Rahman

Today is the birth anniversary of Rahman, the popular Bollywood actor of his time.Born this day at Lahore in a Pashtun Pathan family, he received his education in Indore.After completing education he joined the Indian Air Force and trained as a Pilot.Soon he left the job and went to Bombay to try his luck in films.With his burly physique and large attractive eyes, he had a strong screen presence.In a career spanning more than three decades since 1946, he acted both as a lead and as a character actor.He gave stellar performance in films Chaudhawin ka Chaand, Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam and Waqt.As a necessary part of Guru Dutt ensemble, he also acted in Pyaasa.The films in which he acted include Shahjahan, Nargis,Tohfa, Taj Mahal, Pyar Ki Jeet, Badi Bahen, Phir Subah Hogi, Chhoti Bahen, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya,Chhalia, Ghoonghat, Mere Mehboob,Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke, Ghazal,Hamsaya, Abroo, Dulhan Ek Raat Ki,Aap Ki Kasam, Aandhi and many many others.

He was nominated four times for the Filmfare Award .

Our humble tributes to the talented actor !

Jonas Edward Salk

Today is the death anniversary of Jonas Edward Salk,the American medical researcher and virologist.He discovered and developed the first successful Polio vaccine in 1955 , which has saved the mankind from this dreaded disease the world over.He also established the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla,California.
Little wonder that many awards honours and worldwide recognition came his way and many institutions were named after him.
He died this day in 1995.
Our humble tributes to this saviour of mankind !

Harindranath Chattopadhyay

Today is the death anniversary of Harindranath Chattopadhyay, a multi talented personality. He was an English language poet,dramatist,actor and a musician.He was an elected MP of the first Loksabha (1952-1957) from Vijayawada Constituency of Andhra Pradesh.He was a popular character Actor of Hindi cinema and appeared in films like Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam, Tere Ghar ke Samane,Gharbaar, Saanjh aur Sawera ,Teen Deviyaan, Pyar Mohabbat, Raat Aur Din,Naunihal, Ashirwad,Bawarchi,Ashiyana, Mehbooba ,Malamaal and some others besides a few Bengali films also.

The song/poem 'Railgaadi.....' presented by Ashok Kumar in the film Ashirwaad is attributed to him.

He was the younger brother of Sarojini Naidu.

He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1973.

Our humble tributes !

AMRISH PURI

Today is the birth anniversary of Amrish Puri , the popular villain , character actor of Hindi cinema and a well known theatre personality.Born this day in 1932 at Nawanshahar in Punjab , he lived and studied in Shimla when the family shifted there. He received his college education in the B.M.College , Shimla . His love of theatre brought him to Bombay where he joined Prithvi Theatre and worked with the likes of Saytadev Dubey and Girish Karnad , An accomplished actor, he won the sahitya Academy Award in 1979. He was a late entrant into films , already well into his thirties. With his strong screen presence attributable to his baritone voice no less than to his impressive looks , it did not take him very long to be counted among one of the finest actors , much in demand particularly for negative villanous roles. He did equally well in positive roles.He was also active in parallel cinema. He worked in about 400 films spanning almost four decades. The films in which he acted include Prem Pujari , Reshma Aur Shera,Hulchul, salaakhen, Hindustan ki Kasam,Nishan, Manthan , Bhumika, Hamare Tumhare Jaani Dushman, Sawan Ko Aney Do, Qurbani, Dostana , Hum Paanch, Krodhi, Kalyug, Naseeb, Shakti , Vidhata, Vijeta Ardhsatya, Jhootha sach, party, Mr.India, Nagina , Tamas, Karan Arjun , Loha, Dayawaan and many many others. His dialogue ‘ Mogambo khish hua ‘ & ‘ Gulati ! Gulati khaa gaya na…’ became very popular. Attenborough’s film ‘Gandhi’ & Steve Spielberg’s ‘Indiana Jones And The Temple of Doom’ gave him international exposure and he drew lavish praises from Steven Spielberg for his marvellous acting. 

He won many film awards and got nominated for many others. 

He was a highly talented and versatile actor .

Our humble tributes !

राम प्रसाद बिस्मिल

सरफरोशी की तमन्ना अब हमारे दिल में है
देखना है ज़ोर कितना बाजु-ए-कातिल में है

महान क्रांतिकारी राम प्रसाद बिस्मिल को उनकी जयन्ति पर कोटिशः नमन !

