The left and right of RIGHTS

It was shocking to read how the Supreme Court of India is violating the basic fundamental right to practice one’s religion, in the papers that day.

In a recent judgment passed by the SC on 30 March 2009, it rejected the plea of a Muslim student who said that he be permitted to sport a beard in his convent school.

Justice Makandeya Katju quoted: “ We don’t want to have talibans in our country. Tomorrow a girl student may come and say that she wants to wear a burqa.”

It is rather unfortunate that the Supreme Court sees ‘the beard’ as a sign of ‘Islamic Extremism’ that will lead to the ‘talibanisation’ of the country. What it does not see is that by giving such judgements, what effect it is having on the country and its youth is worse than that.

Eevn in today’s era Muslims are time and again subject to suspicion. In order to prove their national identity they are expected to erase all possible signs that project their religious image. A Muslim is either referred to as an extremist Muslim if he has any possible signs that prove his religion, or he is termed as a liberal Muslim if he tries to break out in order to seek a regular ‘accepted’ identity.

It is highly unfortunate that the very basic pillar that secures rights for all citizens of the country and that ‘treats them as equals’ has passed a judgment that is so very non-secularist. One has a right to practice his/her own religion freely and sporting a beard is an indispensable part of Islam. Why is it that Muslims have to prove their nationality in a way that in itself is un-secularist?

In a recent case Politician Varun Gandhi made a hate speech against Muslims in Pilibhit and almost caused a riot like situation in his very obviously staged arrest. His mother was however quoted saying in an interview to a TV News Channel that whatever he said was ‘true’. What the Indian Media doesn’t report is that the young ‘Gandhi’ is a product of decades of communalization. Even though he made use of his basic right of speech ,after this judgment by the Supreme Court we don’t even went to get into the premise of ‘Justice’ and his speech being un-democratic and extremist. The fact that there are more Varun Gandhis out there and the SC will hardly make any difference to their acts makes one wonder – what state of affairs are we talking about and whether we need to question on the politics and science of the term Democratic and Secular India.

After the recent attacks in Mumbai on November 26 , the media immediately launched an open attack on Pakistan and created war hysteria among the masses. Newspapers and news channels used terms like “Islamic terrorism” and “Muslim fanatics” evidently raising fingers at the Muslim sect. In the case of the Malegaon Blast arrests of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and other alleged accused, when the media used terms like “Hindu terrorism”, BJP immediately thrashed the media for using the term. However if in a similar manner had Islamic groups come forward to object the use of terms like “Muslim Fanatics” and “Islamic terrorism” , they would have been termed anti-national.

It is rather unfortunate that we don’t even question ourselves when such acts happen, perhaps they still wouldn’t matter to a non-Muslim. Perhaps if we could really understand the terms Democracy and secularism India would be a better place to live in.

No emotional attyachar , this is a piece of art

One of the landmark films in modern Indian cinema , Dev D. (finally) goes out of the box to capture a cinema lover’s attention.Dev D is Anurag Kashyap’s modern interpretation of Sarat Chandra’s 1917 classic ‘Devdas’.One thing is for sure that in this creation the film maker does not try and reach out to the viewer for an emotional connect with its character rather detaches them and portrays shades and conflicts and hubris that could be best understood by a thinking audience. Anurag’s version of devdas is perhaps the most honest version made and he surely does deserve a thumbs up for this piece of art.

 The character of Dev is played by Abhay deol who does fairly well in portraying the character of the modern Indian devdas who is a rich spoilt brat whose love for his childhood friend Paro is thwarted not by patriarchal pressures rather due to some misunderstandings. Paro’s character has been marvelously portrayed by Mahi Gill. However Mahi astonishes the viewer with a superb performance portraying different shades in her character- the anger, the sexuality, the ego. Finally, Dev finds solace in drugs, booze, paharganj lanes and chanda, a prostitute who is a DU student by the day. French born Kalki Koechlin give another stunning performance as chanda whose past was doomed by an MMS scandal.The character of Chunnilal alias chunni is played by Dibyendu Bhattacharya whose character is that of a pimp.

 With amazing cinematography Rajiv Ravi captures the viewers mind as well as he captures paharganj’s frosty blue neon lit lanes with the Twilight players dancing away to Dev’d doomsday. The marvelous efforts put into the music for the film by Amit Trivedi is also worth a mention. His other work, Aamir was a stunner and the emotional attyachar has just begun as the film industry finds one of the most talented music directors.   

 It will be unfair to compare anurag kashyap’s creation to any previously picturised version of the novel. This film operates in a psychedelic space He dares and achieves in portraying human sexuality, inner conflict, hubris and creates a space in the Indian cinema which at instances forces its viewers to use which they are not used to using in ‘bollywood’ movies- their brain. Perhaps this is the reason why the film invokes mixed reactions, some touting the movie as a marvelous creation while some say that “drugs and sex is still not accepted in Indian cinema”.Well those who say that take a dig!

 Not recommended for Yash Raj , SRK lovers.Kindly go with an open mind and try using some brain.

Rags to riches-British Style!

A critical review on Slumdog Millionaire

Based on a novel by Vikas Swarup the film is based on a teenage boy Jamaal Malik.Directed by Danny Boyle ,screenplay by Simon Beaufoy and background score by our very own A.R Rahman,the film is being counted as among the best film of all times. It released in India on 23 January but most of us had already caught a pirated copy! 

