Category Archives: General Thoughts

An experience watching Kahaani-Vidya Balan starrer

General Thoughts, Reshma's Blog, Reviews

Since the time I have enjoyed reading novels which is more of a recent activity than my teenage habit, I have enjoyed murder mysteries and thrillers. Whether it was novels, plays or movies I have always been fond of thrillers, particularly murder mysteries.

Watching ‘Kahaani’ was one of the most enjoyable activities that I had undertaken in leisure since the last fortnight. An actress who undoubtedly gets moulded very well under the supervision of an able director, Vidya Balan really makes you feel heroines in Indian cinema can get audiences without a ‘hero’.

I was not in too much awe of ‘Dirty Picture’ due to various reasons as I somehow felt skin showing was not really required for the script. (I don’t care if you think I am of conservative ideas. But it’s my opinion).

Being a mother myself and reliving the pauses that the actress shows to indicate a pregnant lady’s gait, mannerisms, and opinion of how others view a pregnant woman in India was really good. Yes like a good story the movie keeps you engaged until the end and it is the end that makes you feel it’s paisa vasool. For a person like me watching pregnant women on a daily basis (courtesy the place I work, a mum and baby care hospital), the climax did give me a shock value to make me feel ‘ God forbid I witness something like this in real life!!)

One of the few movies where you keep going back to the scenes to relive those moments, Kahaani is something I would be happy to recommend for others to view it.  And I am indeed contemplating of watching it again maybe with a few women colleagues. Let’s see.

BANDIPUR & MASINGUDI -TRAVEL DIARY

General Thoughts, Reshma's Blog

It’s difficult to write a travel experience as I have never acknowledged my feeling of travel memoirs anywhere. However I do feel it’s time I write a few about the places I go on vacations as a matter of rule, henceforth.

Recently I was with family to Bandipur and Masingudi. A jungle experience was not the first time in my life as I have been to Sunderbans, but Masingudi particularly the resort where we stayed gave a glimpse of basic living with animals like herds of deers and sheep.

A complete cut off was not possible yet my stay at Masingudi was better than the government run Jungle Lodges at Bandipur. We did take the Safari and enjoyed it though we hardly spotted any animal but things like a true jungle experience at Bandipur was completely missing and that’s what we were looking for at Bandipur.

A movie that the resort officials screened on tigers to be saved made me a bit more sensitive towards animals.

Yet it was the nature walk that I took with a guide and Evelyn a resident of Germany made me feel the jungle experience was truly enriched. I will try to post a few pictures of this trip –being with nature was exotic, eventful though I am not sure I can live in a jungle for over three days. The guide who took us for a nature walk made me feel animals have their own world and we do not have any right to intervene. As the line in the movie at Bandipur depicted even tourism is not really welcome at jungles.

Will probably write more detailed ones of travelogues next time though I do not want to pen down the itenary followed during my holidays.

Lastly make sure to stay at a known jungle resort (do enough research on what they provide and yes do not be taken by fancy names)  at least once in your life. It makes your feel closer to mother earth.

The one and only English?

General Thoughts, Published Articles, The Hindu

More and more children now speak only in English, and are losing sense of their mother tongues completely. RESHMA KRISHNAMURTHY SHARMA tries to figure out where the problem lies.

“Ruchika, do you want this book on Winnie-the-Pooh or the Doraemon series toys?” asks Sandhya Rao to her two-year-old at a bookstore. It may seem ordinary, but the toddler replies in a language that was never her grandmas’s or even her mother’s own. An increasing number of children, especially in urban areas, are speaking more English than any other language. Has English become the new mother tongue in many homes? Given the environments in which Gen X children are growing up, the answer seems to be ‘yes’.

One contributing factor could be that in recent times the country has seen a significant rise in inter-regional marriages. Perhaps parents feel it is better to communicate in one universal language than to speak to the kid in two regional languages.

Shiril Pinto, a HR professional, talks to her three-year-old in English. “I am in a mixed marriage where my mother tongue is Konkani and my husband’s is Bengali. As we were unable to learn each other’s languages, we have resorted to speaking to our kid in English. Also, as we have always communicated to each other prior to marriage in this language, it just continued as a natural progression of communication at home.”

