The Art of ......Writing!

Writing is a medium through which an author expresses his view/opinions that are illustrated in black and white. It is equivalent to the actor’s ability to perform/enact a scene. A unique form of art that requires an agile brain and continuous flow of thoughts.

It is also a double edged sword. On one hand you have ample time to compose your thoughts and refurbish them to produce a very shrewd piece of work...can even be a rather docile collection of thoughts reeking with diplomacy. While on the other hand, it can hold the author accountable as unlike spoken words, written work is there on paper inviting others to question its credibility/opinions/the claims put forth as the case may be.

To me, writing is like an art.... there are countless words out there with which you can play around and create an exquisite symphony. With the right choice of words, the author holds..... the power to make his readers giggle and sometimes even laugh, the power to invoke sadness...at times a few tears, power to produce intense excitement, power to scar them or even generate unadulterated fury at something outrageous!

Such is the dynamic world of writing that can be full of emotions! And for successful writers out there I have nothing but blatant admiration. No wonder they quote the pen to be mightier than the sword!

Hello Good Looking {Wink}!

I write this post today as I pondered why popularity is such a big deal and why are looks so important... to almost everyone.... from movie stars to the common man akin! Usually I live in my own ivory tower filled with things that I adore and never seem to be bothered with people’s perspective towards clothes and make up. As I was reading an article in the newspaper and another one in De’s blog... it got me thinking and so here goes!!

Define a good looking guy... the one who is always popular and simultaneously devilish which most times makes you want to just snap his neck! This particular class of men I am commenting on today are common to Mumbai... and feature frequently in most films both Hindi and the English ones!
He does not necessarily have the “drop dead” kind of looks and nor does he have to resemble Apollo (rumored to be the ‘prettiest’ of the Greek Gods)! Actually there are certain distinct characteristics that allow even an average looking man to join the “handsome club”. It goes without saying that beauty (the kind which is skin deep) is a very personal concept which is unique to each. {So some of you may agree and smile as I list out things that make the audience swoon at these controversial men while few others may disagree and want to add their own do’s and don’ts... well for people who disagree, I would very much like to hear your version of what makes them different and so the comments link it waiting for you.}

Some of the controversial do’s and don’ts to join the popular crowd

 They don’t have to have be all muscular and brawny.... but they SHOULD not be obese. Paunches and love handles are a big no-no! Infact they can be of the lean built without being muscular but never on the other side of the weighing scale! {Example: Di Caprio in “Titanic”} Some even sport a very chiseled physique, while this is not a requirement it doesn’t harm your chances either! {Example: Brad Pitt in “Troy”}

 No specific height requirements seem to be applicable. However, shorter ones are more prone to ridicule and as long as they can convert that to their advantage they will be fine! {Example” Most comedians.... are popular for diff reasons.... yet unmistakably popular: Johnny Lever}

 There is certainly no criteria for looks.... this is a very personal concept. I may find Daniel Craig to be deviously handsome while somebody else might consider him to be ‘old’.

 What is most important of course is not the kind/type of suit he wears but the kind of attitude he carries and the aura he projects around him. This is a very common attribute as it is an acquired trait... a sure one way ticket to join the club!!
Typically, he is ‘laid back’ and is rarely perturbed by things around him. He is blissfully unaware of the number of things that can go wrong and so is enviously carefree until the bomb actually hits! An unwavering confidence in himself and an air of ‘know it all’ without being a snob with just a dash of arrogance are actually the commonly observed behavior traits! These individuals are seldom egoistic and are rather self absorbed. Narcissism is an important stimulus which seems to keep these creatures in ‘character’!!

All in all today’s metro sexual man is more concerned with his outlook and to a certain extent with his wardrobe while he swaggers around appearing almost callous!

DISCLAIMER: The reader is advised that the above content bares no significance to any person living or dead and is purely an opinionated work of observation intended only for fun!! :) :P :D

Français

French = Fascination! (In continuation with language-related posts)

For years I have intended to learn French. It’s the most “sexiest” of all languages! Infact until very recently I was not aware that it is counted as one among the many 'romance languages' (Originating from Latin)!

