THUG LIFE
Thank you Sarvajit for the private screening! A 1st hand visual experience, is the essence of a review. Our heartfelt compliments and felicitations on this auspicious occasion, to All participants.
@ Mani Ratnam, Sir, a breathtaking pastiche of familial ties and age old feudalism vis a vis patriarchy. In 1 sweeping statement, you convert bloodshed to lyricism. Sans spoilers, it is an ode to cinematography, portraying unconscionable betrayals, the sorrow of the downtrodden to visual poetry of the highest order. Compliments Sir.
Shri Kamal Hassan, keeps the legacy of his epic trajectory flying high! The eyes themselves are a mirror image of the intended visual. A savage intensity, the effortless pastiche of pain and angst, the poignancy of loosing ALL, comes to a zenith with Hassan’s OUTSTANDING portayal. A winner of hearts universally, he does it again. Felicitations Sir.
It is perhaps repetitive to say what I have said before. A sum of parts, the separate quotients, the diverse dimensions are bound together as a whole, through MAESTRO Rahman ji ‘s exceptional composition, rendered with originality, unprecedented variables in density, splendid orchestration and melodic thought! To conceptualise is to perceive, to perceive is to create! Another win, Oscar worthy beckons.
Chapeau.
Our heartfelt congratulations to ALL participants for their OUTSTANDING contribution in EVERY which way. The level of commitment, responsibility and diligence, paves the way for excellence by example.
Chapeau!
As discerning viewers, the rating remains inconsequential; but the social construct demands a number! Transcending the 5 by leaps and bounds, we leave you with our gratitude and regards for this EPIC gift. Footprints in the sands of time, my words are all I have…
Ambassador Sarvajit and Rupa Chakravarti
aDVICE TO MUSICIANS: A R RAHMAN
During the course of our visit to Chennai, Sarvajit and I would frequent the different facilities at The Radha Regent hotel, intermittently entertaining or being entertained. Inevitably the brush with competent crooners would end with Rahmanji. The ultimate. 38+ years of diplomatic life had taught us two things well — discretion and discernment. However, A. R. Rahman is too big to keep secret and the grapevine had made their own assumptions and drawn their own conclusions. It was on the eve of our departure, that we made a last visit to wish the Staff well, convey our gratitude and regards and yes, wish the crooners EVERY SUCCESS! It was then that the young duo posed a question, guarded and ambivalent, but definitely seeking advice. Mulling over the same, I decided to ask Rahmanji the same and include the response in my writing, as a guideline to enhancement for all musicians.
Inevitably, I was taken aback by Rahmanji’s response when requested to advise aspiring musicians. I had expected ‘HARD WORK’ to be the key to success, instead, he said and I quote,“Not hard work, smart work! Hard work everybody does. Even the mason, poor thing. All their life they carry bricks. Carrying bricks? That’s hard work. That’s really hard work. Some people die from sustaining such hard work. Hard work is useless. Commitment, integrity and being smart.”
He elaborated to explain further, “No, let me take myself as an example. I’ve done 200 commercials which just faded away into nothingness. But I continued thinking the next one would make it to the television. Another mistake. And then after a while, you realize they’using you just as a playground to present a bigger name. It is of utmost importance to realize that the name is important. Everything is played according to the rules of The Power Game. To achieve that recognition, films are integral. The film achieved, move on to another well-calculated target. There are so many things attached, because even if you do the world’s best stuff, if the world doesn’t recognize it, it’s going to be thrown out, passed over!”
“Let me tell you a famous Instagram story. There was an old man who gifted a young girl with an antique car. However, he had a condition. The young girl had to sell
it. So the girl goes to an antique dealer because it is an antique car. They merely weighed it and offered her a measly sum. Moving on she was offered more as the next dealer decided to not just crush the car, but create a new model. Urged on by reasons of enhancing the offer, she went to a normal car dealer. There again she returned disappointed as they said that the requirement for petrol cars has diminished, with the advent of electric cars. Finally, thoroughly defeated, she returns to the original antique dealer. This time he recognised the rarity of the model, and offered her an astronomical sum for it. This is the gist of the story, but the point to be taken into consideration is the significance of the added value, placement and where you place that. The people who understand that, understand what the real value is. If you don’t know the value of what you are doing and you throw it to people who don’t deserve it, it will end up as pearls before swine…”
And there I was, saying my goodbyes and thank yous while the words below swam in my head:
“AND LET TODAY EMBRACE THE PAST WITH REMEMBRANCE AND THE FUTURE
WITH LONGING.”–Kahlil Gibran.
KUUMBA - A WAY OF LIFE!
