Last August we came to the US from India, beaming with smiles on our faces, almost shouting in our hearts "Westward Ho ! ".
The happiness to see our children and grand children was motivating us to withstand the rigours of the long haul flight of almost 24 hours. We were immensely happy to see daughter in law Neetha , she was the first to sight us and greet us, son Avinash and grand daughter Ananya, almost four now, at the JFK Airport, New York.
The next few weeks flew just like that, happiness and nothing but happiness with Ananya keeping constant company and showing us round all the places in and around New Jersey. Temples at Bridgewater and Strodsburg, Bushkill Waterfalls, Wilkesberre, and the Great Metropolis New York, spread over 4 leisurely visits
Once to see the famous Time Square, Broadway Theatrical Experience, the Central Park and the Empire State Building. Then to Flushing Meadows to see a Grand Slam match sitting in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, an experience which will be cherished through out the rest of my life. Then the New York Public Library and Ground Zero, the 9 / 11 Memorial. And of course the Statue of Liberty one whole afternoon, exclusively. Meticulous planning by Avinash helped us see New York, at our own pace, Aaram Se !
Then we went to Niagara Falls. My second son Deepak and daughter in law Rajeswari joined us from Toronto, across the border. A truly amazing experience to see these Falls !
Then on to Boston to see the World Famous University, Harvard, and the equally renowned M I T. It was great to walk through the Harvard University Lawns, and Buildings, which breathe the unique feeling of a Great Place of Learning, though for only the exclusively Rich. But I was told any number of Scholarships are available for the really meritorious brains.
It was soon time to move further West, to Omaha,Nebraska, where my youngest daughter Divya, son in law Manoj and grand son Arjun live. It was a touching moment to bid farewell to Ananya after almost 11 weeks of joyful holidaying. Poor thing she broke down at the Newark airport, seeing us off to Omaha. For days, she would tell me, with tears in her tiny eyes, on the webcam, "I miss you, and Naani, Thaatha ".
At Omaha, Divya was the first to sight us and hug us emotionally, crying, "Daddy, Mummy ". Then Manoj warmly welcoming us and loading our luggage into the car. And lo, Arjun was dozing in the Child seat, fully belted ! After a while he woke up and slowly smiled a welcome smile trying to match the real faces with what he was always seeing on the webcam.
He was hardly 17 months when we saw him off at Hyderabad in April last. Now he was grown up ! He was a good 23 months old and getting ready for his second birthday, which was being planned by his parents to be at Les Vegas ! A colleague of my son in law wondered where his 18th birthday would be, if the second birthday was to be in Les Vegas !!
When we came to Omaha in the last week of October, their summer was just ending. Still, we could go one day to a nearby Farm for Apple picking ! This Farm outing we really enjoyed, seeing the Rural America at close quarters.
Then we were off to Les Vegas via Phoenix. And what a visit it was, Oh My ! The glittering city of Les Vegas, which some of my friends back home called it Swargam on Earth, was a remarkable Memory !
We went to the Hoover Dam, one day and to the Grand Canyon on another day. A magnificient sight seeing experience, the Grand Canyon visit !
In between Arjun's second birthday celebration in Les Vegas. Oh truly enjoyable visit it was.
Omaha is a beautiful city. Spread out and very spacious you just love the lovely spread of all those lovely shopping Malls, Restaurants, Down Town area, lakes and parks and jogging / cycling tracks so well laid out through out the residential areas, are all pleasing and soothing on the eye and soul. Residential Communities so well planned and self contained make living a pleasure. The Halloween Festival gave us an opportunity to see the friendly people of Nebraska State in general and of Omaha in particular. We even saw the house of Warren Buffet who lives in Omaha, in his old, modest house in spite of his phenomenal wealth.
The Omaha Zoo, the Strategic Air and Space Museum, the New Year Eve Fire Works in Down Town, were places we loved to see and cherish those memories. We got to experience the rigid winter temperatures of Minus 25 degrees F ! It was an experience, yes, it was !
Omaha really captivated us. No doubt.
After almost 12 weeks, we are leaving for New Jersey, en route to India, by end of January. Leaving behind Little Arjun is going to be really tough for us. The Little Hero really got used to us or it is the other way, we got used to him. God Bless him.
We could not visit San Fransisco, Seattle, Spokane, Chicago and Charlotte, though friends and cousins in these places were constantly goading us to come over. Similarly we could not go to Toronto in Canada to see and spend some time with my second son Deepak and daughter in law Rajeswari.
May be we will cover all these places in our next visit to this part of this world !
As we prepare to go home with a sad moan in our hearts "Eastward Ho ", it is a very tough odessey back. Going back to an empty home, with all the children and grand children abroad, makes the heart heavy as a rock !
Emotions are one inevitable part of our lives. They are inescapable.
Ramachandra Parsa. Jan.14, 2014, Omaha NE. USA.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
My Friend, Deccan 1591. A Friend Indeed.
