God bless the well wishers. God bless them for their permanence in my life. God bless their consistency

Jalsa , Mumbai                       Mar  11 ,  2012                                   Sun  11 : 23 PM

God bless the well wishers. God bless them for their permanence in my life. God bless their consistency, their love and enthusiasm. I am indebted for life. It is a debt I shall never be able to repay ; the one burden that shall remain with me unattended. One burden that shall make me happy !!

I read some portions of the Quran and found them fascinating in its clarity and substance. A true guide for humanity, society and for its well being. I went through a few words from the Bible, the Guru Granth Saheb and some of the Vedic chants, and discovered that the similarity in content was amazing. They all speak of how mankind must live in peace and in an environ free from the obstacles of violence. They speak of love and faith in the Almighty, its powers and its presence. In the following of it and in its practice. Not a single chapter avoided the need for guidance on humanities nature, to be acquired through prayer and belief. Yet as one looks around, one finds turmoil and trouble in every section of society, in every region of the universe ! And it sends you into painful realization that goodness can be around you, but we fail to acknowledge it to acquire it to practice it, to allow it to envelop us in its compassionate arms, eternally.

Many of the saints and hermits that have taken upon themselves the life of abstinence, of silent contemplation and meditation did and do so to perhaps find solution. Do they find it ? And if they did, what did they do of it. During the auspicious occasion of the Magh Mela, the Kumbh Mela every 12 years, or the Ardh Kumbh, for example at Sangam the confluence of the Ganges and the Jamuna and the hidden Saraswati rivers, the ‘nagas’ come out from their abodes of solitude and prayer, as do the millions of pilgrims, to bath in the waters, to cleanse their souls as it were and then for the ‘nagas’, to return back to their respective destinations, in the mountains, in the jungles or wherever it is they go. I never had opportunity to talk to them to find out what made them do what they do. What did they achieve and what they see of the future. Surely they must have an agenda .. or not !! The mysticism and the religious content of their acts a mystery almost as it were, but so immensely involved in its practice !!

In my early years in Allahabad my birth place I did witness the Kumbh Mela once and participated in the voluntary building of accommodation for the pilgrims, the food and other essentials. The vastness of the exercise a nightmare for any administrative body, but how efficiently they managed the entire affair. The building of hundreds of tents and bridges across the river, the flow of the masses, their living and food arrangements, all done with utmost care and precaution. Yes there have since been a few mishaps too, but the passion of the pilgrims and their devotion does become an executives nightmare.

Faith has always played such an important role in our lives. Belief has moved mountains. And all stemming from the scriptures and writings of the great religious written word. Humanity has evolved, has put down its belief and faith in the spoken word. How it came about and when and where, has many stories to it. The tone of its speech, the rendition of its tenets, in spoken and in music chords has been an evolution in itself. How the Guru Granth Saheb is sung, the Bhajans recited, the Hymns sung in churches and Chapels, the Azaan rendered from the Mosques … all have and must have such a fascinating history of its very first initiation. And today and the many today’s that shall follow will be beholden to this revered tradition.

We talk of eternal music in our every day life. Of the music from the maestros of the world, of the pop and punk and rock cultures, of the classic from our own Indian raga, of the symphony from the greats, of the mighty opera that was and is rendered, of the various dance forms both Western and Eastern and so much more …

But none have had the durability and life and tenure of the religious recitations …

There is more meaning to this fact than what I can express, or even attempt to ..

Good night ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Its past the Human Rights hour and there is a sense of missing the regimented routine

Jalsa , Mumbai                          Mar 10/11 ,  2012                            Sat/ Sun  1 : 01 AM

Its past the Human Rights hour and there is a sense of missing the regimented routine, prescribed in valued interest by the doctors and those connected for my management. But an afternoon nap went on till almost 8 in the evening ! To be up again and to go down again so early seemed odd … hence the indiscipline !

I notice with some degree of sadness that of late the number of respondents decreases, or at best remains around the figure of the 200-240 !! And I wonder if the Ef diminishes, or that they feel compelled to go else where !! I know that one of the inspiring moments are my own responses to them, and I admit that I have not been regular at all in that context. But time is an important factor, and soon I shall start devoting more time to this end of the story.