“To do always as much as we can, in the way that we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial, than we inherited it.” ( African proverb)
Placed unobtrusively in South Calcutta, non _ ostentatious, lies a treasure house of ethnicity named KUMBAA. A grand stairway, well lit (with personalised attention to assistance as required), opens up to a kaleidoscope of breathtaking beauty and variety. Accosted personally by the creator, Deepa Shah, one is frozen in time and place with the aesthetics of the customised ethnic variations on offer. Mirrors placed strategically, lends a mirage of images in infinity! Grouped carefully, spotlit for the finest effect, the offers assume a life of its own, beckoning, alluring, whispering its ethnic narrative. Ranging from pottery, ceramics, clothes haute couture, accessories, artefacts, carpets, et al, the gamut surpasses ‘needs and wants’!
Of fine lineage, Senior Shah, distinguished and elegant, places India on the map, as a Govt. Of India recognised, finest Export House, spread over India, Moscow, Dubai amidst others. His gracious wife, bequeaths her legacy as a connoisseur of antiquities to her daughter, Smt. Deepa Shah.
Little wonder then that the inheritor gleans the BEST, through learning, knowledge, research and the finest osmosis. Tall, curly haired, lissome and laced with pedigree, Shah creates a luxury environment, upscale and elegant, but with a clear focus on ethnicity. Unique, a tour de force, Shah’s vision, commitment and responsibility are a force to contend with. If ever in the mood for a multisensory extravaganza, do drop by… CONGRATULATIONS!
I take this opportunity to thank the well trained personnel for their personal touch and attention to detail. The splendid evening ended with a variety of scrumptious canapes, tea,(the Best possible), cappuccino galore, over banter and laughter! Grateful to ALL friends, old and new…
I remain grateful to dear Supreeta Singh , curator par excellence, alternate in seeking the finest in ALL spheres, for including me in this EPIC forum. Supreeta, ” the world is your oyster”, surge forth in foraging the very BEST.
Deepa Shah, take a bow ! Y ou take my breath away “. Here’s to YOU. Till then, Carpe Diem…
Rupa Chakravarti
PURATAN
THE BATTLE OF PRIDE.
Sharmila Tagore,pivotal in both character and presence, steals the show unequivocally! Pearly skinned with hair to match, the lady lives the role effortlessly. Frozen in time and place, she flits and flirts, putting time to shame with her proud nonchalance of the encroaching ailment. Finely attuned to the script at hand, her gesticulations with her finely veined magnolia hands remain an artist’s delight. Certainly the star of yesteryears makes a sweeping statement with ‘PURATON’, ensuring that she transcends TIME, to remain TIMELESS…
Chapeau!
TIME AND BATTLE.
The protagonists, Rituparna Sengupta and Indraneil Sengupta, run a fine second – two distinctive characters with separate approaches. Mukherjee’s sensitive and subtle dealings with the lady of the manor cuts a fine relief to the angst of the distraught daughter. Objective unified, methodology diverse, provides the film with a range of varied emotive complexities alongside a building tension. Albeit that the singing in the woods creates a subtle disruption, the compelling evidence of their excellence, remains consistent!
Compliments!
TIME AND THE FACILITATOR.
Ekavali Khanna proves with conviction that a cameo can be crucial in binding a narrative into a consistent whole. Her elegant finely structured, slightly wooden features, juggle the proportions of a variety of emotions with superb control and mastery. Certainly her BEST performance, sans make up, her glorious hair carelessly free, is BOTH compelling and convincing. The glorious synthesis of the professional doctor and the sensitive human being in various capacities, demonstrates a powerhouse of talent.
CONGRATULATIONS!
LOVE TRANSCENDING TIME.
The piece de resistance comes with the female version of ‘ my man Friday’, Archana. Negligible in role and appearance, she will always be remembered as that voice of reason that stems from homespun philosophy! Splendid acting skills, she enthralls the audience with snippets of exemplary competence as house help, caretaker and most significantly, expressing the power of LOVE, sans questions!
FELICITATIONS!
THE VISIONARY.
A round of applause for the director Shri. Suman Ghosh for this masterpiece. Deviating from the known and tested formula of consumerism, it is a braveheart who attempts the alternate, the off beat, the intellectual. A happenstance, common to a myriad households, take shape, form and structure, to raise awareness and prompt further research. Coupled with crisp and frugal dialogue, outstanding lighting, and the gilded quality of understatement you have the perfect recipe for a place in the annals of Bengali cinema.
GRATITUDE.
With compliments to ALL sponsors, my heartfelt gratitude to Shri Imran Zaki, for his kind invitation. Impeccable in manner and holistic in approach, Zaki does the City of Joy proud, by being a prominent leader, spearheading several meaningful projects. Thank you…
YES, the entire City of Joy was present, while I took the opportunity to catch up with educator Smt. Anuradha Das and respected Pranati Tagore. It was both a privilege and a pleasure exchanging insightful titbits about Ma and the movie. What can I say that I haven’t said before except, “
“DO NOT LOOK ASKANCE, FOR I BELONG TO THINGS PAST…”
Rupa Chakravarti
ADUJEEVITHAM
As a vagabond, the desert has been part of our wanderlust, and reviews a part of my passion. I tremble as I write with deep humility, in complete wonderment at the EPIC pageant, covering the inner essence of chronology and human bondage.