We were classmates from II nd. Standard to X th. Standard, in St. George's Grammar School, Hyderabad.
1949 to 1957.
Then we lost touch till the 21st Century started. Some time in 2007 another close friend, Siraj, rang me up and said "arey sun, Zubair aaya vuaa hai, thujhe yaad kar raha tha. " !
We renewed our contact and continued to be in touch via Email. He was in Houston, Texas, US and I was in Hyderabad.
I was in Singapore during 2012 December - 2013 January and he tried to contact me on my Hyderabad phone. As there was no response he found out my whereabouts through another classmate of ours, Khyroo, in Spokane, Washington State, US and sent me a mail. I replied that mail saying that I was in Singapore and went a step further in describing how beautiful the city and people of Singapore were.
This mail appealed to him and he flew into Singapore one day, all the way from Houston US ! When he called me up in Singapore I could hardly believe his reasoning, for coming to Singapore. He said "I felt like meeting you and also seeing Singapore since you wrote so highly about this place in your mail "!!
We met in the famous book shop, Kuno Kuniya, on Orchard Street, wandered around in that Shop for a while and had Lunch in the Cafeteria inside the Book shop itself and chatted for well over 2 hours, running up and down the Memory Lane from 1949 to 2012 !
Then we planned a Visit to the Botanical Gardens one day, and spent a whole day, wandering around the sprawling gardens, gazing and wondering at the Botanical names of Plants, Flowers and Trees being reeled off by my friend. We just had some pizza for Lunch and rounded up the day with a couple of cups of Hot Tea at a small Cafe near the Exit of the Gardens. As we sat sipping Hot Tea it was raining heavily, pouring down cats and dogs.
My friend went off on a tour of the Far East countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, while I returned to India to Hyderabad, my base in life.
I came to the US in 2013 August to New Jersey and moved to Nebraska, Omaha in October 2013. I planned a visit to Dallas and to Houston to meet my old friends who were now settled there. And my friend Zubair sent a mail saying that he was planning to go to India during the dates I planned for Houston, so he would miss meeting me. But, he assured, "I will come to Omaha and see you ". I thought he must have really not meant that and for courtesy's sake he must have consoled me for my disappointment in meeting him in Houston.
But one fine morning I get a call, "Hey , I landed up in Omaha last night to see you. I am coming to your place in another hour's time " ! I could hardly believe my ears as I hung up the line in sheer astonishment. A friend flying in almost a thousand miles just to meet an old childhood classmate.
We spent a whole day together in my daughter's house chatting, laughing and regaling at old jokes nostalgic chatter spread over 6 to 7 decades ! In the afternoon after Lunch we went to the Strategic Air and Space Museum just outside Omaha, about 30 miles from the city, which my friend recommended as a MUST SEE place. We spent a good two hours in this unique Museum. We came home and after Dinner he bid me good bye and left for Houston.
This happened in mid November and during December middle I visited Dallas and Houston. I just presumed Zubair would have gone away to Hyderabad as he planned and never bothered to even try giving him a ring when I was in Houston. I came back to Omaha and sent him a mail, presuming he was in Hyderabad, that I had gone to Houston and I really missed him.
Pat came the reply Mail
"You Rascal could you not just give a ring ? I am in Houston still. My visit to India got postponed " !!!
1949 to 1957.
Then we lost touch till the 21st Century started. Some time in 2007 another close friend, Siraj, rang me up and said "arey sun, Zubair aaya vuaa hai, thujhe yaad kar raha tha. " !
We renewed our contact and continued to be in touch via Email. He was in Houston, Texas, US and I was in Hyderabad.
I was in Singapore during 2012 December - 2013 January and he tried to contact me on my Hyderabad phone. As there was no response he found out my whereabouts through another classmate of ours, Khyroo, in Spokane, Washington State, US and sent me a mail. I replied that mail saying that I was in Singapore and went a step further in describing how beautiful the city and people of Singapore were.
This mail appealed to him and he flew into Singapore one day, all the way from Houston US ! When he called me up in Singapore I could hardly believe his reasoning, for coming to Singapore. He said "I felt like meeting you and also seeing Singapore since you wrote so highly about this place in your mail "!!
We met in the famous book shop, Kuno Kuniya, on Orchard Street, wandered around in that Shop for a while and had Lunch in the Cafeteria inside the Book shop itself and chatted for well over 2 hours, running up and down the Memory Lane from 1949 to 2012 !
Then we planned a Visit to the Botanical Gardens one day, and spent a whole day, wandering around the sprawling gardens, gazing and wondering at the Botanical names of Plants, Flowers and Trees being reeled off by my friend. We just had some pizza for Lunch and rounded up the day with a couple of cups of Hot Tea at a small Cafe near the Exit of the Gardens. As we sat sipping Hot Tea it was raining heavily, pouring down cats and dogs.
