Danny, Dickens, Dumas and Dharavi

In Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, Dickens meets Dumas in the most unlikely of places- Dharavi. It is a story of the three musketeers who cant remain in a triplet. When Latika joins Salim and Jamaal, one of them has to go.

There was undue criticism and celebration regarding this movie and most of it was because people thought it is an Indian movie. It was made by a westerner for western audience.

Was is a misrepresentation of Indian society? The problem with this argument is that we mistake fiction for facts. No fiction claims to be a factual account ( when will the culture studies wallahs realize this basic thing?).Secondly can anything represent anyother thing? Another basic philosophical issue. Thirdly do the films believed to be `Indian', like the Hindi fims represent the `true' India? Isnt Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge as stereotypical as say the Slumdog?

Anil Kapoor's character, which resembles Amitabh Bacchan, is a sort of negative character and so Mr Bacchan 's reactions were understandable.

The funniest part was how self conscious Saurabh Shukla and Irrfan Khan were while uttering the usual Indian expletives! I felt they almost blushed!!

Weekend at the Kala Ghoda Festival 2009

I flew after a long time. My earlier experience of flying was in 2000 when I visited the UK for a conference. The trip, of course, was fun and the sight of mountains slouching like herd of dinosaurs was exciting. The hateful venonmous clouds of pollutions hanging over the star studded cities was not exactly a pleasant site.

The best thing about the weekend at the Kala Ghoda Festival on 13 and 14th Feb was meeting friends whom I met only on Orkut! I stumbled upon Prajakta, Alka Gadgil, Kiran Kendre and Vandana Khare on Orkut and met them in real life only on my last visit to Mumbai. I met Prajakta after almost 2 and half years of `online friendship'! That was indeed exciting.

Another interesting thing was GN Devy interviewed by Dilip Jhaveri. He does have a great knack for impressing people and I remember how awestruck we were when we were studying under him. He can be very intense and honest in his conviction and articulation. We all admire him for his work and for being who he is.

Rest of things I have mentioned on my other blog.

My throat infection was on its way even before I left for Mumbai and by the time I returned, I was completely hoarse. Feeling exhausted. I have to go to Pune next week for yet another seminar at the University of Pune. Before I leave I have to complete my exam duties etc.

I have brought plays of Mahesh Elkunchwar from the HM Library and hope that in future I might be able to watch them performed !!