Uttam Kumar

 Today is the death anniversary of Uttam Kumar, the popular actor, producer and director of Bengali cinema who acted in Hindi films also. An acknowledged Mahanayak of Bengali cinema, he is also considered a cultural icon also.

As for Hindi films, he is best remembered for his stellar performance in film ' Amanush'. A veteran of more than 200 films, he paired well with actresses Suchitra, Supriya and Sabitri.In Amanush, Sharmila Tagore was the heroine.

His acting talent was recognized  by the Indian Cinema world at large and glowing tributes were paid to him by  the leading film personalities.The list of honours and awards received by him is pretty long.

Our humble tributes to the legendary actor  🙏

शिव कुमार बटालवी

 ‘बिरह दा सुल्तान’ शिव बटालवी, पंजाबी कविता का एक अमिट हस्ताक्षर। शिव बटालवी की आज जयंती है। अपने जीवन के 37वें वर्ष में ही इस संसार को अलविदा कहने वाले इस अत्यंत लोकप्रिय कवि को सबसे कम उम्र में साहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार से सम्मानित होने का गौरव हासिल है। अपने अल्प जीवन काल में ‘लूना‘ काव्यनाटक की रचना के साथ साथ अनेकों गीत व कविताएं भी रची। उनकी कविताओं में सौंदर्य, प्रेम , भावावेग, विरह आदि सब का समावेश मिलता है । बिरह का शिव बटालवी की कविताओं में जो बाहुल्य या आधिक्य बल्कि उसके प्रति जो जनून मिलता है, उसकी पृष्ठभूमि में अधूरे प्रेम प्रसंग हैं । हिमाचल के बैजनाथ में एक मेले में मैना नाम की एक लड़की से मिलना और फिर उसकी खोज में उसके गाँव जाना और वहाँ उस लड़की की मृत्यु का समाचार मिलना एक प्रसंग है जिसकी पीड़ा ने शायद शिव बटालवी को ताउम्र सताया होगा ।एक अन्य प्रसंग में एक अन्य लड़की जिससे उन्हें प्यार था, का विवाह और जगह हो जाना भी पीड़ा का एक कारण रहा हो सकता है । बिना आडंबर के,सीधे सादे शब्दों में गूढ़ भावों की अभिव्यक्ति शिव बटालवी को अलग पहचान ही नहीं देती बल्कि उन्हें कवियों की अग्रिम पंक्ति मे भी खड़ा करती है. ’मैनु तेरा शबाब लै बैठा.....’ और ‘चरखा मेरा रंगला विच सोने दियाँ मेखां......’ तो लोकप्रियता के शीर्ष पर हैं।उनकी कविता में क्लासिकल और रोमांटिक दोनों का समावेश और समन्वय मिलता है। यूं उनकी तुलना अंग्रेज़ रोमांटिक कवि शैले से भी की गई है परंतु शिव बटालवी, जॉन कीट्स के भी काफी निकट पाये जाते हैं। सौन्दर्य बोध , मृत्यु की ईच्छा व मृत्यु का पूर्वाभास दोनों में पाया जाता है। उल्लेखनीय है कि शिव बटालवी और कीट्स दोनों ने ही दीर्घायु नहीं पाई और युवावस्था में ही इस संसार को अलविदा कह गए .

शिव बटालवी के गीत/ कविता की एक बानगी:

“असां ते जोबण रुते मरना

टुर जाणा असां भरे भराये

एह मेरा गीत किसे न गाणा

एह मेरा गीत मैं आपे गा के

भलके ही मर जाणा.......”

----------

“माये नी माये

मैं इक शिकरा यार बनाया

ओदे सिर ते कलगी

ओदे पैरीं झाँझर

ते ओ चोग चुगेंदा आया......”

……………….

“ जाच मैनु आ गयी गम खाण दी

हौली हौली रो के जी परचाण दी......”

----------------------

“जी करदा ए इस दुनिया नू मैं हस के ठोकर मार देयां......”

