Happy new year to all my dear ones. The year has come to an end, and so has an era of my short but deep relationship with this blog. But as 2010 commences, it's time to move from a blog to a personalized feature rich website of my own. Therefore, I'm shifting completely to my new site- souravroy.com.There will not be any more new posts in this blog.
क्रांति कन्या
क्रांति कन्या
वो क्रन्तिकारी थी
मतवारी थी
चली जा रही थी
इन्कलाब के गाने गाते
और हम खुद की आज़ादी के सपनों संग
उसके पीछे चले जाते
यही लड़की समा गयी थी
अंधे की आँखों में
लंगड़े की नसों में
जब येरुसलेम में उसने हमें छूआ
और इस सुनहरी शाम का अंत
उस दर्दनाक क्रूस पर हुआ |
वो क्रन्तिकारी थी
मतवारी थी
चली जा रही थी
इन्कलाब के गाने गाते
और हम खुद की आज़ादी के सपनों संग
उसके पीछे चले जाते
तिरंगे में लिपटी
ये लड़की
गयी थी डांडी
हमने नमक बनाया
और इसी नमक का क़र्ज़ चुकाने को
किसी ने उसे मार गिराया |
वो क्रन्तिकारी थी
मतवारी थी
चली जा रही थी
इन्कलाब के गाने गाते
और हम खुद की आज़ादी के सपनों संग
उसके पीछे चले जाते
इसी लड़की के गीतों को
नए शहर के लोगों ने गाया
उसी देश के शासक ने
विएतनाम को जलाया
और किताबें भरी आज़ादी के गीतों से
और अगले दिन आकाश को खाली सा पाया |
इस क्रान्ति कन्या के बच्चे
जो कौवे की तरह जन्मे थे
अनाथ कहलाये
स्कूल गए
पर धूप नहीं पहुंची
सपने देखे -
आज़ादी नहीं
भूतों के !
सुनसान सड़कों पर
'माँ-माँ' चिल्लाकर सो गए
भूखे पेट
बगल से ट्रेन गुज़री
और ऐसे ही किसी दिन
इन बच्चों ने अपने यूनिफॉर्म को जला दिया |
उस दिन मैं भी नहीं समझ पाया
जब उस लड़की ने
मेरे जूते के फीते बांधे थे
और कान में प्यार से कहा था-
"संभल कर चलना
गिरना मत ||"
-Sourav Roy "Bhagirath"
वो क्रन्तिकारी थी
मतवारी थी
चली जा रही थी
इन्कलाब के गाने गाते
और हम खुद की आज़ादी के सपनों संग
उसके पीछे चले जाते
यही लड़की समा गयी थी
अंधे की आँखों में
लंगड़े की नसों में
जब येरुसलेम में उसने हमें छूआ
और इस सुनहरी शाम का अंत
उस दर्दनाक क्रूस पर हुआ |
वो क्रन्तिकारी थी
मतवारी थी
चली जा रही थी
इन्कलाब के गाने गाते
और हम खुद की आज़ादी के सपनों संग
उसके पीछे चले जाते
तिरंगे में लिपटी
ये लड़की
गयी थी डांडी
हमने नमक बनाया
और इसी नमक का क़र्ज़ चुकाने को
किसी ने उसे मार गिराया |
वो क्रन्तिकारी थी
मतवारी थी
चली जा रही थी
इन्कलाब के गाने गाते
और हम खुद की आज़ादी के सपनों संग
उसके पीछे चले जाते
इसी लड़की के गीतों को
नए शहर के लोगों ने गाया
उसी देश के शासक ने
विएतनाम को जलाया
और किताबें भरी आज़ादी के गीतों से
और अगले दिन आकाश को खाली सा पाया |
इस क्रान्ति कन्या के बच्चे
जो कौवे की तरह जन्मे थे
अनाथ कहलाये
स्कूल गए
पर धूप नहीं पहुंची
सपने देखे -
आज़ादी नहीं
भूतों के !
