Hemantha Kalam: 2020

Thursday 24 December 2020

Hemantha Kalam - 91 'COVID Blues'

It was from the 23^rd March, 2020, as I remember, that the periodical Lock-down in Chennai, India started to prevent the infection of the dreaded pandemic COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease-2019). It’s now 9 months since I am locked down at home. Since I belong to the endangered category of a senior citizen (it appears that, for once, the country is showing some serious concern for the senior citizens) I am regularly advised not to step out of the house. Children are abroad but they monitor our well being on a daily basis. My mother who is a very senior citizen and my other siblings who are not so senior citizens are just three kilometres away from me but it has been many days since I could meet them at my parents’ place as against my almost daily visits to her or at least as frequently as was possible.

I am summing below as to how I could and had to spend my time at home.

It’s now been 270 days

That the wily COVID

Put paid to our jolly ways

Driving me sad and mad

To ensure that money

Made its way regular as income

I continued on my

Working, from the home

Forgot the shoes

Nor any formals

It’s mostly shorts

And just old T shirts

Woke up a bit

But slept a lot

Read and wrote

Without a stop

No salon going

No hair cutting

No beard trimming

Whatever, only by self doing

There may or may not be

In accounts, enough cash

But, there always are plenty

In the sink, of dishes to wash

Masks and gloves

Identity obscured

Sanitisers and disinfectants

Bottles emptied

Peeled, cut, diced vegetables, kneaded dough

Whether an expert or not though

Cursing this once forced furlough

Looking all the while for a different shore

Newspapers were read

Two days hence

For fear of COVID

Stale though the news

Connecting the disconnected and dear ones

On Google Meet or MS Teams

Periodically once

Adjusting to everyone’s times

Kindle, Netflix, WhatsApp, YouTube

Technologies much appreciated

Filling the hourglass with story and blurb

Old friends and Chandamama be much obliged

Bhutan, Brunei, Eastern Europe et al

Travelled all places in virtual

On Heavy Trucks the Outback of Australia

Satiated my travel appetite as a victual

Hundreds of thrillers and Forensic files

Watched the crime to bide the time

Became bored after a while

Watching again and again the same

Weary of the rapid advance

Caused by the Goliath COVID

Waiting for a quick deliverance

By a vaccine, hoped to be a David

It is time for delivery by nine months

But with the threat of a new strain

There appears no deliverance

Effective vaccine or no vaccine

Disease, death, hunger and poverty

All appear to be same for susceptibility

Hope the New Year will bring in sanity

But if only there prevails responsibility

May the year 2021 be better for the mankind!

So Long!

Krutagjnatalu (Telugu), Nanri (Tamil), Dhanyavaadagalu (Kannada), Nanni (Malayalam), Dhanyavaad (Hindi), Dhanyosmi (Sanskrit), Thanks (English), Dhonyavaad (Bangla), Dhanyabad (Oriya and Nepalese), Gracias (Spanish), Grazie (Italian), Danke Schon (Deutsche), Merci (French), Obrigado (Portuguese), Shukraan (Arabic and Sudanese), Shukriya (Urdu), Sthoothiy (Sinhalese) Aw-koon (Khmer), Kawp Jai Lhai Lhai (Laotian), Kob Kun Krab (Thai), Asante (Kiswahili), Maraming Salamat sa Lahat (Pinoy-Tagalog-Filipino), Tack (Swedish), Fa'afetai (Samoan), Terima Kasih (Bahasa Indonesian) and Tenkyu (Tok Pisin of Papua New Guinea), Malo (Tongan), Vinaka Vaka Levu (Fijian)

Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

Chennai, India

Sunday 20 December 2020

Hemantha Kalam - 90 'Perception and Reception'

A couple of days ago, a feature in the culture column of a newspaper mentioned that a particular film star ‘knew what he wanted’ to eat. So ‘knowing what one wants’, even to eat, has now become a virtue to be emulated from a not very well educated but who became a celebrity for whatever reason.

This triggered my thoughts. About four decades ago I was working with an internationally reputed conglomerate and my boss Late Mr. Rao always used to emphasise on reception and tell us “Arrey baba, you people should learn the art of lijening (his way of pronouncing listening)”. Those days we were young green horns and many of us never took this averment seriously. That precisely is the fodder for this blog.

My theory is that in learning, the process comprises of the seven steps of DRASAARD;

- Dissemination,

- Reception,

- Assimilation (information received tempered with perception),

- Storage (in memory - natural/artificial or in books by way of notes),

- Application,

- Augmentation and

- Re-Dissemination, either as a theory or practice.

Of course the basic parameter is access to learning.

The knowledge giver may disseminate whatever knowledge s/he has and it is the job of the receiver to receive it fully and without any distortion, with help if needed. The received information should be validated using perception, to the extent possible, for understanding the logic and purpose. Such understanding should be stored for use as and when needed.

