A star, in the making!

Kabir decided to try his luck in Bollywood. He took a train to Mumbai.
The pangs of hunger were now showing their narrow teeth. Kabir realized he hadn’t eaten anything. Had he? Did he?
Or was it excitement? Was it, or it wasn’t?
Kabir knew his residence needed to be renovated; the shabby walls weren’t fit for new SRK posters. They weren’t.
The shanty slums, the ‘not at all’ good looking home needed a repair. Stars can’t stay in slums.
Can they? If they can’t how could Kabir?
He could, he could tolerate the pangs, of hunger and emotions…
How could he?
Star in the making, was that a reason? Was that so?
Kabir never had luck; he wasn’t the destiny’s child. Or was he?
How could he not be even an extra in the local film industry? Or why should he?
A star was he, he was a star. Was he?
Kabir Alam, dreamt of becoming a Kabir Khan, a Bollywood starlet. Big dream indeed.
Dared he? He dared…
To dream it, dream it big.
He could have easily topped over the other lads of the slums who either did a disco dancer act, or mimicked a comedian. Kabir didn’t have to.
He was a star, in the making—a star!
Ammi would often treat him as a ‘chand’ while feeding him in childhood days.
A star was he, he was.
A star, in the making—a star!
Kabir knew Bollywood would be a land of fantasies, a land of fun and frolic.
Fun, eh?
Fun for him, for a star, he was, in the making…!
Was it all fun? Was it?
Wondered the lanky lad, wondered a star, he was, in the making.
How could he reside in a slum, how could he?
Stars aren’t meant to work as extras. They aren’t. They aren’t. Are they?
He was a star; he was, in the making!
Life would change, it would, for Kabir. The producers would knock on his door with offers and endorsements.
They would. They would do it for a star.
Life, magic remains there. Magic; of being a star.
Star he was he was a star—in terms of logic!
Would the magic work? Reasoned the lad, reasoned he.
He could dance, could sing, and could act. He could, he could…
Is it enough to fulfill the needs? Is it? Enough?
Enough to be a star, eh?
Kabir always wanted to be a star. Ammi’s refusal, Abba’s worries weren’t a problem for him. No more.
He was a star. A star he was—in the making.
The clock just stroke, it was a dizzy morning in the city, the teenage lad Kabir just woke up. He had a tight sleep. A starry one, dreaming was fun. For him, for a star.
A star was he; he was a star—in the making!
The dizzy morning showed the day, Kabir dressed up to go to his work—a newspaper vendor. That was Bollywood for him, and that bicycle was his train to the Bollywood.
Was it so? Or, it was just a journey? What was it?
A starry dream he had last night of catching a train to Bollywood.
To become a star…
A star he was, he was a star in the making!
A star in the game called life!

Flicks that took my heart away...

The 15th edition of Kolkata Film Festival just got over this evening. This year there has been a medley of some 'very good' and some 'not-so-good' films. Amongst them, here are some of the flicks that took my heart away.

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas: This UK-US venture by Mark Herman was probably the best shot of the entire festival. The story based in the backdrop of the World War II, and the infamous Great Hole Tragedy by Hitler’s Germany portrays a story of friendship between a German and Jew children. The story lineup and the treatment was just mind blowing. For the first time in my life, I literally cried after watching a film!

The Two Legged Horse: Her father Mohsen, is the living legend of world cinema, but Samira Makmalbaf proved her talent in this film. The Two Legged Horse deals with a typical subject faced by ‘all of us’ in our mundane life. In this world, money is the honey, and for that we aren’t afraid of making ourselves into mere animals. The story isn’t that simple, it deals with everything we come across, but in its own typical way, which is undoubtedly much controversial. There lies the success of Samira. A must see Iranian flick from the house of the Makmalbafs.

Harishchandrachi Factory: This Marathi flick by Paresh Mokashi is the year’s best ‘home’ production. This is the story of the nation’s first ever cinema, Harishchandra. This flick deals with the subject in a crisp terse and pithy manner. How an individual dared to dream big to make Indian cinema grow into an industry, how Dadasaheb Phalke fulfilled the great Indian dream, this flick tells you all. A must watch for every Indian cine buff.

The Poor: Yilmaz Guiney and his typical treatment of film making rules yet again. The Poor alias Zavalliar deals with the subject that’s true to its core, very contemporary. It’s the story that tells you the pang of poverty, curse of being poor. It would be unfair to reveal the story here. All the Guiney admirers must watch the flick. It’s a must see.

The Conductor: Andrzej Wajda tells the story of a symphony conductor in this film. This is the story of a legendary symphony conductor and his ‘controversial’ life. The man comes back to perform in his last gig, will he be able to? The story gives you a pen-picture of a man’s psychological whirlpool, what one goes through in the ‘not so pleasant’ phase of life. I must admit that here Wajda has sowed a plant which has grown up in to a huge tree, and this is the best example.

Lost Song: This flick by Rodrique Jean is a sweet and sour story, telling the viewers a story of a mother whose life takes an ugly turn after the birth of the child. The mother becomes psychologically affected after the motherhood. The story ends in a tragic way, justifying the title of the film, Lost Song.
A unique effort by this Canadian director, but one must say that the film was a bit slower. Had it been a bit faster, the film would have been much more thrilling.