My friend went off on a tour of the Far East countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, while I returned to India to Hyderabad, my base in life.
I came to the US in 2013 August to New Jersey and moved to Nebraska, Omaha in October 2013. I planned a visit to Dallas and to Houston to meet my old friends who were now settled there. And my friend Zubair sent a mail saying that he was planning to go to India during the dates I planned for Houston, so he would miss meeting me. But, he assured, "I will come to Omaha and see you ". I thought he must have really not meant that and for courtesy's sake he must have consoled me for my disappointment in meeting him in Houston.
But one fine morning I get a call, "Hey , I landed up in Omaha last night to see you. I am coming to your place in another hour's time " ! I could hardly believe my ears as I hung up the line in sheer astonishment. A friend flying in almost a thousand miles just to meet an old childhood classmate.
We spent a whole day together in my daughter's house chatting, laughing and regaling at old jokes nostalgic chatter spread over 6 to 7 decades ! In the afternoon after Lunch we went to the Strategic Air and Space Museum just outside Omaha, about 30 miles from the city, which my friend recommended as a MUST SEE place. We spent a good two hours in this unique Museum. We came home and after Dinner he bid me good bye and left for Houston.
This happened in mid November and during December middle I visited Dallas and Houston. I just presumed Zubair would have gone away to Hyderabad as he planned and never bothered to even try giving him a ring when I was in Houston. I came back to Omaha and sent him a mail, presuming he was in Hyderabad, that I had gone to Houston and I really missed him.
Pat came the reply Mail
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Dallas,Houston, NASA visits. And the Shifa Foundation of Houston.
I had the opportunity to visit Dallas and Houston in Texas, recently. I flew into Dallas from Omaha NE and spent a couple of days here with my friend and old colleague in Indian Oil, CLN Rao.
My friend picked me up from the airport and drove me to his house some 30 miles from the airport. He had built his house a few years before and I was made absolutely comfortable, by his family, who were all perfect Hosts. And his house, oh my God, it is not just a house, it is a tastefully built HOME, sweet home, designed with taste, and executed with finesse.
My friend took me to the Kennedy Memorial, and showed me round the place, and the spot where Kennedy was hit by the killer bullet. On the road where the Kennedy convoy was attacked by a bullet from the rear, the exact spot where the bullet killed Kennedy is marked with a huge X in red. The building, the book depository, from where the assassin Lee Oswald took aim from a 6th Floor window, is at such an odd angle to the convoy passing below, it is really difficult to buy the story, that Kennedy was hit by Lee Oswald only from the rear. Perhaps there is a good amount of validity in the various conspiracy theories in circulation, about the Kennedy assassination. The Green Mound, right in front of the assassination spot, appeared to be a more likely place for the actual killing bullet to have come from, and hit Kennedy. Of course there is no proof on this, unfortunately.
Then I traveled by Bus to Houston. Here again I had a perfect Host in my nephew Shashank and his family, who not only made me comfortable but pampered me with genuine affection. Shashank drove me to the NASA Center on a Sunday morning, to show me round the famous Houston Space Control Center. It is named as Johnson Space Center. The U S Flag flies on this Bldg., whenever a U S Citizen is in Space. And they explain that for the past 13 years the U S Flag was never brought down as there has always been a U S Astronaut in Space ! Then the Saturn V rocket displayed in a horizontal position is something to marvel at. Such a monumental steel structure with intricate cables running into several miles ( if laid straight on a plain ground ), and millions of nut bolts and screws, a testimony to human engineering skills. Just incredible. And come to think of it, this Saturn V Rocket becomes vertical and from the launching pad lifts off into outer space. And the Control Centre where constantly they hear voices from outer space " Houston, we have a problem "!
After NASA, I went to see my old Indian Oil colleague and good friend Syed Abu Sarwar, who has been in Houston for over 30 years now. We went out for Lunch to a place called The India Gourmet, where we were treated royally as my friend Sarwar knows the restaurant guys very closely.
Over lunch my friend Sarwar told me about an Organisation called The Houston Shifa Services Foundation, which was started by a few freinds and himself, in 1993, with the sole aim of giving back something to the Community and Society, for what all blessings we received from God the Almighty. It was a noble and Unique Thought : To give back to the Community, something.
This Shifa Foundation is a charitable Organisation that has been working in the Greater Houston area for the welfare and assistance of the less privileged and needy. They operate 4 community Clinics, a Women's Centre, two Social Rehab Centers, and two educational Centers.
They help ever so many youngsters and old people of low income, belonging to African- American, Hispanic and Asian-American Groups, who get on the job training platforms. Shifa also gives training for professionals in Information Technology, Marketing and starting new businesses. Commendable Community Service.
