A fact written on the wall is that communists are atheists. They ought not believe any religion.
Communist Party of India (Marxist), known as CPM, are now up against India's Hindutva policy, a long and carefully thought out doctrine which while respecting other religious faiths, seeks to resurrect the Hindu ideology in India.
The different stance that CPM so daringly takes with regard to dealing with secularism in India is very shameful. Kiran Khanna, in his editorial of 10.6.2005 in indiadaily.com, raised some questions as follows:
Why is CPM not going after other religions? The communists are atheists, right? So, why not call all religions bogus?
Well, they need other religious votes (votes from other religions) and that is why (the) communists are singling Hindutva. If they can kill the trust of Hindutva, they will take over India in no time.
How about criticizing 6000 Bangladeshi Jihadists entering India illegally everyday?
How about the fact that western and middle eastern money is endlessly pouring in(to) India for decades to convert poor Hindus into other religions?
Now, do the CPM have any real answer?
(For the full editorial, go to this link: http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/3099.asp)
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Irving Wallace
One of America's best selling authors is Irving Wallace (1916-1990). He began his career as a journalist at the age of 15 years. After serving the US Army Air Forces during the Second World War, he wrote for America's leading periodicals. Later, for nearly a decade he either wrote singly or co-wrote for Hollywood productions before he fell out.
A unique feature about all Irving Wallace's novels is that the titles begin with 'The'.
His first novel was The Sins of Philip Fleming was not received well. That however was a non-fiction. With The Chapman Report Irving Wallace was noticed the world over. The daring novel was based on a true Kinsey report. The book was made into a film and expectedly received much controversy.
Subsequent novels were mostly popular. In his novels Wallace easily blends sex, politics, life, discoveries, etc. in his own inimitable style. As is common with many American writers he is no exception to using intriguing villains from the Soviet Union!
The Man (also my favourite) received much acclaim and awards. The story is about an American President who happens to be a black. The President who was hitherto an ordinary and unpopular senator is resented by other white senators. How a serving American President is impeached and put to trial (in American history), and how he comes clean of it forms the rest of the story.
The list of fictions that he wrote include: The R Document, The Miracle, The Man, The Almighty, The Prize, The Three Sirens, The Golden Room, The Word, The Fan Club, The Seven Minutes, The Second Lady, The Guest of Honour, The Pigeon Project, The Plot, The Celestial Bed, and The Golden Room.
A unique feature about all Irving Wallace's novels is that the titles begin with 'The'.
His first novel was The Sins of Philip Fleming was not received well. That however was a non-fiction. With The Chapman Report Irving Wallace was noticed the world over. The daring novel was based on a true Kinsey report. The book was made into a film and expectedly received much controversy.
Subsequent novels were mostly popular. In his novels Wallace easily blends sex, politics, life, discoveries, etc. in his own inimitable style. As is common with many American writers he is no exception to using intriguing villains from the Soviet Union!
The Man (also my favourite) received much acclaim and awards. The story is about an American President who happens to be a black. The President who was hitherto an ordinary and unpopular senator is resented by other white senators. How a serving American President is impeached and put to trial (in American history), and how he comes clean of it forms the rest of the story.
The list of fictions that he wrote include: The R Document, The Miracle, The Man, The Almighty, The Prize, The Three Sirens, The Golden Room, The Word, The Fan Club, The Seven Minutes, The Second Lady, The Guest of Honour, The Pigeon Project, The Plot, The Celestial Bed, and The Golden Room.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Sholay facts
1. Sholay was the first film to run for five consecutive years since its release at Mumbai's (then Bombay) Minerva on August 15, 1975.
2. In the film Sholay, there is a scene where Jai brings Veeru's marriage proposal to Basanti's mausi. The scene is an interesting one and it was inspired by Javed Akhtar's (of the film's script writers Salim-Javed) real life incident. Javed Akhtar was in love with actress Honey Irani and asked his partner, Salim, to meet her mother, Perin Irani, on his behalf. Salim met and talked to Perin.