Clown: An out an out happy note film with the urge to purge the child abuses. A
smart way of story telling. It portrays how a group of young drug addicts can be purged and brought back into the mainstream of life. Here, circus plays a vital role in motivating the youths. It’s indeed a nice presentation by the Italian film maker Marco Pontecorvo. Really inspiring!

The Childhood of Icarus: This swiss film is one of the finest treasures of world cinema. A scientific thriller, the story goes on with a patient being made the vegetable to cure another patient. He’s in a trap. Will he be able to overcome it? A brilliant film by Alexandre Iordachesu.

Guelwaar: Ousmane Sembene and his unique way of story telling is the USP of this film. It tells you about the problems of African citizens. That’s the magic of this film from the legendary film maker.

Jermal: This is for the first time an Indonesian film touched my heart. It’s the story of a child who has lost his mother. How he effaces out the difficulties to meet his father is the subject of Jermal. The director Ravi Bharwani deserves a special mention for portraying the slice of life through this film.

Wagha: This Supriyo Sen short film was indeed a brave attempt to portray the relationship between India and Pakistan. The most difficult topic was easily portrayed onscreen by this film maker. A must watch for film fanatics.


Apart from these there are many other films that attracted me. I fell in love with Bimal Roy’s films, yet again. Watching Udayer Pathey and Bandini was indeed a treat. Even, the Austrian film The Big Bliss as it has taken me by surprise. Sweet Rush, Athens Istanbul, Elegy has been the real treats. But, I was utterly disappointed with a French film titled “Black”. It’s probably the worst selection of the festival.

Here are the Top Ten films that took my heart away. I think that these would be appreciated by other cinema fanatics too.
Do send in your takes, would love to hear from you as well…

20 te 'Paa'...!

Kuritey paa dilen ei muhurter Team Indiar 'Paa'!

Na ghabraben na, ei 'paa' cholochhitro jogoter Big B namok byakti non, non kono cinema r kalpito nayak o, ini ja koren ta nie cinema hote pare, sekhane sochhondey hajir hote paren 'Paa'!

Sachin Romesh Tendulkar. Boyesh matro 36.

Sei 1989 e Pakistan safarey abhishek, dingulor kotha mone porle aajo sritir sagarey dub maren Gavaskar, Srikant ra. Sachin dudh khete pochhondo koren jene Biman sebika ke doodh nie ashar jonno anuradh korechhilen sawang Gavaskar. Ebong sediner sei kishor ek chumukei sesh korechhilen dudher glass.

Majhe kete geche dui dashak. Sediner sei kishor ek chumukey dudh khawar dhangei sesh korechhen bohu bipoksho bowler er career. Sref bat ball er thokathuki tey.

Pray ek jug agey Pepsi r ek bigwapan ey dekha jeto gramey Sachin er chhobiwala ek jingle. 'Sachin ala re'. Aaj ei 20 te dariyeo bindumatro komeni tar charisma. Aajo, Sachin ala re!!!

Bodley geche anek kichu, bodlan ni tini. Aajo proti niyoto chhute jan Achrekar Sir er kache, aajo khelar duniyay keu safollo pele prothom SMS ti jay tar phone theke. Tini je aajo sei Shibaji Park er chhotto 'Tendla'!

Tai ekhono bitarko theke shoto hasto dure tini, aajo balya bandhur sathe jhagra hole tini i bolen 'Chhar bhai, chal ektu batting kori'. Etai Sachin, ekhanei tar biseshwatto.

Kuri periyeo tai komeni tar magic, je magic e bosh hoechen Don theke Dada!

Aar kotodin khelben 'Paa'? Proshno utheche, poreche.

Hoyto aaro bochhor khanek. Tarpor?

Hoyto ekdin hothat i willo r bat take hathey niye boben 'chollam'...

Ei dapot bodhoy takei manay, jar bat jhar tole marudesh theke paharey, swapno dekhay juddhe jawa sainik der.

Tini chhara r kei ba paren ebhabe abhibaker bhumkay abartirno hotey, ta se Team India hik kingba Mission Kargil.

Sadhey ki r take 'Paa' bollam!!!

Harischandra's Factory and the Oscars...

The first ever motion picture from the bag of Indian film mkaers was delivered way back in 1913. The first ever document of that 'masterpiece' is crafted way later in 2009.

Thanks to a man named Paresh Mokashi.

One may wonder who's the man? Why is the the man in discussion?

Well, the man has a great achievement down his sleeve.

The Harishchandrachi Factory.

This Marathi flick deals with the time when the country was yet to get its first cinema, The Harishchandra, directed by great Gobind Shaheb Phalke, alias Dadasaheb.

Set on the backdrop of the early British period, with the grievance spurring up in Maharshtra under the leadership of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the film portrays a common man's journey towards making the first ever movie film, aka, the cinema.

The story goes on with the magician Phalke, inspired by the movie making process, deciding to make a full length film on Harishchandra.

In an era when people hardly had any ideas about motion films, when the film makers were not treated properly, Phalke had dared to dream big. So does this film.