शब्दों के इस चितेरे को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि 🙏

चन्द्रशेखर आज़ाद

महान क्रांतिकारी , देशभक्त  स्व. चन्द्रशेखर  आज़ाद की आज 120वीं जयंती है। मात्र 15 वर्ष की आयु में महात्मा गांधी के आह्वान  पर असहयोग आंदोलन में कूद कर अपना क्रांतिकारी जीवन आरंभ करने उपरांत बाद में    राम प्रसाद बिस्मिल, अशफाक़उल्ला खाँ, ठाकुर रोशन सिंह, और भगत सिंह सरीखे  क्रांतिकारियों  के साथी रहे  चन्द्रशेखर आज़ाद ने स्वतन्त्रता संग्राम के दौरान काकोरी काण्ड जैसी कई क्रांतिकारी गतिविधियों को अंजाम दिया  और कई बार पुलिस को चकमा देने में सफल रहे । ज्ञातव्य है कि उनके भारी भरकम डील-डौल  को देखते हुए भगत सिंह उनसे कहा करते थे कि पंडित जी आपको फांसी पर  लटकाने  के लिए अंग्रेजों को  विशेष रस्सी का प्रबंध करने पड़ेगा. आज़ाद का उत्तर यही होता था कि मैं जीते जी  अंग्रेजों के हाथ कभी नहीं आऊँगा । अपनी इसी बात को  चरितार्थ करते हुए आज़ाद  आखिर  तक ‘आज़ाद’ ही रहे और  पुलिस  वालों से घिर जाने पर  अपनी  पिस्तौल से  खुद को गोली मार कर शहीद हो गए । बचपन में  उन पर बनी फिल्म ‘चन्द्रशेखर  आज़ाद’ देखी थी । उसमे दिखाया गया था कि बंदूकों से लैस पुलिस उनके निर्जीव शरीर के निकट जाने से  भी  डर रही थी । 

महान क्रांतिकारी देशभक्त  को कोटिश: नमन 🙏

मुकेश

 आज भारतीय  सिनेमा के अत्यंत लोकप्रिय पार्श्व गायक मुकेश जी की जयंती है । ज़ोरावरचंद मुकेशचंद्र  माथुर का जन्म आज के दिन 1923 में दिल्ली में हुआ था । मुकेश आरम्भ से ही मेरे  चहेते गायक रहे हैं । उनके अधिकतर गीत मुझे  पसंद हैं । उन्हें  फिल्मों में  लाने का श्रेय उनके निकट संबंधी  प्रसिद्ध अभिनेता मोतीलाल को जाता है । शुरू में मुकेश ने अभिनय में  भाग्य आजमाया और दो फिल्मों ' निर्दोष' और 'मेला'  में काम भी किया पर  आशातीत सफलता न मिल पाने के कारण  गायन पर ही पूरा ध्यान केंद्रित किया । अपने समय के सभी नामचीन अभिनेताओं मसलन दिलीप कुमार, राज कपूर, राजेंद्र कुमार,  मनोज कुमार, जीतेंद्र, राजेश खन्ना पर फिल्माए गए गीतों को स्वर दिया पर मुख्यत:  अभिनेता राज कपूर और संगीतकार शंकर- जय किशन के साथ उनकी विशेष पहचान बनी ।अपने कॉलेज के दिनों में मैंने उर्दू सर्विस से उनके गीतों का खूब आनंद लिया है । फिल्म चंद्रमुखी के लिए गाये उनके गीत - नैन का चैन चुरा कर ले गयी कर गयी नींद हराम- ने  मुझ पर लोरी का सा प्रभाव डाला है ।

फिल्म आग, आवारा, यहूदी , अंदाज़, बरसात, संगम, सारंगा, उपकार, बंदिनी,बनारसी ठग, पूरब और पश्चिम, अनाड़ी, आह, मेला, कभी कभी ,तीसरी कसम, , मेरा नाम जोकर, राज हठ, मल्हार ,आनंद,मेला, छलिया, जिस देश में गंगा बहती है, आदि फिल्मों में कई यादगार गीत गाये ।यद्यपि उन्हें राजकपूर की आवाज़ के रूप में जाना जाता है पर राजेश खन्ना पर फिल्माये उनके गीत भी कम लोकप्रिय नहीं रहे । 

