Do Badan

I do have some liking for films, but film stars and their acting have always fascinated me.Whatever little  information I have about the film world has been gleaned in the past by browsing through film magazines like, Filmfare, Star & Style, Stardust and the Screen .Due to self imposed restrictions I never saw a movie in a Cinema Hall throughout my student life. I watched some very good movies like Dosti, Jagriti, Ashirwaad, Mamta, Kabuliwala, Saat Hindustani and Suhaag aur Sindoor etc.  shown by the Publicity and Public Relations Department in Mohallas and localities on 16mm projector , and the ones shown tax free for which we as kids were taken to cinema hall or the DAV Lakkar Bazar which had a projector.I remember having watched Boot Polish , Gurubhakti Eklavya, & Sampooran Ramayan thus.I saw movies in higher classes when my own School got a projector of their own.

In 1972, Do Badan, a 1965 Blockbuster was having a rerun at one of the Cinema Halls in Shimla, and some  friends decided to watch it on a Sunday,with strict instructions to me to make it to the Cinema Hall positively and on time. I knew that the movie had a star cast of my favourites like Manoj Kumar, Asha Parekh, Pran and Manmohan Krishan but  somehow my resolve of not seeing a movie from home got the better of me and I decided not to go.

The next day when we met in the College, one by one all those friends gave me a bit of their mind telling inter alia that  they had a hard time selling the ticket purchased for me.

I did see a few movies in Cinema Hall after student life but none after 1986.

संत कबीर

प्रसंगवश :
हिन्दी भक्ति साहित्य व भक्ति काल की महान विभूति संत कबीर का आज 500वां प्रयाण दिवस है । 1398 को जन्मे कबीर का पालन पोषण नीरू नाम के मुस्लिम जुलाहे और उसकी पत्नी नीमा ने किया ।
अनायास ही राम के अनन्य भक्त रामानंद से राम नाम की दीक्षा मिली व राम भक्ति में लीन हो कर पूरा जीवन बिता दिया । गृहस्थ जीवन में रहते हुए विवाह भी हुआ और संतान प्राप्ति भी । सांसारिकता का निर्वाह करते हुए भी मोह माया से दूर रहे और वैराग्य का अनूठा उदाहरण प्रस्तुत किया । अनेकानेक दोहों की रचना की । ' मसि कागद छुह्यो नहीं, कलम गह्यो नहीं हाथ' की स्वीकारोक्ति के बावजूद उनके दोहों में भक्ति, दर्शन, वैराग्य, निस्पृहता, व्यवहारिकता - सभी का समावेश मिलता है । साधारण भाषा शैली में रचित दोहे शीघ्र कंठस्थ हो जाते हैं और अनेक सन्दर्भों में उद्धृत होते हैं । रूढ़ियों व अन्धविश्वास के घोर विरोधी होने के नाते कबीर एक समाज सुधारक के रूप में भी जाने जाते हैं ।
हिंदी साहित्य में उन्हें विशिष्ट स्थान प्राप्त है और उनकी रचनाओं पर बहुत अधिक शोध किया गया है । ज्ञातव्य है कि हिंदी साहित्य की प्रथम डी. लिट, डा. पीताम्बर दत्त बड़थवाल को उनके कबीर पर लिखे शोध प्रबंध पर दी गयी थी । इसके अतिरिक्त डा. नगेन्द्र का कबीर पर लिखा पी. एचडी शोध प्रबंध सीधे तौर पर डी. लिट् के लिए स्वीकृत हुआ था ।

SHFJ Manekshaw

Today is the 10th death anniversary of Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw, a former Chief of Staff of the Indian Army. A highly decorated officer and an outstanding soldier, he saw action in the Second World War and was awarded Military Cross by the British Government. Post independence, he actively participated in 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars and is befittingly called the Hero of 1971 War. A recipient also of Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, besides many military honours, he was first officer of the Indian Army to be conferred the rank of Field Marshal .

No other Commander of the Indian Army enjoyed such a rapport with the troops as he did. He was endearingly called Sam Bahadur. I have heard one of his speeches concluded with the words- Shaabash Jawan, Ram Ram. A unique personality indeed. 

