Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Dr.Muthulakshmi Reddi

Today's Google doodle informs of the 133rd birth anniversary of Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddi,the  first woman legislator in India. She was appointed a Member of the Madras Legislative Council in 1927. She was also the first woman student to be admitted to a men 's college. She also became the first woman to be appointed a House Surgeon in India, when she joined a  Hospital in Chennai in 1912. She was also the first  to be appointed a Chairperson of the Women Welfare Advisory Board.
A Padma Bhushan recipient, as a Women's Rights activist,she did a lot  in the field of social reforms and the upliftment of women.
She died on 22 July, 1968 aged 81 .
Our humble tributes to the remarkable woman !

Monday, July 29, 2019

जॉनी वाकर

अपने समय के अत्यंत  लोकप्रिय हास्य अभिनेता जॉनी वाकर की आज पुण्य तिथि है ।1920 में बदरुद्दीन खां जमालुद्दीन काज़ी के रूप में जन्मे जॉनी वाकर ने लगभग 300 फिल्मों में काम किया  और अपने उत्कृष्ट अभिनय से सिने दर्शकों  के बीच खूब वाह वाही लूटी ।उनने साफ सुथरे हास्य अभिनय में नये आयाम जोड़े और कभी भी फूहड़, भौंडी भावभंगिमा और सस्ते द्विअर्थी सम्वाद का सहारा नहीं लिया ।इस बात पर वो गर्व कर सकते थे कि लिखित संवाद से इतर उनके द्वारा खुद के जोड़े गए संवादों पर  भी कभी सेंसर बोर्ड की कैंची नहीं चली ।
उन्हें फ़िल्मफ़ेअर श्रेष्ठ सह अभिनेता और श्रेष्ठ हास्य अभिनेता  पुरस्कार से भी नवाज़ा गया ।
आज के दिन  2003 में इनका निधन हुआ ।
महान अभिनेता को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि ।

Sunday, July 28, 2019

YELLOW SHIRT

I have mentioned my obsession with Yellow colour a number of times in my Facebook posts . I stop by to window shop at an old but famous Showroom right on the Mall ,Shimla, where quality Gents suitings & shirts are on display. Suitings- cloth or readymade do attract me but I withdraw on seeing the price tag which being on the rather high side, seems beyond my reach. And imagine the cost of stitching these days !
However my star attraction are the 2-3 shirts on display which being plain without any design like stripes or checks look elegant. I resolve to buy the yellow one first in near future but the day never comes. Every time , though not very frequently, I accompanied by my wife end up buying different stuff from some other showroom- the particular yellow shirt still haunting me.
Two three days back, my wife on her own bought for me a shirt, a yellow one .Feeling happy that she kept in mind my choice of color, I feel contented with the color and texture, though a bit disappointed that my prospects of buying that shirt stand postponed further,by a year or two.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

महमूद

अपने समय के लोकप्रिय बॉलीवुड अभिनेता महमूद की आज पुण्यतिथि है । मूल रूप से  हास्य कलाकार के रूप में जाने गए   महमूद ने  दशकों तक सिनेमा प्रेमियों का भरपूर मनोरंजन किया व शुरू में कुछ फिल्मों में प्रमुख भूमिकाओं  में भी देखे गए । उन पर फिल्माए गए गीत भी बहुत लोकप्रिय हुए , चाहे वो सांझ और सवेरा फिल्म का ' अजहूं न आए बालमा , सावन बीता जाए....'हो  अथवा फिल्म  'पड़ोसन' का मेरे सामने वाली खिड़की में  इक चाँद का टुकड़ा रहता है....'  हो  । अभिनेता आई. एस. जौहर के साथ जुगलबंदी में फिल्म ' जौहर महमूद इन गोवा'  जैसी हास्य प्रधान फिल्म में भी कम किया । अपनी हास्य अभिनेता की छवि से हट कर गंभीर भूमिकाओं में भी नज़र आए । 'कुंवारा बाप 'और  'लाखों में एक' फ़िल्में इस बात का  प्रमाण हैं । 'कुंवारा बाप' के निर्माता स्वयं महमूद  थे ।
संवाद अदायगी की अनूठी शैली  उनकी विशेष पहचान थी ।
आज के दिन 2004 में 71 वर्ष की आयु में इनका निधन हुआ ।
महान अभिनेता को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि ।