But today, in the era of almost irresponsible data dissemination thanks to unbridled social media, where the authenticity and veracity of information is mostly suspect and cannot be easily verified, the perceptions, if there are any valid ones, are constantly under attack beyond experience and logic.

If the reception itself is faulty, one wonders as to what is likely to happen to the assimilation and application. And the not-properly initiated (a majority) fall victims to wrong applications of such dissemination of information. It is like having the carbon copy effect (again, I wonder how many new generation kids even understand the word ‘carbon copy’) where the first impression is almost a replica, the second image is a little lesser and by the time it comes to a fourth copy, it is totally distorted and incoherent.

That is exactly what is happening now; where many go blindly around without really knowing what they want and what they need. If the parents and teachers can’t disseminate values and knowledge respectively, the wards cannot imbibe them properly and start behaving like the fourth carbon copy.

And people now are not tuned to be just average or fail. They just can’t handle failure. They are not strong enough to confront adverse situations. You don’t believe? Just read around how many children and the youth are getting into passive and serious crime that surpasses malpractices to use of prohibited drugs to serious crime at a tender age. How many are indulging in homicidal and suicidal tendencies for frivolous reasons; because they couldn’t get what they thought they wanted, which anyway they are not clear about!

There is a dire need for the parents to become more responsible, truly caring and urgently join hands with the teachers to correct the course. If not, sooner or later, the country will be filled with directionless, insensitive, illogical and even uncouth people! They may not even know what they are doing as they don’t know what they want or need. They are confused and hardly have clarity on life needs and skills. If they say that they know what they want to eat and it becomes a point of celebration, are learning values not plummeting?

Well these are my perceptions and please do let me know how you have received the same and later on please add your perceptions on the subject!

Till then,

Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

Chennai, India

Monday 9 November 2020

Hemantha Kalam - 89 'Some memorable screen characters'

So, with the passing of Sir Sean Connery he has now become a memory but shall always remain to be a part of the celluloid history. Most remember him as James Bond but I think apart from being Bond, I would always remember him as Captain John Patrick Mason from ‘The Rock’ (1996). At 66 he was perhaps looking the most handsome and no, not rugged but suave. And then, as Robert ‘Mac’ MacDougal in ‘Entrapment’ (1999) where Catherine Zeta-Jones finds him debonair and attractive enough to romance, when he is all of 69. And is it easy to forget him as Jimmy Malone in ‘The Untouchables’ (1987)? Sure, he has created one hell of a trailblazing path equalled perhaps only by another Hollywood star Clint Eastwood.

When talking about impressive film stars and their characters, over 60 years beginning from the 1960s to the 2020s, the following characters and actors grabbed my attention. Most of the films mentioned in here are quite intensive and so are the roles played by the artists and I have to say that they had left indelible imprints on my psyche through their portrayals.

Film – Ben-Hur

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben-Hur_(1959_film)

Language - English

Year – 1959

Character – Judah Ben-Hur

Actor – Charlton Heston

Born John Charles Carter, Charlton Heston was not the first choice to play Judah Ben-Hur. Apparently he was originally selected for the role of Messala, his friend turned foe in the film. Other top actors like Burt Lancaster, Geoffrey Horne, Leslie Nielsen, Marlon Brando, Paul Newman and Rock Hudson were also considered for the role, it appears. Finally Kirk Douglas was selected but looks like he gave away the role in favour of Heston.

A muscular and imposing personality, Charlton Heston acted as if born for the role and left an aura in the film world that many in the industry cannot forget him or the picture till day. The close ups of the Chariot Race was a highlight, alright.

Film – The good, the bad and the ugly

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good,_the_Bad_and_the_Ugly

Language - English

Year – 1966

Character – Tuco

Actor – Eli Wallach

Originally reluctant to act for the movie, Eli Wallach plays Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan-Maria Ramirez, the fast talking, cunning, resourceful yet comical ‘the Ugly’ (apparently the film credits him as ‘the bad’ by error).

At the end of the film the audience will leave the screen remembering more of Tuco than anyone else in the flick, especially the casual way he says ‘One bastard goes in, another comes out’ which tickled people no end!

His character will always be remembered by those who have seen the film. His leers and chuckles will remain with the audience for years to come!

Film – Majboor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majboor_(1974_film)

Language - Hindi

Year – 1974

Character – Michael D’Souza

Actor – Pran

The film itself is just a run-down the mill formula stuff.

But Pran, as the carefree drink loving Michael D’Souza, steals the entire show. It was around that time when he was shifting from the ruthless hardcore villainous roles to good-samaritan supporting roles. He even does a jig during the song ‘Phir na kehana Michael daaru peeke danga karta hain’ picturised on him!

Love him all the way for his superb performance.

