Rajesh Rajgor's review of a Gujarati Novel - 'Be Aakash' by Shobhana Shah

Ms. Shobhana Shah’s Gujarati language novel ‘Be Aakash’ (Two Skies) is a passionate tale of simple human sentiments which manages to scratch beyond the known. Breaking the common travel myths like 'English is spoken everywhere' and it is 'difficult to relate with a foreigner due to their different ethnicity', the story takes note of light beautiful emotional attachment between the hero Keyur and the Japanese girl. However, it doesn't just end there, through the lead character, the book is a tale of adventure, novelty and quirky account of his accidental encounter with a Japanese robot! 

Mr. Rajesh Rajgor with Ms. Shobhana Shah at the launch.

With the growing bond between men & machine in the modern times, the story delves into the profound relationship of Japanese and Indian culture covering a nuance take on food, spirituality, infrastructure, intelligence, education and the important of all, value for humanity. These aspects are unfolding around Keyur (a man) and a robot (a machine), and Ms. Shah has managed a snugly interwoven travelogue, with a mix of incidents common to both cultures.

Through the science fiction narrative, the book manages to unravel ancient traditions associated with black magic, geisha or geigi – Japanese women who entertain through performing arts -, origami (art of folding paper), sumo-wrestling, ikebana (art of flower management) and engineering marvels such as the bullet train!

Amid the familiar setting, Ms. Shah also manages to package insights on human trafficking, role of media, police and underworld to give an engaging read. It offers a spirited insight into the lives of a simple Indian family who falls into the trap of unintended fame but who with its mind at the right spot fixes the unknown with ethics and integrity.

The offbeat guide, documenting various facets of Japan and India is full of emotions and on the outset, may seems like just another story by an author trying to make a mark for herself. But Shobhna Shah’s debut novel is much more than that. Through her indulgence in the intellectual pursuits, Shah unravels the absorbent culture of Japan– a country inseparable from its spiritual and religious fervor as much as it is of hard work, robotics and artificial intelligence (augmented reality). ‘Be Aakash’ is thus an extensive understanding of the fascinating Japan which is deeply rooted in Indian ethos and keeps the reader curious till the end.

The book can be bought from the following links.:
Amazon and Gujarati Books

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5 Reasons Why Garba Songs Are Chart-busters in Bollywood

Garba is a dance form originated in Gujarat and performed during Navaratri – a 9 day festival of Goddess Durga. Along with Dandiya Raas, that is also associated with the playfulness of Krishna & Radha, it is the most favorite dance forms of Navratri evenings in India.

It is therefore easier for our Hindi films, that prominently features song and dance, to adopt its romantic sequence to suit the traditional Navaratri songs. Here our 5 reasons why Garba songs are chartbusters in Hindi Movies.

1. Foot tapping beats: One of the reasons why Garba songs are enjoyed by people of all age group is because of its natural foot tapping beats. Whatever the lyrics are, the music can make even the non-dancers excited. The best example has to be this song from the movie Krantiveer, ‘Jai Ambe Jagdambe Maa’ where even Nana Patekar, not known for his dance, is seen dancing to the Dandiya tunes. Another similar example is the uncomfortable Rajkummar Rao being put to dance in “Oh Shubhaaramb” song from Kai Po Che. Dekha there is no excuse that you can give to escape from the Garba dance!
2. Efficacious in romance: One of the reasons why Garba songs in Bollywood are so popular is that it effectively leads to a romantic relationship between the lead pair. Be it a garba or dandiya, the co-ordinated dance moves lead to teasing between the couple and hence helps the romantic angle to bloom effortlessly. Many songs in the garba category are testimony to this point. Be it the ‘Ghunghat Mein Chand Hoga’ from Khoobsurat which takes forwards Sanjay Dutt and Urmila Matondkar’s love story or the most famous ‘Dholi Taaro Dhol Baajey’ from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam that etches love for Sameer’s in Nandini’s heart permanently. Truly, a song to watch for the pair’s playfulness. 
3. Colour & Vigour: Contrary to the negative connotation to the colour red in the western part of the world, the east considers red to be the color of love, seduction and power.  the red bangles or the red costume with drapes and accessories around the lead pair or the decorative use of red to design a set, the colour, often seals the relationship between the lead with warmth. It also invokes vigour and enthusiasm and appeals to the viewers to groove along. This point is aptly shown in another Sanjay Leela Bhansali song ‘Nagada Sang Dhol Bajey’ from Goliyon Ki Raas Leela: Ram Leela.
4. Suits any Sequence: You may be in Uttarayan, the festival of Kite flying, Holi, the festival of colours, a garba can be used practically anywhere and still, it will get you the desired result. Take for instance the song ‘Udi Udi Jaaye’ in Raees that starts off as a song for Uttarayan and shifts to a proper Garba (circular movements) or ‘Lahu Munh Lag Gaya’ from Goliyon Ki Raas Leela: Ram Leela that starts with the leads applying colour to each other.
5. Appeals to Indian Diaspora: What also gives Garba a universal appeal, just like the Punjabi songs, is the celebration of Navratri by the migrated Guajarati’s. Hence garba songs are a huge hit, from USA to Australia. The current sensational song ‘Chogada Tara’ is popular also because it shows the protagonist dance to garba at the Potters Field Park and Tower Bridge in the UK capital. Set against the backdrop of Gujarat, the film revolves around the love story between Sushrut (Aayush Sharma) and Manisha (Warina Hussain).