Worldwide viewers notwithstanding, I have watched it over and over again, before penning my homage.
Ace acting of Prithviraj Sukumaran as Najeeb , the protagonist, laced with breathtaking visuals, comes to the epitome of sensual extravaganza with MAESTRO A.R.Rahman’s unbeatable signature of unparalleled music. The outstanding cinematography comes to fruition through EPIC dimensions in all spheres; sets, scenery, lighting, props and YES the detailing. The original Malayalam film, expectedly has created a benchmark, that remains a stand alone. with the story in its nuanced simplicity, based on a Malayalam novel “Aadujeevitham” by Benyamin. Based on the real-life story of Najeeb, a Malayali immigrant labourer, representing the MYRIAD Indians who faced human bondage , as goatherds on desolate farms in the deserts of Arabia.
Such is the power of the mind, that graphics blend into immortality, highlighted by Najib’s bloodshot eyes, that remain ensnared in a contemporary time warp. The EXQUISITE blend of bygone eras and current similar dilemmas, recreate history, not through dense prose but a sensory extravaganza.
It is then NOT possible for me to conclude, that commensurate with Polanski ‘s Pianist, where the war victim plays his unheard aria in the air, the snowdrift his metronome, GOAT LIFE, TRANSCENDS the same with the arid sand, the slithering serpent and the mortal foot!
It is pertinent to congratulate ALL PARTICIPANTS, with fulsome praise, BUTit is the musical offerings of MAESTRO A. R. Rahman, who orchestrates to create a timeless symphony…
With every praise and highest respect to ALL participants,
Rupa Chakravarti
CHAMKILA
When commenting on world class cinematic offerings, I watch the film umpteen times before daring to put pen to paper.
Cinema, in essence is a visual narrative, hence pertains to a structure and format, frequently with a recurring refrain. For CHAMKILA, that refrain is the indelible imprint of MAESTRO Rahman ji ‘s incredible melodic signature.
PLOT:
Imtiaz Ali’s excellence is evident through the statement, “it’s not just a movie; it’s an immersive journey into the life and legacy of a true musical icon”, in fact it is chronology brought to contemporary times, through exceptional directorial expertise, ensuring on focusing on the hidden GEMS that comprised the sojourn of Amar Singh Chamkila. The director deserves high praise for providing the audience with the entire journey, evoking empathy and ensuring that every viewer not just resonates but identifies with the protagonist. Tremendous achievement. Congratulations!
BUT,.it is woven into the finest tapestry, through the sensitive and apt musical offerings of icon A. R. Rahman. Otherwise, why are we ALL humming ,” ishq mitae…”?
CHARACTERS:
A veritable testament to outstanding performances. A bygone era comes to life, breathing and pulsating from the protagonist to supporting cast. Authenticity in rendition adds a dimension where each viewer glimpses a repository for antiquities! The person himself. Diljit Dosanjh miraculously IS Chamkila! Such is his command over the craft! Equally impressive is Anurag Arora, who matches his skill with authority, dexterity and charisma. YET ,embroidered into the finest tapestry of MAESTRO Rahman ji ‘s capacity to grasp a time warp, address the anachronism with time appropriate soul stirring musical creations, is the final signature of recreating yesteryears. Otherwise why are we still humming ” tu kya jane”…?
I conclude on a rhetorical note. Unparalleled music by Maestro A. R. Rahman,, seems to be THAT magic ingredient that blends, enhances, lending eternity, always, every time. Otherwise why is Chamkila synonymous with ” MAINU VIDA KARO…?
The twist in the tale is the brilliant paradox that lies within the words, more so the musical score. Loosely translating into ” bid me farewell”, can we as an audience EVER say farewell to the brilliance of the author’s craft when creating the unforgettable ” mainu vida karo”?
HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!
Till then, Carpe Diem!
Rupa Chakravarti
EI RAAT TOMAR AMAAR (This Night is Ours) A Bengali film by Parambrata Chatterjee
No, not Guy de Maupassant’s “Necklace” or Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills like White Elephants”; this film is a ‘one night’ chamber saga, revolving around a couple celebrating their 50th marriage anniversary. A film, ” of Bengal, by Bengal, for Bengal “!
THEME:
Mortality vis a vis introspection, retrospection and felicitation on a stormy night.