Our humble tributes to this great and outstanding soldier !

राहुल देव बर्मन

अपनी आकर्षक एवं कर्णप्रिय धुनों से फिल्मी गीतों को सुसज्जित करने वाले विख्यात संगीतकार राहुल देव बर्मन उर्फ पंचम दा की आज 79वीं जयंती है ।पंचम दा ने अपने पिता महान संगीतकार सचिन देव बर्मन के पदचिन्हों पर चलते हुए फिल्म संगीत के क्षेत्र में अपना लोहा मनवाया ।जहाँ एक ओर लता मंगेशकर, मुहम्मद रफ़ी और किशोर कुमार जैसे दिग्गजों ने उनके द्वारा तैयार धुनों पर गीत गाये, वहीँ दूसरी ओर नवोदित गायकों से भी गीत गवा कर, उन ने उनका उत्साह बढ़ाया व इस क्षेत्र में उन्हें अपना स्थान बनाने में भरपूर योगदान दिया । 

एक प्रयोगधर्मी संगीतकार के नाते अपने संगीत में न केवल Disco और Rock संगीत का समावेश किया अपितु कुछ गीतों में पाश्चात्य धुनों को भी सफलता पूर्वक अपनाया । यही नहीं, उनने विशेष ध्वनि उत्पन्न करने के लिए कप प्लेट आदि के साथ भी प्रयोग किये ।कुछ नामचीन शास्त्रीय संगीतज्ञों ने भी उनके लिए वाद्य यंत्र बजाए ।
तीन बार उन्हें फ़िल्मफ़ेअर पुरस्कार से नवाज़ा गया व कई बार नामित भी हुए ।
इस लोकप्रिय एवं प्रतिभावान संगीतकार को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

Daan Singh

Yesterday was the death anniversary of Daan Singh, the talented music composer who composed timeless melodies like 'Zikr hota hai jab qayamat ka......' & ' Wo tere pyar ka gham, ik bahana tha sanam......' both sung by Mukesh for 'My Love', a 1970 film.A victim of dirty politics prevailing in the film music industry, he never got enough work to do and died a frustrated man on 18th June, 2011.

Our humble tributes !

Father's Day

The year was 1966, the month December. I was to appear in  Board’s examination of Class VIII.The exam was conducted   under the aegis and control of  the District Education Officer and was external in nature,  hence the importance attached to it . There was a competition among Schools to show  good results as  a comparison was  always made after the results were out. To ensure that the students were  well prepared and did well,  an hour’s extra class each  in the morning  and the evening was  the norm  for about two months, meaning  we had a grueling  routine  from 8:45 AM to  5: 30 PM . As ill luck would have it , I fell  sick with high fever  in the first week of December,  the ailment diagnosed as Typhoid.In normal ordinary times, this would have been taken in the stride , but the matter was serious and of immense concern as the Exams were to start on 21st  December. Not being able to appear in the exam would straightway mean loss of one year . A serious student that I was, I wanted to appear in the exam , come what may. Resultantly a crash course of  treatment and medication was followed . The extraordinary  care that   my parents took got me out of the fever but I was too weak  to move on my own. I prepared for the exam in my own way, sitting in the bed covered with quilts and a folded quilt behind my back to recline against. Frequent , periodic hot water bottle was in place to keep me warm . I was on liquid diet, supplemented with some fruit . 
The  day of the start of examination arrived. We lived in Lower Kaithu area, and the center of Examination was Govermnent Higher Secondary School, Lal Pani , down below the Bus stand.
All covered up with normal warm clothings and a blanket, accompanied and supported my father, I had to walk slowly  the entire distance on foot in that condition .
Leaving me at the Examination  Hall, my father would go and wait , sitting at a Halwai shop at a distance above . After the  paper, I would find him waiting for me outside the Hall , in the playground . He would hold me by the arm, take me to the Halwai shop , and I would have a glass of milk before starting on back journey on foot again.On reaching home , a hot water bottle was  already there in the bed . After some light food and some rest I would  brush up for the next day .  We had seven papers in all, and this was the routine .
Why I am writing this today ? 
Well, isn’t this time for me  to remember my father for this and many other things he did for me   !