सुनसान सड़कों पर
'माँ-माँ' चिल्लाकर सो गए
भूखे पेट
बगल से ट्रेन गुज़री
और ऐसे ही किसी दिन
इन बच्चों ने अपने यूनिफॉर्म को जला दिया |
उस दिन मैं भी नहीं समझ पाया
जब उस लड़की ने
मेरे जूते के फीते बांधे थे
और कान में प्यार से कहा था-
"संभल कर चलना
गिरना मत ||"
-Sourav Roy "Bhagirath"
झारखण्ड
झारखण्ड
खनिज-कोयला-जंगल के देश में
मांदल नगाड़ा बजाता
तमाखू खाता
गुज़रता है तुफू सोरेन
गाता-
'पहाड़ तोड़ने से अच्छा है
पहाड़ बन जाना'
उसकी स्त्री
गमछे में बच्चे को
पीठ पर लटकाकर
बीनती है चटाई
जो पहुँच जाती है
इन्द्रप्रस्थ की सड़कों पर
उसकी बहन के साथ बिकने को |
तीर धनुष से
खेलता
उसका बच्चा
मार गिराता है मोर को
ख़ुश है तुफू सोरेन
पेट भरेगा आज !
अगले दिन बच्चा
बन्दूक पकड़
तैयारी करता है
शहर जाने की ||
-Sourav Roy "Bhagirath"
खनिज-कोयला-जंगल के देश में
मांदल नगाड़ा बजाता
तमाखू खाता
गुज़रता है तुफू सोरेन
गाता-
'पहाड़ तोड़ने से अच्छा है
पहाड़ बन जाना'
उसकी स्त्री
गमछे में बच्चे को
पीठ पर लटकाकर
बीनती है चटाई
जो पहुँच जाती है
इन्द्रप्रस्थ की सड़कों पर
उसकी बहन के साथ बिकने को |
तीर धनुष से
खेलता
उसका बच्चा
मार गिराता है मोर को
ख़ुश है तुफू सोरेन
पेट भरेगा आज !
अगले दिन बच्चा
बन्दूक पकड़
तैयारी करता है
शहर जाने की ||
-Sourav Roy "Bhagirath"
अभी यहाँ...
अभी यहाँ...
अभी यहाँ
मैं बैठा हूँ
अभी यहाँ
तुम होती
अभी यहाँ
समंदर किनारे हम टहल रहे होते
और समंदर हमारी धड़कन सुन रहा होता
अभी यहाँ
ऊपर वो चाँद और तारों से सजा आकाश
हमारे संग दौड़ रहा होता
हमारा हाथ थामे
अभी यहाँ कोई नहीं होता
और मैं तुम्हारी आँखों में डूब जाता
और ये गाती गुनगुनाती ज़िन्दगी
यूं ही बीत जाती
अभी यहाँ
दुनिया ठहर जाती
सब कुछ धीरे धीरे हमारा हो जाता
ये दुनिया हमारी हो जाती
और हम एक दूसरे के हो जाते
अभी यहाँ
एक तारा टूटता
और हम एक दूसरे को मांग लेते
और वो तारा भी हमारा हो जाता
अभी यहाँ
तुम नंगे पाँव दौड़ती चली आती
और मैं तुम्हे देखता
और तुम सच्चे झूठे बहाने बना
मुझसे लिपट जाती
अभी यहाँ
मैं तुम्हे जगाता
तुम्हारी जुल्फों की लटों को सुलझाता
और तुम आँखें खोल
मुझे देखती
अभी यहाँ
मैं मर रहा होता
और तुम्हे अगले जन्म में फिर मिलने का वादा कर
मैं सुकून से तुम्हारी बाँहों में मरता
अभी यहाँ
मैं बैठा हूँ
काश यहाँ
तुम होती !
