Lunar Eclilpse and the Hoax of Scientific Temper

There is a famous anecdote about Thomas Alva Edison - world's greatest inventor-scientist. He is reading Bible in a train and a co-traveller surprised he is reading Bible even if with a scientific temper. Edison later invites him to his home. The traveller goes to Edison's home and suddenly notices an astonishing model of a solar system in the living room. He quizzes Edison who made it but Edison repeatedly says he only created it and that too in a day. The skeptic-guest gets exasperated and says,"C'mon Mr Edison. How can you make such a wonderful replica of a solar system in a day. Tell me who really made it." Edison was supposed to have replied: "If you can't believe that a mere replica of a solar system can't come up by itself, how did you think the entire solar system and the universe came up all by itself? If there is a creation, there has to be a creator. If there is a painting, there is a painting. If there is a sculpture, there is a sculptor. If there is an artwork, there has to be an artist." And so goes the tale, Edison has convinced the rationalist-skeptic-guest into believing that God is indeed the creator of this universe. This tale is recounted by a noted IT professional turned Spiritualist TT Rangarajn. But why am I suddenly saying this now? Because, I feel sometimes agog at the flurry of news channels trying to ignite an uproarious debate on whether the ongoing Lunar Eclipse has any repurcussions on pregnant women, children, eating habits, diseases and so on. I find it extremely silly that the so-called Rationalists dont argue with a scientific temper that it deserves - they just jump onto the moment's opportunity - why can't you eat during eclipse? Why should you close temples? Why you can do anything you like during this time? I cannot possibly answer all these questions in a sentence or a facebook post ( since I and my family take it quite seriously - these eclipses without abashedness whether it is scientific or not). But the fact is - a small micro-degree variation in an acquarium of small fish in temperature or water can kill the fish suddenly. When such a thing can happen in a small ecosystem like aquarium - imagine how much variation can happen when three huge planets Earth, Moon and Sun overlap in cosmic orbits and how many bacteria and micro-organisms get created as well as killed? Why do the Rationalists always argue for arguments' sake without seeing such a simple logic. Our systems also, as one seer opined in a channel, are so advanced we can tell all the eclipses that have happened or will happen for the next several millenia with just pen and paper and vernacular Almanacs. Can the scientists predict when the next eclipse or the next sub-cycle occur? I am reasonably rationalist but sometimes the blind nonsense that goes in the name of Rationalism to the point of pooh-poohing the inherent logical biases and scientific certitude that is embedded into our Astrological systems and good practices of living is not my cup of tea. We can take such debates later on but first let the scientists answer such simple questions as above. Right now, its time for us to have a headbath, recite a few more mantras, sprinkle water, cook fresh food and break our fast of more than 12 hours and go to sleep. Happy Lunar Eclipse to all!

"Panja" Movie Review

"Panja" is directed by Vishnuvardhan who made "Billa". It had Pawan Kalyan pinning such high hopes that he made the Audio launch also a low-key affair and under-stated. The movie will remain that way only - under-stated and low-key because while it is pleasing to the eye, it is hard on the ears. If you combine I-Day and R-Day celebrations since 1947 also, you will not have heard so many gunshots ...in one movie. When will movie-makers realise that people don't come to the theatre to hear gunshots and see stylised violence masquerading as a slick gangster movie. We got the feelling we have seen this movie before in "Antham" or "Godfather" or countless RGV films. Pawan Kalyan looks good with his richly-trimmed beard and subtle acting, he also strived to dance reasonably according to his capacity well. But the rest of the cast doesn't get the characterisation you remember. Another wasted opportunity for Jackie Shroff. Yuvan Shankar Raja's music is good in maybe two songs but his BGM could have been better - he can deliver more like his legendary dad Ilayaraja. The Movie's weakness is the story, below-average entertainment, and dialogues spoken and audible in Don's Dens - doesn't connect well. I wonder if I have the energy in the coming years to watch Tollywood Stars's wild antics on day one - I felt more disappointed with myself for throwing my money for the nth time on stars who are competing with their nephews but dont invest well in stories that sizzle or set them apart. My resolution for 2012 will be to skip such movies on day one and wait for another "Bakra" to review the film for me. Sorry Pawan, but you asked for it. Though I am digressing - what depressed me more is two sulking trailers during interval - of "Businessman" (Mahesh) and "Rajanna" - 2012 looks more depressing from output point of view in Tollywood. But I hope I don't stay in this mood for long. Something better be good soon.

