Sari & Shayari, Shayari & life!

“अल्फ़ाज़ ऐसे जो दिलों में आशियाँ बना ले, वही शायरी है।”

“अपने जज़्बात को अल्फ़ाज़ में तब्दील करना ही शायरी है।”

“अपनी ज़िन्दगी रूपी यात्रा में जो लम्हे छाप छोड़ जाते हैं और हमारे ज़हन में अटक जाते हैं, और समय समय पर ग़ुबार बनके निकलते हैं वही शायरी है. “

हम बेहद खुशनसीब हैं की भारत भूमि पर ऐसे अज़ीम शायरों का जन्म हुआ, जिन्होंने अपने सुन्दर कलाम से इस धरती को नवाज़ा जैसे अहमद फ़राज़, मीर तक़ी मीर, अली सरदार जाफरी, कैफ़ी आज़मी, जावेद अख्तर, फैज़ अहमद फैज़, निदा फ़ाज़ली, शहरयार और मिर्ज़ा ग़ालिब! यूँ तो सभी शायर एक से बढ़कर एक हैं पर मिर्ज़ा ग़ालिब का रुतबा  जुदा है जिन्होंने अपने सहज, सरल और सुन्दर शेरो से बड़ी से बड़ी बातें कह डालीं. मैंने जबसे शायरी समझनी शुरू की है मिर्ज़ा ग़ालिब की शायरी हमेशा साथ रही.

उनकी अदायगी भी और शायरी भी लाजवाब…खुद उन्ही के शब्दों में पढ़िए …

“हैं और भी दुनिया में सुखन्वर बहुत अच्छे, कहते हैं कि गालिब का है अन्दाज-ए-बयां और”.

ग़ालिब का सबसे पसंदीदा शेर जो की हम बहुत से लोगों के जीवन की सच्चाई है:

“हज़ारों ख़्वाहिशें ऐसी, के हर ख़्वाहिश पे दम निकले
बहुत निकले मेरे अरमान, लेकिन फिर भी कम निकले”

जब साडी क्लब ने साडी और शायरी का थीम दिया तो मैं अपने को रोक नहीं पायी …
देखीये क्या तारतम्य हो सकता है इन दोनों में…

साडी और शायरी के तारतम्य पर मेरी शायरी:

मुझे नहीं मालूम!

साडी और शायरी का क्या नाता,

अगर होता तो बहुत ही नायाब होता,

शायरी, हमारे ख्यालों का दर्पण है, तो

साडी हमारी सुंदरता का आवरण है.   

शायरी सुन्दर हर्फों का जाल है, तो

साडी स्त्री की पहचान का पर्याय है.

ऐसा तारतम्य क्या सचमुच होता

मुझे नहीं मालूम!

जीवन में महत्वपूर्ण क्या होता है?

वक़्त और समय बदलने के साथ-साथ जरूरतें बदलती है और जरूरते ही तय करती है कि जीवन में महत्वपूर्ण क्या है. बचपन में एक बच्चे के लिए महत्पूर्ण उसके खिलौने, टॉफ़ी, दोस्तों होते है. जब हम युवा होते हैं, तब सफलता हमारे लिए महत्वपूर्ण होती है. जब सफल हो जाते हैं और उम्र बढ़ती है, तब मशहूर होना चाहते हैं, जब मशहूर हो जाते है तो सुकून चाहते हैं. और जब मौत के द्वार पर खड़े होते हैं तो ईश्वर को देखना चाहते हैं या मोक्ष प्राप्त करना चाहते हैं.

अपनी ज़िन्दगी रूपी यात्रा में जो लम्हे छाप छोड़ जाते हैं और हमारे ज़हन में अटक जाते हैं, और समय समय पर ग़ुबार बनके निकलते हैं वही शायरी है.  

तुम शायरी की बात करते हो

मैं तो बातें भी कमाल की करती हूँ…

ऐसा मैं नहीं कुछ लोग कहते हैं …

…

पेशे खिदमत आपके लिए यह नज़्म

The Kashmir Files: A heart-wrenching tale of the sordid saga

This is not a movie, it is a revolution, it is a revelation, it is an expression and it is an emotion!

