Parting Shots Part 2 (IIM Indore)

 Some more shots.. 

These two are sunset shots, the rest are of Sunrise 18th Nov. 2020.

My Favourites From Bollywood

 There are probably more, but this is a short list.

Dev Anand. I am fond of all his films up to Des Pardes. After that, his films were not great, though he continued making them regularly. But his films are only one part of why I like him. He had a charm that transcended the world of films, and spilled out into his life. His work ethic was great, and his zest for life, memorable. He also regularly introduced new talent in his films, particularly heroines like Zeenat Aman and Tina Munim. Many of his films from the 70s or earlier were romantic, and had great music. Except Guide, which was also serious and had great music. Some of the songs are eternal favourites, like Wahan kaun hai tera, musafir, jayega kahaan, or Yeh dil na hota bechara, Dil aaj shaayar hai and Phoolon ke rang se..

Kishore Kumar. My second favourite is Kishore Kumar, born in Khandwa. M.P. (not in Bengal), and a great all-rounder, to use cricketing terminology. (Incidentally, Salim who co-wrote Sholay, is also from Indore, and so is Johnny Walker). He was so talented that he could sing, compose music, direct films and perform almost any kind of role. The movies he produced were sometimes extremely serious ones. His first innings was known more for acting, but he skyrocketed to his zenith in his second as a singer. Aradhana under S.D. Buman's baton as music director proved to be the rocket-launcher. He never looked back, and produced gems for many music directors including R.D. Burman and Laxmikant Pyarelal. My favourites include most songs of his, in many moods. This blog gets its anme from one of his songs in Kati Patang.

Mehmood. Another immensely talented actor, producer and director. Made many significant films, like Kunwara Baap, Sabse Bada Rupiah, and Ginny aur Johnny, besides rollicking comedies like Bhoot Bangla, Padosan and Bombay to Goa. Acted against all the top heroes and sometimes overshadowed them. His Hum kaale hain to kya hua dilwale hain role in Gumnaam was imitated by Amitabh Bachhan in a later film song. He was good at emotional roles too, which he proved in many of his films.

Nonlinear Memories- Indore

 Our memories come and go when they want, or are triggered by something happening in the present. Presenting a few random ones in pictorial form..nostalgia for the past and the future. 

Pics around the campus can be interesting..

Karaoke party to celebrate the GOMC win..these were the winning team.

Sunny and in rain, the road to my office.

Above- the cast and crew of The Merchant of Venice, the third play staged at IIM Indore during my stay. Directed by Shweta Kushal. Below..my bosses come in for an inspection.

Guava Chronicles

 The guava tree in my Indore home has been pretty bountiful this year, maybe as a farewell to me. Anyway, here are some shots, along with a Guava thief caught red-handed :) 

Peacock Sightings

Ok, I am not their favourite person, because when I chase them, they run away, without so much as a hello. But the last few days, i have become more palatable to at least one of them. These are some pics I managed in his brief visits..

Unexpected Bonanzas

 A peacock sitting on your wall is least expected while making your morning cup of tea. But this is exactly what I saw a couple of days ago. He did not seem perturbed by my camera and posed for a pic or two before walking/flying away. Also met Saumyaa Sharma who used to be my (favourite) academic associate for 3 years. Now she works in Marketing Research up North, after similar stints at Bangalore and Mumbai.

Another bonanza from nature, was this fabulous filtered Sunrise which arrived where I was sitting, in my study. All I had to do was turn around and click.

An older pic of the same three as above, a few years ago at Mashaal.

That was a farewell for Saumyaa.

Behaviour and Leadership

 I think if you wanted to study contrasting styles of political leadership, you only have to look at New Zealand and the USA in the last few years. No idea where Jacinda Ardern came from, but for me, she symbolises what leadership is all about. Of course, economic growth is important, but it's not everything. We are human beings, not robots. 

Even robots may not be too happy with the kind of crass behaviour that the last POTUS put up, I am sure. He posed as a successful businessman, but I am not too sure that was also misrepresented like most things about him. Of course, he was legally elected, and had a right to his political and economic views/policies. My point is more about the human angle. Maybe if COVID had not shown him up for what he was, he may have won again. In a way, Biden must thank the virus too for helping his cause.

Hope the Biden-Harris era reminds us more of the gentlemen of the past.