Monday, July 22, 2019

HISTORY ON MY PLATE

HISTORY ON MY PLATE  by
Lily swarn
Publishers :Authorspress, New Delhi
ISBN 978-93-89110-39-5
Pp:        195
Price:   Rs 395/-
This is fourth book in quick succession  by Lily Swarn, 2016 Rouel Poetry Prize winner .Her first  book ‘A Trellis of Ecstasy’ which is a poetry collection;  second, a book of essays  called ‘Lilies of the Valley’;  third , ‘The Gipsy Trail ‘ an account of her memoirs and experiences as an Army wife , were well received .Primarily a poet in English, she loves to dabble in Hindi , Urdu  & Punjabi  poetry . She is an established  poet and author  and needs no introduction , having been  awarded and  honoured by many literary bodies.
HISTORY ON MY PLATE  , her present work is of a different genre and traces the origins of various dishes and food preparations  across the Globe. The beautiful  Preface states the background of this venture .It sets the tone, the author making personal  references to her grandmother , mother and her son regarding cooking  and preparations . 
Food perhaps  has been  the first and the   basic need of all life on this planet , shelter coming next. Clothing , peculiar only to the human beings comes  after these two. There are 46 chapters in the book listing as many dishes , Indian, as well as  Continental -  Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian both .
The first chapter is on Naan , a kind of roti popular in the subcontinent . The author feels it necessary to mention the origin of wheat ,the material used in the preparation . This shows us the first glimpse of her in depth study. Naan has  discussed  in detail, its origin being traced to Iran.She also tells that bread loaves that were   made In Egypt  5000 years ago  can be seen in the British Museum .The varieties of Naan like the Kashmiri Naan & the Peshawari  Naan are discussed in detail . Not surprisingly, the famous Amritsari Kulcha  also finds mention.
The chapter on Rasgulla  comes with the   hitherto unknown thesis that it originated in Odisha  and is as ancient as the  Sri Jagannath Yatra that started in the 12th century AD  and is offered as Prasad even today . Hereto before we have been believing that  Rasgulla or Roshogulla as Bengalis pronounce it is a Bengali  speciality having originated there .
 The very common Samosa too has foreign origin , so we are told. Now it is most common  and a much liked snack in the subcontinent , though stuffing and filling  may  differ  , half boiled potatoes with peas  &  meat , pandering to the  different palates. It is also a Pan Indian snack now available in all parts of the country.The common potato version has been my hot   favourite though can’t savour  it more often now,  being a comparatively heavier stuff .
 The chapter on Halva  has a good start  on a personal note , the Halva being offered in a Gurdwara as  a Prasad   and accepted with cupped hands . Many temples too follow the same practice but  kadah  stands  apart . The Turkish origin of Halva  is  knowledge to me. 
South Indian dishes like Idli & Dosa, are nicely discussed. These are my personal favourites too, being light on stomach .
Kashmiris are known for sparing little of the meat of a slaughtered  goat  and prepare   various dishes . No doubt  Gushtaba   finds a chapter devoted to the dish also  and is discussed in detail.
The discussion on Patraani Machhi  &  Machher Paturi  may go down well with our  Bengali and Parsi    friends who specialize in  these dishes.
Noodles  in both Veg  & Non Veg  versions  find favour  with all  who want a change from the other routine dishes. The chopped  vegetables  and the  sauces  immensely  add to the taste .
Momos , comparatively  late entrants  have gained popularity all over as being prepared on steam . Considered good by the health conscious people  who  want to avoid oil .
Salads form a necessary part of  a full fledged wholesome lunch or dinner and are discussed nicely. Salads come  with simple ingredients like raw onion, cucumber, radish in common parlance , but may may be an elaborate fare with many other things added, as the author tells us. Unfortunately we see little of salad leaves , the light green hued leaves resembling Palak Patta in texture, from where the term is derived. Metaphorically, days of prosperity and  well being are referred to as salad days. 
Chaat, with a tangy taste   is also a favourite street food , catering to many palates . There is Pakori Chhat , Papri Chhat , Fruit Chaat  though the necessary ingredient   is the Chaat  masala. A chapter that  leaves one salivating .
Dal Makhani is almost a staple with the  Vegetarian persons like me while  choosing to dine out . Nicely discussed too.
The uncommon belief that wine is  good for health  and may reduce many ailments  may come as a shocker to many. But arguments placed in its favour are irrefutable. Only one should know how to use it  properly .
Many other dishes or beverages or preparations  have been discussed in detail  tracing history,  origin, and changes that have  occurred and transformation that has taken place over the ages.
To cap it all, recipes have been added wherever felt necessary , for the interested readers to try at home.
I may be excused for being partial to the  Vegetarian dishes. A
   
