A century of fascination that is Cinema: Blog # 50

A century of fascination that is Cinema

       It was one of those lazy Sundays when I along with a few friends went for a movie. It was quite an emotional one and I saw one of our friends trying hard to fight the tears. That is the kind of connect this art form has with its audience. People internalize what is depicted on the silver screen. There is a bit of transmigration happening over those two hours in the cinema hall.

            I find Cinema, enamoring to say the least. It is one of the most beautiful depictions of creativity. Add to that there is this aura of charm and celebrity hood.

            There are few media which has as much reach. The beauty of it lies in the fact that it is effortless to enjoy yet not passive.

          Another noteworthy facet is the interpretation and thus the persona which the people involved lends to the story. No two actors can depict the same role in similar way. Same goes for the directors who are the custodians of a cinema’s soul.

       I would say no other art form captures the socio - cultural scenario of a time period with as much authenticity. To get a feel of how life was in the bygone era, all you need to do is to watch the films of those times.

     Cinema connects people of all demography – it cuts across age, wealth, religion, education – these days, languages too.

           Our kind of cinema is incomplete without our melodious songs and dance sequences. Hardly a day in our lives passes by without humming a song or at least listening to it. How bland our life would be without them!

          Over the 100 years, Indian cinema has evolved from a time when the ‘masses’ lived through their fancies for those 2 hours in the movie halls and the ‘classes’ emulated the on screen life styles to today’s raw – close to life and bold, experimental, unconventional stories.

There is more to cinema than entertainment. The ‘soft power’ that cinema lends to a country is unparalleled – our own country stands testimony to this fact. It is said Russians used to hum Raj kapoor’s tunes. And today, Indian cinema has transcended boundaries – commercially and other wise. There are very few film festivals where Indian cinema has not left a mark.

I do not remember the first film I ever saw. But what I know for sure is that it has left a lasting impression because my love for many things has changed in the growing up years, but for cinema.

                                                                                                           

Arun Babu

Keywords: Indian Cinema,Bollywood,Hindi Films, Indian films, Indian movies, Indian film industry, Indian actors, Indian actresses,100 years of Indian Cinema

            

Being a Recruiter: Blog # 49

Being a Recruiter

I would be lying if I say I had never given a thought as to how that moment will feel like. It did transgress my mind space quite often. But what I didn't know was that it would feel so great to stand in front of a 1000 strong audience in my Alma mater’s auditorium; being a recruiter.

The Sunday evening’s calm welcomed me and my friend Raghu at Planet E(that's what we fondly call the invitingly lush village of Ettimadai). As we drove in to the all too familiar road carpeted with the yellow flowers and bordering the university building, we knew we were home. We met some of the super seniors, thanks to the ongoing Alumni boot camp. It was heartening to know that there were some souls in each of the batches that preceded ours who longed to rush back to the foothills of planet E as much as we do, if not more.

We knew the juniors would have something up their sleeves. This time, it was a cultural event which had ‘Best of Utsav’ performances and boy, there was some serious talent on stage. Determined to meet up our professors, Kulkarni sir and DG sir,(whom we missed out during the convocation) Raghu and I marched past the store and the ashram to reach the faculty quarters. As is always, had a soulful chat with both the marketing gurus.

The next day morning, I came down to the guesthouse reception to be welcomed by a peacock in all its glory right at the door step. I realized planet E is a different world altogether, yet again.

         To quell a hint of apprehension that crept in early in the morning,I went to the faculty quarters to meet DG sir (as always). All it took was a hug to get my reassurance back in place that the Murphy's law won't wreak havoc.

Being in that auditorium where I sat through my convocation a week ago, now representing an organization, seemed surreal. There were quite a few familiar faces. I have each moment I spend there, tucked away in some corner of the happy place in my mind.

Each second seemed momentous. Be it interacting with the CIR personnel with whom I was discussing my job prospects hardly a year ago or going around in the golf cart on which I hopped on for a fleeting moment asking Vivek to take a quick pic, everything felt so wonderfully weird. Add to that, administering the test process for people with whom I have shared a PG hostel and had many a tea with.