Happy Father’s Day !

PREM DHAWAN

 Prem Dhawan was a highly talented and versatile but less discussed  lyricist of Hindi Cinema.To a lesser degree, he was also a composer and a choreographer.  Born on 13 June, 1923 at Ambala in present day  state of Haryana, he received his college education in Lahore and at that time was actively associated with the activities of the Communist  Party Of India.

He started his film career in 1946 as an assistant to the composer  Khursheed  Anwar, in  K.A. Abbas’s film aaj Aur kal . He later moved to Bombay and joined  the  Indian Peoples Theatre Association .This association helped him to learn Classical music under the Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar . His debut as a lyricist came with the film Dharti  Ke  Lal , the journey continuing for more than four decades  till 1989 .
He wrote lyrics for a number of films like Aaram, taran, Aasman, Shola Aur Shabnam ,Kabuli wala, Ek Phool  Do Mali , Purab Aur Paschim, Zabak, Guest House, Saawan, Pardesui, Nayee Raahen, Pavitra Paapi, Vachan, Taangewali, Raat Ke Andhere Mein , Ek Saal Pyar Ka Saagar, Jaagte Raho, Dus Lakh, Nanak Dukhia Sab Sansar  and many many others. However, real  acclaim came to him from Manoj Kumar starrer movie Shaheed .
He wrote all kinds of songs-romantic, patriotic, pathetic, sad , humorous- and excelled in all .He also acted in two films, namely Lajawaab and Goonj  Uthi  Shehnai.
Some of the beautiful  lyrics that he wrote can be listed thus:
Aye mere pyaare watan, aye mere bichhde chaman….
Chhodo kal ki baaten, kal ki baat purani ……
Ye parada hata do , zara mukhda dikha do ……
Teri Duniya se door, chale hoke majboor……
Halke halke chalo saanware
Mera  Rang de basanti chola….
Jogi   hum to lut gaye tere pyar mein….
Aye watan aye watan humko teri kasam…….
Pagdi sambaal jatta…..
Tujhe Sooraj kahun ya chanda….
Agar Bewafa tujhko pehchan jaate….
Sab kuchh luta ke hosh mein aaye to kya kiya….
Nain mile nain hue baaware…..
Mujhe pyar k i zindagi dene wale…..
Awen dunia dewe duhaai , jhootha  paaondi  shor……
O nanhe se farishte’……….
Chandamama door ke….
Garibon ki suno who tumhari sunega…..
Kaun Rang Mungwa, kaun rang motiya….
Sadaa khush rahe tu jafa karne wale……
Wafa jinse ki, bewafa ho gaye…….
Dil ko lakh sambhala ji , phir bhi dil matwala ji…..
Tum se kuchh kehna hai, agar tum kuchh kehne do….
Rasiya  re man basiya re….
Zindagi bhar gham judai ka mujhe tadpayega…..
Bheega  bheega  pyar  ka  samaa……
Nain dwar se man mein  wo aa ke……
Allah hi allah kar pyare bhai …….
 He was awarded  Padma Shri  in 1970 and was also a recipient of National Film Award for the best Lyricist .
He died on May 7, 2001, aged 77.
Our humble tributes  !

