The world misses you Diego Maradona

My father never bought a black and white Television as he aspired to buy a colour Sony TV someday since his youth. It was during one of his business trips to Singapore that he couldn't resist himself from buying a 29 inch Sony  colour  television as It was the summer of 1986 and he was returning home a day before the  Football World Cup finale. 

The moment Babu boarded off the yellow taxi and opened the boot, we rejoiced  seeing that huge box in which was hidden the dream Television of my father. The entire locality gathered outside our house with 'Paara kakus' taking initiative to offload the container and getting electrician to fit the treasure at the earliest. The antenna was bought and fixed in no time.

The following day was all about nail biting and anticipation till the match begun. There he was in front of us with his team Argentina. The vehement roar followed by cheering of  Joy Maradona is something I can still hear and feel after all these years.  The match ended with the victory of His team but it was he who won... Won the hearts of millions of people across the globe and that bunch of bengalis sitting in that room that night. Our neighbours thanked my father, hugged him, shook hands and hailed 'Joy Krishna Da' and i could see that gleam of happiness in my father's eyes. That night my Hero gifted me one of the most memorable gift.  Watching the other Hero taking the world by storm sitting on my father's lap was such an ecstatic feeling. I was the proudest six year old  that night.

I was too small to understand the popularity of Maradona then but that man, his moves, his energy,his passion on field was something I could relate to that night. This man made every Bengali child of our generation not only fall in love with him but also with football. He created dreams...dreams for millions of kids and youngsters throughout his lifetime.  An enigma till his last breath...Maradona is God of Football for us. His demise in 2020 just tore off another pleasant chapter from our childhood, leaving a void forever.

He created magic on field with his skill and childish stubborn persona. Withstanding hits, kicks and innumerable physical violence by opponents on ground this man never gave up on football. All he wanted was to play and win. What a charmer he was! 

The heartwarming images from his funeral portray the love and respect the man garnered in the hearts of people over the years. It's been two years since we lost you Diego and this is the first Fifa World Cup that we are watching without you. 

Rest in power and keep playing wherever you are.  Thank you for making our childhood magical with your presence. Love you always.

 #Diego #Maradona #eighties #eightieskid #childhoodmemories #football #parenting #childhood #fifa #soccer #qatar #worldcup 

Home... not alone

How lovely it feels to see our Kolkata house from this angle! It's an overwhelming feeling to see the house we grew up in, The house that was built by Babu and Ma. The house that was their dream come true. The house I left after marriage and Nellie entered after hers. Anecdotes that i share with Biryani took place here in that room... That terrace, that balcony. 

Babu's flower garden on the terrace, the swing standing tall in the midst of the tiny pots and plants. That's where I sat to gaze at the sky and watch clouds, sometimes a butterfly that sat on a flower would be a pleasing distraction. Memories of bhai and I getting wet in the rain on the roof while Ma slept in the afternoon. Bursting crackers during Diwali with my favourite Dada and playing Holi with Bhai and Ashim Mama. 

The days of the Gopal Dada festival in the house when their would be Bhajan, kirtan and we kids running up and down whole day. Choto Mama, Sona Mashi, Boro mashi,mesho and paltan would be here and so many people throughout the week. Cousins sleeping together in the balcony during those cold December nights... Sky gazing inside the moshari(mosquito net) when power cuts were normal. Aah! I am inundated with memories and I can keep writing pages on this building which we call Our Home. 

The topmost balcony on the left is now adorned by Nellie and her plants. Glad to see how she has beautifully transformed the flat into a cozy, warm nest for bhai and her ❤️  The home where my parents reside. The home where lives our Gopal Dada. The home where Biryani went after her birth. The home filled with memories both happy and sad. The home that I love. 

 Home... I may be far from you but never far enough to not feel you. 

Himachal Pradesh... Firgun land

It was the sunrise that I wanted to witness. No, I didn't need an alarm to wake me up that morning. The yearning to see the golden sun rays fall slowly on the hill tops to uncover the dark cloak of the night kept me awake. 

It was 5 AM when I woke up. It was pitch dark outside, the sound of the nocturnal chorus being my only company. As ilI waited for the sun to wake up and unfold I noticed Biryani's drawing Book and some crayons lying on the table. An idea struck! I felt an urge to capture the beauty not in my mobile this time but in paper. As the Sun took lazy and gratifying turns to unfurl, I decided to surprise it with my callow art. Over the next two hours I drew, i coloured and took a part of the hills with me... The art was not to prove anything. 