Circa 1990, January 19: That dark night of Indian history when Kashmiri Pandits were asked to leave their homes unaware, in a most brutal manner, history is the witness of. Kashmir has always been a hotbed of terrorism, which I recollect since my childhood. I recollect – famous Kashmir Issues activist – Sushil Pandit joined my class in KV, Tagore Garden. He looked true blue Kashmiri but had a distinctively intense expression on his face, like today. I asked him once during lunchtime, where are you from? Your father got transferred to Delhi? He replied, “I am from Kashmir and no, we had to leave our homes in Kashmir overnight to take refuge here.” I was quite surprised at that…how can one leave their homes in breathtakingly beautiful Kashmir – Jannat on earth. But as a little girl, it was all beyond my comprehension.

My interest in Kashmir grew when a friend, who lived in the colony – a beautiful Kashmiri girl narrated to me the story of Kashmir…

Probably, it was all simmering underneath to lead to the incident of January 19, 1990, which is the mainstay of the movie: The Kashmir Files. Surprisingly no one talked about it, wrote about it, thought about it and felt about it, hiding all the brutal facts under the carpet. As I lived in Delhi, I came in contact with another friend from Kashmir, Gautam Jalali, who narrated to me the incident, this was 1990. I was moved to tears…such a beautiful state…such beautiful people…subjected to this fate.

I always wanted to go to Kashmir for my honeymoon like shown in movies then…but that was not to be!!

Cut to The Kashmir Files, I am yet to see the euphoria, frenzy, reactions, national pride, tears surrounding any movie…and I am a movie buff. There was an unnerved silence in the hall, everybody was watching in rapt attention, some sobbing, while some in deep thoughts. I have been following all talks/ press meets/ discussions around the film by Vivek Rajan Agnihotri (Director) and made up my mind to watch it.

The hero of the film is its research done on the subject, there is hardly any misplaced fact. Till now, Bollywood has been presenting Kashmir and terrorism in a different light. Vivek is brave enough to bring and present facts surrounding the genocide, which was marked as exodus till now. Not surprised to note that, it is the biggest genocide in the history of mankind. Five lakh Kashmiris were displaced in a night, but not before subjecting to loot, extortion, rape, murder…whatnot.

The acting of the entire cast: Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Bhasha … everyone is class apart. While you empathise with Pushkar Pandit, you detest Bitta and want to shake Radhika Menon, why make Krishna Pandit a mohra?  I loved the song “Hum dekhenge…” The last speech by Darshan Kumar aka Krishna Pandit is an eye-opener. It was quite a revelation for me to know that the name Kashmir descended from Rishi Kashyap. The character of Anupam Kher as Pushkar Pandit moves you to tears, he was not acting, he lived the pain, the trauma of Kashmiri Pandits who wrote 6000 letters to the Government then to do away with Article 370. It took so many years to become a reality as it faced umpteen resistance from all quarters.

Indeed, it is a very brave attempt by Vivek Agnihotri to put a challenge before Bollywood in the form of this sordid saga, a true story, presented most honestly which garnered such rave reviews and passionate viewership, the world over. The film is a HIT. The reactions are worth noticing, absolute contrast – some are silent, some are violent!

Indians will not forget, the courts which opened at midnight for dreaded terrorists could not open the files of Kashmiri Pandits, even in the last so many years. I Hope, it is done now and our brethren get #righttojustice.

This is not a movie, it is a revolution, it is a revelation, it is an expression, it is an emotion!

Must watch to know the truth behind the Kashmiri Pandit genocide of the 1990s.

Watch the trailer here, to be in sync with the film:

Saffron socialist rises AGAIN!

Circa 2022: March 10

Whether we admit it or not, elections results were a shocker.

Pro-Incumbency, there is no other term that could be used to illustrate these elections well. Since the time dates were announced, approaching March 10 was giving butterflies in the stomach. Sleepless nights, anxiety, preoccupation, discussions, analysis, panel discussions, social media outings, media bytes…what not! But yesterday, it all looked worth it, hard work rewarded.

