Billu Barber

Id still go with the old title, even if I have to fear for my life,or worse, my money,in case the hairdresser down my street decides to sue me. I always classify movies on the basis of the repeat value it has for me. I'm no less a sucker for thriller or action than any other fan, yet I wouldn't put any suspense- packed thriller down on my list of favorites if I'm not going to watch it again.(which I usually don't, given that the suspense expires in a single watch). Favorite for me is evergreen, much like Rishi Kapoor in main shair to nahin which looked so fresh even in Hum Tum.

Its nothing much really. Just a simple story endearingly told.And a type that you can watch anytime you feel like going far from the madding crowd. And its a Priyadarshan movie. And its got SRK who actually repeats a dialogue from LBC. Well okay, not verbatim, but close enough. I think He's the only one who can get away with it and even sound better the second time round.And its a feel good movie so you wouldnt be compelled to look beyond whats shown on the screen.And its a movie which you can enjoy with a gang or without.

If you don't remember the last time you left a movie hall feeling warm in spite of the air-conditioning, go watch Billu.

Back to books.

See how fast I renege on my resolutions???? :D But Ive been doing what I like best- reading.With the deathly hallows went out a small part of my life and two sunday mornings back, I suddenly realised that almost for 3 years Ive read no book that has absolutely enthralled me. So I dug out this old old list of books Ive been meaning to read since the donkey's years (and please dont ask me how could I still be in possesion of such an old old list) and set out on a quest to beg,borrow, steal and scour gariahat for them. Once in possesion of them I read them like the one possesed.

ANGELS AND DEMONS.- The only one of Dan Brown I hadnt read so far and shall I say the best?
Especially the parts with the absolutely wonderful rhetoric on science Vs God. Slick, modern, shocking( Im making it sound like a sci-fi movie, and its got a hidden motive- to make you read.) This book has made me put Italy on my list of places to visit and no, this list is not dictated by the monetary concerns other sensible people might find prudent to include. My bro finished this book with indecent speed and I simply refuse to believe that he read it cover to cover( he's the type who'll watch a movie on a computer backwards. My personal opinion is that he can't stand the suspense), though in his defense, he does read with insane speed.
I just hope they dont decide to make a movie out of it.


BOYHOOD DAYS- Arguably the best of the lot. chelebela is entirely my type of a book. I find such charm in colonial india( contribute it to my lack of knowledge on the bengal famine, black hole etc etc, though I did see Bhagat singh). Ive always known, and known particularly that translations can at times, be as ruining as movie adaptations but inept and inarticulate that I am in bengali this is the closest I'll get to tagore. He never disaapoints. My earlier trysts with him include reading some of his letters, translations of few verses of geetanjali and the Valmiki Pratibha.


A TRAIN TO PAKISTAN- Quite similar to what Ive heard from my grandmum about those worst of times. All through the book I pictured it on the lines of the godhra riots. Not the type of book id like to read just before sleeping. But perfectly fine all other times of the day. Especially if you get an unexpected day off because of a bandh and you don't( for a change) have exams breathing down your neck. Id say Kushwant Singh is losing his touch. Or maybe its just the constriants of a weekly coloumn. With my limited capabilities in being able to write, Im in no position to comment.


THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS- Depressing to say the very least. Its too dark, too gloomy, and too real. Well ok, even A train to pakistan is too real but this book has a kind of heavy pessimism that I completely disliked. Id say what ive perhaps never said for any book before,no matter how disliked( not that there were many anyways) : I wish I hadnt read it.


UNACUSTOMED EARTH- the latest addition to my list. Not good . Not bad. Readable but nothing beyond that. I expected better from the author of namesake.


None of the books enchanted me as I remember even the mystery Enid Blytons used to.
Maybe i was looking in the wrong places.
Or maybe, Ive just grown up.



P.S Not at all related to the post here but speaking of Enid Blyton made me remember Spiderman and my favorite line from my favorite part (part 1).

"With great power comes great responsibility"

THIS DAY........of all days.

India and all her military might.......such grandeur and pomp...

today, nothing seemed a bigger joke.

A Second Read.

"In spring, when woods are getting green, I'll try and tell you what I mean; In summer, when the days are long, Perhaps you'll understand the song."
- Lewis Carroll


To feel the magic you don't always have to understand.......

The Birthdays.

People who are even remote acquaintainces of mine will confidently tell you that I usually forget things. Especially B'days.(yes, I know that you know where this post is going but you can wipe that smug expression off your silly face.) Ten days into yhe new year and ive already forgotten two B'Days. Not my fault. When ive got 4 exams for which im not prepared, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Haule Haule, Tujh mein rab dikhta hai and Dance pe Chance all together what can the poor me do? You tell me. would you have been able to cope? And then they are not even on orkut. And I dont even have a cell to set reminders in.

But oddly enough I hate people to death for forgetting my B'Day. Thats a henious crime I dont forgive people for. A few suns ago A had forgotten my birthday. And knowing me,( she was my friend after all.) she didnt have the courage to call me up for months. And I mean it literally. For months. When she finally did...I think she'll remember that phone call for years to come. And probably even live to tell tales to her grandchildren about it. On second thoughts, knowing her( I am her friend after all..) she might not.

So now off I go to make a call. And hope that the heavens and the earths have mercy on me.

Something found.

I should have found this a week ago when I was all christmassy.But I didn't then and I did now. So im putting this up, late though it may be. It expresses so perfectly what I found inexplicable.

"Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind.To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, to have the real spirit of christmas"
- Calvin Coolidge; 30th president of the United States.

A New Begining..........

........and the first one for my blog.

I spent my day studying as i usually like spending my 1st Januarys.....just a kind of superstition that I have. You spend the entire year doing what you do on the first. So today was a day spent in exhaustive brain activity. Ive long nourished a secret ambition of becoming a workaholic. Looks as if im getting closer to that year by year. Liking my studies more and more.....If only I could ignore the absolutely vast periods of lethargy that would put even hibernating creatures to shame.

I love the modern century. Its so fascinatingly complex. Makes you realise the fragility of man in his entirety.The helplesness it itself faces from a world changed by him alone- willingly and eagerly. the modern man...confused rather than being empowered. Unable to cope with his rapidly changing psyche.Man is at new crossroads in his eternal quest to discover the self. And he must survive the harsh winds of change that threaten to tear him apart.-winds he's churned up himself.

"the woods are lovely, dark and deep....
but i have promises to keep...
and miles to go before i sleep"

Ive got many promises to keep. Most of them to myself. Somehow I dont really like promising things to other people.Unlike the ones you make to yourself you cant break them.

Newer beginings, Newer adventures, Newer awakenings.