STOMP

Two days back we had the good fortune to witness one Broadway show right here in Bloomington. The name of the show is "Stomp". We three along with our friends enjoyed the show very thoroughly. I had to share that with you.

Stomp doesn't make comment on any burning or subtle issue, it doesn't take you to past or future. It doesn't have any dialogues, it doesn't has characters of any particular nationality. For that matter it doesn't start at a starting point or end with a climax. It doesn't have any characters... nope, plain human bodies. In fact Stomp is a show that has NO story. Nothing... Nada! It is a musical so it must have a lot of songs...No! Then an extra-veganza of musical symphonies on various instruments played by the accomplished artists...Nah!!

Then what exactly is it ?? Why were we so impressed???

Stomp is a 1.5 hrs show where 8 different artists come and create music not out of any instruments we know that create music. But out of things and material we use in our daily lives. That's it? Yes... that is it. But ... I mean is that it? Yes...that is IT!
And what kind of material are we talking about...? Brooms, Garbage tins, sticks, rubber pipes, water barrels, sinks!, plastic bags, cigarette lighters...! News papers, stomping, kicking, sliding, clapping, snapping and even coughing...!!!!

It was a treat to watch them 'create' music out of as you can see ... anything! But they don't just create music they dance...! Boy do they dance...! Using every part of one's physic that you can think of. With vibrant energies that if combined can run a steam engine for few miles at ease out of it. And the visuals that they create are nothing short of stunning. And most of all they involve YOU, the audience in playing a part of it. How...? It is just to be experienced. Although as I said in the beginning it doesn't make any social comment or brings any psychological aspects into light, but it definitely leaves you a direct message with actual experience. It tells you that there is immense music and beat with you, don't let it die!

The various beats that they developed and the minutest spaces they use and create within those beats is simply heart throbbing. The synchronization and the harmony that they create out of that on the stage is simply unimaginable at least to me till that day.

David and Pramod and all the 'Sahayogis' on this group. If there was any physical theatre we imagined and talked about (and did very little in practice!), this was it! The humor they created was quite funny. But it wasn't based on any built upon situation, they made it appear spontaneous. But as a performing artist I know how immensely the would have needed to practice it. And get even more awed by that realization.

I have a feeling that David would know about this show and if it is true then I would really love to hear his impression or anything that he knows about this show.

This is a show that has originated in UK in 1991 and has established itself in American Broadway industry to such an extent that a few years back, a road in NY Broadway district is named after them. But I'm not going to dilute my experience by giving you those academic details. Although I do recommend that you read it out. Explore the show here: http://www.stomponline.com/ it has besides other details some audio and video clips that might give you a hint what it was. But I doubt if you can imagine it without actually seeing what it was.

I couldn't have thanked my stars enough to get an opportunity to witness the human creativity at its best!!

Mayur.

Bright Ray of Hope!

While we were witnessing the usual meek surrender by our nation's favorite 'blue team', one bright spot shined bright on Indian sports horizon (not the first time!). While the 'terrible blues' were melting under pressure applied by the 'golden boys', Jeev Milkha Singh calmly held his nerve to win the European open Volvo Masters 2006 championship in Valderama, Spain. He coolly pocketed 666,000+ Euros or 847,000+ Dollars to win a tournament which was played on a tough course which is proven by his winning score of -2!

Not only he held his nerve on this tough course but he held his nerve to fight some of the world's best golfers; Sergio Garcia (world no 9), Luke Donald (world no. 8) and Padre Harrington shared the second spot with -1 score. And major winners like Jose Maria were down the leaderboard. This was certainly commendable to win against these champions especially when one is making a debut in this tournament.

Earlier this year he won another European tour title although it was in China but the same sponsors for the event, Volvo. It was like those times when Sachin used to win all those tournaments for India which were sponsored by Coca Cola (ironically he was endorsing Pepsi since then!). This winning record is even more special when one realizes that Jeev is actually coming back after a wrist injury (surgery) which halted his earlier good run. Like father like son. Winning tournaments like these the Jeevs and Arjuns of today are making way for future 'Tigers' from India, who knows some of them might be dreaming of representing India some day, may be in some small towns in US...! :o)

Let's cheer our champion and not forget him like we did the Michael Farreras & Geet Sethis of this world. Go Jeev...!!

Nationalist vs Human Rights. Who do you support?

The other day I came across this article in BBC. I couldn't help but share my views...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/forum/story/2006/10/061004_afzal_nandita_pro.shtml

Until, I read this topic, I was always curious of what could be the argument of those who favor to forgive Mohmmad Afzal execution.
It shouldn't be a surprise that I favored in his execution. I believe more from a symbolic point of view, than from 'a revenge' point of view. I think our Parliament is the highest symbol of our nationality.