Not many would have imagined that BJP would retain all four states, where it was in power already for the last five years.

The hard work and the work done worked in BJP’s favour. The decision of sending Yogi ji Gorakhpur worked well, though the result wouldn’t have been different, had he contested from elsewhere. Though BJP machinery was at work in all the states but UP was most talked about for obvious reasons…the media mileage it received was just unsurmountable for any event. These were the most closely watched elections.

It can’t be denied that all parties put their might but probably strategies didn’t work or voter had already made up their mind. SP led by Akhilesh single-handedly could garner some good numbers, but his returning to power was questionable. Still, he took a good fight and gave a good fight. He packed quite a punch with numbers. At one point in time, it was looking like a game-changer, putting BJP on tenterhooks. Congress had no agenda except Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon…which could create no magic. Probably ladkiyan wanted Yogiji to fight for them.

Indeed, UP’s culture, character, infrastructure, and the voter have transformed drastically under Yogi’s tutelage still one couldn’t be so certain of such phenomenal victory. Voter swing and mood are some of the most unpredictable things on this planet. They can surprise you, shock you, overwhelm you … as has happened with these results. As I have been sharing, UP voters are quite aware, conscious, and decide in silence and unison. Here mention of Western UP’s and Purvanchal’s voter needs a special mention who remained unnerved by the Kisan issues.

Double Engine concept…provided assurance. They appreciated Modi-Yogi’s Jodi who is similar in many aspects.

Bulldozer bulldozed many aspirations…

…vaccination drive, free rations, law and order, security & safety of girls, good governance, corruption-free working, heads on the handling of issues, quick revert, etc. silenced many criticisms.

Ram Mandir, Kashi Corridor, attached with every Hindu’s sentiment paved the way for such a big mandate. Moreover, BJP is covering agendas point-by-point as per their manifesto. Of course, Hinduism was the most popular undercurrent in these elections but it can’t be denied that every caste, community, minority, and majority were taken care of well during Covid times. Social engineering and strong social media campaigns were icing on the cake. It is the dawn of a new era, the jinx of repeating the term has broken.

Yogi, an excellent blend of Monk & Manifestation, Yogi & Administrator, Grounded & High-flyer, Traditions & Modernity, who oozes Hinduism but is a global ruler. He is a pleasant personality but a hard taskmaster. He breathes Uttar Pradesh…

Prediction made by Atal ji couldn’t have been truer than now on Congress:

आज आप हमारा उपहास उड़ा लें, लेकिन एक वक्त आएगा जब लोग आपका उपहास उड़ाएंगे।’

Yesterday, Congress faced its worst defeat – Rahul / Priyanka could spell no magic due to their confusing strategies. All these years they took UP voters for granted. Had they done some constructive criticism, things would have been different. In fact, they should felicitate the two winners…

Yogi has proven himself time and again but BJP needs some serious introspection about lost seats. They need to analyze and study the voting pattern of lost seats. Still, winning 4 states out of 5 is no mean feat.

BSP performance, the less said the better. It is an indication that people have voted rising above caste, creed, and religion, which is a positive sign.

BJP – Way to go!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My first brush with GARBA, DANDIYA!

Coming from Lucknow to Mumbai (After marriage), I only knew that Garba / Dandiya is a dance form from Gujarat and had watched it in movies only. I remember best Garba beautifully performed by Nutan Ji and rendered by Lata Didi – Main to bhool chali babul ka des…where she was singing and dancing in a circle with other girls.Having married into a Gujarati family, little did I know that Garba/ dandiya is such an integral part of their culture and family & Social festivities.

So, came my first Navratri after marriage…which turned out to be the most exhilarating Garba experience for me. My husband who is least interested in music and dance (besides, being a man of few words) asked me to get ready in the evening for the Garba night. I asked my Gujju neighbour: How to dress up for the evening?  On her advice I dug out my mirror work, lovely (full mirror work) Lehnga Choli gifted by my IPS posted in Ahmedabad, knowing my love for music and dance. I got dressed up without knowing rather digging into any more details about where I was going? My neighbour commented: Nobody can make out that you are not a Gujarati in this chaniya choli, chunri and chunki jewellery.  

