Dangal

Movie Review (Hindi)

As with every movie that revolves around a protagonist who rises against odds or conquers all obstacles in her/his path, this story besides being all this also has three protagonists -- A middle aged man and two young women - a father (Mahavir Phogat) and his two daughters (Geeta and Babita).

In the heart of Haryana where patriarchy is phenomenal, a middle aged wrestler has the guts to push for his daughters to succeed in an arena which is a male bastion, namely the wrestling arena. 

Dangal, the movie, is a success from the word go. Several reasons for this:
Aamir Khan is the ageing wrestler;
This is a real life success story;
It is about girls winning over boys despite social stigma;
This is about Sports. 

So lots of reasons why this film should be a runaway success.

Let me also mention the biggest reason--- A story well directed, edited and with competent actors.

Kahaani 2

Movie Review (Hindi)

This is said to be the prequel to the original Kahaani, though other than Vidya Balan's name I see no threads tying the two. But nothing is impossible in the world of the movies!!! 

Director Sujoy Ghosh has hit the jackpot with these two films. I only hope he comes out with something radically different in the next. Would love to see Vidya Balan again, though in a totally different avatar.

What was good was that I enjoyed the movie just as I had enjoyed Kahaani. The twists and turns were tantalizing enough to keep me glued as to the outcome. 

Arjun Rampal was quite convincing. I am impressed with what good directors can achieve. But Jugal Hansraj??? That Masoom boy is now a cold blooded villian! Well done! 

Travel Tales

Trip to Sanganer, Rajasthan

More on my trip to Sanganer... 

I found men hard at work on carving intricate designs on wood. Each of these would go on to create the delicate prints we find on the Sanganeri textiles. 

A glimpse of some wooden textile printing blocks

 

 

Trip to Sanganer, Rajasthan

On my recent trip to Sanganer in Rajasthan, I learnt several things. One of them was the Art of Paper making. 

1.Small pieces of hosiery cotton

2. The tank where the cloth pieces are immersed in water

3. The pulpy cloth in water where pink colour is added

4. The pulp lifted in a wire mesh tray

5. The tray turned upside down

          

The sheets of paper now look like this.

                 
 6. This press removes excess water from the paper

7.Another round in the roller press ...
 
 
And the sheets look like these!!

8. Screen printing now creates magic!

9. Add petals to the paper while it is pressed!!

10. The excess paper goes back to the pulp stage,

11. The final products!!!