All Talk and No Action

This Year I finally figured out what Kala Ghoda Arts Festival has stood for, for all these years.

KGAF is a boon for Mumbai and brings out the vibrant colours that make India.

While the original plan was to squeeze in as many plays, movies and discussions as possible, finally I could manage to be at the fest only for 2 days.

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KGAF 2010 had an interesting line up of activities, as expected. Short films, plays, foreign language movies, dance performances, classical music recitals and discussions on myriad subjects by experts.

However enjoyable these might be, they were only the fringe benefits.

KGAF is primarily about arts and craft, small time entrepreneurs and issues.

Artists, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, photographers, story tellers and NGOs from across the country put up their works at the festival. Through more than 100 stalls that make a show every year, various current/universal themes are brought to the audiences, inviting a healthy dialogue.

Madhubani designs, Zari work from Kolkata, cane accessories from Maharashtra, pots from Rajasthan and sarees from all over, made their way to the stalls this year.

Every year, the Festival has a theme and presents entertainment and informative sessions around it.

This year, the theme was Presence of the Past. Don't ask me to elaborate, I haven't been able to figure it out yet.

While KGAF is always known to attract huge crowds, I wasn't prepared for the masses I saw there. Every activity - be it Premchand's short stories or various dances put up by Troupes from across states, were happily lapped by audiences who just couldn't get enough of the magic.

While I absolutely regretted missing the works of Bahman Ghobadi, the talk on Food Writing by Vikram Doctor and Nilanjana Roy and Renuka Shahane's directorial debut Rita, Chanakya at Horniman Circle and a slew of short films made up for the disappointment.

Plays, short films and dances were often followed by discussions with the artists and the performers. This part was the most relished by all. One could see a very different Mumbai - people who were interested in the nuances of Premchand's writings and who could discuss the motivations of a particular short film with its director.

It felt nice to look at the audiences, many of who, turned up in crumpled clothes, with laptop bags, just out of office, not willing to miss the excitement that the festival had to offer.

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Chanakya officially dethroned Double Deal as the best play I have ever seen.

Manoj Joshi and his fellow performers, put up such a strong, splendid play, that it stayed with the audiences long after everybody left the cool, scented air of the Horniman Circle.

Chanakya made me respect theatre artists like never before. Especially, because it was played right in the middle of a busy street, with honking cars zooming by and stray dogs holding a meeting of their own.

Not once during the entire 3 hour play, did I get a feeling that these artists were mouthing Sanskrit lines. The whole delivery was so fluid, that the team got a standing ovation by the end of the show.

Ofcourse, fine performances have to be backed by good writing. Bringing an epic of this scale, live to an audience, required finesse and attention to detail. Chanakya was one of the best strategists and selfless Patriots India has ever had. Sad, a lot of people only associate him with what is now bad in politics.

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I got a chance to view 3 short films, selected from the Vikalp Archives. While the overall experience of watching a short movie was enjoyable, there was more to learn from the happenings off screen.

One of the movies showcased the lives of small town "sex experts" and quacks. These men, in their own way, were doing their bit to spread awareness amongst men on how and when to do it, how to meet the unbelievably high "standards" set by their partners, never once losing their self esteem. The movie trailed the lives of 4 men - a former police hawaldar, a halwai, a gymnast and an aam aadmi. Through each of their stories, the director tried to bring out what went on in each one's mind and how each represented most Indian men, in some way or the other.

While the theme was bold and the writing made a lot of people squirm, it was hilarious to see a lone, old lady, seated in the front row and laughing away at every piece of advise dispensed in the movie.

A lot of men felt uncomfortable and left within the first few minutes of the movie, while those of who stayed back didn't have much courage to face the ladies in the audience.

The movie on and off screen, really highlighted our need of having a formal Sex Education class in school !

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I have decided to be a regular at all the future KGAFs.

Pity, I might have to drag along alone.

Most people I know couldn't care less about the happenings at the festival. Some who showed a passing interest, were too tired to travel all the way to town.

Do you ask too many questions? Do you answer all questions that come your way?

Here, I do not refer to invasive and irritating, personal questions.