It is a symbol of our democracy, it is a symbol of our independent existence. And it wasn't a mere coincidence that it was attacked. It was a calculated cold blooded attempt at damaging the symbol. So when we finally got our act together (by spending 5+ years in arriving at the decision) and identified the commander for this operation, I thought that there could not be any other means of conveying the message to the terrorists group and more so to the world at large how earnestly we respect our this symbol. (Whether it is inhuman to execute somebody or not is a totally different discussion. But given the frame of context where we have accepted that as a means of highest punishment I think we shouldn't be mincing our actions a bit)

But when I got over my first blood-boiling reaction on our own people demanding that we refrain from sending this signal, I did want to understand what could be the argument. Here was one chance given to me by BBC. If I read it right the theme behind this appears two folded, one is that this person is been victimized by the system and he is really not the culprit, he is been given the short handle of the stick and secondly (or because of that) this might instill violence in Kashmir Valley.

The first objection if it has any truth in it, is a matter of shame for our system. If on such an important issue we can't get the best breed of our intelligence get to the bottom of the issue even after taking 5 long years, it is ridiculous. But we have seen such shameless display of inefficiency in the past from our intelligence. But we have also seen the humanitarian activists always making hoopla on such issues unnecessarily to coax the Muslim or other minorities in our country.
So my vote is divided on this, although I do feel if our judicial system stands for 'save one innocent if you have to let go 100 suspects', thorough investigation is needed, if it means dragging this beyond this point (which I do feel is ridiculously late. I am fully aware Zarquavi was sentenced after 5 years too, but I don't buy 'if America takes this much time we can(should) take the same' argument). But if we know, more so, BELIEVE, we have done our bit in the investigation, we should not delay it even by a day.

On the second objection, I think Kashmir is a burning issue and any firm action we take to resolve the issue will always have the danger of instigating more violence. That should not deter us from taking firm actions, on the contrary could be the reason to take firm actions sooner to get the situation under control. We are living under the ghosts of our forefathers' lack of taking firm actions. Sooner we correct our behavior the better are the chances of solving the issue.

May be my prejudiced blood-boiling mind is still tainting my thinking, but this is my best shot at thinking about it rationally.

Ban on Cycle Rikshaw

I recently came across a news article which stated that Delhi court has banned Cycle Rikshaws.

I have never been able to make up my mind on this issue. I had taken this experience first hand myself when I had visited N.East part of India and I think Vardha in Maharashtra. I had found it very very odd to sit behind old man who was more than the age of my father carrying my weight and that of my friends and would get paid something like Rs. 10/- or something at the end.

As a consumer I felt it quite inhumane. I was quite restless the whole time I was inside the rickshaw. I couldn't stand the scene at all.
But when I talked to some people in that part of the country they said, if we stopped sitting in these, they will loose their livelihood and would die of hunger one day or something to that effect. Which was also valid.

When I see this news along with other rationale I do see the point how they would be creating a nuisance to the traffic with their speed and following the traffic rule or the lack thereof. From that point of view also I think this is needed.

Having said that I don't think that necessarily government needs to take responsibilities of folks those go jobless with a change like this. This way government's progress plans will always be pegged back. We saw the outroar by STD booth holders also when government made the STD rates cheaper. This is irrational. When rickshaws came they say Tonga-drivers had similar outroar, the six seater ban, so on and so forth. These poor rickshaw pullers have got themselves to such a state that they can't imagine their livelihoods without it. Well, what if somebody breaks his hand, wouldn't he try to find out other means of livelihood? I don't want to sound ruthless but any change will always be difficult on the ones who are the agents of the change. It is going to be specially harder if those agents are going to be those who can hardly meet their ends.

Medium of Instruction, an eternal dilemma of a Marathi Parent

Friends,
I have been wanting to write on this for a while, but didn't get my thoughts organized enough to write on this. Today as I sit to write you'll realize it is more of my musings and I'm far away from thoughts organized in any fashion for that matter. But I have enough urge to express my views on this to overcome the inhibitions due to them being not organized.

