“He gave the constable a punch, where the latter kept his lunch,

  The constable said well, well and marched him off  to the dungeon cell,

  In the prison out the truth came, Sir Percy was the culprit’s name ! …”

These lines are, as ardent fans would guess, from the PG Wodehouse old classic, the immensely funny book “Damsel in Distress” that was the first of his books I’d read as recommended by my Dad, himself an avid reader. This for bringing more sparkle, wit and humour in my English & expression, though it was never part of our curriculum.

Die-hard followers of British humour would recall incomparable, P.G.Wodehouse, one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century. His remarkably lovable characters included the feather-brained Bertie Wooster and his sagacious valet, Jeeves, Lord Emsworth and the Blandings Castle set, with mirthful stories about golf and tennis and tall tales on subjects from old England ranging from bishops to movie moguls, all without any trace of rancour.

His most well-known duo, Bertie Wooster and Jeeves became popular literary icons, embodying the dry acerbic wit and humour of the English, “Jeeves lugged my purple socks out of the drawer as if he were a vegetarian fishing a caterpillar out of his salad.” Wooster was the amiable and naive man-of-leisure, while Jeeves as quintessential British gentleman, older and wiser, was friend and valet to him. Their tales usually involved Wooster getting into some sort of “scrape” with a woman, an Aunt, or the Law. Jeeves always came to the rescue in his inimitably sauve manner. (much like the wise Birbal of Akbar fame ! )

Not surprisingly for veteran bankers like us, it is reported that Wodehouse, after leaving school, was employed by a bank but disliked the drudgery of the work and turned to writing in his spare time. (Was Chetan Bhagat of modern Indian writers’ era exhorted in the same fashion- we can’t say ?). PG’s many works have gone on to inspire numerous adaptations for television, stage and screen. ‘Wodehousian’ lingo though ‘old school’ is still much loved & even used between old ‘blokes’ like us !

Which brings us to Bollywood film-makers, writers and creative artists. What about some wit and humour without malice. After Kundan Shah, Hrishikesh Mukherji and Basu Chatterji and of course R.K.Laxman, the inane yet intelligent comedy seems to have left us for good (barring some notable exceptions). Now we have ‘Stand Up Comics’ & ‘Kapil Sharma’ for humour, that’s part body shaming and part innuendoes. 

Fortunately, the Wodehouse classics are easily available in libraries and book shops for young readers to enjoy. There are theatre groups that from time to time stage such delightful plays. I recall a few years back a famous British group staged “Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense” in Mumbai. Give the chance to see them perform would make us cry “What Ho, lets hang on to this one , Old Chaps !”   

Banking professionals have often been at the receiving end of the famous jibe ‘A banker is one who lends an umbrella when the sun shines and withdraws it when it is raining’ ! That speaks uncharitably about the banker’s quality of service & disposition but it says so much for the humble ‘umbrella’ as a protector against vagaries of weather and of life. Unsung it’s one of great inventions that has selflessly served mankind by exposing itself.

It’s functional symbol of a class and city that moves and who’s physical mobility cannot be dampened by unexpected downpours and showers that may descend suddenly. Hats, coats and umbrellas have been for ages known to be a part of traditional British attire more for tropical reasons, that are not dictated by sartorial preferences. Nearer home, specifically in ‘Amchi Mumbai’, the benign ‘Chata’ is an integral part of the daily travel kit that all kinds of commuters : students, housewives, senior citizens & working class invariably possess, for the three monsoon months. Of course with climate change it can rain anytime anywhere and predictions can fall by the wayside.

Despite the severe competition from smart, colourful raincoats that young may prefer for style statements & more protection, the ‘umbrella’ has held its own indispensability ! That’s because it’s such a convenient, portable accessory for individual protection and can be folded & tucked into a small bag..Not only does it offer protection against rain, the heath conscious use it for protecting the skin from harmful UV rays and sunburn.

The umbrella remains utilitarian without any fanfare. Imagine rushing for an important meet and the downpour comes. The umbrella helps you to reach nice and dry, only since you carried it along. It fosters a sense of preparedness and independence. It’s one of the things we don’t share in our family. Yes, ‘To Each Her Own’ is our credo !  Learning to keep umbrella safe, in working condition is a practical life skill,  promoting well being.

Yet, even the umbrella can lose its austere simplicity in a different situation – when an attendant is seen holding it for someone, it is a ‘Celebrity’ or ‘Mantri’ being sheltered ! But when two unknown people agree to share an ‘umbrella’ it’s just fellow-feeling. Yet, when a  couple on a date decide to share an umbrella, there’s could be romance in the offing. When a young man offers his own umbrella to a ‘damsel in distress’ with grey clouds hovering above and heavy showers, things might just brighten up for him !