So, that was the list guys, write down in the comments section below, if you think there are many such reasons for the popularity of Garba songs in Hindi Movies.

Rajesh Rajgor's Book Review of Shyam: An Illustrated Retelling Of the Bhagavata

Who doesn’t know the popular Hindu deity Lord Krishna? He is the 8th Avatar of Lord Vishnu aka the creator of the universe, the source of all that exists! Krishna is adored in many different forms, for some he is who steals butter (makkhan chor) who started the formation of human pyramid to break the now famous dahi-handi, he is known for his Raas Leela with Radha and Gopis, He who is the Charioteer of Arjun in Mahabharta, and the narrator of Bhagavat Geeta. So, what is it that Author Devdutt Pattanaik wants to decode with his new book Shaym an Illustrated retelling of Bhagavata…. Let’s find out…

The book makes a strong case for ‘Jo Hota Hai Ache Ke Liye Hota Hai’ Every action, good or bad, has an equal and opposite reaction. Even though Krishna sided the Pandavas, to establish dharma that the mighty should protect the weak, poor and meek, he faced Gandhari’s (mother of Kauravas) anger, who felt Krishna could have averted the war!

Pattanaik’s book is a treasure of many such anecdotes. It is by far a thoroughly researched work about Krishna. It puts forth several references, insights and trivia in the grey boxes below the main story that invokes your imagination about the broader mythology associated with the main story. Kuch references Harivamsa se hain (that speaks of his pastoral foster family), toh Kuch Vishnu Purana (that refers to him as Vishnu’s avatar), There are a few mentions of Shrimad Bhagavata Purana and the Geet Govind of Jayadeva (that introduces us elaborately to Radha). Parallels from Greek mythology and references from Jain mythology builds up a good back story for the main story. Also, how Krishna is a purna purush (Perfect Man) and that he sees good in everything is well narrated in incidents of him accepting female attire as a punishment and also in an exchange of clothes with Radha! Something that challenges the many fake masculinity images of contemporary Indian men. There are various points at which Pattnaik also makes a note of how ancient India had no inhibitions in accepting a dark skin hero, which is so unlike the modern-day obsession about fairer complexions.

However, despite its various highs, I was disappointed in the area where Krishna as a narrator recites the Bhagavat Geeta to Arjuna. Having picked up the book thinking the it could also simplify the different chapters of the Bhagavat Geeta, the book fails to rise beyond the central message of Geeta- that is your Karma is more important than your emotional connect. Similarly, a few of you, who have grown up watching Shri Krishna on television or read about it in other books, may find the chapters dealing with his pranks during his infant to cowherd known. Also, until you warm up to the recurring boxes that puts various mythologies in perspective, you may find the break of flow from the main story a bit confusing and overwhelming to hold on to. Reference to various new names and their relationships to Krishna is hard to keep up with. But we can hardly, blame the writer for that. In fact, he has to be applauded for collating it all together in one book.

In a nutshell, the book will help you understand Krishna, before his birth, his life on earth and his life after death. It will help you accept things as they are and find good behind every thing happening to you. The true purpose is achieved when the writer succeeds in giving each one of us a distinct ‘meaning’ within the infinite possibilities that life offers us. As the writer himself describes, ‘Within Infinite myth is an eternal truth, who sees it all? Varuna has but a thousand eyes, Indra a hundred, you and I only two.’