The drawing set of a six year old daughter rekindled the kiddo in the forty two year old mother who still gets exhilarated like a kid at the sight of hills, sun, snow !

Sitting in the room of Manzanna Woodlet Cottage at Shoja with those twelve colours and a white sheet of paper in front of me, I started to draw. Draw without any purpose or motive. It was the magic of that moment... The serenity of the place, that time of the day between dark and light which made me feel the passion to capture what lau in front of my eyes. 

I drew not to get praised or applauded... I drew because I wanted to... I felt the urge to seize that moment forever. What better than giving the view it's due by etching it in paper with a bunch of crayons. 

The sky changed it's hue every few minutes, the dark green trees changing colours like a chameleon and playing hide and seek with the sun rays. It was magic... the magic of science beholded as poetry, as painting in the eyes of a wondering soul. 

I am so glad I did it! The sense of satisfaction after was splendid. I could feel a sense of belonging with nature. It was all so cathartic. Sometimes we should just go with the flow without thinking about results and outcomes. It's only for ourselves... Our soul that we should do things at times. It's liberating. 

The husband woke up and captured his wife's moments on camera because he had witnessed this me after ages. He too didn't want to let go off the moment. I was unaware though only to find out later about it. A great feeling indeed! 

A day that started well... The morning that told me not to give up on that kid inside... Ever! 

KK the voice of love

It's exactly two days that he passed away. So many updates, news, videos making the rounds on social media and other platforms. Condolence posts, comments that inundated Facebook and Instagram timelines. 

Frenzied photographers, journalists, fans trying to cover his last journey with mobiles and cameras flashing. What madness! 

Sab tired ho gaye honge ab taak. All the hard work paid off. After two days they must have hit the sack tired yet satisfied after covering all that news. Gharwale shabashi denge ke beta/beti badiya photo liya tune! Good work.

Somewhere in the city there are three souls or more (I am not aware if his parents and in laws are still alive)  who are tired too.. Tired traveling to a city where he breathed his last, tired of handling formalities and arranging for the cremation and funeral. They are tired of  the sudden media attention and unnecessary hype. Yes, They are tired... and tonight is the toughest night for these tired souls. Last two days were spent in organising and meetings. They would have hardly got any time to mourn. 

Tonight when the world is sleeping after all the madness, there's a family that's sleepless. A healthy man who left home with a smile and promise to return is dead. It's only the cremation ashes that remain in that copper urn which will be immersed soon. 

His wife, who was with him since they were twelve years old must be crying her heart out inside the bedroom, or she could just browse through her phone albums with moist eyes. She could also scream in agony as she visualises him in every nook and corner of the house. Her bed is empty tonight and it will be forever. Is she feeling betrayed by him? Could be. She could be wrathfully cursing him for leaving her alone forever or she could just be lying on the bed with silent tears rolling down.  Or she could be with her kids at last...all together after the incident. It's that time in their lives when they have none but each other to handle. No amount of consolation, sympathy can help at this moment. It cannot! 

This loss is irreparable and unforeseen. A family which is incomplete tonight, a family which will never be the same again. A wound that's going to be there forever. The bereavement is beyond words to describe. Death is inevitable but death like this is unbearable. 

The media will forget him in a week, admirers will move on too, the politics and slander will die out in a few days... What won't die is the angst and agony of the family members. Yet somewhere they will have a smile when they would think of him later. The respect he earned over the years as a human being and as a singer. His untimely death showed what a great soul he was. That's what will make his family proud and help them recuperate. I hope. 

The song 'Maine dil se yeh kahan' from the film Rog has been in my mind over the last two days. It features Irrfan Khan, was sung by KK.

Both fireflies ... Illuminating their surroundings with their celestial light and spark before the darkness of death shrouded them forever.  All they spread was light and happiness. Ethereal beings now in the realms of ether. Both gone to the big auditorium in the sky. 

Men may come and Men may go but few remain forever. 

Life hai Gullak si 😊

I didn't watch the previous seasons of Gullak. I somehow belong to the detective, mystery and action genre of films and series. A few friends suggested to watch Gullak but i turned a deaf ear to it. However the other day as i was browsing through the television I came across the third season of Gullak and thought of giving it a try. The only familiar face in it was Geetanjali Kulkarni whom I loved watching in the series Taj Mahal. I said to myself agar yeh hai cast mein toh ekbar try karna toh banta hai. 