Film – 36 Chowringhee Lane

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/36_Chowringhee_Lane

Language - English

Year – 1981

Character – Violet Stoneham

Actor – Jennifer Kendal-Kapoor

Violet Stoneham is a retired Anglo-Indian teacher living a quite life at 36 Chowringhee Lane, Calcutta, along with her senile brother and a cat. Her only pleasure is in teaching ‘Shakespeare’.

On a Christmas day enter one of her old students Nandita and her boy friend – a so called author. The quite apartment catches the attention of the young unmarried couple who think that it would be a perfect place to have their clandestine meets. So they request Ms. Stoneham’s permission to use the quiet apartment, whenever she is out, for the author to quietly complete the work. Ms. Stoneham agrees as she looks forward to them rather eagerly as, in her old age, they come as a ray of hope to give some company.

Eventually the young couple get married. On a Christmas Day they plan for a grand party at their place but they don’t wish to invite the old lady as they consider her a disturbance. In fact they tell her that they would out on that day. Unaware of the party Ms. Stoneham bakes a cake with love and affection and takes it drop at the young couple’s place as a gift. She sees them celebrate in their house. She realises that she has been used.

The entire characterisation and enacting is intensive in a subtle manner that even the audience become a part of the disappointment.

Jennifer Kendal has acted superbly and after watching the film some four decades ago, I can still visualise the last scene of her departing from the young couple’s threshold.

Film – Ardh Satya

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardh_Satya

Language - Hindi

Year – 1983

Character – Anant Velankar

Actor – Om Puri

Anant Velankar is an upright cop with high values. He is frustrated by the nexus of politics, police and crime where the police are reduced to be puppets.

Om Puri has done a powerful portrayal and finally in frustration he kills the criminal don.

While the criminal don Rama Shetty has been portrayed by a relatively new but equally impressive Sadashiv Amrapurkar, it is Om Puri with his piercing and snake like eyes who will express terror befitting a cop on the war path.

The portrayal of all concerned has been so intensive that I never used to discuss the film at home so that my younger brother could be disturbed.

TV Serial – Bharat Ek Khoj

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharat_Ek_Khoj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no2DZGuMwJA

Language - Hindi

Year – 1988

Character – Sri Krishna

Actor – Salim Ghouse

When we watch Indian mythological films very often we see huge settings and histrionics through the delivery of dialogues from various actors.

However, episode-5 of Bharat Ek Khoj depicts the scene of Krishna visiting the Kauravas as an emissary of the Pandavas so differently and so realistic.

In my opinion, Salim Ghouse, has done a great job as Krishna be it in this scene or at the end of the episode where he enlightens Arjuna on his duties (Bhagavad-Gita).

Always love watching this scene.

Film – Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police

https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/ibbaru-hendira-muddina-police-1991/

Language - Kannada

Year – 1991

Character – Yemme Yenkamma

Actor – Umashree

After watching the film 30 years ago in Hassan, Karnataka, I still remember the dialogues and diction of ‘Yemme Yenkamma’ (Buffalo Yenkamma) - the ‘shrew’ that controls her husband, just as she mends her cattle, leaves the audience in splits and so effortlessly played by Umashree.

An unforgettable character that has been embellished by Umashree.

Film – Kshana Kshanam

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kshana_Kshanam

Language - Telugu

Year – 1991

Character – Satya

Actor – Sri Devi

Many are of the opinion that Sri Devi’s best performance is from the film ‘Moonram Pirai’ (Tamil) / ‘Amavasya Chandrudu’ (Telugu).

While I do appreciate that role, I feel that she was more natural in Kshana Kshanam an action thriller and the ease with which she performed in the film makes her role memorable.

Film – Mahanadhi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahanadhi_(film)

Language - Tamil

Year – 1994

Character – Dhanush

Actor – V. M. C. Haneefa (Cochin Haneefa)

V. M. C. Haneefa’s portrayal of the role Dhanush, from this extremely intensive film, is unforgettable for the reason that he acts with such élan and softly as a conman causing all the troubles for the protagonist.

I personally knew people who could not sleep or eat properly for a few days after watching him act in the movie.

Film – Woh Chokri

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woh_Chokri

Language - Hindi

Year – 1994

Character – Apsara

Actor – Pallavi Joshi

This is a film which many might not be remembering at all, but one which really fetched recognition for the acting talent of Pallavi Joshi.

Pallavi Joshi plays Apsara the daughter, in a ‘happy family’ whose father gets ensnared into politics and the related greed and deserts the family. The mother though is not married to her father, has been just a living in partner and bears Apsara to him. After the father deserts, they endure hardships for a long time and over a period, discover that the father is in a good position in Delhi, but are rejected, when approached. Mother dies in abject poverty leaving her adolescent daughter an orphan. Apsara survives living in an abandoned train car in a railway shed in Mumbai and due to circumstances, becomes a prostitute.