-Sourav Roy "Bhagirath"
अभी यहाँ
मैं बैठा हूँ
अभी यहाँ
तुम होती
अभी यहाँ
समंदर किनारे हम टहल रहे होते
और समंदर हमारी धड़कन सुन रहा होता
अभी यहाँ
ऊपर वो चाँद और तारों से सजा आकाश
हमारे संग दौड़ रहा होता
हमारा हाथ थामे
अभी यहाँ कोई नहीं होता
और मैं तुम्हारी आँखों में डूब जाता
और ये गाती गुनगुनाती ज़िन्दगी
यूं ही बीत जाती
अभी यहाँ
दुनिया ठहर जाती
सब कुछ धीरे धीरे हमारा हो जाता
ये दुनिया हमारी हो जाती
और हम एक दूसरे के हो जाते
अभी यहाँ
एक तारा टूटता
और हम एक दूसरे को मांग लेते
और वो तारा भी हमारा हो जाता
अभी यहाँ
तुम नंगे पाँव दौड़ती चली आती
और मैं तुम्हे देखता
और तुम सच्चे झूठे बहाने बना
मुझसे लिपट जाती
अभी यहाँ
मैं तुम्हे जगाता
तुम्हारी जुल्फों की लटों को सुलझाता
और तुम आँखें खोल
मुझे देखती
अभी यहाँ
मैं मर रहा होता
और तुम्हे अगले जन्म में फिर मिलने का वादा कर
मैं सुकून से तुम्हारी बाँहों में मरता
अभी यहाँ
मैं बैठा हूँ
काश यहाँ
तुम होती !
-Sourav Roy "Bhagirath"
Donating Blood on Muharram
Today is Muharram- the day of martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed. When Muslims from all over the world conduct mourning processions, beating their chests and backs with chains, to observe Yaum-e-Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram which is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Considered a day of bereavement, many Muslims observe fast, give charity and pray in remembrance of Hussain who was martyred this day around 1,400 years ago at Karbala in Iraq. On this day, Muslim residents of Amrai village in Chinhat area of Lucknow organized a blood donation camp along with the local health officials. Villagers bravely came up and donated the life saving fluid. They were happy. The very news brought a big smile on my face! If this is new wave, I welcome it. Being Sankalp volunteers we've seen the problem of blood shortage so closely! A common man is either hesistant to donate blood or is unaware. Here on this ocassion our brothers from a remote village have taken a brave step to serve for the sake humanity in rememberance of the great warrior. Kudos to them!
Why can't we be teachers?
Its exam time and all we can think about is books, notes and coffee. On this context, as a self realization (which every student goes through during exams), I must say that the most discussed topic among hostelites is the inferior quality of education and the teachers who literally don't know to teach. My country has the oldest custom of education & I desperately want to prove them wrong. I must say, if given a chance (and paycheck) would love to take up teaching as a profession. I teach my room mate and I believe I'm pretty good at it. Right through my childhood, exam season has been the time when I get the opportunity to demonstrate my skills as a teacher. I have always believed that a teacher-student relationship is THE most beautiful relationship in the world.
If teaching can be so fascinating, why then, do we have a shortage of good teachers in our country? Forget about other institutions, IITs are running with a 50% shortage of staffs. Most teachers there have retired, yet have been asked to stay back on special requests. Its good to know that IIMs have taken a step forward by inspiring their alumni to stay back and teach, but the outcome is not at par with what is expected, in terms of quantity, ofcourse. There is a big halla over how much the country lacks educational institutions. We don't lack educational institutions. We lack teachers. Bring in good teachers and entrepreneurs are more than happy to invest. But unfortunately, we don't have quality teachers. Why is it so?? The answer is simple- Why will a skilled conversationalist, unless highly inspired by his personal motivation, prefer to teach with a salary less than that of a good-for-nothing-software-professional! A software engineer with an experience of 3-5 years, at an average earns more than a Head of Department in IIT with a lifelong experience. What a shame!
Who is to blame? The universal spit-basin- the government? 'Cause every time we see a problem, we blame it to the bade bhaiyyas. Yes, indeed the government is to blame. The first step that can be taken is inspire skilled alumni to stay back in an institution and teach. Secondly, paycheck of a teacher should be at par with that of IT professionals. But most importantly, the youth must realize that teaching is an amazing profession. Job security, learning with teaching, plenty of time for recreation and a stable life- all in one place. This is one place where you get to prove yourself. I'd love to take it up as a profession, given a chance, (and a good paycheck, ofcourse) and I'd love to see the youth of my generation join in.
