Would you be there to smile at me every day,
Would we be together to see the sun everyday.
Would you choose to go with your heart.
Or would you rather say goodbye and part?
Would you rather leave behind all the thoughts?
Or would you like to stay to build those thoughts?
Would you rather feel my hands slipping away?
Or would you rather hold them through the sway?
All I want to do is hold you all my life,
I can’t even think of another way.
I wouldn’t know where to hold on,
I wouldn’t be able to go too long.
I’d be totally beaten back,
Not able to find the track.
I need to know if love is pain,
Or whether its there to cover the rain.
All these tears are not just in vain,
I know there’s someone watching me in pain.
And love would be a prayer I have sent,
A life with you I’d never resent.
Would you ever feel the way I feel?
Would you ever hold me as I sleep.
Would we get to be in our dream,
Or is it going to fade away with the sleep?
Will your voice always echo in my ear?
Or is it going to take me into fear?
Every second moving closer to the fence,
Hanging on to our every last defense.
Together we will recreate the meaning of love,
Together we will hold onto all that we’re there for.
Paint the picture that we’re meant to draw,
All our colours bringing to fade everything around.
This is what is meant to be,
Don’t know how you cannot see.
Take all the courage you have,
To make this all our very own paradise.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Movie Crazy Tamil Nadu
All over the world, movies influence people and also inculcate in them a myriad of reactions and feelings. But nowhere in the world can movies actually have an impact on people than in Tamil Nadu. This can be endorsed by the fact that all the politicians who are someone in this state have all been from the film world and each one’s vote bank has been nurtured and brought up on the basis of different movies. Our people don’t just watch a movie to take time of from their busy schedule but rather movies are a part and parcel of their schedule. Queues stretching as far as ones eyes go to get a ticket for a movie on the first day is a very common sight in Chennai. In the beginning, I used to wonder why people would stand in such long queues to get a ticket on the first day, or even going to the level of buying a ticket in the “black”, when you could come back to see the very same movie about a week or even a month later very comfortably. But after I stayed in Chennai for a few years I understood that this was practically drilled into us. We were forced by society and the general public into doing being there to watch a movie on the first day. Maybe, this could be another form of social pressure or even “peer” pressure, if I may be allowed to use this term. My friends would get excited just at the thought of a movie that was going to be released even a year later. They would go to any levels to be the first to get some little bit of information on the movie, something that others didn’t know. Why? Because everyone is interested and there are hardly a handful of Tamilians who would not flutter an eye-lid when a Rajinikanth starrer or Kamal-Hassan starrer was to release!
Rajinikanth movies are really something in Tamil Nadu. A first day show of a Rajinikanth movie could cost anywhere between Rs.500 – Rs.1000 in the black, as you can be pretty sure that you wouldn’t be able to get a ticket at the counter (Blame it on the fan clubs or the influence of people with the theatre owners). So if you were just a commoner, you would have to probably buy a ticket for this cost. And there are so many people who would do anything to lay their hands on this ticket. People who hardly make enough money for a living and to support their family would be willing to spend so much money to get their hands on a ticket to their “Thalaivar’s” film!
Leaving aside the monetary factor, a movie release is more celebrated as a festival here in Tamil Nadu. With people bursting crackers, sticking posters and hanging streamers all over the towns and cities, a movie release gives people a more “understood” common reason to celebrate. It is very common to see people dancing and screaming out at theatres vehemently sure that their “demi-god” on screen can here what they have to say and will appreciate them for their loyalty and antics. Fans turn into political parties and fans turn into MLAs (ministers in the state assembly). This is how “loyalty” is rewarded in our political system (which also includes the film industry). Very simply put, there is a very thin line that divides our political system from our film industry. This line can choose to appear when it is needed and also disappear when it is not needed.