Around 9 PM we reached the hugely crowded venue, where young boys & girls, men & women, dressed to the hilt were dancing in circles, in a particular rhythm of music. It was a sight for me as I had never seen such overdressed men/women dancing, in real life. I also joined one such circle and started enjoying myself by catching up with their moves. Around 10 PM stage was brightly lit, with jing bang noise, dhols and whatnot, and lady landed on stage in boy-cut hair, dark sunglasses and black Pathani suit and a mirror work jacket. I could notice that crowds had gone berserk…there was a huge commotion…

Little did I know that she was famous Gujarati Garba singer Falguni Pathak, whose craze was at its peak in the 90s. One lady was kind enough to tell me about her. I was like, Is she Dandiya Queen, really? Garba queen hai? But when she started singing, the atmosphere transformed completely. In her melodious voice she rendered, a mata-ki-bhent in Gujarati and by 10 PM she was belting out Gujarati Garba / Dandiya numbers one after another…the crowd had swelled by now and there was no place to stand, so you had no choice but to dance. I marvelled how they were using the dandiya without even touching each other, forget hurting and how such a huge circle of dancers was completely in sync with each other.

I had lost track of my husband, who was assured that I was having a great time. Around 1 PM, he resurfaced and asked, Ghar Chalein? Completely unaware by what was going around…he never bothered to tell me that we were going for the famous Falguni Pathak night. I was like: nobody is going home, why should we? So, we stayed for some more time, but my feelings were like, Ghar nahin jaaongi main…Garba pandaal mein rahungi main…

… I had never seen anything like this in my life and it was all beyond my imagination. What a sight, What spirits, What music, What synchronised grooving! Lovely night with some great music and food. It looked like mini-Gujarat. I asked my husband: Are you a Gujarati really, with such reluctance for something so exciting?

Can any Garba / Dandiya experience be more unique than this?

Since then, there has been no looking back. I love to perform and enjoy myself during Navratri and I have attended many a famous Garba Nights, to name a very famous one: Naitik Nagda Dandiya Night in Thane. Nobody can beat him on dhol.

I am a big fan of Falguni and Naitik both.

Between me and my daughter Tanya, we have acquired a good collection of Chaniya-Cholis and chunky jewellery over a period, which we take out every Navratri.

My mother-in-law always appreciated that I was more Gujarati than her family’s daughters and daughters-in-law when it came to Navratri.

Jai Mata Di everyone!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PS: Falguni Pathak is an Indian singer, performing artist and composer based in Mumbai. Her music is based on traditional musical forms from the Indian state of Gujarat. Since her professional debut in 1987, she has developed into an artist with a large fan base across India. Some of her popular songs are “Chudi jo khanki haathon mein”, “Maine payal hai chhankai”, “Meri chunar udd udd jaye”, “Ayi pardesh se pariyon ki rani” and”Sawaan Mein”.

Naitik Nagda started live performances at the age of 10. He has worked with many music directors and band members of Kailash Kher, Sona Mahapatra, Hard Kaur and Farhan Akhtar. He also performed for commonwealth theme song with A R Rehman. Naitik Nagda is Winner of MTV Rock On and Kutch Ratna Award, besides many more.

Can Saree be questioned?

We recently watched a video that has gone viral where a saree clad woman was denied entry in a restaurant, on the pretext that   only smart casuals were allowed there. According to them, saree doesn’t come under smart-casual dressing. The lady tweeted about it and raised a very pertinent question, “Is saree not a smart casual dressing?”