Whatever  your scene, be armed with an umbrella for you never know when you’ll need it. And even if it’s not destined, try be the umbrella for someone caught in life’s storm !

Many may have readthat beautiful short story, that’s told in the great tradition of a fable. Written by Count Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer in 1886, ‘How Much Land Does A Man Need’ gives a soul-searching insight into old Russian moral values and reveals the frailty of human nature and its all consuming lust for having more and more.

It is the classic tale of a greedy peasant named Pakhom. Although Pakhom enjoys health and family happiness, he feels dissatisfied when he learns of the grand fortunes of his relatives. He decides to go on a quest for more land, only to find that with each new acquisition new problems develop. Moral of the story: in restlessly trying to grasp at bigger things there is the ultimate danger of overreaching oneself. Man can only go so far before he destroys himself. Ultimately, one needs only that much land that’s enough to hold his mortal remains.

In the human weakness for more material acquisitions is the propensity to encroach and endanger nature’s preserves, disturb ecological balance & order. Cloudbursts and floods are becoming more & more frequent and severe not only due to climatic changes, (which increases atmospheric moisture and causes more intense rainfall), but on account of human factors like rapid deforestation & unplanned urban development that reduce the land’s ability to absorb water. Relentless urbanization, construction in vulnerable areas, particularly on slopes or near riverbeds lead to altering drainage patterns and make these communities more susceptible to flood damage. Natural ‘Emergency’ is upon us.

While Tolstoy movingly wrote on human avarice and greed even in the late 19^th Century that seems to hold good today, many age-old predictions/theories as in the ‘Mathusian Theory of Population’ (1798) seem to be ringing true. Can we take lessons from these ?

‘Covetousness is all consuming, gain is an insatiable need,

Man’s wants are unstoppable, is there any limit to desire

At the end of it all – ‘How much land does a man require’ ?

The basic purpose of education must be (other than acquiring knowledge) to imbibe the qualities of gentility and right etiquette and the use of ‘good’ words to communicate with effectiveness, clarity and the context-appropriateness of the language. We recall that our teachers would severely rebuke errant students using ‘bad words’ and even punish them. Sounds ‘Victorian’ ? Appropriate language is rooted in societal norms and moral values.

How were we taught to differentiate between ‘good’ & ‘bad’ language in linguistic sense ? School teachers would stress on ‘effective’ language that was specific, clear, concise, and familiar to the reader or audience, fostering understanding in a constructive manner. In contrast to these, ‘undesirable’ language that could be vague, ambiguous, destructive or inappropriate for the situation and aimed at creating misunderstanding or harm. Added  is ‘improper’ lexicon and a vocabulary that has profanities considered indecent and foul.

Once upon a time (say till the 20^th Century), it wasn’t regarded gentlemanlike to swear and teachers in school wouldn’t even permit ‘slang’ words in essays. As for the guys, the class ‘Bullies’ became the best proponents of ‘cuss’ words for other classmates but none of that was allowed at homes. With strict mothers and elder sisters, around aplenty in joint families, senior ladies would frown at the men-folk if they indulged in any ‘galis’ ! The chastity of the spoken vocabulary was in those times kept well preserved.

Post the 1980s, came the era of bold English (and foreign language) films, the literature (known as pulp fiction) and tabloids crossing boundaries with expletives and cuss words that was a part of new found frankness and rebellious aggression – a kind of trademark persona of modernity and liberated culture that couldn’t be shackled down. But till the end of the last century, the Indian films & the lead heroines and even the media was not comfortable with bad language unless depicting negative characters !

In an uninhibited avatar, the Net, Social Media, the OTT platforms & Web-series (with no censorship) and certain movies have suddenly turned on the heat with content often full of profanities and ribald comments spouted by lead players including the heroines, that are not only offensive but can at times border obscenity. The excuse offered by film-makers – it’s what people want to hear & see and ‘adult’ films carry an 18+ certification – so you decide what you want your kids to watch.

There’s now widespread acceptability in liberal use of expletives in day to day parlance. Normal chatter among younger generation can be littered with cuss words. Perception of what’s profane or vulgar is subjective, varying with culture and context. Traditionally though, in our social framework, use of ‘foul’ language reflects on one’s upbringing and is discouraged. When it becomes par for course with even the educated & informed class and is openly used whether in brawls or in public discourses and big political debates, then it’s more a show of strength, aggression and for wielding  power over the others.