On my return to Dallas, again by Bus, I got into a train, the Metro of Dallas, that took me through Downtown Dallas, University of Dallas, Texas, and some well organised suburbs. At the Terminal of the train I took, The Belle View Station, I took a Bus and reached the Airport to catch my flight back to Omaha.
The US and its multi - racial, multi - ethnic, multi - racial, population is truly an El Dorado for any person who has the will to excel and is prepared to work hard. The sky is the limit. No one stops you from growing. That one great character of this great Nation impressed me. May God Bless this Country.
Ramachandra Parsa
Omaha Nebraska, Dec.28, 2013
My friend picked me up from the airport and drove me to his house some 30 miles from the airport. He had built his house a few years before and I was made absolutely comfortable, by his family, who were all perfect Hosts. And his house, oh my God, it is not just a house, it is a tastefully built HOME, sweet home, designed with taste, and executed with finesse.
My friend took me to the Kennedy Memorial, and showed me round the place, and the spot where Kennedy was hit by the killer bullet. On the road where the Kennedy convoy was attacked by a bullet from the rear, the exact spot where the bullet killed Kennedy is marked with a huge X in red. The building, the book depository, from where the assassin Lee Oswald took aim from a 6th Floor window, is at such an odd angle to the convoy passing below, it is really difficult to buy the story, that Kennedy was hit by Lee Oswald only from the rear. Perhaps there is a good amount of validity in the various conspiracy theories in circulation, about the Kennedy assassination. The Green Mound, right in front of the assassination spot, appeared to be a more likely place for the actual killing bullet to have come from, and hit Kennedy. Of course there is no proof on this, unfortunately.
Then I traveled by Bus to Houston. Here again I had a perfect Host in my nephew Shashank and his family, who not only made me comfortable but pampered me with genuine affection. Shashank drove me to the NASA Center on a Sunday morning, to show me round the famous Houston Space Control Center. It is named as Johnson Space Center. The U S Flag flies on this Bldg., whenever a U S Citizen is in Space. And they explain that for the past 13 years the U S Flag was never brought down as there has always been a U S Astronaut in Space ! Then the Saturn V rocket displayed in a horizontal position is something to marvel at. Such a monumental steel structure with intricate cables running into several miles ( if laid straight on a plain ground ), and millions of nut bolts and screws, a testimony to human engineering skills. Just incredible. And come to think of it, this Saturn V Rocket becomes vertical and from the launching pad lifts off into outer space. And the Control Centre where constantly they hear voices from outer space " Houston, we have a problem "!
After NASA, I went to see my old Indian Oil colleague and good friend Syed Abu Sarwar, who has been in Houston for over 30 years now. We went out for Lunch to a place called The India Gourmet, where we were treated royally as my friend Sarwar knows the restaurant guys very closely.
Over lunch my friend Sarwar told me about an Organisation called The Houston Shifa Services Foundation, which was started by a few freinds and himself, in 1993, with the sole aim of giving back something to the Community and Society, for what all blessings we received from God the Almighty. It was a noble and Unique Thought : To give back to the Community, something.
This Shifa Foundation is a charitable Organisation that has been working in the Greater Houston area for the welfare and assistance of the less privileged and needy. They operate 4 community Clinics, a Women's Centre, two Social Rehab Centers, and two educational Centers.
They help ever so many youngsters and old people of low income, belonging to African- American, Hispanic and Asian-American Groups, who get on the job training platforms. Shifa also gives training for professionals in Information Technology, Marketing and starting new businesses. Commendable Community Service.
On my return to Dallas, again by Bus, I got into a train, the Metro of Dallas, that took me through Downtown Dallas, University of Dallas, Texas, and some well organised suburbs. At the Terminal of the train I took, The Belle View Station, I took a Bus and reached the Airport to catch my flight back to Omaha.
The US and its multi - racial, multi - ethnic, multi - racial, population is truly an El Dorado for any person who has the will to excel and is prepared to work hard. The sky is the limit. No one stops you from growing. That one great character of this great Nation impressed me. May God Bless this Country.
Ramachandra Parsa
Omaha Nebraska, Dec.28, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Time is nearing to say, Adieu !
It has been well over 7 weeks since landing on the East Coast of USA. We saw a good number of places, Events, Temples, Waterfalls, Cities, Monuments, Sky scrapers, Memorials and Historic Buildings,
in these 7 weeks, and in another 4 weeks, we will be moving to the Central part of the US, Omaha in Nebraska State.
Time is nearing to say Adieu to these parts, people, friends and my son Avinash, daughter-in-law Neetha and grand daughter Ananya, who have been splendid hosts.
People have been mostly, very friendly, genuinely friendly, cheerful and very helping wherever we went. That's perhaps the Nature of these Americans. In my morning walks, in railway stations, in trains, in restaurants, in Theatres, in any Public Place, the Average American is very courteous, law abiding, friendly and never waits for the other person to wish first. Ever smiling, they invariably wish you first and show utmost courtesy, in the typical " Pahle Aap " manner.