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon and I was missing my parents a lot. Sundays were all about family time when Babu would be home all day. He would take the typical Kolkata 'bajarer bag' and go mutton shopping from Yakub's shop. He would ensure he got the best rewazi pieces for us and the bone marrow for us siblings. Maa would cook her delectable 'pathar mangshor jhol', the aroma would spread far and wide. Bhai and I would drool and loiter around the kitchen with a bowl until Maa gave one or two pieces in it for us to taste. Later the whole family would have a good meal together and head to the bed for afternoon siesta. Aah woh bhi kya din the!

The trailer of Gullak somehow made me feel that the series is something like going back memory lane to the bygone era of simplicity and being happy together come what may. The nostalgia made me press the remote button to Gullak. Oh boy! Mishraji and parivar was an instant connect and soooooo relatable. Each episode was a treat to watch until the last one... I mean kaun karta hai aisa viewers ke saath? 

Mishraji ne toh Dara hi Diya thaa yaar! Izzati ki chamkar is the name of the episode and I am sure every middle class family will have tears rolling down while watching this brilliant episode. The brilliance with which the episode is shot is commendable. End of the day it's the Izzat that a hard working,honest man has earned over the years and when he sees that shattering in front of his eyes he succumbs. Vaibhav Raj Gupta .. bhai tu genius hai! Kaise kar leta hai aisi acting itne Aram se .. rula diya tune humko. Harsh Mayer bhaisaab woh chote bhai wala kirdar... Aah! You won my heart bro! This episode is actually an epitome of coming of age for middle class kids where they realise the importance of the father and how much that man means to children. Mrs. Shanti Mishra aapko pranam Mataji, no melodrama yet so strong portrayal of the wife in crisis. Aur Jameel Khan aka Mishraji you personified the fathers of most part of India to the tee. I mean how, how did you all create such magic with such simplicity on screen? 

I am so glad that i watched the series and believe me after watching the first thing I did was going back to my family photos stored in my mobile with moist eyes. I felt grateful for my family. Yes, we are weirdos in our own way but end of the day we are a family which is normal,which is perfect with its imperfections. Series like Gullak touches the right chord and makes audience feel and relate to emotions, moments, feelings of the real India. What a great watch it was! Team Gullak apka gullak hamesha bhara rahen with love and blessings. Looking forward to watching more seasons soon. 

#gullak #geetanjalikulkarni #ott #tvseries #jameelkhan #vaibhavrajgupta #harshmayer #films

Satyajit Aparajito, the undefeated

Watched Aporajito yesterday in PVR Juhu, Mumbai. Auditorium 2 was almost housefull and I felt like I am watching the film in some multiplex in Kolkata. Saree clad aunties, quintessential Bangali 'bhodroloks', bunch of youngsters who i guess are born and brought up in Mumbai. It was such a nice feeling to see the children accompany their parents. Were these kids present in the theatre willingly or reluctantly ? Were they really interested in watching a bengali film in Satyajit Ray ? Whatever... I just felt good to see the next generation present to witness a movie on HIM  😊 And my heart pounded in excitement on seeing Etooo bangali eksathe!

#Jeetukamal, the actor was outstanding as Ray in looks and nuances. The hard work showed. There were times on screen when it was difficult to differentiate between the actor and his muse. As a Ray aficionado there were times when Jeetu's presence on screen gave me quivers and wet eyes. That twelve year old  me on 23 April 1992 resonated from within, "Tomake r dekhte pelam na ami". The screen belonged to Jeetu and I would say Thank you for bringing my God alive on screen. You were that close to perfection.

The screenplay however was extremely loose and lacked substance. Coming from #AnikDutta i guess the audience expected something much better. English used by the actors sounded quite newfangled  and irritating at times.

However, making a film on Ray is in itself a brave move and it could only come from Mr. Anik who eats, sleeps and breathes Ray.  Kudos to him for attempting to make something like this. To show the world the journey of the film maker to create history in world cinema was by itself a thought that needs to be reciprocated with respect.

Hope to see more of #Jeetu in the Ray avatar or maybe a Feluda avatar soon.

Cinematography needs a special mention here. To recreate the Ray moments wasn't a piece of cake for sure. Dedication and passion needs to be at tandem to create such moments.

