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

Amitabh Bachchan tunes into Bengali classic

Sayantan Dalal

Actor Amitabh Bachchan is not only known for his flawless acting but also for his narrations and singing. He has done it before in a couple of films, but this time he will be lending his voice for a classic Bengali number. 

Amitabh has now lend his voice to Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore's masterpiece song titled Ekla Cholo Re in the upcoming film, Kahaani. Talking about the song Amitabh says, "Singing Rabindra Sangeet for the first time was the greatest revelation. The beauty of the language, the lyricism of the tune and its dhun are outstanding. This particular song, incorporated by Vishal-Shekhar the world famous number — Ekla Cholo Re, expounding to all that if no one comes to you at your calling then walk alone. The song is truly awesome and worthy of all awards."

Director Sujoy Ghosh says that the song is about a human's solitary journey through life. "And that's what the central character in the film does," he says. The lead actor too, he says, seemed to grasp the nuances of Big B's rendition and put them in her character. 

"I took to filmmaking for five reasons — Satyajit Ray, R D Burman, Kishore Kumar, Anand Bakshi and Amitabh Bachchan. After working with him (Big B) I decided that Mr Bachchan would be part of every film that I make, which is why I persuaded him to sing for us in Bengali," he reveals.

News dnaindia

Amitabh Bachchan in awe of `Moneyball`

Amitabh Bachchan in awe of  Moneyball

Mumbai: Amitabh Bachchan is spending his free time resting and watching films. After 'Artist', he saw Brad Pitt starrer 'Moneyball' and the megastar can`t stop heaping praise on the film.

"Watched `Moneyball` too with Brad Pitt and a host of excellent performers... you never get the feel that they are acting," Big B wrote on his Twitter page.

"`MoneyBall` will be a delight for baseball lovers and followers... the intrigues and behind the scenes that are unknown to most !!" he further posted.

IANS 

the idiot continuously gives example of its idiocy .. the smart and learned silently allows him to do so

Jalsa , Mumbai              March 6/7,  2012             Tue/Wed  1 : 43 AM

 

मूर्ख अपनी मूर्खता का उदहारण निरंतर देता रहता है …

अकल्मन्द उसे शांति से देने देता है …

the idiot continuously gives example of its idiocy .. the smart and learned silently allows him to do so ..

No these are not lines from verse or from my Father's, though I can say with some degree of certainty, that had he heard them from me, he would not have disagreed. I know not why and what made me say this now and why I composed them. But now that I have may they remain with us on our platform …

There comes a time in the lives of us, as must it should with all, when we face the idiocy of some, in acts and words that defy civility and order. Joining them or opposing them would draw us down to their level and standard. The patient and more learned would silently allow them to continue to do so. Idiocy shall not prevail in civil society. It shall perish, but perish in time. It takes a while for those that are subjected to it to be able to identify it first and then to give it time to play out. The act of lunacy is not important, the world is full of them, they shall exist. The aftermath is not important either, for by then it has played itself out. It is the period in between, of patience and silence that is testing. The period when we allow the aberration to exist. That is the real test, a test of some reckoning and character and culture and all that the good that we have imbibed or shall imbibe in the future …

True test of time determines the attitude that we adopt during such trauma – if it can be given such position and importance.

Many that read today may infer that there has been some troubled moment for me to express thus. No there is none. And even if there was, it would defeat the purpose of what I say in mentioning it.

The ask during such situations is exasperating, trying. Those that can pass through this moment, come out in better form. Those that cannot, may not necessarily weaken, but would most certainly destroy a portion of themselves within. Unnoticed, it would remain perhaps in the subconscious and erupt at a most inopportune moment. That really is what needs to be feared. Internal damage, not caused by the self but by another, effectively. Permitting another to take over your mind and body may just be the most distressful. I would consider it to be a defeat and I would never want that any should ever lose on this count.

Many argue that not expressing the anguish of such, destroys us too from the inside. May be. But I would consider it another fault if it remained within, as an anguish, to be allowed to fester, to be allowed for it to be remembered, to allow it to be looking for that opportunity when it could be paid back with appreciable interest. No that would not be my recommendation. Mine would not permit it to creep up in the front lines of my attitude. They would either be washed away soon, or at most be present as a nondescript shadow in the back of the line. Never to be touched, or given notice.

Many would argue how its recurrence could be prevented then if it does not get the treatment it deserves. Valid I should say. But not paying attention to it, or never being in a situation where it could get an opportunity to perform again is how I would approach it.

It would take a while and a great amount of resilience. But resilience too is an attribute that we must needs develop. It builds character and dignity – aspects that would stand gloriously in any situation come what may.

"I would like to tell you a martial story, perhaps I already have, that will amaze you. It is of Pergamon, an Ancient Greek civilisation that existed on the shores of present-day Turkey. This story is known because of a war memorial they left behind. It was to celebrate a victory over invading Celts, and they erected this monument at the very centre of their great city, before the temple to their gods. It consisted of a series of bronze figures, struggling against their mortal wounds, their accoutrement of war still in hand. They were beautiful, noble and defiant until their dying end. These figures of war, these warriors, were given the ultimate prize, immortalised in sculpture for the ages, to be held up above the citizenry in remembrance of their greatness."

"But here is the rub; here is what startles: these great warriors are depictions of the Celts, their enemy in battle, over whom the Pergamenes were soundly victorious."

"Think upon it, it is extraordinary. These people of Pergamon immortalised their enemy in noble memorial. These people were strong enough, confident enough in their own culture, to remember their own victorious dead by saying, "Our enemy was great and noble and died with dignity. In our victory over them, so we are all the greater, all the nobler, all the more dignified."

 

"To vilify one's foe is to fear them: it ultimately dehumanizes both parties equally. True victory over one's enemy is to conquer such fear. Fear and wrath: they blind; they betray good judgment; they poison the noble spirit. Pergamon did not make monsters of their enemy to defeat them: these were a people strong enough to acknowledge the dignity and humanity of their sworn foe despite war and death, for they knew that to make monsters of the enemy is to become monstrous oneself. Their victory was all the greater." 

 

"The measure of true greatness of an individual, as much as of a country, is to understand this truth. Against such greatness, no adversary can ever win out, no other civilisation can overcome such a fatal embrace." ~

In deep gratitude to a dear friend for this contribution …

 

Need I say more on the subject ..

Good night and may the God's be with you, and for the non believers, your pillow …

Amitabh Bachchan