Deepak
Friday, March 20, 2009
italian haircut for a flavour of India
It doesn't get more colorful than this
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Toshi Masi
"maine zaroor bare punya kiye honge jo Dimple jaisa beta mila"...."maine aankhein kholi, aur dekha dimple mere paas khara hai; usko dekhte hi meri to saari tabiyat theek ho gayi"...... is what she has been saying regularly to whomsoever she meets in the last few months.
Its humbling, its heart breaking, and just makes me want to cry.....
"O Toshi Masssiiii.." to which the response would always be... " O paaare beteeee".....in a positive tone, no matter how many demons were lurking within her body.
It seems incredible, how many of these demons there actually were.... in the form of rheumatoid arthritis, in the form of a cardiac problem, in the lungs, in the spinal cord, in the legs, in the hands, in the form of fluctuating blood pressure, in the form of side effects of steroids..... sometimes, i think... is there a disease that she didn't have ? and of course, did i forget, there were the eyes .....
The incredible part is not because of these demons. It is not even because of the fact that she had been having them as companions for over three decades....
The incredible part is not even in her being, in spite of them.
The incredible part is in her steely will power and determination that made her the epitome of courage. The courage that made so many of these demons run for cover when she would confront them. The courage and will that made her do the most she could, every single moment. Listening to BBC, and being so much more well informed than any one of us; on the happenings in Mars, the benefits of tomatoes, the Amazon rain-forest in Brazil..... she was BBC herself. The Philips radio, gray coloured and slightly worn out, opened the world to her, even as she stayed, in the same 50 square meters, for all but a couple of weeks, in the last fifteen years.
Three days ago, in a voice which very clearly could not belie a physical pain, she sounded incredibly upbeat at the fact the Indians were making mincemeat of the New Zealanders in a one day cricket match. "Chhakke pe chakke"...."kya baat hai", she told me when i called her.... making me logon to the internet to read about the spectacle.
Toshi masi has had her share of favourites- from Pankaj Roy to Dilip Kumar to Gundappa Vishwanath to Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar to Atal Behari Vajpayee and she would fight tooth and nail in arguments to defend her heroes. Always the one who liked to be in command, it is amazing how she would manage a household with all the physical conditions that she had. House maids, run for cover...for with Toshi masi, you can do no wrong. With ears so sharp that the slightest whisper would register, and a highly analytical mind always actively at work, toshi masi was indeed a tough nut.... in the last ten odd years, she was almost always in a nighty, with the keys to the trunk pinned alongwith a safety pin on her left shoulder....
I think she loved Kuku mamaji the most in her life, and all the time, she would do everything with his well being in mind. Kukuji likes this, kukuji likes that, kukuji would think this, kukuji would think that..... the care and concern she demonstrated went way beyond the ordinary. The raison d etre for her fights and arguments, most of the time with elder sisters, would be rooted in an undying, highly possessive love for Kuku mamaji.
And it was in that possessiveness, that she would take pride, that she would take up his cause in a manner few could even dare imagine....
I have had an amazing relationship with her...it started off when i was a kid, always perceiving her to be very stern and finicky... if a cloth hung on the string for drying fell down, it had to be washed again. When i asked for apple juice, which she had kept in an almirah, she said it is for guests.... when she was partial to Monty and i ran after MOnty with a knife in my hand....
from all that to now.... i could genuinely feel her love, warmth and affection last twenty years.... a far cry from those little things..... she would be thrilled whenever i went to her, whenever i called her..O mera laal aa gaya, mera madan gopal aa gaya..... O God, it was so humbling.
As the grim reality of today hits back, i can still feel her hand with twisted fingers, feel her roundish cheeks, feel her love and blessings from wherever she is.....and should i be getting in the least sentimental, she would say, O Nahi Nahi....O Paare bachche....
Please, Toshi Masi, wherever you are.. be well.... and be with me...
Monday, March 9, 2009
SAO PAULO DIARY, March 9th, 2009
Coffee with milk
Brazil’s and South America's largest city is often daunting to its inhabitants itself, leave alone visitors. Stereotypes like traffic, over-crowding, heartless, extortion, drugs, robberies are some of the oft used phrases describing life in Sao Paulo. Beyond the daunting and the stereotype, there is a megapolis which is one of the greatest melting pots of our planet. The melting pot gets its culture from waves of immigrants over the last two centuries, amongst them, Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, Germans, Japanese, Africans, Lebanese, and Syrians. The city’s booming economy also attracts thousands from other parts of Brazil, mainly the North East. Koreans, Bolivians, Greeks , Chinese and Jews make up the rest of the concoction.