There remains the unique selling point of Harishchandrachi Factory, the official Indian Entry to the Oscars in 2010.

But, it might not make it to the Oscars.

There are quite a few points responsible for such a comment.

Firstly, though it was stated that the film is set on the backdrop of 1911, the sets seemed to be quite contemporary. But, I guess in 1911, there weren't any BEST bus in Mumbai, neither cabs.

That's a dangerous flaw in terms of film making. (My little knowledge about film making says that it's a great flaw in terms of the film's reputation)

Secondly, the film deals with the subject in a soft, humorous way, which is the USP of it. But, others who are usually of the notion that 'India means Bollywood', may not like it. I completely agree that the film required such a comic relief to make pewople understand the boldness of the subject. But, will the comedy be appreciated by the jury members? Highly unlikely!

Third and most important point is that India doesn't have a great lobby. It has been witnessed that in events like Cannes, Oscars, countries need a strong 'outside' backing to bag the award. Which, unfortunately lacks in Indian cinema.

Fourthly, the child actors' were portrayed in same manner for the consecutive years. In 1911-13, kids doesn't grow up. Really strange!

Apart from this, the film is a fine document of the past, a perfect example of a 'silent revolution', narrated in a crisp tarse and pathy manner. Kudos to Mr.Mokashi. We would love to have more of such 'cats' out from your bag!

In a way, Harischandrachi Factory tells you a story of a 'silent revolution', in a soft way. It reminds me of an advertisement, Zor ka jhtka dhire se lagey. The similar adage could well fit the flick.

Harischandrachi Factory is a magnificient production from a country of Satyajit Ray, Shyam Benegal.

One can only wish that it gets a huge appreciation from its home audience, if not in Oscars!

Bharater raksha karta ebaar Barundeb!

Mumbai, November 11,2009: Bachalen, tini bachalen!

Arab sagarer tire aaro ekbar sadher noukodubi r hath theke Dhoni bahini ke bachalen Barundeb. Aaro ekbar. Atiteo bohubar tini rakshakabach hoyechen, aaj aaro ekbar abirbhuto holen Dhoni ke lajjar hath theke banchatey.

Tar i kalyane bristi snato Mumbai nagari tey pando holo khela. Kichuta swasti pelen Mahendra Singh Dhoni o.

Bhanga chora Australia o jebhabe nakani-chobani khaiche tar dal ke, sei paristhitey dariye aajker ei 'mukh-raksha' nisandehe garber.

Aaj Mumbai er meghla aksh ta, bristi makha path ghat adda r adarsha, cricket er noy. Abhawa doptor er purbabhas chhiloi, 'Bristi asche'. Bristi elo, dhue muche saaf kore dilo sahar ta ke, sei sange Bharatiyo cricket keo samayik mukti dilo. Lajjar bhumisojjay sajjito howar theke.

Ei ba kom kisher!?

Stadium er bairey Media r dapadapi ta tulonay kom, tobuo jara esechen tader kacheo ei din ta upbhogya. Match na hole, report pathanor tara kom. Ja hok kore chhoto copy o dewa jay. Sutorang, adday shamil tarao. Bristi, ke na chay!

Bharatiyo daler shariri bhasa tao jeno bole dichhilo aar lajja dewa keno? Bodhoy brishti tey swasti pelen Dhoni ra o. Asankha samalochonar samayik birati.

Dekha gelo, shibirey ekhon beshi chorchito hoche Srilanka test series er katha barta. Kirsten chaichen batting order dhele sajatey, Dhoni r dabi bowling line up er dike beshi gurutto dewa darkar.

Kartar ichey karmo!

Gatakal ratei ICC r anusthaney Dhonir sathey sakhhat hoeche Muralitharan er. Dujonei cricket niye prochur katha bolechen. Asonno series niye?

Ra katen ni Dhoni!

Tham mere jawa bharatiyo batting line up chaiche series er shurutei form e firte, tai coach thik korechen net e aaro jor deben. Damage control e nemechen Sachin o.

Jeno teno prokareno Lanka badh chai.

Kal ICC r party te besh hashi khusi chhilen bharat adhinayak. Proshno holo, agami saptaheo ei hasi bajay thakbe toh? Naki, Murli juju r samne abar asahay atmasamarpan?

Proshno gulo sahaj, kintu uttar ta?

Kathin, bhison kathin!!!

17,000 er poreo anischit Sachin!

Mumbai, November 10,2009: Nijer saharey khela hole kemon jeno bhoy kore. Snayur chapey bhogen. Mone hoy na parle ki hobe?

Nijer saharey pouche erokomtai mone hoche Sachin Tendulkar er. Anekdin por gharer mathey khela, kintu tini khelben kina seta ekhono boro proshno. Bharatiya Think tank mone korche ei niyam rakshar matchey barang bishram i dewa hok bharatiya cricketer sultan ke.

Sultan nije ki chhuti chaichen?

Net ga-ghamiye anushilan, shadow, team hotel e cricket adda, shob dekhe to mone hoche tini moteo chhutir mejaje e nei. Tar charpashe sudhui bat-baller thoka thuki, sudhui cricket.

