drtutu's commentary: This and That

drtutu's commentary: This and That: This and That THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL The other day Nina Daftary called to see if Terry and I would like to join Ashok, her hu...

This and That

This and That

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

The other day Nina Daftary called to see if Terry and I would like to join Ashok, her husband, and her, (they are our son Anand’s God Parents) to drive over to Sacramento to see this recently released British movie  “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, Starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and Dev Patel.  We couldn’t say no to a movie with such an exotic name, such block-buster cast, and such a special company.
 In the movie, a group of British retirees, many of the them had lost something - their position, their savings, their spouse, their health, their sense of purpose, all of them looking to get away from the past and start a new adventure, travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.  It did turn out to be a sober, yet thoroughly enjoyable movie.Now, the whole point of me talking about this is, there is a personal angle to it!  It turned out that The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was located in Jaipur, and the entire movie was filmed there.  This, of course, brought back a flood of memories.  Just a few months ago in February Terry and I were in India.  I go to India every year, and my siblings and I started a tradition of getting away by ourselves – no spouses allowed - to do some sibling bonding.  It is a wonderful tradition I highly recommend to anybody with siblings.  Anyway, this time around, my sisters agreed to make an exception and let Terry join us on a4-day trip to Jaipur.  Needless to say we had a blast.  Now seeing this exceptional movie filmed in Jaipur tuned out to be a wonderful treat to me and Terry.

THE END OF AN ERA

Our ancestral home at 2^nd line, 6^th Cross road, Brodiepet,  in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India, was build around the beginning of the 20^th century under the strict and personal supervision of Krishnavenamma Tutupalli.  It was a huge, occupied half of the 6^th cross road, and included several rental properties along with the main three story building, built solid like a fortress with hand-chiseled stones.  Her only son, who happened to be married, passed away at an early age without any children and so she adopted my father as a grandson to carry on the family name.  Most of the Tutupalli children were born in that house; we have the most wonderful memories of growing up there.  I lived and finished my B.Sc. degree from Hindu College, in the room I was born in!!!  Eventually we all spread our wings and moved away from that home, either for further education or because of marriages.  Then my mother had a stroke and suddenly managing that huge house became a night mare.  So in a moment of desperation our father sold the house, literally for a song and moved to Hyderabad.  Over the years, whenever any of us go to Guntur, we drive by, walk in, shed some tears, and relive some of the past.  All of this rudely came to an end this time.  When I visited Guntur in February 2012, the entire building was razed to the ground and they were getting ready to build a  multi-storied Condo building,  One last cry, and that was that.

BAIJU BAWARA

Some time ago Terry bought me a number of storage boxes for my CD / DVD collection.  The other day I was organizing some of those, and happened to come across a CD of songs from Baiju Bawara which stirred up some powerful feelings.

Several years ago, when my sister Bala’s children were all still home, one year I happened to visit Hyderabad.  In those days, there used to be Sunday morning matinees of old Hindi film classics at 10:30am, unfortunately in theaters located in seedy parts of Old Hyderabad. My niece Pramila and I try never to miss those films.  This time we saw an ad in the Deccan Chronicle that Baiju Bawara was going to play that Sunday at Jammurrud (?) threater in Old Hyderabad.  At that time my sister Lalli also happened to be visiting Hyderabad along with 3-year old Mattu. So I asked our driver, Ramjan Ali to take us to see the movie.  He lives in Old Hyderabad, and when I mentioned the theater name, he was horrified and pleaded with us not to go that part of seedy Hyderabad.  Of course, nothing could dissuade us from going to see Baiju.

By the time we got there, it was House-Full with only 4 or 5 tickets left in the most expensive section, Rs.5/-  each!  We bought the tickets, and entered the theater.  We were a little late, the movie already started, and it was dark.  By the time we managed to stumble into our seats, it happened.

One of the most extraordinary things I have ever experienced.  No sooner did we settle in our seats, the familiar music broke out, and Bharat Bhushan started mouthing Rafi’s magnificent song “Tu gunga ki mauz my Jamuna ka dhara”.  As soon as the opening notes of that Naushad and Shakeel’s song started, the entire audience on both sides of the aisle stood up and started singing along and dancing!  In that excitement Mattu got caught up in the spirit, started dancing and started running down the aisle toward the screen, her mother chasing after her, and me chasing after them.  Only in India!  May be only in Hyderabad.  They don’t make films or songs like that anymore.  Whenever I remember that incidence,  my hair still stands up and happy nostalgic tears well up in my eyes.  