Only two things I did not like here. One, the very hostile cold climate ( mind you they call this time of the year their Summer ).
And two, the number of cars on roads.
Hundreds of thousands of cars are always on the roads, ( of course none of them puff or smoke, as pollution control is in the top most gear everywhere) ,that one thought that came to my mind spontaneously
was "This Nation lives and works for the survival of the Automoble Industry !" Cars and cars and cars, every where, for every one, as this Nation has a very poor Public Transport System. They expect every one to own or hire a car.
The woods in New Jersey are really dark and deep as Robert Frost wrote in one of his poems. Thick forest cover everywhere and a green carpet on all plain cleared land spaces. So very cool on the eye. Lots of Deer can be spotted when you drive along the lovely roads, and plenty of beautiful birds chirping away musically on the trees and bushes at all times. ( during day time, of course )
The US Open 2013 at Flushing Meadows, was a dream come true. The Arthur Ashe Stadium was a great experience to sit in and view one of the Grand Slam Tournaments.
The Broadway Experience is another milestone Memory. Went to the Majestic Theatre and saw The Phantom of the Opera, a Musical which was worth seeing. A real theatre experience !
Among the Monuments that really stand out in your Memory are : The Statue Of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial Ground Zero, and the renowned New York Public Library.
The 9/11 Memorial is very Solemn, and is steeped in an Emtional Tribute to those 2977 persons who were brutally killed by the Terrorists, in those unbelievable horror strikes on that fateful day in 2001. One cannot but shed a tear or two as you go round the South Pool and the North Pool, huge square shaped pools created at the spots where the fallen Twin Towers stood. Inscriptions of names, of all those who perished on that day in this catastrophe, in bronze parapets around the pools, with a request to touch the inscriptions and pray for the departed Souls really moves you. A very touching tribute to the victims by the shocked Nation.
The Statue of Liberty, is just awesome in its size and Majesty of its sculputure, and the Ideals for which it stands. A Gift by the French people to the people of the Land which still upholds Liberty, and Equality in a large measure. And is definitely more than in any other Democracy on Earth.
The New York Public Library leaves you just speechless, for its size, its contents, its methodology of preservation of books and the facilities it provides to the Readers / Users of this gigantic Library. Its an experience, to be experienced. It cannot be described !
And for a devout person from India, the Temples at Bridgewater and Straudsburg, are a soothing balm for any tense mind. Very serene and thoughtfully planned temples, where you go and the Soul in you simply rejoices !
Like all good things in Life, even this Odessey through New York / New Jersey is nearin its End. And its time to say, Adieu !
in these 7 weeks, and in another 4 weeks, we will be moving to the Central part of the US, Omaha in Nebraska State.
Time is nearing to say Adieu to these parts, people, friends and my son Avinash, daughter-in-law Neetha and grand daughter Ananya, who have been splendid hosts.
People have been mostly, very friendly, genuinely friendly, cheerful and very helping wherever we went. That's perhaps the Nature of these Americans. In my morning walks, in railway stations, in trains, in restaurants, in Theatres, in any Public Place, the Average American is very courteous, law abiding, friendly and never waits for the other person to wish first. Ever smiling, they invariably wish you first and show utmost courtesy, in the typical " Pahle Aap " manner.
Only two things I did not like here. One, the very hostile cold climate ( mind you they call this time of the year their Summer ).
And two, the number of cars on roads.
Hundreds of thousands of cars are always on the roads, ( of course none of them puff or smoke, as pollution control is in the top most gear everywhere) ,that one thought that came to my mind spontaneously
was "This Nation lives and works for the survival of the Automoble Industry !" Cars and cars and cars, every where, for every one, as this Nation has a very poor Public Transport System. They expect every one to own or hire a car.
The woods in New Jersey are really dark and deep as Robert Frost wrote in one of his poems. Thick forest cover everywhere and a green carpet on all plain cleared land spaces. So very cool on the eye. Lots of Deer can be spotted when you drive along the lovely roads, and plenty of beautiful birds chirping away musically on the trees and bushes at all times. ( during day time, of course )
The US Open 2013 at Flushing Meadows, was a dream come true. The Arthur Ashe Stadium was a great experience to sit in and view one of the Grand Slam Tournaments.
The Broadway Experience is another milestone Memory. Went to the Majestic Theatre and saw The Phantom of the Opera, a Musical which was worth seeing. A real theatre experience !
Among the Monuments that really stand out in your Memory are : The Statue Of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial Ground Zero, and the renowned New York Public Library.
The 9/11 Memorial is very Solemn, and is steeped in an Emtional Tribute to those 2977 persons who were brutally killed by the Terrorists, in those unbelievable horror strikes on that fateful day in 2001. One cannot but shed a tear or two as you go round the South Pool and the North Pool, huge square shaped pools created at the spots where the fallen Twin Towers stood. Inscriptions of names, of all those who perished on that day in this catastrophe, in bronze parapets around the pools, with a request to touch the inscriptions and pray for the departed Souls really moves you. A very touching tribute to the victims by the shocked Nation.