Anita Chaudhary

My answer would be: It is! It is smarter over any casual. It is the most appropriate attire to be worn anywhere right from temple to hotel. The lady was looking smart over all those skimpy clad women, we see in restaurants. Moreover, the saree is an integral part of our culture and our national pride too. (Remember Indian Women Hockey Team wore beautiful tri-colour Sarees for formal dinner in Chak De! India)

Yesterday, while watching Ms Malini Awasthi, the Padma Awardee Folk-Singer, expressing concern over it, she said, “One should be free to wear saree at any place, on any occasion, across age groups. Saree is our pride, it looks cool and trendy, besides being traditional and conventional. I wear a saree as everyday wear and, on all occasions, as well. How can you classify or de-classify a saree like that?”

Malini Awasthi

Talking about her recent Kashmir sojourn, she shared, “Few ladies walked up to me in the hotel’s reception, who had recognised me and asked me: Are you here for attending a marriage? I replied: No, I am here for a youth program. But why are you asking? They said, we are watching you in beautiful red Banarsis for the last two days, so we thought, maybe.”

Her viewpoint was: Why to wear Benarsis on occasions only, you can wear it whenever you like, for that enhanced feel and beautiful looks. There is no better way to honour the weavers who have woven these beautiful sarees taking great pains which you have left to rot in the trunks. Why look for an occasion, every day is an occasion for draping a saree. I wear sarees at airports, programs, concerts, talks, morning walks, evening strolls and family functions.”  

Indeed, it let me pondering, why do we need an occasion to wear a saree? We need to create an occasion ourselves and drape the saree, which is crying for our attention in the cupboard or truck. Saree can be as classic and as trendy, as it could be. If you team up with a traditional or Kurti-style blouse, it is traditional, if you opt for halter sleeves or the backless choli, it would look cool.

Saree, also called Sari, is the most famous Indian attire worn by women not only in India but all over the world. It is because of its flexibilitythat it has grabbed attention since time immemorial. A saree makes a woman look elegant, gorgeous and stylish.

It is important how you carry yourself…the swag you display…the attitude you throw. There is a need to take pride while dressed in a saree. However, strong action should be taken on places and people that ‘object women’ to wearing saree and ‘objectify women.’  

The Sari Club has awakened this long-lost love for saree and is consistently curating events for us which give us a chance to wear a saree and put chaar chand to the occasion!  

Let’s fall in love again…kyunki saree hai sada ke liye!     

#HindiDiwas

हिंदी दिवस पर आज अनायास ही पापा के सहयोगी डॉ शेरजंग गर्ग की याद आ गयी. वह भेल (BHEL) में हिंदी अधिकारी थे और जाने माने कवि भी थे. पापा पर उनका विशेष अनुराग था क्यूँकि वह उनकी कविताओं के प्रशंसक रहे हों शायद…

समय ने करवट ली और डॉ गर्ग मेरे सहयोगी बन गए पर वह मुझे हमेशा अपनी बेटी ही मानते रहे.

पहली बार उन्होंने भेल (BHEL)में हिंदी दिवस का आयोजन किया, यह शायद अस्सी के दशक के अंत की बात है. इस आयोजन में मुझे भी शामिल किया गया, जो की मेरे लिए बड़े गौरव की बात थी. इसमें अनिता दी मेरी मार्ग दर्शक बनी और हिंदी हस्ताक्षर की विजेता भी. अनिता दी और नरेश खन्ना जी, शायद आपको याद हो.

इस दिन हिंदी हस्ताक्षर अभियान चलाया गया, सबसे, सब कागज़ों पर हिंदी में हस्ताक्षर करने को कहा गया और सबसे सुन्दर हस्ताक्षर प्रतियोगिता का भी आयोजन किया गया जिसमे सबने बढ़ चढ़कर हिस्सा लिया. सबसे सिर्फ हिंदी में बात करने के लिए कहा गया, जिसका पालन शायद सबने किया हो.

शाम की चाय ऑफिस में किसी समारोह से काम नहीं होती थी, और फिर आज तो हिंदी दिवस समारोह था…तो हिंदी कविता पाठ का आयोजन किया गया. अब सब लोग एक्शन में आ गए, कुछ ने मशहूर कवियों की कविताएं सुनाई, कुछ ने अपनी लिखी और कुछ ने बढ़िया तुक बंदी भी की.

