tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46754702939873563462024-03-13T00:18:09.822-07:00oenophileUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-80706008715018031772016-12-07T11:17:00.000-08:002016-12-07T16:49:24.853-08:00Of Associations Emanating From A Word. Humsafar : Persian-Urdu-Hindi Songs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8a_5BD0ocIQ144oDE-70SwFaBj7FnzBHaxb4-wiBCH2o6mrUI-JhZLJ3ClcJqW7uDF-ky7-caMzeCXxgsf2mKqMYeohyb7HpZESm33CZTAPlLB0NSsxOVecmpW1smpkLVfjo3QpsWlg/s1600/HumsafarUrdu.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8a_5BD0ocIQ144oDE-70SwFaBj7FnzBHaxb4-wiBCH2o6mrUI-JhZLJ3ClcJqW7uDF-ky7-caMzeCXxgsf2mKqMYeohyb7HpZESm33CZTAPlLB0NSsxOVecmpW1smpkLVfjo3QpsWlg/s1600/HumsafarUrdu.png" /></a></div>
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Humsafar, in Hindi, means "life-partner" or "soulmate" or "travelling companion". As a word and a concept, it is extremely popular with the Bollywood community, from lyricists to music directors to filmmakers. Bollywood tended to use the romantic avatar, as shown by most songs presented in the "Hindi" section. Moving geographically West from Bollywood-Bombay, one gets to the origin of this word; Persian via Urdu. In other words, Iran via Pakistan; and here is where the sparks really fly.<br />
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This post presents 10 songs containing the word "Humsafar", in 3 different languages --- Persian, Urdu & Hindi. It also presents some associations emanating from "Humsafar" in its generalized version of "travelling companion".<br />
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Humsafar : Iranian Movie Industry-Bollywood</h3>
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Iranian movies of the 1960's & 1970's borrowed from and/or were inspired by Bollywood. While this is not a secret, it is perhaps not widely known. As an example, consider the 1974 Iranian movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5009970/">"Bandeh Khoda"</a>.<br />
Here is the YouTube link for the entire movie.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO5VxRJMTQU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO5VxRJMTQU</a><br />
Even though the movie is in Persian, Bollywood fans should NOT need subtitles to understand, One can spot the Iranian versions of Dharmendra, Hema Malini/Mumtaz, Zeenat Aman/Aruna Irani, Ranjeet/Shakti Kapoor, Nasir Hussein, Nirupa Roy, and Master Alankar/Raju.<br />
The movie contains several 70's Bollywood cliches, such as ---<br />
Over-the-Top-Villains, Songs & Dances, Racy Music, Child Artists, Elderly Mother, Elderly Benevolent Male, Hero wrongly accused of theft, Attempted Suicide on Train Tracks, Masala Chase in Climax, Snake scene in Climax, All-reasonably-ends-well, Police-(as usual)-show-up-after-villain-is-finished.<br />
There is a major difference, watch the portion at the very beginning; time 1:40 to 1:45.<br />
Viewing this small snippet, you will begin to get an idea of why the current Islamic Govt. of Iran considered 60-70 % of pre-revolution movies to be porn.<br />
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Clearly, post-revolution, Iranian movies have changed a lot; several critics may claim for the better.<br />
Needless to say, the major exception is very well known and well documented.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PERSIAN</span></b></h2>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxCP47GTeIw">1) Hamsafar (Iranian Movie Hamsafar 1975), Sung by Googoosh</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaji9rExqipdVwXAbNlow5h2Hls2mg3CiN2jggSSHSeQEPU4D00WePiwv7WwZyHZ60VXp8ifIl41VDKN-RfKfc2ry6t69brjfjEAWJxm3kmdeIcOWP6V-aV0qliz-30GwyYauHDIqYcs/s1600/GoogooshHamsafar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaji9rExqipdVwXAbNlow5h2Hls2mg3CiN2jggSSHSeQEPU4D00WePiwv7WwZyHZ60VXp8ifIl41VDKN-RfKfc2ry6t69brjfjEAWJxm3kmdeIcOWP6V-aV0qliz-30GwyYauHDIqYcs/s320/GoogooshHamsafar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Googosh (real name Faegeh Atashin) was a famous Persian pop singer and film-star in Iran of the 1960's & 1970's. Here she is with her then-husband, Behrouz Vossoughi, who was another superstar of the 1970's Iranian film industry. She was a great fashion & style icon for millions of Iranian & other Middle-Eastern women.</div>
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After the 1978-79 Iranian revolution, Googoosh and other female singers were banned (partial to total.); yet she continued to live in Tehran.</div>
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itwofs.com/hindi-rdb.html mentions that the prelude of "Jab Tak Hain Jaan" from Sholay is inspired from Googoosh's song "Jomeh".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpg8MS4SCAEiqJwxdaAAV_NWUFHwvtdBB66CmZ52UT5YDz9SOnbpTdLRoEqUsJKgB505clayWP7pBS2GApF-0ZIUAUkcISEVKgj3-g1kCacjvvvmQApn60pAZ3v41dfYfBUT_Oq_MKEg/s1600/Googosh-Jomeh.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpg8MS4SCAEiqJwxdaAAV_NWUFHwvtdBB66CmZ52UT5YDz9SOnbpTdLRoEqUsJKgB505clayWP7pBS2GApF-0ZIUAUkcISEVKgj3-g1kCacjvvvmQApn60pAZ3v41dfYfBUT_Oq_MKEg/s320/Googosh-Jomeh.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZwkH7raFYQ">Link to Googoosh - Jomeh</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYibGNITskH2OMfCOMpr8s1azF5xX8Szmr6lDhPZN9a1UDXbSQlTiQjRklQqmjlYnI53B9TBBsetKt6ZXw5t23MohsrJHBBbvAoQVgMLHABM0eyZDrhkec3a_IsJ6gStdLdhPxFUabUw/s1600/jabtakhainjaansholay.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYibGNITskH2OMfCOMpr8s1azF5xX8Szmr6lDhPZN9a1UDXbSQlTiQjRklQqmjlYnI53B9TBBsetKt6ZXw5t23MohsrJHBBbvAoQVgMLHABM0eyZDrhkec3a_IsJ6gStdLdhPxFUabUw/s320/jabtakhainjaansholay.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wb8vr9g0qA">Jab Tak Hain Jaan - Sholay</a></div>
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As you can see that earlier mentioned "borrowed from and/or inspired" works both ways.</div>
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(PS --- <a href="https://harveypam.wordpress.com/">Harvey</a>, it appears that RDB was a Googoosh fan.đ)</div>
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Humsafar : US-Iran</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbIjVefKfOPlrDuuxsjS-cGjLsmesH5LgfHfrxXrGyPtR8hOh4bBY7XnFSSVM4NFc1VfpX_y9vSNIrlelKGz7_BOOzh83V3GBP8wKTDI-xOheEE_Q1BZdUZsRy9H8Sl8QRDU4dMsHme4/s1600/IranRevolution.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbIjVefKfOPlrDuuxsjS-cGjLsmesH5LgfHfrxXrGyPtR8hOh4bBY7XnFSSVM4NFc1VfpX_y9vSNIrlelKGz7_BOOzh83V3GBP8wKTDI-xOheEE_Q1BZdUZsRy9H8Sl8QRDU4dMsHme4/s320/IranRevolution.png" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/iran-blog/2016/feb/08/iran-1979-revolution-photograhy-maryam-zandi-pictures-enqelab-e-57#img-12">Picture of Anti-Shah demonstration during the 1978-79 Iranian Revolution</a> </div>
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(From The Guardian)</div>
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As the famous saying goes, A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.</div>
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<a href="http://iranian.com/Quiz/2003/June/what.html">Here is a snippet about changing road names in Tehran</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfgzbUviwXZrygJuPu_Wx-gMEbIFOhCVkL-_r6H6K50ZR8j8dQxF3J3AiKCMNmtNDX-uAkkFm78xQMr1m-tp_fbB0YyQkJI7X7yzB4to3pKAm1yl6BkXOaiJSVWK3ydzl5Rf4Hx0hxLY/s1600/TehranRoadNamesPrePostRevolution.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfgzbUviwXZrygJuPu_Wx-gMEbIFOhCVkL-_r6H6K50ZR8j8dQxF3J3AiKCMNmtNDX-uAkkFm78xQMr1m-tp_fbB0YyQkJI7X7yzB4to3pKAm1yl6BkXOaiJSVWK3ydzl5Rf4Hx0hxLY/s320/TehranRoadNamesPrePostRevolution.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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A final thought & association, this Googoosh song hopefully represents US President Barack Obama's creative and controversial policy towards Iran.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">URDU</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow4m34q8dCY">2) Woh Humsafar Tha, Sung by Quratulain Balouch</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD3fCTgl5E2kCZvGPb099ha_r00xJxVU16jnTM-9pvA4Z6OlClEK1uZmLE5lnwEIq5py66Vg6QJ5pwa08bCZC58MM0XjYat-e3uVdpGu7GILFBjnCC40ZrBXLyV7gaIlqLM4Oh4b2IHY/s1600/WohHumsafarTha.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD3fCTgl5E2kCZvGPb099ha_r00xJxVU16jnTM-9pvA4Z6OlClEK1uZmLE5lnwEIq5py66Vg6QJ5pwa08bCZC58MM0XjYat-e3uVdpGu7GILFBjnCC40ZrBXLyV7gaIlqLM4Oh4b2IHY/s320/WohHumsafarTha.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rather than write something of my own, I would like to point towards others more skilled & knowing; about Urdu, and about the Pakistani TV serial Humsafar ---</div>
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<a href="http://ruminatingrhetoric.blogspot.com/2013/03/woh-humsafar-tha.html">http://ruminatingrhetoric.blogspot.com/2013/03/woh-humsafar-tha.html</a></div>
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Undoubtedly, several volumes can be written about --</div>
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Humsafar : Pakistan-India</div>
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Humsafar : Pakistan-US</div>
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Humsafar : Pakistan-US-India</div>
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I will leave them to others.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HINDI --- 50's & 60's</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c60uJHdP1Tk">3) Tum Jo Hue Mere Humsafar, Sung by Mohd. Rafi & Geeta Dutt</a></div>
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Movie : 12 O' Clock (1958)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOzoFGQrzAtDUbDYc5erx-polkWVMPCKm4FsBDBjGg3Afmz6Jd2JXPmh2qiktBIcyQJNPLKjkIKMfkrupCP6EUF5ivVjDl2oll4-1dIBik6dbSnXH7YZd4bdcBllYGeLoF3K_QIry6Ac/s1600/TumJoHueMereHumsafar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOzoFGQrzAtDUbDYc5erx-polkWVMPCKm4FsBDBjGg3Afmz6Jd2JXPmh2qiktBIcyQJNPLKjkIKMfkrupCP6EUF5ivVjDl2oll4-1dIBik6dbSnXH7YZd4bdcBllYGeLoF3K_QIry6Ac/s320/TumJoHueMereHumsafar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjZORLBGgRM">4) Humsafar Mere Humsafar, Sung by Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar</a></div>
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Movie : Purnima (1965)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vNHXEfBOCqjceaHuFlZM7fz9tQSjNIsGN6TEe1LnrtTdhbmqb-oziJzIpoImX_QcbCRJWyKp1NKqICjU5bqyp1qHnAoRJSDJxYy3HRlo3MbMsSKIVQU5Ca3PH_HOiIBbKX7qKpVyd_0/s1600/HumsafarMereHumsafar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vNHXEfBOCqjceaHuFlZM7fz9tQSjNIsGN6TEe1LnrtTdhbmqb-oziJzIpoImX_QcbCRJWyKp1NKqICjU5bqyp1qHnAoRJSDJxYy3HRlo3MbMsSKIVQU5Ca3PH_HOiIBbKX7qKpVyd_0/s320/HumsafarMereHumsafar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNQ5MGomiYY">5) Humsafar Ab Yeh Safar Kat Jayega. Sung by Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar</a></div>
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Movie : Juari (1968)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV9-cmaYmQib3-EZxTNQeoyKyzl5wBYdyziLSh1h27OdxJPsPUeIUnh2Ns57lHwCfKV1w1zp6xhKBiiZXDUOt6L9xSHFjrf67LTvoxJ4nAeSqzYc_d6bYhl9B8ZvqHCUBhlDPNpUPPx0/s1600/HumsafarAbYehSafar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV9-cmaYmQib3-EZxTNQeoyKyzl5wBYdyziLSh1h27OdxJPsPUeIUnh2Ns57lHwCfKV1w1zp6xhKBiiZXDUOt6L9xSHFjrf67LTvoxJ4nAeSqzYc_d6bYhl9B8ZvqHCUBhlDPNpUPPx0/s320/HumsafarAbYehSafar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F1osJ80BwU">6) Akela Hoon Main Humsafar Dhoondta Hoon. Sung by Mohd. Rafi</a></div>
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Movie : Jaal (1967)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2faoFo3dMnOkzGdXbieuDP3zjQXUW1HZQRaaophgiaMoAI4UiEPSAcAFfJmK0_CtWajX4yyEd0oziHHHhtN9PTGzox5DRfqvdsMuYqak1YFdZEMIe7RQ0hmjZBREg89jjX_HmFs_58M/s1600/AkelaHoonMainHumsafar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2faoFo3dMnOkzGdXbieuDP3zjQXUW1HZQRaaophgiaMoAI4UiEPSAcAFfJmK0_CtWajX4yyEd0oziHHHhtN9PTGzox5DRfqvdsMuYqak1YFdZEMIe7RQ0hmjZBREg89jjX_HmFs_58M/s320/AkelaHoonMainHumsafar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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These 4 songs clearly demonstrate the classic Bollywood theme of romance, and focus on the "life-partner" or "soulmate" aspect of Humsafar.</div>
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Legend has it that at least one of the pairs (Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rehman), at least from the male side, wanted to be a Humsafar in real-life as well.</div>
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Legend also has it that another pair (Dharmendra, Meena Kumari), were partial Humsafars.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HINDI --- 60's Personal</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73y0h0Jj078">7) Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara **** Koi Apna Humsafar Hota. Sung by Kishore Kumar</a></div>
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Movie : Jewel Thief (1967)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGAhIPoiliG64Ft32AnXUnwqAuzlz9pvaHiYO6Wo3TSdoqyBYxf2kGA21v-bJfbVZu3tZTcs9sllvyiwy7KzwNFkn6l3heLxy5eGLZIUZSNMxfEOtTo6JDcFDQaupVddsNnB2Uo8IvPM/s1600/YehDilNaHotaBechara.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGAhIPoiliG64Ft32AnXUnwqAuzlz9pvaHiYO6Wo3TSdoqyBYxf2kGA21v-bJfbVZu3tZTcs9sllvyiwy7KzwNFkn6l3heLxy5eGLZIUZSNMxfEOtTo6JDcFDQaupVddsNnB2Uo8IvPM/s320/YehDilNaHotaBechara.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jewel Thief is the first Bollywood movie I saw outside India, at Tehran in 1971. The songs were still in Hindi, just the dialogs were dubbed in Persian. An Iranian colleague of my father bought Dev Anand's Jewel Thief cap (an approximate version) and proudly wore it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xvKCOxQg9mle8r2JunF2c7afvlmFNkR6b4mTembx2PFE44T2YyRat6geEMnsodZ8WHwO7GSzG2ilbMWXChYl4e-yZr0mUHBwR01ZaD_tejkAtWyGiBVIUYUEvoHvPGBevxhbNqod6PQ/s1600/11855742_10153538955879581_8687041729671490728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xvKCOxQg9mle8r2JunF2c7afvlmFNkR6b4mTembx2PFE44T2YyRat6geEMnsodZ8WHwO7GSzG2ilbMWXChYl4e-yZr0mUHBwR01ZaD_tejkAtWyGiBVIUYUEvoHvPGBevxhbNqod6PQ/s320/11855742_10153538955879581_8687041729671490728_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPaUm-UxdhY">8) Raat Ke Humsafar. Sung by Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosale</a></div>
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Movie : An Evening In Paris (1967)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxtNQBmZ4d7YQw6xKi6LCMpZplJyVOkXQDmGLb0ST3qvFObxTnxfZWxhiZYshRqv0j8CsumrDRFZf7FknFBGbUvYSpwjIV0K7VdBcAXAyLD9rnyQHtUZEgW8NjwC94PXr61IaUCoxmHA/s1600/RaatKeHumsafar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxtNQBmZ4d7YQw6xKi6LCMpZplJyVOkXQDmGLb0ST3qvFObxTnxfZWxhiZYshRqv0j8CsumrDRFZf7FknFBGbUvYSpwjIV0K7VdBcAXAyLD9rnyQHtUZEgW8NjwC94PXr61IaUCoxmHA/s320/RaatKeHumsafar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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My Humsafar & me did almost the exact walk post midnight in Paris, from the Champs-Elysees to our hotel near Gare St. Lazare. We were ALL ALONE (saw absolutely no one on the way to the hotel), and this has to be one of the most romantic things we ever did.</div>
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<b>Humsafar : US-Iran-France</b></h3>
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Another facet of 1970's Iran was the prevalence of French at highest levels of Govt. & society. The last US ambassador to Iran, William Sullivan, frequently spoke French to his Iranian counterparts. Ayatollah Khomeini was exiled to a Paris suburb (Neauphle-Le-Chateau), and it is from here that he triumphantly returned to Tehran in Feb 1979. </div>
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(PS --- I hope <a href="http://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/">Anu Warrier</a> finds this interesting)</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HINDI --- 70's</span></b></h2>
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9) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2RXpMC-1r8">Kisi Raah Mein Kisi Mod Par Kahin Chal Na Dena To Chod Kar, Mere Humsafar.</a></div>
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Sung by Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar</div>
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Movie : Mere Humsafar (1970)</div>
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Since this is just the beginning of the 70's, this song is reasonably sedate. Were it not for Jeetendra, you could almost classify it as 60's song. Do not give up hope, the Nasir Hussein directed Jeetendra Asha Parekh starrer "Caravan" is just around the corner. đ</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_GW_hjY2RI">10) Tere Humsafar Geet Hain Tere. Sung by Mukesh, Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosale</a></div>
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Movie : Dharam Karam (1975)</div>
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This is pure Grade-A 1970's Masala, the kind pre-revolution Iranian movie industry used to copy . No wonder the Iranians revolted, I suppose you would revolt too. đ</div>
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(PS --- <a href="https://harveypam.wordpress.com/">Harvey</a> : This is probably the only RK movie whose music director was Pancham.)</div>
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What are your favorite Humsafar songs (in any language) ?</div>
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PS --- Be politically correct in commenting, and remember that irreverent comments may attract fatwas. đ </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">REFERENCES</span></b></h2>
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<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36341636">1) India-Iran relations: Why Bollywood is our common Language</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Iran">2) Wikipedia --- Cinema of Iran</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.masala.com/bollywood-films-are-big-in-iran-17340.html">3) Bollywood Films are Big in Iran</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-oscar-winner-iranians-are-familiar-with-bollywood/20131021.htm">4) Oscar Winner : Iranians are familiar with Bollywood Movies</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bollywood.com/iran-bollywood-still-huge-draw">5) In Iran, Bollywood is still a Huge Draw</a></div>
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<a href="https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/movie-poster-of-the-week-iranian-cinema-of-the-60s-and-70s">6) Iranian Cinema of the 60's & 70's</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.wired.com/2006/02/once_upon_a_tim/">7) Once upon a time, Iran had its own Bollywood</a></div>
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<a href="http://itwofs.com/hindi-rdb.html">8) Was RD Burman a fan of Googoosh</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googoosh">9) Wikipedia --- Googoosh</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Googoosh/Hamsafar">10) Googoosh - Hamsafar Lyrics</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.behrouzvossoughi.com/">11) Hamsafar with Behrouz Vossoughi and Googoosh</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Sullivan">12) Wikipedia --- William H. Sullivan</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Wings_of_Eagles">13) Wikipedia --- On Wings of Eagles</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhollah_Khomeini">14) Wikipedia --- Ruhollah Khomeini</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guests_of_the_Ayatollah">15) Guests of the Ayatollah: The Iran Hostage Crisis: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam. Mark Bowden</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_to_Tehran">16) Going To Tehran. Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Revolution">17) Wikipedia --- Iranian Revolution</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.davidburnett.com/gallery.html?gallery=44%20Days%3A%20the%20Iranian%20Revolution#/0">18) 44 Days: The Iranian Revolution: David Burnett | Photographer</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/opinion/19shane.html">19) A Different Iranian Revolution. The Opinion Pages New York Times</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_to_Tehran"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/photography/what-to-see/hengameh-golestan--witness-1979/">20) Witness to the Revolution : The Women of Iran 1979</a></div>
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<a href="https://theculturetrip.com/middle-east/iran/articles/the-10-films-you-need-to-see-to-understand-iran/">21) 10 Films that Explain Modern Iran</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/list/ls004301233/">22) The Best Iranian Movies (since 2000)</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woh_Humsafar_Tha">23) Wikipedia --- Woh Humsafar Tha</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humsafar">24) Wikipedia --- Humsafar (Pakistani TV Serial)</a></div>
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<a href="http://offscreen.com/view/feminist_iranian_cinema">25) The Feminist Portrayal of Woman in Iranian Cinema</a></div>
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<a href="http://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1181&context=jrf">26) Iranian Women, Iranian Cinema : Negotiating with Ideology & Tradition</a></div>
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27) <a href="https://zdahamshy.wordpress.com/iranian-cinema/">https://zdahamshy.wordpress.com/iranian-cinema/</a></div>
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<a href="http://features.kodoom.com/en/entertainment/leila-hatami-breaks-into-tears-about-treatment-of-women-in-iranian-cinema/v/3891/">28) Leila Hatami breaks into tears about treatment of women in Iranian Cinema</a><br />
<a href="http://eminentpersians.net/culture/the-arts/googoosh/">29) Eminent Persians --- Googoosh</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-62055306550724322902012-08-18T17:25:00.001-07:002012-08-21T08:54:37.876-07:00HINDI FILM SINGER - WINE PAIRINGS, An Oenophile's Primer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started this post a long time ago, and went through several ideas on how to introduce this topic, but never completely liked any of them. Trained as an Electrical Engineer, I mused on the Fourier Transform analysis of different singers; and tried to see if there could be a correlation between energy in different frequency ranges and characteristics of different wines. The resultant headaches convinced me to look elsewhere. Try explaining to a layperson, Lata Mangeshkar has twice the energy in the 5 - 10 KHz range as Kishore Kumar; and it correlates with the elevated sugar content of dessert wines. I will be lucky if my family still includes me in our gatherings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is usually a challenge to pair Indian food with wines, but Indian singers, especially Old Hindi Film ones, are a delight. As a group, and along with Music Directors and Lyricists; these men and women have risen from humble surroundings and have provided endless hours of pure joy. Wines can sometimes be expensive, and they almost always cost some money; but the price of the Classic Indian Film Industry Music has been amortized over time and is essentially close to zero. Even though my favorite economist has always argued <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmqoCHR14n8">"There is no such thing as a free lunch"</a>; s</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ome of the best things in life are indeed free. This post presents some interesting pairings, but more important; it is really an attempt to demonstrate the extremely high value of what these artists have left behind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_764803524">Hai Duniya Usiki</a><span style="font-weight: bold; white-space: pre;"> ------</span><span style="white-space: pre;"><b> Red </b></span><b>Bordeaux</b><i>, Mohammad Rafi</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGDGyX0aj2aC2JR6RFhYCFty_gngn9j_5wI4GOvwpI3Ls3Erdz2pmApMQSGN0_Lcm_aXhOJL0bd18IDxoRvN6AINqM6gMY6Lx1DWEXTjXIj7wRODfz3rnj7DNREu9BwttApa0SHYy6Mw/s1600/sideways.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGDGyX0aj2aC2JR6RFhYCFty_gngn9j_5wI4GOvwpI3Ls3Erdz2pmApMQSGN0_Lcm_aXhOJL0bd18IDxoRvN6AINqM6gMY6Lx1DWEXTjXIj7wRODfz3rnj7DNREu9BwttApa0SHYy6Mw/s320/sideways.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul Giamatti has just been dumped by Virginia Madsen in the movie <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideways">Sideways</a>, and is about to drink his prized and only Chateau Cheval Blanc (the 2005 vintage retails for $1000) out of a styrofoam cup in a fast food restaurant. Any snobbish oenophile would react, "What a waste".</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRD69Bf2o9DgxgW1sRR_iGs0EZMS5zWVjXVrIQ4LVVg7AdH9Kq_QbTJXeMr_hScctLIowhUltQ1lozjVstl6CqVFqkt_BUjHVmyKUFvLfhADv2dwlrHlnyGxslAZupJTVVSR44M-EoJg/s1600/HaiDuniyaUsiki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRD69Bf2o9DgxgW1sRR_iGs0EZMS5zWVjXVrIQ4LVVg7AdH9Kq_QbTJXeMr_hScctLIowhUltQ1lozjVstl6CqVFqkt_BUjHVmyKUFvLfhADv2dwlrHlnyGxslAZupJTVVSR44M-EoJg/s320/HaiDuniyaUsiki.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faced with a similar situation, the lady is Sharmila Tagore in Kashmir Ki kali; Shammi Kapoor breaks out Scotch Whiskey. I would react, "What a terrible pairing"!!!. Shammi is lip-syncing to a wonderful Mohammed Rafi song whose equivalent would be that Red Bordeaux being drunk in Sideways. Paul has the right idea; if a gorgeous woman dumps you, that is something to be celebrated with an expensive-once-in-a-lifetime-wine. Rafi's singing caliber is exactly that; multi-layered, complex, improves with age, and worthy of being labelled once-in-a-many-generations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an aside, at the end of both movies, both men get their respective women. In a lighter vein, one could argue that it was the excellent beverage choice that led to Paul Giamatti getting the classy Virginia Madsen. On the other hand if you look like Shammi Kapoor and sing a Rafi song, you will always get your love; no matter what you drink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">B) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_764803531">Mausam Hai Ashiqana</a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXW6OEbx7GQ"> </a> -----<b> </b></span><b>Sauternes,</b> <i>Lata Mangeshkar</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I-xWJEdyAJKPOClWyR17SQFxJzb7ceKSNhFq22Nw1zBF2wBy2u06CJ0TTh-kDjstDaWnaOvqehT5LXYoMayKfF2jSXQOlacAA7gg-RAZmhId5jLji2IYUr2DtUV1uPRgxH5zoIY2Rpw/s1600/MausamHaiAshiqana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I-xWJEdyAJKPOClWyR17SQFxJzb7ceKSNhFq22Nw1zBF2wBy2u06CJ0TTh-kDjstDaWnaOvqehT5LXYoMayKfF2jSXQOlacAA7gg-RAZmhId5jLji2IYUr2DtUV1uPRgxH5zoIY2Rpw/s320/MausamHaiAshiqana.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauternes_(wine)">Sauternes is made from grapes affected by Botyritis, a kind of noble rot.