HINDUSTAN AND BOLLYWOOD- THE FILM SULTANATE...

For any self-respecting nation, patriotism is its heart beat.If it is there, not only is the nation's continued existence across centuries and millennia guaranteed, but it's progressive evolution is also ensured.For most Indians cinema is the enduring source of the image of their nation, which is bound by the Himalayas in the north, surrounded by three oceans and girdled by rivers like Ganga and Yamuna and captivated by mesmerizing natural beauty.Thus, few can contest Indian cinema's, particularly Hindi cinema's, unmatched contribution to strengthening the bonds of national integration.

When freedom dawned on 15th August 1947, ending 200 years of alien rule, indian cinema was there to celebrate. There was a mood of hope and joy, when the first prime minister of the country, Pandit Jawahar Lall Nehru delivered the breathtaking speech-"Tryst With Destiny". Bollywood captured this mood in films like Naya Daur (1957) and Hum Hindustani (1960). Anand Math (1952), Jaagriti (1954) and Leader (1964) focused on the freedom struggle and the sacrifices made by its martyrs.The 1957 film Naya Daur was one of the most exhilarating of them. The indian drama film starring Dilip Kumar,Vijayanthimala, Ajit and Jeevan is set in post-independence India where Industrialization is slowly creeping in. The focus is on Tangawallahs who earn their living transporting people from place to place on Tangas(horse - carts). Their livelihood is threatened when the son of a rich landlord (Jeevan) begins operating a bus service in the town,which he subsidizes heavily with the sole intention of first driving the Tangawallahs out of the down and then making profits.The film was one of the highest grossers of 1957 and also critically acclaimed.

Even after 63 years of independence the film industry has not shadowed away from its old fashioned tradition of making patriotic based films. In recent times movies like Lagaan which is undoubtedly one of the best movies of the 21st era, in which each and every frame of the movie inspired the soul of the viewers is a deadly combination of cricket and the rebellion against the British Empire. Other movies namely Chak De India (2007), Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002), Swades (2004) and Lakshya (2004) have also grossed big numbers.

We have also come across movies like Rang De Basanti (2006) which revolves around a young idealistic English filmmaker, Sue (Alice Patten), who arrives in India to make a film on Indian revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and their contemporaries and their fight for freedom from the British Raj owing to a lack of funds, she recruits students from Delhi University to act in her drama. These youngsters (Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, Siddhart Narayana, Sharman Joshi And Atul Kulkarni) play a self centered and materialistic existence where ideas like patriotism are of no value for them. But as the movie goes on, their way of thinking got changed. Thus this movie arouses the feeling of patriotism in our younger generation. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra this was a movie that sparked a revolution and urged the young generation of the country against the Jessica Lall murder case.

We can thus say that patriotic films in the Indian cinema have over the years instilled a feeling of respect for the nation and have also helped the citizens come out and speak against the injustices practiced in society. They have played a vital yet unnoticed role in the transformation and evolution of India over the past 60 years...

'PEEPLI [LIVE]'-THE NEW FAD

Aamir Khan often called the Midas of bollywood re-entered the film arena earlier than any would have imagined and none would fail to agree that he came back in great style. Peepli Live a satire on the farmer's suicides and subsequent political and media response is produced by Aamir Khan and written and directed by Anusha Rizvi in her first directorial venture.

The film is revolved around a remarkable story but it ends with one line which endorses the director's vision and brings out one of the most unnoticed and overlooked phenomenon in the country - the migration of villagers to cities in search of a better life. The story is picked up by national TV channels and hurled into prime time news. What ensues is a battle between news channels to get the first piece of news. Live coverage of the issue rocks the political stage. It also describes the desperate gap between the countries rural and urban structure of life.

What makes 'Peepli [Live]' an absolute delight are the performances from the completely fresh cast. They bring life to rural India where they no longer remain in a frame of cinema, but transcend into reality. The movie like every Aamir khan movie is intellectual and is expected to bring about a revolution of some sorts and raise social awareness about the life of farmers in the country, like RDB and DCH did.

No gaping holes, this one stands clean. 'Peepli [Live]' is a class act and director Anusha Rizvi and producer Aamir Khan could take a bow for working this into reality...

AWARENESS AND THE MIND...

Most of us have been told-"Be aware. Increase your awareness. Awareness is such an important thing. If you are unaware, you will miss life. Only total awareness can bring you peace of mind and let you inner thoughts cherish. But we also often ask ourselves- What is awareness? And why is it important? Awareness is the state or ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of events, objects or sensory patterns. Though awareness about our environment, thoughts of other people, the weather and external events is important. what is more crucial is self-awareness.

To be aware one needs to be conscious or mindful of all the things in life. The biggest deterrent to awareness is our own mind. We spend a large proportion of our lives inside our mind. Give yourself 5-10 minutes to observe where you are. You will soon realize that within a few seconds you have already gone from your present location into the deep recess of your mind, into memory, into thought, into emotions and into dramas that are being played in the theater of mind.

To become aware isn't easy. As we detach ourselves from our thoughts the number of thoughts that come to us are reduced. And when the thoughts are reduced at the production stage itself we have more time and space for the internal and external environment around us. Till such time, we are only living in our minds and following up on every small and big thought that hits up- arguing, imploring, exploring, rationalizing, agonizing, celebrating as time in the real life is just passing by and we are not connected to it.

I would like to conclude by quoting Sai Baba's words-

Do not be mislead by what you see around you, or be influenced by what you see. You live in a world which is a playground of illusion, full of false paths, false values and false ideals. But you are not a part of that world...

THE FIRST RAIN, THE LAST INSPIRATION

It was on a melancholic and lazy day that the blinding sun was covered by the lunar moon. I was sitting on the edge of my window sill clutching my phone tight waiting to hear it beep since the past half an hour. The color of the sky had instantly turned from light blue to grey but my uninspired emotions had changed quicker than i had imagined.

The fluffy clouds had started to cover the sky like a giant over powering the obstinate sun. It was going to be the first rain of the year, my greatest support and best critic over the years had come back once again just when i needed it. There was a slight clap of thunder and i had an adrenaline rush for the first time in a long time. I clutched my phone tighter and ran to grab my slippers. In no time the clap of thunder had changed into the clattering of raindrops on the road where i was now walking with the rain. I walked and walked, talking to every drop of rain, not realizing that the road did not end. A drop of rain fell on my eyelid; beneath which there were numerous dreams hiding shyly in their cocoon. Looking far at the everlasting horizon i imagined myself there. My heart instantly skipped a beat- the dreams had come out, the feelings were stronger, the promises had become faithful and the inspiration had made a giant leap.

My phone suddenly beeped twice, the first message read 'You are in' and the second 'I love You'... I replied to both of them by typing 2 words 'I Know' .