Though named   ‘HISTORY ON MY PLATE’  , the  work is much more than that . Apart from being  History, it is also  Geography  sans  coordinates, a study of comparative  cultures, and a reference book and guide as to where to find what . As mentioned by me  earlier  and  by many others , the author has a way with the written word.  Already established as multilingual poet, she has also become an  acclaimed prose writer .  If she  pours out her heart  in Poetry , she also puts her heart and soul in whatever she writes in  prose. The book is rightly  dedicated to her daughter and  son in law, both living in the  States , whose role the author has acknowledged  sincerely.
The comments and endorsements put in by the celebrities from various fields are well deserved . 
This book is a  Gourmet’s  delight  surely !

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Baljees Closure

SUNDAY MUSINGS:
Finally it's curtains for Baljee's / Fascination, the landmark restaurants situated on the Mall ,Shimla. Deservingly there was ample newspaper coverage  regarding this as to why and how this came about and the public reaction thereupon. For decades the Restaurant had catered to  a cross section of  Shimlaites as well as visiting tourists. The Himachal Tribune , a weekly  supplement of The Tribune yesterday carried a beautiful write-up by Shamsher Chandel. One cannot but agree with him on whatever he wrote.  There maybe and are many eating joints, but apart from the food stuff , it is the ambience that counts. The courteous, smiling staff  that provided excellent service should  remain etched in memory. Some of them  would greet when they met at some place other than the restaurant , when off duty. No one felt out of place or embarrassed or self conscious,such was the ambience. Novices and uninitiated like me in handing cutlery could easily take their time to learn. Again , I feel sorry for the staff who have suffered the loss  of job and employment.The owners may get over as they have other ventures to take care of and pursue.
In my own time I have seen many changes taking place . Some shop keepers switching over to other business ,some others renting out the premises to Banks and some Brand showrooms etc. The Indian Book Depot, the Model Book Shop, Jankidas & Co , Devicos  are a thing of the past. A premier text book & Stationery shop in the  Lower Bazar going by the name of Vidya Bhawan, decades back switched over to Cloth business.
But then change is the law of life and the only constant ,as they say !

मदन मोहन

आज हिंदी सिनेमा के अपने समय के लोकप्रिय संगीतकार मदन मोहन की 44वीं पुण्य तिथि है । मदनमोहन कोहली का जन्म 25 जून 1924 को इराक में एक संभ्रान्त  परिवार में हुआ । दूसरे विश्वयुद्ध के दौरान मदन मोहन ने  ब्रिटिश भारतीय सेना में बतौर सेकंड लेफ्टिनेंट सेवाएं दी पर दो साल  बाद सेना की नौकरी छोड़ दी ।इसके बाद उनने ऑल इंडिया रेडियो  लखनऊ में बतौर  प्रोग्राम असिस्टेंट  काम  करना शुरू किया जहाँ उनका परिचय  उस्ताद फ़ैयाज़ खां, उस्ताद अली अकबर खां , बेगम अख्तर और तलत महमूद जैसे महान कलाकारों से हुआ । मदन मोहन ने अपने स्वर में भी कुछ ग़ज़लें रिकॉर्ड की । फ़िल्मी दुनिया में आने के बाद उनने शुरू में अभिनय भी किया पर बाद में फिल्म संगीत को ही अपनी रूचि के अनुरूप पाया । '50 से '70 के दशक में सक्रिय रह कर उनने  अनेक फिल्मों में यादगार संगीत दिया । 1948 की फिल्म शहीद में उनने लता मंगेशकर के साथ दो गीत भी गाये पर उनका उपयोग  फिल्म में  नहीं हुआ ।1950 में बतौर संगीतकार फिल्म  आंखें   में  पहली  बार संगीत दिया  ।इसके बाद की उनकी फिल्मों में   मदहोश, रेलवे प्लेटफार्म, भाई भाई, पॉकेट मार, राजधानी, देख कबीरा रोया, अदालत, जेलर, खजांची, अनपढ़, संजोग, ग़ज़ल, हक़ीक़त, जहाँआरा, वो कौन थी, नीला आकाश, मेरा साया, नौनिहाल, चिराग, दस्तक , हीर राँझा, लैला मजनू आदि शामिल हैं । उनको ग़ज़लों का संगीत देने में महारत हासिल थी और तलत महमूद की आवाज़ का उनसे बेहतर उपयोग शायद ही किसी अन्य संगीतकार ने किया हो ।मुहम्मद रफ़ी, लता मंगेशकर और मन्ना डे की आवाज़ में भी उनकी कई बेहतरीन  रचनाओं का शुमार है । मुकेश की आवाज़ में उनका गीत ' प्रीत लगा के मैंने ये फल पाया....' अत्यन्त लोकप्रिय हुआ ।
उन्हें तीन बार फ़िल्मफ़ेअर श्रेष्ठ संगीतकार पुरस्कार, फिल्म दस्तक के लिए श्रेष्ठ संगीतकार का राष्ट्रीय पुरस्कार और IFA अवार्ड भी मिला ।
आज के दिन 1975 में मात्र 51 वर्ष की आयु में इनका निधन हुआ ।
महान संगीतकार को हमारी विनम्र  श्रद्धांजलि !

