Just a little while before we got engrossed with the heroics of the ‘Men in Blue’ in the ODI, World Cup 2023 and it’s heart-breaking finale, R Balki’sbrilliantly riveting film and inspiring sports drama ‘Ghoomer’ broke on Zee 5, leaving its impact on discerning audiences and earning critical acclaim but sadlywithout much fanfare behind it (and no super stars to boast of), the movie didn’t set the stage on fire.

We finally watched it yesterday&got simply bowled overby its great twirl of emotions. For starters, significance of the film’s title is to be understood.Ghoomer or Ghumar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan that follows a circular motion. The suggestive title twirls into meaning, quite literally, as a part of a rousing climax, after it journeys a one-handed cricketer’s giant struggles. Delving into the realm of women’s cricket and its processes, the film tells the amazing story of Anina, an upcoming batting prodigy who loses her right hand in a freak car accidentthus ending her bright cricketing career.

However, the unsympathetic and failed test cricketer, Padam “Paddy” Singh Sodhi, gives her new hope to revert to‘spin’ bowling as batting is no longer an option for her. A tireless, ruthless taskmaster, he goes about training her in his own backyard with unconventional techniques, to turn her fate around as a bowler who then stuns the cricketing world with the most unique bowling action and figures. Though fictional to Indian context, the film is inspired by the story of Károly Takács, the late Hungarian right-hand shooter who won two Olympic gold medals with his left hand …

It’s easy to say that the film will only find resonance with cricket buffs &lovers of the game. Others may take it akin to a documentary on the art of spin bowling. The film in some ways is reminiscent of the film ‘Iqbal’ (2005) on making of a pace bowlerfacing many hardships.  It’s all about indomitable human endurance and an unshakeable will to succeed on the big stage on one side andthe emotional turmoil that the family and kin of the cricketer and coach must undergo in their unstinted support to their cause.

The highlight of the film apart from Balki’s superb direction and narration, are the lead stars, Saiyami Kher and Abhishek Bachan. The former being a cricketer who’s played for Maharashtra state, plays her role with intensity and passion that’s most laudable. It’s not surprising that Abhishek puts in a stellar performance as the disgruntled but immensely talented coach, but he’s still not rated as highly as he deserves in Bollywood where mediocrity can succeed. Also in the form of bonuses are two cameos – Shabana, as Aunt who’s cricket knowledge is encyclopaedic &Big B as theEnglish commentator, highly surcharged with patriotism and lapsing into Hindi phrases,are sodelightful !Wish we’d more soul-stirring films like these & less of masala mix of gore & violence.

Ascribe it to the cooler climate accompanying colourful festivals universally celebrated post-summer and rains and the‘Big Fat Indian Marriage’ season, the traditional male Indian dress in celebratory modes makes a huge comeback, much like our batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer did in this edition of the on-going World Cup ! This doesn’t refer to leaders (barring a few) always garbed in pyjama-kurta-jacket, mostly in white.

Without making a pitch to friends to switch over to ‘desi’ dressing at all times and put aside their jeans and tees, it’s remarkable that a resplendent, bright kurta worn well gives quite a regal lookbesides being a comfortable attire. There’s been a not so silent revolution from the way the old-world pyjama-kurta was worn by our ancestors. I don’t recall my Dad ever adorning muti-coloured, striped and psychedelic kurtas though he was a natty dresser in his hey days. They weregenerally white or in soft pastel shades.

Even with limited knowledge of ‘couture’ and understanding of the latest trends, one can notice the expansive variety and designs that ‘kurtas’ have attained (and my piece  will not include the ‘shaadi-wale’ groom’s wear that designer create for rich & famous).  In my hometown Lucknow, famous ‘Chikan’ kurtas have evolved into exotic designs, with collar and without, full and short sleeves, embroidery work all over or plain etc. Needless to say we often use them since they are best suited to the North Indian heat.

That apart, kurtas for men come in different fabrics &textures, from reasonably priced to outrageous enough to stagger middle class folks yet there’s enough that’s affordable. I’ve understood from the fashion conscious that a ‘long kurta’ for men is a good option that goes well with jeans but the kurta has to be a bit below the knees. However, for the sporty look is the printed short kurta while mandarin collar solid kurtas are classy.Minor accidents happen ! Recently I’d been gifted a nice ‘very’ long kurta which for right fitting, my tailor so badly chopped off, it became a ‘short’ kurta to my chagrin !