Matters of heart can be solved with logic!

In a recent interview to Film Companion, Karan Johar said, "There is logic in ADHM. The lead hero aspires to be a singer and therefore sings." I think the logic ends precisely there. What about love and relationship Karan?

For many, like me, who have grown on film's by Johar and Yash-Adi Chopra, love either results in couple's unision (Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai) or sacrifice and move on! (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Kal Ho Naa Ho)

ADHM lingers between one sided love (without apt justification why Anushka's character Alizeh doesn't reciprocate love to the 'Aashiq' Ranbir's- Ayan till the end) and Friendship which actually is so blown out of proportion that it doesn't appear to be Friendship but love. (Remember ek Ladka aur ek Ladki kabhi dost nahi ho saktey if one of them is so close-physically chipku -Hum Tum)

Once Ayan confesses love and is rejected, he moves on - partially to somebody who is shown to understand love but is a divorcee! Alizeh suffocates in her other 'lovely' relationship and disappears without giving hint to even his lover Ranbir, it is Ranbir's one sided love that fumes on her news of absconding, ditto Jab We Met style, to find her, only to re-discover that she still feels Ranbir to be a friend (Matlab- Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Par Tum Nahi Samjhogey)

ADHM is a film of contradictions. Alizeh who keeps on saying "Mohabbat karna humarey bas mein nahi, ussey dur jaana humarey bas main hain" Then why did she go back to the first lover when he has ditched her! Ranbir once says 'Aasan Hai Kya, Aisi Mohabbat Karna Jiskey Badley Mohabbat Na Miley? It is not! Then why hope for reciprocation throughout the film and crib about it! (Btw he does same to Ash-No strings attached, "Rishta wo jo aasani se toot jaaye.") No body taught them to Move on with memories in heart!

Imagine, if in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, while the daughter reunites SRK with Kajol and SRK says 'I am just your friend' or in Kal Ho NA Ho, Preity refuses to marry Saif after SRK has sacrificed his love or in Jab We Met, Kareena would not have accepted Shahid after he rediscovers her-would the films have been successful and loved by masses.

ADHM tries hard to feed us that 'matters of heart are difficult' through forced emotional complications. It can be easily resolved with logic. Move on guys!

Post-script: Ranbir Kapoor, can't keep selecting scripts where he is subjected to confusion, careless and childish behaviour. Time is already up for him. Better actors with wider range like Ranveer Singh, Sushant Singh and Varun Dhawan are catching up. Confused, Childish and careless persona cannot be labelled and sold as versatile acting.

Anushka is natural but her character suffers between selfishness and self awareness. Aishwarya's exit is difficult to digest and I wish Ranbir and she would have settled for each other. However, the director is adamant on making us feel the resilience of heart's "ek tarfa pyaar"- alas through vulnerability of logic and from the mouth of an accomplished 'lover boy' who has 'acquired' other's love in every romantic film he did.

2/5 stars.

Should I do Bachelors of Mass Media (BMM)? How good are the career prospects?

A lot of students have been calling me off late. Most of them who have given the HSC (12th grade) examination call to seek advice on whether or not to take BMM. Let me put at the on set, I am not a big expert, but having done BMM myself (graduated in 2007) I posses a decent understanding about how the next 3 years for a student opting to do BMM would be and what there career prospects could be.

A student of BMM will have to go through 36 different subjects over the 3 years ranging from, Economics, Political Science, Creative Writing, Broadcast Journalism, Niche Magazine Journalism, Photography, Introduction to PR, Media Studies, Culture Studies, Understanding Cinema etc..

It is in the last year of the course that one has to select a specialisation - Advertising or Journalism. However the dilemma for many who call me (especially from Commerce) is whether the professional course has an immediate job prospect? I answer by saying YES. Many still have doubts. Will they have to struggle and slog a lot to reach the desired post? Guess what YES.

Guaranteed employment a myth?

