Ballad of Bapu

Ballad of Bapu
Author- Santosh Bakaya
Published by-
Renu Kaul Verma
Vitasta Publishing Pvt.Ltd
Darya ganj,
New Delhi- 110002
ISBN 978-93-82711-57-5
Price : Rs.295/-
Mahatma Gandhi or Bapu, the subject or the person, being so close to my heart, I had a strong desire to have it and read it but it materialised, a few days back when surfing Amazon on net, I saw a kind of notice glaring at me that only one copy was left. Now or never ,was  my instant reaction and I ordered it.
The author Dr. Santosh Bakaya is an academician, teaching P.G. classes at Jaipur.She needs no introduction, being an author of note, dabbling masterfully in poetry, fiction, essays and the like.
Ballad of Bapu is an  answer and a reaction to the casual or studied utterances of all those who question the relevance of Gandhi in our time.
I have been fed on  Louis Fischer's biography of Mahatma Gandhi and lately on Ramchandra Guha 's  ' Gandhi before India' , but Ballad is one of its kind.
Written in quintain rhyme scheme of aa bb a, it makes absorbing reading. Encompassing entire life of Bapu, right from the time of his birth till his passing away, the book is full of details regarding his childhood, his life in England, while studying Law, returning home, , leaving for South Africa, eventful life lived there, return to India after two decades, the start of freedom movement with  many
historical events taking place.The book is divided into Chapters with suitable headings, in chronological order.
The persons who came in his life , the books and authors who influenced him, the Satyagraha, the Charkha, the  Sabarmati Ashram, all find a mention in this wonderful lyrical account.The book is further enriched by some rare pictures and photographs that beautifully complement the text.
A must have for those interested in knowing about Gandhi  !
Kudos to the author for this wonderful creation !

K.L.Saigal

Be it a slot reserved for a song in his voice  in the morning old songs' program broadcast by Radio  Ceylone decades back, or humming the lines of the song 'so ja rajkumari so ja' , by Lata Mangeshkar while presenting a program 'Jai Mala' on Vividh Bharati, or again the childhood fancy of the same legendary Lata Mangeshkar wanting to marry him when she saw him in 'Chandidas' or every budding singer of the time trying to emulate and sing in his style, K.L. Saigal towers  high as an all time great singer of Hindi cinema. In a career spanning less than fifteen years, he acted in 36 films including  seven Bangla films.

Among the 185 songs he recorded, 143 were for films and  42were non film songs. Before Bombay, Calcutta used to be the hub of Cinema.He was very popular in Bengal and it is said that only after listening him singing, the poet Tagore, approved his voice for Bengali songs, a rare thing for a Non- Bengali to have this privilege those days.Given to excessive drinking in his later years, his health deteriorated and  he died this day in 1947 , aged 42, at his native place Jalandhar.

Our humble tributes to the great singer - actor of his time !

