Winter is a fundamentally indolent season. This is the time when we are reluctant to relinquish the comfort of our quilt and work. Thus,a break is necessary. Winter is ideal for picnics and outings. The slight nip in the air is marvelous and this is the time when we involuntarily reach for the woolens. There are times in which we end up looking like Santa Claus due to the numerous layers of clothing, but this is the time when traveling is a pleasure. Winter paves the way for Christmas. This is essentially a time for Christians, but what is to stop us from having our share of enjoyment during this time? This is the ideal time for fruit cakes....yum yum. If you are a MasterChef, you can actually attempt baking one, however if like me cooking isn`t really your forte, well thank Goodness there are places where you can buy the cakes. What do you feel when you look at the pale sun`s rays falling on the leaves, during the bleak winter mornings? It is simultaneously depressing and welcoming. As soon as you get up, don`t you wish you can snuggle back inside the comfort of the quilt again? After a while, when you feel the blood flowing in your veins again, that is the time when you start contemplating what you should do, during the day..........a long, lazy day which lies ahead of you. Winter also heralds death, the end of life. Innumerable poets and authors have referred to the time when a person reaches the winter of his life......imminent death. This could be the reason why winter is not everyone`s preferred season. However, in a nutshell i love winter and its infinite possibilities.........especially the nip in the air and the endless gourmet possibilities:)
Moner Manush
Saw a bengali film after ages yesterday. The film is Moner Manush, by Goutam Ghosh.I was never an ardent Prosenjit fan but i was pleasantly surprised first by Autograph and then Moner Manush.
Moner Manush narrates the exploits of Lalan Fakir. What is amazing about the film is the message it portrays, subtle yet loud enough to be heard. Communism, pantheism the film explores all this & much more. There are certain aspects which could be perceived as too bold however what leaves a lasting impression is the simple manner in which Lalan puts forth his views, within a delightful song & dance routine.
Prasenjit is amazing as Lalan Fakir. The lilting tunes almost involuntarily make you hum along. Another remarkable aspect is the humility of Lalan Fakir, who manages to put forth his inimitable views whilst acknowledging that he is unlettered.The film does not preach, this is something i really liked. There are certain bold aspects, however this is also a simple truth. When you are in search of your own identity, it is not essential that you must renounce everything in the process. It is not possible, nor desirable. This film is thus a search, for your own identity, your sense of worth......
The minus point in the film is its length. There are parts which are unnecessary and it could have done with some clipping at times, this is my opinion of course. On the whole it is a good film, a Bengali Musical if i may say so. But when you are detailing the exploits of a Baul, songs are necessary of course. I loved Prasenjit in the film and his commercial ventures notwithstanding, this is one of his best efforts.
Life is, at the risk of sounding cliched, filled with more than its fair share of trials & tribulations. This is an aspect we are forced to accept most of the time, however there are rare instances during which we can feel the beginning of a rebellion, deep inside. Why it that life is so unfair to some people, whilst there are people who seem to be born with the silver spoon in their mouth. Why is there such a disparity? There are people who are forced to beg for a living, simultaneously there are people who do not have to lift a finger, and are born with all the riches.
Such is life, fair or unfair, just or unjust, this is just the way it is & we would be happier if we could simply accept it. However, acceptance is not easy. It is just not possible that people would accept the injustice which is meted out to them. There are some, like Mr Bachchan, the charismatic icon who prefer to rebel against their original surname and to set aside the issue of caste-ism,they adopt a separate surname. But then, they are icons and can get away with almost anything. How does the common man rebel? Who would care if he does, and who would support him, if he did? To reiterate, this is life, life is unjust but you have to live it. To rebel would be to initiate change, and change is not acceptable to many. Let things go on, just the way they are progressing. This is the attitude of Gen Y....until & unless, we are brave enough to accept the tumult which accompanies change, this is the attitude we are forced to adopt as well. Till then, we have to accept injustice, tolerate nonsense, view the position which is rightfully ours being claimed by others who are not fit even to be in their present position. What can we do? Who would hear us, if we dare to complain? How far can a solitary voice protest? All we can do is stare silently, watch the unfairness of it all, and wonder......when would our day ultimately come?