So how should our film-makers act knowing and understanding the prevailing situation. They know that every action our superstar performs on screen is going to be imitated by thousands and many are going to live the character their star plays on screen. So here comes the million-dollar question – Are our movie makers being responsible and taking movies understanding the sentiments of our people. This is highly debatable, but I choose to say that there are very few film-makers who make a movie responsibly. I understand that people are expected to act in an independent manner and are supposed to be able to think for themselves, but are our people thinking for themselves? A small illustration to drive home the above fact is smoking on-screen. Yes, I agree it does look stylish to see an actor blowing smoke in different shapes, but I personally do know many people who have taken to smoking because they have seen their favourite actor do so on screen. This is just a small illustration of the on-going situation. Movie-makers are taken away by commercial aspects of movies and resort to taking ugly scenes (like badly taken rape scenes) in order to bring crowds into the halls. They even work their way through the censor board to justify such scenes in our movies. Maybe our film-makers should concentrate more on spreading messages through their films to create social awareness on a host of reasons. You could very well argue that this would lead to boring films and “documentary-like” films, but I beg to differ. There was a certain movie in which comedian Vivek focused all of his comedy scenes in the movie on trying to make people understand that many of their customary practices were mostly without rationale. The comedy track was appreciated and enjoyed by all at the same time trying to tell people to think of many of the practices they were following just because their fore-fathers told them to do so!
Only in Tamil Nadu, can a movie be the cause of calling an assembly session, the cost of a movie ticket be cause of state-wide headlines and feuds between fans extend beyond to reach political heights. Only in Tamil Nadu, can actors take on politicians openly in the public, can actors run a three-hour advertisement for himself to create an entry point into his political career and most amusingly can an actor copyright his on-screen behavioral patterns. This is the state where real life isn’t portrayed in movies, but rather scenes from movies and dialogues reflect on a person’s behavioral habits and character. Drama extends to reality and reality rises beyond the galaxy creating super stars who go even beyond to hold the reins of power.
Rajinikanth movies are really something in Tamil Nadu. A first day show of a Rajinikanth movie could cost anywhere between Rs.500 – Rs.1000 in the black, as you can be pretty sure that you wouldn’t be able to get a ticket at the counter (Blame it on the fan clubs or the influence of people with the theatre owners). So if you were just a commoner, you would have to probably buy a ticket for this cost. And there are so many people who would do anything to lay their hands on this ticket. People who hardly make enough money for a living and to support their family would be willing to spend so much money to get their hands on a ticket to their “Thalaivar’s” film!
Leaving aside the monetary factor, a movie release is more celebrated as a festival here in Tamil Nadu. With people bursting crackers, sticking posters and hanging streamers all over the towns and cities, a movie release gives people a more “understood” common reason to celebrate. It is very common to see people dancing and screaming out at theatres vehemently sure that their “demi-god” on screen can here what they have to say and will appreciate them for their loyalty and antics. Fans turn into political parties and fans turn into MLAs (ministers in the state assembly). This is how “loyalty” is rewarded in our political system (which also includes the film industry). Very simply put, there is a very thin line that divides our political system from our film industry. This line can choose to appear when it is needed and also disappear when it is not needed.
So how should our film-makers act knowing and understanding the prevailing situation. They know that every action our superstar performs on screen is going to be imitated by thousands and many are going to live the character their star plays on screen. So here comes the million-dollar question – Are our movie makers being responsible and taking movies understanding the sentiments of our people. This is highly debatable, but I choose to say that there are very few film-makers who make a movie responsibly. I understand that people are expected to act in an independent manner and are supposed to be able to think for themselves, but are our people thinking for themselves? A small illustration to drive home the above fact is smoking on-screen. Yes, I agree it does look stylish to see an actor blowing smoke in different shapes, but I personally do know many people who have taken to smoking because they have seen their favourite actor do so on screen. This is just a small illustration of the on-going situation. Movie-makers are taken away by commercial aspects of movies and resort to taking ugly scenes (like badly taken rape scenes) in order to bring crowds into the halls. They even work their way through the censor board to justify such scenes in our movies. Maybe our film-makers should concentrate more on spreading messages through their films to create social awareness on a host of reasons. You could very well argue that this would lead to boring films and “documentary-like” films, but I beg to differ. There was a certain movie in which comedian Vivek focused all of his comedy scenes in the movie on trying to make people understand that many of their customary practices were mostly without rationale. The comedy track was appreciated and enjoyed by all at the same time trying to tell people to think of many of the practices they were following just because their fore-fathers told them to do so!