The Dirty Picture

"The Dirty Picture" is not such a dirty picture to watch except for the adult content. I haven't seen Milan Luthria's "Once Upon a Time..." before so I went to the movie expecting to see a raunchy take of the movies of the 80s because the subject of the film played by Vidya Balan is "Silk". We recognised soon after the titles that it had astonishing prettiness, fluidity and a musical line. It sho...ws all the trappings of a nubile young thing becoming a starlet only to get into the lowlife that accompanies celluloid magic - the baggage of success that gets unwanted people, ego-clashes, financial woes and finally, souring of good luck. In the 160 minutes of the movie, you get a peek into the surreptious world of heroines who get drawn like moths to fires of stardom and adulation that utlimately deserts them. Vidya Balan portrays the character of "Silk" with utmost honesty and boldness rarely seen in the "Parineeta" girl and had she not played this character as a woman aware of her sensuality with guts and emotional chutzpah, the movie could have dangerously slipped into a C-grade film. Vidya gives this film its greatest reason to watch and its redemption and its dignity - you quickly move into a gear of emotional journey with the character in all the highs and the lows. Of all the men in her life -Naseerudin Shah stands out with Emran and Tussar not so effective. Writer Rajat Arora must be complimented for penning some outstanding lines seldom seen in Bollywood except in Art Films. He gives Vidya Balan the lines that even angry young men and stammering superstars don't get whistled for. Milan gets extra-ordinary support from Vishal Shekar in BGM and the song "Oo Lala Oo Lala". His shot selection, stylish picturisation and non-judgemental characterisation makes him watchable in commercial films. He has explained well why the 80s films of vamps and sirens have given away to the heroines themselves becoming and dressing like vamps. Vidya could well sweep all the awards this year. Watchable once but beware of some bold content.

The Purple Lotus- Book

Its not everyday you have a friend who writes for a living. Its not everyday that a writer friend publishes a book and you get one of the first autographed copies. I am talking about “The Purple Lotus and Other Stories” written by my friend Ratna Rao Shekar. I have known Ratna Rao Shekar for a little under eight years - more as an ardent book-lover and benign editor of “Wow Hyderabad” and “Housecalls”. While Wow has its instant appeal with the uber-cool of Hydurban, Housecalls is a deceptively lesser-known but over-appreciated magazine for Doctors but whose contents go beyond medical matters. After bringing out a coffee table book earlier “Journey without a map” which captures her best travel pieces from “Housecalls”, she is now the proud author of a much-awaited book, her debut book of short stories – THE PURPLE LOTUS. Though I read as much as one book of fiction as I read of eight books of non-fiction, I find the collection a good read- though it hems with adipose narrative at times.Thirteen stories in all, Ratna uses all of her travelling experiences to tell us tales of diverse folks making their own exploratory trips in Benares, Kerala, Sri Lanka, Kodaikanal, Darjeeling, New York, Singapore, Diu, Andaman and Italy.


If you love travel and the intersection of spaces between Personalised narrative, fiction and nostalgia, you will lap this book. Her style of writing, for those who read her stuff in Wow!Hyderabad and Housecalls is reflective, natural and honest. There is a bit of Naipaul-like prose – and Proust-like dabbling commentary on everything under the sun but centred on filial relations, literary love, careers, kindness and writerly raptures. Having published stories and articles in leading magazines and newspapers, I knew Ratna Rao had the material of many books. Here she gives her rich, unbiased observations on things as they were on matters from loving and death to spirituality and materialism to the emptiness as well as fulfillment that fills most lives. How happy each is in their world and how uniquely unhappy or messier others get – you are given snapshots of both in first and second accounts. The book is a decent debut of short stories that you will eventually connect with in the multiple characters – of writers, spiritualists, dancers, engineers, artistes, doctors, teeny-boppers, sahasrapoornima-seen grandmothers, even tribals. Of course, you may not like every story for the prisms through which the writer characterizes the players but it is quite a quality effort for a writer to publish her first book of short-stories – Ratna’s book bears her own stamp, and with a belief in world-view in a voice that’s her own. Somerset Maugham has given only one solid piece of wisdom for any aspiring writer – Write what you know. Ratna Rao projects her knowledge of things literary and of human nature very well. “Purple Lotus” acquaints you well with a journalist-writer who has never shied from writing passionately and honestly about. For those who know her, there are few stories which are autobiographical and revealing and definitely a tribute to some of her closed ones who nurtured and mentored her. The book is published by Mapinlit (www.mapinpub.com) with an elegant cover and truly international-class printing standards (who else, but Pragati Printing can do it). Congratulations!