I mean honestly.... doesn’t it just sound so smooth and slick?? To my ears its irresistible and hence I have tried more than once to enroll in a French class! In my high school, I was the only one from the science section who wanted to learn it and as a result they kicked me out of class as they could not re-arrange their class timings as per my long schedules filled with classes and endless labs! My next attempt was after engineering school. I couldn’t even think of joining an extra class when I was in undergraduate engineering school. Once it was done, I tried in vain again to enroll but contrary to my best efforts I still remain illiterate in French!

So now after finishing my masters degree I have decided to learn it on my own! And its staggeringly difficult! I mean I don’t have to start with “A B C” (apart from some weird ornate alphabets which I think are Latin letters) but it’s pretty challenging especially since they have started me off to sentences without introducing words. I can deduce from those sentences what certain words mean, but hey why skip the basics!!??

Anyhooo.... I have vowed not to be discouraged and am now progressing.......... however slowly! In about 6 months time (seems long but wanted to set a realistic & achievable deadline), I hope to post a small post in French!

Until then.... Au revoir!

Spot light on India!

All eyes are on India this month as she parades into spotlight. The entire world watches, potentially shadowing even the USA's limelight who has hogged it since the end of last year beginging with the USA's plummeting economy followed by the presidential elections!

Starting this month, the focus will shift to India who boasts of being the largest democracy in the world. The entire world is watching as the court tries Kasab in Mumbai.... and each proceeding will be scrutinized by the legal councils around the world. Kasab the only surviving terrorist of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai gained world wide notoriety as he and his team mates targetted foreign nationals in India. That probably is one of the major reasons why a larger world wide audience has gathered. For a long time now, India has been attempting to unveil Pakistan's direct involvement in anti-terrorist activities rampant in various parts of India. Due to lack of sufficient proof, India has been unsuccessful in doing so. With this trial, India hopes to provide proof to the world.... and hence all eyes are on us. Which is a good thing because for the world to take notice and accept the charges being made, the Indian lawyers and judicial system have to do an impeccable job.

Also taking place in India are the elections.... and with the kind of times we are living in... filled with threats of nuclear wars, need of wars against terrorism and fight against recession........ the new government has some mighty big challenges to face.

And to dim this glare is the success brought by Slum dog Millionaire... however twisted this success may be... it did being Dharavi in focus which apparently has instigated some movements and initiatives for the betterment of the slum dwellers. How effective these initiatives will be or how true their intentions even are.... is something that only time will reveal.

So buckle up India.... there is quite a lot to prove here!

Hinglish!

(As a little extension of my earlier post..)

Another language which has always caught my fancy is Hinglish! A smooth blend of hindi and english that are woven into each other making their distinction harder for people well versed in both languages. Infact, I had not even noticed how rampant the use of this hybrid language was until it was pointed out to me by my uncle. My uncle-mama lived in the UK and was visiting us. One day when he as listening to the news he turned to us genuinely surprised and said,"I cant believe they are doing this on national television. Its like they have developed a new language!" And that was only when I realized that it indeed was weird.. but we were so used to it that we couldn't see it until it was pointed out to us!
Infact many of today's journalists spice up their write ups by using typical "Bombaiya words" (that is Bombay hindi.. it consists of slangs which are used commonly used by all in Bombay and the readers seemed to have developed an appetite for that! So does the writer Shobha De. Recently I have stared following her blog (because Im convinced its her writing and not a pseudo writer)and I once again encountered hinglish. It does add its own flavor and is probably her writing style and certainly does convey her message much more effectively. However I cant help but think the works in one language alone, be it hindi or english have their own beauty which is pristine!
But ... having spent soo long in Bombay, I cannot help but enjoy occasional use of hinglish!

Star-light !!

Star light... star bright, the first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might!

How wonderfully innocent and simple times were, as a child. I dreamed of simpler things like summer vacation all year around!!

As I grew up, my world changed and with that there were a million new wishes to replace the few, extraordinarily simple ones I had once upon a time! The things I wish for often bud from things that I love and enjoy abundantly. So here goes!