Jamaal Malik grows up in the slums of Mumbai and one day becomes a contestant on a T.V. show-Who wants to be a millionaire. he is Arrested on charges of cheating on the show. The film unfolds through flashback as he recalls real life events that enable him to correctly answer all the questions. The film has received critical reviews all over the world for the way it shows the ups and downs in the life of Jamaal,his brother Salim and his love interest Latika.

However there a lot of things that most critics have failed to notice, rather say about the movie openly owing to the huge response that it is receiving. 20 % of the film is in Hindi and young Jamaal and Salim are shown to be the 'Slumdogs' who rarely even attend their Municipal school, but they grow up to speak in heavy British accent as Dev Patel's "are you nervous?". From the storyline, Jamal and Salim probably learned from tourists. It must be pointed out that one possibly cannot catch up on such heavy English accent just by learning and interacting with foreign tourists as fake guides who show around the taj mahal , monument build by King Khurram for his wife who died in a road traffic accident!". 

Another point worth mentioning is that when all the questions in the game show are asked, and Jamaal goes into flashback to relate how he knows the answer , everything happens in a chronological time period. From every question, Jamaal's age increases!

The original TV show is recorded in a studio and then telecasted, whereas in the film, when the final question is asked the whole world sees it live and Latika answers Jamaal's call live from the studio and can simultaneously see him on TV. The film has a commendable cinematography and natural lights are used very well to cater to the street shots and most other shots. The director used needless violence in some scenes like the police torture and also the scene where the TV show host played by Anil Kapoor hands over Jamaal to the police and then goes on to say that it is 'his show'. Is such a behavior expected from a mere TV Show host who is paid to do his job? Such parts of the film were overdone and some were highly underdone, like the portrayal of the child-sex industry. However the film clearly does not show India in all good light. One can say that such a portrayal was demanded in the script, but even the other parts were not as inviting as our own portrayal of 'incredible India', like the way the Sikh family reacted when Jamaal steals a chapatti in the train scene.No human being would ever bash up a child and then throw him from the train the way it was shot! 

Simon Beaufoy, the scriptwriter in one of his interviews says that Dev' Patel's acting as Jamaal was incredible even though 'he doesn't even have that much dialogue in the film and in most of the scenes he is merely sitting on the chair and his eyes say it all'. Well I couldn't agree more to that Mr. Beaufoy,but to add to that the real actors of the film i.e. the actors who play young Jamaal and Salim have not received any credit for the movie which according to a Google search has 10 Oscar nominations. another  42 wins and 36 nominations. Incredible Britain I tell you!

In all a well-made film, apprecialble efforts and fingers crossed for the oscars!!

what's so valentine's about it!??

This year Valentines’ Day in India has been played up to a level that even Saint Valentine wouldn’t have imagined.From Sri Ram Sene to Renuka Chaudhury, from college students to student activists everyone is eagerly waiting for the day, and they have special plans for it.

Sri Ram sene, political outfit in Bangalore raided a Pub and beat up young boys and girls and made a subsequent move to ban women from pubs claiming it to be against Hindu traditions.This action drew attention towards the party and once again on the issue of religious policing.Freedom lies unquestioned.

Their Leader Pramod Muthalik says that on Valentines Day, he and his party members will not only hold protests outside colleges, hostels and hotels, where Valentine’s Day celebrations are held, but also forcibly marry off couples found dating in public. Also if the couples resisted the move, the girl would be forced to tie a ‘rakhi’ to the boy.However, Muthalik says that his party members will not take law into their hands. Ironically this action will be a total disgrace to Indian Customs and traditions and Muthalik will only be making a fool out of Hindu traditions, as opposed to his claims on saving Indian culture.This is merely a public gimmick to seek attention for himself and his party. But by giving him such coverage and publicity the media is actually feeding to his aim.

Renuka Choudhury , Union Minister of state for Women and Child Development,is starting a “pub bharo”andolan in response to Sri Ram Sene’s Mangalore pub raid.And in the city a series of activities have been planned to turn this Valentines’ Day into “the biggest India has ever seen” as a protest. A National Panther’s Party has also come up which claims to protect couples on Valentines by using ‘pepper spray and kung fu’ from possible attacks by self-proclaimed culture police. Also, as a mark of protest Pub owners in Delhi are giving special offers and organizing special ladies nights.

Among all these protests and arguments , all that they city’s youngsters seek is some peace and freedom.They are getting unnecessary media mileage. Its a fact that Valentine’s Day was never a part of Indian culture but no one has the right to curb our freedom.Such actions must be condemned and serious action be taken against people who beat up women on streets and take law into their hands.They are not leaders but hoodlums.

Similarly in different parts of the country, valentine’s day is being played up as a festival and other parties are cashing on Muthalik’s deed and acting pro-valentines day and in some cases as the Nationalist Congress Party who have ste up a shop in mumbai to sell special valentine’s day gifts.

The pink chaddi campaign has become a huge hit but it is a mere eyewash in this age of new-parties-coming-up-to-save-hindu-culture.A party which otherwise wouldn’t even have been on the rear end of newspapers is now the talk of the country and by giving them such importance we are not only feeding them fodder but also helping them chew it !

i feel bad for people like Muthalik and Raj thakrey.There is no anger.I think instead of showing our anger by sending over pink chaddis ,in exchange of which he’s giving sarees ( they better be pretty!) , we should show our concern for their weak minds.They need help and good teachers.GROW UP PEOPLE!!… and someone send him a teacher please!….