Chaitra Kiran has different reasons for choosing English. “I do speak in Kannada and am married into my own community. Yet, I feel parents like me have started stressing English because we see children are not able to understand anything if they are not fluent in this language and somehow it has become the common spoken language in activity centres, play areas, in upscale apartments and so on.” Book stores, children’s activity centres, play-homes, and even workplaces encourage the use of English than any other language. The presence of international schools in cities and strict codes in even regular schools on the use of one common language has somehow pushed English into homes as well.

Moreover, parents often believe that speaking in flawless English from a young age, children are better equipped to work in global environments, so they converse in this language predominantly so that their child is not left behind.

Smitha Roy, a communication professional, did not make a conscious decision to speak in English to her three-year-old daughter Aahana. She and her husband have always spoken in English as a matter of convenience. She adds: “Somehow, even my parents conversed with me and my sisters generally in English, perhaps because we went to a convent school. I ensure Aahana learns Kannada from her grandparents. I don’t her to feel she did not get the opportunity to learn any other language.”

According to Nandini Ashok, an educator who runs a preschool, “I personally think parents these days find the interview process at the kindergarten level cumbersome. It is unfair that the child is spoken to in English, and there are lesser opportunities for Indian languages to be learnt and of course, this in a certain way pressurises parents to speak more in English.”

Yet parents who speak to children only in English are content that it is a global language and that their children will learn other languages if they are interested in them. Fifty years down the line, will we be surprised if English becomes the single spoken language and kids go to special schools to learn India’s regional languages?

Published on www.thehindu.com under LifeStyle and Society section on February 12, 2012

Kabhi, kabhi mere dil mein…

Deccan Herald, General Thoughts, Published Articles
Jan 20,2012:

TOUCHING A CHORD

Lyrical melodies or funky upbeat numbers, Hindi film music has always connected with the whole country. Reshma Krishnamurthy Sharma tries to explain its popularity.

EVERGREEN HITS Whether it is foot-tapping numbers like Ra One’s Chhammak ChhalloIt’s been 100 years since cinema officially made its presence in India. ‘Pundalik’, a recording of a play directed by Ram Chandra Gopal Torne was released in 1912, while the more well known movie ‘Raja Harishchandra’, a full-length film directed by Dada Saheb Phalke released in the year 1913. It is over eighty years since India’s first talkie film, Alam Ara, was released. The movie and its music were a big hit including the first song of Indian cinema, “De de khuda ke naam par.”

Since then songs have become a key to film plots, and except for the rare filmmakers, none dare make movies without music. No wonder then that Hindi film songs have been a major source of entertainment for generations of Indians. Just ask middle-aged people about their younger days, and many will nostalgically reel off the popular songs of that period. In fact, after cricket, it is film songs that bind the country as one.

Hindi film songs have loyalists across the length and breadth of the country, regardless of regional differences. These songs, lift arrest their mood swings, keep them away from boredom, and most of all keep them entertained and happy. For example, Abhilash Sivadas, a visual artist, says he listens to the old time classic, Kabhi Kabhi, as an anthem everyday. “I cannot work without listening to film music, which means I am listening to them for about eight to nine hours a day.”

To cater to these fans, we have private FM radio stations playing film music, just as government-run stations like AIR and  FM Rainbow which have dedicated slots for loyalists. Moreover, the key ingredient of many of our events is film music. You’ll find fans jiving to these desi numbers,  books being churned out on Bollywood songs, and events organised to pay tribute to renowned singers, musicians and others from the film industry.

What is it that makes Hindi film songs so popular that radio stations, wedding celebrations, reality shows, discotheques, and parties are never complete without them?

Perhaps, it is because this music touches our senses and emotions in a special way.  In our country audiences tolerate hackneyed plots and characters, but when it comes to music, people demand and expect originality.

A strong factor that makes or breaks a film is its music. Many times, it is the music  that lives on even after the movie is forgotten. Film music has a tremendous amount of marketing glitz attached to it and every effort is made to make it a crowd puller every time a film is released. Even if the film flops, its music connects with us over a longer period of time.