</a> This counter-intuitive real-life occurrence results in a dessert wine of the highest quality from outwardly disfigured grapes. Legend has it that Raj Kapoor had Lata Mangeshkar in mind when he was creating Satyam Shivam Sundaram. Add to this the sweetness that dominates Lata's singing, and you can see why I have paired her songs with a Sauternes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">C) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_764803537">Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai</a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIWX9vCffms"> </a> ----- <b>Red</b> </span><b>Burgundy,</b> <i> Kishore Kumar</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOa9CyvDpflqTk3xcdG9Lqvh5kYpDJhXWESHWHjtdGcYXjdCV-sl698zLYFnP5Xd6WCqQZ7qFK_0aynCIbrajNRVajFX_XwZeMXELB-TVn9cTigrYk_kQdN8_Mn3RFpR8UnU_exIDz14/s1600/YehJoMohabbatHai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOa9CyvDpflqTk3xcdG9Lqvh5kYpDJhXWESHWHjtdGcYXjdCV-sl698zLYFnP5Xd6WCqQZ7qFK_0aynCIbrajNRVajFX_XwZeMXELB-TVn9cTigrYk_kQdN8_Mn3RFpR8UnU_exIDz14/s320/YehJoMohabbatHai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is Rajesh Khanna in a situation similar to what is faced by Shammi Kapoor, but his song has just that extra touch of romance. Some music enthusiasts do not consider Kishore to match Rafi's gravitas, and some oenophile's think the same about a red Burgundy vs. a red Bordeaux. I think both are different, and on the surface a Kishore song may not seem to have the same complexity and depth as a Rafi song; but upon further exploration both do alright. Same with a red Burgundy, and this is the reason for the pairing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">D) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1636431017">Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu</a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVKxS9qmn5E"> </a>----- </span><b>Champagne,</b> <i> Asha Bhosale</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbcOq1DwXDC0IfRolets9ZYmCubShfJbpPJRkM1AeMCSmE-Hwr2Dc_gVbOQgVW7fps7jiWNGkJMS9cBcXXwZy7NfTr7uvb51tOIefqk-q0pAx9hCbkM3Tea6AOUkdG62234vUWxJPxUU/s1600/AageBhiJaaneNaTu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbcOq1DwXDC0IfRolets9ZYmCubShfJbpPJRkM1AeMCSmE-Hwr2Dc_gVbOQgVW7fps7jiWNGkJMS9cBcXXwZy7NfTr7uvb51tOIefqk-q0pAx9hCbkM3Tea6AOUkdG62234vUWxJPxUU/s320/AageBhiJaaneNaTu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Asha Bhosale has a nice party song voice, and several bubbly frothy celebratory songs have been filmed upon it. Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu has just that touch of restraint, but note the fountain that spouts like a newly opened champagne bottle. Restrained or not, Asha's style has the </span><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">effervescence</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that leads to a great pairing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">E) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vgDb4TQneA">Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli</a><span style="white-space: pre;"> -----<b> </b></span><b>Barolo,</b> <i>Manna Dey</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY74TvDkCUa7v_WV3-Fsm6OB6ei_kcr6cQb0gEljeAcgA3E9FcdvZ5p0KEl-EjDACIu5No9IvKrjHHEIZf-pCE8xq3_CjYKdJpKHCNWF7tFqQVuFVl6hIPbt9TeQQ1mO_D0PJYP8G5U4/s1600/zindagikaisihaipaheli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY74TvDkCUa7v_WV3-Fsm6OB6ei_kcr6cQb0gEljeAcgA3E9FcdvZ5p0KEl-EjDACIu5No9IvKrjHHEIZf-pCE8xq3_CjYKdJpKHCNWF7tFqQVuFVl6hIPbt9TeQQ1mO_D0PJYP8G5U4/s320/zindagikaisihaipaheli.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to thank <a href="http://harveypam.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/pacifists-ek-gaanv-ki-kahani-a-village-story/">Pacifist</a>, <a href="http://dustedoff.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/ten-of-my-favourite-manna-dey-songs/">Dustedoff</a>, and <a href="http://anuradhawarrier.blogspot.com/">Anu Warrier</a> for increasing my respect and liking for Manna Dey as a singer. After mulling over his songs I have to conclude that he probably ranks right up there with Rafi. Bordeaux wines keep improving with age, and can often stay drinkable for almost 100 years. Italian Barolo's have the same characteristic, Manna Dey's songs grow upon you, and so my pairing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">F) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lra2BNORt8Y">Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui</a><span style="white-space: pre;"> ------ </span> <b>Port</b>, <i>Geeta Dutt</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCVYeWd-ILUUMH1e9rMehYuMfNhxA-JVo4H4vjU5LQLK4k2fP4V_qOClgisXQL4elwGVARxvi4uhlXd6KarSoxHfQZSagqXFjp17ev7JlgWP0h6vCcaCn8wwjnIzcdzNtXFeRZ8N997Q/s1600/tadbeerSeBigdiHui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCVYeWd-ILUUMH1e9rMehYuMfNhxA-JVo4H4vjU5LQLK4k2fP4V_qOClgisXQL4elwGVARxvi4uhlXd6KarSoxHfQZSagqXFjp17ev7JlgWP0h6vCcaCn8wwjnIzcdzNtXFeRZ8N997Q/s320/tadbeerSeBigdiHui.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One theme jumps out from the pairings so far, all males with red wines, and females with white wines. Geeta Dutt is the first to break this rule, her smoky honeyed seductive voice leads me to pair it with an aged port. To be honest I also thought of Drambuie, a liqueur made with Scotch and honey. I like to listen to her songs when you are winding down just after dinner, and hence the choice of port. With a red wine pairing, I am in no way trying to say she starts leaning towards a male voice. Her unique style transcends traditional male-female classifications.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">G) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B3OfWQMuNI">Bekarar Karke Hame</a><span style="white-space: pre;"> ------ </span><b>Chianti, </b> <i>Hemant Kumar</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7kMtFFLjGSXPHOPOyEjDXBpVRdOmyX2g7zLvwxr8-SQi-Pl9Wxb9I32jjRgmoBXi3rUxmCI4gfO6KDY5AyyTLZBRmAVbMNhx83FOwVuoCD8Ux7otiKTHcsw3wk3s9ITpwfbQLlEZRGg/s1600/BekararKarkeHame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7kMtFFLjGSXPHOPOyEjDXBpVRdOmyX2g7zLvwxr8-SQi-Pl9Wxb9I32jjRgmoBXi3rUxmCI4gfO6KDY5AyyTLZBRmAVbMNhx83FOwVuoCD8Ux7otiKTHcsw3wk3s9ITpwfbQLlEZRGg/s320/BekararKarkeHame.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sit back with your eyes closed and listen to this Hemant Kumar song, do you feel the warm sunlight. <a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wine">"Wine is sunlight held together by water"</a>, says Galileo; and who am I to disagree. Hemant Kumar transports you to sunny Tuscany with this song, and hence the pairing. Also note the Italian connections, Galileo, Tuscany, Sunshine, Chianti; I hope I have not overdone it. Incidentally, Chianti is also a reasonably good pairing with some Indian Kebabs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">H) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_764803577">Jawaan Hai Mohabbat</a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mttp129cf8o"> </a> ------ </span><b>Italian Dessert Wine</b>, <i>NoorJehan</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEFD1jt0wudPeGHAQdiy62_WMFHZwZDCU57R_hurKUEA0_Etm2LtAMsZsN-exi2VVgVA2Ho0TJYI0Zpv67aVslo1ACWsV2dYLGAXrQtrjmF8_7OPQEPUohsJiXDVGmgTKssHNljh7LXA/s1600/JawaanHaiMohabbat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEFD1jt0wudPeGHAQdiy62_WMFHZwZDCU57R_hurKUEA0_Etm2LtAMsZsN-exi2VVgVA2Ho0TJYI0Zpv67aVslo1ACWsV2dYLGAXrQtrjmF8_7OPQEPUohsJiXDVGmgTKssHNljh7LXA/s320/JawaanHaiMohabbat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continuing on that Italian Sunshine theme, and adding sweetness, gets us NoorJehan at her best. If Lata is the cooler elegant France, then NoorJehan is the sunny spontaneous Italy; and both dominate the dessert wine category.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHFdjDAq2-4">Tasveer Banata Hoon</a> ------ <b>Cognac, </b><i>Talat Mehmood</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XW0n2x64OPcNpXbEI0JwYado2_DMecn-fzbgGwF8AjojEBiD3H6UhyphenhyphenS1AB8oN-ao-YXk_utvds6IcBJzkk9NtEivx_TOId-4gDTaXVD14s3_h3oGu5Jhx25vPa1A_4IhGbXOV68VQRU/s1600/TasveerBanataHoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XW0n2x64OPcNpXbEI0JwYado2_DMecn-fzbgGwF8AjojEBiD3H6UhyphenhyphenS1AB8oN-ao-YXk_utvds6IcBJzkk9NtEivx_TOId-4gDTaXVD14s3_h3oGu5Jhx25vPa1A_4IhGbXOV68VQRU/s320/TasveerBanataHoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you are in a blue mood try nursing a glass of cognac or listening to Talat Mehmood. No harm in doing both, you just might snap out of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">J) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_764803589">Nain Deewane</a><span style="white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6L4B3tes-I"> Ek Nahin Mane</a> --- </span><b>Chardonnay</b>, <i>Suraiyya</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlPs0i1GFx0bQ5Ewfp78X_Yl8iSF6v9lIOJFics7ppFnWJfBLXhv0onTvPfdyyIWnrvTtqwcFn8AfUUIk449M3Gb29PT0w5vlv00eKrXb7mmi6RxLavoZCDu5lvdniWw7C0jgPfEEgJY/s1600/NainDeewane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlPs0i1GFx0bQ5Ewfp78X_Yl8iSF6v9lIOJFics7ppFnWJfBLXhv0onTvPfdyyIWnrvTtqwcFn8AfUUIk449M3Gb29PT0w5vlv00eKrXb7mmi6RxLavoZCDu5lvdniWw7C0jgPfEEgJY/s320/NainDeewane.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another theme so far is most female singers have been paired with sweeter wines. This pairing demonstrates that a female singer, Suraiyya, can be paired with dry minerally Chardonnay. Listen to this song again, note the distinct mineral tones, the correctness, the complexity, the dryness; all hallmarks of a good Chardonnay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not to say that Lata, Asha, Geeta, Noor cannot do this style; most if not all of them can be interchangeably paired. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">K) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_764803595">Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai</a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhImXFInfO8&playnext=1&list=PL5200A6B336B45A34&feature=results_video"> </a>------ </span><b>Chateauneuf Du Pape</b>, <i>Mukesh</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0m_sHefrAhwaYRW8GOLs-I_LCQoGP7FIddxDX1qDF19v62zwzR1RcC-DRGJcGxTqTmnVQlHMgds_cMi09WqICrXctFeUnyN1wCcHV3cO990zORbZkQ4YCmosIFmAzIhUxRm5m-i6hOM/s1600/YehMeraDeewanapanHai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0m_sHefrAhwaYRW8GOLs-I_LCQoGP7FIddxDX1qDF19v62zwzR1RcC-DRGJcGxTqTmnVQlHMgds_cMi09WqICrXctFeUnyN1wCcHV3cO990zORbZkQ4YCmosIFmAzIhUxRm5m-i6hOM/s320/YehMeraDeewanapanHai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brooding is the thought that comes to mind when I hear this song, and the wines of Chateauneuf du Pape are exactly that. Dark, brooding, intense, sometimes hit-and--miss; this has to be Mukesh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">L) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Yr1OOeOT8&feature=fvwrel">Tum Apna Ranjho Gham</a> -------- <b>Banyuls</b>, <i>Jagjit Kaur</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4r-_xUmbvWYCvELVRruH5QDutYFlHmBOhhyphenhyphensL_mobxVK-q2oaWYYbuQEI-dxoLQAh6ZrDiezKazjQywP1NRE75yxwgrO8fVMlPxKSb32-g6hw89FMSoiQ5JFW9NuiwXWMTCTqZBIgLA/s1600/TumApnaRajoGham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4r-_xUmbvWYCvELVRruH5QDutYFlHmBOhhyphenhyphensL_mobxVK-q2oaWYYbuQEI-dxoLQAh6ZrDiezKazjQywP1NRE75yxwgrO8fVMlPxKSb32-g6hw89FMSoiQ5JFW9NuiwXWMTCTqZBIgLA/s320/TumApnaRajoGham.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once again this is a song that was refreshed by the online blogging community, Dustedoff, Anu, Pacifist, Ava; all of them posted/commented on various aspects. I think it has a little bit of Geeta Dutt in it, hence the pairing with a South-of-France port-wine type wine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">M) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At-AEaBGOjQ">Sunu Mere Bandhu Re</a><span style="white-space: pre;"> ------- <b>Y</b></span><b>oung Cote Du Rhone,</b> <i>S.D. Burman</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRf0GcFmGiy-vEhKQL4-7YUcIc07xPWCZjErlfGQ4tR5CRcVpyX8vffcPAtDwzmiziQL7O77SzTSI1-RH0Uh0KC3scaaGA-ErKO4jZuUHtDffl3BglFt0Qlfvm7UvxyTUeUQD-iUhtec/s1600/SunuMereBandhuRe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRf0GcFmGiy-vEhKQL4-7YUcIc07xPWCZjErlfGQ4tR5CRcVpyX8vffcPAtDwzmiziQL7O77SzTSI1-RH0Uh0KC3scaaGA-ErKO4jZuUHtDffl3BglFt0Qlfvm7UvxyTUeUQD-iUhtec/s320/SunuMereBandhuRe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Copying my comments from <a href="http://harveypam.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/sun-mere-bandhu-re/">Harvey's post on S. D. Burman</a>;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It is very difficult to pair a wine S.D. Burman's voice, and I have struggled to identify a suitable wine. Austere, possibly nasal, are adjectives that come to mind when I try to categorize his voice. Here is what <a href="http://www.erobertparker.com/info/glossary.asp">Robert Parker says about an austere wine</a> ----</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cf8d0c; color: #444444; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wines that are austere are generally not terribly pleasant wines to drink. An austere wine is a hard, rather dry wine that lacks richness and generosity. However, young RhĂŽnes are not as austere as young Bordeaux."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hence the pairing with a young Cote Du Rhone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">O) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1naSFoccO3w&playnext=1&list=PLEE23C21F7EB778F5&feature=results_main">Na Tum Hame Jaano</a><span style="white-space: pre;"> ------- </span><b>Sauvignon Blanc</b>, <i>Suman Kalyanpur</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nde28GxarivHzgb_v2KWBNRxgM-6FMcypyqmK0ozICAGCVXNoptzGzdfbFrjZTT3VVI-X9gujBS1S0QwDdQxG3cViVJfMX9NnZe2sfDNKVC9iqC_wP0UAWfPqwAqrvqabej-_fPU-sw/s1600/naTumHameJaano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nde28GxarivHzgb_v2KWBNRxgM-6FMcypyqmK0ozICAGCVXNoptzGzdfbFrjZTT3VVI-X9gujBS1S0QwDdQxG3cViVJfMX9NnZe2sfDNKVC9iqC_wP0UAWfPqwAqrvqabej-_fPU-sw/s320/naTumHameJaano.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.songsofyore.com/suman-kalyanpur-outshines-lata-mangeshkar/">Another Classic Hindi Film Expert, AK (SongsOfYore), </a> has a wonderful comparison of Suman Kalyanpur with Lata Mangeshkar. He says, and I quote ---</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<span style="color: #111111; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.983333587646484px; text-align: justify;">It is sad that a singer with such enormous talent did not get her due; her similarity with Lataâs voice became her curse. Yet her best is no inferior to any singerâs best, and she is one of the great singers of the golden era."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sauvignon Blanc wines sometimes are not as highly regarded as say Chardonnays or Sauternes; however just like Suman Kalyanpur, they will never let you down.</span><br />
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P)<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTic0xU1ubM"> Daane Daane Pe Likha Hai</a><span style="white-space: pre;"> ------- </span> <b>Beaujolais, </b><i>C Ramchandra</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLheSZPGKfH8Jb8Kqvh4Dg5ZCiDineze-yztnMDXd2U7zLoI8q_6u6wgN77_4R0sD2ObrfLQnunECwkmWn9-ei-iTratWsGQUfsDf5jk27d2IZoh96krQIaC4p19sNFjsOyjxn0J6xAVs/s1600/DaaneDaanePeLikhaHai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLheSZPGKfH8Jb8Kqvh4Dg5ZCiDineze-yztnMDXd2U7zLoI8q_6u6wgN77_4R0sD2ObrfLQnunECwkmWn9-ei-iTratWsGQUfsDf5jk27d2IZoh96krQIaC4p19sNFjsOyjxn0J6xAVs/s320/DaaneDaanePeLikhaHai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beaujolais is renowned light fruity early age drinkable wines that can morph into almost any situation. C. Ramchandra was one such singer, at will he could sing like most anyone, and hence the pairing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a party of Marathi speaking Maharashtrians, a person who only knew him by his real name Ramchandra Chitalkar is supposed to have said --- "Aho Chitalkar Kahi Tari Kara, To Bagha South-Indian C. Ramchandra Kevdha Gajto Ahe". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Translated it means --- "Mr. Chitlakar do something from from the Marathi side, Look at that South Indian C. Ramchandra getting all the accolades."</span><br />
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Q) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0MT3Pm6j_M">Neele Gagan Ke Tale</a><span style="white-space: pre;"> ------- </span><b>Rioja,</b> <i>Mahendra Kapoor</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n9JnfbPtmfaNUneR9uJOGkKY_ygc4yj1zAsXZ0fZ7jX76XRmzlRoNhKv6UaX_fwkbMcJgceLoDW3jSmA1gyOP-R_lgN8v0hsVpggW7fybnpF7VE335OBem11fmpebA-WwsxUvuaS__c/s1600/NeeleGaganKeTale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n9JnfbPtmfaNUneR9uJOGkKY_ygc4yj1zAsXZ0fZ7jX76XRmzlRoNhKv6UaX_fwkbMcJgceLoDW3jSmA1gyOP-R_lgN8v0hsVpggW7fybnpF7VE335OBem11fmpebA-WwsxUvuaS__c/s320/NeeleGaganKeTale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mahendra Kapoor used to be called a clone of Mohd. Rafi, as is Rioja of a Bordeaux. Perhaps both are a little unjust, but hopefully you see my point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other Music Wine Pairing References</span><br />
1) <a href="http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/out-and-about-san-francisco/2012/aug/7/Outside-Lands-San-Francisco-wine-music-guide/">http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/out-and-about-san-francisco/2012/aug/7/Outside-Lands-San-Francisco-wine-music-guide/</a><br />
2) <a href="http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/out-and-about-san-francisco/2012/jul/27/Wine-Music-perfect-pairing-in-San-Francisc/">http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/out-and-about-san-francisco/2012/jul/27/Wine-Music-perfect-pairing-in-San-Francisc/</a><br />
3)
<a href="http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/46773">http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/46773</a><br />
4)
<a href="http://www.wineenthusiast.com/contests/Music_Winners.asp">http://www.wineenthusiast.com/contests/Music_Winners.asp</a><br />
5) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Led_Zeppelin_Wine_Pairing">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Led_Zeppelin_Wine_Pairing</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Indian Food Wine Pairing References</span><br />
1) <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/recipes/article/THE-CHRONICLE-PAIRING-GUIDE-THE-SPICE-IS-RIGHT-2556894.php">http://www.sfgate.com/recipes/article/THE-CHRONICLE-PAIRING-GUIDE-THE-SPICE-IS-RIGHT-2556894.php</a><br />
2) <a href="http://www.funandfoodcafe.com/2008/11/wine-with-indian-food.html">http://www.funandfoodcafe.com/2008/11/wine-with-indian-food.html</a><br />
3) <a href="http://www.culinate.com/columns/wine/spice_and_wine">http://www.culinate.com/columns/wine/spice_and_wine</a><br />
4) <a href="http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Tips-on-Buying-a-Wine-review-sorrsrtnom">http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Tips-on-Buying-a-Wine-review-sorrsrtnom</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-23536075587807547822012-02-11T18:49:00.000-08:002012-02-11T18:49:41.882-08:00Harvey's 70's Farmaish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In his recent post, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fellow blogger <a href="https://harveypam.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/of-winds-and-breezes/">Harvey</a> thinks I know a lot about 70's songs, and had this farmaish.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Wouldnât you like to do a 70s gaana post. Somehting like a hit parade of each year in the 70s or fads of 70s gaana or Dev in the 70s mood.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> "</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is kind of Harvey to think that, I did see a lot of movies in the 70's, but would not consider myself an expert. However, a 70's Farmaish cannot be ignored; and hence this one is for Harvey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doing a post on hit parade of each year in the 70's does not appeal to me, and I already did one on <a href="http://www.oenophile-samir.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html">fads of the 70's.</a> The theme I decided was underrated songs, or songs that were not always the biggest hits of a particular year, or songs that would not be considered the most popular of the hero/heroine on whom they were filmed. My earlier post emphasized "Over-The-Top" songs, this one attempts to counterbalance and also lend some measure of respect to some of the 70's songs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I broke out the list into 4 categories, and to please Harvey (and myself), one of those is 70's Dev.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bicycle</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harvey started his post on a bicycle, he rides to work in very cold weather. I also like bicycling as a sport, so what better reason for the first category.</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrNLSVvdGOY"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) Guzar Jaye Din --- Annadata</span></a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1tImJ0Og9KQwnwRy2exVtqStXgC9xhokBF66dq6hKi5-sYOJy5IdgIvyDBNYyLCW_XsCdBQE4i0Zh1wPhkodMGp1zrBTBmXqez_B44ESbKrLaZcpNhEenoCG0i1L4gnraAKnCv4xNEk/s1600/GuzarJayeDin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1tImJ0Og9KQwnwRy2exVtqStXgC9xhokBF66dq6hKi5-sYOJy5IdgIvyDBNYyLCW_XsCdBQE4i0Zh1wPhkodMGp1zrBTBmXqez_B44ESbKrLaZcpNhEenoCG0i1L4gnraAKnCv4xNEk/s320/GuzarJayeDin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is probably the best solo bicycling song of the 70's. Anil Dhawan represents another feature of the 70's, namely the presence of several non-big-star heros who had great songs filmed on them. Others in this category include Vinod Mehra, Navin Nischol, Vishal Anand, Rakesh Roshan, Vijay Anand, Amol Palekar, Rakesh Pandey, Kiran Kumar, Vijay Arora, and Mahendra Sandhu. You are a big-time 70's expert if you can create a list of good songs that only have one of the above mentioned heros :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. This song complies with Dustedoff's stringent standards of at least 90 % + duration on the bicycle. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.P.S. Legend has it that Kishore thought this was a very complex song meant for Rafi, and had to be coaxed into singing it. (I don't remember where I read this, it could have been someone commenting on one of the blogs.)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pre Stardom</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming to the stars of the 70's, and this decade had plenty of them, but several of them were still struggling in the early days.</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZymU4vwt78"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) Nainon Mein Darpan Hai --- Aarop</span></a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEL7XxSl2FwobnK2gV770t5GYvnFOPpBd0_eeQ5El8wr-5__50MS8Z1BV1qFLmTHxo7ff-x23xY6pIwlGHqeCembUoo7d0C8o829nNZqoz_6RD6oJqOKjsje6Dfhf_BP8A_rkXVYp-NM/s1600/NainonMeinDarpan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEL7XxSl2FwobnK2gV770t5GYvnFOPpBd0_eeQ5El8wr-5__50MS8Z1BV1qFLmTHxo7ff-x23xY6pIwlGHqeCembUoo7d0C8o829nNZqoz_6RD6oJqOKjsje6Dfhf_BP8A_rkXVYp-NM/s320/NainonMeinDarpan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keeping with the bicycle theme, this is a pre-stardom Vinod Khanna with an established married star Saira Banu. The 70's were famous for much older heros (Dev Anand) pairing with younger women, but there were also a few senior established heroines (Saira Banu, Asha Parekh, Mala Sinha, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz) pairing with new comers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In his initial days Vinod Khanna played a villain, something also done by at least two other 70's male strugglers --- Amitabh Bachchan & Shatrughan Sinha.</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1JXTxM9snw&feature=related"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) Tum Bhi Chalo Hum Bhi Chale --- Zameer</span></a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawvdBu6uuZ5IIQOPl861wkPmjkEv2-nKJP2UpGXezckDwB3UR90Rrh7XfuTu_vx504MICtm61skC2i3a7w6e9iEogVwaNIGazM9VEC9WGsP5jAeO1RYB3evdf6ygsrnMjuqZ4D0pOCEQ/s1600/TumBhiChalo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawvdBu6uuZ5IIQOPl861wkPmjkEv2-nKJP2UpGXezckDwB3UR90Rrh7XfuTu_vx504MICtm61skC2i3a7w6e9iEogVwaNIGazM9VEC9WGsP5jAeO1RYB3evdf6ygsrnMjuqZ4D0pOCEQ/s320/TumBhiChalo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amitabh Bachchan's</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">struggle was perhaps one of the most intense, and it probably helped him in his later career. Here he is singing an excellent but underrated song while reprising Dev Anand's role from Bambai Ka Babu in the film Zameer. Saira Banu plays Suchitra Sen's role, and Shammi Kapoor (her first hero) plays her father. This was one of the first Shammi as a character actor film, and we also see Saira continuing to star with junior heros (in stature not in age.)</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITJrRQOFA6o"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) Barkha Rani, Jara Jamke Barso --- Sabak</span></a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyVyG5wrSbKdeIJip8opsZbRWNMrhMqA-kazBBLiC51FMRog31XLUhcCO9-6h808tXV89KpsDG_pX7uvqgrst5EN729xuMclW9Mwhjd1yCH_hebxiRvzyO6xrQkguYb5HbeJpJLkI6FY/s1600/BarkhaRani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyVyG5wrSbKdeIJip8opsZbRWNMrhMqA-kazBBLiC51FMRog31XLUhcCO9-6h808tXV89KpsDG_pX7uvqgrst5EN729xuMclW9Mwhjd1yCH_hebxiRvzyO6xrQkguYb5HbeJpJLkI6FY/s320/BarkhaRani.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another feature of the 70's was several real-life husband-wife pairs, Dharam-Hema, Amitabh-Jaya, Rishi-Neetu, Randhir-Babita; Shatrughan & his wife Poonam also starred in at least one film --- Sabak. In a much later interview Shatru showed his self-deprecating style of humor saying --- "<i>Prior to my marriage my mother-in-law used to complain that it did not matter whether my photos with Poonam were in color or B&W, they always looked B&W</i>". This song is probably one of the few sedate non-OTT Shatru songs, just goes to show the troubles one had to face while not being a star :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. While playing poker or teen-patti and holding only two kings, I still pull out the famous Shotgun line from Kaala Patthar "Mere Tash Ke Tirpanve Patte, Teesre Badshah Hum Hain"</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-vDiGIg9JA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5) SaReGaMaPa --- Abhinetri</span></a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC8l7hMWvMm-OPW1M5SNDtIxgv3nE6jgQHwuY0vk3ZOj-fARUY1GgacgESvUxjKpy541U-jMd8R4K5AcifL5Z_-H-87UiXtQ6TKMiELPgaHXfDt51adto2uhFXXWfaFPQdfS2gMk6b-g/s1600/saregamapa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC8l7hMWvMm-OPW1M5SNDtIxgv3nE6jgQHwuY0vk3ZOj-fARUY1GgacgESvUxjKpy541U-jMd8R4K5AcifL5Z_-H-87UiXtQ6TKMiELPgaHXfDt51adto2uhFXXWfaFPQdfS2gMk6b-g/s320/saregamapa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last but most certainly not least is Hema Malini, a star who faced the least amount of struggle, and who dominated most of the 70's. She started out with Raj Kapoor, and soon delivered her first major hit with Dev Anand, and here she is extremely poised with Shashi Kapoor. This wonderful song was a big hit when it was released, but it is a challenge finding a pre-stardom underrated Hema Malini song. Her other songs during this brief period include <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg80xz2PxaA">"Kitne Din Ankhen Tarsegi"</a> & "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHXtQDV5LIA">Sharafat Chod Di Meine</a>".</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Post/End Stardom</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two major stars saw a decline/end to their stardom, and by a curious coincidence both involved Amitabh Bachchan.