One day she comes to know that her father is visiting Mumbai soon. On his visit, during a crowded meeting, she stands up and shouts to her father that she is his daughter.

The father not only becomes embarrassed but also thinks that she is becoming a thorn in his plans and gets her killed by a henchman.

Pallavi Joshi has excellently portrayed the role and it will be lingering in the public mind as also creates a general hatred towards politics.

Film – Gulabi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulabi_(film)

Language - Telugu

Year – 1995

Character – Babu Rao

Actor – Jeeva (Kocharla Dayaratnam)

The film’s plot is based on real incidents where a Dubai based businessman/men were involved in human trafficking of young girls.

Jeeva (not to be confused with the younger hero with a similar name) originally Kocharla Dayaratnam) has virtually eclipsed the acting of others as the antagonist Babu Rao. His fiery eyes would put chills into people - an unforgettable performance.

Film – Valkannadi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no2DZGuMwJA

Language - Malayalam

Year – 2002

Character – Appunni

Actor – Kalabhavan Mani

Kalabhavan Mani, an excellent actor, who articulates his expressions with depth plays Appunni the blacksmith with mental health problems in the family. He excels in his acting and his role would be in the mind for years to come!

Rest to be watched on the screen. But be warned that the film is quite intensive.

Film – Anukokunda Oka Roju

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anukokunda_Oka_Roju

Language - Telugu

Year – 2005

Character – Inspector Suresh Reddy

Actor – Jagapati Babu

Jagapati Babu, an actor who always dons the role of a hero in the Telugu film industry, has done a supportive but vital role in the film as Inspector Suresh Reddy who investigates the crime in sly (as he is suspended from duty). Playing between a serious and comical portrayal, he has excelled in leaving a pleasant memory in the minds of the audience, after watching the film.

Film – Naan Kadavul

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naan_Kadavul

Language - Tamil

Year – 2009

Character – Thandavan

Actor – Rajendran (Motta Rajendran)

Rajendran, also known as Motta Rajendran or ‘Naan Kadavul Rajendran’, has been a stunt double acting mostly in the Tamil film Industry.

As a fully fledged villain ‘Thandavan’, an evil man who controls mentally and physically challenged beggars, involves in human trafficking of persons and converting them into beggars, Rajendran has portrayed a cruel person with vile thoughts and deeds excellently. He played the role to the intensive hilt that leaves the audience totally disturbed.

Film – Spyder

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyder_(film)

Language – Telugu (and also in Tamil)

Year – 2017

Character – Bhairavudu in Telugu and Sudalai in Tamil

Actor – S. J. Suryah

This film, in my humble opinion, is totally dominated by S. J. Suryah’s acting in the role of Bhairavudu (Sudalai), who suffers a psychological disorder that gives him a sadistic pleasure to kill people and watch the grief of the victim’s families.

Though the end of the film has been a cliché, there is no doubt that S. J. Suryah has given an unforgettable dimension to the role.

Just because I had mentioned only these actors and their filmy characters doesn’t mean that the other actors are not impressive or that there are no more impressive characters.

There will be good actors impressing their audiences as long as the film industry thrives.

What say you? Please do let me know!

Till then,

Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

Chennai, India

Sunday 1 November 2020

Hemantha Kalam - 88 'Not enough of Laos'

This blog now forms part of a book titled "Lesser Trodden Laos" available as e-book and also in print form at https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09FGJDXKZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Lesser+Trodden+Laos&qid=1630747625&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Thank you so kindly for your patronage!

Until again, sok dee (Good bye)!

Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

Chennai, India

Hemantha Kalam - 77 'Out in Vientiane'

Thank you so kindly for your patronage!

Until again, sok dee (Good bye)!

Krutagjnatalu (Telugu), Nanri (Tamil), Dhanyavaadagalu (Kannada), Nanni (Malayalam), Dhanyavaad (Hindi), Dhanyosmi (Sanskrit), Thanks (English), Dhonyavaad (Bangla), Dhanyabad (Oriya), Gracias (Spanish), Grazie (Italian), Danke Schon (Deutsche), Merci (French), Obrigado (Portuguese), Shukraan (Arabic), Shukriya (Urdu), Bohoma Sthuthiyi (Sinhalese) Aw-koon (Khmer), Kawp Jai Lhai Lhai (Laotian), Kob Kun Krab (Thai), Dankie (Afrikaans), Asante (Kiswahili), Maraming Salamat sa Lahat (Pinoy-Tagalog-Filipino), Tack (Swedish), Fa'afetai (Samoan), Terima Kasih (Bahasa Indonesian & Malay), Tenkyu (Tok Pisin of Papua New Guinea), Malo (Tonga) and Vinaka (Fiji).

Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

Chennai, India