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Hi All, I have uploaded few more photos. pls visit... Unni's" Web Place

Film: Pakeezah - Classic romance; great music

This film remains an all-time classic of Indian popular cinema, particularly due to its much-loved songs which most people know even if they have not watched the film. But it is, above all else, an extremely elegant example of film-making - sumptuously shot with astonishing attention to detail, splendidly evocative of an era and a milieu that has now pretty much vanished, and one of the few films I can think of that create a 'mood' so perfectly and draw the viewer into it so effortlessly.Unlike most 'Bollywood' films, Pakeezah is subtle, low-key and deliberately languid in pace - like the aristocratic semi-feudal Muslim society in North India it seeks to portray. Courtesans were prized for their facility as singers and dancers and the preservers of a culture that prized refinement, artifice, and 'form'. Yet, as the opening sequences of the film make clear, for all this courtesans must continue to inhabit a world of their own, unable to ever attain 'respectability'. Kamal Amrohi never passes judgment on the lifestyle of the courtesan, as has been so common in Hindi cinema; instead, he gently exposes the hypocrisy of a society that uses their services whilst pushing them to its margins.The film is notable for its nuanced, understated dialogue, stellar soundtrack (particularly the background score replete with ghazals and thumris, semi-classical musical forms sung by courtesans) and the performance of a lifetime by tragedienne Meena Kumari, whose swan song this was, in the title role. The stunningly beautiful Meena Kumari brings an astonishing grace and dignity to this tragic role without ever descending into the maudlin. Supporting performances, particularly by Beena as Nawabjaan, are also noteworthy. The songs and dances are marvelously choreographed. But most striking of all is the way the film manages to drown one in the atmosphere of an ethos that no longer survives, and tells a dignified yet poignant love story without resorting to excessive sentimentality, clichés, or melodrama. The universe of the courtesan (a world where men are only peripheral) is beautifully evoked without a trace of condescension but equally without over-romanticising it. As a story of forbidden, often suppressed, desire, Pakeezah has few peers; as an evocation of the life, music, and social world of courtesans in turn-of-the-century India, it has none.

:: Useful Links :: Stills :: Voice of Meena Kumari :: BBC Survey :: Retrospective

Film - Remembering, P.Padmarajan (1945 - 1991)

P. Padmarajan was a Malayalam writer and film director. As a writer his stories deal with violence, romance, mystery, passion, jealousy, libertinism, anarchism, individualism, and the life of peripheral elements of society. Some of them are among the best in Malayalam literature; his first novel Nakshathrangalaey kaaval won the Kerala Sahithya Academy award (1972). Padmarajan entered the world of Malayalam films by writing the screenplay for Bharathan’s directorial debut Prayaanam (1975); he is arguably the most talented script writer to have graced Malayalam cinema. He later began to direct films based on his own screenplays, beginning with Peruvazhiyambalam (1979); this led to a remarkable series of films, which are greatly popular among the lay people (as opposed to merely intellectuals and film critics), while also being rich in artistic and thematic originality and excellence. In his themes, he was a great experimenter who explored all walks of life. Many of his films bear the hallmark of the pure romanticist. Padmarajan is celebrated for his possibly unparalleled attention to detail in his screenplays. Some of his scripts are probably the smoothest narratives ever penned in the Malayalam language. They are also ample witness to his keen observation, acute perception, and astute portrayal of human relationships and emotions: many of them have stunning and haunting climaxes, which he portrayed with great sensitivity and intensity on the screen; many are generously sprinkled with homely and humorous scenes; his dialogues are natural, in the language of the common man, and yet have a subtle lyrical quality. Indeed, a just case may be made that his directorial merit flowed easily from his exquisitely crafted screenplays: he never directed a film based on a script written by someone else (unlike other Malayalam film directors of comparable stature, say, Bharathan and K. G. George), and but rarely adapted his script from a story not his own. Consequently, he had an unusually intimate knowledge of the characters in his films; in combination with his mastery of the script, this made him the excelling director that he was. Together with Bharathan and K. G. George, he successfully laid the foundation for a school of Malayalam cinema that strove to tread a middle ground by striking a fine balance between intellectual and commercial appeal, without sacrificing the strong points of either approach; this was accomplished by portraying brilliant stories with ordinary men and women as characters, to which all could relate, steering clear of artificial characters, stereotype mannerisms, and pedantic inclinations allegedly typical of ‘critically acclaimed’ films. Along with Bharathan, he displayed uncommon skill in handling human sexuality on the screen, treating very challenging topics without ever falling prey to vulgarity. Spending his whole life time in Literature and Cinema, he left this world on 23rd January, 1991 midnight in a hotel room in a silent heart attack. His death was widely mourned and the feeling of loss among the people of Kerala is truly soul-felt, lingering to this day :: Extracted from the original content posted at Wikipedia :: Image courtesy - Padamarajan's family website