</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYe8hc-SmEM"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6) Dakiya Dak Laya --- Palkon Ki Chao Mein</span></a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6BwUdFFPShp6vwC0phTFcP04xxMaHICT2CvysonC4ouz22OUWiBrsnkKQoO-z-_jAu_O-yd_QMPPfxdIrJ3v9dnV0IuSxHxGHQPuZ6Dty2CIVTL7gjpVY3U0hX3ZLepLlv8UQ5SxLeQ/s1600/dakiyadaklaya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6BwUdFFPShp6vwC0phTFcP04xxMaHICT2CvysonC4ouz22OUWiBrsnkKQoO-z-_jAu_O-yd_QMPPfxdIrJ3v9dnV0IuSxHxGHQPuZ6Dty2CIVTL7gjpVY3U0hX3ZLepLlv8UQ5SxLeQ/s320/dakiyadaklaya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is not much I can add to one of the dominant theme of the 70's, the Rajesh-Amitabh rivalry, and Amitabh's dethroning of Rajesh's super-stardom. Again keeping with the initial bicycle theme, I have Rajesh in post-superstar underrated song from Palkon Ki Chaon Mein.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKnVgrflmBI">7) Tu Lali Hai Savere Wali --- Abhi To Jee Le</a>in</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3pN0u-uXqMCO4ONe2ynNckbTQQwi25kSTCjDCC4AuuC5ECmsblan7Zjz-B-HY3LFY1MDPOSMi0WtahsTwf6lHJJOc3FXIVcFrIIQVEWLB5-EQuXlcX4TRRNqe8lJZqMSqtddkP-dBkw/s1600/tulalihai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3pN0u-uXqMCO4ONe2ynNckbTQQwi25kSTCjDCC4AuuC5ECmsblan7Zjz-B-HY3LFY1MDPOSMi0WtahsTwf6lHJJOc3FXIVcFrIIQVEWLB5-EQuXlcX4TRRNqe8lJZqMSqtddkP-dBkw/s320/tulalihai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second star is Amitabh's wife Jaya Bhaduri, who left films after her marriage. As the spectacular song shows, this was indeed a big loss for Bollywood. "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0178217/">Abhi To Jee Lein</a>" was released in 1977, a time when Amitabh was the undisputed superstar. Several 50's & 60's Hindi film fans believe that 70's music did not match up, but it could be argued that the real decline began in the mid-to-late 70's. Did Amitabh's super-stardom cause the decline in music standards, or was it merely a coincidence, I leave it open for debate.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Personal Connections</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A completely whimsical category.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie6YTuPFlgY">8) Jeevan Mein Humsafar Milte to hai Zaroor --- Taxi Taxi</a>e</span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlDKX8y5XJb3mAcuO2FdBOsCJoXGUyIewufuQXh199O84e-G-w2cABKRxfPMfpqCJRe7_cwJZ0NpcKsI8iRatkkQ0WyGX3gLlJ6VSgbeVJt0Qeznph9vrhWuE3fpxIeBRcplJbc2jqis/s1600/jeevanmeinhumsafar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlDKX8y5XJb3mAcuO2FdBOsCJoXGUyIewufuQXh199O84e-G-w2cABKRxfPMfpqCJRe7_cwJZ0NpcKsI8iRatkkQ0WyGX3gLlJ6VSgbeVJt0Qeznph9vrhWuE3fpxIeBRcplJbc2jqis/s320/jeevanmeinhumsafar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harvey and me go back and forth about plain looking Ghati males, and Amol Palekar is a perfect example. Amol excelled in playing the common man, and had several really good songs. I selected an underrated one, hopefully it is appreciated.</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT9O8GLVz9A&list=UUs23FgWPdg-Bj8MPfGWeGQg&index=5&feature=plcp">Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Na Jane Kab Kaise Yeh Do Anjane Hue Pyar Mein Yu Deewane --- Damaad</a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdLqpWOOUpfaHPz7NS7eGpQx3SfwfG0akbvTKkkkQy4K2mEzCdD5DkUBMB3HVBlWkH_DpLddrK3v2cbT7S_SpGn5EUXXUnKtxQFtM0q3quBOSjRnJXmwWqxyrt3Xqv-rwVErnKDiMBwE/s1600/zindagikesafarmeinnajane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdLqpWOOUpfaHPz7NS7eGpQx3SfwfG0akbvTKkkkQy4K2mEzCdD5DkUBMB3HVBlWkH_DpLddrK3v2cbT7S_SpGn5EUXXUnKtxQFtM0q3quBOSjRnJXmwWqxyrt3Xqv-rwVErnKDiMBwE/s320/zindagikesafarmeinnajane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In keeping with the 70's bicycle theme, here is Amol Palekar and Ranjeeta on a bicycle in "Damaad".</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p0k9WtxVHc"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9) Jeene Ka Din Mar Jaane Ka Mausam Hai In Nazaaron Mein --- Gomti Ke Kinare</span></a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVlEX1zYhrC_UddcEoP6k1T4zGMRKxUrJP1GKHo2KiGgXEHvabS4uH3PdH3cXdijDPDyh4cS5zLb0T_YQChzxNIIQ0U7eIgfJZ14KRAkgChgEwQy4uQeZpfso3alSC9wThCO7liWSGEA/s1600/jeenekadinmarjanekamausam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVlEX1zYhrC_UddcEoP6k1T4zGMRKxUrJP1GKHo2KiGgXEHvabS4uH3PdH3cXdijDPDyh4cS5zLb0T_YQChzxNIIQ0U7eIgfJZ14KRAkgChgEwQy4uQeZpfso3alSC9wThCO7liWSGEA/s320/jeenekadinmarjanekamausam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you knew this hero is</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sameer Khan, the younger brother of Feroz & Sanjay Khan, full marks to you. "Gomti Ke Kinare" was Meena Kumari's last film, and the song is one of RD Burman's underrated ones.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. --- Harvey, I hope you stop complaining about me giving you bicyclist Anil Dhawan, I saved Sameer Khan for myself :)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">70's Dev</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It goes without saying that I have to include 70's Dev, I have two of them ---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first is an underrated song from Shareef Badmash, and the second is perhaps the best 70's bicycle duet.</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtHaEuIPvX8"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10) Tere Sau Deewane</span></a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4vr14KC50hB5bt_0qgFSIKfUq7wPi3SapZk3FMPmGLFCM87twyTSMlkpGXCZSgS9dxw-Wy2zGOuXu9zl3xFMS-gtq6ovlRpMJIYvAj4yKT8wv5AUhC5cCRuZg3VUOVUCBAcQNrLLsYs/s1600/teresaudeewane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4vr14KC50hB5bt_0qgFSIKfUq7wPi3SapZk3FMPmGLFCM87twyTSMlkpGXCZSgS9dxw-Wy2zGOuXu9zl3xFMS-gtq6ovlRpMJIYvAj4yKT8wv5AUhC5cCRuZg3VUOVUCBAcQNrLLsYs/s320/teresaudeewane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notice the pink shirt, pink cap & probably pink lipstick ;). Oh all right, I had to bring in some OTT, how can you do a 70's post without OTT, especially when 70's Dev is involved.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK-47NF7cTU&feature=fvst">He Maine Kasam Li --- Tere Mere Sapne</a></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6k_1mbNOWcCVBW27t1xk3nAXgZTjCebDp-XvvR1YC64DvDhw8GnLoEQAoPMPFxJLyVoJg0OQthavSTvrPsxy8fqS5lHAit_lvaax0EChPAUj5_fhzfApmktFFR3gXa_1_FlB6ptkJYs/s1600/hemaineKasamLi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6k_1mbNOWcCVBW27t1xk3nAXgZTjCebDp-XvvR1YC64DvDhw8GnLoEQAoPMPFxJLyVoJg0OQthavSTvrPsxy8fqS5lHAit_lvaax0EChPAUj5_fhzfApmktFFR3gXa_1_FlB6ptkJYs/s320/hemaineKasamLi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To make up for the earlier OTT.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-73765738795974576042011-12-05T20:56:00.000-08:002012-07-14T09:05:31.338-07:00Dev Anand, A Tongue-In-Check Tribute<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Circa : </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1974</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Place : </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bombay</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Cast : </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A 12 year old Me wearing strechlon blue checked bell-bottom trousers, a same-age friend (F) and his older brother (OB), and another friend of the older brother (FOB). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Scene </b>: F & me run into OB & FOB.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>OB & FOB :</b></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b>ROFLing</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>F & Me :</b></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b>Why are you ROFLing ?</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>OB :</b></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Look at your pants</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Me :</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Nothing to laugh at, they almost match Dev Anand's in Amir Garib. He is my favorite hero.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>FOB :</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Dev Anand !!! He is over 50 years old.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Me :</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NO !!!! (At that age, 50 belongs with the dinosaurs)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>OB :</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know nothing, you just came from Poona. He also wears a wig.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Me :</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NO !!!!, But he looks so young.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>FOB :</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He got a face-lift.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Me :</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Not sure what a face-lift is, but almost certain it is not flattering.) So what ?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>FOB :</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Guessing I had no clue) That means plastic surgery, do you know what that is?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Me :</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(trying to salvage my dignity, but crestfallen) Of course I do.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much later I realized I need not have taken it to heart, because this would not have fazed Dev Anand. He was supremely secure in who he was, and what he wanted to do, and no amount of criticism (legitimate or otherwise) seemed to bother him. At Johannesburg in April 2003, while receiving one of his numerous awards, he remarked that he will continue to make films even though he knew that most people "criticized & ridiculed him for doing so".</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In today's internet world, Dev Anand's death was reported by several global media outlets including, New York Times, Reuters, BBC, CBS, Huffington Post, Al Jazeera, Guardian, UAE Times, Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood Reporter, CNN and the Wall Street Journal. Indian media outlets had extensive coverage; with reactions from most Bollywood insiders. Rishi Kapoor called him the "Badshah of Style"; and in that sentiment I present ten songs filmed with him wearing a checked article of clothing. Obviously one of the inspirations is my own experience from many years ago. Readers are advised to submit their own songs that shed light upon his fashion style.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trousers</span></b><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nZ4XmRLDXk">10) Ladies & Gentlemen </a>--- Amir Garib</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0D-Hsny0TmcZzj5RSGv5uhKG3zZd5-bCxxIFNtQWGG1od023i4P7cwaJ3s8qCnKxGz8RF3sDJLA6f7f-EqRyEqRC6Y9TJcFxABjI7-KAbuu9KYimz_eWN41G8fSF46ZwKbHV9f2QzYg/s1600/ladiesandgentlemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0D-Hsny0TmcZzj5RSGv5uhKG3zZd5-bCxxIFNtQWGG1od023i4P7cwaJ3s8qCnKxGz8RF3sDJLA6f7f-EqRyEqRC6Y9TJcFxABjI7-KAbuu9KYimz_eWN41G8fSF46ZwKbHV9f2QzYg/s320/ladiesandgentlemen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are a real hardcore Dev Anand fan if you like these trousers. And to those who do not like them, I refer to his Johannesburg speech :). Nevertheless, a nice song, Kishore & Laxmikant Pyarelal bail him out.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptrl5WFwmTQ">9) Kanchi Re Kanchi </a>--- Hare Rama Hare Krishna</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4x_l-yCfNwANq_vnM_qMUui0EKVJjrvgedwYL54R4ICx7FqGtknl5e0RgDwhdYdsKb8yz_kiL8ypClglZxIvP-qKNooN2su7MGxZ-uk3-HK2MZWo3cBelzOjUBH3Z9mOexjMeJWK898/s1600/kanchirekanchi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4x_l-yCfNwANq_vnM_qMUui0EKVJjrvgedwYL54R4ICx7FqGtknl5e0RgDwhdYdsKb8yz_kiL8ypClglZxIvP-qKNooN2su7MGxZ-uk3-HK2MZWo3cBelzOjUBH3Z9mOexjMeJWK898/s320/kanchirekanchi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A great song from a cult movie, Dev Anand's best directorial effort. He wears subdued checked trousers that could find favor even today, but I dare you to wear that orange shirt.</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacket</span></b><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85CexMSRzAk">8) Ankhon Ankhon Mein Hum Tum</a> --- Mahal</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQA5f-lA-RuFZPCrni9OxUYMxdth8N1kntawE5-fAck8tT7temTzuXEsDgqY2hBI04MRAQ6GX0KiWMYdQYprViPgAqYzHisG6R5xLV4Ty7difiMWKyhrNPqLw6d5MUM8HMzdi8vKtfxg/s1600/aankhonankhonmeinhumtum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQA5f-lA-RuFZPCrni9OxUYMxdth8N1kntawE5-fAck8tT7temTzuXEsDgqY2hBI04MRAQ6GX0KiWMYdQYprViPgAqYzHisG6R5xLV4Ty7difiMWKyhrNPqLw6d5MUM8HMzdi8vKtfxg/s320/aankhonankhonmeinhumtum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have Dev Anand & heroine Asha Parekh in checked outfits, his is a jacket, hers is I think a blanket. If I remember correctly, Asha got drenched and is trying to dry out. Dev Anand is a gallant gentlemen, and even though they are alone and unmarried, unlike most other Hindi Movies, no hanky-panky happens ;). A soothing gentle romantic song, typical of several Dev Anand numbers.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNPUaD28AE4&feature=related">7) Sau Saal Pehle</a> --- Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs9jcBha8mCC5hn28UGhrWDS0UdRXkgthgSs-l0EndsKH-DxfdkSAUjG1isq6S7XniYaFmH5_5Ul0gfNviXrvRc_9k3vsolzu5C1woKAkDRrqLpRDFkmZA1bKf3nO0HEARVbCT_0xmw0/s1600/SauSaalPehle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs9jcBha8mCC5hn28UGhrWDS0UdRXkgthgSs-l0EndsKH-DxfdkSAUjG1isq6S7XniYaFmH5_5Ul0gfNviXrvRc_9k3vsolzu5C1woKAkDRrqLpRDFkmZA1bKf3nO0HEARVbCT_0xmw0/s320/SauSaalPehle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another Dev-Asha pairing, and another great romantic song, Dev wears a classic checked jacket. A legitimate debate would be which is the best song in this Nasir Hussein entertainer, perhaps <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv5nowKZ9xM">"Yeh Ankhen UffYuMa".</a> An even better debate would be whether Asha's checked outfit in "Yeh Akhen UffYuMa" would suit Dev Anand ;)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImPS4FOxp2CaH1quH_UWseXIi1vjVa1lqJugUHGLIqXSxSW3wATa8iu7z-IIPU1NVlqbo8GYrP656yob4812PKV15A1AketXDZro0nPtr-tlz5HM1qAHHfJiWerRiIsQMIsJS7eV3kGM/s1600/YehAnkhenUffYuMa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImPS4FOxp2CaH1quH_UWseXIi1vjVa1lqJugUHGLIqXSxSW3wATa8iu7z-IIPU1NVlqbo8GYrP656yob4812PKV15A1AketXDZro0nPtr-tlz5HM1qAHHfJiWerRiIsQMIsJS7eV3kGM/s320/YehAnkhenUffYuMa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sweater</span></b></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBw_JSiNF9c">6) Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kahaan</a> --- Jaal</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBR7pXLbrEHKIZUG9CbRy_18hxngGn77vd8UEo44g9eEjYiGnXVkNNJpLN1OPJgB4u0_ZYgZtkJISkS8dOVFBnx93kPYA01jBWSBd9Yl0SigSMXCdjEFPcBFL3wDJZjGALGUxMNfgQck/s1600/YehRaatYehChandniPhirKahaan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBR7pXLbrEHKIZUG9CbRy_18hxngGn77vd8UEo44g9eEjYiGnXVkNNJpLN1OPJgB4u0_ZYgZtkJISkS8dOVFBnx93kPYA01jBWSBd9Yl0SigSMXCdjEFPcBFL3wDJZjGALGUxMNfgQck/s320/YehRaatYehChandniPhirKahaan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could this sweater be a precursor to current preppy diamond/argyle fashions, Dev Anand's attire cannot be faulted by <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Look-Preppy">"How To Look Preppy"</a>. To top it all, apparently he plays a smuggler in this Guru Dutt directed movie. Perhaps Al Capone should have consulted Dev Anand on what "The Well Dressed Smuggler is Wearing". (Full Marks to those who recognize this line is adapted from B. Wooster's "What the Well Dressed Gentleman is Wearing".)</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Muffler/Scarf</span></b><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AaVahZ78JM">5) Dekh Hame Awaaz Na Dena</a> --- Amardeep</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFoYzQBKmQvlUBLZZP3lASnTaQyZBtj2Dh4nT4pZtFj3mTstqCEldi2bLG8hmb-l__aQoJCZWmMiSUpJgnMs3vxqxntZfqQ5X9d0iMM575AYMPgqaHMOuzbYFdpQi6cVTQNYXRwqudQM/s1600/DekhHameAwaazNaDena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFoYzQBKmQvlUBLZZP3lASnTaQyZBtj2Dh4nT4pZtFj3mTstqCEldi2bLG8hmb-l__aQoJCZWmMiSUpJgnMs3vxqxntZfqQ5X9d0iMM575AYMPgqaHMOuzbYFdpQi6cVTQNYXRwqudQM/s320/DekhHameAwaazNaDena.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes that is a checked scarf being used by Dev Anand to flirt with Vyjanthimala. Dev elevated wearing mufflers to an art form. Needless to say, another great romantic song.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df-JCRpAlFM">4) Likha Hai Teri Ankhon Mein</a> --- Teen Devian</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGOkNfqVQdGGQy_mgFbFnXqe9cjO8X3URFCB0aLRqq262KWM-DNlMCmQUzJVdFcBFaods2gPr6ZWqsL9usJxLp1_biVvHEUfpzhxS8WSJWF3IzSNYWq1ekkVRmfRDsjJTKDMr4Li6AZI/s1600/LikhaHaiTeri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGOkNfqVQdGGQy_mgFbFnXqe9cjO8X3URFCB0aLRqq262KWM-DNlMCmQUzJVdFcBFaods2gPr6ZWqsL9usJxLp1_biVvHEUfpzhxS8WSJWF3IzSNYWq1ekkVRmfRDsjJTKDMr4Li6AZI/s320/LikhaHaiTeri.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
There can be no confusion here, definitely a checked scarf/muffler. Dev Anand simultaneously romances three women in this movie, perhaps wearing this checked muffler is the clue to his real preference.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shirt</span></b><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foJNOtb4OPU">3) Mera Man Tera Pyaasa</a> --- Gambler</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZrRQJBU-k1GM78HSOcGzM3hovaTQqPM0pfoKz4m2B65hs6tTiwKfAB5Vcb_Qa-_9nriUqOl25ISCOZ5Y25Vd3fPVbydpp4M00VcVN8rdu6_Ft4A8pE7rW3deYhd0aC3HGMV_VY28A8g/s1600/MeraManTeraPyaasa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZrRQJBU-k1GM78HSOcGzM3hovaTQqPM0pfoKz4m2B65hs6tTiwKfAB5Vcb_Qa-_9nriUqOl25ISCOZ5Y25Vd3fPVbydpp4M00VcVN8rdu6_Ft4A8pE7rW3deYhd0aC3HGMV_VY28A8g/s320/MeraManTeraPyaasa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Dev Anand may be a Gambler straight out of Gambler's er. Gentlemen's Quarterly. That checked shirt is a classic, but how many would dare wear that purple scarf. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYBwOOAXZXk">2) Nafrat Karne Walon Ke Seene Mein Pyar Bhar Doon</a> --- Johnny Mera Naam</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGNXxBZa0ZSaDf-TtW7pRpR0Mjv8mMwy-6vB1h0X-SJsvlS8k3ofEZjUByUPzjFNL7Y64MwuJ1ruBWocwR3H12QA6J9r5Sy6KwV353Z4D33HAUxcr6D9CwNTST8aCpCvaycb0z2tJL5c/s1600/NafratKarneWalonKe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGNXxBZa0ZSaDf-TtW7pRpR0Mjv8mMwy-6vB1h0X-SJsvlS8k3ofEZjUByUPzjFNL7Y64MwuJ1ruBWocwR3H12QA6J9r5Sy6KwV353Z4D33HAUxcr6D9CwNTST8aCpCvaycb0z2tJL5c/s320/NafratKarneWalonKe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>That black muffler blends in with the checked shirt & navy blazer. Add pale blue trousers, and this classic outfit stands the test of time. </i><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shirt + Cap</span></b><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjl2YFf1pwM">1) Aasmaan Ke Neeche</a> --- Jewel Thief</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2-X4vL_kj6CyWsfWF7sNxCs9cyb0CO7LRUUVXvpl6EviUgwL9o47u9wo7P8lY5PjNSRJmiqcDMPSKzJdfi4XA308rIuHgnqm1YxwMKpwuOZyPkHj9_nwokvfDz3S-p81y7eXbXaiX2Y/s1600/AasmanKeNeeche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2-X4vL_kj6CyWsfWF7sNxCs9cyb0CO7LRUUVXvpl6EviUgwL9o47u9wo7P8lY5PjNSRJmiqcDMPSKzJdfi4XA308rIuHgnqm1YxwMKpwuOZyPkHj9_nwokvfDz3S-p81y7eXbXaiX2Y/s320/AasmanKeNeeche.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A great two-in-one, cap plus shirt, completes this tongue-in-check tribute.<br />
<div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-67007781161898058902011-02-21T19:02:00.000-08:002011-02-21T19:02:31.418-08:00On President's Day, Remembering Richard Nixon --- 10 Bollywood Songs in the Missing 18.5 Min<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the most enduring mysteries of Watergate is what was in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_tapes">"Missing 18 & a half minutes".</a> Recent advances in technology enable us to take an educated guess about those highly controversial contents. It is quite likely they were Bollywood songs, although it is not known how they got there. Maybe President Nixon liked to listen to all kinds of music. Perhaps this is what those bugs in the Democratic party HQ in Watergate recorded. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think someone was trying to associate events in President Nixon's life with songs from Bollywood, and here are 10 possibilities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RMSb-tS_OM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore</span> </a></b>---</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ojEVF7cQko"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Hum Chhod Chale Hai Mehfil ko</span></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLNJ38AjKpAcpJ-O4m0MybwCfFTSOYQU7y7qPhlVyGBiEwem0pvCeDC-FGL8ccW5kCVo17_JlNPSP-GNo0KBo206FbSGDie5XIFLub_By-qpOjfONeCusUpiIBfMjawc2oqt8Tl2Ng0Y/s1600/nonixontokickaround.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLNJ38AjKpAcpJ-O4m0MybwCfFTSOYQU7y7qPhlVyGBiEwem0pvCeDC-FGL8ccW5kCVo17_JlNPSP-GNo0KBo206FbSGDie5XIFLub_By-qpOjfONeCusUpiIBfMjawc2oqt8Tl2Ng0Y/s320/nonixontokickaround.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon's_last_press_conference">Event :-</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">The so-called "<b>last press conference</b>" of <b>Richard Nixon</b> took place on November 7, 1962 following his loss to Democratic incumbent Pat Brown in the 1962 California gubernatorial election. Appearing before 100 reporters, an embittered Nixon lashed out at the media, proclaiming that "you don't have Nixon to kick around any more, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NYTCoverage_0-0" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon's_last_press_conference#cite_note-NYTCoverage-0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: underline; white-space: nowrap;">[</a></sup></span></span></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN0KxukWmfS5IxzXIdGjlvEsdKKVFue5cJTjiT1d64d6fR6nsJz-0gqAMFZ4JKGvzCd7T5_iOcmgfPOvJmXybG4GKyGT31BKQNyCMHrMkkBq7e0YS5lxhtlHHbezQlO-UJVR1COQC3DQ/s1600/chodchalehai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaN0KxukWmfS5IxzXIdGjlvEsdKKVFue5cJTjiT1d64d6fR6nsJz-0gqAMFZ4JKGvzCd7T5_iOcmgfPOvJmXybG4GKyGT31BKQNyCMHrMkkBq7e0YS5lxhtlHHbezQlO-UJVR1COQC3DQ/s320/chodchalehai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- Keying on "Last Press Conference", implying leaving politics; the song means <i>I am forever leaving this gathering. </i></span></div><br />
9) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl58QbpVLHw"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Hippies/Flower Power/Drugs/Vietnam-Oppn</span></b></a> </span>---<br />
<b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_v9oQhVE2E"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Dum Maaro Dum</span></a></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRf6l8sG1R04GByzqYNanOX9ZFWzWDk97l9oDZiAIFzZuVO1OoaX2xxkuZ4XeL1BM1um1QJ_EC5Ag9_3hwutkQwCFzLG2k6WyNZw6T83byoxpkKzJegaFzqjjOVor2sxYX9fT_wgZ_vn0/s1600/vietwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRf6l8sG1R04GByzqYNanOX9ZFWzWDk97l9oDZiAIFzZuVO1OoaX2xxkuZ4XeL1BM1um1QJ_EC5Ag9_3hwutkQwCFzLG2k6WyNZw6T83byoxpkKzJegaFzqjjOVor2sxYX9fT_wgZ_vn0/s320/vietwar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippie">Event :-</a> The hippie movement encompassing sex, drugs, rock & roll, freedoms, distinct appearances, Vietnam War protests, counterculture.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HEh7pErlyJn-gtjcjG23vav-aLYCdckglvo27yjFzG_vfebq775rycnYnV7iP_rKUa5fLj49avPwWQBJQxmTJiguNIIpYUgG_1kzPLifSN1SynyQbYVMBOHt958reWm7kswPR3vNfF0/s1600/dummarodum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HEh7pErlyJn-gtjcjG23vav-aLYCdckglvo27yjFzG_vfebq775rycnYnV7iP_rKUa5fLj49avPwWQBJQxmTJiguNIIpYUgG_1kzPLifSN1SynyQbYVMBOHt958reWm7kswPR3vNfF0/s320/dummarodum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- The song <i>"Take Another Toke"</i> is from the movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna, depicting the hippies lifestyle in Kathmandu Nepal.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8xqmuDGak8&feature=related"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Moon Landings</span></b></a> --- </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii8D7gNn318"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Chand Phir Nikla</span></a></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aA7a4KeBtG6rki4bbfRloJZI8PhlaDr-tFWTLlhVLAExLdTwcZ_NH_rz_2Ox7GuEG-JQEBdUgSq7e_FDioC_i5v22KAjAagmpz3ZMgI4KmVsOQ4hT56E1IKtVKk9F-6S_NYG3o9eGYE/s1600/apollomoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aA7a4KeBtG6rki4bbfRloJZI8PhlaDr-tFWTLlhVLAExLdTwcZ_NH_rz_2Ox7GuEG-JQEBdUgSq7e_FDioC_i5v22KAjAagmpz3ZMgI4KmVsOQ4hT56E1IKtVKk9F-6S_NYG3o9eGYE/s320/apollomoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13">Event :-</a> The first successful man-on-moon mission (Apollo 11) occurred during President Nixon's first term. Apollo 13, the third mission, developed a crippling failure and was unable to land on the moon, and there were serious doubts about its safe return.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cVpJkDu-lxHy7yUKNW8tu4oxRpT41xbxtEvRiBLm1h0eYcZOEiNyZbrY4uepka0CK0taBFpARw9_kOd82XNVNf50FeaZQhFxbSNRPVhyM5oQNKSqBJEh7Xtfu58pQ0fP2WQSAgzmX8A/s1600/chandphirnikla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cVpJkDu-lxHy7yUKNW8tu4oxRpT41xbxtEvRiBLm1h0eYcZOEiNyZbrY4uepka0CK0taBFpARw9_kOd82XNVNf50FeaZQhFxbSNRPVhyM5oQNKSqBJEh7Xtfu58pQ0fP2WQSAgzmX8A/s320/chandphirnikla.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- President Nixon was supposed to have prepared two speeches, one for a successful return, and the other in case of a tragedy. The song (<i>"The Moon appeared but you did not"</i>) could be used instead of the 2nd speech, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27U9K46pbm4&playnext=1&list=PL8037A7F7A9C13AB4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Creation of the EPA</span> </a>---</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o7qZlIO2iI&feature=related"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Yeh Kaun Chitrakar Hai</span></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdBaTBK1mIiA9x5WNvuRZJ5m0AEqCrEO59wFPZ-PqCjbIrPjWrrnLhDbXFdKe6-tE5Df9O9q3TybUtBYR9DmmPMAn0XsAyFsTUTB1mgPGIYrPzT9BXTrA-zS5gEnsfbAAiuMQx6Wj3zs/s1600/nixonepa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdBaTBK1mIiA9x5WNvuRZJ5m0AEqCrEO59wFPZ-PqCjbIrPjWrrnLhDbXFdKe6-tE5Df9O9q3TybUtBYR9DmmPMAn0XsAyFsTUTB1mgPGIYrPzT9BXTrA-zS5gEnsfbAAiuMQx6Wj3zs/s320/nixonepa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/regulate/02.htm">Event :-</a> As the title suggest, this is the Creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZ5J8d_1bTI37JkNHONelqihhWyJQOlIXRM75YjvRjt-Sa-CiibkzQdqEhcCc4-GTagH3_das9mxcuKabbW3d0TIss_z0rTXfsG-FLaehDt-1UgRqUUpq7QXkHy8y1HcoFq3omtBmh0c/s1600/yehkaunchitrakar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZ5J8d_1bTI37JkNHONelqihhWyJQOlIXRM75YjvRjt-Sa-CiibkzQdqEhcCc4-GTagH3_das9mxcuKabbW3d0TIss_z0rTXfsG-FLaehDt-1UgRqUUpq7QXkHy8y1HcoFq3omtBmh0c/s320/yehkaunchitrakar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- If you do not believe Jeetendra as an environmentalist, try President Nixon as the one who signed into law the creation of the EPA.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1UBQgDDuWc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Indira Gandhi in the White House</span> </a></b>---</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqhFiMkBJw4&feature=fvwrel"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Teri Zulfon Se Judaai to nahi maangi thi</span></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg97f7xEawuoCuzG_qIowo-t34_OqKkLMl44dyKASEYmfyqypJT1coyzH5zKZSjRXenjm3qyLfaAyElR2p-jv30KJVh57FAFPJ3tVv64gTERgXka2VPHlsOAxnFN-vWpl7VHQsoEI83rM/s1600/IG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg97f7xEawuoCuzG_qIowo-t34_OqKkLMl44dyKASEYmfyqypJT1coyzH5zKZSjRXenjm3qyLfaAyElR2p-jv30KJVh57FAFPJ3tVv64gTERgXka2VPHlsOAxnFN-vWpl7VHQsoEI83rM/s320/IG.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon">Event :-</a> President </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Nixon met with Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and did not believe her assertion that she would not invade Pakistan; he did not trust her and once referred to her as an "old witch".</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfXlVEgvzj6-_1YRiBnuMxaDWQaQT9qiEDNFfvJfyMSno9rD_VsGKN_sYMqM1XVwjxR8x17UDAeDF7eGGNJdiPgN5FqjKt3gYhp1IWmv2-5TNVaBDDGX-OCZ5lQIN_qD1duNO0OKNgZk/s1600/terizulfonse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfXlVEgvzj6-_1YRiBnuMxaDWQaQT9qiEDNFfvJfyMSno9rD_VsGKN_sYMqM1XVwjxR8x17UDAeDF7eGGNJdiPgN5FqjKt3gYhp1IWmv2-5TNVaBDDGX-OCZ5lQIN_qD1duNO0OKNgZk/s320/terizulfonse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- President Nixon in one of his best "Tricky Dick" avatars, claiming he did not seek any troubles or breaks in relationship with India. Song translation is <i>"I did not seek a breakup".</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRzr1QU6K1o&feature=related"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>US $ delinked from Gold</b> </span></a>--- </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohk0peRl4dE">O Mere Sona Re Sona Re Sona</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg06ZjrFxhqXGZAkKgltp65Zx10pTX8hr_Lqkp5wXoWA50n_01KNxCSYDTnLjfthlNdDtwINVmFVQOH6PjwL35o-WJaEmCU4yoN5XSF9zPU1bGYkkvqDJ__B5-XGKL2jpZcLmsx7SmfU/s1600/us%2524delinkgold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg06ZjrFxhqXGZAkKgltp65Zx10pTX8hr_Lqkp5wXoWA50n_01KNxCSYDTnLjfthlNdDtwINVmFVQOH6PjwL35o-WJaEmCU4yoN5XSF9zPU1bGYkkvqDJ__B5-XGKL2jpZcLmsx7SmfU/s320/us%2524delinkgold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_Shock">Event :-</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">The <b>Nixon Shock</b> was a series of economic measures taken by President Nixon in 1971 including unilaterally canceling the direct convertibility of the US $ to gold that essentially ended the existing Bretton Woods system of international financial exchange.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSigdlOgO18oeWr430WC7N9hgqQcDhOK1Rq7L-QIUzVr0gSTHz6xf1VD0yySLeBe5Xir3IaixyvF_UB6nngDZb-aqUsIePvh8Xm4KWUb2PqE1x7OXpQKrjQtgiDffy8Aitje2MRmecdyM/s1600/sonaresona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSigdlOgO18oeWr430WC7N9hgqQcDhOK1Rq7L-QIUzVr0gSTHz6xf1VD0yySLeBe5Xir3IaixyvF_UB6nngDZb-aqUsIePvh8Xm4KWUb2PqE1x7OXpQKrjQtgiDffy8Aitje2MRmecdyM/s320/sonaresona.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- Perhaps President Nixon later regretted eliminating US $ to Gold convertibility, hence the song lines <i>"I learnt your value too late, I made a mistake, please do not get angry." </i>(Sona means Gold).</span></div><br />
4) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5V9sP_nDCM"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nixon To China</span></b> </a>---<br />
<b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbMYEcoNGOM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye</span></a></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKaLcLuJJXhsYTJoO9-f0Ma8QlOBi9M165YJBWDYQC5xDixWQMnMQAIQ_PdU-TkKbLgFGyGH0zRE-YcyCq-hyjzA6EHKRzg73zN7-d3yTp8L-QyK7SNvJEsLNhp_6YKnm6VKV_mFr8PU/s1600/china.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKaLcLuJJXhsYTJoO9-f0Ma8QlOBi9M165YJBWDYQC5xDixWQMnMQAIQ_PdU-TkKbLgFGyGH0zRE-YcyCq-hyjzA6EHKRzg73zN7-d3yTp8L-QyK7SNvJEsLNhp_6YKnm6VKV_mFr8PU/s320/china.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_Nixon_visit_to_China">Event :-</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">President Nixon's<b> 1972 visit to the People's Republic of China</b> was an important step in formally normalizing relations between the USA and China. It marked the first time a U.S. President had visited China, who at that time considered the U.S. one of its staunchest foes. This is arguably President Nixon's greatest foreign policy achievement, worthy of current President Obama's "We do big things".</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5bO43qoBjUYk8a7gDfSn2-jmHV3ESnnhwu_q03OmIv6bRIIwJf5R2m1N9yCl52p3-6SuJXoxHlVaeVcGfFRqhcdon-Xu0HwQH8Gy3OoiqiTlDD5Fe_xFFNiMDXwCYSaxDHFOY6E0cbQ/s1600/tumnepukara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5bO43qoBjUYk8a7gDfSn2-jmHV3ESnnhwu_q03OmIv6bRIIwJf5R2m1N9yCl52p3-6SuJXoxHlVaeVcGfFRqhcdon-Xu0HwQH8Gy3OoiqiTlDD5Fe_xFFNiMDXwCYSaxDHFOY6E0cbQ/s320/tumnepukara.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- As the song says <i>"You called & I came",</i> is an uncharacteristically humble President Nixon.</span><br />
<br />
3) <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mVJLFXFhuc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Spiro Agnew</span></a> </span></b>---<br />
<b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8BfkTpvMzw"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Do Diwane Dil Ke .... Chale Hai Chale Hai Chale Hai Sasural</span></a></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52uClNLjS7m_6UrQMKHD7ef3o8K9aB9gEZ2ZiM8U4BjdJ-vBF-t-8gcrxTS2nIszZPC0k7bVWBtcukt8s447A4cdJsNU-FsD43qRwodOEXn54UQXZrLurbbsC_Nqwfx5F3vv8w3hzpAM/s1600/nixonagnew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52uClNLjS7m_6UrQMKHD7ef3o8K9aB9gEZ2ZiM8U4BjdJ-vBF-t-8gcrxTS2nIszZPC0k7bVWBtcukt8s447A4cdJsNU-FsD43qRwodOEXn54UQXZrLurbbsC_Nqwfx5F3vv8w3hzpAM/s320/nixonagnew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiro_Agnew">Event :-</a> Charges of extortion, tax fraud, bribery & conspiracy were leveled against Spiro Agnew, President Nixon's Vice President. He was allowed to plead no contest to a single charge of income tax evasion, and in exchange had to resign the Vice Presidency.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE0QTkRp_ziThEQMVQ1ZA0XeAYui9jorovdi1Xkm30toKvT3fnUT4FESgwdkIjy5fjRzEDQUfGUs7C5EVda9MdUYiUZf07TSli-JZccmjbJ2Vjv74RXvJve6lHecDsTIBkshP01mTzVk/s1600/dodiwanedilke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE0QTkRp_ziThEQMVQ1ZA0XeAYui9jorovdi1Xkm30toKvT3fnUT4FESgwdkIjy5fjRzEDQUfGUs7C5EVda9MdUYiUZf07TSli-JZccmjbJ2Vjv74RXvJve6lHecDsTIBkshP01mTzVk/s320/dodiwanedilke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- President Nixon was also getting embroiled in his own possibly criminal scandal, Watergate; and must have thought about prison terms for himself & his Vice President. The song implies <i>"Two crazy people going to their father-in-law (jail)".</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">2) </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh163n1lJ4M"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am not a crook</span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> --- </span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAgcmS4sir0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Mujhe Duniyawaalon Sharabi Na Samjho</span></a></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET4WUi8HPJEv85Y7D90k7jPIvn840lP9-q9Y-nsZSAjoBHjGcFE-d_OJtppeM9MtUz29hi4yajr9a_BMUAMBToIRx3CLvX56CeotVaD4rhdTI64StJGRYhMiSti0MdJ3nyft3eW9l0aA/s1600/iamnotcrook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET4WUi8HPJEv85Y7D90k7jPIvn840lP9-q9Y-nsZSAjoBHjGcFE-d_OJtppeM9MtUz29hi4yajr9a_BMUAMBToIRx3CLvX56CeotVaD4rhdTI64StJGRYhMiSti0MdJ3nyft3eW9l0aA/s320/iamnotcrook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/articles/111873-1.htm">Event :-</a> President Nixon's infamous press conference where he claims innocence re: the Watergate Scandal.</span></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG1wIytykcdQT0xTnZGTe7U9aKElCWN6OIbPE4DjA3DPxjSfcz805n4zoogycBjqgch983c1o-4Q_7YuzCLNfUCQpoEYNGJmEVMi_ij0eUlOfRjNwiHAy61DtU32EIh6WA0harOqmokQ/s1600/mujheduniyawalon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG1wIytykcdQT0xTnZGTe7U9aKElCWN6OIbPE4DjA3DPxjSfcz805n4zoogycBjqgch983c1o-4Q_7YuzCLNfUCQpoEYNGJmEVMi_ij0eUlOfRjNwiHAy61DtU32EIh6WA0harOqmokQ/s320/mujheduniyawalon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- As the song from the movie "Leader" says "<i>People should not consider me a drunkard, since I do not really drink on my own, but have been plied by others."</i>; perhaps President Nixon was trying to claim others made him do it.</span></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">1) <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8r-YD3FdlE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Deep Throat</span></a> </span></b>--- </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjyr9JYd3-I"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Gumnaam Hai Koi</span></a></b></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyqB0k-H5ZnxT2-ngGUslN8ySjQLOTkU-FX8UxtslP-c9QoB_UMKX-5wOYQfefHspKFzLwLRL-jJBneMnZHTazeTsOy-EuPWAuFq_G8COyYcrrysU-0w0TpID7ik8qtQhIjXYmlisn9c/s1600/deepthroat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyqB0k-H5ZnxT2-ngGUslN8ySjQLOTkU-FX8UxtslP-c9QoB_UMKX-5wOYQfefHspKFzLwLRL-jJBneMnZHTazeTsOy-EuPWAuFq_G8COyYcrrysU-0w0TpID7ik8qtQhIjXYmlisn9c/s320/deepthroat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Throat">Event :-</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Deep Throat</b> is the pseudonym given to the secret informant who provided information to Bob Woodward of <i>The Washington Post</i> in 1972 about the involvement of President Nixon's administration in what came to be known as the Watergate scandal. His identity remained undisclosed for nearly thirty one years after the scandal.</span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amXP3BgoDSw/TWHFwV70zQI/AAAAAAAAAIY/s1600/endgoldstd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amXP3BgoDSw/TWHFwV70zQI/AAAAAAAAAIY/s1600/endgoldstd.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvJoWHp4DBNEwUVpeVhyphenhyphen7PhTZNWvIvWqWWfKALzIRk5dUlu73TEMvZSzbJVvKtmU_KWEQ87YD4SoPmgcEBNJfqXUZig1mvCzfqP4EtoHWWjztaa5dSFNdPuSXH0E0WQ3WWF3toyWh1JE/s1600/gumnaam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvJoWHp4DBNEwUVpeVhyphenhyphen7PhTZNWvIvWqWWfKALzIRk5dUlu73TEMvZSzbJVvKtmU_KWEQ87YD4SoPmgcEBNJfqXUZig1mvCzfqP4EtoHWWjztaa5dSFNdPuSXH0E0WQ3WWF3toyWh1JE/s320/gumnaam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkage :- As the song says <i>"Someone is Unknown"</i>, truly summing up Deep Throat's role in Watergate.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
References<br />
a) <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/opinion/31krugman.html">Missing Richard Nixon --- Paul Krugman of New York Times</a><br />
b) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_the_President's_Men">All The President's Men --- Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein</a><br />
c) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_the_President's_Men_(film)">The Movie All The President's Men</a><br />
d) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Final_Days">The Final Days --- Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein</a><br />
e) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_(film)">The Movie "Dick"</a>. An excellent satire on Watergate, suggested by Ava.<br />
f) Wikipedia<br />
g) The Washington Post<br />
<br />
<i>(Disclaimer --- The above piece is entirely fictional re: Bollywood song associations, and is intended to be a satire. However, on the slim chance that President Nixon appreciated Bollywood Music; we welcome him to our fraternity.)</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-51441221409697114942010-07-16T12:34:00.000-07:002011-12-20T08:09:58.237-08:00Of Love Triangles & Pianos; 10 Best Songs --- How to Educate Clint Eastwood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint_Your_Wagon_(film)">Paint Your Wagon</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">is a 1969 Hollywood film adapted from the 1951 Broadway musical, and set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-Era California. It contains, among many other items; Clint Eastwood playing one side of a Love Triangle and singing songs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> <i>(</i></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh2UzWgSw3Q"><i>I Talk To The Trees</i></a><i> )</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVX9NOwm0rXUP4FQ0MT32QxCYY9XCeiSiDpcoykyqwEs5SJrNXe54D-2AFJMEZHKJz7tY5_u27ZUm_cYGcWWsBapf9xOH_kkzOwvVsBDIlCcjHx4IFahgaR87lj6EyN1hGNr2lrq7MIA/s1600/paintwagon2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494936023539304770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVX9NOwm0rXUP4FQ0MT32QxCYY9XCeiSiDpcoykyqwEs5SJrNXe54D-2AFJMEZHKJz7tY5_u27ZUm_cYGcWWsBapf9xOH_kkzOwvVsBDIlCcjHx4IFahgaR87lj6EyN1hGNr2lrq7MIA/s320/paintwagon2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 165px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVX9NOwm0rXUP4FQ0MT32QxCYY9XCeiSiDpcoykyqwEs5SJrNXe54D-2AFJMEZHKJz7tY5_u27ZUm_cYGcWWsBapf9xOH_kkzOwvVsBDIlCcjHx4IFahgaR87lj6EyN1hGNr2lrq7MIA/s1600/paintwagon2.jpg"></a><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVX9NOwm0rXUP4FQ0MT32QxCYY9XCeiSiDpcoykyqwEs5SJrNXe54D-2AFJMEZHKJz7tY5_u27ZUm_cYGcWWsBapf9xOH_kkzOwvVsBDIlCcjHx4IFahgaR87lj6EyN1hGNr2lrq7MIA/s1600/paintwagon2.jpg"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">James Coburn & Jean Seberg (The other two sides)</span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbrhYVplx2UTIo4eKFdEjNGFfVrSMO-mB_8O2rLf5gJbO3Arm0ino1t_76NYzxOEPTgPuLxZqsUw3yOCrxlom5hKHcUCFtGmSnWZA6jXA8Y9L99L9pnVg3lcnBgLVSsFzpGzGN7F2sMs/s320/paintwagon1.jpg" /></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">We all know and appreciate Clint's efforts in westerns, including the famous triangle in "<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good,_the_Bad_and_the_Ugly">The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"</a>.</i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekeYSEkRP6KjcfLltVn_9hbLiejIb4Wv8oYR_-86KSoztu5qyPwTrhHUqJiqjWLZekruepO5pLbPLxMpQ97IR6wfGW_WhJhAut5hP0C-aije23hRFeGLt4u4A0cDY7El2d4Ocyuu_iIA/s320/gbu1.jpg" /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">And so what is our response (at least mine) to this Lover-Boy, song singing, one side of a Love Triangle Clint. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b>a) Disbelief</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b>b) Amazement</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b>c) Shock & Awe</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b>d) ROFL</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><b>e) All of The Above</b></span></i></div><br />
<div><br />
</div>I suspect most Clint fans would select "e", as I did. </div><div>WHY ?</div><div>Because, all us Bollywood fans can see that Clint has not done his homework. Need I mention, "How to do a Lover-Boy, Sing Songs, and play a side of a Love Triangle" is Bollywood 101.</div><div>Just to ram home the point; I present 10 Bollywood songs based on a Love Triangle AND picturized with a character playing a piano.</div><div>Note that I selected the piano, a "Western" instrument for the following reasons :-</div><div>1) Adds a cross-border appeal.</div><div>2) Indian instruments like the sitar or tabla just do not have the necessary impact.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Let the education begin.</div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KJ3ApQki_4&feature=related">Uljhan Suljhe Na</a></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Film: Dhund</div><div style="text-align: left;">Triangle : Danny Denzongpa (Husband), Zeenat Aman (Wife), Sanjay Khan (Wife's confidant)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Other : A decent whodunit murder mystery, with the love triangle being an added bonus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3dltN_BfCn-wziFWVL0JfTxmOK3ikukx_K7GD2zQAq4imXIsXGXZqEgUWA2omOZ6X8rZv-QbvEf06oZxZBa8uAtONP3lOMFCtUHOA6T3FjRxLuuAsxFq3TBtnkH2hCAoov5mIG_SBso/s320/uljhan.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJSLtJKEfco">Dil To Hai Dil</a></i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Film : Muqaddar Ka Sikander</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Main Triangle : Amitabh Bachchan (loves Raakhee), Rakhee (loves Vinod Khanna), Vinod Khanna (loves Raakhee)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Polygon : Rekha (loves Amitabh), Amjad Khan (loves Rekha)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Other : I did not make this up, go see the movie if you do not believe.</span></i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jh7H5FBtjW5ZitrxBaNOkl3VZhcB__sotTtD-MadYwuUni1Iq95AOgd5G4CB_yVymOs5HMMKSbCchhL3YONQah5lPnhIs1BdeGB3QlV5dW1hzXEIuZYew2HW-LMb6xzXUsOAqBH22LI/s320/diltohaidil.jpg" /></i></div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj0nUHSJjG8">Patthar Ke Sanam</a></i></div><div><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj0nUHSJjG8"></a>Film : Patthar Ke Sanam</i></div><div><i>Triangle : We have Manoj Kumar, Waheeda Rehman & Mumtaz in here (with Pran in the background.) If Bollywood cannot create a triangle out of this, I would loose all faith in Bollywood.</i></div><div><i>Other: Note the chandelier & the staircase.<br />
</i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIbVjl-d8knfrX-Vk45UB84e-_TXnjqwmQJyntERjXNI8RktL_sUmIZiDyp0jCHv7-dCZHsRokK8dLxh9c_S2ek9R2wTJuetLwGCeCyIFSpXCPGbaqOh8qDSZ22pnQ9CQwJ4BQz3qq9o/s320/pattharkesanm.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3pcXqrdoA">Geet Gaata Hoon Mein</a></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Film : Lal Patthar</div><div style="text-align: left;">Triangle : Vinod Mehra (loves Raakhee), Raaj Kumar (Husband), Raakhee (Wife)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Quadrilateral : Hema Malini (Raj Kumar's Mistress)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Other : Hema Malini considers this role to be one of her best.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurs11JBHrSgu0L-kmSPt7LhnvXwB5N17Qf6c7UvVeSJw2Qh5MpGqjApes35LkRNEDvIaDSXQr0bKa26pUFucqHuY7CaLLaHtjf22x9W3lDk2J2ku3Ncxf9UUQlurqjF474T0PycLopDY/s320/geetgaatahoonmein.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lslZptXok8o">Pyar Deewana Hota Hai</a></i></div><div>Film : Kati Patang</div><div>Triangle : This requires the use of advanced math like imaginary numbers. The third side of this triangle is really non-existent, but one of the other sides does not know this. </div><div><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lslZptXok8o"></a><br />
</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51zzjSgtp6qLF7gZ9ZLDq1cf7y_9oXT3nP09mtBpdxGvpEPdsRFzQcP5W-K28t2ko6hwxgMd9MHHic4tta2qYrzHA34q8arAdqE2TF2aWSpEymD1TsA3XcIg6Jam9vF27IotDzM_TtKQ/s320/pyardeewana.jpg" /></div></div><div><br />
<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD5NYaYM19E">Aap Ke Haseen Rukh</a></i></div><div>Film : Baharen Phir Bhi Aayegi</div><div>Triangle : I am guessing it is Dharmendra, Mala Sinha & Tanuja.</div><div>Other : This was Guru Dutt's last film, he did not complete it. His style is evident in this song ( I do not know if he directed it.)</div><div><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD5NYaYM19E"></a><br />
</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8Ot5Z6R9SueQOHzr4uySO5-D1Q3_R67RDoMKDs5tkxas5nIJTADvW3mZki84M-ANZJ7nHMe2qW6EHnTwF3x-v4FswMtj9XrAWX_ZKT9QykYbU_2az0L4Ah3oKXFk3XwzW1Lp2OsDMrc/s320/aapkehaseenrukh.jpg" /></div></div><div><br />
<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwuzuXIJskE">Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se</a></i></div><div><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwuzuXIJskE"></a>Film : Gumraah</i></div><div><i>Triangle : Sunil Dutt (Mala Sinha's pre-marriage boyfriend), Ashok Kumar (Mala Sinha's husband), Mala Sinha (a "straying" wife)</i></div><div><i>Other : Wikipedia informs us that the song was written by Sahir when his love-interest (Sudha Malhotra) got married to someone else.<br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe8xvfoTtNGD5cL3IHhIOdY2yzhgEDryxtjzPY7OPcnZRk6HHSYIGi4WtbTDEqDrLvWMSW_6FQF9R6xAXuSUDaq3turv74hZrh75HG7c-RBHhf2dtiNxvra3N1kjZAkGgTw6db2ZN-Fw/s320/chaloekbaarphirse.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq8haKnYB3s">Khwaab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat</a></i></div><div>Film : Teen Deviyaan</div><div>Quadrilateral : Nanda, Simi & Kalpana (all love Dev Anand), Dev Anand (Initially loves all 3, the suspense is his final selection.)</div><div>Other : Again, I did not make this up. </div><div>Best Quip : Simi during the shooting, "This movie should be re-named Ek Dev"</div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3thB-C2mP7oXRJ2w1T_ookSr-LZDHxOGtBG-0C4q9xn-ZzJb1Xa1bm-ouG-8NT5gvrFbWcG9phrhHZfTaAyH8WNSR8l-w4qdO8Q29Q30F_ZBIj2Uw45Ah3AJS4PsMjmAVAFa-lpfoqXc/s320/khwaahotumyakoihaqeeqat.jpg" /></i></div><br />
<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk9W2J7m99A">Jhoom Jhoom Ke Naacho Aaj</a></i></div><div>Film : Andaaz</div><div>Triangle : Raj Kapoor (Husband), Nargis (Wife), Dilip Kumar (in love with Nargis)</div><div>Other : Possibly Bollywood's first major triangle.</div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIdJ215oMQ0RYg2UYgp3SGjUapS5yA0lTTWhe8ZNd8lM9q4oQuw17gI27rU33Oo0zmTfZ8O_ErByybS6Pi-aaKYqOEG7Sg-fpn6Kl3CDEJwFMMP1yTZiiSsPtPKE9PR6hpkewlyHs6TI/s320/jhoomjhoomkenaachoaaj.jpg" /></i></div><br />
<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL6jaEvb0ZM&feature=related">Dost Dost Na Raha</a></i></div><div>Film : Sangam</div><div>Triangle : Raj Kapoor (Husband), Vyjanthimala (Wife & loves Rajendra Kumar), Rajendra Kumar (loves Vyjanthimala)</div><div>Other : The perfect equilateral triangle, all 3 characters love each other (well the 2 male's is strictly friendly; no "Brokeback Mountain" here.)</div><div>More Trivia : Rajendra Kumar's role was written for and first offered to Dev Anand, who refused. Raj then offered it to Dilip Kumar, who wanted to direct the movie, and so Raj refused. The next was Shammi Kapoor, who wanted Raj's role, and so Raj refused once again. Finally, Rajendra Kumar got it.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TOSgwrzpKtzVGMAsv4b2ZFOEJW9OuE_6jy39A80LsAPbH_Joih3a4hkeLDj5tUtenkaaIeDOOQNpiWmLrZ8oNP0Vb652tnXVKtGZPsKU-PC6YJRkDq8g3YomlTL1jEcRiOVGKF7q_5U/s320/dostdostnaraha.jpg" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Please refer to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4675470293987356346&postID=5144122140969711494">AK's brilliant comment</a> on why this should be an isosceles triangle.</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After this education, do you think Clint can make the transition from the triangle shown below, to any of the 10 triangles shown above.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ0uCSAFxPXOhABCbXXat1FAU6W3Ip0SVZ7-bXdaqGQP2Hb5BBxTufrcPJc3_QF9_CtL3a8nQvSAyAQvztZd2fIRbwL7poOrYghDPrvd_9SkLz55MlJskQVG9yhAVNGaosGlTAz_z2-U/s320/gbu2.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-60665689851297160082009-11-12T19:14:00.001-08:002009-11-17T21:01:19.367-08:00Top 10 Foreign Locale Bollywood SongsRules governing selection of the songs :-<br />a) Some part of the song has to be shot on an undisputed Foreign Locale; i.e. outside the political boundary of India as defined by the Govt. of India.<br />b) One song per film<br />c) One song per country<br />d) One song per Hero-Heroine Pair<br />e) As far as possible, the song must be logically integrated into the story (by Bollywood standards and not by MIT-Harvard-Princeton-Stanford PhD dissertation committee standards). This implies all those dream sequences or other similar occasions for a sudden unexplained leap abroad are prohibited.<br />f) At least 6 of the 7 continents must be covered; i.e. Antarctica can be omitted. I have no doubt that in the future we will have the "pleasure" of listening to something like"Antarctica Mein Ek Raat, Penguino Ke Saath".<br /><br />Readers are advised to add their own foreign locale song, and as a sweetener, they will NOT be subject to the aforementioned onerous rules b-f.<br /><br />10) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZleNxpDXV5U"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">My Name is Ali</span>; <span style="font-style: italic;">Film : Dhoom 2</span>; </a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZleNxpDXV5U"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : Rio, Brazil, South America</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDABPiFcl1U5XJkqY3b0gAgbD57oEXUK-7vx1L75Vi4AYRM4j4p-mxwsr_Mf62TsKU7_AmrFvDXnQ-v3qxB-MCJz_vCThsupcybbCc3L2YuT5Y-c-_55etskoVTiwav9l2EbKk3h-Q7w/s1600-h/dhoom2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDABPiFcl1U5XJkqY3b0gAgbD57oEXUK-7vx1L75Vi4AYRM4j4p-mxwsr_Mf62TsKU7_AmrFvDXnQ-v3qxB-MCJz_vCThsupcybbCc3L2YuT5Y-c-_55etskoVTiwav9l2EbKk3h-Q7w/s320/dhoom2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403425018622479442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I will admit this song is selected primarily to conform to rules b-f, especially to get South America into the picture. Additionally, I will also admit this song barely registers on my likability index. However, being a normal red blooded male; I have to admire the architecture of the buildings in the background (Yeah, that's the ticket!!!). And I hear Brazil has an excellent sugarcane ethanol industry, at least watching this movie makes environmental sense.(some consolation since I could find no other reason.)<br /><br />9) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9AMxe4620Y"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal</span>; <span style="font-style: italic;">Film : Souten</span>;</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9AMxe4620Y"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : Mauritius, Africa</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuxgH8TLL0aKQuGyKf_tfnzbg8DKep4TTD1edx6hMw0WOknKxnu8NJfgziKipKYLCxwo1qWMOzi2koDNBIKXNsdD3ZX-PFiXe8m3F5sWWFarIXVXbYGVCtxn11-meELa8ILLkuWI3wg4/s1600-h/souten.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuxgH8TLL0aKQuGyKf_tfnzbg8DKep4TTD1edx6hMw0WOknKxnu8NJfgziKipKYLCxwo1qWMOzi2koDNBIKXNsdD3ZX-PFiXe8m3F5sWWFarIXVXbYGVCtxn11-meELa8ILLkuWI3wg4/s320/souten.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403428929438030370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If you don't believe Mauritius is in Africa (I did not as well), here is the proof.<br /><a href="http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/mu.htm">http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/mu.htm</a>. The CIA Factbook also confirms this, so direct all your complaints to Langley Virginia.<br />I actually like this hummable song, and I get some flak for my viewpoint. The turquoise water sea-shore and picturesque beach resorts remind you of the Caribbean. Tina Munim is easy on the eyes, and you can always chuckle/guffaw at the sight of a much older Rajesh Khanna pursuing her.<br /><br />8) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTh1P2oRK0c"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani</span>; <span style="font-style: italic;">Film : The Great Gambler</span>; </a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTh1P2oRK0c"><br /></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTh1P2oRK0c"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : Venice, Italy, Europe</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItPitFOZWuLwbVLkae9YAxsIraXxD9lfu8MVd3S8nIyLGf2fPOGhMHW07WwgRUyyUbEPypm82HNYN66XorvvPP5hdC8pGJi61zdDXWDYKFH-PjkIYjlqcqd29I1Twa6gLJS_Ovs0I87o/s1600-h/greatgambler.