Hi!
Before I go further with my blog, I wish you all a Very Happy Republic Day. This is one of the best Republic days I have enjoyed till now. Frankly, I never thought I would be going and spending more time after my dad in law fractured his knee couple of days back x( ( This is a long story which I prefer not to think or talk about it!) and a usual husband and wife fight . But yeah I thank Vineeth's uncle and aunty for helping us taking care of him.
Anyways, coming back to this :) , this republic day was memorable to me for two good reasons which I will brief it separately !
In the morning, though i was completely pissed off X( (nothing new about it (giggle!!)), I was indeed looking forward to watching "Dhobi Ghat - Mumbai Diaries". When I told a gym instructor of mine that I am going to watch this movie, the first thing he says is "You will get bored" and I say, " Huh!!! you think so....Bet you that I will enjoy this movie". That made me all the more excited to see the movie. 12:45 PM , 26th Jan 2011, at Inox,Bangalore Central , I enter the theatre and start watching the movie. I was really amazed by the way, this movie was shot. Effortless acting. In fact I was reading the review of DG from Facebook , and the characters were compared to some people whom I have never heard of. This movie catches the interests of niche audiences. It is totally off beat and the back ground music by Gustavo is mind blowing. I mean it! It does not sound the filmy types ! Kudos to the 2 time Academy Award Winner. At least for this reason, I sincerely hope that this movie gets shortlisted for the Oscars and from that shortlisted for the top 9. One more reason why I feel, that this movie deserves to be in the list is because, it is a short documentary movie and projects how the lives of the following characters.
a. Arun : a reclusive painter who is a loner, separated and divorced from his wife and son.
b. Shai : An American Banker who currently has come to Mumbai for a sabbatical break and is doing a research by taking photographs
c. Munna: Washerboy who is very keen on becoming an actor in Bollywood
d. Yasmeen: a lonely housewife who narrates about Mumbai.
In short, this movie projects every feeling in Mumbai, i e, emotions, Ambitions, sacrifices . Kiran Rao has really made an impressive debut. Though a south indian, she has projected Mumbai with a difference. One can make out that she has brought out the Kolkata Intelligence. She surely seems to be inspired by the late Satyajit Ray. Every character has been given importance which is why it is not called an Aamir Khan Movie. In short, Mumbai is not about just dons or bomb blasts or just ambitions, it is beyond all that. From one situation, you can see two different interpretations. For eg, Aamir khan filling his whiskey glass with water, and in another instance, Prateik uses a mug to prevent the water from flooding. One is a type of mannerism while the latter is more of surival strategy. I was to really tempted to write the story in brief but for those who really need to see, I decided maybe I shall just stick to giving reviews.
Another thing I loved about the movie was the wall paper. It has all the four important characters in it and looks more like a painting than a photo. This is would definitely be one of the top movies for this decade not because it is an Aamir Khan movie but because of the story line and the back ground. It is slow paced movie and grows with in you at every stage if you love off beat movies. else just chuck it!!!
Now coming to my second reason on why it was a memorable RD. This is the first time in my life I attended a concert which had a fusion of western and Indian music. Believe it or not, it was only at the end of this concert I decided to do a blog on this. I should probably say the west meets the east. I can still listen to the music being played using the instruments. It was indeed mesmerizing to listen to the solo performances by the artist and all the more enthralling when it was combined. In case you are being inquisitive on why I am complementing this concert so much, keep reading and you will know.
This concert was being held in Bangalore, in a place called Chowdiah Memory Hall, named after a very famous violinist Tirumakudalu Chowdiah. The beauty of this hall is that it is constructed in the shape of a violin and a lot of concerts, dance shows and other performances take place here. You would be amazed to see what kind of instruments were being played in this concert.
1. Harp - Played by Gwyneth Wentink
She is from Holland and has been playing the Harp from the age of 5. Currently learning the Hindustani Music from Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia
2. Bamboo Flute - Played by none other than Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia
No Introduction required . The audiences stand up giving the utmost respect when he comes to the stage
3. Tabla - Subhankar Banerjee
4. Saxophone/ Trumpet - Played by George Brooks
A famous saxophonist and composer from USA, George Brooks has performed with various artists like Zakir Hussain, Larry Corryel, and other noted musicians.He has also collaborated with L Subramanium, Louis Banks , A. Shivamani and recently with Gino Banks.