Says Prithvi Vishwanath, a very popular RJ of Radio One, a station that plays only Bollywood music, “I have grown to be a Hindi film music fan from the time I joined Radio One.”

He further adds, “I find Hindi film music very popular amongst our listeners. Clever utilisation of the media, marketing, glitz and glamour, and of course some genuinely good music make for some potent ingredients to popularise Bollywood music. At our station, although we do play retro music, but it is more of the 90s. In fact recent research results point out that our people have quite an appetite for retro music and melodies rather than fast numbers.”

Another huge fan of Hindi film music, is an active participant of a semi formal group known as Recreational-Music Indian-Miscellaneous (RMIM), which strives to remember and revive old memorable songs. Chetan Vinchhi says, “Personally I do not like most of the music churned out in the last two decades, due to the fact that songs these days are more processed and synthetic and the voice is less important. But I must admit that Hindi film music has had a mass appeal for years. Undoubtedly, it is an art form with no parallel. It encompasses the common man’s cultural identity like nothing else does.”

So whilst there are weddings and other  functions at home that have us play these songs, there are also rituals like  the Mehndi and Sangeet that depend on Bollywood’s numbers. In fact, although these ceremonies were initially region-specific, they have now become a must in  many brides’ pre-wedding itinerary.

According to DJ Jasmeet, known for his penchant for playing funky and upbeat numbers, “Bollywood music is something that has tremendous mass appeal and many understand the songs and can dance to them even if they are not very conversant with the language. A lot of people can relate to them even if they are the kind who party only once in a while.”

Its ability to provide a temporary escape from mundane worries, as well as its ability to identify with personal situations have continually contributed to the popularity of film music. It has a certain style that even someone not trained in music can appreciate. This is an advantage that film music has as other forms may demand a deeper  understanding.

Most of us remember popular songs and associate actors and actresses with them, and subsequently singers and music directors. So, no matter which genre of music is introduced to further generations, as long as movies are made, Hindi film songs are going to be evergreen forms of entertainment.

Published in the Deccan Herald Living Supplement as Cover Story on January 21st 2012.

An online link to the story- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/220789/kabhi-kabhi-mere-dil-mein.html

Where stomach meets heart

General Thoughts, Published Articles, The Hindu

TRENDS-  Bangalore’s affair with darshini hotels has been a long and steady one,  observes RESHMA KRISHNAMURTHY SHARMA. Even in the face of MNC eateries, what wins the foodie’s heart is the taste of home food

Even in the face of MNC eateries, what wins the foodie’s heart is the taste of home food What defines Bangalore’s culture? If you look at the lines on the street corners, the answer seems to be the darshinis. At any given time, thousands of people in the city are bent over their idlis and coffee at these convenient and affordable eateries.

Today there may be debates over how many can actually survive competition from international chains and the test of rising prices, but darshinis have ruled Bangalore for over 30 years. True darshini eaters vouch that these little joints serve as their second home, and many have their favourite darshinis for different foods such as dosas or coffee. Darshinis are everywhere. They allow diners to be themselves, without bothering about dressing up. Hot food is served almost instantaneously and diners often share tables with those from different walks of life, adding to the cosmopolitan opportunities of Bangalore. A neatly dressed corporate executive could be sharing his table with an auto driver. They need not make eye contact and yet they can both enjoy their snack or meal. Why do darshinis hold a special place in the Bangalorean’s heart?

Says Sriharsha, a businessman who eats at a darshini almost four days a week either for breakfast or lunch: “It’s no frills and that’s what attracts a person like me, where I can save time and eat food that I have grown up eating in the most economical manner.”

For Leela G., homemaker and mother of a seven-year-old, “If I am not cooking at home, the easiest, cheapest, nearest, and come to think of it, the most nutritious food that comes to my mind is getting idli or upma or some rice preparation for my son from a darshini. The international fast food chains or high-end restaurants are reserved for special evenings but something that is immediate, almost like home food, prepared in a hygienic way has to be from a darshini.”

Does she think the darshinis represent Bangalore culture? She adds, “I am not too sure about that, but I do know Bangaloreans would not want to miss out on having darshinis in the city and nothing immediately can replace them.”