The Statue of Liberty, is just awesome in its size and Majesty of its sculputure, and the Ideals for which it stands. A Gift by the French people to the people of the Land which still upholds Liberty, and Equality in a large measure. And is definitely more than in any other Democracy on Earth.
The New York Public Library leaves you just speechless, for its size, its contents, its methodology of preservation of books and the facilities it provides to the Readers / Users of this gigantic Library. Its an experience, to be experienced. It cannot be described !
And for a devout person from India, the Temples at Bridgewater and Straudsburg, are a soothing balm for any tense mind. Very serene and thoughtfully planned temples, where you go and the Soul in you simply rejoices !
Like all good things in Life, even this Odessey through New York / New Jersey is nearin its End. And its time to say, Adieu !
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Actresses with Elegance
These days, actresses are a dime a dozen. Actresses are wanted for various Films in Hindi and Regional languages. They are needed for TV Serials. They are needed for Short films, and Art Films. And of course good looking girls first enter the Modelling industry and slowly graduate to Miss India, Miss World, beauty contests. There after they jump into films.
Not all actresses have the Elegance that is the Hallmark of Feminine beauty. Attractive, fatally attractive figures are different from truly graceful and elegant figures, who make a deep impression on the minds of those who behold their beauty.
Let me start from the latest faces and go back to the to yester year actresses.
Shruti Hassan and Sonam Kapoor, of late, have been very successful in films and they carry themselves with that grace and poise which finally can be termed as Elegant. Both these actresses reflect a subtle innocence and sparkle in their eyes. They have the poise and refreshingly simple looks, that puts them in the category of Elegant Actresses.
One generation before these two actresses, were Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Deekshit and Rani Mukherjee, who had that extra something in their looks and personality to qualify for the category of Elegance personified.
And if you go back into yester years you can examine, Hema Malini, Raakhee, Vidya Sinha ( the Rajnigandha girl ), for the class of Elegance.
And in the 50s we had, Nargis, Nutan and Meena Kumari in Hindi and Savitri and Devika in Telugu films, who were truly Elegant in their times.
And in Hollywood, in those golden 50s were, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardener, Grace Kelly who simply exuded Elegance in their demeanour.
But today you talk to any youngster, and they will innocently ask "what is Elegance, please ? " ! Because today beauty means only glamorous and fatally attractive like Vidya Balan in Dirty Picture !
To appreciate Beauty, one has to cultivate a taste as such and look upon the extra ordinary feminine form that God Created. Only aesthetic painters, sculptors and later day photographers could appreciate and show their creative talent in depicting the Feminine Beauty, which God Created with so much care and patience.
Not all actresses have the Elegance that is the Hallmark of Feminine beauty. Attractive, fatally attractive figures are different from truly graceful and elegant figures, who make a deep impression on the minds of those who behold their beauty.
Let me start from the latest faces and go back to the to yester year actresses.
Shruti Hassan and Sonam Kapoor, of late, have been very successful in films and they carry themselves with that grace and poise which finally can be termed as Elegant. Both these actresses reflect a subtle innocence and sparkle in their eyes. They have the poise and refreshingly simple looks, that puts them in the category of Elegant Actresses.
One generation before these two actresses, were Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Deekshit and Rani Mukherjee, who had that extra something in their looks and personality to qualify for the category of Elegance personified.
And if you go back into yester years you can examine, Hema Malini, Raakhee, Vidya Sinha ( the Rajnigandha girl ), for the class of Elegance.
And in the 50s we had, Nargis, Nutan and Meena Kumari in Hindi and Savitri and Devika in Telugu films, who were truly Elegant in their times.
And in Hollywood, in those golden 50s were, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardener, Grace Kelly who simply exuded Elegance in their demeanour.
But today you talk to any youngster, and they will innocently ask "what is Elegance, please ? " ! Because today beauty means only glamorous and fatally attractive like Vidya Balan in Dirty Picture !
To appreciate Beauty, one has to cultivate a taste as such and look upon the extra ordinary feminine form that God Created. Only aesthetic painters, sculptors and later day photographers could appreciate and show their creative talent in depicting the Feminine Beauty, which God Created with so much care and patience.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Self Help Group. A non-govt.organisation
Swasakthi Seva Samstha.
A young man bubbling with enthusiasm asked me my opinion about his starting a NGO called Sulaksha Seva Samithi or some thing like that. I don't remember exactly what was the name he wanted to give to his self help NGO.
I asked him to go ahead and do what ever he can but take care to be sincere and absolutely loyal to his objective and to sustain the initial enthusiasm through out without allowing the idea to peter out and disappear into thin air after some time. I also promised him to give some ideas to work on.