Friday, July 12, 2019

राजेंद्र कुमार

आज हिन्दी सिनेमा के अपने  समय के लोकप्रिय अभिनेता राजेंद्र कुमार की  पुण्य तिथि है।राजेंद्र कुमार का जन्म 20 जुलाई 1929 को अविभाजित पंजाब के एक कारोबारी परिवार में हुआ ।1947 में विभाजन के  फलस्वरूप इनके परिवार को अपनी संपत्ति, व कारोबार सब कुछ  छोड़ कर भारत आना पड़ा । युवा राजेंद्र कुमार ने फिल्मों में भाग्य आजमाना चाहा, पर बतौर अभिनेता नहीं ।उनने  फिल्म निर्देशक एच. एस. रवेल  के सहायक के तौर पर काम शुरू किया और दो तीन फिल्मों से संबद्ध रहे ।संयोगवश 1950 में उन्हें फिल्म जोगन में अभिनय का  अवसर मिला  । इसके बाद उन्हें फिल्म वचन में प्रमुख  भूमिका निभाने का अवसर मिला। '50 और '60 के दशक के लोकप्रिय अभिनेता रहे और बतौर नायक कई यादगार  भूमिकाएं निभायीं । उनकी कई फिल्में जुबली हिट हुई , यहां तक कि उन्हें 'जुबली कुमार'  के नाम से नवाज़ा गया । आइकॉनिक फिल्म ' मदर इंडिया' में सुनील दत्त के साथ  नर्गिस के बेटे की भूमिका की  ।1972 में राजेश खन्ना के फिल्मों में प्रवेश के बाद, राजेंद्र कुमार ने अधिकतर चरित्र  भूमिकाएं निभाई
 अपने 40 वर्ष के फिल्म करियर में लगभग 80 फिल्मों में काम किया  ।
उनके द्वारा अभिनीत फिल्मों में जोगन, वचन, तूफ़ान और दिया,मदर इंडिया, तलाक, घर संसार, संतान, गूँज उठी शहनाई, धूल का फूल, चिराग़  कहाँ रोशनी कहाँ, दिल एक मंदिर,झुक गया आसमान, आस का पंछी,घराना, ससुराल, धर्मपुत्र, कानून, पतंग, मेरे महबूब, आयी मिलन की बेला,संगम, हमराही, आरज़ू, पालकी, सूरज आदि शामिल हैं ।
उनने फिल्म लव स्टोरी, नाम  , लवर्स, जुर्रत , और फूल  का निर्माण भी किया
उन्हें पद्म श्री से भी नवाज़ा गया और तीन बार फ़िल्मफेयर श्रेष्ठ अभिनेता पुरस्कार भी मिला ।
आज के दिन 1999 में इनका निधन हुआ ।