Most Bangaloreans are used to eating South Indian food daily and the quickest way to find it outside their homes is to head to these tightly packed little spaces. One of the pioneers in running such a business is Radhakrishna Adiga, who runs Brahmins Coffee Bar in Shankarapuram. “It was Brahmins that started this concept of standing and eating together since 1965,” he says, “but a few others marketed their business with the word darshini and that became popular. The word darshini means having an open kitchen in front of customers.”

He points out that customers nowadays often want to sit and eat more leisurely, but he feels that those darshinis will survive that have won their customers’ hearts by serving tasty food over many years.

Darshinis are also serving food other than traditional Karnataka cuisine. Radhakrishna adds, “With just about 20 per cent who are Bangaloreans and the rest of the city population coming from other States, the food at darshinis has moved away from just south Indian cuisine to north Indian, Chinese and few other snacks.”

For Goutham Halkurke, a software consultant, darshinis are a place in which to chill out with friends. He is fond of particular eateries like Veena Stores in Malleswaram, Mangala in Srinagar, and certain SLV restaurants and Brahmins for the idlis. “If you ask me, darshinis have become part of Bangalore evolution. We have grown up seeing these eat outs, eating here, and as long as they serve food that is good they will not leave Bangalore.”

Priya Sebastian, illustrator and avid food lover, says, “I completely enjoy a snack at a darshini that is nutritious and low on calorie content compared to any fast food chain.” She cooks many south Indian dishes herself and relishes eating, either alone or with friends, at eateries that make authentic food.

As a food blogger puts it, darshinis will forever echo the vibe of Bangalore.

(Published in The Hindu Metro Plus on February 7th 2012)

An online link to the article- http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2869327.ece

DEBONAIR DEV ANAND …GONE TO ETERNITY

General Thoughts, Reshma's Blog

I had the opportunity to speak to him once at Taj West End over phone. As an excited RJ I was trying my very best to get him to FM Rainbow studio but he politely declined saying it wouldn’t be possible this time. When I asked how would I get in touch with him again he said very flamboyantly “ When Dev is in Bangalore you will get to know my dear”. Sadly that never happened.

I believe he would always prefer to stay in the West End when he would be in Bangalore. Having read his biography, I had been impressed with a personality who admitted to several relationships openly, believed he was a good looking charmer and a visionary who could direct films all his life.

I admired his grit and courage to carry on with life didn’t care if people appreciated his work or not. But yes I guess like most other celebrities or why just celebrities, even ordinary people were scared to show of his wrinkles on his neck.

Today while radio channels would be playing his songs he would defiantly be remembered for giving us some memorable songs in which he acted and made us fall in love with him. Bye Bye Dev Saab. Might meet you sometime somewhere else .God bless.

The Kannada conundrum

Deccan Herald, General Thoughts, Published Articles
What bothers me is when people assume I do not know Kannada.
It has always been that either my complete name or my face makes people guess and, as an instinct response, makes them speak the language they believe could be linked to my lingua franca.  And that has been everything, except the real one.

Perhaps there are many others like me who have a name that does not reveal their identity in terms of religion, caste. To add to the confusion some faces force people to assume. When I was in college, people would often approach me and ask:?Are you an Anglo-Indian, Gujarati, Muslim and so on. I never objected to this guessing game since I found it amusing and thought it added a certain mystery to my persona.

Off late though, since the way I way dress up, I have been spoken to a number of times in Hindi, and when I replied back in Kannada, the coconut vendor or bus conductor and the flower seller would be taken by surprise.

Recently, an attendant at a cash counter in a mall asked “Kannada ata hai kya?”. When I snapped out of the thought I was engrossed in, I questioned:?“Barutte, adare Kannadalle keli nange baruto illuvo anta?” I?have nothing against the national language as it is one of the languages I speak and use everyday.

What bothers me is when people assume I do not know Kannada and speak only English. Even autorickshaw drivers look at me differently when I respond to them in Kannada. I?have often discussed with friends that they should speak in Kannada, for, others might respond in the same language.

But some of them would quip, saying Bangaloreans take pride in speaking all languages and can even sense what linguistic background others are by simply sizing them up. By this logic they conclude that Bangaloreans are cosmopolitan.