उल्लेखनीय है कि शुरुआती दौर में फिल्म  पहली नज़र के लिए गाये उनके गीत -दिल जलता है तो जलने दे- को सुन कर  के. एल. सहगल ने पूछा ' ये गीत मैंने कब गाया ?' जाहिर है , अन्य गायकों की तरह उन पर भी शुरू में सहगल का प्रभाव रहा  ।

फिल्म 'कभी कभी' के लिए गाया उनका गीत -मैं पल दो पल का शाइर हूँ-  एक तरह से खुद उन पर  लागू हुआ और  इस फिल्म के रिलीज़ होने के कुछ अर्से बाद ही 1976 में अमेरिका के डेट्रॉयट में हृदयाघात के कारण इनका  निधन हुआ ।

महान गायक को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि  🙏

Teejan Bai

 ALVIDA Teejan Bai, the celebrated Pandvani exponent !!

Humble tributes 🙏

नानक सिंह

 नानक सिंह, पंजाबी कवि और उपन्यासकार, जिनके उपन्यास ' पवित्र पापी ' पर इसी नाम से फ़िल्म बनी जिसमे बलराज साहनी, तनूजा और परीक्षित साहनी मुख्य भूमिका में नज़र आए.

जयंती पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि 🙏

NCERT - unnecessary change in Syllabus

 What is NCERT up to !

A news headline reads " NCERT drops French & Russian Revolution....."

 I remember in the ' 60s, combined syllabus of Social Studies for ix & x class there was a chapter on the 1789 AD  French Revolution, highlighting the names of contemporary thinkers and writers Rousseau  & Voltaire. Their teachings were about  Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, which universally remain the cardinal principles of Humanity.  About Russian Revolution we knew from other sources.

What makes NCERT  take such a decision is beyond comprehension.

Reportedly a substitution is made by adding chapters on Vedas and other Ancient Indian Philosophy. One can hardly have an issue with teaching Vedas, Upanishads etc. But why drop the important events that happened in other parts of the world ? Is it worthwhile to close our eyes and mind to the outside World ?

Another 'wonderful' chapter has been added lauding the ECI for successful implementation of SIR which ironically has met with criticism nationwide.

Of course addition and not substitution is the way forward that too with sagacity and foresight.

Let's not create a generation of Zombies.

TEETH, THE PRECIOUS POSSESSION

 SUNDAY MUSINGS -

Never been lucky to have a beautiful line of pearly teeth, I have always envied people gifted with shiny symmetrical denture. My asymmetric assemblage has sometimes invited the uncharitable comparison with Dracula which I knew was an exaggeration. Despite all this I could not care less for the cosmetic side as long as I had no problem with biting into food, the sole purpose of having been equipped with  the tool. I have had trouble due to toothache occurring many a time but got over with minor medication. 

Fortunately I  didn't have to go for RCT or removal of an odd tooth.

So far so good.  Now over a period of time I have lost half my teeth, and as if by some design, am denied the luxury of having roasted chana, my all time favourite. Not a big deal even this.

To make the matters worse, my better half points out to some change in my voice, attributing it to my loss of teeth. Regularly she keeps persuading me to go for denture, which advice I hardly relish. Removal of my remaining natural teeth and replacing them with an artificial equipment - the idea simply does not amuse me and puts me off !

No false claims of Abhi To Main Jawan Hun  in my case.........!

FATHERS DAY

 At  my age and stage, not many but a lucky few blessed ones  have their parents  by their side . I lost both before I was forty. I do not think  one needs special days to feel grateful to  parents  but such occasions do  keep   one reminded of this wonderful relationship full of selfless love and  affection from parents’ side , though unfortunately not always  returned or reciprocated  by the kids.Increasing number  Old age homes and vriddhashrams   are a testimony to this bitter  truth. I remember my father  as  someone , who led a simple highly contented  life , never caring for any material gains. Never a pampering or cajoling type, but always  alive to  our needs, which  he tried his best to fulfill .Even while buying cloth for our school uniform, he would go for the best. His trademark thaila  always  hung on his shoulders, fresh vegetables were carried home daily. I am lucky  to have inherited  his genes and  at times,  it feels good when  others, who knew him   have nice things to say about him. 