It is not the case with only BMM or BMS or even BAF etc. It is with every field. Tell me one field which confirms employment? Students will have to start from junior roles and learn the tricks of the trade by being in an area of interest. Where money is riding high, not every individual gets prime responsibility immediately. There are jobs available both in print and electronic media, one has to get in spend years and then apply what they have learned at the courses. I did it it the same way. Learned the hard way. I know my friends who took jobs as PR, copy writers, creative associates, short-film-makers, assistant directors, content writers, digital strategists, communication managers, copy-editors, proof-readers etc. Everything that is taught at the course in 3 years is a window to the big professional set-up. You will have to be a jack of all trades and (unlike the complete proverb) eventually you will end up becoming a master of something. What is important is each step you take and the experiences you gain from it.

Remember, while you are learning these subjects in an academic set-up, add value to your over-all personality by learning, graphic designing, movie-editing, nuances of English language, MS Office, a bit of accounting and commerce. All these soft-skills will somewhere help you in securing a much lucrative job. You never know you may start your own editing or graphic designing studio. So get ready to explore while you take a deep plunge into the world of Mass Media.

A Little Bit of Slope Makes Up for a Lot of Y-Intercept

From a lecture by Professor John Ousterhout.

Here's today's thought for the weekend.  A little bit of slope makes up for a lot of Y-intercept.

[Laughter]

So at a mathematical level this is an obvious truism.  You know if you have two lines, the red line and the blue line and the red line has a lower Y-intercept but a greater slope then eventually the red line will cross the blue line.

And if the Y-axis is something good, depending on your definition of something good, then I think most people would pick the red trajectory over the blue trajectory (..unless you think you're going to die before you get to the crossing point).

[Laughter]

So in a mathematical sense it's kind of obvious.  But I didn't really mean in a mathematical sense, I think this is a pretty good guideline for life also.  What I mean is that how fast you learn is a lot more important than how much you know to begin with.  So in general I say that people emphasize too much how much they know and not how fast they're learning.

That's good news for all of you people because you're in Stanford and that means you learn really, really fast.  This is a great advantage for you.  Now let me give you some examples.  The first example is: you shouldn't be afraid to try new things even if you're completely clueless about the area you're going into.  No need to be afraid about that.  As long as you learn fast you'll catch up and you'll be fine.

For example I often hear conversations the first week of class where somebody will be bemoaning, "Oh so-and-so knows blah-blah-blah, how am I ever going to catch up to them?"  Well, if you're one of the people who knows blah-blah-blah it's bad news for you because honestly everyone is going to catch up really quickly.  Before you know it that advantage is going to be gone and if you aren't learning too you're going to be behind.

Another example is that a lot of people get stuck in ruts in their lives.  They realize they're in the wrong job for them.  I have the wrong job or the wrong spouse or whatever…

[Laughter]

And they're afraid to go off and try something new.  Often they're worried, I'm going to really look bad if I go..

[Laughter]

I'm kidding about the spouse.  But, seriously people will be afraid to try some new thing because they're worried they'll look bad or will make a lot of rookie mistakes.  But, I say, just go do it and focus on learning.

[Laughter]

Let me take the spouse out of the equation for now.

[Laughter]

Focus on the job.

Another example is hiring.  Before I came back to academia a couple of years ago I was out doing startups.  What I noticed is that when people hire they are almost always hire based on experience.  They're looking for somebody's resume trying to find the person who has already done the job they want them to do three times over.  That's basically hiring based on Y-intercept.

Personally I don't think that's a very good way to hire.  The people who are doing the same thing over and over again often get burnt out and typically the reason they're doing the same thing over and over again is they've maxed out.  They can't do anything more than that.  And, in fact, typically what happens when you level off is you level off slightly above your level of competence.  So in fact you're not actually doing the current job all that well.

So what I would always hire on is based on aptitude, not on experience.  You know, is this person ready to do the job?  They may never have done it before and have no experience in this area, but are they a smart person who can figure things out?  Are they a quick learner?  And I've found that's a much better way to get really effective people.

So I think this is a really interesting concept you can apply in a lot of different ways.  And the key thing here I think is that slow and steady is great.  You don't have to do anything heroic.  You know the difference in slopes doesn't have to be that great if you just every day think about learning a little bit more and getting a little bit better, lots of small steps, its amazing how quickly you can catch up and become a real expert in the field.

I often ask myself: have I learned one new thing today?  Now you guys are younger and, you know, your slope is a little bit higher than mine and so you can learn 2 or 3 or 4 new things a day.  But if you just think about your slope and don't worry about where you start out you'll end up some place nice.

Ok, that's my weekend thought.

[Applause]