Mihir Sen

Today is the death anniversary of Mihir Sen, the Indian Swimmer.He became the first Indian swimmer to cross the English Channel in 1958.He also became the first person ever to swim across oceans of five Continents in a single year in 1966.
He was a recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
Our humble tributes !

Sir Edwin Arnold

Today is the birth anniversary of Sir Edwin Arnold, KCIE, CSI, the English poet and Journalist.Educated at Oxford,he had a stint as a School Master in King's School London.He came to India in 1856 as Principal of Government Sanskrit College Poona.He returned to England in 1861 and worked for The Daily Telegraph.He is best known for Light of Asia, a book in blank verse on the life and teachings of Lord Buddha.Subsequently he wrote Pearls of Faith &The Light of the World about Islam and Christianity respectively also.He also wrote The Song Celestial, a book in verse rather a compact translation of Bhagwadgita.

However The Light of Asia remains his most popular work , which was translated in Hindi and Punjabi among perhaps other languages also.

I remember our Punjabi teacher reading out from Asia Da Chaanan , the Punjabi translation of the book , that left us spellbound.

He was influenced by the the Japanese way of life also and eventually had a Japanese wife.

Our humble tributes to the great poet and author !

Banda Singh Bahadur

Today is the death anniversary of Banda Singh Bahadur also known as Banda Bahadur & Madho Das, a brave Sikh Commander.At the age of 15 he ran away from home to become an ascetic and was given the name Madho Das.He established an ashram at Nanded on the bank of Godavari.A meeting with Guru Gobind Singh changed the course of his life.Raising an army, he became a military Commander.On his early conquests he captured Samana and established his authority.He brought about land reforms .Eventually he controlled the territory between Satluj and Yamuna.In 1715 he was caught from Gurdas Nangal fort by the Mughal forces.He was taken to Delhi and was executed in 1716.
Our humble tributes to the great warrior !

Syed Nazir Ali

Today is the birth anniversary of Syed Nazir Ali, who together with his brother Syed Wazir Ali was a member of the Indian Cricket team that played the first Test match against England in 1932.Though he played only two Test matches,he impressed with his performance in all segments of the game in 75 First Class matches that he got to play in his career.

Our humble tributes !

Shyama

Happy birthday to Shyama , the Bollywood actress who is known for her role in films Aar Paar, Barsaat Ki Raat, Zabak, Bhabhi, Tarana, Bhai Bhai and many others.

She turns 82 today !

E.M.Forster

Today is the death anniversary of E.M.Forster, the British novelist, essayist and short story writer.His writings beautifully bring forth the British hypocrisy and racial and class prejudices and he comes across as a liberal humanist.
A celebrated author, five of his novels namely A Passage to India, Maurice, A Room With A View, Where Angels Fear to Tread, and Howard's End have been made into films.He was also an acknowledged literary Critic 
 He was nominated for the Nobel Prize a number of times. 
He died this day in 1970 aged 91.
Our humble tributes !

Orhan Pamuk

Happy birthday to Orhan Pamuk, the Turkish author who was awarded Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006.
Our best wishes !

Khwaja Ahmad Abbas

Today is the birth anniversary of Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, the renowned novelist, film writer, director, producer and columnist . He is best known for having written, directed and produced ‘Saat Hindustani’ , the debut movie of Amitabh Bachchan. Besides, earlier he had written the screen play of Raj Kapoor blockbuster ‘Awara’ and other Bollywood hits like ‘Shri 420’, ‘Mera Naam Joker’, ‘Jagte Raho’ etc. ‘Last Page’- his weekly column in the Blitz was immensely popular. 

My humble tributes to the versatile genius !

A Harlem Tragedy

If you think that only better life style, riches, possession of valuables and a happy family life and better looks can be the cause of envy among friends, peers and neighbours, you need to think and get beyond. Here a housewife envies bruises on the face and body of a neighbour and a friend got as a result of unprovoked thrashing and beating by a maverick husband. Why this wife bears with and literally enjoys this is for the reason that this promises her either purchase of a costly dress item or some other present or she being taken out to watch a theatre performance. The envious neighbour whose husband is a thorough gentleman and back from work engrosses himself in newspaper and can’t think of anything better , leave alone ever beating her or even scolding her, one day provokes him into beating her and seeing no reaction and in afit of uncontrollable anger beats him . The result however is that the poor husband ends up washing the clothes and wife sulking . 