STRUCTURE:
Straightforward, the theme more or less defines the structure. The setting is confined to a room on a desolate estate. The structure flits and frolics around the elderly couple, (Aparna Sen as Joyeeta, Anjan Dutta as Amar Gupta, and Parambrata Chatterjee as the distant son). A 50th anniversary celebration amidst the angst of Joyeeta’s terminal cancer, Amar’s acceptance oscillating between caring, sympathy and empathy, and Parambrata, being a stand alone, due to the parents’ hesitation in requesting assistance.
STORY:
Happenstance frequently being the broader narrative of many a literate, middle class home but, alas, never culminating in the eternal queries of a long, heterogenous marriage!
PRAISE AND ABERRATIONS:
Parambrata Chatterjee’s 13th directorial venture examines existential queries betwixt Joyeeta, ( Aparna Sen) and Amar Gupta ( Anjan Dutta) and director/actor Chatterjee as their uniformly sullen son. Ailing, Joyeeta, is seen both as the bald victim of cancer and the recovering beauty with carefully coiffeured curls framing her finely chiselled, elegant visage– ALL within the course of one night! The clips of conversation — including flashback, stream of consciousness, non-verbal and verbal responses — while commendable, Joyeeta ‘s affectations that had Bengal raving decades ago, (the husky tonality and carefully rehearsed elocution, clipped and sophisticated), seem misplaced in contemporary times. It is the rare and brief humorous interludes that deserve high praise! Sen’s forte, clearly is humour, where she reigns supreme. Her zest for life conveyed through naturally twinkling eyes, the infectious semi smile, the atypical brow lift, speaks volumes beyond the dialogue. Joyeeta, take a bow…
All said and done, Anjan Dutta steals the show! Seamless transition of time through the SAME character, never monolithic or one dimensional, suits context, purpose, ideology and role play to a ‘T’. Singing notwithstanding, the prowess of his portrayal, given the constraints of the said narrative, remains superlative. Bengal is proud…
Chatterjee’s evident erudition transfers to the audience a palpable tension, a growing angst, a hollow monotony amongst those long married! A rendezvous with death, yet the faint hope, ” death be not proud, death thou shalt die…”
Superb dialogue, albeit dense and verbose in parts, the lighting is extraordinary. The alternate mix of sepia tinted with gold, russet and brown remains the pride of an artist’s pallet.
CONGRATULATIONS :
Heartfelt compliments and felicitations on this auspicious occasion. May success continue to shadow your footsteps.
BUT, what can I say?
Shri Hemanta Mukherjee’s rendering of ” EI RAAT TOMAR AMAR”, remains the pièce de résistance. Sometimes, “Old IS gold”, ( PRIO GAAN)…
Rupa Chakravarti
What is Art?
“THE IDEA OF MUSIC IS TO LIBERATE THE LISTENER AND LEAD HIM TO A FRAME WHERE HE FEELS ELEVATED.”
A. R. RAHMAN.
“Art comes from life. It’s tough because the human race has different colours. We have different colours, we have different faiths, we have different castes and different levels of intelligence. You’re dealing with different levels of intelligence. And that’s very, very tough. Sometimes you are sitting with people who are so basic, and sometimes you’re sitting with people who are super-intelligent, far superior to you.So then just shut up and listen to them and don’t give away your stupidity. In the same way, don’t intimidate people who are basic and then lead them to stuff. For maybe they have something which you lost on the way of your growth. I always feel like there’s something to take. Always! Something to take from everybody. And you’re always receiving. That is one thing. I still am a learner. Last month we went to meet Mr.Azim Premji–Industrialist and Philanthropist. I was fascinated by how he created his charity. I said, Let me become your intern. I’ll come and work with you. He started laughing…
“Art inspires brotherhood! No sisters. All are brothers and everybody treats everybody like a brother. That’s exactly what I say to my students. We need these kids to understand that, if they’re representing KM Conservatory, they’re representing me. Each one should be a leader. He should go to a district, found another Sunshine Orchestra. Another one should go to another district, found yet another Sunshine Orchestra. So spread this beauty and keep the quality going.”
“ Art comes from realisation. I remember the famous quote which says there are two important days in your life: the day you are born and the day you realize why you were born. Right? With regards to why you were born, I think my mother kind of figured it out. She took a pivotal position and steered the course. Yeah. To come to the realisation, I think somebody told her or my father, someone from the Hindu faith, that I was the NAYANA KONADE. That means the enlightened one, which I didn’t know. But at that point of time, even when the Sufi saint said that your music is going to go all over the world and you’re going to travel, I was like, what is he saying? Why should I travel? What special things do I have?I didn’t know. But that’s an interesting thing because we think what we have at the present defines us. We don’t even know what we will evolve into in the future. Something happens and somebody becomes amazing. Something happens, somebody who’s extraordinary is reduced to the roadside. I’ve seen both happen.