Tuesday 29 January 2008

Music review of JODHA AKBAR




Jodha Akbar
UTV music
Music: AR Rahman
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar


The music of the latest Ashutosh Gowariker film is finally here. Azeem-o-shaan Shenhenshah is an upbeat track, a ‘long live the king’ kind of song. A resounding chorus, a booming drumbeat, and a rhythmic clashing of swords too! A picture of a huge crowd collected before the king comes to the mind. The lyricist had tried to maintain a balance in the choice of words, hovering from Urdu words one wouldn’t find in a dictionary to plain Hindi vocabulary. Jaashne bahara is well, about the usual, the film hero yearning for the heroine’s love. The only difference, the concerned people here are the emperor and the princess. Javed Ali is a refreshing new voice, last heard in Jab We Met. Khwaja mere khwaja is a Sufi based qawaali. Unlike other film qawaalis, the instruments are to the minimum, accompanied with a gentle clapping of the hands, and Rahman’s vocals. Darmiyaan has Sonu Nigam singing an unusual duet with Madhushree. Yes, it is another love song, but the treatment is experimental. Kanhaa is a bit disappointing, yet another devotional song of Radha yearning for Lord Krishna, a repetition of a concept already tried in Lagaan and Swades – Gowariker’s earlier films. The instrumentals are a surprise too; Naveen’s flute improvises on jaashne bahar, and khwaja is recreated of all things with an oboe, a double reed musical instrument. The music may not be Rahman’s best, but will generally grow on you.
Additionally there is a bonus DVD, which has a four-minute trailer of the movie, about 10 film posters, film and character synopsis, all in text, but no video on the making on the movie.

Monday 28 January 2008

ENDLESS POSTS OF GRAFFITI

GRAFFITI

2. (used with a plural verb) markings, as initials, slogans, or drawings, written, spray-painted, or sketched on a sidewalk, wall of a building or public restroom, or the like: These graffiti are evidence of the neighborhood's decline.


Already clocking marathon hours before the computer at work, doing the same on off-days seems dangerous.
The senses scream, "Get out, meet people, don't bow to this lifeless crap."

So I decide, to post graffiti, or one liners, with some photographs or hopefully some new creative design. Ofcourse explaining all this takes many lines......its being only 10 minutes..and I am dying to get my wings from the night..for a stroll..pass people..meet friends..

Friday 25 January 2008

HORROR PRODUCTIONS PRESENT : THE HAND

Is this my hand? Then why on this moonlight evening (poonam ki raat) does it suddenly seem different? No longer a part of me...


AND THERE WAS NO WORD, NO SOUND BUT THE HANDDDDDD.......EYAAAAAAH!

Thursday 24 January 2008

Until death, we are alive alive alive: Celebrating Heath Ledger

Pooooof I am ALIVE, there.......I am gone





“I'm still a kid. I'm like six years old. But it's just a matter of wanting to get up, it's just a big journey. I felt like when I left home that I was on a journey, and I still am.”
Heath Ledger
(April 4, 1979 – January 22, 2008)

Sunday 20 January 2008

JACK BLACK ON KUNG FU; KUNGFU PANDA



Here is a sequel to the previous post. Jack Black, seen earlier in the wonderfully comic School of Rock, and Peter Jackson's creativily high King Kong is back.
Here he is again, teaching Kungfu. For those who came in late, Black is the voice of the Panda, in Dreamworks summer release- Kungfu Panda.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuyfNFHo_38&feature=related


CLICK ON LINK , ALLOW VIDEO TO LOAD FULLY .....

TRAILER OF THE WEEK : KUNGFU PANDA

After spoofing half a dozen films in Madagascar, Dreamworks animation now spoof kungfu, not that is has not being done before, only this is the first time it is being done in animation.
Let me rest,while you watch this trailer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEgk9XsFCR0

Do allow the video to load fully.

Thursday 10 January 2008

Friday 4 January 2008

A Glass of Sugarcane: Jejuri Diaries

On our way back from Jejuri, we chance upon a sugarcane juice stall. A perfect refresher for a warm afternoon.

We are the only customers at this sugarcane stall; the machine shines in the lazy afternoon light.


A closer look at the grinders.


The extracted juice goes down a slide-like device to be collected in a steel bowl.


The juice awaits Raincloud's attention, even as he converses with the stall owners.

Thursday 3 January 2008

The Jejuri of Arun Kolatkar: Two Photos (Jan 2, 2008)


A view of the main dome of the temple from an adjoining terrace

Powdered turmeric is ubiquitous in Jejuri, even this dog had a streak of  yellow running across its head