If teaching can be so fascinating, why then, do we have a shortage of good teachers in our country? Forget about other institutions, IITs are running with a 50% shortage of staffs. Most teachers there have retired, yet have been asked to stay back on special requests. Its good to know that IIMs have taken a step forward by inspiring their alumni to stay back and teach, but the outcome is not at par with what is expected, in terms of quantity, ofcourse. There is a big halla over how much the country lacks educational institutions. We don't lack educational institutions. We lack teachers. Bring in good teachers and entrepreneurs are more than happy to invest. But unfortunately, we don't have quality teachers. Why is it so?? The answer is simple- Why will a skilled conversationalist, unless highly inspired by his personal motivation, prefer to teach with a salary less than that of a good-for-nothing-software-professional! A software engineer with an experience of 3-5 years, at an average earns more than a Head of Department in IIT with a lifelong experience. What a shame!
Who is to blame? The universal spit-basin- the government? 'Cause every time we see a problem, we blame it to the bade bhaiyyas. Yes, indeed the government is to blame. The first step that can be taken is inspire skilled alumni to stay back in an institution and teach. Secondly, paycheck of a teacher should be at par with that of IT professionals. But most importantly, the youth must realize that teaching is an amazing profession. Job security, learning with teaching, plenty of time for recreation and a stable life- all in one place. This is one place where you get to prove yourself. I'd love to take it up as a profession, given a chance, (and a good paycheck, ofcourse) and I'd love to see the youth of my generation join in.
12 Angry Men- what Character Study is meant to be!
12 Angry Men is a 1957 courtroom drama by Sidney Lumet. The film begins with the end of a trial. The jurors retire to deliberate the case. A preliminary vote is taken and the result is 11:1 in favour of the guilty verdict. Eleven jurors have raised their hands to convict a young man of killing his father. Only Juror 8 has doubts. At first even he does not truly believe the young man to be innocent but notes that the case for the defense might have been presented in a more convincing manner and that the boy might be given the benefit of a doubt. Since the boy is to be executed if found guilty his life is now in the hands of the jury and juror 8 reasons that the least they could do is talk about the case a bit. As time goes on some of the jurors change their minds and find that there is perhaps enough reasonable doubt not to convict the young man after all. But not everyone is easy to convince.
The entire film is shot in one room and with 12 men. But that is more than enough to sweat the viewer out with the jury as the heat rises, literally and metaphorically, among the men as they make their way towards their final verdict. Interestingly, the jurors (apart from two at the end) are never named. They do not need to be. Their characters speak for them. The characters of each of the jurors emerge through a wonderful mix of perfect casting, excellent dialogue and near-flawless acting. The film succeeds in doing something very rare- developing an intelligent plot while also developing 12 believable, memorable and distinct characters. Although it was Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb who really made this film legendary, but every character's individuality is neatly built.
One another brilliant aspect of this film is its simplistic editing. Sometimes the best editing is to just leave it alone. There is a scene that shows great editing by giving as much screen time to Lee J. Cobb’s monologue. However, the editor also works on the viewers subconscious, by showing him alone and isolated in the frame, whilst showing other juror’s in pairs. The editing also crops closer to him later in the scene, making it seem even more powerful and important. A brilliant piece of neat, simple yet hardcore editing; a magnum opus, indeed!
The entire film is shot in one room and with 12 men. But that is more than enough to sweat the viewer out with the jury as the heat rises, literally and metaphorically, among the men as they make their way towards their final verdict. Interestingly, the jurors (apart from two at the end) are never named. They do not need to be. Their characters speak for them. The characters of each of the jurors emerge through a wonderful mix of perfect casting, excellent dialogue and near-flawless acting. The film succeeds in doing something very rare- developing an intelligent plot while also developing 12 believable, memorable and distinct characters. Although it was Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb who really made this film legendary, but every character's individuality is neatly built.
One another brilliant aspect of this film is its simplistic editing. Sometimes the best editing is to just leave it alone. There is a scene that shows great editing by giving as much screen time to Lee J. Cobb’s monologue. However, the editor also works on the viewers subconscious, by showing him alone and isolated in the frame, whilst showing other juror’s in pairs. The editing also crops closer to him later in the scene, making it seem even more powerful and important. A brilliant piece of neat, simple yet hardcore editing; a magnum opus, indeed!
Compulsory Voting- Right or Duty?