मैंने भी सुनायी और प्रशंसा भी पायी. तब से हिंदी कविता पढ़ना मेरे जीवन का अभिन्न अंग बन गया हो शायद…

हिंदी की सुंदरता पर चार लाइना:

हिंदी भाषा सबसे सुन्दर,

सुन्दर हिंदी का आलेख,

सुन्दर हिंदी में बोल चाल,

सुन्दर इसकी कहावतें

हिंदी दिवस की अनेकों शुभकामनायें

Happy Teacher’s Day All…

Any amount of gratitude is not enough to thank our teachers who gave us invaluable lessons academically, personally and professionally. However, a day marked for them is a sort of reminder, how special teachers are. All of us had many teachers in school, college and corporate life but some special ones leave an imprint on our lives. We keep referring to their lessons time and again…

I was fortunate to have: Anita Roy, V. K. Chopra, J.K.Gupta, Deena Mehta, Harsh Roongta, Balwant Jain, S.S. Hussain and Manju Yagnik…to name a few.

I was the one who always believed that everything has to finish on time, school, college, B-School, P.hd. and never supported the argument that you can learn anything at any age. But how circumstances made me contradict myself is worth sharing.

Cut to the first lockdown, which left me with some more time at home. In a jiffy, I decided to take music classes and followed the search for a music teacher, who can teach me at my age and my histrionics of being a non-singer. I zeroed in on Ms Raina Lahiri, who looked very sweet and pleasant to me, and without checking on anything about her, I enrolled with her. My journey traversing from semi-classical to classical to Bollywood progressed. She is a phenomenal singer, excellent teacher and patient mentor (obviously training students like me) blessed with exemplary knowledge. Her dedication to the craft is worth emulating. Today, whatever, I know w.r.t. to music, I attribute to her. I made friends with youngsters like Dhuni, Sumit, Moumita and seniors like Pushkala Ji, Vidya Ji and Usha Ji.  

Raina Lahiri

Happy Teachers Day Raina Ji and all teachers and students of RMA.

Cut to the second lockdown, my musically inclined niece Anuksha got a new piano for her and when I visited my brother and saw her playing the piano, I was like wow! My brother could sense that I would love to have one. In a few days, to my utter surprise piano landed at my doorstep. I couldn’t be thankful enough for this value-addition in my life.

But, hardly knew the piano, forget to play it. My knowledge was limited to Rajesh Khanna playing it: Agar tum na hote or maine tere liye hi saat rang ke sapne chune…I was like: What to do with this? I am not the one who could learn anything from youtube, coming from old school of learning. For few months, it was adorning my cabinet…till one day I came across piano classes at Sensationz, and without giving any thought, I took a plunge.

Believe me, my life changed forever under Elvis Julius Sir, a teacher par excellence, who could only handle my expertise (read: ignorance) about the instrument. He started teaching and I started learning. Being the eldest in the class, amidst very small children, I felt lost, sometimes dejected but Sir’s positivity motivated me to continue, learn and practice.

Elvis Julius Sir

I marvelled, how children’s nimble fingers moved swiftly on the keyboard, whereas I struggled so much with my rigidity in fingers. To top it all, with my learning abilities as till now I have been known for lecturing at home and in the office.

He patiently taught us notes, chords, songs, melodies and believe me it is quite technical to play the piano. It is nowhere close to what we have seen in movies. All your faculties need to be alert and work in tandem. Many times, I knew I was playing shoddily, but Elvis Sir’s motivation, kept me going, maybe I reach somewhere – Amen!

I made a lovely friend Sumi (La daughter) who is turning out to be an expert player, talented Neha ji and all my kiddo brigade with Anvi, Roshni, Aahana, Parth, Vihaan, Rudraksh…love you all!!

I am blessed to have such teachers and the opportunity which came my way! Learning at this age, no mean task though, when you are so used to lecturing rather taking lectures. This is life!

Yash Chopra: Inundated with undying passion for films!

