An evening for PIFF

Cinema or film is one of the weakest point of everyone! Who can resist the temptation of cinema...Being an Indian cinema, talkies, actors are inevitable parts of our lives. Watching cinema is common thing in our country. But 'Celebrating Cinema' is a different concept! Yes, 'Celebrating Cinema' this is the tag line of PIFF(Pune International Film Festival). Its this line that make me buy a delegate pass for &th PIFF this year. I have just returned from the opening ceremony at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch at Swargate, followed by an animation film about a life of a girl in Tehran.

I am fond of movies since childhood. Amitabh Bachchan is my favourite actor since then. The list just grew bigger by age with some new names making an entry like Lakshmikant Berde, Ashok Saraf, Dilip Prabhavalkar,Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgan,Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Russel Crowe. It took some time for me to realise that there are other persons like director, producer, distributor, music director that contribute to a film. After 10th exams I atteneded a lecture on Film/Cinema at Chanakya Mandal by Samar Nakhate. He showed us two three nice films(one of them was 'Red Red Balloon') and discussed a lot about Cinema. 'सिनेमा हे समाजप्रबोधानाचे सर्वांत मोठे माध्यम आहे ' was his words that I would never forget. From that day my vision towards cinema changed entirely. I started learning from cinemas rather than just to be entertained. Thanks to Samar Nakhate for that beautiful lecture otherwise I would not not be writing this blog tonight...
So, it was a spectacular opening ceremony with stars like Sulochana Chavan, Hemamalini, Shashi Kapoor (all three were awarded 'Lifetime Achievement') also Mohan Agashe, Taboo, Randhir Kapoor were present. Dr.Jabbar Patel, Director of PIFF , the greatest director Marathi Cinema ever had...With his films like Jait Re Jait, Simhasan, Ek HotaVidushak (which showed the other side of Lakshmikant Berde), Samna, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar... He was working like any ordinary man at the ceremony, a great personality indeed. The festival is dedicated to Bharatratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Shrinivas Joshi sang Raag Puriya Dhanashri and a renowned bhajan of panditji 'तीर्थ विठ्ठल क्षेत्र विठ्ठल ' We were able to watch short films filmed on Sulochana Chava, Shashi Kapoor and Hemamalini which were speciaaly created for the film festival। Audience were so charming as always...
It was a nice evening indeed. From tomorrow there will be screening of almost 150 films from 42 countries at 4 venues over a week. Ok... I have to go to bed otherwise I will miss my first show at 9 am in E Square...Good Night and keep Cinema Celebrating...

Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav

The 56th Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav is going to start from 11th December. I am fortunate to attend it in the last year of my undergraduate studies. Last three years of this festival were missed due to university exams. But this year it was possible for me to be one of the listeners at the Sawai Gandharva as the exams are already over. I did buy tickets on the very first day within 1st hour at Navdikar Musicals on Tilak Road. I was thinking of a big queue in front of centre and was not much sure of being fortunate enough to have tickets. But it did not happen to me... there was no queue and plenty of tickets were available in the morning. Later I heard the tickets were over by the evening and some of my friends could not manage to have them. Nikhil was with me and he helped me a lot during process... The newspapers on next day published the photos of big queues at some of the centers like Shirish traders, Alurkar music house, etc. Me with my three friends going to experience the magic at Mahotsav from 11th-14th Dec. Thanks to organizers who made the tickets available in concession for students.

Rambhau Kundgolkar (1886-1952) better known as Sawai Gandharva was one of the greatest Hindustani vocalist of all the times... A private concert was organized on the sixteenth day after his death where his noted disciples Smt Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Feroz Dastur and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi performed. To commemorate his 1st death anniversary a music festival was arranged and it had a great success... Since then it is the 56th year of the festival. Beside of being the best music festival in India, it is one of the greatest examples of 'Gurudakshina' a student can offer to his master!