There was applause both at the start and end of the film... Something which is rare in multiplexes. That reflected the emotions of the audience. They did not come to the theatre to judge a film... They were there to see Him, which I am sure they did.

It took a few moments to gather myself and put  on my motherhood cape once again. The father daughter duo were waiting for me downstairs. They didn't accompany me because AD knew that this is the film I wanted to watch alone, without any disturbance.

As i was rushing out I spotted someone whom I respect a lot. Aniket Mitra was there along with his wife Priyam. To see him in person and exchange pleasantries was a  Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor moment for me. 🙂

'Maharaja tomare selam', was what I mumbled as i stepped out of the theatre. Tumi Aporajito! Tumi robe nirobe hridaye momo... Satyajit Ray 🙏

Photo source: Google 

#satyajitray #cinema #cinephile #aporajito #aparajita #patherpanchali #bibhutibushan #sukumarroy #bengali #bengalifilm #worldcinema #writer #film #review #movies

Why is Mother's Day so special?

The conversation between my six year old and me led to this post. In her sweet, simple way little Biryani expressed the real fact of what makes this day so special for us mothers.

Ma: Achha Biryani tell me what is so special about Mother's Day?

Biryani: Because it gave her (the mother) the child. 

Ma: So what?

Biryani: Because that's what made her ( the mother) the happiest person on Earth naa! 

Indeed, holding you in my shaky arms for the first time, touching you to see if you are for real were moments beyond words or adjectives could describe. Since then life has been tough... There have been times when I lost my cool, I screamt,i cried because motherhood doesn't come with prior experience and certification; it's to be felt and gradually experienced. I have had my moments of complete break down but it was you who brought back the power and strength in me.

 I know how much I wanted to be a mother in spite of those miscarriages that tormented both my body and soul. You didn't come into my life easily but you made every moment worth since your birth. 

I know I am not perfect mother and I don't strive to be one.I am a mother who is more humane and normal. I don't want to show you that life is perfect or your Ma is perfect. Through my imperfections I want you to learn the real facts of life, of dealing with your demons and crisis. You have given me the most happiest moments of my life Biryani... Thank you for choosing me as your mother ❤️ 

#happymothersday #mother #motherdaughter 

The Bollywood Mothers

The Bollywood Mothers

The onscreen mother i could totally relate to as a teenager. Farida Jalal's portrayal of Lajwanti was so real and relatable those days. Mothers who were otherwise shadowed by the patriarchal, strict fathers and oppressive relatives who didn't allow them to voice out their grievances and opinions. The mothers could feel and understand that the  next generation was getting exposed to the modern world, girls had dreams (no not only of getting married to Raj)... Dreams of living life on their own terms, of being able to establish themselves, of breaking the shackles of orthodoxy and dogmas. 

Lajwanti was not just a mother, she was Simran's best friend, confidante. Yet Lajwanti could not raise a voice when required. She asked her daughter to forget her dreams, to conform to the societal norms because that's the way of the world. 

Somewhere Lajwanti herself wanted to break free from the normal... She too had dreams which she wanted to live through her children. Lajwanti does show some spark at the end where she lets her daughter to pursue her dreams. That's when she tells Simran to not give up on her dreams and live life on her own terms (marry Raj in ddlj). 

Farida Jalal played the role intuitively with so much grace and spright. However, just like the society her role was also cut short after a while. Yet Lajwanti made an impact... That's how mothers are... big or small... Their role in our lives plays an important role and help us in shaping our lives. 

#happymothersday #mothersday #mothers #mother #moms #momlife #bollywood #bollywoodmothers #faridajalal #ddlj #dilwaledulhanialejayenge #shahrukhkhan #kajol #lajwanti #yashchopra 

Nagarkirtan - not just another film

A long awaited watch ended in a void and lump

in my throat. Nagarkirtan presents us with the

 stark reality that we witness every day in the

 streets,yet we suspend ourselves to disbelief.

 Kaushik Ganguly spins a tale of homosexuality

 in the most unnoticed circumstances.

 This is the first time I think I have watched 

another actor more than Ritwick Chakraborty on 

screen. Hats off to Riddhi Sengupta for the

 outstanding performance. The character of 

Puti will stay with me for a long long time.