 Things are never the same  when parents are gone  !

HAPPY FATHER'S  DAY !!

Birthday Musings.

 Ordinarily  for the younger lot a birthday is an occasion to celebrate. For older people,it is an  opportunity  to  be grateful to the Almighty for having  afforded  a journey this far. It hurts and is painful to learn that you share your birthday with someone who is  a part of history  besides being a victim of some atrocity. The same feeling  crossed my mind yesterday as I thought of Anne Frank , a young girl born  exactly 25 years before me   who became a writer  when she started writing a diary  in  a note book  gifted to her on her 13th birthday. She became a chronicler of her times. Her family  became a victim of the  Holocaust that  befell the  Jewish race of the times during the Second  World War . She died of Typhus while living in captivity  in a Nazi concentration camp aged 15. The diary was published posthumously in the shape of a book.

PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS 2026- II

 By the way.....

Today is the third and the last phase of PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS in Himachal Pradesh. The results in respect of Pradhan/Up Pradhan/ Ward Member in the Panchayats covered in first two phases are already out.

 The results of Pradhan/Up Pradhan/ Ward Member  of the Panchayats being covered today will also be out by late night today. The results of BDCs and Zila Parishads will be declared later as per schedule when counting is done. 

One hopes that the elected Candidates 

meet the expectations and aspirations of their voters by working honestly and diligently for the development of their respective areas . 

It is amusing to see the Political parties already laying claim to the winning candidates as having been 'supported' by them. It is common knowledge that Elections for the PRIs are not held and contested on Party Symbols. Candidates file their nomination in individual capacity and symbols are allotted according to their names in the Alphabetical order.  No Political leader worth the name from outside the Panchayat/ BDC/ Zila Parishad ward is supposed to come for canvassing or holding public meetings / rallies. On the face of this the claims of Parties supporting the candidates seem hollow , unfounded and quite an aberration. There is only one aspect left  and that is of financial support . Again , if parties help a candidate financially out of the Party fund even on the sly, there is no point in holding the Election on independent non- Party symbols.  Ironically such unauthenticated claims make headlines of the Press, especially the Hindi newspapers.

The other amusing aspect is of the pictures of very old voters being carried to the Polling booth to gain publicity. Though this is a sign of healthy democracy, when very old people  participate in voting, there is no point in carrying sick people from  the comfort of their homes. Sometimes there are exaggerated claims regarding their age, which is nowhere documented.

Good luck to all who are in the fray !

Hail democracy and the spirit of democracy !!

PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS 2026

 Elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in  Himachal Pradesh are slated in three stages on 26th, 28th & 30th of May.The quinquennial exercise is delayed by four months. The rural people down to the village level  become very enhusiastic about these elections as they  have the right to vote for and elect their representatives to address local issues at Ward and Panchayat level in the shape of Ward members, Pradhans and Uppradhan . Up the  ladder under the three tier systems are the Panchayat Samiti or the BDC at the Block level  and the Zila Parishad at the District level. The members of the BDC and the Zila Parishad are fewer in number and represent a larger area. 

As is generally observed that in terms of seriousness and sensitivity, the PRI Elections take precedence over Assembly and Loksabha Elections , in which the Party of affiliation rather than the candidate himself/ herself  become more important. The Panchayati Raj Elections are not held on Party symbols, rather symbols are allotted  in the alphabetical order of the name of the candidate. No candidate has the choice of a symbol. 

To an observer, it is amusing to see the maximum  zeal and fervour of voters during the PRI elections  though the stakes are not the that high. Ironically the Loksabha Elections  where the stakes are the highest ,engage the voters the least in terms of   zeal and enthusiasm as the M.P. they vote for has a larger Constituency to cater to , often consisting of 3,4 districts . 

Even though PRI Elections are not contested on Party symbols, the presence of political Parties on the sly is all too evident and some statements from the Party persons make this more confirmed, when they mention the name of candidates supported by them. In this scenario, the all appeals to the voters to vote  for a competent, capable, knowledgeable candidate are given a go by. The ruling party in the State has an obvious advantage, as it  is believed and rightly  so that the ruling party supported candidate would  be better able to push matters and get work done.