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItPitFOZWuLwbVLkae9YAxsIraXxD9lfu8MVd3S8nIyLGf2fPOGhMHW07WwgRUyyUbEPypm82HNYN66XorvvPP5hdC8pGJi61zdDXWDYKFH-PjkIYjlqcqd29I1Twa6gLJS_Ovs0I87o/s320/greatgambler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403429846781838338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another iffy film, but a nice song; check out that Italian crooner rowing dude. Perhaps Zeenat could pass for a local "La mia stella brillante!", but can Amitabh shake off that Mawaali image. Oh all right, since this is Italy we shall be charitable and call it the Sonny Corleone look.<br /><br />7)<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywa0yAk6Sqg"> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Kiya Kiya Kya Kiya</span>; <span style="font-style: italic;">Film : Welcome</span>; </a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywa0yAk6Sqg"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : Dubai, Asia</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaI_Zb-04XdawQhTektIK-RIwfM8O3IvNfXwSuGWjjDDjQUu_Et7eJ5iLcolt2OP83PnFYk8TmWlQYmFpIwVouylfAbTs_4VwdLh0Gg0booAzWENQ7vHAHivr9cQZT6dN-zqaecdWa-E/s1600-h/welcome.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaI_Zb-04XdawQhTektIK-RIwfM8O3IvNfXwSuGWjjDDjQUu_Et7eJ5iLcolt2OP83PnFYk8TmWlQYmFpIwVouylfAbTs_4VwdLh0Gg0booAzWENQ7vHAHivr9cQZT6dN-zqaecdWa-E/s320/welcome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403430763446134242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I can't believe I am about to say this is the best film so far. And with Nana Patekar & Anil Kapoor hamming it up, the song is catchy & entertaining. Do not miss the brief appearance of Feroz Khan, I share his hairstyle. There certainly are shots of Dubai in this song, but I can't be certain all of it is filmed there. Nevertheless, since the movie is based in Dubai, this complies with my rules. Remember I said reasoning based on "Bollywood Logic", and not something you would find in say "Causality, Models Reasoning and Inference" by Judea Pearl.<br /><br />6) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbSQLt3Xot8"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Kal Ho Na Ho</span>; <span style="font-style: italic;">Film : Kal Ho Na Ho</span>; </a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbSQLt3Xot8"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : New York, USA, North America</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNSl7hwHxOppMWkG9BFvadGcbuFxZ3tj9lwN1Z00PLV_mEg7i3vkEHAWTCgED_9AblJnWAYqWwLm4qvG6N6v-Y7lrSY65NKyflf5mnsQVMbookDQtx92IIViOZWZF1TY2SEIyv04e6WM/s1600-h/khnh.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNSl7hwHxOppMWkG9BFvadGcbuFxZ3tj9lwN1Z00PLV_mEg7i3vkEHAWTCgED_9AblJnWAYqWwLm4qvG6N6v-Y7lrSY65NKyflf5mnsQVMbookDQtx92IIViOZWZF1TY2SEIyv04e6WM/s320/khnh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403431743154742258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You certainly get a grand tour of New York, what with visuals of the Brooklyn Bridge, the various skyscrapers, Central Park & the Statue of Liberty. Pipe down New Jerseyites, yes that statue belongs to you; New Yorkers will retaliate "That's why its back is towards NJ". This song does advise you to "Live Life to the fullest", a sentiment heartily shared by New Yorkers. However, the film and the main thrust "Kal Ho Na Ho" i.e. "There May Not Be a Tomorrow" certainly misses the spirit of this city which firmly believes "There will always be a better and brighter tomorrow."<br />Apparently this SRK, Saif, Preity & Karan Johar film was a big hit with NRI's, I would any day prefer Woody Allen movies or The Godfather or Wall Street. But, I will admit the song is decent.<br /><br />5) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdPuOGazWZg"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Phoolon Ke Rang Se</span>; <span style="font-style: italic;">Film : Prem Pujari;</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdPuOGazWZg"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : Switzerland, Europe</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye59a55wgNGeCf9gRKVj0DtiV1hosOq0xzfjRnDl7SMkOTfgwsqDLhUmYnHDpMs1DcOFj9FAbisqh4OyCoWIqPi0-fr4Ay6s67m-xE-nb0Zj_j7AqdVemE37jH0Uu7nnJBAqs5B7wqoU/s1600-h/prempujari.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjye59a55wgNGeCf9gRKVj0DtiV1hosOq0xzfjRnDl7SMkOTfgwsqDLhUmYnHDpMs1DcOFj9FAbisqh4OyCoWIqPi0-fr4Ay6s67m-xE-nb0Zj_j7AqdVemE37jH0Uu7nnJBAqs5B7wqoU/s320/prempujari.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403433877131564866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Many readers may complain that DDLJ is the best example of songs in Switzerland, and would accuse me of rigging the rules just to get my favorite hero in here (Note I already assigned a song to SRK). Although DDLJ was certainly a better movie than Prem Pujari, this song is much better than any of the Switzerland/Europe DDLJ songs. And anyways personally I thought "Mehndi Lagake Rakhna" was the best DDLJ song, and it was shot in India. This best song in Prem Pujari is shot slightly off the beaten path, on the spectacular Meiringen to Grimsel Pass road. Even today few Bollywood Producers film songs in Alpine passes, and to have done so back in the late 60's/early seventies is certainly creditable.<br /><br />4) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGFKqyliDVE"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De; </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Film : Purab Aur Paschim</span>;</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGFKqyliDVE"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : England, Europe</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbV0QVb-OuRBBejbh9VmjPENFVM-zEdltYo_3ewTc_HHWk2tGLbNrOr-9sZ7dT4Y2BTmrjQ4R8Rx7oTpqCfA0uCaVQCl48QsqSL3ld_osEpVZyhYGSwaUbJKa1rgQ29AXlY9AX_OxFZo/s1600-h/purabpaschim.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbV0QVb-OuRBBejbh9VmjPENFVM-zEdltYo_3ewTc_HHWk2tGLbNrOr-9sZ7dT4Y2BTmrjQ4R8Rx7oTpqCfA0uCaVQCl48QsqSL3ld_osEpVZyhYGSwaUbJKa1rgQ29AXlY9AX_OxFZo/s320/purabpaschim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403434647482141746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the seminal Bollywood film about India-West differences in values and culture. Back in the early 70's its India being morally & spiritually superior to the West theme commanded a lot of attention and following. Note the suggestive "low morals" cigarette smoking blond Saira Banu being mentored (if mentored is the right word) by an "Indian" Manoj Kumar. One could probably write an entire thesis on this movie, touching on an independent India coming out of the shadows of its earlier ruler England, and fighting for recognition respect and equality. As time has passed and India & Indians have become more self-confident, the central theme has become less relevant. Still, one cannot deny the almost sublime nature of this song, and the "fits-like-a-glove" portrayal of then Indian attitudes towards England.<br /><br />3) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai2ObPZsYVU"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Tanhai;</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Film : Dil Chahta Hai</span>;</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai2ObPZsYVU"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : Sydney, Australia</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_nhZOQLtMHoyJg4MZg1xL3qJ6-DVFw2kf5BlJ8bD54h6a0hqQOI0bCr6AswRiOqQqsTH_zJH602XBDBuUOZNI0-1HKbu_3wgD0-hUAhn-GLaCcdn840R7batxxqhsRnLZlb4rXdVzcQ/s1600-h/dch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_nhZOQLtMHoyJg4MZg1xL3qJ6-DVFw2kf5BlJ8bD54h6a0hqQOI0bCr6AswRiOqQqsTH_zJH602XBDBuUOZNI0-1HKbu_3wgD0-hUAhn-GLaCcdn840R7batxxqhsRnLZlb4rXdVzcQ/s320/dch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403435875748828178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Most Bollywood songs filmed abroad focus on love & romance, this one brilliantly introduces loneliness. For once a famous landmark (Sydney's famous Harbor bridge) is skillfully interwoven into a song's flow; and serves to emphasize the main point. The song is excellent, and Aamir proves himself to be amongst the rare "thinker" Bollywood heroes.<br /><br />2) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToM0WAi3aTc"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">O Mere Shahe Khuban</span>; <span style="font-style: italic;">Film : Love In Tokyo</span>;</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToM0WAi3aTc"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : Japan, Asia</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iE-16vpQQF_wvUlF9AOVLUDDd7A6md993okTf3W0dqeBnpXXCG2RxIpRz8uBKqC2KkjeAWAIyHmjcIzueqwaTi4nEhUGU6vO0lLtm4jqqqlIW-yed7I7PlUHL9uu4nyKXXeux7lBylU/s1600-h/loveintokyo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iE-16vpQQF_wvUlF9AOVLUDDd7A6md993okTf3W0dqeBnpXXCG2RxIpRz8uBKqC2KkjeAWAIyHmjcIzueqwaTi4nEhUGU6vO0lLtm4jqqqlIW-yed7I7PlUHL9uu4nyKXXeux7lBylU/s320/loveintokyo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403436600510913282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This one (like Phoolon Ke Rang Se) would rank very high in just a list of songs. Add to it the exquisite Japanese countryside with blooming cherry blossoms, classic fountains, distinctive temples and looming mountains; one is almost tempted to get on the next flight going there. Asha Parekh is as lovely as always, but Joy Mukherjee is just competent; the lead couple being unimaginatively touristy is the main reason as to why this song is ranked #2 & not #1.<br />Also, this is one of those songs where I could use a good English translation; several words like Shahe Khuban, Jaane Janana, Justju, Iltaja, Sehrame, Jarro, Diyapha, etc. went over the head of this "Apun" "Kaiko" & "Khali-Peeli" learned author.<br /><br />1) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPaUm-UxdhY"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Raat Ke Humsafar</span>; <span style="font-style: italic;">Film : An Evening In Paris;</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPaUm-UxdhY"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Place : Paris, France, Europe</span></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IwG3dPqZ6gU0JRGGbpOa2OOiMNmmdn0OIF4Qr8MnM_LSQHd80lpmn7MitZMWv4ou1uP9EQrWmBBsJNPw05Y4qIFYm5I_pJsX3toqDJhLdvb1VS5v-NxzHtCFfPLJYbGsgfbAXmpxpYk/s1600-h/eveninginparis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IwG3dPqZ6gU0JRGGbpOa2OOiMNmmdn0OIF4Qr8MnM_LSQHd80lpmn7MitZMWv4ou1uP9EQrWmBBsJNPw05Y4qIFYm5I_pJsX3toqDJhLdvb1VS5v-NxzHtCFfPLJYbGsgfbAXmpxpYk/s320/eveninginparis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403437959969884914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The first and most obvious reason for this song being #1 is most Bollywood songs filmed abroad are romantic and Paris is the ideal spot. Another genius touch is the focus on night-time Paris with fountain backdrops and that wonderful lighting. A complete lack of well-known tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc De Triomphe, and Champs Elysees is to put it mildly; brilliant. Consider the Eiffel Tower, arguably Paris' most famous landmark; but a significant number of French think it does not belong. I think it is slightly overrated, certainly standing in line and going up is to be avoided. Instead, visit the in-film shown Trocadero fountains and the not-shown adjacent gardens for a picnic lunch with wine.<br />It is often said that being a Parisian women is extremely difficult, not only do you have to be slim, beautiful and elegantly coiffured, but at times convey a haughty regal demeanor, and be ready to discuss Sartre or Camus while attired in a fetching swimsuit. Sharmila Tagore delivers all this including a then-modern "bouffant" hairstyle, and a fetching swimsuit in another song. Wikipedia informs us that the "bouffant" hairstyle was developed for Marie Antoinette, and 70's Bombay Film Magazines confirm the similarity by labeling her "La Tagore". Shammi Kapoor looks extremely handsome, and the pair look as if they have been living all their life in Paris.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-55893418052221430072009-10-16T14:50:00.001-07:002009-10-22T08:19:07.446-07:0010 "Over The Top" 1970's Bollywood SongsThe 1970's were a unique era in Bollywood, one that saw the first SuperStar, as well as the first dethroning of the reigning SuperStar with a "angry young man". Hindi films & stars, especially male, threw of the yoke of Hollywood with original styles. Some may charitably label them as somewhat unorthodox, others would use the stronger "certifiably lunatic". I prefer "Over The Top"; a phrase defined byWikipedia as "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bold; Beyond Normal, Expected, or Reasonable Limits; Excessive; Outrageous".</span><br />Supporters of these stars can use these songs as examples of their greatness, and simultaneously, their detractors can use them as examples of egregiousness. This, I suppose, is the beauty of these songs; and I might add of the entire 1970'sBollywood era.<br /><br />I present 10 songs that fit this category, readers are encouraged to add their own.<br /><br />10) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA_5GVjJT5w">Saala Main To Sahab Ban Gaya</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXWOsisq2C2fSKlsOgU1cQz2OV698tVWE8U8pqZqVq5hdfHDYHE_yCgqBoH3pyrHDAk_lRBmNRCBL-j_vHBBAaS3oyXUWZoL40Hh2PpLeNgpmLmi9hI3pxaXWrK1Xs6BDbKi1V9yc_6s/s1600-h/SaalaSaab.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXWOsisq2C2fSKlsOgU1cQz2OV698tVWE8U8pqZqVq5hdfHDYHE_yCgqBoH3pyrHDAk_lRBmNRCBL-j_vHBBAaS3oyXUWZoL40Hh2PpLeNgpmLmi9hI3pxaXWrK1Xs6BDbKi1V9yc_6s/s320/SaalaSaab.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393643726586617570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dilip Kumar</span> made a career playing serious roles that won a lot of acclaim. Even a highly respected and seasoned star like him was not immune to the 70's "Over The Top" bug; and this song is a great example. Dilip has earlier alcohol related songs, and they are in keeping with his status; this one just crosses over the limit.<br /><br />His colleague <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dev Anand</span> also has some songs that fit this category, one is from the Bullet --- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3dIiOTdB8Y">"Bullet Bullet Bullet, Dekho Ye Kya Hai"</a><br /><br />9) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYEM7rgVpP8">My Name is Anthony Gonsalves</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OfCWrGAE1-E_Epy5xRRrlCyDFFatesQJBfa_W5lSE2EwtkEfJHVzn8ajfCXvt27MU4DkOWK3zceJJMaQdptaWlwBWngwpwnpH92NtHveXyU1ctlU-LRxmQBOu3uIdSWqLToa3uqw-9w/s1600-h/MyNameIsAG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OfCWrGAE1-E_Epy5xRRrlCyDFFatesQJBfa_W5lSE2EwtkEfJHVzn8ajfCXvt27MU4DkOWK3zceJJMaQdptaWlwBWngwpwnpH92NtHveXyU1ctlU-LRxmQBOu3uIdSWqLToa3uqw-9w/s320/MyNameIsAG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393627240029786946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The angry young man SuperStar <span style="font-weight: bold;">Amitabh Bachchan</span> won his title with several song-less films for his character. Then he did a 180-degree turnaround in "Amar Akbar Anthony"; with songs and a happy-go-lucky character. He perfected the "Bombay Mawaali", and this song typifies it. When this film was released, this song may have been just "Over The Top"; now it is a timeless classic.<br /><br />8) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq513gqoctY&feature=related">Are Rafta Rafta Dekho Aankh Meri ladi Hai</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISNL8PtcPVyQE1DEdcXLGhskxi0f-gesg_SqeLN6wJRBKcVJPpf1rlI7viMRmj0g3J_TJzsbYnw4S1Yox3BXyxnmeRSmIfnIjkps7HVrT4fIXmYokt7K3TWVz7TlDSiCctrQmjXj43ys/s1600-h/RaftaRafta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISNL8PtcPVyQE1DEdcXLGhskxi0f-gesg_SqeLN6wJRBKcVJPpf1rlI7viMRmj0g3J_TJzsbYnw4S1Yox3BXyxnmeRSmIfnIjkps7HVrT4fIXmYokt7K3TWVz7TlDSiCctrQmjXj43ys/s320/RaftaRafta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393626247322355922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dharmendra</span> borrows from another "Over The Top" star of Marathi films, Dada Kondke, the Marathi attire and song lines speak for themselves. Could this be a solution to the regionalism issue in India ?; a person immigrated from another region has to wear (at least once) a costume of the home region.<br /><br />7) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8_BkVkT1UY">Gori O Gori Prem Karle, Aisa Premi Phir Na Milega</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyMxNdlq8Lsy9eNbB97_1seWejnRXDKE4tyQem20YtHdP_mmU-UwoQfAMvL2jKmlme18UeJssuEAlIhvxMOpBT67CzZgP0iLZPxQk91z5E1qaLHv_hMrAcaBgOZcg-u02oDjlHJ_cqf8/s1600-h/goriogori.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyMxNdlq8Lsy9eNbB97_1seWejnRXDKE4tyQem20YtHdP_mmU-UwoQfAMvL2jKmlme18UeJssuEAlIhvxMOpBT67CzZgP0iLZPxQk91z5E1qaLHv_hMrAcaBgOZcg-u02oDjlHJ_cqf8/s320/goriogori.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393622975068351378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">All Gori's are hereby ordered to loose their senses (er!, fall in love) by His Lordship the First Earl of Shotgun. Please remember this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, do not squander it.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Who says Hindi Movies do not contain any originality ? I defy anyone to find the original </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Shatrughan Sinha</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> in any other film industry.</span><br /><br />6) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhJymZ7zB3Y">Do Bechare Bina Sahare Dekho Pooch Pooch Kar Hare</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13bJjf56ue4oS-Ls5G_mzscVIvVbz2jEIynhhz2oLAKpNtFUOTYZoAsm3UXPYaDuC4cHCkcGf5wkjudXD4OS0IFgGMXI7AkULWSfqsXn21yI7DNbxiCE6TiVBdEba4OlPcnYbltFzD-E/s1600-h/DoBechare.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13bJjf56ue4oS-Ls5G_mzscVIvVbz2jEIynhhz2oLAKpNtFUOTYZoAsm3UXPYaDuC4cHCkcGf5wkjudXD4OS0IFgGMXI7AkULWSfqsXn21yI7DNbxiCE6TiVBdEba4OlPcnYbltFzD-E/s320/DoBechare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393620858003916930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Two yesteryear stars stuck in either serious (<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ashok Kumar</span>) or villain (<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pran</span>) roles, break out of the mold with zany performances. Their sense of comedy is quite hilarious, the scenes inside the mandir are a stroke of genius. Gratuitous addition of the eunuch & the main villain make this song go "Over The Top".<br /><br />5) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Bh9d_kiLU&feature=PlayList&p=BDA7F8FCBD34995E&index=24">Sundari Aye Hai Sundari, Apun Ko Bhi Ek Nazar Dekho Na</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu0XpDPXATXDRMTKCS_DDm-tGTgqndReOGY6-qhzXRN0Kse6QYW2HmDEm4ZpQuc1gK_t-057JkZFX1IJntXHnd1332ET4insu1OhwduKx81O3oiCS9Il3ScbzDFnWYtd5h49R8n-htXo/s1600-h/sundari.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu0XpDPXATXDRMTKCS_DDm-tGTgqndReOGY6-qhzXRN0Kse6QYW2HmDEm4ZpQuc1gK_t-057JkZFX1IJntXHnd1332ET4insu1OhwduKx81O3oiCS9Il3ScbzDFnWYtd5h49R8n-htXo/s320/sundari.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393618665772779730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Let us inventory this "gentleman's" assets :-</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">a) A broken down cottage b) One flowery printed shirt c) A colorful scarf tied around the neck d) One pair of cheap sunglasses. e) Most probably a career in "import-export".</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />What more could any Sundari want ?</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">After Amitabh, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Jeetendra</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> was the best at playing the Bombay Mawaali; his defining song from the 80's movie Mawaali --- </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B0g18ji9nI&feature=related">Main Hoon Mawaali</a><br /><br />4) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX5K9mVZZvY">Jitna Zaroori Man Ka Milan, Tan Ka Milan Utna Hi Zaroori</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZxfODukIrfuS1kkXVLzc0bLKvjMWgz6wg1dWdIP1hfon9msuhALk7y4_LYNKatdfoxUNC-ijn7aM1wB8dE4gTy7Ak9By9UnkEFyYOetgedoEt1bpejtsGq2mjV2zs9mwTEnGzYJkTAY/s1600-h/JitnaZaroori.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZxfODukIrfuS1kkXVLzc0bLKvjMWgz6wg1dWdIP1hfon9msuhALk7y4_LYNKatdfoxUNC-ijn7aM1wB8dE4gTy7Ak9By9UnkEFyYOetgedoEt1bpejtsGq2mjV2zs9mwTEnGzYJkTAY/s320/JitnaZaroori.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393612543988139074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Feroz Khan</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> (may he rest in peace) was always oh so cool in his own productions, probably a sense of scientific exploration lead him to do this third-party film. He desires to perform some "birds & the bees" experiments with his in-film wife Rekha. Remember the hilarious scene between Anthony Hopkins & Hugh Grant in "Remains of the Day"; the one where AH explains "birds & the bees" to a young adult HG. Instead, AH could have shown this song to HG; all would have been clear. Or would it ? Remember this is 1970's Bollywood; and even with an "A" certificate all is you get to see is this pair dressed in garishly colored lungis rolling on the bed at arms length. But wait, there is a topless scene at the end of the song. OK simmer down, it is just Feroz.</span><br /><br />3) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKB-yyqdogA">Duniya Mein Logon Ko Dhokha Kabhi Ho Jata Hai</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPhBGlItMW-SZR4JkbL88V5bNKhZs3NQZqIndlRYONg49lidbnOMiWJd0mvJbMK7cFao7_vZE33BcEkGhY0YQ3oZpeZyCxazQKjNF0opYBEDUQnG4LtD_GuM1HmJUevxE0ecQ3cj96D0/s1600-h/DuniyaMein.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPhBGlItMW-SZR4JkbL88V5bNKhZs3NQZqIndlRYONg49lidbnOMiWJd0mvJbMK7cFao7_vZE33BcEkGhY0YQ3oZpeZyCxazQKjNF0opYBEDUQnG4LtD_GuM1HmJUevxE0ecQ3cj96D0/s320/DuniyaMein.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393616534306731202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The then reigning SuperStar <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rajesh Khanna</span> emphatically creates a new mantra for the 70's. "Over The Top" costumes & songs earlier reserved for "comic" actors, can be the domain of heroes & heroines (That is Mumtaz in a blond wig). A recent cult hit "Kaminey" pays homage to the enduring "magic" of this song, by including it in its soundtrack. Rajesh's supporters probably have a hard time justifying this song, his detractors certainly have ammunition for their stance.<br /><br />2) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m5nCXqGEHI">Naach Meri Jaan Faata Faat Faat</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlmoFJ8FGr_ZBOH09VsQCVCBV1BnZeGHaVwsOAZ0WLprhZH5cxS0560Sdor9VBhSLTHvm8SG7yEXGIkw67KSnJ9VrO-I5g-MsAsSftC5fbxxH2CvUNuvrSBaQEZ8om3gCU-r2NzqDISo/s1600-h/NaachMeri.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlmoFJ8FGr_ZBOH09VsQCVCBV1BnZeGHaVwsOAZ0WLprhZH5cxS0560Sdor9VBhSLTHvm8SG7yEXGIkw67KSnJ9VrO-I5g-MsAsSftC5fbxxH2CvUNuvrSBaQEZ8om3gCU-r2NzqDISo/s320/NaachMeri.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393610373469065938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Mehmood </span><span style="font-family:arial;">defined "Over The Top" in the 60's, but in the 70's he took it to another level. The lyrics of this song (imploring a lady to shall we say "dance rapidly and at once"), and the colorful neon costumes certainly prove the case.</span><br /><br />1) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etx0Y5YmACs">Guni Jano Re Bhakt Jano</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadUcL3HUgdPTQeuzyOBfAtlAwwgJz4oMr7vgTQT6KDRUDmu9JqZ-PoJgyh8vwjvrXRXPDPGrHazMY30cC6WyxGtYp3fud0tqsSMCg5qP4RCSvT3Y-DIqZmUKceJgOJ-dHCP-Z1o8JBJg/s1600-h/GuniJano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadUcL3HUgdPTQeuzyOBfAtlAwwgJz4oMr7vgTQT6KDRUDmu9JqZ-PoJgyh8vwjvrXRXPDPGrHazMY30cC6WyxGtYp3fud0tqsSMCg5qP4RCSvT3Y-DIqZmUKceJgOJ-dHCP-Z1o8JBJg/s320/GuniJano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393608988740648594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The top spot has to be reserved for the most zany eccentric genius of them all, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Kishore Kumar</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. Not only did he provide the playback voice for other stars in other movies, he himself acts and sings in this under-rated classic. Note the almost synchronized movements of the devotees, add to it a mild spoof of then Bollywood heroes, and subtle digs at the Taxman; this most certainly deserves the #1 spot.</span><br /><br />I would like to add some of the inspirations for this post, something I should done earlier, but better late than never.<br />1) Shanti "The Reviewer's" post on <a href="http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Five_Best_Tapori_Songs-114761-1.html">"Tapori Songs"</a> from another website.<br />2) Top Ten Song Posts of <a href="http://memsaabstory.wordpress.com/">Memsaabstory</a>.<br />3) Top Ten Song Posts of <a href="http://dustedoff.wordpress.com/">DustedOff</a><br />4) <a href="http://bollywoodfoodclub.wordpress.com/">"Sita-Ji's"</a> brilliant posts on Bollywood.<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-68822581443847934042009-09-23T14:27:00.000-07:002009-09-23T19:35:56.592-07:00SuperScribbler Award<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KXQiKgTUMl1IMH-lM4qkUpyVLwKoOvAw27vOR6Kabv2EqqLdQyP1Nq5XSxse8ukBzESW3KgxtpHVpaakjvRt7ZYvzGVEjsALZRvu03465oAMyLSgu1Nmz3REcrwXyCjt6euPEAnu_7M/s1600-h/superior.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KXQiKgTUMl1IMH-lM4qkUpyVLwKoOvAw27vOR6Kabv2EqqLdQyP1Nq5XSxse8ukBzESW3KgxtpHVpaakjvRt7ZYvzGVEjsALZRvu03465oAMyLSgu1Nmz3REcrwXyCjt6euPEAnu_7M/s320/superior.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384781194165381026" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/SPADAL%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/SPADAL%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Bestower</span><br /><br /><a href="http://rotteneggstrikes.blogspot.com/">http://rotteneggstrikes.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Rules</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to five most deserving blog friends.<br /><a href="http://amateurabe.blogspot.com/">1) Abba-Girl</a><br /><a href="http://www.indiaoftomorrow.blogspot.com/">2) Mr-Bharat</a><br /><a href="http://udtahaathi.wordpress.com/">3)Vowels-R'-Us</a><br /><a href="http://ywordme.blogspot.com/">4) Aussie</a><br /><a href="http://lifes-a-muse.blogspot.com/">5) Nano</a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog and link to the original post at <a href="http://scholastic-scribe.blogspot.com/2008/10/200-this-blings-for-you.html">The Scholastic Scribe</a> which explains The Award.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Each blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit the original post at <a href="http://scholastic-scribe.blogspot.com/2008/10/200-this-blings-for-you.html">The Scholastic Scribe</a> and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who wins This Prestigious Honor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules to his/her blog.</span><br /><br />Ava has written very eloquently about this award, and I cannot do better.<br />She is a very sophisticated and accomplished lady who reads voraciously, and writes in an unconventional & uplifting manner.<br />I hope there are more like her on these blogs.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-26408917545938171132009-08-14T22:20:00.000-07:002009-08-14T22:26:37.385-07:00Yet Another TagCP's latest tag<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4.