मंटो

आज एशिया उप महाद्वीप के  महान कहानीकार सआदत  हसन मंटो की पुण्यतिथि है. अपने  जीवनकाल में मंटो अपनी रचनाओं के कारण विवादों से भी घिरे रहे और उनकी कहानियों में अश्लीलता के आरोपों के चलते उन पर कई मुक़द्दमे  चले,  क़ैद  और जुर्माने की सजा  भी सुनाई गयी जो बाद  में अपील में  ख़ारिज की गईं । मुक़द्दमे की नौबत उन लोगों के कारण आयी जो या तो prudish मानसिकता के थे या उन्होने इन रचनाओं को केवल सतही तौर पर पढ़ कर ही अश्लील करार दे दिया था ।ज्ञातव्य  है कि उसी ज़माने की एक और bold उर्दू  लेखिका इस्मत चुगताई भी लगभग उसी समय अपने लेखन में  तथाकथित अश्लीलता के आरोपों के चलते अदालती कार्रवाई का सामना कर रही थी।इस्मत चुगताई और मंटो  की आपस में बहुत अच्छी मित्रता थी पर वो बाद में मंटो के भारत छोड़ कर पाकिस्तान चले जाने से इतनी आहत और क्षुब्ध हुई कि, उसके बाद उनके बीच खतोखिताबत का भी कोई सिलसिला नहीं रहा ।
विडम्बना ही कहेंगे कि जिस देश को मंटो ने अपनाना चाहा, उसी ने उन्हें नहीं अपनाया और मंटो ने वहां भी निराशा का ही  जीवन जीया । ऐसा अपेक्षित भी था कहाँ मंटो का बेबाक लेखन और कहाँ नये नये बने पाकिस्तान का बदला बदला सा सामाजिक और राजनीतिक परिवेश । ऑल इंडिया रेडियो में अपनी कार्यावधि के दिनों को याद करते हुए अपने संस्मरणों में एक और महान लेखक उपेंद्र नाथ अश्क ने सहकर्मी रहे मंटो से अपने love-hate सम्बन्धों का रोचक विवरण भी कहीं प्रस्तुत किया है .
दूसरी ओर, अपनी संस्मरणात्मक पुस्तक 'गंजे फ़रिश्ते' में मंटो ने भी अपने संपर्क में आयी कुछ हस्तियों मसलन, अभिनेता अशोक कुमार, नृत्यांगना सितारा देवी, नाटककार बलवंत गार्गी अदि के बारे में भी रोचक विवरण दिया है।
आज के दिन 1955 में मंटो का देहांत हो गया जबकि अपनी उम्र के 43 वर्ष पूरी करने में भी तीन माह बाकी थे  ।
समाज में व्याप्त बुराइयों तथा शोषण का बेबाकी से चित्रण करने वाले इस महान कथाकार को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

Gauhar Jaan

Today is the death anniversary of Gauhar Jaan, an Indian Classical singer. Born Angelina Yeoward, at Azamgarh in North West Provinces of British India on 26 June, 1873, she is credited with being the first singer to have her performance recorded on 78 RPM disc with the Gramophone Company of India.She cut  more than 600 discs in ten languages between 1902 & 1920 and helped popularize Ghazal, Thumri, Dadra, Kajri and Tarana.
She died this day in 1930 aged 56.

Our humble tributes to this pioneer in Hindustani classical singing  !

शरतचंद्र चट्टोपाध्याय

बन्गला साहित्य शिरोमणि, महान उपन्यासकार शरत् चन्द्र  चट्टोपाध्याय की आज पुण्यतिथि है।उल्लेखनीय है कि शरतचंद्र का शुमार उन इने गिने साहित्यकारों में है, जिन्होंने न केवल साहित्य जगत को समृद्ध किया बल्कि लेखन के बल पर सुविधासंपन्न जीवनयापन में भी सफलता पाई ।
'देवदास', चरित्रहीन, चंद्रकांत,  एवं  ' परिणीता ' जैसे कालजयी उपन्यासों की रचना से  समाज में व्याप्त अन्यायपूर्ण  मान्यताओं को ध्वस्त करने व स्त्री के सन्दर्भ में  ममत्व को सतीत्व से बड़ा गुण होने की अवधारणा को स्थापित  करने का साहसपूर्ण प्रयास
करने वाले महान साहित्यकार को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि  !

