A Thousand Splendid Suns

Following on the narrative of The Kite Runner, this second book is again outstanding. The two boys in the former have now been replaced by two women, and the master storyteller, Khaled Hosseini, never falters to draw me into their lives. I feel the helplessness, the hopelessness, the claustrophobia that both of them go through. But, finally, the sacrifices do not go in vain and I loved the ending of the book. I was easily transported to Afghanistan this time since I had visited Kabul not so long ago with Aamir and Hasan. The two books could be combined into a new whole. Here's to the Strength of Women!

Durga Puja

The five days have come and gone and as always, its the anticipation that was more exciting. Pandal hopping was a little low key, thanks to the jihadis. But the goddess never fails to enthuse me with the spirit of inner strength and optimism. Ten hands is what I require and maybe ten heads.
Got some pics of the puja which I will upload soon, so keep viewing!!!

A New Innings

I surprised myself getting a job once again. The last regular job held was exactly two years ago in the IT sector. I quit after a while. I suppose the templetized work was not for me and I went back to freelancing. But this new job allows me to do what I do best: writing, editing and research, with a youth magazine, Kindle, launched last month from Kolkata. Since it is new territory for the magazine as also for the market (no good youth magazine there), its early days yet to predict the outcome. But the production quality is very good. The next six months should get things rolling. In the meantime, we, the editorial staff, have to keep churning out ideas for today's youth, known for its ability to pass judgement at an instant. Lets hope that judgement favours us.

Rock On!!

Rock On!! certainly did a great job of rocking. While looking for snags you would think you have seen this kind of a film somewhere before, but that is all. The similarity ends right there. No doubt this movie is an entertainer to the hilt, but it also has actors who can act, a script that is tightly written, and music that is required by the script. The oscillation between the present and the past is slick, as are the rock concerts.
The four main leads, Farhan, Arjun, Purab and Luke have excelled in their beautifully etched out characters. They looked quite comfortable with their musical instruments and quite uncomfortable with their adult lonely lives. The film is all about loving, losing and loving again and definitely clicks with the audience.
The beats of the music created by the foursome called Magik, pumps up the adrenaline which keeps resounding in one’s mind when the credits roll up and the lights come on.
Hats off to the Production team. Keep Rocking!

Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh

A book worth reading is Amitav Ghosh's Sea of Poppies. Unfortunately, this is the first of a trilogy, and the wait for book two seems a long one. The characters who travel across the Indian Ocean from Calcutta to Mauritius in the ship called Ibis come alive so effortlessly. Their pain, worries and happiness simply cannot leave the reader alone. The research behind the background of the mid-19 century is immense and being a lover of history I find that an added attraction. The working of the East India Company and their realtionship with the zamindars and the working class of India, as well as the poppy plant business from the fields by the Ganges covers a vast area. This book is an intellectual marvel.

The Kite Runner

Indeed, very few books have moved me as much as The Kite Runner. Khaled Hosseini really takes the top position amongst storytellers. The emotional upheavals woven throughout the book never lets go of the reader's mind and heart. I remained with Hassan, Amir and Sohrab long after I had turned the last page. The phrase, "For You, a thousand times over" keeps ringing in my ears, haunting.

The Crab Soup

The play The Crab Soup was staged on July 9 at the Max Mueller Bhavan. Both the shows had quite a turn out. The TCA director, Ramanjit Kaur and scriptwriter Arthur Cardozo have really done a great job. The play travels to London as a Theatre Science project. It dealt with a middle class young couple facing the spectre of HIV and coping or not coping with it.
The Kolkata audience does seem a little uncomfortable with English plays and with subtleties. Long silences are definitely not appreciated here. Moreover, the actors need to come to grips with a foreign language and learn to deliver more confidently.
All in all, a good effort. Good for English theatre!!!