Breathed Love & Romance in his films

Infused Beauty & Class in his Heroines

“Films have been my only passion in life. I have always been proud of making films and will continue taking pride in all my films. I have never made a movie I have not believed in.” – Yash Chopra, Renowned Film Maker

The same way he believed in his heroines too…he made them look classy, charming, demure, ideal and empowered at the same time. His styling with chiffons, laces, dainty embroidery with flowing aanchals of beautiful sarees with flowing tresses, bindis and bangles, made them look, true DIVAS. Their fan following  zoomed with every YRF release and they became stars overnight.   

To add here, the quintessential Yash Chopra heroine was fierce in her ideals, traditional and optimistic, but a stickler for the opportunity. She was shy but not timid; she was principled but not self-righteous, she was mysterious but not evasive; she was the object of so many of our affections.

Almost all his heroines turned out to be trendsetters in every respect be it their look, styling, aura or acting. They guided the generation of that era…be it Rakhee, Sharmila Tagore, Rekha, Jaya Bhaduri, Sri Devi, Juhi Chawla, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta, Parineeti Chopra, Anushka Sharma or Kajol, they mesmerised the audience under the YRF banner.

Yash Chopra would always remain in our hearts, the way he depicted love and romance in his films, which was unique, pure, ideal and many a time ahead of the times.

He has left behind a legacy of such iconic films that through his stories he will continue to live. The director, who can easily be credited for making several actors into superstars, will always live in the hearts of the moviegoers through his films.

From Sridevi, Kajol to Parineeti Chopra, the Yash Raj banner has launched, nurtured and guided many top A-listers in Bollywood. Yash Chopra is one of the most well-known names in the industry. The director and producer, Yash Chopra, founded his independent production house, Yash Raj Films, in 1971. He has given a breakthrough to several heroines under his banner.

I am a big fan of Yash Chopra films and his heroines for their histrionics in styling, look, beauty and acting, be her Rekha as Chandni in Silsila, Sri Devi as Chandni in Chandni, Juhi Chawla as Kiran or Kajol as Simran in DDLJ. I watched these films over and over and many times copied their sarees, bangles, bindis and overall looks…  

But I was most enamored by Neetu Singh’s looks in Kabhi Kabhie…with short tops, bell-bottoms, frocks and side-flicks. I had those side flocks for long, till one day I was hauled up by school administrator for my flicks. Fond memories of those days…

As a tribute to great Yash Chopra ji, I have chosen Rekha Ji’s look for a song which is very close to my heart.

Undoubtedly, there can’t be any other Yash Chopra.  https://youtu.be/jZLPESl8T-U

In love with everything BENGALI

It’s not said for nothing, “What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow.”  This is the intelligentsia of Bengal – West Bengal.

One of my favourite States happens to be West Bengal, owing to its rich cultural heritage. The culture of West Bengal is considered to be one of the richest cultures in India. Over the years, the culture of West Bengal has emerged as the perfect blend of modernity and traditions. The mention of Bengal brings forth some great names of Swami Vivekanand, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Ravindra Nath Tagore, Bamkin Chandra Chatterji, Sarat Chandra, Mahashweta Devi, Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen…

The film industry’s musical gems have enthralled the audience with their most melodious renditions in India Cinema like Hemant Kumar, Manna De, Salil Chaudhary, S.D.Burman, R.D.Burman and Geeta Dutt.

The silver screen has always seen a bevy of beauties like Suchitra Sen, Aparna Sen, Moushumi Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore, Rani Mukherjee, Kajol and many more.  

So, when The Sari Club decided the theme of this month – The State of India. It couldn’t have been any state other than West Bengal. My love for everything Bengali dates back to my school days when I was enamoured by my English teacher Mrs. Mukherjee for her accent and her Bengali Sarees. When I was asked in school which language song, I would like to learn? Without blinking my eyelid, I replied – Bengali as I loved the language. As years passed, I joined the job, once again, I found myself surrounded by Bengalis once again. Sample this: I was mad to amidst two Bong ladies – Anita Acharya and Mamta Bhattacharya, Boss was A.K. Mitra, Top boss was Mr Basu and many more colleagues whom I can’t recollect. Now, I was amidst the thick of Bong action – Food, cuisine, festivals, sarees, language, celebrations, Rabindra Sangeet, Movies…I became a baptised Bengali. So much so, they started bringing Bengali rishte for me.