In a lighter vein

IN A LIGHTER VEIN-

I have made this humble submission and admission a number of times that my culinary skills are limited to making tea only but I can safely harbour the illusion that  I am fairly good at it. This is reinforced by the fact that my hard to please wife has come to admit albeit somewhat reluctantly that the tea which she prepares with ilaichi and other condiments is simply no match for the tea I make without these add- ons.
However, it proves my Waterloo, if asked to do anything more.
Only last week I had  what could have become a misadventure of some sort.
My son had come visiting on short leave.
One fine day, before going to the temple, my wife left some rice soaked in water in the pressure cooker asking me to boil it when we felt like having lunch.
At the time coinciding with the sarkari lunch time, I put the pressure cooker on the gas stove. At the appropriate time with cooker whistles , I put off the gas.
After sometime, when the steam had subsided, I opened the lid but found that rice had not cooked properly though, water had been absorbed.
Taking a chance , I put some water and placed the cooker on gas again. After sometime, I took it down and on opening the lid, I found that rice had cooked fine but some of it had got stuck to the sides and the bottom. Anyways, me and my son enjoyed our lunch.Not ready to face  the verbal tirades of the wife , especially in presence of my son, I took out the remaining rice, which was meant for my wife in a plate, scrubbed the cooker clean and again put the rice in it.
On her return from the temple, my wife found everything in order and didn't have an inkling as to what had happened.
Pains had gained peace for me !

Sake Dean Mahomed

Today's Google doodle informs of the 260th birth anniversary of Sake Dean Mohamed,  arguably the first Indian immigrant to the Western world. Born this day in 1759 at Patna in Bengal Presidency of British India, he was a traveller, surgeon and entrepreneur.

He is credited with introducing Indian cuisine and shampoo bath to Europe and the West.He was also the first Indian to write and publish a book in English.His book  'Travels of Dean Mahomed' published in 1794.
He died in Sussex, England in 1851 aged 92.
Our humble tributes !

Gulzari Lal Nanda

Today is the 21st death anniversary of Gulzari Lal Nanda, a freedom activist and a prominent member of the Indian National Congress.He was born on 4th July 1898 at Sialkot in undivided Punjab.A known Economist, who specialized in Labour issues, he was an active participant in the Non- Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi.

Post Independence he remained a Union Cabinet minister for many years and was a caretaker Prime
Minister twice,i.e. after the death of Jawahar Lal Nehru and Lalbahadur Shastri.
He was a recipient of Bharat Ratna.
He died this day in 1998 aged 99.
Our humble tributes !

Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav

Today is the birth anniversary of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, the Indian Wrestler, who won a Bronze medal in the 1952 Olympics held in Helsinki.He was the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in an individual event.

A recipient of Arjuna Award posthumously,he is the only sportsman among the Olympic medallists, who regretably didn't receive any Padma award.
He died on 14 August, 1984 aged 58.
Our humble tributes to the Great Wrestler also known as the ' Pocket Dynamo ' !

Homai Vyarawalla

Today is the death anniversary of  Homai Vyarawalla,India's first woman photo- journalist. She was born on 9 December, 1913 at Navsari in Gujarat, to Parsi parents. She spent her childhood moving from place to place with her father's Theatre Company. Later shifting to Bombay, she received her education at the Bombay University and JJ College of Art.

In the late '30s she started working and at the start of World War Il, she was associated with the Illustrated Weekly of India, which published Black and White clicked and developed by her.Her career spanned  almost four decades and she left the job after her husband's death.During her career she captured images of many historical figures like Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah and won admiration for her photography.
She was a recipient of Padma Vibhushan.After losing her only son Farrukh to cancer in 1989, she lived a quiet, secluded life and died this day in 2012, aged 98.
Our humble tributes to the remarkable lady !

Fearless Nadia

Today is the birth anniversary of Mary Ann Evans aka Fearless Nadia, an Australian origin Indian actress and stuntswoman.She was born this day in1908,at Perth in Australia.She came to Bombay in 1913 with her father, who was with the British Army. After her father's death at the hands of Germans in 1915, the family moved to NWFP of present day Pakistan where she learned all the skills like hunting, riding, shooting.

She returned to. Bombay in 1928, for some time was employed as a salesperson with the Army &; Navy Stores . She moved to theatre and became a theatre Artist.She made her debut in 1935 Indian film 'Hunterwali' which was the earliest female- lead film.In this Film she appeared as the masked , cloaked adventuress.She was married to Homi Wadia , an Indian Parsi film maker.

A biopic made on her in 1993 won critical acclaim .

