In the past few months, I have got back to the habit of reading after many years. I am actually enjoying my return to books, although I have realized that there is a lot of ground to cover on various fronts. I  just finished a book by Michael Wood on his travels to South India, specifically to the region of erstwhile Cholan empire  and the plains to the south of it - The smile of Murugan. I chose to read the book after I was enthused by a television series on Discovery Channel, by Michael Wood  -  though on a slightly different subject – ‘The story of India’. He was so articulate and passionate about India and its past that I couldn’t help being drawn into the eddy of a whirlwind tour through India’s past – most of which I had learned from biased textbooks in school and had forgotten by now.

This revived interest in history led me to his other works and I stumbled upon his travelogue to Tamil Nadu. Although in the book he talks of his multiple visits to Tamil Nadu, I am not sure how long these lasted. I presume from the book that they were not long periods; but, in these short bursts of tours he has grasped more of the essence of life, as it is, in these parts than it is perceivable.

Owing to my Tamil lineage I was more discerning while reading this book than I usually am and I wasn’t disappointed. His love of India and admiration of the Tamil culture, its preservation and its duel with modernity are all too evident, yet he doesn’t  miss a chance to step back and look at the practices and experiences with a rational bent of mind. For someone like me, who has lived for most part of his life outside Tamil Nadu, it was a learning experience, to view my world from a western scholar’s eyes. The book isn’t scholarly though I don’t intend to discredit it. It’s a breezy travelogue which transports you to every place the author travels to, engages you in every conversation the author has, pushes you headlong into every experience he has. Given my already existing knowledge of that culture,  I came back richer at the end of the book.

Its an easy read and can be breezed through. It is one for my bookshelf. 

When I first heard the songs from the latest movie, ‘Jillunu oru Kadhal’, they looked ordinary; but the more I listen to them, I want to listen again! Unlike the earlier songs composed during his brilliant initial days in Tamil cinema, for the past few years, A R Rehman’s music doesn’t stir you up the first time you listen to it, but it gradually grows on you. It seems like you have to have spend some time to unfold the music (not necessary in the technical sense). Is it because, he himself has shifted towards fusion and has attempted to go global? Or is it because we expect the same kind of freshness which he brought with him in ‘Roja’- a question of growing expectations? Or it could not be either of these!

(c) Suresh Damodaran,2007

Among the stalwarts of independence movement in India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is a forgotten figure. Even I didn’t know much about this man except for the fact that he is the ‘iron man of India’ and that the National Police Academy is named after him, ironically situated in Hyderabad, the erstwhile province which was one of the last states to cede to the Indian Union after being coerced to join by Sardar! This was until I happened to see Ketan Mehta’s 1993 movie – ‘Sardar’, which primarily picturises his life between the period 1945 to 1950. For those interested in the history of the creation of the Indian Union, this award winning movie is must watch. Tight screenplay, good research, appropriate casting, astute direction and some good performances make this movie a treat to watch. But for those who are not interested in history, this might seem like a bit of a drone. As far as historical movies about India’s independence go, this one is as good if not better than the oscar winning, Richard Attenborough’s 1982 movie, – ‘Gandhi’. It captures the true essence of those momentous years when 565 princely states were just waiting for the British to leave so that they could declare independence of their own. In one of the scenes in the movie, Paresh Rawal – who plays the Sardar, speaks of the enormity of the moment. He says,” I hope I am taking the right decisions. My biggest fear is, if our decisions are wrong then future generations will curse and condemn us; if our decisions are right then we will be hailed as heros. But, they wouldn’t understand under what circumstances we took these decisions. They will just want to know – “where is my share?” ” He makes this remark right after the congress agrees to the two nation theory. The movie not only potrays the strong personality of Sardar Patel but also captures the political fervour of those days. Do watch this movie if you get a chance, it is a must see movie. A nice review is available here at mouthshut.com

(c) Suresh Damodaran,2007

I went to watch Rang de Basanti yesterday with Divey, Sriram, Hari and Vasu in Prasadz movie complex (finally, after 2 weeks of wait to get a ticket). Incidentally, if you ever visit Hyderabad, this one will be the first recommendation you will get on weekend hangouts.
With so many reviews on the blogs floating around, mine is too late. That will not prevent me from airing my view on the movie anyways .

The movie is definitely a “different” movie for once. The music is energetic and complements first the surging euphoria and then the angst in the movie. The plot, although predictable after a point, manages to hold your attention. The acting by Soha, Kunal, Atul, Maddy, Siddharth are laudable. Of course, Amir delivers as usual, but this time his age shows. The style in which the movie is made is also interesting. Although, there seem to be patches which see-saw between early twentieth century India and now, the director manages to draw a single thread through them. The depiction of self-discovery, and patriotism in today’s youth is commendable. But the messages in certain scenes could have been delivered more subtly.

Outside of the movie team, the Air chief, defence ministry and the CBFC all deserve an applause for not using the scissors to cut the film short. What’s my final take? It’s a great attempt. Do watch it, but keep your expectations tempered; you wouldn’t be disappointed.

(c) Suresh Damodaran,2007