Photo Album - K S. Unni

Dear all, Unni has posted some pictures of his German trip here. First of it's kind in our blog.To acess the complete album click here. Reji.

Tour - Get,Set....Go - Kerala

The coconut palms, the red tilted houses, the innumerable lakes and beaches will remain long lasting impressions to any visitor who visits Kerala. The colorful festivals like ONAM & VISHU, various types dances like Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Mohiniyattom and Kaikottikali,martial arts like Kalaripayattu and wildlife sanctuaries are the other attractions. Ayurveda the 3000 year old system of medicine (recognized by World Health Organization as a system of alternative medicine), is becoming very popular all over the world. Kerala is a very attractive tourist place in Asia. Legend says that Parasuraman, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu threw his axe into the sea from Gokarnam (near present Mangalore) and it is believed the sea retreated from where his axe fell to give birth to Kerala. Geologist are of the view that Kerala was formed much later than the rest of the subcontinent. Submarine earth movement probably pushed up the land between the curve of the Western Ghats to form this wonderful land. It is possible that the earth inhabitants could have witnessed this geological event leading to the creation of the myths & legends concerning the birth of Kerala. The interesting thing about the myths and legends of Kerala are that they are so strongly interlinked with scientific facts and history that it is very difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. According to the discovery of Microliths or small stone implements near Kozhikode and Cochin point to presence of man in Kerala as far back as 4000 BC. Historians believe that civilization existed in one form or the other in Kerala as early as 5000 BC to 3000 BC. The early where most probably of Negrito stock as the rest of South India. The Negrito race was followed by the Austrics and then by the Dravidians. The Indo-Arabians (erroneously often referred to as Aryans) seems to have gained in substantial numbers by 2000-1500 BC. Christianity and Islam were introduced in Kerala much before the rest of the India. Historians and the Church agree that St.Thomas the Apostle arrived in Muziris (present day Kodungallur) in AD 52. Still later in AD 643 prophet Mohammed's disciple Malik Ibn Dinar arrived in Kerala to spread the prophet's message. Then in 1498 the first wave of the Europeans began to arrive. Vasco Da Gama, the Portuguese seafarer landed at the Kappad beach near Calicut in north Kerala. Kerala is a land which always encouraged trading and traders. In 1000 BC King Solomon's ship visited "Ophix" (the modern puvar south of Thiruvananthapuram) to trade in Ivory Sandalwood and Peacocks. This fame of Kerala Spices brought the Romans in 30 AD. Who were followed by the Greeks, Arabs, Chinese. The spices trade brought Vascoda Gamma to Kappad (near Kozhikode) in 1498. Which paved the way for a new trading history. Followed by Gamma Europeans opened the way for new trade in spices, Ivory, Sandalwood and Peacocks. Geographically Kerala is one of the smallest states in India covering merely 1.3% of total area of the country. Karnataka in north and Tamilnadu in East. Physically the state can be divided in to three natural divisions, the sandy costal region with coconut groves, paddy fields, back waters and sea. The midland region made up of fertile reddish hills and valleys that grow most of Kerala's agricultural crops. Peaks extensive ridges and ravines of the Western Ghats. Where sandalwood, tea, coffee, rubber and most of Kerala's exotic spices are grown. Kerala enjoys balmy Weather almost all through out the year. It is neither too cold in the winter months nor too hot in summer. The best time to visit is November to February, where the air bracing and on some morning there is a light mist.

Express yourself !