Daler sochoniyo parajayer poreo dekha gelo besh anandei rayechen team er tarun turki ra. Hotel er lobby te Raina, Jadeja der attahashi dekhe ke bolbe ei porshu din i tara series ta khuiyechen!

Dhoni chan Sachin bishram nin, praktan der o mot tai, kintu Sachin nije ki bolchen?

Uttarey mridu hashi, halka kore ghar ta dolalen.

Ashole, Sachin chaichen kal gharer mathe neme 'bhoy' ta ke katatey. Snayur chap ke samlatey.

Tini chaichen kal kheltey.

Sujog paben kina seta nirbhor korche Dhoni kartar upor.

Erporeo hoyto Dhoni sujog deben Jadeja, Raina der. Practise e dekha gelo batting korchen Yuvraj. Sutorang, kal tini khelchen. Sehwag er o arekta sujog 'naki' proyojon, tai tini o daley. Raina motamuti chhondey tai take namatei hobe. Batsman der modhyey tahole bad jachhen ke?

Sombhabho naam 2to: Gautam Gambhir o Sachin Tendulkar.

Gambhir er upor Dhoni r ashim bharsa, tai tini hoyto thakchen. Tahole dalchhut???

Naam ta pathak nijei bujhe nin.

Cholti series e ekmatro bolar moto performance ti eseche tar bat thekei. Bakider chhaka-panjar majhe tini i ekmatro bolar moto chesta korechen. Tar poreo tini baad.

Sachin Romesh Tendulkar.

Aaj i Saurav Gangopadhyay bolechen tini chan Sachin aaro kheluk, Sunil Gavaskar mone korchen ekhono proti matche khelano uchit Sachin ke, tao Dhoni bolchen, "Bishram chai or"!

'Uni' nije kintu ekbar o bolen ni 'aamar chhuti chai'!

Athacha, daler raja r hukum ki korei ba felen praja. Sei prajar naam Sachin holeo tini nirupay i.

Kichu prakton abashya er i madhyey abishkar korechen je Sachin naki moteo khelte parchen na. Tar naki ebar sotti i abashar newar shomoy eseche. Jara bolchen tader nijeder performance niye chirodini chutney marka joke hoto, aajo hoy. Tobu sei 'bishes- agyo' der motamot, "Sachin jug sesh"!

Ki ascharjo, ei abak kora 17000 er poreo shunte hoy, "Little Master sotti i buro hochhen"!

Asholey desh tar naam Bharatbarsho hole etai bodhoy alikhito niyom, 'karma kore jao, foler asha korona'

Tai, 17,000 korar poreo sammaner asha koren na tini o, Sachin Romesh Tendulkar.

Nishtabdho- tar naam Sachin!

Guwahati, November 8,2009: Sadya here math theke berolen Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Anyadike tokhon hashir rol, sangi champagne.

Odike tokhon sathirdader kandhe Ricky Ponting, edike tokhon bimorsho mukhe bosey tini.

Sadya 17,000 run er malik hoechen. Subhechha peyechen. Aaj bujhlen kichhui bodlayni. 1996-97 e jemon tar bat ei bhor kore thakto Bharater bhagya, temoni ekhono kore. Ei Paribartaner jugeo.

Balaker boyesh barleo tar daler hal je paltayni, 'balak' aaj sachhokkhe dekhlen.

Balak, Sachin Romesh Tendulkar.

Ei sedin i tar shourjye jhalse uthechhilo Nizamer sahar, ei sedin i prithibi dekhechilo sultan sesh hoye jan ni. Aaj cricket mahal aabar dekhlo tini chhara kotota asahay garber Team India.

Jedin Sachiner bat katha bolbe, sedin Bharater jayer chrityanatya lekha hoteo pare, e rokom myth jeno abar phire elo cholti ei Bharat-Australia series e.

175 e out howar por o, dal harey 3 run e. Tini 10 run e out hole dal o gutiye jay 170 e... Daler 'Borda' chole gele 'kachi-kancha'ra aar ki i ba korte pare! (Bhule jaben na, ei kachi-kacha ra kintu mukhe maren bishwa, bat ey ball ey ki koren seta ujhyo i thak).

Aaj Sachin paren ni, tai dal o pareni. Jedin tini paren sedin o dal parena.

Bishwer shokti shali line up bodhoy ekei boley...!

Sedin Hyderabad e match seshe dekha gelo tar chokhe jal, pashe keu nei. Tini ekla. 175 r poreo. Anyara bakyalapey byasto. Tini, Sachin, ekla ghorer deshei.

"Team harle ei 175 r kono mulyo nei. Mon kharap tai...", akopat shikarokti. Tar mukhei manay.

Tar ninduk ra jara bolten Sachin jug sesh tarao aaj shikar korchen 'kanu bine geet nai', sachin bihin bharotiyo cricket achal. Ei paribartaner jugeo.

Ei kichudin ageo Dhoni dabi korten daler mul bharsa tar tarun turki ra. Senior ra daler bojha. Se karonei sarbochho run koreo cricket ke biday janiyechen Behalar chheleta, Bangalore er tarun o pray nirbashoney. Tobu aajo Bharat jete sei 'Buro' der bat ei. Bhule jaben na, Sachin namok balak er boyosh o kintu 36.