महान अभिनेता को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

प्राण

हिन्दी सिनेमा के अद्भुत सितारा रहे  अभिनेता प्राण की आज पुण्यतिथि है । 12 फरवरी 1920 को दिल्ली के एक सम्पन्न पंजाबी परिवार में जन्मे प्राण ने शुरु के कुछ साल शिमला में भी बिताए और स्थानीय रामलीला में सीता की भूमिका निभाई । विख्यात अभिनेता अमरीश पुरी, जो संयोग से उस समय शिमला में रहते थे, राम की भूमिका निभाते थे ।  1940 में लाहौर में पंजाबी फिल्म   ‘यमला जट’ से अपनी अभिनय यात्रा शुरू करने वाले प्राण ने छ: दशकों के अपने करियर में लगभग 350 फिल्मों में  अभिनय किया व बतौर नायक, खलनायक व चरित्र अभिनेता  अपनी बहुमुखी प्रतिभा का लोहा मनवाया ।1942 में पहली हिन्दी फिल्म ‘ख़ानदान’ में नूरजहां के साथ नज़र आए । ’50 व ’60 के दशक में प्राण ने बहुत सी फिल्मों में विलेन की भूमिका निभाई और खूब प्रशंसा बटोरी । देवानन्द- कामिनी कौशल के लीड रोल वाली फिल्म जिद्दी में अभिनय के फलस्वरूप विलेन के रूप में स्थापित हुए ।  मोटे तौर पर 1942-47 की अवधि में नायक , 1942-1991 में  खलनायक, और 1948-2007 में चरित्र अभिनेता के रूप में अभिनय किया । अपनी दमदार आवाज़ और खूबसूरत चेहरे की भावभंगिमा के चलते फिल्मों की कभी कमी नहीं रही। उनके द्वारा अभिनीत फिल्मों में  खानदान, हलाकू, मधुमती, जिस देश में गंगा बहती है, उपकार ,शहीद, राम और श्याम, जौनी मेरा नाम , विक्टोरिया न.203, अमर अकबर एंथनी, दिल दिया दर्द लिया, बड़ी बहन, छलिया , कसौटी, आज़ाद, कुन्दन, मुनीम जी, चोरी चोरी, देवदास, तुम सा नहीं देखा, मेरे महबूब , ब्लफ़ मास्टर, कश्मीर की कली, मेरे सनम , पत्थर के सनम, जंजीर, बोबबी, जुगनू , दोस्तना, कर्ज़, कालिया आदि आदि शामिल हैं ।
पद्मभूषण और दादासाहेब फाल्के पुरस्कार से सम्मानित प्राण को चार बार फिल्मफ़ेयर  पुरस्कार भी मिला ।
2013 में आज के दिन 93 वर्ष की आयु में इनका निधन हुआ ।
महान अभिनेता को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Nashad- music director

Today is the birth anniversary of  music director Nashad ( not to be confused with another outstanding  Bollywood music director  Naushad Ali), who was active in Bollywood in  '40s & '50s and composed music . The songs composed by him for movies 'Naghma' and 'Baradari' became very popular and  are played to this day . A song in film Naghma - Kahe Jadu kiya, mujhko itna bata jadugar balma - was beautifully sung by Ameerbai  Karanataki   & Shamshad Begum separately.Another
song from the same film - Badi mushkil se dil ki  beqarari ko qarar aya - sung by Shamshad Begum is very popular. The duet  -bhula nahin dena ji bhula nahin dena- sung by Rafi & Lata , and Tasveer Banata hun , tasveer nahin banati - sung by Talat Mahmood particularly stand out.
He migrated to Pakistan in 1964 and composed music for films there .
He died  on 14 January, 1981, aged 57.

Our humble tributes !

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Asad Bhopali

To say is the birth anniversary of Asad Bhopali a talented poet /  lyricist of Hindi Cinema, whose name has unfortunately  remained unsung. Born Asadullah Khan this day in 1921 at Bhopal in British India, he started writing and reciting poetry at a young age and became known . Fazli Brothers , the film producers on the lookout for a lyricist, spotted him at  a Mushayara in Bhopal and impressed with is poetry, made an offer to write lyrics for their film. At the age of 28, Asad moved to Mumbai and wrote two lyrics for their film Duniya, which were sung by Mohammad Rafi and Suraiya.He wrote some more songs  for some other film which were sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum. He got the big break in B. R.Chopra's   film Afsaana(1951) for which he wrote five songs. He wrote many lyrics for the composer Usha Khanna.The songs penned by him for Paramani became very popular. Incidentally, this was Laxmikant Pyarelal's first movie as composers.