The popularity of Indian styled dresses, cuisine and ethnicity continues to charm the world with the Indian diaspora dictating some of the fashion trends across continents. Cricket and IPL festival has further contributed to all the foreign players, teams and their coaches bonding with floral designer Indian ‘kurtas’, curries and food flavours and warm hospitality extended. Some like Maxwell have found life partners here ! As the saying goes ‘you are only as good as the people you dress’. It’s cool to look Indian !

Always There for Each Other

Where our Sisters are without fear, And their heads are held high,

Where their Good Advice comes freely, With W’app messages in great supply,

Where Bijoya pens poems from the, Depths of introspection,

Where Sumita stretches her gentle, Arms towards perfection,

Where Shibani embraces wonderful, Joys of being a Granny,

Where standing tall on strong knees, Is our dear Kalyani,

Where ever-widening Sinha Family, Adds more beautiful grandchildren,

Where each day brings happy tidings, Of Baroda, Singapore & our Americans,

In that heaven-like Bonding & ‘Bhalo Basha’, Let us siblings celebrate this auspicious day

With lots of love and ‘Shubecha’ !

By Sanju / Somnath

(With apologies to Gurudev Rabindranath)

Dated : 11^th, November, 2023

It’s now nearly a week since the World Cup debacle hit the ‘Men in Blue’ and left the billion fans in and outside the stunned ‘Motera’ stadium in ‘cricket moaning’ as if struck by ‘bolts from the blue’ and a ‘leap of faith’ interrupted !Expectedly there were countless theories and takes on why and how the Indian team ‘Lost the Plot’(Cup) !Still one cannot help but laud the lion-hearted winning spree of our boys through the entire league matches.That the PM himself reached out to pat and reassure them after the match was quite heartening,whichhas however, been interpreted in many ways !

That also reminds us of our days when we would be at the receiving end of flak from the Higher Authorities for not achieving the desired goals (targets) and in the worst case scenario, the concerned Zonal Chief or some Corporate Office bigwig would visit the Branch/Office uninvited to express his displeasure. It’s said by Management Gurus that you must praise a worker/manager in public but chastise in private (and not in entire view of the staff) for it can adversely affect the team’s morale and future efforts.

However, these niceties were often put aside as the Boss, having received firing from his Superiors for not attainingdesired results,in turn unleashed fury on the cowering staff led by an even sorrier looking leader. Failure to achieve goals was never looked upon kindly and whether the branch/office had strived laudably but that the set targets were too unrealistic, weren’t considered to be in the realm of reasonable possibilities !

Coming back to Cricket, Captain Rohit Sharma had candidly stated even before the Finals, that one loss while transform me into a poor leader so I’m not getting carried away by the laurels being showered on me. Despite the lessons taught by those who’ve tasted success – treat failures as stepping stones to learn from mistakes and to make the necessary changes, the perception that ‘nothing fails like failure’ is all too evident.

But changes in attitude take place slowly and suddenly, the low-key Vikrant Massey film ’12th Fail’has become a big sleeper-hit not only for its cinematic qualities but it having inspired, specially the youth, to approach failures in life differently, as did the film’s protagonist. The stories of insurmountable struggles of most of the achievers in world of sports, business, entertainment etc have walked the ‘Fail to Rise Again’talk !

The Final Frontier on Sunday

One of my nephews who’s a Corporate Executive, doesn’t discuss current affairs and the latest ‘breaking news’ however sensational and juicy it may be. Hefollows a non-partisan practice of not watching any TV channel irrespective of it’s content, and company policy regarding what the ‘nation must or wants to know ! ’. This he says helps him to lead a tension-free life, focus on family and job without losing too much sleep over burning national/global issues presented in hot debates, views and counter views of various parties concerned !Worthwhile subjects disseminate to public domains and can be sourced on-line, if one wants.

Like him there’s an increasing tribe slowly drifting away from what generally gets dished out ad nauseum as ‘News’ sans expected objectivity in reporting and often intended to influence the viewers to a particular way of thinking. We have certainly come a long way since the Door-darshan days of the 70s where news-readers unemotionally read the news and never offered their comments unlike where certain anchors of debates start acting as the spokes-persons. Another change is the number of ads, campaigns and sponsored shows along-side prime-time news – there arefrequent breaks from discussions apart from disconnect by technical glitches.

