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Relishing Rabab
Both Indian and Afghani music is spiritually sublime and melodic in nature with a celestial origin. Music has been the medium of interaction and guftugu with God and his creatures for the Sufi mystics and religious saints here. They experience boundless joy through the notes of the Rabab that rejuvenates them, as our music satiates and nourishes the soul unlike the shor-o-gul of western music," says the Ustad and music maestro from Badakshan city in Afghanistan. He was in a mood to share more on the music of different nations, but the language barrier came in the way, which is certainly no hindrance when he communicates through music. Meermaftoon has performed at world musical venues where he claims to have sent the audiences, not knowing Persian or Pushto, into a scintillating reverie. Such is the magic of pristine music, which touches the soul. A prolific vocalist and master player of musical instruments especially Dampura, he is regarded as the most popular folk and Sufi singer in the north of Afghanistan. Ustad is in city for a performance at the ongoing SAARC Folklore Festival, organised by the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature and Chandigarh administration. Conversing through a friend from Afghanistan Sajid Takwa, studying at DAV-10 here the maestro and his accompanying artists Mohd. Malik Parwani ( Rabab player), Mohammad Wasseparvani maintained that being musicians and performers they are fully devoted to their profession and hardly care to bother for political disturbances. They attribute the war like situations there as a media hype with no reality there in. Literate. No, but certainly educated and enlightened, repulses Meeramaftoon. A born musician and holding the family legacy I devote my life to mysticism and music. I write my lyrics, compose and perform before the august audience only to be inspired their applause. In 2000 the Queen of Holland bestowed highest National Honour on me, he shares with a sense of pride. On the music there are close similarities be it folk, film or modern music. We use seven musical notes with different names like Pancham, Gandhara etc. Female artists too perform solos, duets and in groups besides performing on Radio TV but not in my group. Ours is a hilly area while Chandigarh the city beautiful looks like a Jannat.
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Budapest to Bapu
Also from the Hungarian Stamp Museum are stamps of many countries of the world, published in honour of historic Indian personalities. Mother Teresa on Uganda, Republique of Guinee', Somaliland. Jawaharlal Nehru on the countries of Liberia, Seychelles, Senegal, Kenya, while the Father of the Nation's immortalised on the stamps of Cuba, Bhutan, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, San Marino, Costa Rica, Somalia. Moving on, not many know the Nobel Prize winner; the poet Rabindranath Tagore was under medical care in Hungary, Balatonfurd, 1926. The mementoes of the above time period, among other things, are also part of the collection. The picture of the tree planted by him, which has wide spread branches now and where summer visitors have a rest. While some other collections depict the flora and fauna of Asian countries, as also the life and work of two famous Asia researchers, Korosi Csomi and Sandor and Stein Aurel that are linked to India with many threads. Then there're Hungarian properties outside Budapest as included in the world heritage list. Holloko old village, Hertobagy national park, Tokaji wine region, Pecs Early Christian cemetery, minus the digi-mega pixel clarity, photo shop touch appear stately, mysterious, spectacular. Perhaps a bit more of literature accompanying the interesting stamps would've helped more. But for philatelists, others and the rest, the effort's an absolute pleasure! On till 9th at Museum and Art Gallery
Sector 10, Chandigarh. manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Picks & piques
Two biggies released this week, each from diametrically opposite genres. Madhur Bhandarkar's Jail, a dose of bitter realism, about the unrepentant justice system existing in the country today may not be a true story in the strictest sense but it is definitely as real as you can get in a cinema while Raj Kumar Santoshi's Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani is pure comedic-fantasy-love story, typical of the mindless Bollywood popcorn entertainer.
With Neil Nitin Mukesh , Mugdha Godse , Manoj Bajpayi and Navnee Parihar essaying the major roles the movie is scripted by Anuradha Tiwari and Manoj Tyagi. The narrative basically appears like a catalogue of experiences some the director's own and other's basically headlines culled out from the dailies. Madhur manages to paint a fairly realistic picture but the entire effort is devoid of potent drama. Parag Dixit's story is the main thread but it's too weak a story to hold together the many vignettes that Madhur adds-on to uphold the realistic tag. And Parag's travails in the court and within the prison walls have little import because it's entirely a one-sided viewpoint. The film would have worked better if there was an anchor adding fuel to embers with sharp hard-hitting commentary. The narrative lacks depth and bite.