While all this might be true why don’t we speak in Kannada to the person in front of us and if they don’t understand then we could always switch to another language. Maybe that would make us Bangaloreans more understanding in speaking a variety of languages while not abandoning our own. Else, the opportunity of speaking this state’s primary language will be lost to us.

So while Kannada Prasara Parishath takes pride in teaching lakhs of students over the years their month tongue, what we as citizens can do is not to impose the language on others. And yet we must make an attempt to speak in Kannada as often as possible — if not at the workplace, at cafeterias when among friends, with shop vendors, the bus conductor and, of course, with people who enjoy speaking Kannada.

Published under Right in the Middle Column in Deccan Herald on November 23, 2011

ETERNAL DILEMMA;The great balancing act

Deccan Herald, General Thoughts, Published Articles

Managing a career is no smooth sailing with the arrival of your bundle of joy. How do scores of women do it, anyway? Reshma Krishnamurthy Sharma tries finding out

An increasing number of women living in cities and metros are career focused. However, with the arrival of a baby much changes in a woman’s life.

Many of them opt to stay at home, while those who are keen to go back to work start out with a part time job or do freelance assignments. Does motherhood mean a stop to careers even for those women who are highly career centric? Or, are there options to manage the baby and focus on one’s career prospects?

Many women admit that motherhood brings a sea change in their lives, so a career for a large number of them, is not the immediate priority. While there are some who leave high profile jobs to become stay-at-home moms, there are quite a few who join work for various reasons.

Says Shreya Rao, Product Manager, Levis India, “I wanted to start work as I did not want to feel left behind in my career. Taking care of the baby for a year full time was fine. After that, however, I wanted to get back to work. Initially, it was good, but later I couldn’t do justice either to my job or to my child. So, after a year I took a break and joined work only when my child started going to pre-school for a longer duration of time.”

In a country where raising a child is considered a woman’s duty, the elders at home too advice the new mother to take time off her job, however high her position or salary may be. But, do all women go through the dilemma of whether to resume work at the earliest or embrace motherhood for life?

Asserting her decision to resume work within six months of her son being born, Mangai Varadrajan, a project manager at a leading software company, says “When you have a good family support system, I think it is important that the woman goes back to work so as to make her feel good in life. In my case, my family and my in-laws supported me whole-heartedly and I don’t regret going back to work. But if you are happy being a stay-at-home mother then it is entirely your decision.”

Padma Srinivas, a HR consultant who is trying out freelance, consciously decided to take a break from work to look after her baby. She balances her work and life by taking up fewer projects.

Having strong family support, and the ability to manage resources in terms of arranging for a caretaker to look after the baby at home, or to get the child to spend a few hours at a day care centre, allows women the option to get back to their careers or at least look for part time or freelancing opportunities.

Before you decide to rejoin the workforce, either full time or part time, ask yourself the following questions:

*How long are your working hours? Working long hours is bound to make you exhausted and irritable. Your child will not be able to understand this and will want to be with you when you get back home. So, whatever the working hours make sure to spend time effectively with your child.

*How much flexibility do you have at work? If your child is ill, will your boss or colleagues be able to understand it? Would you want to give some more time for this phase to pass before heading back to work?

*Can you arrange alternate resources in case your regular back up support system fails? If the normal care giver has to deal with an emergency, would you be able to take care of your child and still manage piled up work and meet deadlines?

*Are you sure you will be happy with your decision? Would you feel guilty about leaving your baby with a care giver? Be sure about what you want. You must be able to take off when you feel your child needs you the most.

According to Career Counselor Janet Parameshwar, “Try to choose a work place that is woman friendly; where you are valued as a professional but where your position as a mother is also understood. Also, in case you are not able to immediately join work because of various reasons, then, whenever you join make sure to be updated with the latest developments in the industry and try to start work at the earliest.”

However she has a word of caution, “Whatever you decide, do not neglect your child at the cost of your career. Believe in yourself; If you are talented opportunities will definitely come by.”