However, if one is a sports lover or more specifically a cricket afficionado, then fortunately in last three weeks or so, ‘News’ purveyors haverelegatedmany ‘breaking’ events into smaller spaces and global affairs into single page (live coverage from Gaza are seen on channels) and have been carrying healthy doses of the exploits of Rohit the ‘Hitman’ and his band of amazing men who haven’t dropped a single game this WC, to the absolute delight of a billion followers. Standing tall is ‘Emperor’ Virat (with magical fifty ODI 100s) but the latest sensation is ‘Shami’, highest wicket-taker now, who mightn’t have played but for Hardik’s (unfortunate?) injury !

While the few critical of this cricket frenzy as being quite over-the-top, there’s ‘method to this madness’ for the fans. Besides those who have planned months ahead to watch the Finals live at Ahmedabad’s Motera and afford the ‘luxury’, others have ensured that all Sunday activities have been cancelled for 2 pm onwards – eyeswill be glued for grand spectacle of India taking on the Aussies in some say, a grudge match for the ‘2003’ defeat that they landed Dada’s 11 !

But as one sports commentatorsaid ‘There’ll be two teams out there, let’s also clap for good shots from the other camp’. India is tops, let’s also lead in being the most sporting audience !

I am 69 now, going into the 70s, Maybe it’s time for the chill-pill,

Old friends that I, at times meet, Tell me I’m still young and neat,

Modestly, to that I must Agree..

Nothing comes from nothing, And surely, nothing ever could,

Somewhere in youth or childhood, My elders thought of me as good,

And the blessings remain with Me..

Every day is new day for learning, Wonders still continue to amaze,

There’s much left to see & know, Time ticks on, with it we all flow,

Live today, future’s not ours to see..

Birthdays come and go every year, Yet best gifts are being reminded of, 

Wonderful family, friends who care, And the loving wishes they all share,

I’m blessed, people still think of Me !

Somnath Sinha,

18^th, December, 2023

With age comes nostalgia of the many symbols that surrounded home and our growing up years and one film that almost all of our generation have carried in their souls and sung a thousand times, would be the magic of  the 1965 musical ‘Sound of Music’ and words of one song that lead actress Julie Andrews sings has that everlasting effect ‘Hills are alive with the sound of music, with songs they have sung for a thousand years’ !

 The film remains an all time classic that’s been loved by the generations that followed for the purity and melody of it’s music by Rodgers & Hammerstein and the heavenly voice of Julie Andrews, who won the ‘Oscar’ for her unforgettable role of ‘Maria’. One song, however was sung in the male voice and went on to become so hugely popular that it’s said that it was Andrew’s favourite song from the iconic musical score of the film !                                  

The song ‘Edelweiss’ was sung by Canadian actor, Christopher Plummer who superbly played the lead role of Captain Von Trapp. The Edelweiss flower was worn as a symbol of opposition to the Nazi party in the World War II years. In the film, Baron von Trapp sings “Edelweiss,” as a musical tribute to his homeland at the concert with his family.

Evoking an authentic Austrian folk ballad, the song serves as subtle protest against the Nazi annexation of the Captain’s beloved Austria. It was written for the musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, who wanted to create a song for Captain von Trapp that would subtly convey his regret and his sadness and his pre-emptive nostalgia at having to leave Austria after the Nazi takeover.

Even now ‘Sound of Music’ is a go-to, feel good movie that takes us back in time and ‘Edelweiss’ in Plummer’s baritone is so soothing. Love to croon it when in the mood ! 

While the star-struck world celebrated the 58^th birthday of  ‘King’ Khan ( back into big business and superstardom with two back to back megahits ‘Pathan’ and ‘Jawan’ ) one is reminded of one of his sober, heart-wrenching & poignant films ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ (2003). With elements reminiscent of the sublime tragedy of the immortal ‘Anand’, it’s still a favourite along with inspiring ‘Chak De’ and ‘Swades’, where SRK wasn’t his usual self !

However, now that we are in our autumn years the film’s title does make us reflective. Without sounding morbid and unduly pessimistic, it can become heart-breaking when you have to refer to old friends you’ve grown up with, in the past tense suddenly and out of the blues. In the last one week, two of my old friends from the last over five decades left us to the utter dismay and grief of their families, kith & kin. Sadly, both weren’t in good health and narrowly missed even reaching their 70s, if we use cricketing jargon.  It’s again revelation, sans alarm signals, destiny’s vagaries can snatch away loved ones. 