Having got a break from the process, I walked through the stone laid pathway behind CIR block which lead to ASB, my B-School. Kulkarni sir walked in when I and our junior Geethu were having a tete-a-tete with Priya mam. As expected, sir made some veiled (and not so veiled) digs at HR, all in jest J.

The office staff were as welcoming as ever from where, I went for a quick tea at the canteen, just for the fun of it. After a small chat with some of the ASBians there, and post the process, we retired to the guest house.

Having had dinner, the whole team came out for a walk. With a hint of pride in my stride, I took all of them past the university building to the football ground and back to the guest house via the ashram. It was then that my Lead, Dinesh wondered how beautiful these mountains would look in the morning.

Before hitting the bed, I spend some time in the balcony which over looked the long road that came in to guest house. Sitting there listening to the creatures of planet E and the cool ettimadai breeze brushing past, I secretly wished if Dinesh would forget about the morning walk ;) .

I woke up to the morning train’s siren. We walked till the IT block recounting various incidents which made our campus life worthwhile, all the time admiring the elephant mountain basking in the twilight sun. The clouds moved at their own will revealing and hiding the twin mountains that marked the campus boundary.

The second day was even more unbelievable. Signing offer letters from the very same room where I awaited many a companies’ results and sitting through an interview in the room where I was interviewed!

Having finished the process by around 6, I came out for a walk and then for a Dosai and tea from the ASE canteenJ. I sat down at the ASB entrance making a couple of phone calls and sending out some smses when a girl and a boy walked up to me. Very sweetly, they said they just wanted to thank me for coming there and recruiting them. That moment, I knew I am doing a job that is real close to my heart.

Walking around aimlessly, I learned every corner, every road, every building in that campus reminded me of two years in my life which will rank right at the top, if I were to look back at the best years of my life.

The next morning too, we went for a walk. This time, I decided to take Dinesh to the Ettimadai village and walk back through the railway station. As we approached the gate, the security bhaiyyas let out a “hmmm??” with a hint of irreverence which gave way to a smile when I pointed at the welcome board kept at the entrance. There were quite a few light hearted moments like these which made the stay all the more pleasant.

When we stopped at the railway gate waiting for the train to pass by, I looked back at the elephant mountain promising myself I wouldn’t be gone for longJ.

                       

                                                                                                                        Arun Babu

This too shall pass : Blog # 48

This too shall pass

            I was in third standard when my dad got me and my sister, a pup. I don’t think I have ever loved a pet more. Three years later when it died, I learned what grief meant. 

                      

All of us would have gone through that one phase in life when we were drowning in such sadness that we wonder if Life would ever look better. But then, that phase also passes by.

Ever wondered why people who have gone through some heart wrenching incidents in Life are always emotionally stronger? It may be due to the greatest learning that tragedies impart - the fact that nothing stays. There is a silver lining around the corner. All that we need to do is hang in there. But that thought never crosses our minds, does it? – Not at least when we are in that frame of mind.

            Same goes for happiness – but let’s not be a cynical misanthrope ;). When we are happy, let’s live in the moment and forget the swift transience of life.

            The essence lies in not giving up. This might explain why people turn to a perceived higher power - someone or some entity, when life takes a stroll down the grief Ville. That source helps them to be resilient, to realize that this too shall pass.

                                                                                                                       Arun Babu.

Identity: Blog # 47

Identity

           

  It is one of those things in life which is evident yet so elusive.

             It can be as simple a thing as the way you greet a person from which a person derives your identity.

One’s attire or food habits can lend an identity. Many a time, one’s job becomes one’s identity. So does a person’s education.

The way a person speaks – the language, the lingo also form the shade of an identity of a person.

The faith that a person chooses to practice is also an identity. But Personally, I believe faith is something that should be private. It shouldn't be flaunted just like money shouldn’t be.

These days, one’s ‘posts’, ‘comments’ and ‘tweets’ also throw some light in to the kind of persona he/she has (or wish to project ;) ).

But all these are peripheral. Real identity should come from a person’s life – one’s thoughts, deeds, and conduct. Blessed are those who can derive an identity out of their passion.

What is interesting is; for people who strive to carve an identity of their own, it always needs to be chased and for those who do not care as much, it is bestowed up on!

 Arun Babu