Only in Tamil Nadu, can a movie be the cause of calling an assembly session, the cost of a movie ticket be cause of state-wide headlines and feuds between fans extend beyond to reach political heights. Only in Tamil Nadu, can actors take on politicians openly in the public, can actors run a three-hour advertisement for himself to create an entry point into his political career and most amusingly can an actor copyright his on-screen behavioral patterns. This is the state where real life isn’t portrayed in movies, but rather scenes from movies and dialogues reflect on a person’s behavioral habits and character. Drama extends to reality and reality rises beyond the galaxy creating super stars who go even beyond to hold the reins of power.
Friday, February 16, 2007
This bliss of ours will never end.....
This bliss of ours will never end…..
Through the tears and the pain,
In the heat and the rain.
With the smiles and the laughter,
Holding hands walking together.
Baby, you’re the one for me,
Always together we’re meant to be.
The best in us for the world to see,
Hold my hands, Our love will breathe.
The oneness that our hearts share,
Despite the differences we have.
This infinite love that I bear,
Tells stories without any compare.
I wish I had you in my arms,
I wish I could just prolongue this trance.
The distance between vanishing before my eyes.
This journey I travel to hold my prize.
The moments that you speak silence,
The volumes that I hear just then.
Keeps my heart beating for still another moment,
The brutality of miles submerging into obliviousness.
In the trees I hear your name,
In the breeze, I see your face.
On my walls, I imagine a million portraits.
In my ears, I feel you whispering,
Close my eyes, You stand before me,
Falling down, your lap comes beneath,
Miss a step and you pull me up,
Blinded by all, you give me sight.
For you my love, I make this pledge,
Till the breath ends, together we’ll tread.
In this journey and the next,
This bliss of ours will never end.
Through the tears and the pain,
In the heat and the rain.
With the smiles and the laughter,
Holding hands walking together.
Baby, you’re the one for me,
Always together we’re meant to be.
The best in us for the world to see,
Hold my hands, Our love will breathe.
The oneness that our hearts share,
Despite the differences we have.
This infinite love that I bear,
Tells stories without any compare.
I wish I had you in my arms,
I wish I could just prolongue this trance.
The distance between vanishing before my eyes.
This journey I travel to hold my prize.
The moments that you speak silence,
The volumes that I hear just then.
Keeps my heart beating for still another moment,
The brutality of miles submerging into obliviousness.
In the trees I hear your name,
In the breeze, I see your face.
On my walls, I imagine a million portraits.
In my ears, I feel you whispering,
Close my eyes, You stand before me,
Falling down, your lap comes beneath,
Miss a step and you pull me up,
Blinded by all, you give me sight.
For you my love, I make this pledge,
Till the breath ends, together we’ll tread.
In this journey and the next,
This bliss of ours will never end.
To a really special person......
For you my love, I need no special day,
I needn't confess my love in a million ways.
Never need to express the deepest of feelings,
Love coming out in a thousand different meanings.
But I still would do all of that and more,
Each and every day another new old lore.
Not many are well given a friend to love,
An Angel to take me up heavenly above.
Memories being the air keeping me breathing,
Your kiss forever will keep me yearning.
You bring a smile to my heart,
I'm sure even death can't do us apart.
Every day a new thread binding us together,
If one should break,Ten form in its wake.
And now I wish, I could wake up each morning,
To the sound of your breath onto my neck.
The warmth of your lips on my cheek,
The touch of your fingers on my skin,
And the feeling of our hearts beating as one.
Every touch sends a thousand chills down my spine,
I love so much that you are mine,
I love you today as from the start,
I promise to love you forever with all of my heart.
I needn't confess my love in a million ways.
Never need to express the deepest of feelings,
Love coming out in a thousand different meanings.
But I still would do all of that and more,
Each and every day another new old lore.
Not many are well given a friend to love,
An Angel to take me up heavenly above.
Memories being the air keeping me breathing,
Your kiss forever will keep me yearning.
You bring a smile to my heart,
I'm sure even death can't do us apart.
Every day a new thread binding us together,
If one should break,Ten form in its wake.
And now I wish, I could wake up each morning,
To the sound of your breath onto my neck.
The warmth of your lips on my cheek,
The touch of your fingers on my skin,
And the feeling of our hearts beating as one.
Every touch sends a thousand chills down my spine,
I love so much that you are mine,
I love you today as from the start,
I promise to love you forever with all of my heart.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Have we lost our privacy?