</span><br />This is not premature optimization; it is avoiding gratuitous pessimization.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can & catch air?</span><br />Legends, A collection of Asha Bhosle CD's.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?</span><br />CNBC Talking Heads, what else<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Without looking, guess what time it is?</span><br />12:15 am<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?</span><br />12:27 am<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?</span><br />Like CP, a fan; also some birds chirping.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?</span><br />When I came home from the office, opening my garage door.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Before you started this Q&As, what did you look at?</span><br />Some songs on YouTube.<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKpxQSawf6Y">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKpxQSawf6Y</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. What are you wearing?</span><br />Jeans and a striped shirt, stripes just wider than pin-stripes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. When did you last laugh?</span><br />At work today.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. What is on the walls of the room you are in?</span><br />A map of the world, a map of USA, several post-it notes (I really am not that geeky.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. Seen anything weird lately?</span><br />My passport photos, How come these and driving license photos always look weird.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">13. What do you think of this quiz?</span><br />Becoming a tad repetitive.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">14. What is the last film you saw?</span><br />Julie and Julia, recommended, hope to write a review soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?</span><br />Depends upon from which direction,<br />Thousandaire -> Multimillionaire --- Services of a Tax Accountant.<br />Billionaire -> Multimillionaire --- Services of a Psychiatrist.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">16. Tell me something about you that I dunno!</span><br />Like CP, I too hate to drive.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">17. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">would you do?</span><br />Eliminate Corporate Taxes; Poverty will eventually be eliminated.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">18. Do you like to Dance?</span><br />Yes, but all dancing efforts end in Amitabh's Mawali style.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">19. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?</span><br />We did name her Roma<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">20. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?</span><br />Name of our son, Jai<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">21. Would you ever consider living abroad?</span><br />Yes<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">22. What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?</span><br />Since I do not believe in GOD; I hope "Fooled you didn't I ?" (instead of "Just exactly who do you want your neighbor to be in HELL ?")Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-9496696632782344382009-08-12T15:03:00.001-07:002009-08-12T15:23:32.950-07:00Ava's Alphabet TagAnswering Ava's Alphabet Tag, (Finally)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A â Available/Single? </span>- Legally Married, but available for **** (My wife will be filling in the ****)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B â Best friend?</span> - Several<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C â Cake or Pie?</span> - "Those who don't have bread can eat cake" (Marie Antoinette, circa way before I was born).<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D â Drink of choice? </span>- Wine, Cognac, Champagne, some Liqueurs<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">E â Essential item you use every day? </span>â Wine Bottle Opener, a glass<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">F â Favorite colour?</span> - Blue<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">G â Gummy Bears or Worms?</span> - Neither.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">H â Hometown</span> â Summit (New Jersey, USA) & Mumbai (Maharashtra, India)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I â Indulgence?</span> â My kids<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">J â January or February? </span>- Neither, really cold & snows a lot<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">K â Kids & their names?</span> - Roma & Jai<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">L â Life is incomplete without? </span>- Taxes<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">M â Marriage date?</span> - Present on my Marriage License.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">N â Name? Your real name!! </span>- Tumhara Naam Kya Hai Basanti ?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">O â Oranges or Apples? </span>- Both. Racked my brians to come up with a cool response, but no dice. "Woh Do The, Aur Phir Bhi Waapas Aye, Khali Haath".<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">P â Phobias/Fears?</span> - "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" (FDR, March 4, 1933)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q â Quote for today? </span>- IBM @ 119.87, MSFT @ 23.79, US 30 YR @ 95-13+, Oil @ 73.00, Gold @ 950.80<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">R â Reason to smile?</span> - Refer to D & E<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">S â Season? </span>- Spring & Fall; unless you meant season food while cooking --- Yes with pepper & salt.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">T â Tag 3 People? </span>â Usually all tags stop with me, this is no exception.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">U â Unknown fact about me?</span> - This is real, I have never been drunk in my life.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">V â Vegetable you donât like?</span> - Catsear, Chrysanthemum leaves, Dandelion, Epazote, Fat Hen, Garden Rocket, Good King Henry, Komatsuna, Kuka, Lagos bologi, Lizard's Tail, Melokhia, Sierra Leone bologi, Winter purslane.<br />You mean to say you have not tried Lagos bologi Paneer with Good King Henry parathas ? (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_culinary_vegetables">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_culinary_vegetables</a>)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">W â Worst habit? </span>â I am "Bug-Free"; you pay for the features, all "bugs" are free.<br />X<span style="font-weight: bold;"> â X-rays? -</span> Yes, A couple of hairline fractures<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Y â Your favorite food?</span> - French<br />(<a href="http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Tips_on_Cooking_food-136327-1.html">http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Tips_on_Cooking_food-136327-1.html</a>)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Z â Zodiac sign? </span>- AriesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-43226316744280698622009-08-06T22:59:00.000-07:002009-08-06T23:08:30.899-07:00A Women's Stormy Coming of Age TaleGrowing up with a grandmother who lets you in on her female anatomy maintenance secrets, at most is eyebrow raising material. Add to that a home in an exclusive suburb with a view of year-round snow capped mountains, in a country that is probably the worlds largest producer of caviar, saffron, pistachios and almonds. Throw in a possible fact, the world's earliest wine was discovered here; and Readers would be justified in asking "What is so Stormy about growing up here ?". Reasonable geography experts would have guessed by now, the country in question is Iran (Persepolis is an ancient Iranian city). And when the years are mid 1970's to the early 1990's, "stormy" should almost be self-explanatory.<br /><br />Nominated for the 2007 Best Animated Film Oscar, Persepolis is based on an Iranian women's autobiographical book by the same name. The film is a stirring account of Marjane Satrapi's experiences from childhood to adulthood; spanning the Shah era, the Islamic revolution, the war with Iraq, and living in an Islamic Iran. Since Marjane eventually emigrated to and settled in France, the film is originally shot in French. Eminent performers lent their voice to the original; Chiara Mastroianni as Marjane, Catherine Deneuve as her mother, Danielle Darrieux as her Grandmother, and Simon Akbarian as her father. Filmed primarily as a flashback in black & white, while color is used to signify the present.<br /><br />The 9 old Marjane leads a typical child's carefree life, worships Bruce Lee and considers herself a prophet. She likes and supports the Shah; but soon realizes that a revolution against him is in progress. Some history lessons from her father awaken her to the reality of the Shah's repressive and unjust rule, and she soon joins the opposition. She is exposed to unsettling episodes such as a shooting death of a young anti-Shah demonstrating neighbor. Political prisoners also enter her realization; a friend's father is released from jail, and she also hears about her jailed communist uncle Anoosh.<br /><br />A year later the Shah abdicates his throne and leaves Iran, signaling victory for the revolutionaries. Her uncle Anoosh is released from prison, and times seem to be improving. Hopes of democracy and freedom abound, and young Marji spends a lot of time getting close to and learning a lot from uncle Anoosh. However, the first dark clouds arise on the horizon; in the form of election victors --- Islamic fundamentalists. They soon begin chipping away at the new found freedoms, such as introducing compulsory hijab for women; and re-arresting and executing uncle Anoosh for his communist beliefs.<br /><br />War with Iraq exposes the young girl Marji to its horrors, and also brings more hardships and more intolerant measures from the ruling Islamists. Young Marji having learnt about resisting repression from her uncle Anoosh, now starts exhibiting a more non-conformist personality. She indulges in now banned black-market western music and clothes, and also speaks out vehemently against the pro-Islamic rule hypocrisies and outright lies being taught by her teachers. This naturally gets her into trouble; and fearing for her safety, her parents decide to send her to a boarding school in Vienna.<br /><br />At the tender age of 14, a lonely teenager Marjane begins experiencing life in a foreign land. She is comforted by the freedoms and the large amounts of material goods available in the West. Her rebellious nature leads to clashes with the nuns in the convent residence, but that is simply resolved by moving to another paying guest accommodation. Several student friends enter her life, and over time she experiences puberty, male homosexuality, boyfriends, sexual initiation and heartbreaks. A defining moment is her realization of pride and love for home country, and she vigorously defends Iran to a bunch of dismissive Western students. This love for country soon makes her homesick and depressed, and one day she decides to return to Iran.<br /><br />I have intentionally disclosed a little more of the plot than normal, but there is still more left about her struggle after returning to Iran. Intentionally, since the story in its most basic terms is probably the best presentation of Marjane's coming of age experiences. Making this as an animated movie enhances its impact, the viewer is always drawn to the innovative presentation. Animated movies have a reputation of being crafted for children, but this one will convince the viewer of their suitability for more adult-oriented themes. The directors (Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud) have effectively used animation as a means of presenting such a complex tale, and are helped by the fact that the book itself was in a graphical illustrated format.<br /><br />Although the movie contains several dark moments, it is sprinkled with humor which elevates it into the near perfect and great category. You cannot but admire and laugh with Marjane when she confronts some of the neanderthal Islamic revolutionaries. She keeps this spunk even when dealing with Catholic nuns in a Western convent, and also with flippant Western students. Just to be impartial I believe she would have dealt with almost any fundamentalist in the same manner, and yes that implies Hindu chauvinists as well (Unsheathe those NU's).<br /><br />A standout in the movie is the Grandmother, yes the aforementioned female anatomy secrets dispenser. Another strong outspoken character, she advises Marjane to get a divorce rather than endure a failed relationship. Her flashes of humor keep us entertained throughout the movie.<br /><br />How to vigorously protest against repression and religious excess, and yet express love for and pride in ones country; is the enduring lesson of this movie. Marjane Satrapi upon winning a prize for this movie in Cannes reportedly said "Although this film is universal, I wish to dedicate the prize to all Iranians.". Iranians did not deserve the megalomaniac Shah, and do not deserve the current crop of Islamic Fundamentalists; here is hoping that someone like Marjane Satrapi is in their future.<br /><br /><br />References<br />1) Wikipedia<br />2) http://www.archaeology.org/9609/newsbriefs/wine.html<br /><br />Recommended<br />1) The Books Persepolis I & II by Marjane Satrapi, also in illustrated graphic format.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-57114713131249497612009-07-24T16:50:00.001-07:002009-07-24T16:50:56.775-07:00Another TagThe rules for this tag are as follows:<br /><br /> 1. Link the person who tagged you<br /> 2. The display of award on your blog with these rules<br /> 3. Reply to the questions below<br /> 4. Tag 7 people deserving the award according to you<br /> 5. Come back to BLoGGiSTa iNFo CoRNeR (PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINK) at http://bloggistame.blogspot.com/ and leave the URL of your Post in order for you/your Blog to be added to the Master List<br /><br />My Answers:<br /><br /> 1. The Person who tagged you : CouchPapaya<br /> 2. His/her siteâs url: http://couchpapaya.blogspot.com<br /> 3. Date when you were tagged: 21st July 09<br /> 4. 7 people I tag are :- None, all I know have been tagged.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-66832044648620307172009-04-21T00:02:00.000-07:002009-04-21T00:07:04.384-07:00My Crazy Merry Parsi Upbringing"Sir I donât know the Marathi word for subtlety", epitomizes the subtle humor abundant in Little Zizou, a film about two feuding Bombay Parsi men and their families. My often complaint with the well-made movies of Mira Nair are that they are heavy handed. Her scriptwriter Sooni Taraporewallaâs maiden venture is an unusually eclectic comedy, one that brings forth comparisons with "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".<br /><br />The movie is narrated through the eyes of little Xerxes, the motherless son of a Parsi evangelist Cyrus Khodaiji. Xerxes has a passion for soccer player Zinedine Zidane, hence the name Little Zizou. His elder brother Artaxerxes is engrossed in creating cartoon like illustrations and building a Boeing 747-400 simulator with a group of zany friends. Artaxerxes also has a soft corner for neighbor Zenobia, the daughter of Cyrusâs arch-rival newspaper editor Boman Presswala. Boman and his wife Roxanne have two daughters, the elder Zenobia and the younger Liana.<br /><br />Apart from the main theme of conflict between the religious con-man Cyrus and the liberal editor Boman, Little Zizou provides a warm glimpse into the lifestyle of Bombay Parsis. Shot mostly in English and Gujarati with some funny doses of Marathi and Hindi, this movie has a relaxed style mixed in with several episodes of eclectic humor. Although mainly a movie about Parsis, its theme of religious conflict is universal in nature. Some brilliant acting combined with interesting music and topped with skillful direction makes this a must-watch movie.<br /><br />Boman Irani steals the show as the liberal newspaper owner-editor Boman Presswala, in more ways than one. Watching him dance is a feast for the eyes; he appropriately deserves the moniker <em>"Parsi Travolta".</em> In a promo Sooni Taraporewalla exclaims <em>"After watching Boman most women over 35 would want to marry him".</em> I cannot speak for any women (much less one over 35), but I wish I had a fraction of the charm, coolness and grace he exudes. He is utterly convincing and funny as a liberal Dad attempting to knock some sense into coming-of-age elder daughter Zenobia (Dilshad Patel). The rapport shared between him and his wife Roxanne (Zenobia Shroff) is another treat to watch. And finally, his confrontation scenes with Cyrus Khodaiji (Sohrab Ardeshir) are immaculate.<br /><br />Imaad Shah as Artaxerxes delivers an intelligent finely nuanced performance. He is convincing as the slightly tormented geeky teenager/young adult. Especially worthy is his depiction of being rejected by Zenobia, and truly outstanding is the final confrontation with his father.<br /><br />Zenobia Shroff as Roxanne effortlessly delivers a natural performance, one that does not miss a beat. She is equally at ease whether it is warm and fussy with Xerxes (Jahan Bativala), a little strict with Liana (Iyanah Bativala), or slightly indulgent with Boman.<br /><br />The two little kids Jahan & Liana Bativala are adorable and a true find. They share an amazing chemistry with each other, and each play a different detailed character. Naturally Jahan has the bigger role, and he is superb at displaying longing for his dead mother, excels at fighting and bonding with his brother, and is in his element gaining favors from Aunt Roxy. Iyanah is at her best throwing irritated killer stares at Jahan.<br /><br />Shernaz Patel as Miss Patel the assistant of Cyrus Khodaiji is absolutely hilarious and overshadows her boss. <em>This is really the movieâs Achilles heel</em>, the competent but not great performance of Sohrab Ardeshir as the dictatorial evangelist Cyrus Khodaiji. Sohrab tries hard, sometimes too hard, but just does not reach the necessary heights. Try as he might, and possibly due to his inexperience, he cannot shake the impression that in reality he is good at heart. What this role needed was someone more capable at playing an outwardly rule-bound and old fashioned religious purist but inwardly a con-man, <em>someone such as Naseeruddin Shah</em>. In Naseerâs hands the confrontations between Cyrus and Boman would have taken on a whole new dimension. As it stands, these confrontations are slightly insipid; with both Boman and Imaad towering over Sohrab.<br /><br />Sooni Taraporewalla makes a commendable entry into direction; she handles her cast with great skill. Her writing prowess is clearly on display, with numerous intelligently etched scenes. Some drawbacks are her letting the movie be a little too indulgent at times, and the inability to extract an outstanding performance from Sohrab Ardeshir. However, taking into account her Harvard & NYU background; perhaps this was the real subtle message all along ---<br /><b>"Wish Religious Extremists/Con-Men were this Inept".<br /></b><br />Some cool, funny and eclectic incidents from the movie.<br />1) Artaxerxes exclaiming in a terrible Russian accent "The Russians are coming. Everybody from street". Adapted from a classic Alan Arkin line in the 1960âs Hollywood movie "The Russians are Coming ...".<br />2) On their first date, Artaxerxes taking Zenobia to a romantic wine dinner on a boat off the Gateway of India.<br />3) The subtle ending to the post party dance.<br />4) Brought in to fix a Boeing 747-400 simulator, the justification of Makarand the IITianâs qualifications.<br />5) Upon the newly arrived good-looking women accurately recognizing the Boeing 747-400 simulator, Artaxerxesâs foot-in-mouth question "Are you a stewardess ?" and its emphatic put down answer.<br /><br />PS --- I still do not know the Marathi word for subtlety.<br /><br />My Rating 3.5/5Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-77695336125417083682009-03-05T20:06:00.000-08:002009-03-05T20:25:55.920-08:0025 Things You Never Knew About MeThanks to Ava for tagging me.<br /><br />1) My favorite color is blue. (typical male)<br />2) I am afraid of medical needles. When young I used to get dizzy given a couple of injections. (typical male)<br />3) I once piloted a small aircraft for about 3 min, and threw up the rest of the hour long flight. I suppose there ended my dream of ever going into outer space.<br />4) I cannot handle amusement park rides either, the worst was the space simulator @ EPCOT. My daughter sailed thru' it without a hitch, I was woozy for the next 3 hours.<br />5) I would very much like to look like my favorite Hindi actor Dev Anand, unfortunately the closest I resemble is Shetty. On second thoughts, that may not be so bad; remember that in those days only villains could really get close to heroines (really evil HeHeHe).<br />6) These are some Hindi movies I could not bear to see past the interval, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Dhoom (1 & 2), Bunty Aur Babli, Guru, KKKG, DevDas (with SRK).<br />7) Pt 6 for English would be Titanic, Da Vinci Code (actually slept thru it; can't believe a movie containing the Louvre, Versailles, Westminster Abbey, the English Countryside & Tom Hanks can be so bad), Matrix, Mission Impossible, Eyes Wide Shut.<br />8) The last movie I saw in a theater was "The Reader"; loved it; Kate Winslet deserves her Oscar. I recommend it to everyone, most certainly to book lovers.<br />9) I have never programmed a VCR, and probably will never do so.<br />10) I have yet to send a text msg (SMS) from a cell phone, although this is something I probably will do.<br />11) I have however programmed in FORTRAN using punched cards (IBM 370), in assembly(Intel 8085, Z-80), & paper tape (PDP-11).<br />12) The first email I sent must have been in the mid-1980's.<br />13) The first on-line blog I posted on was soc.culture.india (early 1990's, and using text editors, graphical internet browsers were not invented yet.). This blog had the 2nd highest traffic in those days (naturally the 1st was alt.sex; "more talk less action" was the theme common to both.)<br />14) Although I have spent the last 14+ years developing Real-Time Fixed Income & Derivative Trading Systems for Wall Street, I have yet to personally trade any security.<br />15) One of my favorite Wall Street trader story is on Dec 31 1999, a trader told me to take the rest of the millennium off.<br />16) I was in New York City on Sep 11 2001.<br />17) My favorite card game is Bridge, although have not played it in a long long time.<br />18) My favorite sports are Cricket & American Football; again have not played either in a very long time.<br />19) Currently, bicycling, mountain climbing, and swimming are my physical activities.<br />20) I have julienned vegetables, made a bouquet garni, baked a quiche and roasted whole turkeys and chickens.<br />21) My favorite food-wine pairing is Salmon with a Red Burgundy.<br />22) The less said about my artistic abilities, the better.<br />23) I cannot play any musical instrument.<br />24) Although I do not believe in palmistry (or astrology or religion); I do have "The Simian Line" on my right hand.<br />25) I share my birth month (April) with Adolf Hitler & Saddam Hussein. My birth year had significant military episodes in both the countries I have been a citizen off (India-China War, The Cuban Missile Crisis.) [No, this is not a plot for Omen 17 1/2]<br /><br />I cannot think of anyone to tag (all I know have been tagged); hence stopping for now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-44886875699021674712009-02-03T23:36:00.000-08:002009-02-03T23:57:05.474-08:00Explanation/Prediction of the Financial CrisisAmitabh (Vijay Gupta) in his first meeting with Sanjeev Kumar says "Main Paanch Lakh Ka Sauda Karne Aaya Hoon Aur Meri Jeb Mein Paanch Phooti Kaudi Nahin Hain".<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Now fast forward to the early 2000's to a hypothetical US homebuyer (say VJ Gutkowski) in </span><span style="font-style: italic;">say Las Vegas --- "I have come to buy this Five Hundred Thousand $ House, and I have No </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Down Payment."</span><br /><br />Sanjeev Kumar (a builder of homes and owner of Raj Constructions) agrees to sell the plot to Amitabh. Upon hearing that Amitabh is going build a colony of houses on that plot, a financiar Prem Chopra agrees to lend five lakh rupees.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In the USA, Sanjeev Kumar and his company would be any homebuilding company; and Prem </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Chopra could be a well known investment bank. VJ Gutkowski was categorized as SUBPRIME, and probably held an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). His reasoning was "House prices are </span><span style="font-style: italic;">rising and I will probably sell this house before the ARM resets to a higher rate.". The </span><span style="font-style: italic;">investment bank took his mortgage and other similar mortgages and securitized them, i.e. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">created mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and collateralized debt obligations (CDO).</span><br /><br />Amitabh creates his own construction company (Shanti Constructions), and begins competing against Sanjeev Kumar. Both attempt to purchase more land to build more houses, and end up bidding against each other at a land auction. The net result is an inflation in land prices, with Amitabh outbidding Sanjeev and wildly overpaying. Revenge is Amitabh's reason for doing so, he was born out-of-wedlock and Sanjeev is his father.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Spurred by the low interest rate policy favored by the US Federal Reserve (US Central </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Bank) many people (PRIME as well as SUBPRIME) rush to buy homes. Since <span style="font-weight: bold;">MBS</span> & <span style="font-weight: bold;">CDO'</span>s </span><span style="font-style: italic;">diversify risk and increase profitability, Investment banks make home lending a priority. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">This causes land and home prices to inflate, leading VJ Gutkowski and other Americans buy </span><span style="font-style: italic;">more houses. Note that the initial impetus to the housing bubble may have been different </span><span style="font-style: italic;">(Trishul-Revenge Vs. USA-Low-Interest-Rates-MBS-CDO's); but the effects are similar.</span><br /><br />The Indian Govt. creates a scheme to promote affordable housing, and both Amitabh and Sanjeev tender bids. Using underhanded means (gets the senior Govt. official to believe that Amitabh is trying to bribe him), Sanjeev Kumar wins the bid. An incensed Amitabh purchases all the available adjacent land and advertises his intent to build sell and better houses at half the price. This naturally leads to a collapse in housing prices, and brings a lot of trouble for Raj Constructions. Suppliers start demanding immediate payment and investors/bankers are loath to lend any further money. Sanjeev Kumar has to mortgage his home and office in order to borrow money to keep his business afloat.