In spite of such diversity, Sao Paulo is witness to a very high level of integration between these various categories of people, and all are just about equally proud to be Paulistanos, which means, from Sao Paulo. Curiously, Sao Paulo has one of the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, and while all of them speak Portuguese as their first language, only a few would be able to manage even a decent conversation in Japanese. The mix n match of these ethnicities has also led to a wide range of skin colours; white, black, brown, so much so that the average Brazilian colour is described as ‘Café com leche’ (coffee with milk)
I love India
India is all over Brazil these days. Brazilians just can’t get over their fascination for India, and this drive for all things Indian, in addition to the massive success of Slumdog, is fuelled by one of the most popular soap operas currently running on prime time television, ‘Caminho das Índias’. Meaning 'way to the Indies', the soap journeys through India, and is made with the idea of bringing forth the contrasts between the orient and the occident on cultures, beliefs and values. The storyline is about a Dalit girl, Maya, played by the stunning Juliana Paes , who is in love with a Brahmin boy, Bhuvan. All the actors are Brazilian, speak in Portuguese, but the setting is India, in exotic, touristic locations of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The soap is a kind of a tele-novel and has most of my Brazilian friends hooked on, 9PM onwards, Monday to Saturday. As a result, several Hindi words like Chalo, Om, Theek-Hai, Kajra Re, Ganesh, Bhai are becoming popular. The young say it's hip to use them. Everybody asks me about my opinion on ‘Caminho...’ and the issue on everyone's mind is whether India really is the way it is shown on the soap.
The world’s biggest party
Brazil is just through with this year's carnival, and although Rio de Janerio's carnival is what the entire world carries an image of, the one in Sao Paulo is no less intense. Samba schools vie for the top spot, there are organized parades, followed by performances on Sambadromes. It is that time of the year when everything comes to a halt for four days and the entire city revolves around it. The closest I can compare is Durga Puja in Calcutta, which has pretty much the same effect. Many locals hate the carnival because it disrupts daily life, and because Sao Paulo, unlike Rio and the rest of the north east, is more focused on business and work. Few, however, ignore it. Almost everyone participates in some way, either being a part of the parade, mixing up with people, and if nothing else, watching it on TV.
The Fenomeno
One person who has split Brazil right down the middle is Ronaldo. Yes, he is the same guy, the world cup winning football superstar. Called 'O Fenômeno' ("The Phenomenon"), Ronaldo created a stir when he signed up for Brazilian club Corinthians in December 2008. Battling from a knee surgery, obesity, divorce, sex-scandal, his rejoining a Brazilian team fifteen years after he left for Europe was a national event. Heavy, unfit, unabel to play a 90 minute game and gasping for breath, critics renamed him Bola-ndo (meaning like a ball). His debut against Itumbiara was disappointing. However, in his second match against arch-rival club Palmeiras, Ronaldo came in as a substitute around the 60th minute, whipped up two moments of magic, and at the death, headed one into the Palmeiras net to save the day for his team. The game was all about him, and the rest of the 21 players were incidental to the proceedings. The Fenomeno is back....
The city that never sleeps
Being a 24 X 7 city means it is possible to find a dentist at 3 in the night, or go to a disco at 8 in the morning. However, Sao Paulo is a transformed city on a weekend nights. Places like Villa Olimpia and Augusta change their orientation of time and space. Walking down these places is a mind boggling array of sounds, images and experiences. Bars. restaurants. Theaters. Clubs. Night clubs. Samba performances. samba Rock. Gays. Lesbians. Straight’s. Emo's. Bicyclists. Skate-boarders. Beggars. Heavy traffic. Pizzerias. Fashion. Art. Calligraphy. Jewellery. Agarbatti. Books. Posters. Che Guevaras. Murals. Tatoos. Antiques. Saloons. Prostitutes. Bouncers.Din. Smoke. Music. ...there is something for everyone as the city lets its hair down in a passionate, intense, non-judgemental celebration of the night. To me, being non-judgemental is this one attribute of Sao Paulo in particluar, and Brazil in general, which is so striking, and so fascinating, and which makes Brazilians to be one of the most free-spirited , open and friendly people on in the world !