In essence and if taken in the right earnest,  the PRI elections train the people to participate in the democratic process of decision making.

The social Media has become a useful and effective tool for the candidates to reach out to the voter, apart from personal appeals made by visiting the homes.Candidates are seen making optimum use of this option. Even video visuals of candidates filing nominations amid fanfare have been a treat to watch.

The aftermath of the Election is always a spectacle to watch when the rival Political parties lay their claim to successful candidates.

The 'semi final' in the run up to  Assembly Elections scheduled next year  are worth watching and pondering on.

Good luck to the contesting candidates !

TO SNEEZE OR NOT TO SNEEZE

तंग-दस्ती अगर न हो 'सालिक'

तंदुरुस्ती हज़ार नेमत है...

-  said the poet 'Salik', and how aptly so.

With seven decades plus  behind me, I realise, how important and necessary it is to stay healthy. For this  I am leading an abstemious life, eating just to live and not vice versa. I do not subscribe to the view that   'age is just a number '. Contrarily, age and ageing are hard facts  and there is no defying the natural process of growth and decay. 

In my case all is well till date  except that I have developed some allergy to winds that cause nothing more serious than sneezes.

I remember my late grand father calling sneezes and belching signs of health but am hard put to make my wife understand this. 

A bout of  periodic continuous sneezes from me and  verbal admonishes start from her as a reaction. This is a sign how caring she is. Periodically I take anti allergy tablet especially if I am to move out to visit public places for various purposes. A tablet keeps the sneezes away for 3- 4  days. This saves me some embarrassment also.

Sneezes remain my Waterloo, much though I attempt to wish them away.

For sure, to sneeze or not to sneeze is not in my hands.

My Canine Friend - Oscar

 Oscar, a pet mongrel with known pedigree  in the neighbourhood crosses the rainbow bridge !! Was into 11th year only but succumbed to illness.

Shall be missed by all those he endeared and showered unconditional love on ! 

His presence ensured no trespass by any unwanted person, much to our relief.

Picture shot long ago retrieved by me  after some effort !!

Aga Khan Palace, Pune

 

Lata Mangeshkar

 Today is the fourth death anniversary of Lata Mangeshkar, the Melody Queen.

With little to add to what has already been written about the legendary singer, I feel tempted to share a real life incident reminisced about in a YouTube  post by Dr. Omer Adil, a  well qualified orthopedic surgeon from across the border who also happens to be a knowledgeable Media personality.He is an ardent Noor Jehan fan and  often carries discusssion  inter alia about her on Media.

In 1989, Dr Omer Adil appeared for the FRCS exam in London. Having passed thorugh the practical test and Viva which both went well, there was a gap of three hours time for the final result to be declared. He took a Tube to Oxford Circus Tube station and started roaming about the Oxford Street. Coming to Selfridge's, a high- end store in London, he chanced upon Lata Mangeshkar, accompanied by some other lady. He greeted her and in a way sought her blessings for his FRCS result. Lata Mangeshkar responded graciously.

Eventually he qualified and is an FRCS.

This is an acknowledgement of what a great personality Lata Mangeshkar was.

Our humble tributes 🙏

Saroj Thakur

 It is sad and shocking to be informed of the untimely passing away of Ma'am Saroj Thakur   this morning. An academician by profession, she had been a faculty at the NIT Hamirpur for decades. She had had a stint as a Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advance Study, Shimla also.

On a personal note, I became acquainted with her  in and around 2009 through her Blog  'Straight From the Heart ' posted on Wordpress. A comment by me on her post brought us closer, the common strand being the Lady Irwin School where she studied and where I also studied from Class 1 to 4 as boys were allowed till that level only. It transpired that she was two years my junior.

Eventually we  came together on the memories of friends from Shimla  group where she reposted some older blogs and some new and fresh ones from time to time. It has always been a treat to go through her wonderful posts, deftly documenting the life in Shimla during '60s & 70s. The details given by her of her family have been fascinating throughout. 

I consider her my Guru as following her footsteps, I also started my humble attempts at writing blogs.