This conversation was used in the film, almost verbatim.
3. Originally actor Danny Denzongpa was thought of by script writers Salim-Javed to play the role of Gabbar Singh. Director Ramesh Sippy insisted that Amjad Khan be given the role. Salim-Javed were initially apprehensive about that. Finally, how Amjadbhai lived Gabbar Singh in the film is history.
4. It is also said that Amjadbhai remembered a dhobi from his childhood days, who used to call out his wife, "Arre, O Shanthi!" The "Arre, O Sambha!" by Gabbar Singh in the film came from this dhobi!
5. At one time Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan wanted to play Gabbar Singh. And Dharmendra was after the role of Thakur Baldev Singh. When the director pointed out that in that case Sanjeev Kumar would play Veeru and get Basanti (Hemamalini), he gave up because in real life he was in love with her! Sanjeev Kumar had just then proposed to her!
6. And there was Macmohan as Sambha who uttered just three words in the entire film: "Poore pachchas hazaar!" However, that brought him instant fame.
7. The last but definitely the worse thing about Sholay is that a remake of the film is on the cards and probably on the floors. Sholay has become such an obsession with almost every Indian that a true lover of the film would not quite sit quiet. Because you cannot recreate art, can you?
2. In the film Sholay, there is a scene where Jai brings Veeru's marriage proposal to Basanti's mausi. The scene is an interesting one and it was inspired by Javed Akhtar's (of the film's script writers Salim-Javed) real life incident. Javed Akhtar was in love with actress Honey Irani and asked his partner, Salim, to meet her mother, Perin Irani, on his behalf. Salim met and talked to Perin.
This conversation was used in the film, almost verbatim.
3. Originally actor Danny Denzongpa was thought of by script writers Salim-Javed to play the role of Gabbar Singh. Director Ramesh Sippy insisted that Amjad Khan be given the role. Salim-Javed were initially apprehensive about that. Finally, how Amjadbhai lived Gabbar Singh in the film is history.
4. It is also said that Amjadbhai remembered a dhobi from his childhood days, who used to call out his wife, "Arre, O Shanthi!" The "Arre, O Sambha!" by Gabbar Singh in the film came from this dhobi!
5. At one time Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan wanted to play Gabbar Singh. And Dharmendra was after the role of Thakur Baldev Singh. When the director pointed out that in that case Sanjeev Kumar would play Veeru and get Basanti (Hemamalini), he gave up because in real life he was in love with her! Sanjeev Kumar had just then proposed to her!
6. And there was Macmohan as Sambha who uttered just three words in the entire film: "Poore pachchas hazaar!" However, that brought him instant fame.
7. The last but definitely the worse thing about Sholay is that a remake of the film is on the cards and probably on the floors. Sholay has become such an obsession with almost every Indian that a true lover of the film would not quite sit quiet. Because you cannot recreate art, can you?
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Did you know? - 10/12/2005
Sound travels through water three times faster than through air.
The length of a single human DNA molecule, when extended, is 1.7 m (about the average height of a man!)
The length of a single human DNA molecule, when extended, is 1.7 m (about the average height of a man!)
Friday, December 02, 2005
Lord Brahma Temple
The most famous Brahma Temple in Pushkar, in the state of Rajasthan, is the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma (the creator of the universe according to Hindu mythology) in the entire India. This is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus. It is nestled in the Pushkar valley which lies beyond Nagaparvat and the Anasagar lake.
This place is full of natural beauty and holds a special place in the hearts of the Indians for it is believed that Lord Brahma, together with all the gods and goddesses, performed a here. Legend has it that the ancient lake Sarovar had appeared miraculously, when a lotus fell from the hands of Lord Brahma and dropped into this valley. You can identify it by its red spire and by the image of a hans (the goose considered to be the sacred vehicle of Lord Brahma). This temple is built with marble and decorated with silver coins. There is also a silver turtgle on the floor of the temple.
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