Shyama

June 6 is the birth anniversary of Shyama, the popular, versatile actress of Hindi Cinema. Born Khurshid Akhtar this day in 1935 at Lahore in undivided Punjab, she came to Mumbai in the '40s . She made her acting debut in the 1945 film Zeenat .In an acting career spanning three decades and a half, she acted in about 140 films in lead and character roles.A talented and versatile Actor, she appeared in a number of well known films in the '50s and '60s.Her filmography includes films like Aar Paar, Tarana, Bhai Bhai, Barsaat ki Raat, Shayar, Shabnam, Patanga,Mirza Sahi baan, Sazaa,Bhabhi, Chhoo Mantar, Milan,Ajnabee, Sharda,Thokar,
Dil-e-Nadaan, Suhag Sindoor,Shart, Taqdeer, Chhoti Behan, Sabak, Jaanwar, Naya Din Nayi Raat and many many others.
The songs picturized on her very popular as her rhythmic movements synchronized well with the lyrics and the music.
The song ' Mujhe mil gaya bahana teri deed ka','Ae lo main hari piya hui teri jeet re', ' Na yeh chaand hoga na  taare rahenge', & 'Aye dil mujhe bataa de tu kis pe aa gaya hai'  bear testimony to this.She was a natural actor and a confident one.
She was married to Fali Mistry, a Gujrati Parsi cinematographer, from whom she had two sons and a daughter.
She died on November 14, 2017 aged 82.
Our humble tributes to the versatile actress !

Birthday !

12 June1954, तदानुसार 30 ज्येष्ठ 2012 विक्रमी.

I was born this day in a rented accommodation at Annadale ,Shimla.It was a Saturday and and I was born at about 10PM.

An interesting anecdote which was recounted and retold later many times in different contexts.

My grandfather, into his seventies at that time who had come visiting us in Summer as usual had gone to bed. My father, playing a joke told him that a daughter was birn. Grandfather did not utter a word and covered his face with quilt.

Mercifully no gender bias but a genuine concern of a parent finding the balance tilting on one side as two daughters were already there.

In the morning,when my birth was  disclosed, he immediately got up, had a bath and after light refreshment, waled up to Lower Bazar. It was something pleasant for all to see him back with a metal bath tub or a 'tasla' as it is called in common colloquial language .It was some metal, yellow in color, though not brass.The bath tub remained with us for many years as a memento of sorts.

In these six decades plus,I have seen a lot , happening and changing. As a toddler I have been ' witness' to a plane , trial landing at Annandale, but taking off with much difficulty !

Enough for today !

Clocks & Watches

Time has gone ticking by since the beginning of the Universe, whether or not one had the ways ,means and devices to measure it . In ancient times  perhaps man started marking time with the movement of the Sun.
Living in these times, we have had clocks and watches of varios types from the simple hand wound alarm clocks, wrist watches to automatic,
Cell operated, stop watches and analog watches, the ones measuring even the fraction of a second, proverbially the split second meaning and mattering a lot in today's fast moving world.

My childhood memories are of a Germany made Kienzle time piece, kept in a wooden case, the English numerals on the dial filled with radium, which would shine in the night darkness. Occasionally, a morning alarm would be set which even at low pitch was no music to the ears.I was equally fascinating by a ' Jeb Ghadi' or a pocket watch of my grandfather,that had Roman numerals on its dial and appeared a perfect replica of the big clock that even today adorns the CTO building at,the  Mall Shimla.I buses to tinker with it whenever we went to the village or our grandfather came visiting at Shimla.
My father had a GAMA wrist watch with English numerals and a dial with red border, that he would graciously give to me during exams to keep track of time while writing .
I had my prize wrist watch in 1972, an HMT Janata hand wound one which though a sturdy one would go 2 minutes faster every day.
This got replaced in 1984 by a Citizen automatic that I got at the time of marriage.
This further got replaced in 2001 by aTitan watch gifed by a dear friend , which I sport even now , notwithstanding the fact that  some considerable amount goes into purchasing a branded strap and the cell, every alternate year.
I do have another Titan watch, which my superstitious wife does not allow me to put on my wrist.
My kids have never felt the need for a wrist watch as the mobile takes care of everything.

Suneel Dutt

Today is the birth anniversary of Suneel Dutt, the highly popular Actor of Hindi Cinema. He was also a Producer and Director.
Born Balraj Dutt this day in 1929, he started with  the Radio Broadcasts and became  very popular while working for the Hindi Service of Radio Ceylon, now known as Radio Srilanka.
He made his acting debut in 1955 film Railway  Platform. With large impressive eyes , 6 ft 2 inch height with a physique to match, he was a natural choice for dacoit centric and Thakur type roles . He became equally popular in lead romantic roles.Fame came to him early with a role in the iconic film Mother India, he playing the son of Nargis, his future wife.
It is said that  love happened between the two actors in the same film when Suneel Dutt saved Nargis's life in a fire accident during the shooting.
Another film for which Suneel Dutt is also remembered is his own  production- directorial venture  Yaadein, the 1964 movie in which he was the only Actor, with Nargis appearing only in a silhouette in the  starting scene.The film won the best Hindi  Feature film Award .