BRIC and its Creator's New Book "The Growth Map"

Jim O Neil who created BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as an investible asset-class ten years ago (alongwith Roopa Purushottaman - Indian with Kishore Biyani group now) is finally releasing his book on the theme this month. Title:"The Growth Path" is releasing on the tenth anniversary of the coinage of BRICs by the Goldman Sachs team and I am awaiting to see what more denouements he will add. At the moment, nobody is on a wing and a prayer as much as Investors in BRIC countries and Investors residing in BRIC countries with a home bias.

No-confidence Motion

AP Legislative Assembly is having a no-confidence motion today. And party presidents who got submerged into Congress-I are creating a ruckus to make capital out of the situation - a ministry berth here or in Delhi. But do our MLAs and MPs know that for every day they don't live up to the people's mandate - a No Confidence Motion is always there. It means they have lost the confidence of the people who voted them. No-Confidence Motion - such a beautiful phrase in Democracy - but how many MPs and MLAs live up to that?

Dev Anand Saab

‎88 is an age even Gregory Peck who is called America's Dev Anand hasn't lived. While we all recollect the golden period that Dev Anand belonged to - there are many things that made Dev Anand adorable and different. My father and I read his autobiography "Romancing with Life" avidly and recount his candour, zen for life and creative juices that kept flowing till the last. Dev was well-read throughout and didn't stop reading after B.A.English Lit. For most of the actors or anybody, reading was something to be done when you have lots of time and money. Hardly the case with Dev Anand - he made movies despite dwindling response - movies spurred by reading a Times edit or an article in "India Today". Movies with Rs.1-2 crs. budgets with a point or two on current issues. So what if Bharat Dabholkar asked the famous questions: "Who watches Dev Anand's films now?" and "Who finances his films?". Dev Anand took care of his health (almost as legendarily as ANR does today). He takes wine to de-clog his arteries in the same doses as kids take alcohol - in teaspoonfuls or tiny pegs each day. He never worried about his health or wealth, never let his stardom get to his family in arclights. He gave many starturns to star aspirants- male and female - and gave them teasers and cameos. He gained commercially sometimes and left the starturns to happen based on the young actors' luck and self-belief. He knew that his self-belief took him to the pedestal that he stood on and thought that the world will continue to oogle at him. In his heydays, he took on mighty superstars with his youthful effervescence and taught stylish dressing to so many of our fathers and grand-fathers. He was mighty humble and never believed he was the smartest guy in town - I remember he came to one of the cine awards function in South and somebody was introducing Bhanumathy Ramakrishna as a multil-faceted lady - Director, playwright, singer, producer, writer etc. Dev said he was astonished and humbled by her talents. A few years back, he hugged Saif Ali Khan who was imitating Dev Anand at another Awards Nite - so much for his ability to laugh at himself. Dev Anand had great work-life balance but worked hard to deliver creative output with 18-hour schedules. He gave space to so many talented music directors and technicians - SD Burman, RD Burman, Kishore Kumar and so on. He built a studio NavKetan Films that boasts of a marquee catalogue of films that will mostly stand the onslaught of time. Yes, he had famous run-ins with literary giants like Pearl S.Buck and RK Narayan and gave us International Productions and Bi-linguals when we are just getting into color; of course, I never liked the way he short-changed RK Narayan's "The Guide" by feigning that he will adapt the movie from "Guide" but paid a paltry sum to RK Narayan. That experience has forever made RKN shy of giving his books for screenplays and you will find two-three versions of what happened in Dev's autobio, RK's autobio and a rejoinder by Jerry Pinto. Whatever be the truth, Dev Anand fiercely fought till the last to protect his halo and his fading "youth". Of the famous trio, you now have only Dilip Kumar Saab remaining from the Bollywood of the 1950s. But Dev Anand will be remembered as the original happy-go-lucky Hero who gave Independent India its happiest reason to watch Hindi films - to dress like metrosexuals during years of Hindu rate of GDP growth, to live and love like chivalrous men, to live merrily and selfishly and to keep the youthful vigour alive till the last. To me and my dad, the moving visual of a black and white or a color Dev Anand whistling in full-buttoned shirts and driving open-roof cars at fuel-efficient speed is a lasting memory of happiness whenever we see - something that knows no generation gap.