J D Salinger - A Writer's Writer who remained reclusive till the end

I am a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy.

J. D. Salinger

- More quotations on Happiness

It's really too bad a lot of crumby stuff is a lot of fun sometimes.

J. D. Salinger, Catcher In the Rye

If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.

J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, opening line

The world's Writing Tribe has lost one of the original masters of story-telling who wrote not for money or power but pure writing. But for "The Catcher in the Rye", "Nine Stories", "Franny and Zooey", "Raise high the Roof Beam", "Carpenters", "Seymour: An Introduction",  a dozen or more stories published in New Yorker, Saliner remained a legendary recluse and raised the game of solitude to epic proportions with speculations rife that he has atleast fifteen unpublished books in his safe. His wish was that all these manuscripts were to be opened after his death and published unedited. Surely, Salinger will rake it in for the American Publishers and Hollywood movie-makers  - Saliner's language had it all - grace, turn of phrase, wit and wisdom, cleverness and majesty. His story may provide the world of book-lovers  and writers - the truth behind what made Salinger a Catcher in the Rye!. R.I.P JD Salinger. Let the words make it in print.

"It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be" by Paul Arden

I always liked both the covers and the layout of any book published by Phaidon. They invest well on the aesthetics of a book - binding that survives for decades, pages thick like timber (literally!), and an almost magical combination of picture-to-prose ratio. This one is a very portable, eminently speed-readable book designed for good advertising professionals and anyone with an eye for creative excellence. Paul Arden scores on every page with visually-enriched insights and punchlines that befit a Saatchi & Saatchi background. Waiting for my turn to see a Dentist, I could finish it in less than thirty seven minutes. A near miracle - these days  - as suddenly the books are getting longer and movies are getting shorter! More next time...Waiting for a movie after the Pongal over-feast.

A Taste of Life - The Last Days of UG Krishnamurti by Mahesh Bhatt

Mahesh Bhatt's latest book gives vignettes of the thicker-than-blood relationship he has had with one of the world's less known Anti-Gurus - Late UG Krishnamurti (a Telugu)who led a life of anonymity, self-flagellation and was a reveller of blasphemies. Mahesh takes us through the last few months of a life led in reclusivity, gay abandon, no-no to all medical help to heal the body, yet principled iconoclasm which has its own charm. ("Your natural state has no relationship whatsoever with the religious states of bliss, beautitude and ecstasy. They lie within the field of experience."). Mahesh, I thought is a gifted writer more than a spirited film-maker, more sensitive and evocative in his writings than his movies which have trappings of a past saddled with negativity, guilt and failure. Where the book disappoints is the teasers it gives in letting us into UG's world - More Questions than Answers remain after reading the book? Why did UG shun the world? Where did he get so much funding? Who funded his non-career "career"? Why couldn't he jell with Jiddu Krishnamurthi who professes similar arguments with more fluency? Where is UG's family now? It seems as if Mahesh wants to make a career out of the questions galore on UG's estate, his legacy, and his invectives and idiosyncracies in more books.

The Double Life of Ramalinga Raju

"The Double Life of Ramalinga Raju" by Kingshuk Nag is a fine read which captures in pulsating prose the nonchalance with which Satyam's Ramalinga Raju built his empire only, how the cookie crumbled, and how Hyderabad witnessed realty boom (which must be attributed partially to Raju's lust for land - 9000 acres). The story-telling is vivid and racy with lessons galore for promoters, entrepreneurs, investors, advisors and wealth-conservers.
28.11.2009

"Mahatma" movie review

"Mahatma" is Krishna Vamshi's opus on dumbing down Gandhian values to an alienated generation. He negotiates the script reasonably well with a plot set in contemporary politics that pulls many punches, laughs and whistles. Surprise, many things go well for director besides an A-Team of technicians and artistes. Including a smoother landing in the end thats unthinkable. Even if non-violence is dominated by violence, movie rules your senses for 3 hours.
9.10.2009

"2012" movie review

"2012" by Rolland Emerelt is Hollywood's ultimate blockbuster on a near-distant apocalypse with special fx the world has not seen - on a magnificent scale. The surprise packet is captivating human drama that subtly plays out current obsessions - G8, world-is-not-flat, BRIC nations and beyond. Movie starts in India (Vijayawada) and crackles in eye-popping visuals with superb story-telling for 165 mins. Must-see.
16.11.2009

"Aarya 2" Movie Review

"Aarya 2" had an opportunity to become the first sequel in Telugu to sustain the sizzle of "Arya". But over-kill of reverse-gear antics of Allu Arjun in the name of variety, style and twists make movie plot tedious, unconvincing, jarring and illogical. Only bits and pieces post-interval pull it off besides hero's masterly dancing.
28.11.2009

"Paa" Movie Review

"Paa" is a delectably sensitive portrayal of an overaging kid by Sr.Bacchan with controlled performances by Vidya Balan and Abhishek Bacchan. You will but shed copious tears as climax nears. Ad-maker Director Balki keeps the narrative slick, enlivened with filial emotions. Ilayaraja scores well without a sign of fatigue.
11.12.2009

"Saleem" movie review

"Saleem" is a textbook case-study on how to make a bad movie with loose script, sloppy direction, humdrum dialogues and crassy scenes and cliched sentiments. Cost of this 16-reel ordeal - Rs.23 crores. Too bad for Tollywood. Director YVS Chowdary lost his marbles. You will almost faint seeing a pedestrian love story where hero Vishnu and his father over-act while Ileana looks like a hooker.
12.12.2009

"Avatar " Movie Review

America's greatest export -Hollywood - just got bigger (and better with dollar depreciation) as a 250 million dollar "Avatar" movie invades every available theatre today. Made by James Cameron 12 years after "Titanic", its a blissful fantasty of a completely organic life - devoid of TV, flyovers and respectful of every living thing. Cameron re-imagined nature and made a brilliant and beautiful film -that makes a point on nature vs. science. Its a complicated concept but well-executed in story-telling. Even if movie fails at BO (which I hope not), it fails above everyone else's success - thats how high goals James Cameron sets. Watchable.
17.12.2009

"3 Idiots" Movie Review

You don't get to watch often 20-reel blockbusters which sizzle with non-stop comedy, make you whistle, hum if not laugh out loud and cry all at once. "3 Idiots" is an absolute stunner in story-telling with affection by Munnabhai Rajkumar Hirani. Grab a seat even if you have read Chetan Bhagat's "Five point someone". Movies like this hold our own against Hollywood invasions. Super Duper Entertainer.
25.12.2009

Happy New Year 2010!

When life is a marathon, how does one more new year 2010 that ticks up the next decade - the `10s - turn out for you? All is well, I hope for you - a good rhythm of events, achievements true to your potential and enjoyment of the world as a constant source of magic. Best Regards
1.1.2010

"Adhurs" Movie Review

"Adurs" is not all that "bevars" - an in-form NTR, in-shape two cuties, a bevy of comic villains, stylish settings in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangkok and Rome all these to prop up a hackneyed Hell0-Brother Story. What can render an otherwise life-less script from a Director VV Vinayak who usually sizzles in screenplay is a career-best performance by "lover boy" Brahmanandam. Entertaining even for KCR! 13.1.2010

"Namo Venkatesa" Movie Review

"Namo Venkatesa" is a routine formula film made more like a tribute by Sreenu Vaitla to give a lifetime achievement award to Victory Venkatesh with all the former's "thotti gang" of artistes. Comedy without substance is Sreenu's formula for survival - its hard to appease Venky fans with a where-is-the-plot like this. Movie doesn't match hype. 14.1.2010