Hence this endeavour to jot down certain thoughts that could perhaps be translated into action.
The self help group must have as its core a well defined objective. What the Society needs today most. A few examples are Housing for the middle class family, Health Care at the Govt. Primary Health Centres and in Govt. Hospitals, and clean surroundings where sanitation, garbage removal, and road cleanliness and maintenance, are given the due importance they deserve, and primary education at Govt. Schools.
A square can be visualised, with the 4 corners of the Square allotted to Housing, Health Care, Municipal Civic amenities and Education. The Core idea is the Self Help relying on its Own Power, Swasakthi, to attack the problems constructively, find workable solutions and confront the Administration and the Politicians to act and solve the problems.
This NGO must visit Govt. Health Centres and Hospitals and expose the live problems like shortage of staff, shortage of funds, and the prime disease of not bothering to rectify the defects even if it is within one's power. Similarly they should help Housing Societies to be formed of genuine seekers and help them to get Govt. land allotted wherever possible and get various Statutory Clearances quickly and without bribes.
Next, visit Primary Schools and expose their problems and make the administration and local Politician ACT, to set right the ailing system. And make the Municipalities do their job sincerely to maintain all civic amenities and Cleanliness of their Municipality.
An active, youthful NGO getting down to these tasks will win public acclaim and the administration and the local Politician will wake up and do their job effectively. They will have no other escape if the NGO means business and does a sincere job.
Of course several other aspects can be fine tuned to make the NGO, have really a Cutting Edge, to make the life of the common man more pleasant.
Hydrabad, March 30, 2013. Ramachandra Parsa.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Sojourn in Singapore.
Sojourn In Singapore.
My holiday in Singapore is coming to an end. I am going back to India,on 26th February 2013. I had come here in December 2012, on 1st December to be precise.
I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Singapore this time. I will be carrying back vivid memories of my stay here for the past 10 weeks. The morning walks around the Condo, " The Eden " ,
the serene sounds of water flowing and dripping down from the Swimming Pool and the inflow of water into the pool by way of fountain springs and a waterfall in one side, gives me immense peace of mind and a pleasant feeling of undisturbed calmness in the mornings after my walk. I sit by the pool side for about 10 minutes, after a 30 minute brisk walk around the condo. It is so invigorating to the mind and body.
The outings I had to the Changi Village Indian Temple, a Ramalayam, book shopping at the Kinokunia, in the Takashi Maya Mall on Orchard Road, the site seeing at the Esplanade by the night, the films I saw in the Tampines Golden Village Multiplexes, the Lectures I attended on Srimad Bhagavatam at Clementi, at the residence of an affluent Family of Indian ( Vijayawada ) origin, for 5 days, were all, most satisfying to both the body and the Spirit.
The films I saw at home in the downloads of old English Movies was another pleasant experience. When it rained incessantly and going out of doors was impossible, Movies on the Video circuit were the natural option to spend time. Movies of 1960s like " Operation Crossbow ", " 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ", brought back memories of those classic movies and those Actors and Actresses, who enacted their characters so flawlessly and efficiently with dignity and poise, that you could hardly believe that they were acting their roles.
And the last movie I saw was the famous 1953, classic, " The Roman Holiday ", starring Gregory Peck, and Audrey Hepburn, who was introduced in this movie. The story of a Royal Princess who goes out of the Royal Protocol and roams around Rome as an incognito commoner, for 24 hours, but goes back to her normal life in her Royal Family, to uphold the tradition of Royalty in her country, is depicted, superbly, by the Director and the Stars. The last scene where the Princess holds a Press Conference is so moving and touching that you just cant believe your eyes as you see the Princess express her emotions in her eyes and face when she has to face the journalist who shows her around Rome when she goes out on her adventure to roam around as a commoner. The dignity and poise she displays in conducting the Press Meet and the way the " Gentlemen of the Press ", conduct themselves in asking questions, is some thing this generation Press Corps, must see and learn.
Talking of Audrey Hepburn, reminds me of the interesting story of how she was to do the role of the Flower Girl in Bernard Shaw's famous play " Pygmalion ", which was being made as a Film called " My Fair Lady " in mid 60s, in place of Julie Andrews, who was doing this Play on the Broadway Stage for more than a year by then. Every one expected the producers Warner Brothers who made this film to cast Ms. Andrews for the principal role of the poor Flower Girl, Eliza Dolittle. But Warner Brothers took Audrey Hepburn for the role which was a big surprise for every one. And for Ms. Andrews it was a great shock and disappointment. They say she almost went into a depression. To cheer her up, 20th Century Fox, promised her to produce a big Musical, casting her in the pivotal heroine role, to offset her disappointment of losing the My Fair Lady role.