Well, until next time, love and best wishes. -----Tutu

  

INDIA - 3

So many random thoughts are running around in my mind begging for attention, I need some discipline to corral them and put them down in some kind of a sensible order.  Thinking about thoughts, I left some unfinished business regarding my thoughts on my previous trip India in Jan 2011.  Some of them have become irrelevant by now; however, some thoughts do linger. 

One of the main and pleasurable reasons for visiting India at that time was to attend Ravi and Sowmya’s wedding, which was thoroughly enjoyable.  I did take lots of photographs of events related to the wedding, but they turned out to be duplications of what many others took and got shared via Facebook and other media almost immediately.  I happened to be reviewing some of my photos and a horrifying thought crossed my mind:  I better share some of these pictures before the newly married couple start having babies.  Lo behold, my worry became a reality; Ravi and Sowmya have announced that Sowmya is now pregnant!  The only sensible thing remaining for me to do would be to get those pictures out before the baby comes.

Even though it was less than a year, it all seems like a dream sequence now, the wedding, the food, seeing so many relatives all at one place, the food, acquiring a number of wonderful new relatives, and the food.  The trip to Bangalore by train was memorable due to the company of several of my nieces and nephews.  All that talking and eating was really enjoyable except for some minor inconveniences such as the turning off of the A/C (somebody complained it was cold in AC compartment!) and the uneven two halves of my sleeping berth which was not easy on my back. 

After the wedding we flew back to Hyderabad. A word about Bangalore airport.  Nice as it is (Hyderabad International is better), it has some excellent food opportunities.  I especially enjoyed the Italian restaurant.  Immediately upon our arrival in Hyderabad, we had to get ready to go to Kakinada for the groom’s reception. After considering several routes and modes of transport, my nice niece Pramila and I decided to take the car with driver Babu and make it kind of a road trip.  Any road trip with Pramila is an adventure, and the highlight of this adventure was, on our way back from Kakinada, on the Vijayawada highway Pramila spotted a skinny guy riding a bicycle on the frontage road, carrying couple of pots.  She immediately asked driver Babu to pull off the highway and follow that guy – for she knew that guy would lead us to Neera or even fresh Toddy.   We were not disappointed.  He turned out to be a very congenial guy, eager to oblige us in quenching our thirst! 

                                                           Go Pramila Go!

                                                       Mmmmmmmm! That was goooood.!

                                               I can't belive I drank the whole thing!!!!!!!!

Later, on the trip, at Pramila’s behest we took a detour at Vijayawada and made a quick, nostalgic trip to Guntur.  The visit to our ancestral home (which is now a Govt office) at 2/6 Brodipet was, needless to say, a tear jerker (I was born in that house  you know, and used the room I was born in till I left Guntur for further studies at Bombay University).  We rounded off the trip with a visit to Seshu Bava (Dr. E.S.T. Sayee, Professor of Botany (ret), Banaras Hindu University). 

I have always admired him and considered him as a sort of a pioneer (he got his Ph.D. degree in Botany from the University of London), as somebody to look up to, for his achievements, for his love of the family, and for his unpretentious life style.  What an amazing man!

Then I left Hyderabad back to Stockton with the usual feeling of being on a roller coaster: amazing as to how much has changed since my last visit less than a year ago, and a depressing feeling of growing disparity of wealth and poverty, and corruption. It is a miracle that India is considered a giant in IT industry next only to the U.S., despite the acute shortages of power and water, and a lack of infrastructure.  My next trip to India is coming up and I can’t wait to see what has changed and what has not. 

P.S.  My special connection to Dev Anand:  In 1964 I was admitted to the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT) of Bombay University, which is located in Matunga in the academic jungle consisting of UDCT, VJTI, Khalsa College, and Don Bosco High School.  UDCT then was considered as one of the most beautiful campuses with a spectacular garden in the front.  Soon after my arrival I was flabbergasted to learn that the movie starring Dev Anand, Now-do-gyrah (most of those spectacular songs) was filmed in the garden in our campus!!  For a wide-eyed Guntur boy it was a thrill beyond imagination.  Since the I alwalys felt a very special bond with Dev Anand.  He was as handsome as they come and brought great entertainment into the lives of millions of fans.

Dev Anand, R.I.P.

drtutu's commentary: Old Bollywood

drtutu's commentary: Old Bollywood: I suddenly realized I have been using an excuse for not resuming my commentaries, the same excuse for which I have often taken my friends an...