Tobu tini match winner. Baki ra, torun turki ra???

Seta na hoy ujhya i thaklo.

Aaj din ta tar chhilona, nahole keno oi bhabe out hoben? Holen. Bhagya debi sahay non.

Tobu, bakira toh lortei parten, antoto 175 r proti sradhya gyapon kortei.

Kintu, tara korlen na. Shobai, elen, dekhlen, chole gelen. Joy? Parihas!

Aaj dekhlam team bus e othar age Sachin chokh ta chik chik korche. Kandhchen? Bodhoy.

Proshno kortei eriye gelen. Bollen, "Na, cricket e eshob hoyei thake. Kandle cholbena, egote hobe"

Bodhoy ekhetreo anusharan korlen guru Ramakant Achrekar o Sunil Gavaskar ke. Bodhoy janan dilen tar hoye katha boley tar bat, tini hashle, kandleo.

Genius ra kanden na, tini to noy i. karon, tar mul mantra je guru der sashan bani i...

"Guru tumi bolechhile je bidaybelay keu kandena"

Tai, kanden na tinio, sudhu abak bishwaye takie thaken sathirtader dikey. Jara, daler shochoniyo harer poreo hashi-thattay moshgul thaktei pachhondo koren.

Jader kache cricket bratya, tader kache thaken na bhagaban. Thaken na, Sachin Romesh Tendulkar o.

Tai aajo ei cricketer ekla ghor i tar desh, tar ekla thakai abhyesh...!

175 ba 17,000 er poreo.

Khola Mone!

Ei lekhata jokhon korte bosechi tokhon Kolkatar samay raat 9:15. Bangkok e raat 11:43. Adelaide e madhya rat, 1:13. Chicago te ekhono jholmoley roddur, shobey shuru hoeche din, shokal 9:45. London ekhon rabibasariyo dupurer majay, sekhane ekhon dupur 3:40.
Koto druto bodley jachhe shomoy. Prithibir ek prantya theke anya prantey. Rasamayir rasikatar badaley aaj nojor karche DJ mix. Shokaler fulko luchki ke bemalum bhule aaj patey porchhe Kentuckyr bhaja murgi. Sotti, kotom rokom bhabei na Murgi banano hoche amader.
Shomoyer niyome badlay shob kichu. Niyamer taley taley badlachhe shomoy o.
Aaj hothat ekta katha mone porlo. Tokhon aami sobe class one er chhatro. Ekdin pishi ke pakami mere ki ekta bolatey, se ghar nere bolechhilo, "Tui na boddo thoth kata"
Tar porer tin din dhore aami shomaney aynar samne dariye khojar chesta korechhilam aamar kata thoth!
Temni ei shomoy tao khub druto paltachhe. Bojha jachhena ki hochhe. Dhandar thekeo jatil mone hochhe shob kichu. Ei du bochhor ager September ei jar jonno aamra garjey uthechhilam, insaaf chheyechilam. Raater por raat hoye chala pratibader samarthane gala tulechhilam; aaj bochhor dui pore dekhlam tader lok jon i nirdhidhay rajnitir ranga manchey.
Tobe ki tader ei chhilo mone?
Kolkata atitey bohubar biswas kore thokeche, sebar o tar byatikrom hoyni. Kolkata i ekhon Insaaf chaiche!
Aaro koto ghotona. Ei sedin o juti ke aamra mone kortam kali juger 'kanu bina geet nai' er sera udaharan, aaj tarai dekhlam 'ranakhhetre mukhomukhi'. Khamatar jonno kina janina, kintu hothat i sei sangeet ta bodley gelo. Keno? Etodin jara eke oporer poripurok chhilen, tara keno badlalen? Naki etai juger niyam?
Janina. Kintu barey barey keno emon abiswas er ghotona ghote. Keno bar bar ja bhabi tar ulto ta hoy?
Ei sedin o jara ek jinish bhabto, tarai kon ek jadu kathir chhoyay dekhlam puro 180 degree ghure gelo. Tahole ki etodiner chinta bhabna ta bhul? Na ki sref dhanda baji oi bochhor gulo. Sukher payrader moto...!
Manush bodlabey jaani, jaani manush paltay. kintu tao ei anka banka pathyey erokom anek keo toh dekhlam jara bodlate channi. Sarajibon ja bhebechen tai kore esechen. Ebong, tara kintu swa swa khetre safal.
Tahole ki bolar shomy ese geche, "E boro sukher din noy"?
Kara tahole bhul. Jara etodin matadarsha ke pradhanya dilen naki tara jara juger haway gaa bhasachhen?

Naki tara sotti i back dated!?

Ek Alasher Alshemi!

Aamar dyara sotti i kichu hobena!

Katha chhilo kal bikel theke niyomito lekha shuru korbo. Aar prothom dinei jatharithi byartho. Emon kaajey atke gelam je aar lekhai holona. Jokhon bari phirey aamar study te boshar sujog pelam totokhhoney bhalo lekhar mejaj tai gayeb.