A spurt in the energy quotient this evening gave me hope of rapid strides being made in the recovery department, and I do hope that it continues, for, the work time limits come closer with each day. Maybe I shall jump out of the bed one day and jump into the fray. Hello there, I am back !

‘HomeLand’ ended, and ended my Tv viewing with sudden abruptness. It has been such an absorbing watch. Not since ’24′ have I been struck by something so involving and gripping. One longs now for the next lot of the season to come in, but in the meantime some very considerate Ef and TwFmXt, give suggestions for another serial and I shall explore it well. Thank you. The level of production, performances and the creativity behind each episode is simply remarkable. The oft repeated assessment, that television has gradually brought in more economics has been proved beyond doubt. And the difference has been more than substantial, it has doubled. At least here in this part of the world. I doubt if in any other country the number of tv channels in operation would be as large as in India – over 400 of them. This is enormous ! Feeding them for 24 hrs is one of the most important and difficult battles of channel owners. We often criticize the content that broadcasts itself on these mediums, but seldom give thought to the fact that if content sells the channel exists. Getting interesting content and keeping the remote away from possible surfing, is a mammoth task, and all kinds of experiments, not always appealing are in use to make it happen. What the masses want, what shall keep them glued to one and not the other, is by itself a huge process of research. What goes on in the think tanks each morning at edit meets must be one of the most interesting episodes by itself. Maybe someday, it could form material for film. I know in Hollywood they did attempt it with a marvelous film, or films, for many have been made. Here, with ‘Rann’ a small effort was attempted, but there is still some room for many other attempts to be made.

Is all that we see factual. Does it contain any element of manufacturing. How intriguing is it to bring in the clients and the customers. Do the anchors believe in the depth of the subject at hand. Are they affected by its importance. Do they feel as much as the tragedy they explore, or is it just another mechanical job to be done and then forgotten ..

A million thoughts run through and a million answers shall be ready to be given. Interesting and intriguing … both !!

For now what is interesting is how the night shall fare. And for that it is important that certain dictats be followed.

Good night and with love to all …

Amitabh Bachchan 

Human Rights arena and attempt to get to bed early

Jalsa , Mumbai                       Mar  9 ,  2012                         Fri  11 : 44 PM

At last after many nights a night when I hope to beat the Human Rights arena and attempt to get to bed early. Perhaps the body may not respond to such early adventures, but we shall soon find out ..

The laptop went on the blink and now after spending some anxious moments with the engineer, have finally got it back. Restored, repaired and respectable. It has also now been loaded with the latest Intel, or whatever it is called, which has a speed modification – it moves faster ! It was what they called the ‘Snow Leopard’ and now its the ‘Lion’. And delightfully the engineer has put up a massive face of an African Lion as my wall paper, or face page, or what ever it is called in computer language. It looks majestic and strong and so in command.

So …. finally watched ‘Kahani’, the new release made by my dear mad friend Sujoy Ghosh, who made ‘Aladin’ with me. And my message to him after all the congratulatory tones was – ” what the heck were you doing all this while making films like Aladin ” ??!!

Such a wonderfully gripping story shot superbly and enacted by all the cast so deliciously. I feel a sense of great joy to be in some minuscule manner a part of this film in commentary and song. I am often wary of voice overs to film. Most of the time they fail ! But I am certain this one will keep the box office flag flying … well done Sujoy, and keep up the good work .. !!

The Gujarat Tourism has used a unique technique to promote their campaign. They have covered an entire metro train New Delhi with promotional pictures – both inside and outside, a first of its kind. And whoever thought of it deserves plaudits. Wonder if it can be put up here … let me try ..

Also please find the link below of the Train Exterior video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex7mJL858ho

The doctors say I improve and soon may permit me to move out of the house. Not extensively, but just enough to either the office which lies behind Jalsa or Prateeksha another 100 meters away to soak in the sun and perhaps increase my walk pattern. And then after another fortnight, to be able to visit the gym .. nothing strenuous, just a gentle tread mill, and some free arm exercises …

The musical clock just struck 12 ! Cinderella, back from the palace to the house, before you lose all your elements .. or whatever is left of it !!

I must get back to the piano, and song and voice to get my strength back, for there is a great amount of work in the not too distant future that shall be needing the services of my vocals.