In a career spanning four decades, he wrote about 400 lyrics in a 100 movies but fame and popularity wise he couldn't get anywhere near the other renowned lyricists like, Majarooh Sultanpuri,Sahir Ludhiyanavi, Shakeel Badayuni,  Anand Bakshi, Rajender Krishan, etc. ,the reason being that most of the films he got to write lyrics for, were average films.
However his talent stood out in songs like :
Abhi Kamsin ho, nadaan ho, jaane jana...
Aye mere dile nadan, tu gham se na ghabrana...
Ajnabi tum jane pehchane se lagate ho.....
Bade bewafa hain ye husn wale....
Dil diwana bin sajna ke maane na...
Dil ki Baten, dil hi jane.....
Hum kashmkashe gham se guzar kyon nahin jaate ....
Hum tere bin jee na sakenge sanam...
Gum tumse juda ho ke, mar jaayenge ro ro ke....
Hum tumse pyar karte hain.....
Hansta hua noorani chehra . ......
Kabootar ja ja ja......
Main khushnaseeb hun mujhako kisi ka pyar mila....
Pyar bantate chalo.....
Raaz- e- dil unse chhupaya na gaya....
Sau bar janam lenge.....
Aapki inayaten aapke karam, aap hi batayen kaise bhoolenge hum...
Wo jab yaad aye , bahut yaad aye.....
Tera mera pyar koi, aajkal ki to baat nahin.....
All well known singers of the time gave voice to his songs.
He also won Filmfare Best Lyricist Award.
He died on June 9, 1990 aged 68.
Our humble tributes to the talented poet/ lyricist !

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Baljee's restaurant

SUNDAY MUSINGS :
Exactly a year ago, I had written a post about the imminent closure of  the Baljee's restaurant after about a year . I had expressed my concern accordingly as  apart from being  a  popular eating joint  serving  South  Indian and  routine Veg/ Non- Veg  food and snacks,  it has  the facility of over the counter purchase of sweets for home as well as for savouring hot Gulab Jamuns , just standing there .
The other day when a friend posted a video figuring Shimla eateries like   Indian Coffee  House , Baljee's & a Tikki- Chaat shop, a localite helping the host particularly mentioned eating Gulab Jamuns at the Baljee's and pointed out to the  expected  rather apprehended closure of the Restaurant on 10th of July. Every Shimlaite is going to miss this landmark .
On a personal note, I am taken back to my college days in the early '70s when we came here , not frequently though as it seemed a bit upmarket in view of the limited amount of pocket money we received. The choice then fell alternatively to The Indian Coffee House and the Himani restaurant, which we could afford.
In the early days of my employment at Shimla, I used to alternate between Baljee's and the Indian Coffee House.Baljee's was also preferred because on demand, songs and ghazals were played on the music system.
For more than a decade now , my visits to the Mall have become few and far between, but Baljee's is the only place I visit to have tea and the South Indian stuff like, Dosa, Vada or Idli, any other place being a second choice.
I feel concerned for the eighty odd number of staff employed there, who will face crunch.
Alas the day has arrived  !

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

राज कुमार

अपनी अनूठी संवाद अदायगी, राजसी अदाओं एवं  तौर तरीकों के लिए  विख्यात, अद्भुत अभिनय प्रतिभा का दशकों लोहा मनवाने वाले अभिनेता  राजकुमार की आज पुण्यतिथि है । 8 अक्टूबर 1928 को
बलूचिस्तान में जन्मे राज कुमार का वास्तविक नाम कुलभूषण पंडित था।

स्कूल के ज़माने में मुहम्मद रफ़ी का अपने ख़ास अंदाज़ में गाया एक गीत ' घोड़ा लाहौरी मेरा, तांगा पिशौरी मेरा...' बहुत लोकप्रिय हुआ था । अभी हाल में  यू ट्यूब पर तलाश किया तो पाया कि यह गीत राजकुमार पर फिल्माया गया था ।एक बार और उनकी अभिनय प्रतिभा के प्रति प्रशंसा का  भाव मन में उभरा ।रजत पट पर अपनी जानदार उपस्थिति से कई बार पार्श्व भूमिका निभाते हुए भी नायक पर  भारी पड़ते हुए राजकुमार ने अनेकों यादगार फिल्मों में अभिनय किया जिनमे मदर इंडिया, दुल्हन, पैग़ाम, अर्धांगिनी, उजाला, दिल अपना और प्रीत परायी, घराना, दिल एक मंदिर,गोदान, फूल बने अंगारे, ज़िन्दगी, वक़्त, काजल, हमराज़, मेरे हज़ूर, नील कमल, हीर रांझा, लाल पत्थर, मर्यादा, पाकीज़ा, कर्मयोगी, बुलंदी, कुदरत, राजतिलक, सौदागर, तिरंगा, जवाब आदि शामिल हैं ।