The performances are extremely crude. Neil Nitin Mukesh who essays Parag Dixit, the yuppie who finds himself at the wrong place at the wrong time and therefore caught within the tentacles of the criminal justice system, knows he has to look harried and he does that but there is no emotional connect. His developing relationship with another inmate Nawab (played by Manoj Bajpayi) seems to have unintended gay overtones. In fact that's a major problem in the film. The relationships are constructed without any care or concern for the eventual effect. The only story that seemed half-way interesting was that of Ghani (Rahul Singh) who marries a bar dancer and is in prison because he committed a murder in a fit of rage. Most of the other stories are run of the mill. This is neither a movie nor is it a documentary, it lies somewhere in-between languishing in nowhere territory weighed down by its indifferent unfulfilling narrative spiel and unconvincing, off-kilter performances. A comic experience Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani starring Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif is quite a masterpiece in comparison. Raj Kumar Santoshi is trying out the comedic escapade again after a long hiatus and he manages to bring on the laughs by utilising every cliché and stereotype he can find and turning it well over it's head for an unabashed, unpretentious effectiveness. The film has been scripted by Santoshi himself and he creates whacky situations and constructs them in a light-hearted entertaining fashion. The character of Prem (essayed consummately by Ranbir Kapoor) has shades of the many characters that the legendary Raj Kapoor essayed in his heyday. Prem is president of Happy Club, a club that specialises in uniting lovers and promoting friendships. A few contretemps take place and Prem finds himself falling in love with Jenny (Katrina Kaif) who is in love with someone else (Upen Patel). The events are pretty unbelievable and the situations quite crazy but it's all wielded with such fluid zaniness that you find yourselves hooked in the first fifteen minutes itself. And there is no let-up right up to the very end. The tone is light and hugely entertaining and the music is worth humming along. The sequence with Salman Khan is the highlight of the film. It's well written, effectively constructed and brilliantly enacted. There are many more such moments in the film where you can't help laughing. This is definitely rollicking stuff! |
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Tarot talk
TAURUS: The Priestess reveals your imagination will be in full flow this week. Subjects that require sensitive thought and romanticism will appeal to your senses. Tip: Play your cards close Lucky colour: Pale yellow. GEMINI: You draw The Princess of Pentacles your emotions, sentiments, and intuitiveness would be the focus of this week as you rely on them to improve relationships and achieve more at work. Tip: Take no chances Lucky colour: Blonde. CANCER: The Five of wands advices you legal cases should be left for next week. Travelling for business would bring results. Health concerns should not be ignored. Tip: Don't reveal your plan of action to anyone. Lucky colour: Silver grey. LEO: You draw Seven of Swords. Your confidence and enthusiasm would have a positive affect on your social life, which would be in the limelight, this week. Tip: Be creative Lucky colour: Chocolate brown. VIRGO: The Knight of Discs says goal setting and decision making would be the two main activities of this week and most of you would be either moving towards your dreams or discovering what you want from life. Tip: A positive and caring attitude heals old wounds. Lucky colour: Citric blue. LIBRA: Your card The Princess of Cups says your energy and stamina would be high and you would be willing to take on additional tasks and duties without a second thought. Tip:Remember the old saying, Penny saved is penny earned. Lucky colour: Lush green. SCORPIO: The Hanged man shows some of you may not be sure about what to do about a particular life-issue. hence, this week could be spent in deliberation and contemplation. Tip: Plan your life to avoid delays Lucky colour: Pale yellow. SAGITTARIUS: Nine of cups say you would concentrate on improving the domestic and family situation. Anything pending would be taken care of. Tip: Strive for perfection at work. Lucky colour: Blood red. CAPRICORN: Justice says professionally, you may have to be extra careful and not react impulsively to challenging situations. The week is favorable for sports and outdoor activities. Tip: Involve yourself as much as possible in new project. Lucky colour: Golden yellow.
PICSES: The Five of Pentacles prompt you to introspect and take a closer look at anything that has been holding you back so far. Tip: Don't be too certain about obtaining a clearance. Lucky colour: Pale yellow.
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Never mind if Paz Noviolencia, inscribed on a stamp, stares back at you, or you aren't instantly able to place Republique Democratique Populaire, or for that matter pronounce Una Societa Basata Sulla Non Violenza or Eve Szuletett, spell Anniversaire De La Naissance De or Ismeretten part fele. Pictures of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mother Teresa, couple of freedom fighters and it all falls in place, perfectly.
India on Hungarian stamps; an effort of the Chandigarh Film Society, STEPS, Chandigarh Tourism and Indian Council for Cultural Relations; is a stamp exhibition, not just for philatelists, and literally travels barriers and boundaries. Why just stamps, there're first day covers, postcards and graphics of stamp designs. The initial collections depict Hungary through the medium of stamps, as a city in the heart of Europe, Budapest, postcard-perfect banks of Danube. 
ARIES: The
three of Coins says professionals in the field of law, politics,
education, travel and religion would shine and rise brightly. Tip of
the week: Balance in all aspects is recommended. Lucky colour: Lotus
pink.
Aquarius