I regret having never met her personally !

 Her birthday falls on 25th August.

Adieu, Saroj Ma'am !

Rest in Peace 🙏

Brigadier Usman, MVC

 Today is the birth anniversary of Brigadier Mohammad  Usman , MVC of the Indian Army  who laid down his life during the  Indo- Pakistan war of 1947. Born this day in 1912  in  Azamgarh ,  United Provinces of British India, he was a Sandhurst trained  Officer of the British Indian Army , commissioned in1934. After serving for a year with the Cameronians, he was assigned to the 5th Battalion of 10 Baloch regiment . During this period he saw action in the NWFP. Despite allurment of being  made the Chief of Pakistan Army by the other side, Brig. Usman  chose to stay in India, and serve the Indian Army.After the partition, he was assigned to the Dogra regiment of the Indian Army. When Pakistan sent tribal irregulars to capture Kashmir, Brig. Usman was sent to command the Parachute battalion. As odds were against the Indian Army, Pakistan was able  to capture some area. However, after three months Brig . Usman was able to recapture the area but at the cost of his life . He was martyred in action on 3 july 1948, 12 days short of turning 36. He was the  highest ranking officer to get killed in action .He was  awarded Mahavir Chakra, the second highest gallantry Award posthumously. 

Our humble tributes to the bravest of the brave soldier 🙏

Composer Roshan

 Today is the  birth anniversary of Roshan Lal Nagrath or simply  Roshan, the highly talented  music composer of Hindi cinema  . Born this day in 1917 at Gujranwala in undivided Punjab, he remained active close to two decades in music composition and gave some unforgettable, wonderful melodies.Starting his career as an assistant to music director Khwaja Khurshid Anwar, his career took off when Kidar Sharma, the producer/director  gave him the opportunity to compose music for his film Neki aur Badi.Fame and name came to him with the film Baaware Nain, in which he composed lilting melodies.In the '50s  Roshan worked with top singers, Muhammad Rafi, Mukesh and  Talat Mehmood.

He is credited with launching the career of Anand Bakshi and Indeevar, who in due course made their mark as lyricists.He successfully blended folk music with Hindustani classical music.

The films he composed music for include Aarti, Mamta,Dewar,Naubahar,Taj Mahal,Barsat Ki Raat, Baware Nain,Chitralekha, Anokhi Raat,Dil Hi To Hai and many others.

He specialized in composing qawwalis and two of them Na to Caravan Ki Talash hai & Nigahen Milane ko jee chahta hai  , stand out.

He received the Filmfare Best Music Director Award for the film Taj Mahal in 1963.

He died on 16 November,1967 aged 50.

Our humble tributes to the great  music composer  🙏

भीष्म साहनी

 हिन्दी साहित्य के एक महत्वपूर्ण  हस्ताक्षर,विख्यात  उपन्यासकार, नाटककार  और कथाकार,   भीष्म साहनी की आज पुण्यतिथि है.भारत विभाजन की पृष्ठभूमि पर लिखे उनके उपन्यास  'तमस ' पर इसी नाम से एक फिल्म भी बनी जो बहुत चर्चित रही । उनकी कहानियों में   ' चीफ़ की  दावत '  का एक  विशिष्ट स्थान है जिसमे   कृतघ्न पुत्र  जो अपनी विधवा माँ को  हाशिये पर  धकेल चुका है, स्वार्थवश  उसकी खुशामद और चिरौरी करने पर  विवश हो जाता है, जब दावत पर आए उसके बॉस और बॉस की पत्नि को उसकी माँ के हाथ की बनी फुलकारी बहुत पसंद आती है, और वो अपने लिए वैसी ही फुलकारी चाहते  हैं ।

भीष्म साहनी उन साहित्यकारों में शुमार हैं, जिन्होंने डॉक्टरेट  तो अंग्रेजी साहित्य में की, पर नाम हिन्दी साहित्य में कमाया ।

साहित्य अकादमी अवार्ड, सोवियत लैंड  अवार्ड एवं पद्मभूषण से सम्मानित और महान अभिनेता बलराज साहनी के अनुज  महान  साहित्यकार को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि 🙏