Things I adore!

v A medium sized comfy bed that is occupied largely with over sized pillows.... both the normal and the decorative ones! Not to mention a colorful comforter and a vibrant bed spread! Something about this makes my sleep time complete!

v A ‘bright’ (colored) lamp shade and all the rooms bathed in “yellow light”! A not so fancy dark colored sofa (need no stain issues) laced with a colorful sofa sham and ostentatious cushions in contrasting colors.

v A large LCD.... this is a MUST MUST MUST!

v Some figurines that signify some part of my life or a hobby or a place of interest!

v Oil paintings!

v A backyard with a medium sized gazebo housing atleast 4 deck chairs

v A pool with stone paved sidewalks and lights very alike the street lights in London (courtesy: My Fair Lady)

v A small garden in the front that is full of flowers and a lush lawn!

v A reliable car that allows you to go places!

v Drapes that shut the sunlight out when it gets too bright

v A rainy day with the drops making platter sounds on the ground and the fragrance accompanying it

v Nighttime.... after a long hard day’s work

v A day filled with chores to run and work to do

v People to help and talk to

v Friends who comfortably sit in one room and share the silence

v A good book that spikes interest, acting as an adhesive such that time flies by

v An hour swimming and playing in the water

v A lazy lunch and coffee

v Chai time at 5 O’Clock with potato chips keeping it company!

v A decent comedy that makes you laugh and feel 10 years younger

v Hot shower: therapeutic it is!

v A year without any illness

v A day without fear and sadness

v A day full of promises and hope

v A little bro/sis to yell at! Believe me its good for both parties! (LOL)

v Girls night out with lots and lots of bitching and empathizing

v Long drives

v Traveling... visiting new places

v Savings Account (However small): secret to sound planning

v Vivid dreams that have me chuckling in the mornings!

v Stylish shoes and handbags but comfy clothes!

v Sunglasses... the glare gives me headaches!

v Water!

Like to add some of your own?? the comments link is waiting!

One Language Gain!

Has anyone wondered what the consequences of knowing more than couple languages can be? To be honest, it raises an eyebrow when westerns learn that most Indians speak atleast 3 languages... foreign/native. But at what cost?

Yes, being multi-lingual has its own advantages, you have access to a variety of literature or knowledge in different forms for that matter. I have noticed that most westerners speak just one language fluently and a broken second one! However they have an added advantage.... majority of the westerns are super fluent and articulate in that one language. And wouldn't anyone be... I would find it rather odd to speak just one language and would try to bring in some variety by coming up with some cool lingos' and better forms of the same language. This way they progress in terms of "hold on the language".

Indians too excel in their multiple languages however they mostly are related to the field of literature in one way or the other. They like to experiment and it is fun for them. An average Indian is not really that fantastic at it... he is grammatically correct about it but there is no flair to his language. That's where the difference lies. This person has enough variety and hence does not experiment. As a result, his expertise, however correct is rarely more than that!

Therefore I think the westerns who speak just one main language and know a strictly second language are at an advantage! What say you?

Today’s True Love!

What exactly is love?

· Undying affection which is utterly unconditional?

· The simple senselessness of you jump...I jump kind?

· Buying roses and remembering each anniversary kind?

· The glinting ring symbolizing this intricate emotion?

· Listening & being there for your spouse even though the other makes no sense?

One really does not know. Unfortunately, in today’s times, we are more accustomed to hearing about heart break and pain than undying love. We have all started believing that the unconditional love is only for the classics... that too mostly tragedies! The kind of love which has passed the test of time seems to have vanished! In fact almost every other person has a “love lost” story. I even heard from a “someone” every dear to me..... that the line “falling in love” should be rephrased to falling in lust! It seems that would put you on your guard and it would make more sense and hurt less later!

It deeply troubles me when I hear people’s wavering faith in love. Isn’t it an obvious fact that any potent substance has both positive and negative effects? So applying reverse psychology I would say if you are dreading love accusing it of having the potency to harm you..... shouldn’t you already know that it also posseses the power to heal you with the same intensity?

In summation, I hope people do not give up believing in love.... as it is worse than giving up on hope! Believing in love has the same power that hope has..... It keeps you strong... keeps you going.

Somehow love creates magic.... that magic brings a sparkle to your eyes, a hint of a smile in trying times and a guffaw in good, a kind of warmth that soothes you and allows you to unwind when you can feel anything but fine! I hope all of us manage to hold on to the hope of finding love as we all sincerely need magic in our lives!