Coffee with milk
Brazil’s and South America's largest city is often daunting to its inhabitants itself, leave alone visitors. Stereotypes like traffic, over-crowding, heartless, extortion, drugs, robberies are some of the oft used phrases describing life in Sao Paulo. Beyond the daunting and the stereotype, there is a megapolis which is one of the greatest melting pots of our planet. The melting pot gets its culture from waves of immigrants over the last two centuries, amongst them, Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, Germans, Japanese, Africans, Lebanese, and Syrians. The city’s booming economy also attracts thousands from other parts of Brazil, mainly the North East. Koreans, Bolivians, Greeks , Chinese and Jews make up the rest of the concoction.
In spite of such diversity, Sao Paulo is witness to a very high level of integration between these various categories of people, and all are just about equally proud to be Paulistanos, which means, from Sao Paulo. Curiously, Sao Paulo has one of the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, and while all of them speak Portuguese as their first language, only a few would be able to manage even a decent conversation in Japanese. The mix n match of these ethnicities has also led to a wide range of skin colours; white, black, brown, so much so that the average Brazilian colour is described as ‘Café com leche’ (coffee with milk)
I love India
India is all over Brazil these days. Brazilians just can’t get over their fascination for India, and this drive for all things Indian, in addition to the massive success of Slumdog, is fuelled by one of the most popular soap operas currently running on prime time television, ‘Caminho das Índias’. Meaning 'way to the Indies', the soap journeys through India, and is made with the idea of bringing forth the contrasts between the orient and the occident on cultures, beliefs and values. The storyline is about a Dalit girl, Maya, played by the stunning Juliana Paes , who is in love with a Brahmin boy, Bhuvan. All the actors are Brazilian, speak in Portuguese, but the setting is India, in exotic, touristic locations of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The soap is a kind of a tele-novel and has most of my Brazilian friends hooked on, 9PM onwards, Monday to Saturday. As a result, several Hindi words like Chalo, Om, Theek-Hai, Kajra Re, Ganesh, Bhai are becoming popular. The young say it's hip to use them. Everybody asks me about my opinion on ‘Caminho...’ and the issue on everyone's mind is whether India really is the way it is shown on the soap.
The world’s biggest party
Brazil is just through with this year's carnival, and although Rio de Janerio's carnival is what the entire world carries an image of, the one in Sao Paulo is no less intense. Samba schools vie for the top spot, there are organized parades, followed by performances on Sambadromes. It is that time of the year when everything comes to a halt for four days and the entire city revolves around it. The closest I can compare is Durga Puja in Calcutta, which has pretty much the same effect. Many locals hate the carnival because it disrupts daily life, and because Sao Paulo, unlike Rio and the rest of the north east, is more focused on business and work. Few, however, ignore it. Almost everyone participates in some way, either being a part of the parade, mixing up with people, and if nothing else, watching it on TV.
The Fenomeno
One person who has split Brazil right down the middle is Ronaldo. Yes, he is the same guy, the world cup winning football superstar. Called 'O Fenômeno' ("The Phenomenon"), Ronaldo created a stir when he signed up for Brazilian club Corinthians in December 2008. Battling from a knee surgery, obesity, divorce, sex-scandal, his rejoining a Brazilian team fifteen years after he left for Europe was a national event. Heavy, unfit, unabel to play a 90 minute game and gasping for breath, critics renamed him Bola-ndo (meaning like a ball). His debut against Itumbiara was disappointing. However, in his second match against arch-rival club Palmeiras, Ronaldo came in as a substitute around the 60th minute, whipped up two moments of magic, and at the death, headed one into the Palmeiras net to save the day for his team. The game was all about him, and the rest of the 21 players were incidental to the proceedings. The Fenomeno is back....
The city that never sleeps
Being a 24 X 7 city means it is possible to find a dentist at 3 in the night, or go to a disco at 8 in the morning. However, Sao Paulo is a transformed city on a weekend nights. Places like Villa Olimpia and Augusta change their orientation of time and space. Walking down these places is a mind boggling array of sounds, images and experiences. Bars. restaurants. Theaters. Clubs. Night clubs. Samba performances. samba Rock. Gays. Lesbians. Straight’s. Emo's. Bicyclists. Skate-boarders. Beggars. Heavy traffic. Pizzerias. Fashion. Art. Calligraphy. Jewellery. Agarbatti. Books. Posters. Che Guevaras. Murals. Tatoos. Antiques. Saloons. Prostitutes. Bouncers.Din. Smoke. Music. ...there is something for everyone as the city lets its hair down in a passionate, intense, non-judgemental celebration of the night. To me, being non-judgemental is this one attribute of Sao Paulo in particluar, and Brazil in general, which is so striking, and so fascinating, and which makes Brazilians to be one of the most free-spirited , open and friendly people on in the world !
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