Old Bollywood

I suddenly realized I have been using an excuse for not resuming my commentaries, the same excuse for which I have often taken my friends and relatives to task:  Too busy, don’t have enough time.  I used to say: Get your priorities right.  If it is really important to you, you will find time.  Well, you know how that bullying goes.  I better get off this topic before I get myself in too deep.

There are so many topics on which I want to say something (mostly to get things off my chest), and as always, I believe that people are entitled to my opinions. 

Over the years, right from my College days in Guntur, I have been addicted to old Hindi film songs from the 40s, 50s, and the 60s.  It is my personal belief that with rare exceptions, beautiful Hindi film music was pretty much dead starting with the 70s.  The greatest movie hits of pre-70s era enjoyed their success due to the songs; a perfect combination of the lyrics by poets, composed by fantastically talented music composers, and of course, perfectly delivered by golden-voiced singers.  Singers like Pankaj Mullick, Kundan Lal Saigal, Mohammed Rafi, Mukhesh, Hemant Kumar, Talat Mehmood, Kishore Kumar, etc., each one with their immortal, spectacular, and unique voice.   Not to take anything away from the many wonderful female singers, I may be forgiven for dwelling only on male singers for a reason.  Ever since the availability of Karaoke music of old Hindi film songs about 15 years ago, I have enjoyed singing songs by these various male artists.  I do believe I have a unique gift by which I can remember the entire lyrics of the songs I like, after I listen to them two or three times.  I think my repertoire approaches more than 200 songs which I can sing without looking at notes.  And my favorite performance venues are my bathroom shower and my car.  Especially my car, on solo long drives.  I can sing with impunity, no body to object or complain.  That is how I survived all those years of commuting while working as a floating Pharmacy Manager for Wal-Mart.  Miles just melt away.

While all these good things are happening, I just couldn’t leave well enough alone.  There are so many wonderful songs I have known, but somehow I neither had the opportunity or the pleasure of seeing the movies to which some of those songs belong.  My regrettable bad habit is, despite getting burned repeatedly, wanting to see the “picturisation” of these songs, especially since the advent of VCDs and the YouTube.    Most of them are so disgustingly bad, I hated myself for wanting to see them and nearly destroying the wonderful memories of those songs. It is like going to a restaurant after reading a raving review, and end up eating food that tastes like garbage.  My earnest advice to you:  don’t ever do it. Just enjoy the songs.

While I am on the subject of old movies and songs, the latest is some sad news about the demise of that consummate entertainer, Yahoo Shammi Kapoor.  Now, there was an Original Junglee.  He was the only Star during that era that could act and dance (even though in his own inimitable ants-in-your-pants style).  I have thoroughly enjoyed most of his movies.  During my years as a graduate student in Bombay University, I used to be a member of the University Film Club.  Shammi Kapoor movies and Guru Dutt movies were the only ones that were accorded “Cult” status and a frequent retrospect of their movies. 

For sheer entertainment, Shammi Kapoor was peerless.  He was also blessed with perfect lip-synching ability which enabled him to exploit the voice and singing talents of the great Mohammed Rafi.  Of course, the result was movies like: Kashmir Ki Kali, Junglee, Professor, Brahmchari, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Janwar, and songs like Ye Chand ka roshan chehera, Diwaana Hua Baadal, Chahe koi mujhe Junglee kahe,   Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar, Aai Aai Aa Sukoo Sukoo , Hai Duniya Usiki , Lal Chhadi etc.  These songs always keep me great company on solo drives, and lift up my spirits when I am in need of a pick up.  As human beings, I believe, our true measure is what we leave behind.  Shammi Kapoor left behind a legacy of sheer entertainment.  He shall always be one my favorite entertainers.  May God Bless His Soul.

Anna Hazare

I was all set to put down some more of my comments on my India trip for my blog, but as I scanned my Facebook this morning something more important and urgent popped up:  Lakshmi Somasundar’s posting of Anna Hazare’s video.  Looking at him you feel as though he is Shastriji and Gandhiji rolled into one; listening to him is so mesmerizing you want to say “OK I am right behind you, tell me what you want me to do”.

What Anna Hazare embarked on is almost an impossible task, just like a cancer for which there is no cure.  Corruption is so in-bred into the core our society you don’t know where to start to tackle the problem.  For people of all walks of life, from the lowliest civil servant to multi-millionaire businessmen and politicians, corruption has become a way of life.  Because of that they get to own land, buildings, gold, tons of cash, and foreign bank accounts.  So what is the incentive for them to give this up and change?

