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Life of epic dimensions
.jpg) Aptly called the Lion
of Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai’s contribution to the freedom struggle
has been well documented. The Collected Works of Lala Lajpat Rai, edited
by eminent historian and biographer
B.R. Nanda, brings
out Lalaji’s role in the struggle for freedom and perspective on
nationalism and vital social issues of the time. Much of what he wrote
is still relevant.
There was hardly any Indian leader, with the exception of Gandhiji, whose public activities covered such a wide range as those of Lalaji, wrote
Krishan Kant, former Vice-President, in his foreword to the book. Excerpts:
Moved
by nationalism
Lala Lajpat Rai
There
can be no doubt that Indian nationalism is receiving a great
deal of support from the world forces operating outside India. On the
political side it has been inspired and strengthened by the forces of
European nationalism — the struggles and successes of the English
proletariat, the sufferings and the eventual triumph of the French
revolutionists, the efforts and victories of the Italians, the
continued struggle of Russians, Poles, Finns, Hungarians, and others.
Plain Janes
replace glam dolls
Randeep Wadehra
Much as
we revile DD, we forget that it had given us some classic shows like Hum
Log, Deewar and that unforgettable telefilm Tamas –
a record that is yet to be matched by any of the so-called
quality-conscious up-market private channels. Real people’s real
situations were depicted in these serials. What was the reason for
their success? Obviously original storylines, portrayal of real-life
situations and inputs like good direction, acting etc. Glamour was
certainly not the reason for their success.
Scenic
splendour at the doorstep
At the Renuka lake,
you can boat on the placid waters while lions roar in the
neighbourhood and birds chirp, writes Santosh
Utsak
The Nahan-Renuka-Paonta
sector constitutes a distinct tourist triangle of Himachal tourism and
is a part of the erstwhile princely state of Sirmour.
The Shahs of
comedy
Forget
the tear-jerking soaps and meet the squabbling new age family of the
Sarabhais. The saga of a high-flying socialite and her distinctly
middle class daughter-in-law has been regaling viewers for over a
year. Sarabhai vs
Sarabhai on Star One has been
climbing the popularity charts unobtrusively and has now proved that
it is more about genuine smiles then canned laughter.
Question of
crore
There’s
no stopping
copycats. If for every Super Sale on Star One there’s a Deal
Ya No Deal on Sony Entertainment Television, then for Kaun
Banega Crorepati there’s now going to be Mission
Ek Crore. And if superstar
Amitabh Bachchan has viewers hanging on to his every word, then Sanjay
‘Munnabhai’ Dutt is going to work his magic in Mission Ek Crore
on SaharaOne.
A cinematic
feast
The 10-day International
Film Festival of India, opening in Goa on November 24, will present a
wide range of entries to whet the appetite of film lovers,
reports Saibal Chatterjee
Goa learns
from past mistakes
The
powers that be are trying
to avoid a repetition of 2004. They have decided to shift the beach
screening from Miramar to Caranzalem. There is also a move to provide
IFFI with a Goan flavour, writes Ervell E.
Menezes
Drop your
thinking cap
The Legend of Zorro,
with its special effects folks working overtime, provides ideal
escapist entertainment, observes Ervell E.
Menezes
From the 1970s
onwards Hollywood specialised in sequels with The Godfather and
The French Connection cashing in on the marketability of the
parent film. Now the strategy seems to have changed and sequel has
probably become a dirty word.
Girl
next door
Bhumika Chawla wants to essay
roles that are unconventional. V. Ananth talks
to her about her forthcoming films
She
looks as fresh as she did
when she breezed in with her maiden venture Tere Naam opposite
Salman Khan two years ago. Since then three more films starring
Bhumika Chawla have been released—Run, Dil Jise Apna Kahe and
Silsilay.
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