Later, in Vishal Bhardwaj's movie Rangoon, a character inspired by her was played by Kangana Ranaut .

She died on 9 thJanuary 1996 a day after completing 88 years.

Our humble tributes !

Nirupa Roy

Today is the birth anniversary of  Nirupa Roy, a popular  Bollywood actress of  old times.She played lead roles in her early films  but was more popular in mythological roles.

She played the quintessential mother in most of the films , even a mother to Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor. She appeared in close to 250 films, the popular among them being Do Beegha Zameen,Munim ji, Rani Roopmati, Chhaya,Maa, Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Deewar,Amar Akbar  Anthony and many others. She roles she played were of a mother  impoverished and pathetic - one of the exceptions being the film Jai Chittor  in which she played a  Queen and did full justice with the role.
She also earned the sobriquet 'Queen of Misery' pointing to the roles she played.
She won many awards for her memorable roles.
Our humble tributes  !

R.D.Burman

• Today is the 25th death anniversary of  Rahul Dev Burman aka R.D.Burman, the highly talented Composer and Music director of Bollywood. Being the only son of  S.D.Burman, the legendary Composer and Music Director, he grew up with music in his blood. The story goes that as a child he used to cry in five different notes, hence the name Pancham also stuck to him. Starting as an assistant to his father, in his early years he was associated with the films Chalti ka Naam Gaadi, Kagaz Ke Phool,Tere Ghar Ke Samane, Bandini, Ziddi, Guide & Teen Deviyan. While he played harmonica in most of the films, he also played the samein the song Hai apna dil to Awara sung by Hemant Kumar for the film House No.44.The song is popular to this day. As an independent Composer, he gave music to about 330 films and through his innovation and experimentation, became a sort of guide for gen-next Music Directors.

His filmography  includes films like Sholay, 1942 a Love Story, Aradhana,Kati Patang, Aandhi, Yaadon ki Baraat, Padosan, Amar Prem,Masoom, Ghar, Deewar, Aap ki Kasam, Teesri Manzil, Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Kudrat,Satte Pe Satta, Kalia, Mehbooba, Saagar, Duniya, Anamika and many many others.
Kishore Kumar was his personal favourite and on his insistence  most of the songs of Aradhana were got sung by Kishore Kumar. It is common knowledge that Aradhana was the come- back film of Kishore Kumar, rather a shot in the arm for him.
R.D.Burman was married for the second time to Asha Bhosle, the renowned playback singer.
He died this day in 1994, not completing 55 years .
Our humble tributes to the great Composer and Music Director !

मोहन राकेश

हिन्दी साहित्य में नयी कहानी आन्दोलन के प्रणेता, प्रसिद्ध नाटककार मोहन राकेश की आज पुण्यतिथि है। उनके द्वारा रचित ' आषाढ़ का एक दिन ' को हिन्दी का प्रथम आधुनिक नाटक होने का गौरव प्राप्त है, जिसके लिए उन्हें 1958 में सन्गीत नाटक अकादमी पुरस्कार से सम्मानित किया गया था ।नाटक और कहानियों के अतिरिक्त उनने उपन्यास, यात्रा विवरण, संस्मरण, आलोचना आदि के क्षेत्र में भी योगदान दिया !'आषाढ़ का एक दिन', ' लहरों के राजहंस' और ' आधे अधूरे ' नाटक रंगमंच पर भी अपार ख्याति पा चुके है । इस प्रकार भारतेंदु एवं जयशंकर प्रसाद के साथ मोहन राकेश नाटककारों की एक त्रयी के रूप में स्थापित हो चुके हैं ।