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What the Federal Reserve gives, the Federal Reserve taketh away. From 2004 to 2006, the Fed </span><span style="font-style: italic;">hiked the Fed Funds rate from 2.0 to 5.25; thereby effectively pricking the US housing </span><span style="font-style: italic;">bubble. Homebuyers saw their house prices collapse and simultaneously their <span style="font-weight: bold;">ARM</span>'s adjusted </span><span style="font-style: italic;">to a higher rate of interest. Many subprime homeowners defaulted on their mortgages, and </span><span style="font-style: italic;">this lead to an increase in losses on the underlying <span style="font-weight: bold;">MBS</span> & <span style="font-weight: bold;">CDO</span>'s. To prevent further </span><span style="font-style: italic;">losses, Banks began to tighten lending standards.</span><br /><br />Sanjeev Kumar enlists the help of Prem Chopra to try and prevent Amitabh's colony from being built. Prem also controls cement distribution, and refuses to supply Amitabh. An enraged Amitabh informs the police who promptly sieze Prem's assets. Prem and Sanjeev gang up and plot to kill Amitabh. Meanwhile, Amitabh has purchased all of Sanjeev's mortgages and IOU's; and in a grand gesture returns them back to Sanjeev. After the obligatory fight scenes, the movie ends with Sanjeev sacrificing his life, and Shanti & Raj Constructions merging to creating Shanti-Raj Constructions.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Remember that Prem Chopra in the US is an investment bank, and one that is deeply affected </span><span style="font-style: italic;">by the housing/<span style="font-weight: bold;">MBS</span>/<span style="font-weight: bold;">CDO</span> collapse. This investment bank declares bankruptcy, leading to a </span><span style="font-style: italic;">severe credit crunch. Again different reasons for the discontinuation of Prem </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Chopra/Investment Bank; but again the effects are similar --- credit crunch.</span><br /><br />A reader may well insist that no such credit crunch happened in the movie, if anything in the movie "All's well that ends well". But did all really end well ? Note that the two merged companies still owned a surplus of houses that were rapidly depreciating. Also, Amitabh must have had to go into debt to be able to buy all of Sanjeev's debt (note that in a distressed environment even his assets must have collapsed.). Add to this fact that one major financier had disappeared and others will unwilling to lend --- has to result in a credit crunch.<br /><br />OK, OK, OK; this economic stuff may finally be too much for some people --- peace.<br />Trishul happens to be one of my favorite Amitabh Bachchan movies. I apologize for taking some liberties in this review, my intentions were to try and explain the circumstances leading to the current financial crisis. Both Amitabh and Sanjeev deliver powerful performances, and are ably supported by Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini & Rakhee.<br /><br />On a more serious note, to better understand some of the issues and some possible solutions; I recommend the following books/sites.<br /><br />1) Structured Finance & Collateralized Debt Obligations - Janet M. Tavakoli.<br />2) Monetary History of the United States - Milton Friedman & Anna Schwartz<br />3) Essay in the Great Depression - Ben Bernanke<br />4) Writings and Commentary of NYU Prof. Nouriel Roubini (www.rgemonitor.com).<br /><br />Some definitions<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SUBPRIME</span> - Persons with an irregular or incomplete salary history, probably had a bankruptcy in the past. (FICO score < 620)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ARM</span> - A mortgage whose interest rate changes at pre-defined points in time. The new rate is a fixed spread added to well-known rate such as LIBOR.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MBS</span> - A bond that pays interest and principal from the monthly mortgage payments of the underlying pool of mortgages.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CDO</span> - A derivative instrument that uses MBS and other securities.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-81276369587069333712008-11-12T12:33:00.000-08:002008-11-12T12:45:56.763-08:00India's Unknown Birth Control Pioneer<strong>Margaret Sanger, an American birth control pioneer, founded her first clinic in 1916 at Brooklyn New York.</strong> A few days later, she was arrested on obscenity charges and sentenced to 30 days in jail. A determined woman, she kept challenging the reigning orthodoxy, and ultimately succeeded in bringing sexual and reproductive freedoms to women worldwide. Time magazine included her in the list of 100 most influential people of the 20th century.<br /><br /><strong>Marie Stopes, a British birth control pioneer, founded her first clinic in 1921 at London.</strong> Although she was never arrested, a number of doctors and priests attacked her. Eventually her ideas and work gained acceptance, and today "Marie Stopes International" a women's reproductive health organization is active in several countries.<br /><br /><strong>Raghunath Karve, an Indian birth control pioneer, founded his first clinic in 1921 at Bombay.</strong> He was arrested and convicted twice on obscenity charges, and had to pay fines. Despite waging a lifelong passionate fight for gender equality and women's sexual & reproductive rights, he was relegated to the backwaters of history. In 1953, he died a lonely and unsung man.<br /><br />Dhyaas Parva (An Era of Yearning) is director <strong>Amol Palekar's award winning Marathi movie</strong>, a biographical account of the life of Raghunath Karve. Filmed in a restrained almost documentary style, this non-sermonizing movie keeps the intellectually curious viewer rooted to their seat. Shunning traditional devices like songs and melodrama, a rationalist treatment makes this a refreshing experience.<br /><br />Malati Karve, Raghunath's wife, whole-heartedly supports him in his endeavors. At times she shoulders much of the couple's financial responsibilities, after having chosen to work in the career of her choice. One of the most powerful scenes is when Raghunath tells Malati that <em>she is under no obligation to bear children.</em> Since she does not feel like being a mother, they remain childless. Naturally this does not go down well in pre-independence India; a Doctor mis-diagnosing her illness(Pernicious Anemia) claims that her troubles are due to not being a mother in over 15 years of marriage.<br /><br />Other effective episodes from the movie<br /><br />*** Several snide comments passed by the Karve's neighbors. Viewers well versed in Marathi culture, especially that of Pune and Girgaum Mumbai, will truly appreciate these.<br /><br />*** Raghunath's speech to a gathering of Pune intellectuals and the negative response it generates. Palekar takes a delicious tongue-in-cheek swipe at a few of the opponents, bringing memories of Ghashiram Kotwal.<br /><br />*** Some progressive editors refusing to publish Karve's progressive magazine, one of those editors calling his ideas "provocative".<br /><br />*** The reason for being charged with obscenity; his editorial asserting that <em>"Current attitudes to female fidelity and virginity emanate from a woman being viewed as a man's property."</em><br /><br />*** Several scenes hinting at some of the reasons for his failure :- a refusal to compromise, being extremely critical of those in power, unable to build and maintain relationships.<br /><br />Employing an underplaying style reminiscent of Arun Sarnaik and Shriram Lagoo from Sinhasan, Kishore Kadam delivers an outstanding performance as Raghunath Karve. Without resorting to any histrionics, he intelligently conveys the pain of constantly being rejected and ignored. He is equally at ease displaying unflagging determination, <em>but the real genius is the unsentimental portrayal in analyzing Karve's own failures.</em><br /><br />Seema Biswas, as Malati Karve, delivers a reserved and gentle performance; quite unlike her Bandit Queen effort. The other supporting actors have turned in competent efforts, with Sanjay Mone as Dr. Ambedkar being the standout.<br /><br />Amol Palekar himself a committed social progressive, atheist, and gender equality champion; possibly had an interesting dilemma as to how to create this movie. He could have chosen to loudly trumpet Raghunath Karve's ideas and raved and ranted against those that opposed him, he did neither. <em>The intentional focus on the reasons as to why Raghunath Karve did not succeed in becoming famous is Palekar's stroke of genius</em>. Additionally, he managed to get Bhanu Athaiyya (India's only Oscar winner) for costume design and Nitin Desai (Devdas, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam) for art direction to work for a pittance. Their joint efforts have resulted in creating a a realistic period feel that compliments the movie's central theme.<br /><br />Epilogue<br />A) <strong>Free India was the world's first Govt. to institute a birth control program.</strong> It began in the 1950's on a small scale; and in response to the burgeoning population, by the late 60's/early 70's had grown into a much bigger country-wide effort.<br />B) India's population crossed the one billion mark in the early 2000's, and <strong>by 2020-25 is projected to reach anywhere between 1.3 - 1.5 billion.</strong> In the second half of this century, India is projected to be the most populous country on earth.<br />C) In the United States, it took the 1965 landmark <strong>US Supreme Court decision Griswold V Connecticut to legalize contraception for married couples.</strong> Eisenstat V Baird (1972) extended this right to unmarried couples.<br />D) Even today in the US, women's reproductive rights are constantly being challenged. Aid for international birth control is often un-certain and subject to ideological and budget constraints.<br /><br />References<br />1) <a href="http://maharshikarvefamily.blogspot.com/">http://maharshikarvefamily.blogspot.com/</a><br />2) The Global Family Planning Revolution, Warren C. Robinson, John A. Ross<br />3) Twenty-First Century India, Tim Dyson, Robert Cassen, Leela Visaria<br />4) <a href="http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/sanger.html">www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/sanger.html</a><br />5) <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4847bx.htm">www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4847bx.htm</a><br />6) <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/marie-stopes">www.answers.com/topic/marie-stopes</a><br />7) Wikipedia<br />8) <a href="http://www.mum.org/contrace.htm">www.mum.org/contrace.htm</a><br />9) <a href="http://countrystudies.us/india/33.htm">countrystudies.us/india/33.htm</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-82455772713627279742008-11-02T21:40:00.000-08:002008-11-02T21:56:29.370-08:00Woody Allen's Enchanting Spanish CaperThe movie starts with two American friends Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) going to Barcelona for the summer. They stay at Vicky's friend Judy (Patricia Clarkson) and her husband's home. On a visit to an art gallery they see Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem); Cristina is interested and enquires whether he is the artist. Judy narrates a story about how Juan Antonio and his wife had a tempestuous divorce, and the wife tried to kill him. Later at dinner in a restaurant, Vicky and Cristina see Juan Antonio with his friends. Juan Antonio notices them as well, walks over to them and his first words after introductions are <strong>"I like to invite you both to spend the weekend, we will eat well, drink good wine, we will make Love".</strong> Pat comes the reply to Vicky's question <em>"Who exactly is going to make love"</em> --- <strong>"Hopefully the three of us".</strong><br /><br />Viewers/Readers familiar with Woody Allen's history may be tempted to roll their eyes and mutter "There he goes again, that near pedophile". However, a witty and inspired script, excellent chemistry between actors, and imaginative direction soon overcome any misgivings. Indeed <strong>"Vicky Cristina Barcelona"</strong> marks a comeback for Allen, and is his best movie in a long time. Almost in the category of his early classics "<strong>Love and Death", "Annie Hall", "Hannah and her Sisters"</strong>; this movie continues his inimitable exploration into unfulfilled relationships.<br /><br />Vicky & Cristina fly away with Juan Antonio for the weekend. The practical, level-headed & already engaged Vicky ensures the girls are in one room and he is in another. After a lot of wine, the more adventurous Cristina goes to Juan Antonio's bedroom, but suddenly gets an attack of food poisoning and has to be hospitalized. Vicky & Juan Antonio are thrown together, they do some sight-seeing and visit his father. Juan Antonio tells her about the complicated relationship with his ex-wife. At the end of a romantic evening with wine and Spanish Guitar music, she succumbs to his charms.<br /><br />They all come back to Barcelona, Vicky keeps her dalliance a secret from Cristina. Over time Juan Antonio and Cristina get involved and start living together. Vicky's fiance' Doug also shows up in Barcelona, and has plans for a romantic hurried wedding. Meanwhile, Maria Elena (Juan Antonio's ex-wife) has some trouble in her life, and moves in with Juan Antonio and Cristina.<br /><br /><em>Please see this delightful movie to find out what happens next.</em><br /><br /><strong>"Only unfulfilled love can be romantic",</strong> Maria Elena's wise words could sum up this movie. Indeed, Woody Allen has always specialized in exploring the many paths within relationships; especially relationships that initially flower but over time come asunder. This movie sheds light on some unexplored or partially explored paths such as <em>menage' a trois (threesomes), and unfaithfulness</em>. Controversial and delicate subjects like these could easily be mishandled by lesser directors, but Allen employing an unusually funny script keeps us highly entertained. Never do we feel that we are watching some sleazy endeavor, even the much celebrated make-out scene between Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz is tastefully enacted. He also uses a voice-over to periodically explain and embellish scenes, I personally liked it and found that it enriched the movie experience.<br /><br />The acting is brilliant all around, with Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem and Rebecca Hall being outstanding. Cruz is a firm favorite for supporting actress Oscar; she spices up this movie with an electric performance of a slightly crazy and violent, yet perceptive and talented artist. Her character has many different shades from vulnerability to taking charge, nurturing to breaking up a relationship, friendliness to possessive violence, understanding and exhibiting an artist's temperament; she essays all these effortlessly.<br /><br />Rebecca Hall is a great discovery, she delivers an intelligent performance that begins with a crisp and sure demeanor. As the movie progresses, she marvellously displays subtle cracks in this sure-footedness and is at ease portraying hesitation, self-doubt and indecisiveness.<br /><br />Scarlett Johansson has a great working relationship with Woody Allen (Scoop, Match Point), and she is very much at ease with the initial flighty and easily impressed character. Later she often has to react to Cruz taking charge, which she does competently; but this may be a reason for her effort not being on par with the other three.<br /><br />After an Oscar winning performance as a scary, psychotic, hit-man in "No Country For Old Men", Javier Bardem excels as a romantic, charming, confident Spanish artist. He leaves no doubt about his star power with a performance that nonchalantly seduces the viewer. The icing on the cake is his later expression of self-doubt and insecurity, hallmarks of Woody Allen male characters.<br /><br />Adding to the appeal of this movie, are the picturesque locations and the wonderful cinematography. Scenes like sailing on the serene Mediterranean, bicycling through and picnicking in the enchanting Spanish countryside, alluring Barcelona locations, background fireworks; suggest a Madison avenue hand at work. The cinematography certainly enhances the romantic appeal of the movie, and is probably worthy of an Oscar as well.<br /><br />Woody Allen has a different location (Barcelona instead of New York) and a younger set of characters (Bardem instead of himself); but has not lost his unique entertaining way of telling a slightly melancholy tale.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-17174452196276688282008-10-08T15:58:00.000-07:002008-10-08T17:08:49.638-07:00Avdi's Dev Anand TagFirst a link to my review on Dev Anand<br /><a href="http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Dev_Anand-144533-1.html">http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Dev_Anand-144533-1.html</a><br /><br />Next a link to my review on Guide<br /><a href="http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Guide_-_FilmFare_Award_1966-130373-1.html">http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Guide_-_FilmFare_Award_1966-130373-1.html</a><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Movies Seen & Liked</span></em><br /><em><strong>Des Pardes (1978) </strong></em>--- The last good Dev Anand movie. There is a nice line in the last song that I identify with a lot "Wahaan Ek JeevanSathi Hai Yahaan Roz Naya Sawariya, Woh Bhi Theek To Yeh Bhi Theek Hai Apna Apna Nazariya." (Expressing tolerance and understanding for the West & India.)<br /><em><strong>HarĂ© Raama HarĂ© Krishna (1971)</strong></em> --- His best directorial venture, partly flawed (all that moorti stealing stuff with Prem Chopra); but mostly ahead of the curve. Zeenat Aman's debut, and great songs "Dum Maaro Dum", "Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka", "Kaanchi Re Kaanchi", "O Re Ghunghroo Ka Bole", Dekho O Deewano".<br /><em><strong>Tere Mere Sapne (1971)</strong></em> --- A sensitive movie that explores medical ethics and husband-wife relationships, Dev Anand & Mumtaz make a lovely pair. Great songs "He Maine Kasam Li", "Jeevan Ki Bagiya Mehkengi", "Jaise Radha Ne Mala Japi".<br /><em><strong>Johny Mera Naam (1970)</strong></em> --- All us kids were greatly impressed with Dev Anand as a cool hep dude Johnny, who in reality is a CID inspector. We used to play a game called HandsUp, and all of us would try to imitate him. Me and my brother must have spent several years fighting like the long lost brothers Dev Anand & Pran.<br /><em><strong>Duniya (1968)</strong></em> --- Do not remember much, had a great song "Dooriyaan Nazhdikiyaan Ban Gayi". I think it was a whodunit murder plot.<br /><em><strong>Jewel Thief (1967)</strong></em> --- First Hindi movie seen outside India, as someone said "A Great combination of James Bond & Agatha Christie.". Do I need to say great songs ?<br /><strong><em>Guide (1965)</em></strong> --- Refer to my review, My all-time favorite Hindi movie.<br /><strong><em>Teen Devian (1965)</em></strong> --- Great songs with Nanda, Kalpana (not Kalpana Kartik his wife) & Simi Garewal. "Are Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho GhazaB', "Khwaab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat", "Likha Hai Teri Ankhon Mein", "Aise To Na Dekho". Only Dev Anand can be simultaneously in love with 3 women.<br /><strong><em>Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963)</em></strong> --- His best movie with Nutan, a delightful entertainer. Great songs "Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar", "Tere Ghar Ke Samne", "Tu Kahaan Ye Bataa", "Dekho Rootha Na Karo".<br /><strong><em>Asli-Naqli (1962)</em></strong> --- Only film with Hrishikesh Mukherjee, they had a fight. HK thought that DA was all charisma and no acting ability, and DA would retort that no one would come to see HK's movies. Many great songs and a lovely Sadhana, "Tujhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se Baandh liya Hai", "Tera Mera Pyaar Amar", "Ek Budh Banaoonga", "Kal Ki Daulat AAj Ki Khooshiyaan".<br /><strong><em>Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962)</em></strong> --- An underrated thriller with Dev Anand as a lawyer and Waheeda Rehman as his client accused of a murder. Great songs "Na Tum Hame Jaano", "Akela Hoon Mein".<br /><strong><em>Hum Dono (1961)</em></strong> --- Dev Anand shines in a double role, Sadhana is lovely (as usual) and great songs (as usual). "Abhi Na Jaao Chodkar", "Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhaata Chala Gaya".<br /><strong><em>Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai (1961)</em></strong> --- A nice pair Dev Anand & Asha Parekh, with great songs "Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai", "Sau Saal Pehle Mujhe Tumse Pyaar Tha", "Teri Zulfon Se Judaai To Nahi Mangi Thi."<br /><strong><em>Bombai Ka Babu (1960)</em></strong> --- Sensitively handled the taboo topic of incest, Dev Anand plays Suchitra Sen's long lost brother. In reality, he has accidently murdered the real brother; but now falls in love with her. She obviously cannot reciprocate, and finally marries someone else. Both looked great, and so were the songs "Dekhne Mein Bhola Hai Dil ka Salona", "Deewana Mastana Hua Dil Jaane Kaha Hoke Bahaar Ayi', "Chal Ri Sajni Ab Kya Soche."<br /><strong><em>Kala Bazar (1960)</em></strong> --- Another great pairing with Waheeda Rehman, Vijay Anand acts and directs this movie. Numerous great songs. A great early scene shows Dev Anand selling "Mother India's" tickets in black, at it premiere attended by several Hindi Movie industry figures.<br /><strong><em>Kalapani (1958)</em></strong> --- Dev Anand & Madhubala must be the best looking pair in Hindi Movies, also great acting acting by DA (won Filmfare best actor award.) Great songs again "Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukare Chale Gaye", "Nazar Laagi Raja Tore Bugle Par",<br />"AchaJi Mein Haari Chalo Man Jaao Na".<br /><strong><em>Nau Do Gyarah (1957)</em></strong> --- Starts as a copy of "It Happened One Night", but unlike another Raj Kapoor-Nargis copy "Chori Chori"; veers away from the original. And when it veers away, it also looses some of the charm. Never mind, great song "Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke", "Ankhon Mein Kya Jee Rupaila Badal", "Aaja Panchii Akela Hai", will keep you entertained. (BTW, both Dev<br />Anand & Raj Kapoor copy Clark Gable's hair style, in different songs.)<br /><strong><em>Paying Guest (1957)</em></strong> --- I think his first pairing with Nutan, and a delightful movie. A character "Sharabi Jeejajee" unintentionally provides a lot more fun. Great songs once again<br /><strong><em>C.I.D. (1956)</em></strong> --- Dev Anand excels at playing a sauve smart CID inspector, Johnny Walker provides comic relief and a great song "Yeh hai Bombay Meri Jaan", Waheeda Rehman's debut is not to be missed.<br /><strong><em>Munimji (1955)</em></strong> --- Great song "Jeevan Ke Safar Mein Rahi".<br /><strong><em>Patita (1953)</em></strong> --- Several great songs.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#006600;">Movies seen & Liked as a Kid But ROFL now</span></em><br />I cannot belive that as a kid I liked these movies, and actually looked forward to seeing them.<br /><strong><em>Bullet (1976) </em></strong>--- Has a song that goes something like "Bullet, Bullet, Bullet, Dekho Yeh Kya Hai".<br /><strong><em>Jaaneman (1976)</em></strong> --- Apparently a remake of Taxi Driver with Hema Malini in a double role.<br /><strong><em>Warrant (1975)</em></strong> --- Has to be seen once to see Bombay Police dressed in skin tight pale blue outfits while raiding Ajit's den.Ajit goes around looking for a "Faarmoola", and also has a pool of acid in which he throws people he wants to kill. Now strictly ROFL. Nice song "Ruk Jaana O Jaana Humse Do Baate Karke Chali Jaana".<br /><strong><em>Amir Garib (1974)</em></strong> --- What in hell is a Bagla Bhagat (Dev Anand's bad character's name.).<br /><strong><em>Joshila (1973)</em></strong> --- Great song "Kiska Rasta Dekhe"<br /><strong><em>Chhupa Rustam (1973)</em></strong> --- Yet another CID role with Hema Malini. Dev Anand does a qawwali, with Ajit, Prem Chopra & Hema Malini looking on; again strictly ROFL.<br /><strong><em>Banarasi Babu (1973)</em></strong> --- Dev Anand in a double role, one of which is a paan chewing Babu from Banaras.<br /><strong><em>Heera Panna (1973)</em></strong> --- Great Song "Panna Ki Tamanna"; Zeenat looks awesome in a bikini in another song.<br /><strong><em>Shareef Budmaash (1973)</em></strong> --- Yet another CID role with Hema Malini. Great song "Neend Churakar Raaton Mein".<br /><strong><em>Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972)</em></strong> --- With Sharmila Tagore.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Movies Seen & Not Liked</span></em><br /><strong><em>Love at Times Square (2003) </em></strong>--- Cant believe I actually saw this one, and also read the New York Times's review where they too were sort of kind to him.<br /><strong><em>Return of Jewel Thief (1996)</em></strong> --- ROFL, ROFL, ROFL at the first song and most of the movie. This movie should never have been made.<br /><strong><em>Gangster (1994)</em></strong> --- Remember only bits & pieces, to quote Kulbhushan Kharbanda from Shaan "Meri Samajh Mein Nahi Aaya Ke Mein Hansoo Ya Rouu" (forgive the spelling of Rouu.)<br /><strong><em>Sau Crore (1991)</em></strong> --- Again vaguely remember.<br /><strong><em>Awwal Number (1990)</em></strong> --- A movie containing Cricket & Aamir Khan, and yet so bad.<br /><strong><em>Swami Dada (1982)</em></strong> --- Holy Cow !!!!<br /><strong><em>Man Pasand (1980)</em></strong> --- Dev Anand as Henry Higgins has to be the greatest miscast of all time.<br /><strong><em>Kalabaaz (1977)</em></strong> --- ROFL @ Dev Anand & Zeenat on an elephant.<br /><strong><em>Saheb Bahadur (1977)</em></strong> --- Apparently a remake of Afsar which I have not seen, judging by this movie am glad I did not.<br /><strong><em>Ishq Ishq Ishq (1974)</em></strong> --- Had good songs, but no one could figure out the story.<br /><strong><em>Gambler (1971)</em></strong> --- Great songs but what was the point ???<br /><strong><em>Prem Pujari (1970)</em></strong> --- Great songs (multiple), Dev Anand's direction leaves a lot to be desired. Grimsel Pass (Phoolon Ke Rang Se) in real life is the closest Lunar Landscape on earth.<br /><strong><em>Love Marriage (1959)</em></strong> --- Yet another movie with Cricket, ROFL @ Dev Anand hitting sixes; only 10 people in the theatre; we 4 friends walked out during the interval (2 of us strong DA fans). Great songs "Dheere Dheere Chal Chand Gagan Mein" & "Kahen Jhoom Jhoom Raat Ye Suhaani".<br /><strong><em>Amar Deep (1958)</em></strong> --- A Love triangle that dragged on, Great songs "Dekh Hame Awaaz Na Dena" & "Mere Man Ka Bawra Panchii".<br /><strong><em>House No. 44 (1955)</em></strong> --- Great songs, but a slow movie.<br /><strong><em>Insaniyat (1955)</em></strong> --- ROFL @ names like Zangoora, and Dev Anand with a moustache, and Dilip Kumar hamming away.<br /><strong><em>Taxi Driver (1954)</em></strong> --- Slow movie, but a couple of great songs.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#336666;">Movies Not Seen </span></em><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Mr Prime Minister (2005)<br />Aman Ke Farishtey (2003)<br />Censor (2001)<br />Hum Naujawan (1985)<br />Anand Aur Anand (1984)<br />Lootmaar (1980)<br />Darling Darling (1977) --- Has a great song "Aise Na Mujhe Tum Dekho"<br />Prem Shastra (1974)<br />The Evil Within (1970) --- ????