Time and again, people have tried to drill, unsuccessfully, into me, that asking questions is not the way to go.

Yesterday, someone went ahead and called me the "Torchbearer of Kyun".

Under normal circumstances, I would have taken that as a compliment. Yet, given the setting and the people involved yesterday, I took it as an insult.

Not just to me.

But to everyone with a brain. Everyone who seeks answers. All those who don't believe in blindly following instructions and are genuinely interested in knowing why we do, whatever we do.

Often people shun questions.

Some do it because they feel uncomfortable with the answers. Some do it because they cannot deal with people questioning their thought process and ideas.

But a vast majority dislikes questions, because, it is forced to think.

After all, thinking can be dangerous you see. It can make people realise how superficial and incorrect their beliefs can be.

Yesterday, I was reminded of all those school teachers who drone on for hours in class, not inviting any questions and punishing students who show curiosity.

It reminded me of a lot of bureaucratic, old world financial institutions, who banished voices of dissent and logic...which ultimately led to the current Financial Meltdown.

I also found time to curse our neighbour who is known to censor any information in the public domain and penalise citizens who seek information.

Finally, it rubbed in the point, yet again, how, not asking questions, is akin to showing respect to elders per Indian culture.

It's a miracle we could have an RTI Act passed.

About yesterday, I re-learnt an important lesson.

Never Give Up.

Finally, to answer my own question, it is never too much to ask. For if you fail to ask, think, explore and seek, you cease to exist.

A kind friend shared this on FB.

Some more pics. Posts coming up by tomorrow.

With lots of time to kill last night, my brother and I zeroed in on My Name is Khan.

I always have reservations about a Johar movie, especially, when he directs it. Still, not heeding advice of empirical data and ignoring my intuition (which is almost always correct in pointing out potential disasters), we headed out to watch MNIK.

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Oh before we talk about this Opus, let me tell you, yesterday was an official paid leave for the Policemen of Mumbai.

About 30 policemen guarded the Cinemax we went to. We saw a dozen outside a closed Fame Adlabs too.

Well, a shut Adlabs would have cost a bomb to the owners, really. A weekend and no shows to run?

But that is not the point. Business losses toh hote rehte hain. Big Deal !

What I am happy about is that our overstretched, tired, un-appreciated policemen got a paid leave.

Only I don't know if being over-stretched yet doing real work is more exhausting than watching a Karan Johar movie.

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So back to MNIK.

Now here, for the first time, Karan Johar has tried his hand at "serious" and "meaningful" cinema.

I hope this is his last time.

My Name is Khan chronicles the life of a Rizwan Khan with Asperger's Syndrome. The movie is a three hour melodrama on his life, his outlook, his relationships, his beliefs, his religion, his kindness, mother-son relationship, husband-wife relationship, racism, Hindu - Muslim riots, 9/11, post 9/11 atrocities on various ethnic communities, Afghanistan, Iraq, President Bush, Hurricane Katrina, President Elect Obama.

There is more. But I am overwhelmed and hence cannot mention all the issues the movie brought up.

Terrorism, Mental/Physical Disorders and Religion - all require certain sensitivity to portray onscreen.

Karan fails colossally.

From the story to characterization - everything is faulty in this one.

The movie is so inconsistent when it deals with characters and historical events, that it leaves you feeling stupid.

E.g. Towards the end of Bush's term, when Obama catapulted on the world political stage, I remember reading that Bush had been advised to make lesser public appearances, since his face was actually doing more harm to Republican candidates than helping them win. So if you have followed the 2008 Presidential Elections, you would actualy know that Bush had almost disappeared from the public scene. Yet, the movie, not only shows Bush in his full glory, being treated like a King at all public appearances, and that at the fag end of his term ! Which would mean August/September 2008 ! Why Karan why??

Also, the relationship between SRK & Kajol is just so inadequate and glib that it leaves you speechless, really.

The movie has various such exasperating incidents and goof ups.

Also, in trying to address various issues, Karan loses track and ends up addressing nothing.

One wouldn't mind such stupidity, had the central characters been well written and brought out onscreen.