I really liked the idea of making voting compulsory for residents of Gujarat recent elections to a local self-governing body. It indeed is one of the bravest moves taken by a state government in a long long time. Even states Himanchal Pradesh are willing it implement it. But a few questions will be asked like voting is a right and not a duty. Compulsory voting is against Article 14 & 19 of the Indian Constitution. One good thing about the bill is that it allows negative voting if the voter does not wish to vote for any of the listed contestants. This is a great way of protest if the voter is not for any of the contestants. Well… I think for a move like this, even the constitution can be amended.
Democracy has always been known to run on four wheels- choice, legitimacy, equality & participation. Compulsory voting is the only way to counter voting apathy and declining legitimacy in our country. Its a matter of shame that voter turnout amongst the poor has been usually much higher, than amongst the privileged. Compulsory voting is indeed a brave and good decision.
Now the question is how will it all be implemented? Like forcible vasectomies in the name of family planning or like submission of Income Tax with proper infrastructure in place. Well... We can only hope for the best.
Democracy has always been known to run on four wheels- choice, legitimacy, equality & participation. Compulsory voting is the only way to counter voting apathy and declining legitimacy in our country. Its a matter of shame that voter turnout amongst the poor has been usually much higher, than amongst the privileged. Compulsory voting is indeed a brave and good decision.
Now the question is how will it all be implemented? Like forcible vasectomies in the name of family planning or like submission of Income Tax with proper infrastructure in place. Well... We can only hope for the best.
V Shantaram, the forgotten magicain
There have been a very few filmmakers in India who can be compared with V. Shantaram. With a directional career of about 70 years from 1927 (Netaji Palkar)to 1986 (Jhanjhar), he a one-of-his-own-kind Legend.This great producer-director-actor is most known for his films like Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957) and Navrang (1959), to the path breaking Duniya Na Mane (1937) and Pinjara (1973). Who hasn't been moved by Ai malik tere bande hum in Do Ankhen Barah Haath? And who can forget the sinuous, gravity-defying dances of Sandhya in Navrang and Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje? And Aadmi, the remake of what is arguably his finest film, Manoos, where he used nights and shadows to enhance the narration, a pioneering technique at the time. He has depicted the rich Indian art, culture and values like none other.
I've included a holi song from Navrang (& not one from Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje or Do Aankhen Barah Haath) because of its amazing editing sequences. This song reminds me of my childhood Sunday mornings watching Rangoli. One thing notable about Sandhyaji's dance is how she depicts a shy girl and immediately tramsforms into a rather rowdy man. Later the steps performed with the elephant in scene is amazingly brave of her. Today's actresses like Katrina Kaif can't even change their facial expressions. Dancing front and back, changing the entire body language with an elephant dancing beside you is too much to expect.
Today, these names are loosing their stand in the hip-hop generation. V. Shantaram is an institution who commands incredible respect in the industry. The kind of film making techniques and ideas he possessed during his time are not found in today's generation. He has his own place in the history of Indian cinema and is an inspiration for many. He was an Indian filmmaker loved by likes of Godard & Charlie Chaplin. He was a doyen whose techniques and imagination knew no bounds.
Prometheus and Open Source
I was recently reading parts of the Greek mythology. I was amazed to see the resemblance between Prometheus and the open source programmers of today. Prometheus is credited with two great accomplishments. He created humankind out of clay. He stole fire from Zeus and gave it to common people. Prometheus was a Titan, a powerful deity in Greek mythology. He was noted for his almost limitless knowledge. He was a master of architecture, mathematics, navigation, medicine, and metallurgy. He was the champion of humans and freely shared his knowledge with common folk. Zeus, the chief and most powerful of the Gods, was angered by Prometheus’s sharing of his knowledge. It gave too much power into the hands of common people. As punishment, Zeus withheld fire from Prometheus and common people. Through trickery, Prometheus went to Mt. Olympus and stole fire from the sun. He shared fire with the people. Again Zeus was enraged. He tied Prometheus to a rock in the Caucasus Mountains. He sent a huge eagle every morning to pick at the liver of Prometheus, but during the night the liver was made whole again. The eagle returned every day...Today, millions of open source programmers are collectively busy airing the fire Prometheus once started. And the fire lives on!On this note, I'm strongly reminded of a beautiful poem by Gurudev Tagore-
"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake."
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake."