By Anirudh Bhattacharjee & Balaji Vittal

At the outset, I confess it’s a pretty tough read unless one is passionate about Indian film music of an earlier period. For me, it was the most enriching experience savoring all the 309 fascinating pages of the truly masterly research into the oeuvre, process, psyche & innate talents of an extraordinary musical genius.

It critically explores, in depth, the ‘golden era’ of incredible songs and musical scores (in Hindi film industry) from the 1940s to the 1970s. This through the account of the life, moods and times of a singer, ‘auteur’ composer of Hindi and Bengali film songs in a classical & folk music form – ‘SD Burman’, lovingly called ‘Dada’, ‘Sachin Karta’ or ‘SD’. It deftly also lets us into the amazing backroom stories & secrets behind creation of unforgettable musical gems. The book has a lovely foreword by the great flutist, Pt Hari Pd. Chaurasia who along with renowned santoor exponent, Shiv Kumar Sharma played and assisted Dada in his many compositions and musical arrangements !  

The book in great detail traces the antecedents of a real Prince from State of  Tripura (in days of undivided Bengal) who moved from his native place to Kolkata, later to Mumbai, (then Bombay) and had the distinction of initially (starting in late 1920s-40s) making a stellar name in Bengali music world with his unique style of singing that had earthiness of folk & knowledge of Indian classical. It meant being influenced by Rabindra Sangeet.

Essentially the book devotes itself to huge body of work beginning 1944 that Dada built over 2-3 decades. Such was the heights he reached in his career that composers like Salil Chowdhary,Hemant Mukherjee, Madan Mohan, Roshan, Kalyanji and others, worked as his assistants or sought his guidance. His lifelong collaborations with Bombay Talkies &  gifted makers like Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt & Dev Anand’s ‘Navketan’ brought about his all time great tunes in ‘Pyaasa’ (1957) and ‘Guide’ (1965) though aficionados rate Roy’s films ‘Sujata’ (1959) & ‘Bandini’ (1963) as classics too. Almost each of his tunes were work of art. His brilliance kept shining in ‘Abhimaan’ (1973) & ‘Aradhana’ (1969) which became the comeback vehicle for his protégé, maverick genius Kishore Kumar, as voice of superstar Rajesh Khanna from which never looked back and sang Dada’s last in ‘Mili’.      

As an ardent music lover, this book made me fathom to some extent the depths of the ocean that is Hindustani Classical Music with profundity of ‘ragas’ and how other forms, folk & ‘bhatiyali’ of Bengal impacted the creativity of Dada Burman, as did the effect of Tagore and his songs. He’d mesmerizingly make the films he composed for come alive through beautiful idyllic tunes picturised with beauty & consummate artistry, choosing most amazing writers like Sahir, Shailendra, Majrooh and Neeraj to write verses and voices of  the greatest singers of that era to render them as classics of all time. 

Here was a Prince, a simple, eccentric man in love with simple pleasures like good food, fishing and ‘East Bengal’ soccer team. who for 25 years created magic and left a huge legacy that’s timeless notwithstanding that his son ‘RD’ also became a legend of ‘fusion’ in his own right. I would add that Burman Dada was ‘Tendulkar’ of film music for his sheer consistency & class, though he had preceded the ‘God of Cricket’ by decades. It’s uncanny- ‘Sachin’ ultimate batter, got his name as his Dad was inspired by Burman Dada !   

People of our young days (that were the late 1960s-70s) would fondly recall with nostalgia, that peppy tune from the hugely popular Rock Hudson-Gina Lollobrigida comedy “Come September” which went on to become a must ( and mast mast ! ) number for all the band-walas to which the inebriated baratis would vigorously perform their version of rock & roll, bhangra and twists ! Not surprisingly it was later adapted into a grooving Hindi film song ‘Nazrein Mili…’ in the Bollywood film ‘Raja’  and picturised on the legendary Madhuri Dixit !

September used to be a cool month then, till the global warming hit us in the last few decades and it lost its nice sheen. In fact, the breezy autumn-y flavour that this season earlier carried  has mutated into differing climates depending on if you’re in the North (still hot & humid), South (even hotter), East (uncertain weather) or West (rainy and windy). Then there are unexpected cloudbursts and devasating flash floods inundating life and property in many parts of our diverse topography from plains to the hills. It’s just not the same and no longer predictable !