But SRK's Rizwan is not what a person with Asperger's Syndrome would look, dress and be like. Though SRK does a good job in some scenes, especially which only require him to smile coyly, or show his emotions when the situation demands, overall I wasn't convinced.

The biggest let down was Kajol's Mandira. The character has no depth and would seem like an opportunist by the end of the movie, if you are still watching it, that is. Kajol, though looks stunning, has a weak role and I am amazed how she didn't object while going with it.

The music by Shankar-Ehsan-Loy is very average and doesn't make the journey any easy for the viewer.

It would have made more sense to make a movie with a person afflicted with some disorder and focus on his relationships.

Or a movie just on Terrorism.

Or a movie on the plight of ethnic communities in the US after 9/11.

Or a superhero SRK flying in to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Yes, that would have been more convincing.

While I fidgeted in my seat last night, and almost cried out of boredom, I took an oath of never to watch Karan Johar directed movies, not even if I am thrown out of my house and have no avenues of killing time.

My post supporting SRK in his stand against the Sena did not go down very well with a certain ssection of friends.

Use your little brain, be logical, don't base your opinion on emotions.

Don't bash Sena only because it is a fashionable thing to do.

Choose your cause well, and so it went.

So through this post I attempt to explain my stand.

Srk doesn't mean anything to me. Neither do I find much logic in Sena's existence. That the Sena is required to nullify MNS also doesn't hold much water. If the whole point of your existence is so that someone else ceases to exist, I do not deem it a worthy existence.

Now why then did I support SRK?

The only reason is he had galls to stand up against gundas.

Personally, I am happy with Pakistani players not being selected for IPL. Really. I can't play with them when my brethren are dying at the border or in local trains.

However, if SRK as a business owner feels that his team requires certain talent from across the border, who am I to encroach upon his rights? And just how does patriotism come into play here?

Now, I fill my days with Atif Aslam's voice, Dhoop Kinaare and laughterr at Omar Shareef's jokes. Does that make me a lesser Indian?? If I visit Sindh and hail its Sufi saints, will that make me a traitor?

I also hold many a grouse against China and its policies towards India. But will that stop me from doing business with the Chinese?

What I am against, is jingoism of any kind.

Sena's holier than thou attitude has gone way too far and needs to be nipped before it takes Bombay back to the medieval ages.

About aman ki asha - I think only TOI could come up with something so stupid. Lesser written about on this blog, better for the blogs health.

Sharing some pics that I clicked at the fest yesterday. Thoughts wll be coming up at the end of the festival.














(all pics taken from my cell)

Got a chance to watch Harishchandrachi Factory and Ishqiya this week.

I recommend Ishqiya for its rustic setting, unusual story, witty writing, fresh lyrics and Arshad. Vidya Balan has been a favourite since day 1, still, Arshad wins hands down in this one. I often wonder, how many more years before this versatile performer gets his due.

Harishchandrachi Factory is a commentary on Dadasaheb Phalke and the roots of Indian Cinema. The movie is very well made and has some hilarious moments. Apart from strong performances, it essentially outlines one man's vision. He sees gold where others see zilch. Finally it does boil down to acting upon ones convictions.

Just thought I should share what I have read and liked this week.

Some of you might already have read these...for those who didn't get a chance, here is my top 5 list of the week :

This magazine article by Jon Krakauer was quite an insightful read. Jon is a survivor of an Everest Tragedy and discusses what it takes to be up there, the unimaginable strength required to pursue the climb, the mistakes that cost his peer group dearly and the thin margin by which he dodged death on that fateful day in the May of 1996. The article would give you plenty of fodder for thought.

This column by Ramesh Ramanathan was well timed. It hits you in the right places.

This column delves into the Google/China face off and presents an insider's views on the Chinese Society.

I have never, never been a fan of SRK. Infact, fan is too strong a word. Lets just say, I don't bother much about him. However, I have to add, I am very happy at his response to the Sena. He has just grown in stature in my eyes. I just hope he doesn't back out now.

Finally, Tavleen Singh's tutorial. Now these are thoughts that should be directed at anyone, who we think deserves to be the Captain of the ship called India.