Unbelievable ! I too think so . But just go and read O. Henry’s short story ‘A Harlem Tragedy ‘ !

Rajinder Krishan

Today is the birth anniversary of Rajinder Krishan,the poet lyricist and screenwriter . In a career spanning almost four decades, he penned some memorable melodies for Hindi Cinema. Notable among the films he wrote lyrics for are Aaj ki Raat, Amar Kahani , Badi Behan , Albela, Aaram , Ladki, Anarkali, Nagin, aazad, Bhai Bhai, Dekh Kabira Roya, Adalalt, Patang, Love in Simla, Rakhi, Bluff Master ,Bharosa, Pooja ke Phool, Sharaabi,Khandaan, Jahaan Ara, Brahmchari, Reshma aur Shera, Ponga Pandit,Jwar Bhata, Khel Mohabbat Ka etc. etc. He also wrote dialogues for some of the films.

Our humble tributes to the talented poet and lyricist !

Allan Octavian Hume

Today is the birth anniversary of Allan Octavian Hume, CB, ICS, a British Civil Servant who is better known as the co- founder of Indian National Congress.A trained medical Doctor, he came to India in 1849 and was made a member of the Bengal Civil Service. He was later nominated to the Imperial Civil Service. Being a part of administration in the United Provinces , he was a witness to the uprising in 1857 and played his role as the call of duty demanded. He ran for cover and had to remain hidden at Agra for six months.Nevertheless, he was critical of his own Government and blamed the misgoverning and tyranny for the uprising. Rising to the position of Secretary, in charge of Revenue , Commerce and Agriculture, in 1871 , in later years, he grew critical of Lord Lytton, the Viceroy and saw his own removal from the secretariat.Sympathetic towards native Indians he co founded the Indian National Congress with a view to improving the lot of the common man.He also founded some educational institutions.

He was an accomplished ornithologist and delved in Natural History also. Known as the Father of Indian Ornithology,his residence at Shimla had a large collection of birds.He also authored some books on the subject.
Our humble tributes !

Sunil Dutt

Today is the birth anniversary of Sunil Dutt, the gentleman Bollywood Actor- Politician.
Our humble tributes !

O.Henry

Today is the death anniversary of William Sidney Porter, the great American short story writer who wrote under the pen name of O.Henry.The characters in his stories are picked up from ordinary life and surroundings and are woven so deftly that they leave a lasting impression on the reader.His stories often have surprise endings though not of the sting-in-the tail type.While his short story The Gift of the Magi' has been a prescribed text in School syllabus universally, another short story 'The Last Leaf ' has had TV adaptations in different languages.Equally impressive are his stories 'A Retrieved Reformation' ,'The Cop and the Anthem' and 'The Ransom of Red Chief'.'Witches' Loaves' is another good story.In a way he is America's answer to Guy De Maupassant, the great French short story writer.
Our humble tributes to the great writer !

Manohar Aich

Today is the first death anniversary of Manohar Aich, a former Mr.Universe. He won the Bodybuilding title in 1952 at the age of 40. Only 4 feet 10 inches in height, he was also known as 'Pocket Hercules '.Blessed with a long life, he died this day, last year aged 104.
Our humble tributes !

Ramesh Krishnan

Happy birthday to Ramesh Krishnan, the Tennis star who won the Junior Wimbledon Championship and the French Open in the late seventies.He also reached the Grand Slam quarter finals thrice and was part of the Indian Team that reached the finals of the Davis Cup in 1987.

Muhammad Ali

Today is the death anniversary of Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. better known as Muhammad Ali , the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. The iconic Boxer won 56 of the 61 boxing bouts, out of which 37 in knock outs.
Not given to false humility, his catch phrase was 'I Am The Greatest ', though not undeserved, seeing his illustrious boxing career.
In later years he had become a social activist.
Many honours and awards came his way.
Our humble tributes !

John Masefield

Today is the birth anniversary of John Masefield. He was Poet Laureate of England from 1930 till his death in 1967.
Our humble tributes !

SEA FEVER :
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

- John Masefield