Today, the coolest and most happening month is undoubtedly December, not because of the winter holidays and Yuletide spirit but because the weather seems to finally settle down to everyone’s liking but for how long can’t really be predicted in these times. Meanwhile, why not have a revised signature tune to welcome ‘September’ month which encapsulates all the Indian flavours but is nice and catchy with a lovely mash-up of voices and sounds. For me & my siblings & family we’d go for nostalgia with ‘Papa Kehte Hain’ , as it’s the birth month of our dear Dad !

It’s said people born in September tend to have better muscle strength and are more physically active at an earlier stage, which can even develop into a lifelong positive trait. It’s also observed that they’re very talented, sensitive, tender-hearted and passionate but they portray themselves as very strong persons. These people get everything in their life but for that they have to struggle a lot. That accounts for the large number of legendary figures who were September born. From Queen Elizabeth, Dame Agatha Christie and enigmatic actress Greta Garbo to iconic the Mangeshkar sisters Lata and Asha and Bollywood all time great, Shabana Azmi, the illustrious list includes artists, scientists, billionaires and sportspersons.

Despite the major festive season that’s arrived and is to follow (in Mumbai and other places) with all its fervor and  bon-homie, the heat’s full on speaking of the political parties and their on-going differences and disputes ! But then September has its contradictions like all of us !

Among the compulsions of our work life was the formal dress code we had to adhere to as responsible members of the banking tribe. Office-wear set for Senior Management was the special tie with Organizational logo in the middle, worn over a full sleeved shirt. Bank’s ‘Top Brass’ had to comply with mandatory jacket & tie to look imposing and play part of a ‘financial honcho’ to the hilt or at least appear as one.   

Megacities like bustling Mumbai with its humid, stifling weather (barring two monsoon months), commuting by local trains is only for rough and tough and niceties like jostling crowds adorned in full shirt and tie are an anachronism. Most of us would lock our ties (with the knots intact) in the office drawer to be worn only while at work. The pressed full sleeve shirt we started with, would get bedraggled by the time we’d reach our office.    

After decades of being confined to strait-jacketed office attire, when retirement came most swore never to get ‘tied’ around the neck (barring in winter weddings) or wear a shirt with long sleeves. With youthful exuberance, we were latching on to the smart tees & sweat shirts, often with floral designs that elicited shocked looks from spouses on this Gen-Zee like cool quotient ! The loose, comfy “Bush shirt” came in handy. Incidentally one finds that this name was given to the apparel as it was originally designed for British troops serving in the African bush (wilderness) during the 19^th/early 20th centuries. 

That said, I’ve always had certain predilections on how shirts (even short sleeved ones)  should be properly worn. My sartorial take is shirts be tucked in to provide a neat, smart appearance (especially in semi-formal situations or when wearing a suit). Tucking can also accentuate a defined waistline, enhance silhouette of leaner physiques, and create a polished, put-together look. Historically, tucking also provided protection and kept the outer clothing clean from the body. Offices continue to frown on Staff coming in Tees !

Fashion wise the ‘tucked in’ look is now relegated to yester-years as being retro and leaving a T-shirt un-tucked is generally felt more casual and wearer friendly. It’s a common choice for casual outings, hanging out with friends, or at home. One of my friends, who’s a well known film-maker prefers to wear a shirt that hangs out giving him a ‘avante garde’ persona. Another style that’s much in vogue is the shirt left half hanging out, half-tucked in. Bohemian in statement, it shows rebellion against rule.  

Fashion trends since ages have been set by stars and designers but since the last few decades when the ‘angry young man’ appeared on the scene and decided to beat the baddies to a pulp, masculinity gets defined by bare torsos and six packs. The film’s hero has his shirt unbuttoned with a coloured vest below covering rippling muscles. The ‘gym’ industry has really picked up and more than acting skill it’s about fitness.

Eventually it’s what suits you & your attitude to life. For the confused, also befriend the versatile ‘Kurta’! It works for all occasions and covers every physical blemish !

While the world has been grappling with major geo-political fissures, in the last year or so we’ve witnessed high pitched mass hysteria in the media, discussions and the coverage of diplomatic blasé and blushes, blown out of proportion by partisan conclusions and divisive views built on wild theories and conjectures that seem more bizarre than a faultily written film script.  

How would writers of classic literature respond, if they were around today ? Many of us would recall these zany lines from the wise Walrus (one of the fascinating characters from Lewis Carol’s fantasy-world in the wondrous ‘Alice in Wonderland’) who spoke eloquently but without much sense : ‘The time has come, to talk of many things, of shoes and ships and sealing-wax, of cabbages and kings – And why the sea is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings.’ Sounds apt in present day soap-opera that’s playing out !