Tarupor sandhyebelar Mamar Dokaner breast cutlet er moutatey je bhabe abodhho hoyechilo shorir mon, tatey aar lekhar ichhe chhilo na.

Aami chirokaler late latif. Aami jani aamar moto alashata, aamar kuremi aamakey chirodin kurey kurey khaye, aar sei kurkure bhab ta aami besh ayesh korei upabhog kori.

Maa to bolei dieche, "Tor dara kichui hobena"

Thanks Maa, for knowing me so well.

Arekjon aamar kuremi sambandhye wakibahal. Ekjon joto ta sambhav chesta kore jachhen ei kuremi chharanor. Anyajon, boley boley ekhon haal chhere dieche. Bodhoy, bujhe geche 'bhobi bholbar noy' kingba 'aranye rodan!

Tateo bodlano jayni. Chaturdikey ei paribartaner hawa, cholo bodlai er aboheo aami sei timirei theke gechi. Attay ghum bhanga kali kaler bhanga bangiya bir pungab!

Emoni i bir je pash diye kono sarmeyo gele se bhoye more, bhison daray kono jhut jhamela ke, aparey maramari korle bhoye him hoe jae tar shorir. Tobu, birpungab!

Bodhyoy aamar moto birpurush der katha mathay rekhei kabiguru likhechhilen-- "Saat koti santaner he mughdha janani, rekhecho bangali kore, manush koroni"

Jakge, truti shikar kore nilam ei subadey. Katha roilo aaj bikel theke niyamito lekha hobei.

Katha roilo.

Apatoto karma khetre jawar prostuti nii. Anek getomi holo, tao mone hoche arektu alash hoye jai. E chhara aar ki i ba kora jay!

Ei to jiban kali'da!

Hath Baralei...

Janina tomader kemon legeche kalker lekhata.
Bhalo lagteo parey, mondyo o. Tobe sotti bolchhi, kaal lekhata kore aamar nijer besh bhalo legeche. Koto chepe rakha maan abhiman dukhhera je kal bandhyo khacha theke beriye porlo, tar hisebi chhilona.
Mon ta o aaj ektu bhalo.
Jara porecho, kemon laglo janio. Jara poroni, tara pore dekhte paro. Bodhoy khub kharap lagbena.
Tobe, ekta khobor achhe, aaj theke aami niyomito likhbo. Bibhinno bishoy uthe ashbe ei virtual space e. Lakhsya rekho.
Aaj raat thekei shuru hobe niyomito kathabala.
Darkarey, adarkarey likhbo, porbe, janabe. Eksathey path chala shuru hobe.
Hath ta bariye dekho, Hath baralei khuje pabe aamakey!!!
Bhalo Theko sobbai...!

Ekta 'sotti kathar' galpo...

Aaj ektu Banglay likhi?

Asholey hoeche ki, ei koekdin ghatanar ghanaghata aar kaajer jatakaley emon atke giechi, je bhalo kore lekhai hoyni. Jemon ghotona ghotche temni palla diye barche mon kharap. Koto katha, kathokata r daripallay nijeke boddo baddhyo lagche. Tai aajker ei Blog Banglay!

Aami Banglar chhele, ami banglay katha boli, Baglay lekha lekha kori. Tai Blog tao banglatei likhlam aaj.

Ei kodin monta ekdom bhalo nei. Kichu karone bhison bishonno e mon. Karon ta abashyai aamar karma sankranta. Byaktigoto noy.

Kaajer subadey bohu ghotona, durghotona, durlabh muhurter sakhhi hoi aamra. Jara sangbadikatar pesha o neshay jukto tader kache biswas jogwota ekta boro bharsar jayga. But, ekhane kaj korte gie dekhchi ekhane sotti ke sotti bola jayna. Here, you can't call a spade a spade!

Pochhondo na holeo bolte hoy, Ki bhalo hoyeche! kingba, Ki Kharap hoeche!

Aabar sobshomy sotti na bolleo samasya. E jeno puro golok dhanda.Koto rangai na dekhchi ei duniyay tao mukh kholar jo nei.

Majhe majhe ghum na ele jokhon raat jege janlar pashey boshe thaki, tokhon mone hoy asholey aamra ki korchhi? Nijeder nirapekhhota promaner janyo mukh bujey, jene shuney jal uchu nichu bolchhi. Kintu keno? Kono uttor nei...

Aamader byojestho ra ajibon bole esechhen, "Sat pathey chalo. Sada ke sada aar kalo ke kalo bolo. Etai niyam". Tobe, aaj keno ei paribartan?

Asholey, Ekhon dey dhawa juger hawa, aar tatei ek futkarey jachhi urey....

Sotti bole ekhon se agya, aar mithye bolle se asath. Tahole se ki bolbe? Binarity te na hoy gelam na, tahole ki bolbo? Janina gochher kichu ekta?

Tahole je byojesthoder eto diner katha gulo mithye hoe jabe???

E jug bolbe, "Mitthye hok"! Aacha, khub jante iche korey, tahole aagami jug ki bolbe?