If you happen to live in a metro or even a big town, just take a walk outside on the roads. What do you see? For sure, you would see at least seven out of ten people speaking on their mobile phones! This is the scenario today- even auto rickshaw drivers or labourers have one in their pocket. Such is the impact of mobile communication. India is known to be among the nations having the cheapest mobile tariffs in the world. This may be one of the reasons. What bothers me is the fact that we have lost our lives to our phones! We need to speak to someone every now and then. And if we don’t need to do that, someone needs to speak to us every now and then!
Unknowingly, we have lost every last bit of privacy that we had. We may stay in the most secluded of places but like the Hutch advertisement very sweetly puts across “Wherever you go, our network follows you”. Well that’s what’s happening to each and every one of us. Off course the world is getting closer and the concept of a global village has arrived, but think of the cons of such a situation. Where are the philosophers and thinkers? You may argue saying that “We do have the freedom to switch our phones off”. But when would we do something like that. Even if we were to do something like that it would probably be because we’ve fought with someone and we don’t want to talk to them! And even then the urge to switch on the mobile would conquer or emotions more often sooner than later.
People call us all the time and say “Hello, How have you been? I’ve missed you so much.” Well to think of it, do we actually give people a chance to miss us? How did our parents or rather grand parents live? There weren’t any mobile phones then. Off course we could always make a call from a landline when we needed to. I don’t think any of our mobiles stay quiet without receiving a call or atleast a message every hour. And if someone’s phone stops working for a day or two, all hell breaks loose. People call to ask whether everything is alright and so many such things.
I’ve actually wondered at many an instance as to whether I would be able to stay without a phone for a considerable period of time. I’ve tried it once and failed miserably. There’s this urge to reach out for my phone and message someone. I then realized that we do message people without any real considerable message to pass on!
“Hey man. Wat U Up2?”
Or
“Wat’s up?”
Or even
“Good Morning”
What the hell are we getting to? Are we becoming slave to technology? That is one other cause for concern. I guess if we didn’t have our phones, we’d fine some other way of keeping ourselves busy and there’s a 70% chance that it would be something more productive. So now we no longer have any such thing as a “Private Life” and we’re becoming slave to technology. Is this for the good?????
Oops… Am getting a call… Gotta go…. Give it some thought people……
P.S: My Spanish post is still underway... just wasn't in the mood to complete it and thought i'd put something else in here!
Unknowingly, we have lost every last bit of privacy that we had. We may stay in the most secluded of places but like the Hutch advertisement very sweetly puts across “Wherever you go, our network follows you”. Well that’s what’s happening to each and every one of us. Off course the world is getting closer and the concept of a global village has arrived, but think of the cons of such a situation. Where are the philosophers and thinkers? You may argue saying that “We do have the freedom to switch our phones off”. But when would we do something like that. Even if we were to do something like that it would probably be because we’ve fought with someone and we don’t want to talk to them! And even then the urge to switch on the mobile would conquer or emotions more often sooner than later.
People call us all the time and say “Hello, How have you been? I’ve missed you so much.” Well to think of it, do we actually give people a chance to miss us? How did our parents or rather grand parents live? There weren’t any mobile phones then. Off course we could always make a call from a landline when we needed to. I don’t think any of our mobiles stay quiet without receiving a call or atleast a message every hour. And if someone’s phone stops working for a day or two, all hell breaks loose. People call to ask whether everything is alright and so many such things.
I’ve actually wondered at many an instance as to whether I would be able to stay without a phone for a considerable period of time. I’ve tried it once and failed miserably. There’s this urge to reach out for my phone and message someone. I then realized that we do message people without any real considerable message to pass on!
“Hey man. Wat U Up2?”
Or
“Wat’s up?”
Or even
“Good Morning”
What the hell are we getting to? Are we becoming slave to technology? That is one other cause for concern. I guess if we didn’t have our phones, we’d fine some other way of keeping ourselves busy and there’s a 70% chance that it would be something more productive. So now we no longer have any such thing as a “Private Life” and we’re becoming slave to technology. Is this for the good?????
Oops… Am getting a call… Gotta go…. Give it some thought people……
P.S: My Spanish post is still underway... just wasn't in the mood to complete it and thought i'd put something else in here!
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