उपन्यासों में 'अँधेरे बंद कमरे ' अपना विशेष स्थान रखता है, जिसमे वैवाहिक जीवन जी की विषमताओं का उल्लेख है । 'आखिरी चट्टान तक' '50 के दशक में गोवा से कन्याकुमारी तक की गयी यात्रा का वृत्तांत है व गद्यलेखन में एक मील का पत्थर है ।
मोहन राकेश का अधिकतर लेखन आत्मकथात्मक है, अन्यथा पात्र व घटनाएं वास्तविक जीवन से लिए गये हैं । उनने अध्यापन भी किया व 'सारिका' का संपादन भी । उनके जीवन और लेखन दोनों में एक आवेग- एक तीव्रता पायी जाती है ।
अपनी आयु के 47 वर्ष पूर्ण करने से मात्र पांच दिन पूर्व इस सन्सार को अलविदा कहने वाले महान साहित्यकार को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !!

Safdar Hashmi

Today is the 30th death anniversary of Safdar Hashmi, a playwright, theatre actor,director and activist.A pioneer in street theatre, he was a founder member of JANAM, an acronym for Jan Natya Manch, which grew out of Indian Peoples Theatre Association. He had worked as a journalist and also made documentaries and TV serials.He took up issues like, peasant distress, women empowerment, dowry etc , which formed the theme of his plays.

He died this day in 1989, his troupe having been attacked the previous day while staging a play, Halla Bol .Undaunted by his murder, his wife Moloyashree Hashmi defiantly staged the play at the same venue two days after his death.In February,1989, the late writer Bhisham Sahni along with some other artistes, formed the Sardar Hashmi Memorial Trust ( SAHMAT ). Am movie Halla Bol inspired by him was made by Rajkumar Santoshi in 2008.

He was not even 35 at the time of his death.

Our humble tributes !

जैनेन्द्र कुमार

ख्यातनाम हिंदी उपन्यासकार, कथाकार, निबंधकार जैनेन्द्र कुमार की आज जयंती है । प्रेमचंद के बाद वह हिंदी उपन्यास लेखन के प्रमुख हस्ताक्षर हैं । उनने उपन्यास लेखन में प्रेम चंद की यतार्थवादी परम्परा को नहीं अपनाया बल्कि पात्रों के मनोवैज्ञानिक विश्लेषण पर अधिक बल दिया । प्रयोगधर्मी लेखक के तौर पर उनने भाषा का नया मुहावरा गढ़ा व गद्य लेखन को दूसरी दिशा दी । हिंदी साहित्य जगत में उन्हें प्रेयसी वाद के प्रणेता के रूप में भी जाना जाता है । 
पद्मभूषण एवं साहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार से सम्मानित जैनेन्द्र का निधन 24 दिसम्बर 1988 को हुआ, उस समय इनकी आयु 83 वर्ष थी ।
महान साहित्यकार को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि ।

An Unhappy New Year

1. I am amused to recall what happened to me and a colleague more than a quarter of a century ago.

Those days at small places, no automatic dialing facility was available and even the local numbers had to be called through a  manual exchange.

Once in office on a New Year Day, ,very enthusiastically I put through a call to my immediate superior, a well meaning officer, though younger to me in age to offer New Year greetings.He thanked me for that  but quite apologetically informed me that the super boss had asked him not to disburse the salary to ' both of you' , the other being my deputy in the office. I put  him at ease saying ' no problem, sir' and bade him bye.

It was a shock not so much for the money part but for the fact that I in particular, was only three months old at that station and done no such thing as could have offended him. Me and my deputy enjoyed good reputation among the public. In all probability, we both were pitted against a capricious, whimsical superior, who for no valid reason was behaving in a sadistical manner.

I had a discussion with my deputy and both of us decided that come what may, we would not make any request for disbursement of salary and in case something in black and white was received would be appropriately answered. Nothing of the sort happened and in less than a week we got our salary. I don't know what had transpired . Had the immediate superior made a request on our behalf or some good sense had prevailed upon the super boss, we did not know.But no greater harm was done.

In due course both me and my deputy got promoted to the next rank and were again together at a new place. We used to recall this incident quite amusingly .

Unfortunately , my former colleague , more than a decade older than me is no more !