आज उनकी 21वीं पुण्य तिथि पर हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि

FOOD NOSTALGIA

Allows me to tweak  Alfred Lord Tennyson's famous lines from the poem 'The Charge Of The Light Brigade thus -

I am not  to reason why ,
I am  but to eat and cry .....
not  literally though..!
Any talk of food by me draws a jibe for my wife  who is blunt enough to point out that  I care for food and food only.
She is a self appointed  nutritionist in my case  who decides what to eat and what not to keeping in view  my advanced age. So no excess Proteins in diet which according to her do more harm than good past a certain stage.
So no Rajma will be cooked  for the two of us.However, it becomes necessary to cook  Rajma, when kids come visiting  and I get a chance to savour the delicacy.
Another  food item I like is the Baingan ka Bhartha, which she cooks from time to time , though not the way my mother used to when round shaped baingans were  put on angeethi and rotated &;turned till the pulp would start oozing out. Then those were fried with masala and left to cook. My wife , not to take any chance,cuts them into pieces and puts them on the gas burner in a kadahi to reach the pulp stage. I must say these also taste good.
I am taken back to my University days, when we 2 -3 friends were day scholars and invited to lunch by our boarder friends in the Hostel mess. In fact they knew my predilections for Rajma & Bhartha and by chance both were on offer together at the same time.
A friend from Haryana would add a liberal helping of desi Ghee brought from home.
Lip smacking delicacies indeed, the taste still fresh in memory and mouth after 45 years !

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Mohammed Aziz

Today is the  birth anniversary of Mohammed Aziz,the popular Playback singer of Hindi , Bengali and Odia cinema. Born Syed Mohammed Aziz-un- Nabi this day in 1954 at Guma in 24Pargana District of West Bengal, he started singing at a very early age. His debut came  with Bengali film 'Jyoti'.
He shifted to Mumbai in 1984, and the same year he was given his first break by Anu Malik in Amitabh Bachchan starrer film Mard  .Later he became a favorite of composers Laxmikant Pyarelal who made him sing some beautiful melodies. His career in Hindi films came to a halt when Laxmikant Pyarelal left the scene. Other composers promoted the likes of Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan. Mohamned Aziz lent his voice to Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakravorty, Anil Kapoor and Sunny Deol.
He sang some beautiful duets with Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Anuradha Paudwal & Kavita Krishnamurti.He recorded about 2000 songs in all.
A versatile singer, he dabbled in Hindustani Classical, Jazz,and Pop music also and was one of the rarest singers capable of singing in the ' saatwan sur'.
He died last year on 27th November, aged 64.
Our humble tributes to the talented versatile singer !

Monday, July 1, 2019

Doctors' Day

प्रसंगवश -
स्कूल के ज़माने में  किसी अंग्रेज़ी व्याकरण की किताब में  अनुवाद हेतु एक  पैरा  नज़र से गुज़रता था, यथा  'नीलरतन जोशी एक प्रसिद्ध डॉक्टर था.......'  । इसके आगे इन डॉक्टर महोदय  की कर्त्तव्य निष्ठा, अपने कार्य में निपुणता, मृदु स्वभाव आदि का वर्णन था । पैरा के अंत में कुछ इस आशय का लिखा मिलता था कि यदि दुर्भाग्यवश किसी रोगी की मृत्यु हो जाती थी तो वो  उसके सगे सम्बन्धियों के साथ अंतिम यात्रा में शामिल होता था...आदि आदि । कुल मिला एक आदर्श डॉक्टर की छवि उभरती थी  ।
हममें से लगभग सभी का वास्ता डॉक्टर से पड़ता है जो कि शारीरिक कष्ट और बीमारी के समय साक्षात् ईश्वर का रूप प्रतीत होते हैं ।
आज चिकित्सक दिवस है जिसे डा. विधान चंद्र रॉय के जन्मदिन के रूप में भी मनाया जाता है ।उल्लेखनीय है कि डा.विधान चंद्र रॉय एक उच्च  व्यवसायिक शिक्षा प्राप्त  चिकित्सक थे और  पश्चिमी बंगाल के प्रतिष्ठित मुख्यमंत्री भी रहे ।
सभी चिकित्सक बंधुओं को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं एवं अभिनन्दन ।
Happy Doctors' Day !!💐