I have not learnt classical or not even a singer... But I love classical music. I am not aware of Raag, Taal very much, still I love to listen to it. 'Shatriya Sangeet' as name suggests is the soul of any type of music. One can experience every aspect of life in it. It may look like boring at the first impression but don't give up just listen... and you will learn how worth it is! Show me anyone who have heard Kumar Gandharva or Kishori Amonkar and didn't like it. Its simply impossible... One of the biggest sorrows of my life is that I could not attend any of the programs of Pt. Kumar Gandharva, to console myself I have great collection of this maestro. Whenever I think of classical music, I feel lucky to have heard shastriya sangeet otherwise I would have missed the real form of music...

Dilemma Resolved

I have now realized that there is difference between diary and blog. Blog is not meant for a writing stuff like diary. As I was always in dilemma about the level of privacy between diary and blog, I have now got the things right! I studied lots of blogs and came to conclusion that I should not discuss personal things here as it is not the proper place for it. Because people are not at all interested in your daily life, your ups and down. People have their own problems so how will they look after into your matters? The same question was in front of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam when his colleagues insisted him to write an autobiography but it was different ball game. As he was the idol of many Indians it was right thinking to let people know about himself.

But I am not A.P.J So I have now decided not to write anything about myself, my day or my lifestyle. I will try to post subjects from various fields. There will not be any sequence or an order for these posts. Someday it will be about Indian classical sangeet and the other day it will be rock/pop!

I will try to express my feelings, comments or sometimes my experiences related with a subject. I actually have habit of keeping diary so I seek no need of writing the same for my blog. Blog should be used for a source of information and not just as a diary of anyone… So I will be presenting my blog to the world in entirely new fashion to the world from tomorrow! Get ready for it!

Ok! I have to rush for my college…Bye! Have a nice day!!!

The Independence Day…

It is 61^st Independence Day of India. I have just come back home after flag hoisting ceremony in college. I immensely like to attend this ceremony. I have never missed any flag hoisting on 26^th January and 15^th August since my childhood. Even in my 11^th and 12^th when there was no official flag hoisting in my college I used to attend it in the school near my hostel. I sang Jana-Gana-Mana after a gap of approximately 6 months. We never get any chance for that only on Republic Day and Independence Day.

This is the last Independence Day of my graduation days. I am proud of attending all of them in last 3 years. I always feel great and proud when a large group of people sing the National Anthem as a single voice. I believe that it is the greatest song ever. No music, no professional singers but…Yes, It becomes the most beautiful song and whenever you are the part of it you feels of being an Indian! I have experienced it everytime I sing it. Rabindranath Tagore as one of the greatest poets and artists world has ever seen, gifted us this beautiful song! There have been many questions about our National Anthem also (as always in India). I was also one of the believers of that concept sometimes ago. But now the sky is clear! Whenever I hear it or sing it I feel that it is the most beautiful and enchanting song in the world. (I am repeating same thing again and again but I really cannot stop myself praising it)

The inflation rate has touched 12.44% meaning goods will be more costly these days. A.P.J has given the solution on inflation to increase the productivity. But until we stop believing ourselves as a market in the world() where things can be sold only no matter of generating it or producing it, its very difficult to increase productivity. World says anything can be sold in India. We have to change this mentality of buying always. We should be capable of producing also. It is not like that we do not produce anything. We are but we have to increase rate of production. We should be able to use the world's second largest manpower in an efficient way.

We should be proud of Ratan Tata who saw on a rainy day a man, his wife and their child on a scooter who were struggling not to be wet and in hurry of going home, decided at that moment that he would launch a car for such people. And now we are going to see Nano on roads in couple of months. The same company has proposed launch of car of 85lakhs. Tata is the single company in the world which has car starting from 1 lakh to 85 lakhs!

I have to go now… Good Bye! And be proud be an Indian!!! Happy independence Day!

It is going to be a rainy day again as rain hasn't stopped since afternoon. Now all the dams which were almost dried are full. Rivers are flowing in full swing. Farmers are happy. The picture was far different before last two weeks. But now things are changing…Inflation which one of the critical issues before our country is said to likely be solved by this Diwali. But there are still lots of problems unsolved. Terrorism is one of them. Last couple of weeks India was threatened by two serial bomb blasts in major cities like Bangluru and Ahmadabad. In Jammu & Kashmir things are getting worse and worse. There is issue of donating land to Amarnath Temple for ease of pilgrims but though the land is not given actually this issue has claimed more than 50 lives.

Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam has shown us the vision to see at future, he taught us to live dreams. But until such crisis within the country does not stop how can we achieve success in other areas? Today a big part of India's budget is spent on military and defense so other areas are being untouched. We can fight against enemies outside the country but how can we possibly find the enemies within us. It's very difficult. And for the secular country like us it's almost impossible.

But one thing is clear that despite of being in problems since independence my country has done tremendous progress. India is going to celebrate 61^st independence day on 15^th August.

Trying….

Every post entitled as …day or …day. Now I will give some new title to this post! I actually don't think everything what to write, how to write. I just make up some loose points in mind try to elaborate those. At last after I think it's enough for now I stop and give the title to that post. I have now set up a hit counter on my blog. It will show me how many of people go through my blog. Most of the times the only reader is me (about 16 times in last two days). Each time I try to update something, the hit counter increases by one! But good thing is that it has increased 3-4 times in last two days without my visit means someone might have gone through the blog. (One of them is Nikhil).

I visit the blogs of Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan regularly. Both of them are my favorite heroes. But I make one thing clear that I have not been inspired for blog writing because of their blogs! Actually while searching some information on Google I came across these blogs and decided to make my own blog. Then I went on searching that which blog provider is better, what features, what activities, etc. And after all the results I finalized Blogger.com to be a blogger! It's a good blog provider indeed. Blog writing has not given me any results or earned money. But…it is giving me immense pleasure to express myself to the world! It's also good practice to write blog to increase the efficiency of English! This is my personal opinion!!! I will suggest the students (especially from Marathi medium schools) to write something in English. Not necessarily a blog but anything.

As language point has been pulled up I will continue it further. As far as I think English is the best and easiest language to communicate in the world. This scenario may change but not in coming years. We should be proud of our mother tongue, we should respect it. But it does not mean that we should ignore the importance of other languages. All the languages are beautiful! I myself can talk in only three languages Marathi, Hindi, English! If I get enough time I will definitely try for other language. I think this much discussion is enough on language issue. I have not decided this language issue, it was not in my mind also but while writing I suddenly got the point. As I am not a writer or not a good follower of English, this post may seem boring to read.

One should not write by making his mindset before the writing. Your writing should reflect the vicinity of your thoughts, your views. I am trying to achieve the same… trying since last 3 years!

A Golden Day…

Thanks to Abhinav Bindra for making us proud by winning first ever GOLD medal after that golden age of Indian hockey… I think in 1980 India has bagged gold for hockey, unfortunately it was the end of era and still no chances of regaining it. Abhinav is the first Indian which has won gold medal individually for our country. He has done this miracle in 10m air rifle competition. Actually these types of results were not expected from Indians but such miracles happen. Actually I should not call it just a miracle. It is his efforts, concentration and talent which have made this possible. He was at no 4^th after qualifying for the finals but he made come–back and bagged golden! My heartiest congrats to you …

On the other hand star players could not do well…We lost test match and series also against Sri Lanka. We fought well but did not succeed. Better luck for next events. But Olympics have shown some type of encouragement for we and specially for other players.

This was all about the sports… Now, coming to mine…I have class tests going in our autonomous college. Today there were two papers. And one of the weirdest things happened to me. I solved two questions which were in option to one other! I have lost 10 marks on the spot but I noticed that while discussing paper with one of my friends Shakyamuni . Someone has told correctly; Do not discuss the paper after the exam! Let it be I have forgotten the same now (after publishing this post!!!) I have still one chance (Best of Two policy!)

Hmmm…I am feeling that I am writing a diary on computer. I have seen many blogs but most of the blogs are dedicated to a particular subject or topic like movies, politics, Olympics, cricket, poems, etc. Many few blogs that I have observed are of 'Diary' type. One thing is clear that no one is going to be excited or interested in my personal life. I am also not thinking about the same.

I am thinking seriously about utilizing this blog for a good purpose…I will be doing it once I finish my exam and when I get 'good' time!! Till then enjoy your life!!! As it is beautiful!

Good Bye!