Two deaths in quick succession from the film Industry – Music Director Ravi, and Joy Mukherji, a star in his own right during his time. Sad .. slowly they all leave us …

The Lion roars ! Indicating that I have long overstayed. I must obey. And so till the morrow, a good night and a sweet dream .. soft gentle pillows and bed, a lullaby to ease the process and a warm duvet to keep you cozy and warm ..

Love and love …

Amitabh Bachchan

Amidst the throbbing music and the gaiety of the festival that surrounds the environs all over

Jalsa , Mumbai                        Mar 8/9,  2012                 Thu/ Fri  1 : o4 AM  

Amidst the throbbing music and the gaiety of the festival that surrounds the environs all over, I do sit myself down in the sun, facing it, feeling the warmth of its power on the body and pondering over the silence that prevails within. There are no sudden thoughts that prevail, no issues that torment .. just the dichotomy of the sound without and the quiet within. I would have been happier if there was nostalgic remembrance. Of days gone by, of the associations on this day of festivity during all the years of its playing – pleasant mostly, but at times disturbing. Of events that took place, of the people that associated with us, of the dance and wild singing, of on the spot verses to suit the music, of driving out into the madness on the streets, of visits to compatriots and joining in with them in their happiness and joy. All should have come back in the silence. But they did not. It was just the presence and feel of being looked at by none other than myself from a distance. The odd member came by, to ask for any need, food drink or color … but nothing made impression. It was almost as though nothing else existed …

Not the most ideal conditions to be in at a festive home, but there it was …

I took the benefit of the ailment and my condition to keep the color and revery at some distance. Watching my disposition, I think I did not have to work too hard for that. A respectful senior citizen presence was accepted and respected. Elders do at times attract such condition.

In the quiet of my room now, I wonder what it is that shall attract my Ef to read. But my Ef is least bothered about it. They seem happy and fulfilled merely at the thought of having read something from me, even it has not been of much value. For this I am eternally grateful. You thank me for not forgetting to connect, for remembering all of you, and that for me is most gratifying.

The need to connect, to have an opportunity to say something to somebody you trust, is at times the need of the hour. I find the joy that gets created when that connect takes place. A word, a sentence, just a ‘hi’ or ‘hello’ is all that many require or insist upon. And I wonder, that there must be such a paucity of genuine affection and love in all our minds, to be simply happy with just that expression.

We never had this medium before. We never had the desire to make effort to communicate. We had fans and fan letters at the very most. But now we have expression every second. And what a change it has brought among peoples and societies. We are able to talk to each much more than we ever did. The generations that went by, formed their own impressions of each other through some very tedious and other means. But just look at how much we communicate. At each occasion and festival and moment of greeting the messages on the mobile on the net on the cyber on the computer is just uncontrollable. People you have never heard of  write in. They express greeting, and love and affection, and not always with the hope of a response, but just to feel that they were able to convey what they wished, knowing that even though the reply would be hard to come by, at least their greeting was registered and delivered.

A new world is, or rather has been, created. I may never have seen the person that wishes me daily on the mobile or on the Blog or the Twitter, but we know who they are through the context of their connection. A platform is built and it flourishes. People talk of the world drifting far away from each other. I think the contrary. I think that we come closer as time goes by. Dev Kishen ji passed away and the members of the Ef gathered together and paid visit to his home to express regret and condolence. He would have gone unnoticed to so many of us had we not the benefit of this platform. But the compassion that this family built among itself, speaks volumes of its glorified existence.

I feel a sense of great pride when I notice, that not just to me, but also to yourselves does this indulgence occur. Strangers do meet and build permanent and emotional relations, feeling as much for the other as they would for themselves. And all of you must be thanked for its existence its extent and its eventual value.

I repair well dear ones. My movements are getting stronger and better by the day. The strength in the voice is weak, the body still pains at certain times, but in all there is a great difference from the times in the hospital and now. The wounds of the two surgeries have healed and sealed – they generally do on their own, or so they tell me. Certain actions need care. Food needs monitoring and rest .. which as you may see, has now gone beyond the domestic human rights diameter. But body changes take a while to adjust themselves and there is nothing that can be done to enhance its natural process. I thank all those that inquire and worry about this, but may I assure you that all possible care shall be taken to follow the required instructions ..

Good night, shubh ratri, shabba khair, sat sri akaal ..

Amitabh Bachchan