Happenings

The Pride of Maharashtra: ‘Marathi Baana’

November 14, 2006 Happenings

Frankly, I had not heard about this marathi musical until mom excitedly got the tickets for us. It’s called ‘Marathi Baana’ (Marathi Pride) and is playing to full houses all across the state (yesterday night was no exception). The 3 hour song and dance is a demo of the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra featuring a live orchestra, singers and about 40-50 dancers from both sexes, all dressed up in the native colorful attire, dancing to the live music. The entire team comprises of 125 members. Ashok Hande, whose a veteran of Marathi stage has produced, written, directed and presented the show and also figures in the 4 male singing choir. The musical focuses on the long rich marathi traditions of festivals, folk songs and dances and discusses its plight under the current generation of the marathi population.

Firstly, the show is colourful and thats the only word that comes to my mind. The dancers are ‘fantabulous’ and the singers are mellifluous in their renditions as well. Its proof enough that they have worked pretty hard to get this show running on its feet what with the singers memorizing entire paras of songs and the dancers remembering their steps on every word of it. That said subtle references to the ‘paraprantiya’ (migrant population) during such shows involving the ‘marathi manoos’ (native maharastrian), is always on the cards and is a big turn off personally. This refers to the apparent displacement of the original marathi populace from their native land in mumbai to far-flung places in the northern suburbs and beyond, which is being attributed to the high influx of migrants from outside the state, their illegal settlement & economic progression in this city. One thought that the wonderful cultural platform that the musical ‘Marathi Baana’ offered should in no way be misused to fan the emotions of the patrons who come to enjoy the show. Art has to be set free of all biases against creed or race. But go and watch it for art’s sake and revel in the cultural celebration.

[tags]Marathi, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Marathi Baana[/tags]

The Pride of Maharashtra: 'Marathi Baana'

November 14, 2006 Happenings

Frankly, I had not heard about this marathi musical until mom excitedly got the tickets for us. It’s called ‘Marathi Baana’ (Marathi Pride) and is playing to full houses all across the state (yesterday night was no exception). The 3 hour song and dance is a demo of the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra featuring a live orchestra, singers and about 40-50 dancers from both sexes, all dressed up in the native colorful attire, dancing to the live music. The entire team comprises of 125 members. Ashok Hande, whose a veteran of Marathi stage has produced, written, directed and presented the show and also figures in the 4 male singing choir. The musical focuses on the long rich marathi traditions of festivals, folk songs and dances and discusses its plight under the current generation of the marathi population.

Firstly, the show is colourful and thats the only word that comes to my mind. The dancers are ‘fantabulous’ and the singers are mellifluous in their renditions as well. Its proof enough that they have worked pretty hard to get this show running on its feet what with the singers memorizing entire paras of songs and the dancers remembering their steps on every word of it. That said subtle references to the ‘paraprantiya’ (migrant population) during such shows involving the ‘marathi manoos’ (native maharastrian), is always on the cards and is a big turn off personally. This refers to the apparent displacement of the original marathi populace from their native land in mumbai to far-flung places in the northern suburbs and beyond, which is being attributed to the high influx of migrants from outside the state, their illegal settlement & economic progression in this city. One thought that the wonderful cultural platform that the musical ‘Marathi Baana’ offered should in no way be misused to fan the emotions of the patrons who come to enjoy the show. Art has to be set free of all biases against creed or race. But go and watch it for art’s sake and revel in the cultural celebration.

Aussies win Champions Trophy (Yawnn!!)

November 6, 2006 Happenings

The Aussie win of their first ICC Champions Trophy tournament yesterday in Mumbai, came as no surprise to me. To say the least, Ricky’s Devils have become very predictable and it no longer excites me to watch them play Cricket. Boring might seem to be an apt phrase to use. The degree of clinical perfection that they have managed to bring in every game has become a matter of discussion in the cricketing corridors of the world. Yesterday’s 8 wicket win, came after a blazing start by the Windies who won the toss and elected to bat first. But some good bowling performances by Nathan Bracken and McGrath restricted them to just 138 in 30.4 overs. What makes them click? Is it the talent or the support staff that’s doing the job? or is it both? we try hard to unlock the code every time. But I beg to ask the managers of our cricketing legacy whether they have a road map ready for the coming months and the ICC world cup. The answer seems obvious to me.

Certainly, I would like to believe that amongst the other South Asian teams, the Indians are a better side to stop the Kangaroo’s hop, given their historic success rate but they aren’t doing well of late. Many a times it’s the psychological edge that proves the winner of the day and we seem to have lost it completely after our 16 match winning streak came to a sad end in the Caribbean tour. In the Champions Trophy, after the Indians won against the English in their first match, I thought they lost their rhythm coming back after a long 11 day holiday. They even failed to exploit the home conditions and looked very edgy in that match against West Indies which we should have won comfortably. After that loss, it was very improbable to defeat the Aussies, given their desperation to win the only trophy missing in their cabinet. Simply put, we don’t look like a team that wants to win anymore. Let’s hope we get our heads back together before the world cup and start winning a few matches. ‘Ooh aah India….Aaya India’ and the Blue Billion Express – such marketing jamboree is worthless if the team continues to downplay the emotions of a nation and keeps losing tournaments. Hope the sponsors are listening and taking notes.

Viva Spacegirl!

September 25, 2006 Happenings

On 18th September 2006, a Soyuz TMA-9 rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, catapulted the first female in space, Iranian-American Anousheh Ansari. I stumbled upon her blog entry, probably transmitted from the International Space Station, where she’s currently put up. It’s obvious to note the change in lifestyle, that one has to adopt in order to stay in space.

An activity as simple as brushing teeth can be challenging. She notes that one cannot rinse the mouth and spit out, rather one has to swallow the whole thing (eeks). Also notable is the way people would wash their hair in space. They carry a water bag and make a water bubble out of it on their head and wash with some dry shampoo. There are exercising equipment and one must stick to an exercise regime since weightlessness due to gravity, can decrease the amount of calcium in bones, making them weak.

Keep visiting this blog for more interesting facts. I think she’s going to post a whole lot of stuff regularly. (Oh God, do I love Technology or what?!! :-)) Meanwhile, you can take a break and check some of her pictures on Flickr. Here’s wishing Anousheh all the very best for the future.

Such is the Human Story

September 20, 2006 Happenings

Sometimes you don’t have to hunt for stories to write about. They are waiting for you, at the right moment and place. That’s why one has to develop the tendency of observing life minutely because a story could be coming the very next minute.

I have in the past helped the needy in whatever way that I could. On one such dull morning, many moons ago, during my art school days, I ventured out of the house to get some materials for a campaign that I was working on. In the crowded marketplace, I met this fragile old guy probably in his late 60s. He was wearing a white cotton sadra and pyjamas, was barefoot and limping. I could see a dressing bandage on one of his feet; the wound looked fresh and bloodied. I would have ignored him but he asked, in Gujarati, if I could escort him to the foot-over bridge, to crossover to the other side of the suburb. Since it was just a few furlongs away, I held his hand and started the walk to our destination. When I looked at him carefully, reality struck me hard – he was blind. On further probing, I found he had hurt himself while walking and a good Samaritan had paid for the medical bill. I asked him where his family was and he replied he was alone in this world and there was nobody to care for him. And what about food? He said, if he was lucky, he would get some wheat which he would crush and make some chappatis for himself. I was on the verge of breaking down completely. Just then we arrived at our point and I left him there, bidding goodbye. Knowing his condition too well now, he must have asked for help even to climb the bridge. While I took my way back home, trying to forget what I had lived a while ago.

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