Tara to uttor i khuje pabena. Prashnogulo hoyto tokhon o sahaji thakbe kintu uttor gulo hoye jabe ajana. Tokhon, ki upay?

Asholey aamader samasyar bijta gobhirey. Aamra nijeder samalochona sajhya korte akhyam. Aamader asha lokey sudhui gaal bhore prosongsha korbe. Kono ekdin ghee khele, aagami koek dashak lokey sei ghee er gandhoi mone rakhbe. Keno baba, ke ei mathar dibbi dieche?

Aami jokhon kaaj korte namchi tokhon somalochona sajhya korar khamata thakbena keno aamar? Jibon ta sudhu golap chhorano noy, golap er gandher majhe kantao thake. Keno aamar paye phhutbena sei kanta?

Ami ki emon bigyo? Ki emon mohan khamata aamar?

Ashol samasya etai. Aamra prosongshar kangal. Samalochana aamader aruchir upadan. Keno?

Jotodin na nijeder bodlate parbo aamra, totodin ei samasya chholche, cholbe!!!

Aamra na chaileo...

A Date with Dada!

(Statutory warning: Eta Kolkata, tai Banglay lekhatai banchhoniyo.)

We live in Kolkata, the land of Rosogollas, the land of Victoria Memorial, and also its the land of our very own Dadas. No, we aren't really referring them as brothers. They are just our Dada.

(Ekhane, Dadur boyoshi lok o apnar Dada!) Be it an old man just crossing the barrier of 90, or just a kid crossing his teenage days; they all are our Dada.

Here, the political leaders are Dada, the cricket captain is Dada, the phuchkawallah is Dada; or even the rickshaw puller is a Dada. (Rastar more dariye jokhon aamra chechai, "O dada sunchen!; tokhon ke je shone seta bola mushkil!)

That day while travelling in Metro, this journo came across an unique character. The man dressed in white kurta, and white payjama, introduced himself as ..... (naam ta dichhina, Dada khepe jete pare. The first thing he said was "Aami ekjon Dada. Shobar Dada"

Well, all this while we've seen Dadagiri of many people, but ini toh nijei nijeke Dada bolchen.

Journo: Who the hell are you?

Dada: Aarey, amaar naam....., duniyar Dada.

Journo: are you mad? You want to be the " duniyar dadaa?"

Dada: Arey Shala marbo ekhane lash porbe baganey. Aami holam Dada, aat theke ashi shobar Dada. Bujhle?

Journo: ( being a little polite) yup, bujhlam!

Dada: Shono bhaya, ami shokale dudhwalah der secretary, dash ta theke Auto bachao committeer sampadak, barotar por Bus tola jabena samity r pradhan, duto theke Footpath bachao committeer neta, tin ter por theke 'Hawker bachao committeer' sampdak. Charter por theke soja Maidan e Khela Bachao committee r karta, tarpor CAB r mali der sangram committeer pradhan. Chhota theke Taxi Andoloner kormi, sare sat tay Dhalao Mod license na dewa commiiteer hota, atta y Mod khan pran bachan commiiteer poresident. Natay Pratibad commiitee sere dashtay bari phiri. Aami Dada. Bojha gelo he sangabdik?

Journo: So, what do you do in late hours?

Dada: Oh, tokhon ami Ghumer bori khao committeer sampadak. Tokhon aami ghumiye ghumiye andolan kori. Koto struggle bujhcho bhai!

Journo: Well, have these protests of any use?

Dada: (With a soft smile) He He, ta ektu flop koreche boiki. Emon andolan korechi je loke ar ashol dudh kene na. Autoy chapena. Shob purono bus uthe geche. Footpath shob hawker ra nie nieche. Maidaner ardhek mathey khela hoyna. Andoloner jyalamoyi teje shob malider tariye dieche. Taxi ardhek uthe geche. Dhalao license dewa hoeche mod er dokaney. Dekhecho, koto kaaj hoeche.

Journo: How do you motivate people?

Dada: simple. Jekhane jai sekhanei chechai. Tarpor jhagra kori, loke bhabe circus hoche. Lok jute jay, tarpor tader matha chete ami andolan kori.

(Dada was in a hurry. He got down at Chandni Chowk), saying, "Choli bhai, ebar Metro bachao committee r sabhaya jabo"

For a second, this journo was speechless. If these are the Dadas, then can results be any better?

Jai hok, ei holo amader Kolkata, Ar ei holo amader DADA'R DADAGIRI!

(Next episode: Journo faces the agony aunt)

The Princess and the Journo!

Kolkata; August 20, 2009: The day started off with a 'bang' (no, it wasnt good... my head was banging, thanks to the bad old headache problem!) There were loads of assignments to be completed, and I was not feeling well. The body parts seemed to have given up, I was feeling drowsy, coughing out loud...

Maa was quite scared, "Swine Flu holo naki re???", she went on with her curiosity, thanks to the great Indian curiosity...

However, It went on well... A hot cup of coffee was enough to bring me back to life.

I started penning down some reportorial assignments, then tried calling up my princess charming, but as usual princess had decided to shut down her cell phone. So, texting was the only option to fall back on.

Anyways, amidst coughing and sneezing, and the suspicion of being affected by the 'swine' flu, day went ahead...