A Perfect Day…

A day arises in everyone's life which is different than other days that he usually spends. Sometimes a day comes which is very different than our routine day. I am experiencing the same today…As there was no project work at company there was no need of waking up early so I went last night playing Age of Empires till 3am and went to bed. My day started at 11 am today. As there was no light due to load shading I studied sometime and again went on completing next level of AOE… Light came between1-2 I took bath at 3pm and had lunch again did some study and now writing this post….

Rain is pouring since last night continuously. There was no rain in Maharashtra in last month. But now it has started and expected to be in form in next 2-3 days. 'Rain' is a good sign. Generally speaking as old people say the month of Shravan never goes without rain. As Shravan is said to be king of all festivals for most of the festivals from Hindu culture come in Shravan…. So how will this month will be thirsty?

Just see outside of your window you will be able to see what nature has brought for you. I just can't describe how I am feeling. The rain has just stopped perhaps for sometime only! I am listening to Kishori Amonkar's 'मेहा झर झर बरसत ये....'. This song is the perfect match for this day. I can't think any other way to experience the beauty and freshness of this enchanting evening…. I am free and feeling very light and totally tensionless…Really, this day is one of the memorable days of the life! Thank God for such a beautiful day in Shravan. As the words in song 'आनंद आनंद उमगत रे ' am experiencing joy, a real and true joy offered by nature.

Actually, I had planned to discuss something about blogs, its truthiness and beautifulness, topics to be discussed on the blog. But I got totally diverted when I heard magical voice of Kishoritai and that beautiful song on a perfect occasion. All things went right today….

One World One Dream!!!

'Olympics' …a giant festival…that comes once in 4 years…We celebrate lots of festivals every year, we don't get tired of it. When festival comes inevitably next word is 'celebration'! The only difference between our festivals and the mentioned above is that the festival of Olympics is not meant for a particular religion, cast, or country. It is meant for every human being on the earth! The logo itself reflects five circles interlocked with each other though every circle is independent!! These five circles represent Eurasia, North and South America, Africa, Australia (Antarctica is not included as only penguins live there!)

esterday was the first day of 29^th Olympic games hosted by China..Whole world was eagerly awaiting these games as China was going to be host at this time. Those who have been able to watch the 'opening Ceremony' (without problem of 'Load Shading') would have understood what China has done. It was the most spectacular and costlier opening ceremony the world has ever seen.

Being an Indian I am hoping some good performance by Indians there. But Mr.Kalmadi has asked not to expect miracles from the players. I myself can just see the results but cannot blame anyone as I have not played any game on the district level also and never contributed in such events also. So I personally think I have no right even to comment about my country's players. I will just send them my best wishes.

Only thing I think is that in India people don't take sports as a career, we play games as a timepass. In India games include cricket and cricket and cricket…Only few of Indians think after cricket and get chance to serve nation in events like Olympics, Commonwealth games, etc. And when they can not perform up to the mark(sorry! Up to the people's expectations) people start blaming players, ministers, politics…When we will try to change this mentality we will get the answer of a famous question, 'Why No Medals for India?'

So experience this grand festival being celebrated on the Dragon's Land and watch Indians performing there!!!

A new Day in Shravan.....

Days and nights have passed.... I hadn't updated my blog I'm not worrying about the reasons (and not promising to anyone to be updated hereafter!). I am writing this post from my college's internet cafe which has around 200 computers with LCD screens but the biggest problem is the SPEED! It took nearly 5-10 minutes to reach at this page... I rarely use college cafe... most of the sites are blocked (no doubt they are'popular' in many aspects!!!) But students have overcome those difficulties....

Our practical of VLSI went a bit longer and I could not manage to back home and take lunch. But thanks to it as I got time to update my page. I am playing Table Tennis regularly at our department's lunch space. I am going to get new racket in one or two days...

Our Computer Network practical os to be started within 10 minutes so I have to log out now!!!

Keep Blogging!!!!!!!

P.S- My tube light has lighted! It is 8/8/08 such a date comes once in a year!!!

Also I got net connection in evening at my room also! So it is a nice coincidence to start 

RE BLOGGING.