So, if you are confident of getting the right resources arranged to take care of your baby, then there is no one to stop you. But, experts opine that accepting fewer responsibilities at the beginning and lesser hours at work — even if it means a pay cut — makes more sense towards maintaining a work-life balance.

However, if you do feel that you deserve to be in a high profile position make sure you’re guilt-free and get the right resource to take care of your baby. As someone rightly said a happy woman makes a happy mother, so take the plunge after enough thought about you and the baby.

Published in She page of Living supplement of Deccan Herald on November 12th 2011

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/204056/balancing-act.html

A voice who touched us is no more

General Thoughts, Reshma's Blog

I am sure you must be amongst millions of fans who just adored Jagjit Singh, who got goose bumps when you listened to certain lines sung by Jagjit Singh on the CD or on the radio. Sad that he had more than one personal tragedies and perhaps that made him sing sad songs that could tear anyone’s heart.

He was not of young age so I cannot really say I wish he could live for another twenty years. So I do accept his demise as though he had to go one day and he was after all above 60 .

All I can say is Jagjist Singhji may you be in peace. I have got compliments from my listeners when I have played your songs on radio. It was you singing and people said I had great taste in playing these songs. Huh. Thanks for touching my life more than one way. I had the good fortune to listen to you even at a live concert and I just admired the voice.

God bless and be happy wherever you are.

ENTERTAINMENT – DOES IT NEED A NEW DEFINITION IN BANGALORE?

General Thoughts, Reshma's Blog, Reviews

When it comes to entertainment in Bangalore many might voice out that munching a grub at a café or fine dining restaurant or even at a food court just before a movie show is the most preferred option. But are most of these people happy with this option of eating out or do they want more options? With a city that has truly adapted different cultures, lifestyles and various cuisines, is entertainment defined in terms of merely to fill hunger pangs or can more options be explored in the city.

For Priya Sebastian, an illustrator living in the city finds most of the entertainment options suited for the younger generation. Nevertheless she finds eating out as one of the most convenient and apt options to go out with her small set of close friends as she finds good food and great conversations a great combination.

While some may find fine dining or ‘eating out’ as a convenient option there are a few who find this more overrated and suited for those who dare not try newer options or interests. Says Mallika Balu, corporate trainer, “I generally look forward to my weekend trekking outings. And if it is not for a trek then I am game anytime for watching movies or browsing at various book stores. Though I do indulge in going out to eateries once or twice a month by itself dining out has never has really fancied me too much as an entertainment option.”

While Priya finds the dire need of people to visit art galleries and cultivate it as a regular leisure outing she thinks that cultural activites like those interested in western classical music should have scope and to be staged accessible venues in many areas of the city rather than one major cultural venue like Chowdiah Memorial Hall. On the other hand Mallika opines that time restriction not only hampers eating out entertainment options but production houses that stage theatre plays start early and end early while the ideal thing would be to let people attend a play even late in the evening and catch up with friends post a play.

Time restrictions seem to be a great matter of concern for a sizeable number who find the very base of entertainment in a cosmopolitan city like Bangalore gets a beating due to this issue. Says Gauri Kapur, make up artist and stylist, “Thinking of going out on a weekend seems too very painful, due to traffic and lack of good happening parties. Also people seem to get concentrated in one happening party which can get irritable. Another major problem in Bangalore is the time restriction that seems to work adverse with someone like me who want a good night life.” She further reasons out that as other than star hotels almost all eating joints are closed by 11.30pm which makes one wonder what kind of entertainment does the city offer?

Increased spending power, lifestyle changes and need to utilize time in varied interests are making people to look for different kinds of entertainment sources. While youngsters are content with the existing ones those who are exposed to art music or late night parties want the city to change its fabric to cater to wider audiences. Like for someone like Swapna S, an engineering student, Bangalore has definitely become one of the most happening places with so many malls and eat out joints coming up very fortnight.

Not to forget many opine that it is high time Bangalore gets out of the tag of being a pub city or eat out city to more entertainment options showcased at accessible venues that promise to cater not only the teeny weenie’s but also 30 plus generation.

So if one thought it’s all about dining and dancing is all that people of Bangalore want to spend their leisure hours then one is sure to be mistaken as most Bangaloreans want different interests to be explored