5. Drums/ Percussions - Played by Gino Banks ( son of the legendary jazz pianist Louis Banks)
Gino Banks as you know is the son of the legendary Jazz Pianist, Louis Banks. He developed an interest towards Drumming and Percussion at the age of 15.
Now what I can say? Sounds really interesting right!! Yeah which was why though it was a last moment decision, we ( Vineeth and I) decided to go for this concert.
The concert began with the usual welcome speech. Normally in Indian concerts, they usually begin with a prayer song to take the blessing but in this case, it was different. But as you keep reading this you will know what I mean.
The concert began with a solo performance of Gwyneth Wentink. It was amazing to see and listen to her play the harp. Harp as all of you is a string instrument but if you listen to its sound, it has little similarity to the Piano. I used to learn Piano ages back ( and I miss it badly). So she played some great compositions . The tunes are quite familiar but unfortunately I don't remember the names. She played couple of the compositions and it was really soothing. I felt I was in some other country, maybe Austria or Holland.
After Gwyneth, it was none other than Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia. All of us welcomed him by giving him a standing ovation. I am so fortunate this was the second time for me to listen to him playing. He plays like Lord Krishna. Wonder how many women would have fallen for him! :X . With him was a well known table player Subhankar Banerjee. Of course you cannot compare him to Ustad Zakir Hussain. But he definitely has his own style.
Subhankar Banerjee has played with other famous artists and currently stays at Kolkata.
After the enigmatic performance by Pt Hariji and Subhankar, there was a short interval. I rushed to register for this audio cd. Like we say sometimes even two eyes and ears are not sufficient for this kind of concert. It was awesome and mind blowing!! =D>
Post interval, was a short welcome speech for two more artists, George Brooks and Gino Banks.
For those whose love percussions and drums, you must be aware that Gino Banks is son of the Legendary Louis Banks. After his entry on the stage, George Brooks made a very casual entry playing his saxophone.
I must say they both made an terrific combination. It is surprising to see the Western Artists learning the Indian Music under legendary artist and the fusion really comes out well.. You really feel you are else where listening to his music. He also played some music combining with Subhankar. I am sure you readers must be really imagining it.
Next time i attend a concert, I shall try to collect at least few pieces of these concert on my cam of course in a stealthily manner. That would be more interesting to read and listen to them playing.
In the grand finale, all these artist play together. It does sound little , diverse. Yeah I think it is the apt word for this. It takes time to sink with in you .. People who haven't heard, might find it little strange but just try opening your heart and mind out. Try it once!!!!! You might like it! Infact, this was when I decided to blog on this and typed the brief on my e 72. I know sounds funny ain't it? :))
In the end, when the organizer was about to give the thank you speech, she insisted our renowned Hari ji to play once more and this time Darbar as a tribute to Late Bhimsen Joshi who passed away on 25th Jan 2011. He refused to play as he admitted that he would not be able to match his skill and hence played Hamsadhwani ( Maha ganapathim) and darbar.
If you read back to the beginning of this concert para, I had mentioned, that this concert was quite different from the rest. So in India, before we start our art performance, the first one goes in the name of the Lord to seek his blessing. In Bharathnatyam, it is the Ganesh Dance, when it comes to music, it is the Elephant God Song. It was quite different to see that he ended the concert with a beautiful hamsadhwani composition and a Pahadi composition. I am sure I can proudly share this to my kids on how privileged we were to attend such a concert which is why it is always memorable.
Infact, I must say when you see the stage with these fabulous artists playing their compositions, you tend to imagine that they are the sun and the audiences are the planets revolving around it. Such is the beauty and radiance of it.
One thing which occured in my mind was we always say "East meets the West". But after this memorable time, I also saw when it comes to music, "West meets the East" and was feeling proud thinking of it.
Victor Hugo a french Poet once said " Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."
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