scoff and disagree, which is something we respect and regard, but the sheer vastness of this complicated and intricate world simply cannot be put aside. And really this is certainly not a platform to question belief, or to impose it upon anyone. It is but an observation. And the freedom to indulge in it is what our medium, this platform is all about.

We started with philosophical ingenuity among us, shifted to the vastness of the Himalayas and have ended up with religion. Reason enough to understand that this is a complicated world !

My Father too was fascinated by the snow capped mountains of the Himalayas. And those that had occasion to hear one of his poems on it, in recitation from me, would recollect its significant reference. His take on it was obtuse but most relevant.

He addressed the white pure, clean and reflective mirror like snowcapped mountain tops, challenging and questioning it on its presence and existence.

” O ! you pure, white, mirror like reflection quality, clean Him khand , snow laden mountain ! You have been shining throughout as though the rays of the moon have been frozen, or that, melted moonshine has been poured within the outline of your body.”

“But, hey him khan sheetal aur samujwal, until you melt yourself down and mingle with the soil of the earth, down here, you shall never be able to understand the romance that life offers, nor shall you be able to understand the importance of the greening of the grass and the beauty of the colorful foliage and flowers that exist upon it, nor shall you be able to understand the pain of that existence, expressed in tears, by the early morning dew drops on its plants and leaves. ”

” If you take pride in the fact that you exist rootless, a lifeless corpse like existence, then you can and shall never become my ideal.”

” Come down ! Mingle with the earth. This earth that sings and weeps, that tempts and immerses us in our sins, that washes them away also, this earth that changes ever so often, this earth that alters the vagaries of life. ”

” You O ! glorious mountain ! You take pride in your arrogance, that you have been shining since the time, nature and life breathed for the very first time … you imbecile ! when ever did you give any test or examination of life ? That one gift that the Almighty gave, you have clung on to it against your chest ever since ! Is this your only contribution ?? What use did you put this gift to, questions will be asked, have you an answer ??.”

” Come down from your exalted perch ! Mix and mingle with the mud of this earth ! Be alive ! Stop living this leper like existence. Bring color and fragrance to your existence ! What ? Lovers break portions of you in loving jest ? Consider yourself fortunate ! Come into our hands and move along with us !!”

Translations are such a flagrancy ! I never would wish to indulge in it, or advise others into it either. But I needed to convey these thoughts. All poetry has a deeper meaning. Well, good poetry really ! This is not so much about the illusive snow capped mountains, as it is about the arrogance of superiority. Or assumed superiority !

We may be superior, but its true value would be the ability and voluntary desire, to mingle with those that tread the mire, sludge and soil of the earth, to be one with them, to move and travel with them in our journey of life.

I remain with love and care …

Amitabh Bachchan

Source:  Big B Blog bigadda

On the sets of Aarakshan playing with Prakash Jha daughter little cross breed dog Diva

Bhopal , MP   Mar  8,  2011   Tue  8 : 52 PM

On the sets of ‘Aarakshan’ playing with Prakash Jha’s daughter’s little cross breed dog - Diva .. a mix between a spaniel and a poodle !! Such an affectionate little lady ..

Embracing with the pathos of an elder the men in my life in the film ‘Aarakshan’ - Prateik and Saif

….. and my daughter in the film Deepika in an emotional moment ..!!

I have labored the whole day to be able to connect with all the FmXt, but at the end of it all, some do get left behind. To them my sincere regrets and apologies, but it is a physical marathon accomplishing the task. I did promise earlier too that I would take care of all the responses on three posts and that as you all know has remained unfulfilled … pity !

Then there was the twitter brigade too, which kept pouring in at every interval .. my addressing them took care of many of the Ef that had migrated to the shorter climes of the T 301 .. my 301 st day on twitter. But nothing beats the EF here and its DAY 1053 !!

A fascinating game of the World Cup again tonight - Pakistan vs New Zealand, and an almost foregone conclusion that NZ would lose. But they won ! And what a game played by Ross Taylor. His last few overs were just unbelievable ! A man possessed almost of proving that he could bring honor and glory to his country and team !

A lazy day ! A day of no creativity ! A day without test and fear of performance ! A day of just singular commitment ! The desire to respond to as many .. to connect with those that come in the hope of some response, not just for a day or a few days but for months. That have remained loyal and trusted to the medium, in the hope that one day they shall be heard and acknowledged. And when they are - a simple greeting or an acceptance of their words - the joy and happiness that it brings to them is infectious. There are those that even though they do not get the ‘amaltas’ celebrate its gift to the others ! This is quite quite amazing. It does not matter if it did not happen to me, its the joy that it happened to the other. This selfless expression of care and feel. This genuine expression of the pleasure for someone else is rare. Life does not give too many opportunities for such behavior. It is a self centered, self absorbed world that we live in. We are not born that way, we become that. The harshness of our order coerces us to adopt and adapt to these egomaniacal, self serving, inconsiderate traits. Competition, envy, jealousy, inferiority and superiority complexes, all combine together to drive us into a well of destruction and chaos.

To find the absence of all these horrors in our own courtyard is such a commendable attribute. It makes me hold my head up in grace and pride. It gives value to our association in a manner that sets examples. Our examples desist the obvious is in itself an accomplishment. It is not how or when or why it happens. It has happened, and that to me is all that is of matter.

Each new chapter that we entered into, each fresh horizon that we visualized, all came with its share of issues and nay sayers. The important fact is that we swam through it all. Yes it was rough weather, harsh and ugly streams of high rising waves of oppression, dissent and abuse. But the mere persistence that we demonstrated, demoralized the opponent. And today we are proud to have a platform, that may not always exhibit the excellence of many others, but at least it is ours - un borrowed, unfettered and our own ! And you dear family are entirely responsible for it. In a spirit that has never wavered or faltered you have trudged this path with fortitude and grit !

We come together not for notice or acclaim. We come together because we want to come together. There is very little that any force can do to prevent ‘want’. It is when you want that you will ! You have all been valiant soldiers, that have withstood odds ; seasoned as you are now to battle, to grow, to multiply. May your fraternity grow and may it be as fulfilling to you as it is to me …

My concern, my love as ever ..

Amitabh Bachchan