Suneel Dutt appeared opposite all leading heroines of the time viz. Asha Parekh, Sadhana, Waheeda Rehman, Nutan etc. etc.

The films in which he acted include Kundan, Ek Hi Raasta,Kismat Ka Khel,Mother India, Sadhana, Sujata,Insaan Jaag Utha,Ek Phool Char Kaante,Hum Hindustani, Chhaya,Gumrah, Mujhe Jeeney Do,Nartaki, Yeh Raastey Hain Pyar Ke,Beti Bete,Ghazal, Khandaan, Waqt, Mera Saya, Humraaz, Milan, Padosan,Chirag, Reshma Aur Shera,Geeta Mera Naam, Jaani Dushman, Dard Ka Rishta, Raj tilak, Munnabhai MBBS, Rocky... and many many others.

As an Actor turned Politician, he was five time elected MP from Bombay North West constituency and also had a stint as the Union Minister for Youth affairs and Sports.

A recipient of Padmashri, he also received many other honours and Awards.

He died on May 25, 2005, aged 76.

Our humble tributes to the gentleman Actor  !

World Environment Day

My late father always used to carry a thick cloth 'thaila' to bring vegetables from the bazar where he happened to go after office hours . Needless to say that the bag used to be quite heavy being laden with vegetables for a brood of four besides my mother and himself. In a way, the bag or the thaila had become his trademark . Even after retirement he bought vegetables himself and carry them home.
For the persons who hesitated to carry thaila, the polythene bags , when they appeared on the scene , were considered a boon. No need to carry a thaila or a jhola, as the shopkeeper would himself provide a polythene bag of the required size.This went on for decades together before the environmentalists realised that polythene and plastic were not a boon but a bane- toxic and therefore dangerous for the living beings. Many a cattle got choked to death on swallowing polythene bags.
The oft quoted shlok from the Holy Bhagwad Gita
नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः ।
 न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः ॥.
is as much applicable to plastic and polythene as to the 'atman'.
It is heartening to see that this year the theme of World Environment Day is ' Beat Plastic Use'.
Happy Environment Day !

नूतन

खूबसूरती, सादगी, और अभूतपूर्व अभिनय प्रतिभा की प्रतिमूर्ति , अपने समय की लोकप्रिय फिल्म अदाकारा नूतन की आज जयंती है। मराठी सिनेमा की अभिनेत्री शोभना समर्थ की बड़ी संतान नूतन को अभिनय विरासत में मिला था।मिस इंडिया के रूप में सम्मान प्राप्त नूतन ने अभिनय के क्षेत्र में भी कामयाबी और शोहरत की बुलंदियों को छुआ और अपनी अभिनय यात्रा में हिंदी सिनेमा की यादगार फिल्मों में उपस्थिति दर्ज की। चाहे सुजाता फिल्म में दलित लड़की का किरदार हो, चाहे मैं तुलसी तेरे आँगन की में ठकुराइन का, नूतन ने अपनी प्रतिभा का लोहा मनवाया
। दिल  ही तो है,लैला मजनूँ, सरस्वतीचंद्र, अनाड़ी, बंदिनी,आखिरी दाव, तेरे घर के सामने,दिल ने फिर याद किया, कर्मा, सौदागर, मिलन,छैला, सीमा, कन्हैया,यादगार आदि फिल्में उनकी नायाब अदाकारी की मिसाल हैं।
एक बेहतरीन इन्सान के रूप में भी नूतन को याद किया जाता है ।
पद्मश्री समेत अन्य कई पुरस्कारों से सम्मानित
महान अभिनेत्री को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

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