Precious Pearls

Never judge a book by its cover! And don’t get awestruck by a man who’s reading it!! The other day, I happened to attend an event in a college about Vachan Prerana Din, the day that highlights the importance of reading. It is celebrated in the memory of former president late Dr Abdul Kalam. Some speeches bespoke their struggle of preparation to quote verbatim of renowned thinkers. While they were speaking, I could read their minds as their efforts of translating something into words which they had not experienced were visible. The most honest speech came from the anchor. She announced name of a girl to speak and the girl backed out. Oh, the anchor described the programme preparation process. “I asked girls who is the best speaker among you. They told each other’ names. Not one volunteered and I had to force them….” I could relate to the anchor as she was genuine and honest. Yes, in a flurry of wise words, her honest testimony stuck me because it didn’t come from the book… After

He was a man of myriad moods and yes, and some shoddy shades. Thus, making a biopic on someone like Sanjay Dutt would mean little more than a Bollywood business. Like his character was raising a question mark all through , a biopic on him raised many eyebrows. Why glorify a controversial character like him, many asked? A good family, loving and caring parents, a confortable shelter… Sanju had more than enough and still he got himself trapped into the dark side of life.   Drugs, sex scandals and trails and tribulations, Sanju’s story offered all the spice that a film would require. Nothing wrong for a filmmaker to choose a script that assures to be the next blockbuster. Nevertheless, making biopic on a man who is alive would be a tough ask. Like typical Raju Hirani films, this movie, too, is an eclectic blend of humour and emotions. While the movie effortlessly portrays shades of grey in Saju’s character showcasing things in black and white, the effort to remove that ‘terro

Finally I managed to take out those few moments with a book that was pending for years…flipping through a few pages, spending that maximum time gazing through the window side…I read little and still window gave a glimpse of the words written between the lines               Windows… they often offer vibrant hues and myriad moods of the world. Yes, the windows, the Microsoft giant Bill Gates refers to as something ‘to see through’. What is a room with a view without a wonderful window?   Sylvan surroundings, bountiful beaches, chirping sounds of birds or that beautiful full bloom, it’s a window wonder, right?     Anytime when you are little down or elated, just stand by the side of window sipping your evening or morning cup of coffee, windows are likely to have a calming effect on you. I have always found windows soothing. They are natural air conditioners. Allowing a fresh breeze of air inside, windows are the vigilant ventilators opening doors to the whirlwinds of thoughts s

Beyond… Perhaps, a book could be judged by its cover, but not an artist by creative works, author by words, poet by verse and the least, a journalist by bylines! Of course, why should anyone judge anybody, this could be the fundamental question. Notwithstanding, by basic nature, a human being, being a critique, ends up in becoming a critic, unknowingly. You stumble upon some poetic lines which you find mesmerizing. Those prolific poetries can make you an ardent follower of the poet. You may long to see that poet in person and yes, s/he couldn’t be the person you could have ever imagined! In the age of digital media, social networking could have been a great leveller to bridge the gap that lack of interpersonal communication creates and at the same time, it makes you vulnerable to public scrutiny. ‘You are being watched’ is the feeling that often greets you when you are on the watch out for stories, as a journalist. There you are. Enough of generalisation, let me be more spe