There are anti-corruption laws in force right now; however, you only read about a case a month where some poor unlucky, uncooperative, Bakra is arrested and charged.  Making more laws may not be the answer.  How is this going to work if all the law makers and law enforcers are on the take?  The lawmakers would never pass such a law, and even if they do, it will be full of loop holes so big you could drive through them.  Why would anybody want to be a Politician, an Assemblyman, or a Member of the Parliament?  Not for the pay and the benefits, and certainly not for the burning desire to serve the people.  The 1.2 billion population is being held captive and trodden upon by the small yet powerful tyrant minority of civil servants, government employees and elected officials.  That is not to say there is no corruption in the private sector but I dare say that springs from the former group which has the power to grant permits and overlook the breaking of the law.

The solution is being presented us now in the form of an opportunity to take the lead from Anna Hazare.  Radical moves such as civil disobedience and spreading more Zero-Rupee notes might get the ball rolling.   One expensive yet possibly effective move is to invalidate all current Rupee currency and issue entirely new currency, exchangeable with legal and valid explanation of the origin of your rupees.

I don’t pretend I have the answers.  I only know that I am frustrated like most others.   Corruption is such a deep rooted and a complex problem it takes a leader with moral authority to spark the will of the people. Somebody who will lead by example, stir the national conscience, spark a national debate in search of solutions, nothing sort of a peaceful but powerful revolution.

 Nothing short of a reappearance of Gandhiji would accomplish this.  But then, we may be looking at one now.  God Bless Anna Hazare

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My India Trip - II

I was in India during February 2011 to attend my nephew’s marriage.  It was a truly modern yet traditional union between two beautiful young people and their families.  The groom and the bride “met” on Internet, their mutual interest and attraction grew, they met, the families met, priests were engaged, venues were booked, transportation arrangements were made, and the result:  a wonderful wedding spread over two States, attended by family from the U.S., Australia, and Singapore. 

While taking a break from the euphoria of this wedding and all the reunions, I managed to take some side-trips from Hyderabad.  These are some thoughts regarding my forays in and out of Hyderabad.  You will probably notice immediately that most of it is griping.  But then all trips to India are like that; Yin and Yang, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, black and white, fun and frustration.  Happy and fun to see the family and friends, visit places either you didn’t know existed or couldn’t afford to visit when you were growing up in India, depressed and angry because nothing ever seems to change, especially the bad and depressing things like the political goondaism, corruption, dust, the garbage, open sewer lines, the depressing banks and post-offices, and the nothing-ever-works syndrome.  Sure there are more designer Malls, fast-food restaurants, and expensive cars.  But basically, nothing ever seems to change.  Another way to put it is: the more things change, the more they stay the same.

If nothing ever changes, then why am I bitching about it, you may ask.  First of all, Indians in India are probably resigned to the fact that nothing will ever change in their life time, so they learn to live with it, kind of go with the flow.  However, when I visit, I am there only for about a month, during which I enjoy, suffer, and feel entitled to bitch about a lot of things, knowing it doesn’t do any good, but after living 43 years in the U.S.A. you sort of hope that may be things will change a little.  But mostly it feels good to get things off my chest.

GREAT NEWS!  After years of research and a few million dollars spent on experimental models, a team of Civil Engineers and Transportation experts discovered the causes and the cure for DUST in Indian towns, cities, and highways.  It turned out the cause and the fix is very simple.  PAVE THE WHOLE DAMN ROAD!!!  Does anybody understand why we leave 3-feet unpaved on each side of the tarred or paved roads?.  At first I thought it is part of the built-in Indian graft / bribery / and black money scheme, where when you get the contract to build a paved road, it is customary you leave 3-feet unpaved on both sides to pocket that money.  But I don’t think anybody would complain if 3-feet on each side of the roads in included in this scheme.  I get the feeling that nobody actually thinks about it or concerned about it.  We have done it this way for as long as anybody can remember, so it has to be right.  This dust is like an uncontrolled cancer; you know it is there but nobody seems to be able to do anything about it.  Millions of Indians are breathing this pathogen borne dust everyday of their lives, every time they go out.    It makes me sick just thinking about it.   Apart from health concerns, a psychological downer associated with this dust is to see trees and beautiful lush green leaves covered with dust, except may be for a day after a rain.  When you go to any western country or advanced Asian countries like Singapore you see no dust because they PAVE THE WHOLE DAMN ROAD!!!