What to say of its beautiful sarees like Tangail, Jamdani, Bishnupuris and Balucharis which are the pride of every woman’s wardrobe. Exquisitely woven, striking colours on fine cottons and smooth silks are make these truly special. Bengal Handloom is famous for its unique weaves and colour combinations. Indeed, Bengal is popular for its repository of unique textiles, fine fabrics and elegant clothes designed artistically. Nothing represents their style and fashion better than Classic Bengali Sarees matching perfectly with fashion jewellery, matching accessories and amazing hairstyles.

When compared to other types of sarees, Bengali sarees are beautiful, artistic whether it is Jamdani or Taant. Baluchari saree, for instance, is popular for stunning and elegant ‘pallus’, richly embellished with depictions and motifs of mythological figures. Most of the traditional saree designs are now adapted into artsy style sarees so popular among artists and literati.

They look cool, stylish, comfortable, and if draped in free-flowing style, they may look amazing. When you wear such a saree, there is no need to deck yourself up with heavy gold ornaments or accessories. Bengalis have popularized both traditional and modern trends of sarees worn along with apt accessories and jewellery. 

Over the years, the culture of West Bengal has emerged as the perfect blend of modernity and traditions. The sanctity of Hooghly, the beauty of Eastern Himalayas, the diversity of Sunder bans and the freshness of the Tea Gardens, all blend together to constitute what we call the unique culture of West Bengal.

Kolkata happens to be one of my favorite cities – City of Joy.

The love affair continues since!

Happy Birthday to YOU for making my life GULZAR

The most celebrated and my most favourite poet, lyricist, writer and film director – Gulzar Saab, as he is fondly addressed, has his birthday today. His poetry touches a chord with one and all, he writes for everyone, captures inherent emotions of life and stitches them in beautiful verses. He digs the deepest emotions, artistically, simplistically, universally and truthfully!

Whether it was Bandini’s “Mora Gora Ang Lai le” or Aandhi’s “Tum aa gaye ho” “Kajra Re, Kajra Re” “Bechara Dil Kya kare” “Dil hoom hoom kare” “Humne dekhi hai un aankhon” “Ruke ruke se kadam baar baar chale” “Yaara Sili, sili” “Chappa chappa charkha chale” “aane waala kal” “Hazaar rahen mud ke dekhi” “Mera Kuch Saman” “Humko man ki shakti dena” “Tujhse Naaraz nahin Zindagi” “chaiyan chaiyyan” or the latest “Ae watan, mere watan” and so many others, are true literary gems. I love all his songs, poetry, lyrics and films. I have not missed even a single film of his…

He has always been my favourite, and God granted my wish many years ago when my daughter Tanya was born on August 18, sharing her birthday with none other than Gulzar Saab. She chose a creative field and is following her creative pursuits. Thus, making the day truly special for all of us. I take a lot of pride that she shares her birthday with him. Gulzar weaves magic with his words, maybe she gets to weave magic with her designs. She too shines like him in her creative & artistic endeavors.  

He has penned down many emotional and sentimental lyrics for films like Mere Apne, Bandini, Ashirwad, Anand, Namak Haram, Khoobsurat, Rudaali, Slumdog Millionnaire, Rajneeti, Raazi and many more.  He made his directorial debut with “Mere Apne” and directed many landmark films like Aandhi, Parichay, Khoshboo, Kinara, Mausam, Koshish, Libaas, Macchis and Hu Tu Tu.  

Can anyone else match his histrionics when it comes to writing and directing? No one!

He received a “Grammy Award” for the best song written for Motion Picture’s Slumdog Millionaire Jai Ho.

Gulzar Saab loves sketching, writing, painting and travelling…Tanya shares all her hobbies with him.

Happy Birthday, Gulzar Saab…

Happy Birthday Tanya…

Aap Jiyen Hazaron Saal!