Dear ' Xbcantian', This is a small meeting place to share our thoughts about anything that we feel at the moment. I would like to make it clear that, I don't have any intention to use this blog for any other purpose. I do respect your privacy. So please feel free to express yourself by posting a small biography (or update your blogger.com profile) of your's along with a family photo.This would be useful for the rest of the members to know more about you and your loved ones. Apart from this you could post any thing like jokes,useful articles,travalogues or what ever else you have in mind to make this blog active and alive.I had sent a personal invite to Shanavas, Deepthi, Binup, Luxy, Mrudula, Anwar, Sagini, Unni, Anju, Aby, Simi, Jithesh and Sumi so far. Moreover I have personally called few of them with in my reach.Of which, 5 of our friends (listed on top right corner) accepted the invitation and joined our blog. This iam sure will be a wonderful meeting place for all of us in the coming days.But it demands your kind participation.

Health - Recognizing a stroke

Maybe you are in perfect Health to bother about this. But then, you may have an opportunity to save a family member, friend or stranger. During a outdoor dinner at a seaside resort near Chennai, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Lakshmi (name changed) went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Her husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm, Lakshmi passed away). She had suffered a stroke at the dinner- had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke perhaps Lakshmi would be alive today. It only takes a minute to read this: A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and getting to the patient within 3 hours which is tough. There is nothing more life saving than getting the patient to the hospital in the FIRST ONE HOUR! The Golden Hour it is now known as to Doctors and emergency attendants alike!. RECOGNIZING A STROKE. Remember the "3" steps. Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: 1. Ask the individual to SMILE. 2. Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. 3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)(i.e...It is sunny out today). If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call emergency immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

Art - Remembering Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906)

Raja Ravi Varma was born on April 29, 1848 at Kilimanoor, a small town in Kerala. As a boy of five, he filled the walls of his house with pictures of animals and illustrations from everyday life. His uncle the artist Raja Raja Varma recognized his talents and gave him elementary art lessons. He was taken to Thiruvananthapuram in his fourteenth year to stay in the royal palace and learn oil painting. During these formative years the young Ravi Varma had many opportunities to discover and learn new techniques and media in the field of painting. His later years spent in Mysore, Baroda ad other parts of the country enabled him to sharpen and expand his skills and blossom into a mature and complete painter. The glittering career of Raja Ravi Varma is a striking case study of academic art in India. In the year following his death, the ‘Modern Review’ described him as the greatest artist of modern India, a national builder who showed the moral courage of a gifted 'high-born' in taking up the 'degrading profession of painting'. He was courted assiduously by the British Empire as well as by the Indian Maharajas. His less expensive prints of his Hindu deities hung in every home. Raja Ravi Varma owed his success to a systematic training, first in the traditional art of Thanjavoor, and then in European art. His paintings can be broadly classified into 1.Portraits, 2.Portrait-based compositions, 3.Theatrical compositions based on myths and legends. Though the artist's immense popularity lay in the third category, the first two types of works prove his merit as an exceedingly sensitive and competent artist. No other painter till today has been able to supersede Ravi Varma in portraiture in the oil medium. Ravi Varma is considered as modern among traditionalists and a rationalist among moderns. He provided a vital link between the traditional Indian art and the contemporary, between the Thanjavoor School and Western Academic realism. He brought Indian painting to the attention of the larger world. Raja Ravi Varma breathed his last on 2nd October 1906. Useful Links: Raja Ravi Varma - Wikipedia A new film on Raja Ravi Varma by Shaji N. Karun - The Hindu

Day today - Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. Christians remember it as the day of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist. The night of Maundy Thursday is the night on which Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. The word "maundy" comes from the command given by Christ at the Last Supper, that we should love one another. In Roman Catholic churches the anthem “Mandatum novum do vobis” (“a new commandment I give to you”) would be sung on Maundy Thursday.In many other countries this day is known as Holy Thursday.

Added Links

Dear all, I have created and arranged some links in our main page (On the right side of the page). Hope that it will be useful. Sincerely, Reji

Welcome to Xbcantians blog

Dear ' xbcantian', We left B'Canti in 2003. And these 3 years has changed our lives and work to a large extend. Today we have been scattered across different parts of the world for a living. And it's very difficult to maintain the relationship and affection we had shared once. We need a meeting place. Life has rolled out a lot. Most of our 'eligible bachelors' have got married in between. Now they are the proud parents of their 'kids'. We don't know anything about these 'additions'. Do we? Remember this is a small meeting place. It's our duty to keep our 'emotional bonding' unbroken. Please feel free to express your comments, cracking jokes, posting pictures of your family members or what ever else you have in mind. Iam sure this will be a wonderful meeting place for all of us. Hope you will make this blogspot active and alive. Sincerely, Reji Samuel.