Remembering Jaipur

I have been to Jaipur a few times, as a tourist and for work. I also had my cousin living there a long time ago, and we visited at that time too. Amer, of course, is a special Fort to visit, and Hawa Mahal (literally, the Wind Palace) is another unique creation of the rulers there. It's called the Pink City, and tries to maintain that colour on many of its buildings. The Rajasthani food has a few unique offerings, and one of my non-veg. favourites is the Laal Maas (Red Mutton- a gravy).

I also have many friends who are from Jaipur- among them Achint Arora, Garima Shah, and an Iyer- Anjali. These were students at KIAMS and IMT Nagpur.

 Some pics from the haveli cum hotel we stayed in on one of those visits. The car was parked in the garden. 

Where I saw What

 Maheswari -the first theatre with an escalator in Hyderabad. I saw Namak Halaal there, and a few others. At Tarakarama next door, saw Don- the Amitabh starrer.

At Vikranti, Jambagh, I saw Patthar Ke Sanam in a rerun that was housefull. Anand I saw at Navrang- also Damaad, starring Amol Palekar, a few years later.

Anari at Manohar theatre, Secunderabad. Maya Memsaab and many English films at Sangeet, Secunderabad. Chitchor at Ramakrishna 35 mm, and Sholay at 70 mm.

Mission Kashmir I saw at Jaipur in the famous theatre- Rajmahal? Paheli with Namita Chandra at Royal, Sultan bazaar, Hyderabad. Qurbaani and Mohra at Venkateswara in Kacheguda. 

Hum Tum, at Kochi while on a visit. Main Hoon Na, at Calicut, while working there. Andha Kanoon at Delhi's Uphaar. 

Jewel Thief at Kothagudem, A.P. Rama Talkies, most likely. DDLJ at Davangere, when I was at Harihar. Many Govinda films too, like Bade Miya Chhote Miya and Haseena Maan jayegi. 

My Grandparents

Talking about storytelling, the other day, I was reminded of my grandparents. Both were good storytellers- my maternal grandparents. My grandmom told us many stories, among which were classics like The Count of Monte Cristo- years later, I visited Chateau D' If, near Marseilles, where the story is set. My grandfather we heard less often but he had a favourite animal story about a rabbit who poses as a fierce animal from inside a cave, and scares a lion away!

 My grandmother (Radha Oak), above.

 My grandfather (Madhav Ramchandra Oak), above and left top, in the photo below. He was a professor of Philosophy, and worked at Jaipur and Amalner (where Mr. Premji's family had started).

My grandmother was also highly creative, and came up with a poem/verse to celebrate many family events- such as the birth of a child (she had many kids, and grandkids), or a marriage. She also published a collection of these, in small, multiple volumes titled The Inner Voice (Antariche Bol, in Marathi).

My Avatars on Earth- 2

Being earthy, I have had multiple avatars on earth. This is an attempt to capture some of them.

 Above. Second from left, acting in a play "Waiting for Lefty" at IIMB.
Sudhir Goel Robin Thomas and Sivaram are with me in the scene.

 Above- posing on my parents' Ford. Below- Backseat driving at Jaipur.

Preparing for a political career, at least dressing up for one.