Firstly I must express my admiration for Santosh and want to go on record to say that I agree with most of the points that Santosh has expressed in his email. Most importantly among them all the point that the "parents" are the key in this situation and even more so in the days to come. When I say Parents, those are not just the biological parents but those who help the child grow, may be including the teachers at school in some cases.
Let me also first up say that there is no better substitute to a child's medium of instruction than his mother tongue. The language his parents speak at home. (Considering the child picks up most of the 'knowledge' in the formative years at home). And the primary reason is that his brain is free from 'deciphering', 'decoding' the knowledge to the language he is more comfortable with if the medium of instruction happens to be a different one. The language that helps him 'form' his thoughts should be easy on him, like water to the fish. Instead of the water to a scuba diver!
For all the Indian children it is very essential that they get an exposure to the "Indian heritage" and culture through their native (may not be mother tongue) language. The poems for example are an essential way of learning the heritage, that can't be translated. e.g. Shivrayache Athvave Roop or Zenda Uncha Rahe Hamara or Saare Jahanse Accha or Paay Takun Jalat basla Asla Audumbar can NEVER be translated. At best they can be interpreted and that's where they loose their appeal and the wholesome meaning and most importantly expression behind them. Every region in this wonderful land will provide its own unique flavor to its culture which can't be given through "London Bridge is Falling Down". Neither can it be reached to their souls by the RavanAAs and RamAAs of the text books, if you can see what I mean. (not for your understanding skills but my poor expression in this foreign language)
Now this being the principle side of the argument, there are some practical sides of the argument too.

The first practical aspect I had to consider when I laboriously twisted and turned in my bed on this topic for Anamay was my own stability and growth. If I have to be somewhat successful in my career today the 'mantra' would be to be as flexible as possible. I have to avoid options that would restrict me to a place, domain, and culture in this field of IT today. Sure, one can be extra-ordinarily talented and achieve the success even after being attached to a place, domain and culture. But if I know myself well, I'm nowhere near to that "extra-ness" beyond the ordinary! And I have to be realistic before anything else, if I have to make informed decision about my child.

Second practical aspect is the choice that is available to me. How many Marathi schools today are available to Anamay that would teach him the culture that we highly talked about above and at the same time give him the broad view of the world which is so very essential, in fact is a life blood of his upbringing? (When I was arguing with Sushrut on this in a Virginia Italian restaurant, he said in his anguish that if in Pune we can't find such Marathi schools, there is no point! I couldn't agree with him more). Come on, I mean let's be realistic! Remember we are in the practical mode of thinking now. Now does that mean that the English schools in lieu would have it them for him? Answer is no. What probably then remains as the most wise and realistic approach is to see that the poor soul does not waste three fourth of his energies in commute, exposing himself to more dangers and pollutions on the road for some `elite' school 10-15 miles away from home.
In fact to tell you honestly, we had almost finalized a Marathi school which "fitted the bill" on most aspects above for him, but when we talked to some of its teachers and to the present day students and we found out that it completely lacked the competitive spirit in its attitude. How would he succeed with this "that's fine... I'll do with it" approach today?
I'm not going to bring the "Lingua Franca" factor in the discussion here. After all if it is a language needed for survival you can definitely pick it up on the way without it being the medium of instruction. It is a given that you get yourself well versed with the language since it is essential to your survival. But that's pretty much it.
So as we can see the decision is no way simple and easy. The parents have to choose between a rock and the hard place. But hey, isn't that how it is on almost any decision we make as parents? What probably then remains in the hands of the parents is to be cognitive of all these factors, in place of just blindly following the stream. As parents we need to be extra careful and diligent about what our kid is exposed to, to be able to achieve what we want him to achieve in terms of growing as a person and growing his abilities to learn more. A very 'cliche-istic' stand but that's the square I end up every time I make a fresh start thinking on this.
But think about it, if on the other hand we are able to achieve this (whatever 2/3% of us that would achieve that), how fantastic a combination would that be? If my son understands the "Sant vachans" which are an invaluable treasure from the land he originates from and also be aware of the new developments in the world due to the vivid exposures he might get due to the flexibility he gets. If he can remember the greatness of Shivaji beyond just the text books and at the same time learn the different other world leaders those influenced our lives? If he could enjoy the sporting and competitive spirits by following different sports (not just cricket) and also learn that these are after all games and are meant for fun.
Gives me enough hope to jump in that direction than just brood sitting on the benches with my head within my knees.
If you think these were distorted thoughts, I had already told you this is how they are going to be.
Mayur

Marathi Man Success Story at Tatas.

We have always associated Tata group with the industrialization & commercialization of India, very rightly so. And we have always cursed how our Marathi community has stayed away from business world (things are definitely changing now). But did you know now a days the vision for such huge company is set by a Marathi person? Someone who was born in ALandi…? I didn't know it…
This is a story of one Mr. Kishor Chaukar who was born in Alandi in Pune District and has worked over several different companies in different leadership roles, before Ratan Tata selected him to join Tata Group of companies as Managing Director. Among other things one of his rich background is working for BIAF (Bharat Agro Industries Foundation) and for 10 years where according to this article, his thoughts were majorly shaped as he needed to make sure BIAF becomes profitable as well as helps the poorest farmer. He also worked for ICICI for 15 years and plays a big hand in where we see ICICI today in India. A success story all of us should be proud of, whether we are Marathi or not.
His brief profile on Tata Group of Industries... http://www.tata.com/0_about_us/management/kishor_chaukar.htm
Regards,
Mayur.