And, Yes, they made the film " Sound of Music ", an all time super hit of a Musical, which had Romance, both teen age and middle aged ones, suspense, a gripping story and all time, hit songs. Most importantly seven young children played a great part in the success of this movie, with the all time favourites " Doe Ray Me ---- doe a female deer, ray a drop of golden sun,----" , and "one little bird popping upto say Cuckoo ! " and the last line sung by the youngest child in the cast, " the Sun has gone to bed and so must I ". These songs were a real match to the My Fair Lady songs, like " All I want is a room somewhere ---", " The rains fall mainly on the Plains of Spain,------- and where are the soggy plains ? --- In Spain in Spain " ! And both Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady and Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music turned in Oscar Winning Performances. I am not sure whether they got the Oscars for these films. But they were both stunning performers.
Such were the Movies, the competitive Spirit between Producers and Stars and the quality of Cinema we saw in the Fifties and Sixties. Those days will not come back. Those films will not be made again. Those Stars will not come again.
My holiday in Singapore is coming to an end. I am going back to India,on 26th February 2013. I had come here in December 2012, on 1st December to be precise.
I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Singapore this time. I will be carrying back vivid memories of my stay here for the past 10 weeks. The morning walks around the Condo, " The Eden " ,
the serene sounds of water flowing and dripping down from the Swimming Pool and the inflow of water into the pool by way of fountain springs and a waterfall in one side, gives me immense peace of mind and a pleasant feeling of undisturbed calmness in the mornings after my walk. I sit by the pool side for about 10 minutes, after a 30 minute brisk walk around the condo. It is so invigorating to the mind and body.
The outings I had to the Changi Village Indian Temple, a Ramalayam, book shopping at the Kinokunia, in the Takashi Maya Mall on Orchard Road, the site seeing at the Esplanade by the night, the films I saw in the Tampines Golden Village Multiplexes, the Lectures I attended on Srimad Bhagavatam at Clementi, at the residence of an affluent Family of Indian ( Vijayawada ) origin, for 5 days, were all, most satisfying to both the body and the Spirit.
The films I saw at home in the downloads of old English Movies was another pleasant experience. When it rained incessantly and going out of doors was impossible, Movies on the Video circuit were the natural option to spend time. Movies of 1960s like " Operation Crossbow ", " 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ", brought back memories of those classic movies and those Actors and Actresses, who enacted their characters so flawlessly and efficiently with dignity and poise, that you could hardly believe that they were acting their roles.
And the last movie I saw was the famous 1953, classic, " The Roman Holiday ", starring Gregory Peck, and Audrey Hepburn, who was introduced in this movie. The story of a Royal Princess who goes out of the Royal Protocol and roams around Rome as an incognito commoner, for 24 hours, but goes back to her normal life in her Royal Family, to uphold the tradition of Royalty in her country, is depicted, superbly, by the Director and the Stars. The last scene where the Princess holds a Press Conference is so moving and touching that you just cant believe your eyes as you see the Princess express her emotions in her eyes and face when she has to face the journalist who shows her around Rome when she goes out on her adventure to roam around as a commoner. The dignity and poise she displays in conducting the Press Meet and the way the " Gentlemen of the Press ", conduct themselves in asking questions, is some thing this generation Press Corps, must see and learn.
Talking of Audrey Hepburn, reminds me of the interesting story of how she was to do the role of the Flower Girl in Bernard Shaw's famous play " Pygmalion ", which was being made as a Film called " My Fair Lady " in mid 60s, in place of Julie Andrews, who was doing this Play on the Broadway Stage for more than a year by then. Every one expected the producers Warner Brothers who made this film to cast Ms. Andrews for the principal role of the poor Flower Girl, Eliza Dolittle. But Warner Brothers took Audrey Hepburn for the role which was a big surprise for every one. And for Ms. Andrews it was a great shock and disappointment. They say she almost went into a depression. To cheer her up, 20th Century Fox, promised her to produce a big Musical, casting her in the pivotal heroine role, to offset her disappointment of losing the My Fair Lady role.
And, Yes, they made the film " Sound of Music ", an all time super hit of a Musical, which had Romance, both teen age and middle aged ones, suspense, a gripping story and all time, hit songs. Most importantly seven young children played a great part in the success of this movie, with the all time favourites " Doe Ray Me ---- doe a female deer, ray a drop of golden sun,----" , and "one little bird popping upto say Cuckoo ! " and the last line sung by the youngest child in the cast, " the Sun has gone to bed and so must I ". These songs were a real match to the My Fair Lady songs, like " All I want is a room somewhere ---", " The rains fall mainly on the Plains of Spain,------- and where are the soggy plains ? --- In Spain in Spain " ! And both Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady and Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music turned in Oscar Winning Performances. I am not sure whether they got the Oscars for these films. But they were both stunning performers.
Such were the Movies, the competitive Spirit between Producers and Stars and the quality of Cinema we saw in the Fifties and Sixties. Those days will not come back. Those films will not be made again. Those Stars will not come again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)