Cut to 14:00Hrs (IST)

Venue: Rabindra Sadan Metro Station

Her phone was ringing. It was the third time I tried calling her, but all efforts went in vein... Every time the call would end with a lady voice saying, "subscriber cant be contacted"

Bloody Hell!!! Why wasn't she taking my call??

Suddenly someone called me from the back. I looked back, saw the three musketiers standing in a row, with a smile. As if they had done a great job by not taking my call.

Well, after chatting for some time the two ''laugh birds" disappeared, and I was now joined by the princess.

My sixth sense sparked me off. I was finally able to get hold of the Princess, how can I let this opportunity go?

The diary came out from my bag, the dictaphone went in to work. Now, I was ready to face the Princess.

Journo: So, finally you have finally appeared in Rabindra Sadan. Why did it take so long?

Princess: (In straight cut Bengali) Ha go, cholei elam... Ganga pare ja jam na go... Aamader rajyer gari gulo shob two stroke, tai cholche na, tai hete elam ... Tai deri holo. Jakge, Rabi da (read, Tagore) r namey station e eshe boddo bhalo lagche!!!

Journo : (wondering what did that mean?) Dont you stay in the palace? Then why do you need a public transport? Hell with Two stroke...

Princess: Arey dhur, public transport e asbo keno? Aamader gari gulo to shob auto, shob i dhowa chhara two stroke marka. Ki aar kora jabe!

Journo: Cant you even afford a car ?

Princess: Na go, ei maa mati manusher jugey shob hobe saman. Aamra ekhon khete khawa public. Maa mati manush, aamra aar gaari tey chhorbona, ekhon aamra sudhu train e chapbo. Aaj Duranto, kal Uranto, porshu Ghumonto... Koto train!

Journo:Et tu princess?

Princess: Na go mairi bolchi, concept ta total fultu... Train er koto subidha, Howrah theke chepe bosbo Dighay giye namte hobena. Tamraliptay jabo, Kandari hoye asbo...

Journo: Good, got you. So, where are you heading next?

Princess: Ei ebar Metroy uthbo, soja Garia... Abara phirti train e Esplanade, sekhan theke chakra rail e, tarpor bari phirbo two strokey. Etuku two stroke chaptei hobe, noile Dada ra aamari stroke kore debe. Jakge, ekhon kati, tata!!!

What was it? An interview? An hallucination or the real reflection of a common man's life? The Princess made me go back to a decade earlier. The catch line of a te;lecom company said, "Its for everyone, maharaja or praja"... Now, after a decade, its so true...

(Next episode: The Dada and the Journo)

Kolkata in Auto mode...!

During my last visit to Varanasi, I traveled all around the city in a horse carriage, (Better known as Tanga in Uttar Pradesh), and surprisingly discovered that the ancient city prefers Tanga over Autos and cabs. On asking a local resident regarding the relevance of this policy, he smartly replied, “We don’t want pollution, so we prefer Tanga”.
But, back here in Kolkata, it’s just the other way round. It’s a world of Auto, Auto, and Auto. It seems that we simply are obsessed with this mini transport!
We seem to love the pungent smell of the kaata tel despite knowing the fact that it’s harmful. We seem to love everything about the transport. Be it the foul smell, the flames, or the slang’s by the auto drivers. Every thing!
Actually, the Kolkatans have become habituated to this Auto culture. We know that Naktala is a five minutes distance from Garia, yet we love to travel in Auto. We know that we’ll have to wait for hours to get an auto, yet we love to stand in the long queues at Tollygunje, or Gariahat. Obsession indeed!
Now, the ban on Two-Stroke autos comes as a shock for the Kolkatans. We don’t bother in taking the foul smell of Kaata Tel, we don’t mind in quarrelling with the Auto drivers, we know it’s injurious to health, yet we love to take an auto ride.
I remember a famous Bengali writer had once said, “Bengalis are now in an Auto mode, because of this domination by the Autos”
Reality bites…!
As a result, we hear Mr. Bose telling Mr. Ghose, “What will happen now? If Autos get banned, how will I reach office?” But, one wonders the reason behind this Auto fixation? We know it’s cheap, we are aware of the fact that it’s convenient as well, but are we least bothered about our health?
In spite of knowing the fact that the pungent smell produced by the Kaata Tel can cause Cancer, or cardiac arrest, we love to travel in Autos. Who cares about health? seems to be the common attitude…
If a dusty city like Varanasi or Kanpur can zero in on other modes of transport, in order to reduce the rate of pollution, then why can’t we prefer to travel in Eco-Friendly transport?
We study Environmental Education in schools, and colleges, we debate over the Pollution control, yet we travel by most polluted transport, i.e. Auto.
What a combination!!!
Despite knowing the consequences we bat for autos, we love to depend on the polluted transport, to reach our destination…
This clearly portrays a fact—“Reality is real, much real than the reality!”
So, in spite of knowing the consequences of Auto, we bank in on them as our friendly transport, effacing out all the issues of Pollution and problem.
So, the statement of a renowned writer says it all, “Bengalis are now in an Auto mode, because of this domination by the Autos”
How true…!