That said, the message from above is quite clear, age is just a number and one is about as young as he thinks or she is but as a line in ‘Anand’ went ‘It’s not the years in life, but the life lived in those years, that truly matter’. For those who are blessed with good disposition and positive attitude must look towards the brighter side and seek to find joy in every little thing, that makes their heart ‘happy’. Friends are the best support system, they offer unconditional love and advice and occasionally ‘dirty’ pics and ‘bad’ jokes too !

Coming back to SRK’s film, the title song composed by Shanker Ehsan Loy, is beautifully penned by Javed Akhtar and says in essence that ‘life is uncertain and tomorrow may not come, live to the full each moment, each day’. Sonu Nigam’s voice creates magic and has become an unforgettable number. So in this moment, I decided to try it myself ! 

It was a different morning, The start of a different day,

Skies awash in bluest blue, With freshness, one may say

There she was, head bowed, And looking slightly pensive,

Her brows knitted together,Countenance a bit reflective,

It was a walk down old lanes, Of memories of yester-years,

Childhood days to her youth, The times that held no fears,

There was something wistful, That  flitted across her face,

Reflecting on ‘roller-coasters’, In ‘Life’ that had much Grace,

Her eyes then saw and lit up, Like the glow of night lights,

Wading into her ‘WhatsApps’, Her spirits rose new heights,

Messages from far and near, Urged her to celebrate today,

Her tears flowed as she read, Loving wishes, all exclaiming

TANDRA,HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

Being from the city of  Lucknow, we’ve had many with ‘Sharma’ Upadhi (surname) as classmates and teachers and later in life, as our colleagues and bosses. They come from various parts of North India including UP, Delhi, Punjab & Haryana and many have carved a niche in their fields such as the Late Shiv Kumar Sharma, santoor maestro and Yashpal Sharma, gritty cricketer & key member of 1983 WC Team and many others !

In recent times, stand-up comic artiste, Kapil Sharma anchors the most popular Sitcom ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, a platform that Bollywood stars also use to promote their latest releases ! Much closer home, we recall the dignified ‘Sharmaji’ Uncle, who was our neighbor for many years and earned our respect for his rectitude and regal bearing.

However, one ‘Sharma’ who needs no introduction in our cricket-crazy world is India’s current Captain in all formats. Rohit hails from Mumbai (is originally from Dahisar, that’s actually close to our house in Kandivili !) and has earned the sobriquet of ‘Hitman’ for his heroic exploits and ‘Jayasuriya’ like fireworks in the first power-play. As a leader Rohit is considered the best choice with enviable record IPL wins for ‘Mumbai Indians’. His rivalry with King Kohli is overplayed and disproved by their on-field camaraderie !

An aspect of Rohit’s charisma is a cavalier, laid back style which hides sharp cricketing acumen. His comments laced with wonderful witticisms and humour specially in press conferences and interviews, keep his team-mates and associates in high spirits which is a far cry from the hype that superstar Captains carry. Sample some Sharma ji gems :

*In one meet, a foreign reporter asked his views on the last ODI World Cup Final and if the Cup should have been shared between English and the Kiwis. Like a bad ball thrown, he dismissed it saying ‘I’m not here to distribute awards but to lead the Indian team’ !

*In a press conference after an India win , firecrackers started as Rohit was replying to a question. Stopping in his tracks he said ‘Lets have the crackers after we win the Cup !’

* In an interview where he was asked about his six-hitting prowess, he opined that when you hit a six you get 6 runs, but for a big one you should 8 and a huge one 10 runs – he knows that no one takes such suggestions seriously, even our most generous BCCI ! 

* In his recent innings, he was clobbering sixes at will which made Umpire Erasmus ask ‘There’s something special in the bat ?’. Rohit said ‘No’, showing him his strong biceps !

Everyone expects ‘Hitman’ to lead India to repeat the 2011 World Cup victory at home but true to form, he downplays the incredible dream run (5 wins in 5 matches) that his team is having and states ‘they still have a long way to go’ but is happy with his boys !  He is a great team-man and plays for it’s cause but being a major celebrity has problems.

As reported by our alert press he drove down @ over 200 Kmph from Mumbai to Pune which got him 3 traffic violation tickets. So despite his phenomenal success, Rohit must know risks in fast driving are far more than penalties for slow over rates on the field !