 Directors like Ganguly still gives hope to

 bengali audience with such films and we feel

 proud as cinephiles. Yes, bengali cinema still

 has hope. Thanks to such films that are made

 once in a while. I wish Rituparna Ghosh was 

alive to see the film. This film is a resonance

 to the insensitivity and indifference of the

 society towards transgenders and the 

homosexual community in the country. 

The kirtan (devotional songs accompanied by 

musical instruments on the love life of

Lord Krishna)

 as a backdrop expressing the angst

 of Mahaprabhu was such a subtle way of 

communication by the director and writer.

I personally know a bit about kirtan because

it was something I grew up watching

and experiencing on a regular basis.

I witnessed my grandmother going into a

trance every time she listened to the

singers singing some episode of Krishna. There

were others who cried profusely and others

who went on a frenzy.

I couldn't feel the words as a child though

the transformations of these individuals

mesmerized my younger self. 

The scene where Puti goes into the trance and

loses herself reminded me of those moments. Yes! 

kirtan does that to a person. 

This could be the story of so many of those

people we see standing at signals. The very

thought of their plight and struggle is

nauseating. Even if we try we cannot relate to

their dispair and battle to just exist.

Mahaprabhu Chaitanya took the path of

bhakti marg to get away from his family but Puti

wasn't lucky enough. Her story is that of

unacceptance, shame and defeat. 

Riddhi Sen is not a star, he's an actor...

a brilliant one. As a viewer i cannot imagine

any other actor performing that role. 

That's the magic of a powerful actor. 

Nagarkirtan is not just any bold film, it's a 

film with a heart and soul.

Kudos for their research and execution. 

A brilliant film which can be watched 

multiple times for it's aesthetics and content.

Bravo Mr. Ganguly and team!

It is time to Heal

A moment ago I was almost in tears because of the heel pain that's bothering me for a while now. The miniscule task of dropping Biryani to the bus stop seems impossible due to the pain.  As we were walking down the road to drop Biryani she asked if we can go for a mother daughter walk in the evening. I replied with a no because I can barely walk. The helplessness of a mother of not being physically able to do the minimum for the child is indeed agonizing. 

The excruciating pain is intolerable. As i recline on my bed, in pain and agony after dropping the little one to school, i kind of break down.It's the helplessness that takes a toll more than the pain. Just then I look up the ceiling and find these magical hues on the ceiling. The little bit of light rays that could make way through the curtain has created a miraculous mix of colours to give a new meaning to the ceiling. The room looks enthralling by this vibrant sport of light and darkness. 

For me it is an experience of watching Aurora borealis in my room on a scorching April noon.  The picture clicked doesn't do justice to the beauty I experienced. 

The message i perceived from the phenomenon is, no matter how dark it is... Light will make it's way. It was a kind of note sent by the universe. Yes,i know It's science, but isn't that's the magic of science! It's metaphorically amazing at times. Teaching us life lessons in the simplest way. 

So! My dear Heel... It's time to Heal 😁

#motivation #parenting #motherhood #lifelessons #Arthritis #pain #light #positivevibes  #Momlife #momblogger #parenthood #parent #biryani 

All Out...The mosquito repellent story

Remember those All Out days???

The initial days of the mosquito repellent wave in the country. It was such a relief from the choking kachua chaap coils and mosquito nets! However, no one addressed those automatic liquid filled machines as mosquito repellent..It was 'All out taa lagie de' or 'All out laga do' etc. The languages varied,not the expressions. 

Remember the first All Out advertisement that appeared on television? That machine with a tongue 😛 that attacked and killed the mosquitoes, the Japanese man doing monkey see monkey do type of a thing 🤣 

Wow! Good old days! Memories of sleeping aaram se without the 'Moshari' or mosquito nets. Wasn't it some kind of a freedom for all of us ?  Inconsequential,yet such  soul stirring experiences that made up our growing up days!

The eighties and nineties kids surely experienced the massive change that the country underwent in terms of products, brands, technology. The transition from a simple to a more tech savvy product made us wonder. The new world was indeed years away then but we experienced the tiniest of change with much excitement and joy. 

How the entire country suddenly got used to new beginnings was in itself an experience. From the young to the old, all and sundry embraced the changes with open hands. India slowly became an important market to the foreign brands and there has been no looking back since. 

As they say... Change is the only constant. 

If you want to have a look at the old advertisements to go down memory lane click on the link below

https://youtu.be/gA4A6nH_25k

https://youtu.be/npQYyB2ArvQ

Do share your experiences in the comment box below ☺️