The Bard, who said everything uncanny about human nature and its fickle ways had his ‘Macbeth’ speak the ephemeral truth ‘Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more’. As if talking about the self-styled leader who claims to save the world, the Bard would add ‘It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing’ ! And now the world watches it all unfolding with bated breath, each day presenting  a new challenge..

Speaking of  powerful rulers and their quests and conquests, there was ambitious ‘Julius Caesar’ and his the trusted friend, the honorable ‘Brutus’ who betrays him but in course of  tumultuous journey says lines centuries ago that mirrors what we witness today : 

“There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life, Is bound in shallows and in miseries..”.  

But what of ‘love’ and ‘undying loyalty’ that plays such an important part in all human dramas, as one story after another captures emotional and moral senses of the people at large, here’s what Shakespeare’s cheeky character ‘Puck’ says in that eternally sublime comedy ‘Mid-Summer Nights Dream’ : ‘Course of true love never did run smooth, Love looks not with eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is the winged Cupid, Painted blind’

Veteran Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane recently announced his decision to step down as Mumbai’s Captain in domestic cricket through a social media post.

Cricket aficionados are familiar with ‘Jinks’ Rahane’s credentials as one of India’s finest mid-order, technically sound and quality Test batters in the classic ‘Dravid’ mould who’s finest hour came when he led India from the front to a famous Series victory against the powerful Aussies ‘Down Under’ in 2021 after Captain Virat Kohli had to suddenly return to India. A gripping Web-series titled ‘Bandhon Mein Tha Dum’ on OTT tells the story of indomitable courage. India played with substitutes after injuries to the frontline players.

Now 37 years old and out of favour with the quirky selectors, Rahane remains a student of the game who lets the bat do all the talking, never sulks and complains but harbours the desire to again play for India. The Selectors in their wisdom feel he’s over the hill but instead of ‘walking into the sunset’, Ajinkya continues to hone his skills on the field.  He is the quintessential ‘nice guy’ of Indian Cricket, a team-man to the core, who’s willing to step down as Captain (in Ranji Trophy for Mumbai) and make way for the younger lot.

People hold different views on the stepping down from leadership roles. For one despite loads of experience it’s not that easy to deliver results consistently and remain successful as a leader. Another truth is losing the respect of the team that has members with more talent & promise. In every sphere of work-life and enterprise there’s need for succession planning & reining in fresh leaders to usher new ideas and expanding into new horizons. Ajinkya Rahane has set a template that is worth emulating, but it’s a tough act to follow.

People, if allowed to conjure what their dream-house would look from inside, would go for ornate furniture, chandeliers, porcelain dishes, crystal glasses, velvet cushions, soft linen and all that’s exquisite. Dreams don’t cost anyway ! However, in a departure from gentile tastes, I’d always dreamt of (but could never manage) a home with a large sized study having a classy, well stacked,  chestnut brown, mahogany bookcase extending across right up to the ceiling ! One could say, visit a successful solicitor’s chamber or a CA’s office and such things do exist, why then dream about it ? Ah, for the reason that my bookcase wouldn’t have law, taxation, accountancy journals but for real reading of old classics, fiction, biographies, anthologies of many genres and by great writers ! 

I’m convinced that despite the digital challenge mounted by e-book forms and an expanding virtual readers’ space more inhabited by the younger generation, the printed form will always remain in vogue for sheer tangibility, its physical access and beauty of ‘feel and touch’. Bedtime stories, playbooks, picture stories, comics were an integral part of our growing up with the book tucked under the pillow. A leather set of famous works by great authors were favourite b’day gifts for kids and old alike (till new apps, gadgets, credit cards took over gifting modes). Yet books keep making comebacks like stars !

Books play a very important role in shaping the lives of human beings, are the storehouse of knowledge and a reflection of the habits of people. Every house must possess a bookcase/bookshelves, for they change the environment of the house, bring positivity and add that ‘touch of class’. Every bookshelf has a different story to tell which depends upon the kinds of books and materials that it stores in it. Books scattered in various places are tough to access when required. Kept in smart bookshelves, arranged, catalogued they look so grand.

However, homes today are small abodes, crammed with stuff with little space for bookshelves leave alone an elaborate bookcase. But let’s not lose hope for these days various space-saving designs and styles are available in the market which one has to browse to meet specific needs. Some people believe in multi-purpose book-shelves for displaying fancy items which is not fair to the books. Real book-lovers ‘Have a book for everything and let every book find a place’ !