<br />Mahal (1969)<br />Kahin Aur Chal (1968)<br />Pyar Mohabbat (1966)<br />Sharabi (1964) --- Great song "Kabhie Na Kabhie Kahi Na Kahi Koi Na Koi To Ayega"<br />Kinare Kinare (1963)<br />Maya (1961) --- Great songs "Koi Sone Ke Dilwaala", "Tasveer Teri Dil Mein"<br />Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1961)<br />Ek Ke Baad Ek (1960)<br />Jaali Note (1960)<br />Manzil (1960)<br />Sarhad (1960)<br />Solva Saal (1958) --- Great song "Hai Apna Dil To Awara"<br />Baarish (1957)<br />Dushman (1957)<br />Funtoosh (1956)<br />Pocket Maar (1956)<br />Dev Anand in Goa (Alias Farar) (1955)<br />Milap (1955)<br />Baadbaan (1954)<br />'Ferry' (1954)<br />Armaan (1953)<br />Humsafar (1953)<br />Rahi (1953)<br />Aandhiyan (1952)<br />Jaal (1952) --- Great song "Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kahaan"<br />Tamasha (1952)<br />Zalzala (1952)<br />Aaram (1951)<br />Baazi (1951) --- Great song "Tadbeer Se bigdi hui"<br />Do Sitare (1951)<br />Nadaan (1951)<br />Sanam (1951)<br />Sazaa (1951) --- Great song "Tum Na Jaane Kis Jahaan Mein Kho Gaye"<br />Stage (1951)<br />Afsar (1950)<br />Birha Ki Raat (1950)<br />Dilruba (1950)<br />Hindustan Hamara (1950)<br />Khel (1950)<br />Madhubala (1950)<br />Nili (1950)<br />Nirala (1950)<br />Jeet (1949)<br />Shair (1949)<br />Shayar (1949)<br />Udhaar (1949)<br />Hum Bhi Insaan Hain (1948)<br />Vidya (1948)<br />Ziddi (1948)<br />Aage Badho (1947)<br />Mohan (1947)<br />Hum Ek Hain (1946) </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-59852967318328861852008-09-28T20:31:00.000-07:002008-10-01T22:00:40.039-07:00Response to CP's TagI was tagged by CouchPapaya, with the following rules:<br /><br />RULE #1: People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by them.<br /><br />RULE #2: Tag 6 people to do this quiz and they cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by. Continue this game by sending it to other people.<br /><br /><strong>1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?</strong><br />What took you so long.<br /><br /><strong>2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?</strong><br />Actually get that billion US $ mentioned later, and more important, let that be in 3 month T-Bills.<br /><br /><strong>3. Whose butt would you like to kick?</strong><br />Several people, but only if they sign a waiver.<br /><br /><strong>4. What would you do with a billion dollars?</strong><br />Assuming it is in US $, first buy 3 month T-Bills, and then Start a Hedge Fund.<br /><br /><strong>5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?</strong><br />No.<br /><br /><strong>6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?</strong><br />Both.<br /><br /><strong>7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you really love?</strong><br />Till the next someone I really love comes along.<br /><br /><strong>8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?</strong><br />Depends upon whether I already have that billion $ or not. If I have then why not try Robert Redford's Indecent Proposal (extremely evil laughter); but since I do not I suppose I shall just get over it.<br /><br /><strong>9. What takes you down the fastest?</strong><br />Spacecraft, airplanes, gravity.<br /><br /><strong>10. How would you see yourself in ten years time?</strong><br />Since I cannot get Lasik done, using my glasses.<br /><br /><strong>11. Whatâs your fear?</strong><br />Actually getting that 1 billion US $ as 1 $ per day for the next 1 billion days.<br /><br /><strong>12. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?</strong><br />Eclectic Writer, Extremely Well Read, Exquisite taste in food & drinks.<br /><br /><strong>13. Would you rather be single and rich or married but poor?</strong><br />He He He; I always thought married but poor always follows single and rich.<br /><br /><strong>14. Whatâs the first thing you do when you wake up?</strong><br />Search for my glasses.<br /><br /><strong>15. Would you give all in a relationship?</strong><br />If "all" includes all assets AND LIABILITIES, most certainly.<br /><br /><strong>16. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously, who would you pick?</strong><br />I would let my wife decide, after all it affects her as well.<br />(Hey, stop throwing those shoes at me.)<br /><br /><strong>17. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?</strong><br />Yes, so long as whatever was done was legal.<br /><br /><strong>18. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?</strong><br />Bicycling thru' French vineyards to a wine-tasting lunch. Climbing Mountains, preferably bordering an ocean.<br /><br /><strong>19. What are the three most important expectations in wine (Original Question: What are your three most important expectations in love)</strong><br />Intoxicating, Keeps improving with age, Good for your health.<br />(On second thoughts, applicable to love as well.)<br /><br /><strong>20. List 6 people to tag:</strong><br />Whoever reads this, and is not tagged, and is willing. (All those I know have already been tagged.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-71366369145356206002008-09-23T20:01:00.000-07:002008-09-23T20:53:23.442-07:00The 100 Foods ListCouchPapaya found this interesting one (Thanks CP), here is my list.<br /><br />1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.<br />2) Bold all the items youâve eaten.<br />3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating (Like CP, I use blue)<br />4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.<br />Additionally, I use italics for foods that almost/nearly eaten.<br /><br />The VGT Omnivoreâs Hundred:<br />1. Venison<br />2. Nettle tea<br />3. <strong>Huevos rancheros (1)</strong><br />4. <em>Steak tartare --- I am almost sure I have eaten, but cannot remember 100%</em><br />5. <span style="color:#000099;">Crocodile --- No way I am eating this, hopefully a croc. never eats me.</span><br />6. <span style="color:#000099;">Black pudding --- After finding out what this is NO WAY !!!</span><br />7. <strong>Cheese fondue (2)</strong><br />8. <strong>Carp (3)</strong><br />9. <strong>Borscht ---</strong> <strong>(4)</strong> This is good stuff<br />10. <strong>Baba ghanoush (5)</strong><br />11. <strong>Calamari ---</strong> <strong>(6)</strong> Not a fan<br />12. Pho<br />13. <strong>PB&J sandwich (7)</strong><br />14. <strong>Aloo gobi</strong> <strong>(8)</strong><br />15. <strong>Hot dog from a street cart (9)</strong><br />16. <strong>Epoisses ---</strong> <strong>(10)</strong> Neutral<br />17. <em>Black truffle ---</em> Must have had some shavings over an entre'<br />18. <em>Fruit wine made from something other than grapes ---</em> Apple wine, I think had some in the NY finger lakes region.<br />19. <strong>Steamed pork buns ---</strong> <strong>(11)</strong> Assuming this is Chinese, not fond though<br />20. <strong>Pistachio ice cream</strong> <strong>(12)</strong><br />21. <strong>Heirloom tomatoes (13)</strong><br />22. <strong>Fresh wild berries (14)</strong><br />23. <strong>Foie gras (15)</strong><br />24. <strong>Rice and beans (16)</strong><br />25. Brawn, or head cheese<br />26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper<br />27. <strong>Dulce de leche (17)</strong><br />28. <strong>Oysters ---</strong> <strong>(18)</strong> Neutral<br />29.<strong> Baklava ---</strong> <strong>(19)</strong> Like it<br />30. Bagna cauda<br />31. <strong>Wasabi peas ---</strong> <strong>(20)</strong> Neutral<br />32. <strong>Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl ---</strong> <strong>(21)</strong> Some really good<br />33. <strong>Salted lassi (22) </strong><br />34. <strong>Sauerkraut (23)</strong><br />35. <strong>Root beer float (24) ---</strong> My children love this, had a sip once, yuk !!!<br />36. <strong>Cognac with a fat cigar</strong> --- <strong>(25)</strong> Don't smoke, but really like cognac<br />37. Clotted cream tea<br />38. Vodka jelly/jell-O<br />39. <strong>Gumbo ---</strong> <strong>(26)</strong> Sometimes Good<br />40. Oxtail<br />41. <strong>Curried goat</strong> --- <strong>(27)</strong> Had it in Jamaica, did not really like it; Kolhapuri Mutton is the best<br />42. Whole insects --- A guide in a rain-forest in Puerto Vallarta demo'd; yuck !!!<br />43. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaal">Phaal</a> --- Huh ???<br />44. <strong>Goatâs milk</strong> --- <strong>(28)</strong> Like CP, Goat's Cheese.<br />45. <strong>Malt whisky from a bottle worth ÂŁ60/$120 or more</strong> --- <strong>(29)</strong> Don't drink scotch nowadays, but had some a while ago. Why not wine/champagne/cognac ? Yes to all 3.<br />46. Fugu<br />47. <strong>Chicken tikka masala (30) </strong><br />48. <em>Eel ---</em> Like CP in sushi.<br />49. <strong>Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut (31)</strong><br />50. <em>Sea urchin ---</em> Like CP in sushi<br />51. Prickly pear<br />52. Umeboshi<br />53. Abalone<br />54. <strong>Paneer (32)</strong><br />55. <strong>McDonaldâs Big Mac Meal (33)</strong><br />56. <strong>Spaetzle (34)</strong><br />57. Dirty gin martini<br />58. Beer above 8% ABV<br />59. Poutine<br />60. Carob chips<br />61.<strong> Sâmores (35) ---</strong> Again my children to the rescue.<br />62. Sweetbreads<br />63. Kaolin<br />64. Currywurst<br />65. Durian<br />66. Frogsâ legs<br />67. <strong>Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake (36)</strong><br />68. <span style="color:#000099;">Haggis --- </span><span style="color:#000000;">CP, you are brave.</span><br />69. <strong>Fried plantain (37)</strong><br />70. <span style="color:#000099;">Chitterlings, or andouillette</span><br />71. <strong>Gazpacho (38)</strong><br />72. <strong>Caviar and blini ---</strong> (39) Can't believe I have had caviar on shores of the Caspian sea (Iranian side).<br />73. Louche absinthe<br />74. Gjetost, or brunost<br />75. <span style="color:#000099;">Roadkill </span><br />76. Baijiu ????<br />77. <strong>Hostess Fruit Pie (40)</strong><br />78. <strong>Snail (41) ---</strong> Std. French, escargots, not bad<br />79. Lapsang souchong ????<br />80. Bellini<br />81. <strong>Tom yum (42)</strong><br />82. <strong>Eggs Benedict (43)</strong><br />83. Pocky<br />84. <em>Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant ---</em> Not had the tasting menu, but on my very soon to do list.<br />85. <strong>Kobe beef</strong> <strong>(44) </strong><br />86. Hare<br />87. <strong>Goulash (45) ---</strong> My PhD guide was Hungarian, so were several co-students.<br />88. <strong>Flowers (46) ---</strong> Again using CP's logic, must have had some somewhere.<br />89. Horse --- I hope I have not had this one.<br />90. Criollo chocolate --- I must have had this, but not counting for now.<br />91. <strong>Spam ---</strong> <strong>(47)</strong> Yuk !!!<br />92. <strong>Soft shell crab (48)</strong><br />93. Rose harissa<br />94. <strong>Catfish (49)</strong><br />95. <strong>Mole poblano (50)</strong><br />96. <strong>Bagel and lox (51)</strong><br />97. <strong>Lobster Thermidor (52) ---</strong> Overrated.<br />98. <strong>Polenta (53)</strong><br />99. <strong>Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (54) ---</strong> This is really good, had it in Jamaica<br />100. <span style="color:#000099;">Snake</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="color:#000000;">Not bad; 54 definite &</span> </span><span style="color:#000000;">6 maybe.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-35292177361408629742008-09-18T19:17:00.000-07:002008-09-18T19:42:10.558-07:00Food + Wine = Music, An amateur's epiphanyNot being able to analyze wines like an expert, you know the type that spouts "exhibits gorgeous floral, cherry, tobacco, spice, and roasted Provencal herb-like notes"; I am forced to invent something else. My first attempt, "Computes elegantly along fractal fruit boundaries"; naah! too geeky and even I cannot decipher what it means. The next version "Widening spreads between expected and actual amortized time-variant alcohol contents"; sounds like I am constantly imbibing even while writing. Like a drowning man grasping at straws, and making no secret of my amateur status I finally proclaim ---"Food + Wine = Music". Ok maybe not as revolutionary as the theory of relativity, but it does express the sound principle of always pairing wine with food.<br /><br />The question still remains, which music ?; and not being an expert at classical Western or classical Indian, the choice automatically reduces to English Pop/Rock or Hindi film songs. Take something like "We don't need no education" by Pink Floyd, I just cannot see this being paired with any food much less wine (maybe some narcotic substance, but I am not going there). Hence by elimination, I am left with Hindi film music; but as you will see it is not such a bad choice.<br /><br /><strong>A) Grilled Vegetables + Champagne = Asha Bhosale's Aao Huzur Tumko</strong><br />Bubbly, frothy, effervescent, is that Champagne or Asha Bhosale singing Aao Huzur Tumko. Never mind, the adjectives fit both and this is my reason for the pairing. Grilled Vegetables just add to the fun, the great thing about them is that you can select any of your favorites.<br />I start with chopped cauliflower and julienned onions , a little oil and just a few spices (you can add more if you like); throw them on a charcoal grill and cook for about 10 - 15 min. Then I add julienned red, yellow, orange, green peppers (capsicum); and cook 5 more minutes. Finally I throw in some coarsely chopped tomatoes and cook just a few more minutes. Take them off the grill, and serve with champagne as the appetizer; do not forget the song in the background. You may just roast these vegetables in an oven if you do not want the hassle of a charcoal grill, or even make them on the stove using a grill pan. Other vegetables can certainly be added or substituted; eggplant, green beans, mushrooms all go well.<br /><em>Substitutes for Champagne --- a simple Chardonnay (Barton & Guestier appx. $12), Non-Alcoholic sparkling wine, fizzy apple juice.</em><br /><br /><strong>B) Salmon Au Poivre + a Red Burgundy = Kishore Kumar's Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhaana</strong><br /><span style="font-size:0;"></span>Kishore Kumar belts out youthful romantic songs that upon further inspection prove to have a lot of depth and cannot be easily copied. Same with a Red Burgundy, and when paired with that Salmon; your Zindagi will be a lot more Suhaana.<br />Squeeze the juice of a lemon on a 1 - 1.5 lb piece of Salmon, and add 1 - 2 tbsp Olive oil. Liberally coat with cracked fresh pepper and extremely thin slices of one garlic clove. Cut another lemon into thin discs, cover the Salmon leaving some space between them, and marinate for at least an hour. Then put it under a 400 deg. F broiler for 10 min or until you are satisfied that it is cooked. You may also grill it over charcoal or on a stove using a grill pan. The lemon slices ensure that the salmon remains moist and tender, and this technique can be used with chicken as well.<br /><em>Substitutes for Red Burgundy --- any Pinot Noir from say California or Oregon, Beaujolais</em><br /><em>Substitutes for Salmon --- Tuna, cod, sea bass, even mild tandoori chicken.</em><br /><br /><strong>C) Dijon Lamb Chops + a Red Bordeaux/Chateauneuf du Pape = Mohd. Rafi's Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hai or Mukesh's Kabhie Kabhie Mere Dil Mein Khayal Aata Hai</strong><br />Complex, multi-layered, amazing depth that improves with age; characteristics of a good Red Bordeaux or a good Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Do I need to further elaborate upon the pairing, I would argue that it is self-explanatory.<br />Marinate Lamb/Mutton chops in Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, parsley (can sub a little coriander), salt & pepper, for at least a couple of hours. The adventurous may also add some dry red wine. Grill/Broil/bake to taste, I usually do about 5 -7 minutes each side.<br /><em>Substitutes for the wine --- Australian Shiraz, any Syrah (Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a Syrah blend), any good dry red wine</em><br /><em>Substitutes for the chops --- A mildly spiced mutton/lamb cutlet, even a good steak.</em><br /><br /><strong>D) Alphonso Mangoes + Sauternes = Lata Mangeshkar's Lag Jaa Gale</strong><br />What is sweeter, Lata singing Lag Jaa Gale, a fresh ripe alphonso mango or an excellent Sauternes ? I say go with all three together, this is possibly the best dessert combination.<br /><em>Substitutes for the wine --- Canadian IceWines, possibly Sula's dessert wines.</em><br /><em>Substitutes for the mango --- pears (fresh or poached), strawberries, with nuts & cheese.</em><br /><em></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-80033652689336735162008-09-11T20:33:00.000-07:002008-09-11T20:40:27.737-07:00Measure Time in Seasons, Not DaysDo you like to buy your fruits and vegetables from a farmerâs market instead of a supermarket ? How about your olive oil in liters from a mill and liberally using it everyday, rather than measured teaspoonfuls on special occasions. Get wine from several nearby vineyards, after spending a most agreeable afternoon leisurely sampling them. Eat meals that are taken for granted by the locals, and are remembered by tourists for years. Work of all this eating and drinking by going on long hikes in rosemary and thyme scented mountains or picturesque sun-drenched lavender fields. And come back home to a quaint and charming centuries old stone farmhouse that you just remodeled. If you do not have the money and/or the time (like most people), the next best is to read Peter Mayleâs autobiographical narration <em>"A Year In Provence".</em><br /><br />Peter Mayle, an ad executive, and his wife Annie leave their London jobs and go live in heavenly Provence, a rural region in Southern France. After impulsively purchasing an old stone farmhouse near Menerbes, they set about hiring local craftsmen to modernize it. The book not only details their adventures in house restoration, but also documents their experiences in integrating into the Provencal French culture. All this written in a warm descriptive style with plenty of wry humor makes this book one of the best advertisements for Provencal living in particular and French culture in general.<br /><br />The book is organized according to the months of the year, with a chapter for each of the twelve. Needless to say, each chapter offers a different entertaining tale; and more evidence of Peterâs love for Provence. Skillfully interwoven is his appreciation and liking for the crusty, rough-hewn, nosy yet genuinely warm and loving local inhabitants.<br /><br />A brief synopsis of some of the months<br /><br /><strong>January</strong> --- The first month begins with a disaster, their frozen pipes burst in the dreaded Mistral; an incessant howling cold Siberian wind. A local French plumber, Menicucci, is introduced; he always answers the phone with the stereotypical "Oh La La". Also introduced is neighbor Faustain; who invites the Maylesâs for traditional "stick-to-your-ribs" Provencal meal. A local gourmet has the best line about English cooking, "the English kill their lamb twice, once when they slaughter it and second when they cook it."<br /><br /><strong>April </strong>--- Spring has arrived and the local markets (fresh vegetables, brown eggs, goat cheese, olive oil, lavender honey, bread of all sorts) are in full bloom. Blossoming cherry trees make a pretty sight, but the region begins to get crowded with the arrival of the first tourists.<br /><br /><strong>September</strong> --- The wine grapes harvesting month, includes funny tales involving really old trucks used to transport grapes to the co-operative winery. Also the official start of the hunting season, a hilarious description of the French going overboard with enough ammunition to decimate almost all animals and birds on this planet (but fortunately without much success.)<br /><br /><strong>December</strong> --- Annie dreams up a splendid scheme to finally get the tardy and ever-late French workmen to complete the remodeling. The year ends in true French tradition, what else but a party with Champagne, individual pizzas, quiches, foie gras, and olive bread.<br /><br />Are you ready to book that vacation to Provence ?<br /><br />Recommended<br />1) Of course, the book (this reviewâs title is one of lifeâs lessons learnt by Peter after a year)<br /><br />2) Audio-CD of the book, John Case does a marvelous job. Peter Mayle himself has narrated this book, but I have not heard it (doubtless it should be very good).<br /><br /> 3) BBC mini-series "A Year In Provence", starring John Thaw & Lindsey Duncan with an absolutely hilarious special appearance by Alfred Molina as a boorish ill-mannered English guest. One flaw in the book is that Annieâs character is not fully fleshed, and the mini-series makes up for that. Annie comes across as a determined practical and no-nonsense but very hospitable human being. A mild yet harmless flirtation develops between her and Louie the swimming pool cleaner who wears a "Je Suis Sexy" shirt. Several short third person stories alluded to in the book are further developed here. One of the best is about a snooty Parisian lady who buys a nearby house, but is troubled by a peasant neighborâs "le coq" that keeps crowing in the wee hours of the morning. Another is about a boule tournament (a Provencal game played with steel balls), where Peter challenges a local French expert. After some Anglo-French jingoism, he learns the secret of assimilation; graciously loosing.<br /><br /> 4) <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/apr/05/france.travelnews">http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/apr/05/france.travelnews</a> , a really funny piece on English-French relations by Peter Mayle.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4675470293987356346.post-83798143469670987092008-09-06T15:39:00.000-07:002008-09-11T20:42:37.833-07:00MemoriesAfter some prodding by CouchPapaya & Smita, this is my first attempt. And since this blog's name is "oenophile", I have to begin with ---><br /><br /><strong>WINE-FOOD-FRIENDS</strong><br />Golconda wine & Batatawada was my first wine-food pairing attempt, as breakfast before writing the IIT entrance exam in 1979. That I got in was due to a lot of hard work & Agarwalâs classes, but maybe that pairing played a small part. Other supporting evidence is that 4 of us school friends were supposed to spend the night at my home studying for the exam, but one went home late at night and thus missed this pairing. He was the only one who did not get in, never mind, all 4 of us remain good friends and came to the US in 80's. For the past 15+ years our families meet at Thanksgiving, and other friends and families also join in.<br /><br /><strong>IRAN</strong><br />Shiraz is a city in Southern Iran and also a variety of grape used to make wine. Wikipedia claims "Shiraz disputes with Xeres [or Jerez] in Spain the honour of being the birthplace of sherry." I had the privilege of visiting Iran 4 times in the 1970's, and did visit Shiraz on my first trip in 1971. Even though grapes are grown nearby and wine is made, I did not see any; but I do remember my father buying some Iranian wine. I also got exposed to Caviar, Fall Colors, & snow in Iran. Tehran has year-round snow capped mountains to the north, and skiing is big winter time sport. The Caspian Sea region to the north shares some similarities with the French Riviera, both have mountains bordering the sea. In Tehran, we used to stay a few<br />blocks away from the infamous US Embassy that was later held hostage during the anti-Shah Islamic revolution. Early 1978 was the last I was in Iran, the revolution had not yet begun; but it began soon and within a year the Shah was forced to leave Iran. I remember that every structure and all currency notes in Iran had to have a photo of the Shah. The daily TV began and ended with his photo, and anyone switching it off at that time was liable to be imprisoned. I was exposed to Western goods, services, and cars for the first time in Iran, but this was also the first time my freedom of speech was curtailed. I remember my father seriously instructing me and my younger brother not to speak at all about the Shah or the Iranian Govt. while we were in Iran, something that growing up in India we used to do almost daily (about the Indian politicians and Govt. and mostly -vely).<br /><em>Recommended Books</em><br />Persepolis I & II by Marjane Satrapi. A stirring account of an Iranian women's experiences from childhood to adulthood; spanning the Shah era, the Islamic revolution, the war with Iraq, and living in an Islamic Iran.<br /><br /><strong>WAR & POLITICS</strong><br />Chateau Margaux, a Bordeaux first growth, supposedly was President Richard M. Nixon's favorite wine. At parties thrown by him, he would have a waiter fill his glass from a white towel wrapped bottle of Chateau Margaux, and would serve a much cheaper wine to his guests from the Congress & the Senate (From "The Final Days" by Woodward & Bernstein.).<br />I was in school in Poona in 1971 during the Bangladesh war, in the beginning people would ignore the periodic air-raid sirens. This apparently changed when Nixon sent the Seventh Fleet into the Indian Ocean, the next air raid siren had our school officials herding us out of classrooms into bomb shelters (this meant going to an open field and kneeling, oh well!!!). Much later I realized that it was just the usual sabre rattling aimed at re-assuring America's Middle East allies, and there was hardly any intention of America entering the War.<br />So here's raising a glass of Chateau Margaux to you President Nixon for introducing me to wars & politics, although I too would have voted to impeach you (for Watergate and imposing wage price controls).<br /><em>Recommended Books</em><br />1) War and Secession: Pakistan, India, and the Creation of Bangladesh by Richard Sisson & Leo Rose.<br />2) All the President's Men, & 3) The Final Days by Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein<br /><br /><strong>CRICKET</strong><br />Naturally, cricket was the most played and followed sport; some memories<br />a) Red Letter Headlines in newspapers after India beat West Indies in West Indies and England in England in 1971.<br />b) Watching Sunil Gavaskar score a century in Ranji trophy in 1970 at Poona, before his test debut.<br /><em>Recommended Books</em><br />1) My Cricketing Years by Ajit Wadekar<br />2) Sunny Days by Sunil Gavaskar<br /><br /><strong>BWOOD</strong><br />Like most kids growing up in Bombay & Poona in the 1960's & 1970's, I remain a bollywood fan; with favorites being Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra & Amitabh Bachchan.<br />1) First Hindi Movie seen outside India, Jewel Thief, Tehran Iran, 1971<br />2) Did see Sholay in 70 mm at Minerva.<br />3) On a trip to Mahabaleshwar, Dilip Kumar played soccer for about 5 min with a bunch of us kids.<br />4) First Adult (A rated) movie seen after bunking class --- Des Pardes (It is laughable that this was an A rated movie.)<br /><br /><strong>MARATHI THEATRE</strong><br />I was fortunate to have been born into a family associated with Marathi Theatre. Among some memorable plays seen are<br />1) An early performance of Tee Phulrani, starring Satish Dubhashi & Bhakti Barve.<br />2) Dada Kondke at his best, introducing stand-up comedy in Viccha Majhi Puri Kara.<br />3) Home production of the award winner Bhaubandki<br /><br /><strong>HERCULE POIROT & JAMES BOND</strong><br />Ending with more wine anecdotes, I grew up on Agatha Christie's books and James Bond movies. Their talents are well known, and both have an excellent taste in wines and champagnes. You can never go wrong with their choices :-<br />Hercule Poirot --- Chateau Petrus, Chateau Lynch Bages<br />James Bond --- Bollinger, Dom Perignon<br /><br />I pass this tag to <a href="http://www.books-life-n-more.blogspot.com/">smita</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10