My love I miss you very much

Is nature vicious our life is such
My love I miss you very much

Have not seen you in a month so long
Don't know how to live along

My time is bad or test of God
I know not and I wait forlorn

The days I count and on lonely nights
I sob to console pain in heart

Shutting down Government...while laying seeds of a Backlash

Frustrating as it is with the US government shutdown since October 1 that nobody wants, there's nothing better to do than retrospect what has caused this fiasco.
Seems like the opposition Republican party is being held hostage by the conservative right to take a hardline stand. And the party seems to be willing to even commit harakiri to appease this bloc, rather than negotiate a compromise with the ruling Democrat party.
A situation like this happens when you are in the defensive. I believe the loss by that huge a margin in the Presidential election is directly responsible for this. The Republicans realize that they are being perceived as out-of-touch by the majority of Americans. There is a PR exercise being carried out to improve the party's overall image in their weakest areas, the Latino and African-American population. This is primarily being done by propping up leaders from those races in their own party-structure. But while those measures will take time, they want to at least hold-on to their voting base.
Obviously, this is where the conservatives come in. This group launched the Tea-Party some years back with the very intent to not yield or compromise, as the two parties have traditionally been. And the Tea Party's candidates began winning primaries and candidatures in the regions with a conservative leaning, sometimes even beating the party's preferred nominee.
What this extreme fails to realize is that a failure to compromise is not in the bigger interest of the party or the country. The conservatives need to learn that if they are to really be able to exert influence at the national stage, they should be willing to reach across the aisle. Either that, or the Republican establishment should be willing to risk a short term loss of support among extreme conservatives, with the bigger goal in sight (Presidential, Senate victories).
On the ground, I've seen how the shutdown has disappointed people across the aisle alike. The general talk among supporters of both parties is "Everybody knows what's happening", and the blame for the shutdown being squarely placed on the Republicans. This generation is more networked, and less easily influenced by party-leader talk. There seems to be a clear consensus that the Republicans were wrong in shutting down government because they did not like one law. If they truly believe in democracy, they should have let the issue settle after the mandate of repealing Affordable Healthcare failed during the Presidential elections.
Sooner or later otherwise, there will be a bigger backlash which will see the party wiped out of both houses, which is not in the interest of the party or the country. The hardline approach is the exact opposite of what should have been taken, during this crisis of lack of popularity.
The vast majority agree with the need for fiscal tightening, but going after the Affordable Health Care is conveying the wrong message.
The Democrat marketing machine made the mistake of calling this law "Obamacare". If the law were only touted with its actual name "Affordable Health Care" law, there would have been more acceptance. The common masses, from either party, could have been swayed by the appeal in the name itself.

An Elusive Love

O Beautiful woman, why didn't you come
In yearn for you, I lay wasted in dirt
In search of you, I lost out all trail
In your magical mist, even blindness is bliss

Why do you play, you hide and you tease me
Don't you see I, who hopes you will seek me
Not master of heaven, or earth but am brazen
This lover of yours, has nothing that will faze him

In jungle of life, with every twist of the time
At each trip and fall, you will reach out for my hand
My absence will remind, of this crazed lover's touch
I hope you will return, before I have to bite dust

Mindless violence

There was violence, in the train as on streets
People being killed, with reason as creed
I could not bear it, I put him at ease
At the right moment, pushed him away to reprieve

I got off the train, I have had enough
Madness in mob, no way to arrest
Someone followed, asking why the unease
I said my God, waits where there is peace

Ghosts of a love from past

She came to me, in sleep distressed
Comforted, took care of me to rest
She fed the same meal, I very much loved
She was no mirage, but the person I love

I lay in thought, my eyes awake
The night was clear, my mind at stress
She was a paramour, from another birth
Yet a soul that shone, my path with light

Tears dripped, my eyes had welled
So I was guided, not a fool in jest
The server said sorry, for the food I saw
I said no, it has her reflection aglow

The future of the wild

As the scope gets larger, with the human population exploding, I sometimes wonder, of the space left for wildlife. Today we see how the need for "jobs", and the need for more of everything, justifies destroying just about everything that existed in this planet for centuries. With every passing generation, the attachment to nature is less, which makes this exploitation of resources easier by rulers and profiteers.

Until today we have seen, some land areas vacated, national parks and forest preserve parks "restored" to give some wild their own space. But can it really be their own, when the air they breathe and the water they drink cannot possibly avoid being mixed by polluted chemicals from industrial waste? How far can you take them, and us - not yet out of this world - to escape these effects. It's better than the alternative, of animals not having a home at all, very true! But we are lying to ourselves if we think this isn't where they are heading.

But then, do we realize that the pollution, the destruction of forest-land, has a cost that would be borne by the generations after us? The very human life to sustain which we justify this destruction. What is the very purpose of civilization? How is economic growth measured at the cost of natural resources? Who really gave us ownership of these resources, and especially the non-human life around us?

We humans have evolved to our current forms through millions of years of changes. Every "creature" around us, has contributed to this evolution. In that sense, we owe them this consciousness, our evolution to our present forms where we are aware of "self". This is, even if you don't want to deal with the metaphysical, spiritual sense that the every living being in this planet has the same soul as ours, and equally considers it home as we do. Who, then, wrested upon us the authority to do what we please with the natural resources belonging to this Earth. We, ourselves? How can that be fair? How do we pay back what is due to those who originally inherited the Earth, and continue to live along with us?

Make no mistake, I realize that in our natural habitat (the forests), we were exposed to most unpredictable means of survival. "I think, and therefore I am" is very much apt. It is incredible how far we have come. But take a step back to realize, that in the pursuit of a safe place to continue our existence, we have tried to redefine how the world should be, through cultivation and village-life first, and the urban/concrete mix now.

Have we stopped to think and check, if we have really gone farther than optimum, to give meaning to our life? If every step forward now, is at the price of our "home", this Earth? If not, what is the end point, before we all can agree that further use (I call exploitation) of nature is to the net-detriment of the future generations, of human and non-human life? And in this "home" divided by man-made nation-states, how can we come together to this agreement, and to go back and restore what is already damaged? And will we ever, our minds blurred and trust lost, in judging each other through the lens of race, religion, patriotism, greed. How many more generations have to pass, before we realize what really matters?

To be pragmatic, the baseline is the parameters by which we define economic growth. For everyone understands that language. A price needs to be tagged for each natural resource, with due ownership distributed on all life upon land, water and sky. An honest measure of the effect, of using that resource, is needed. A fair assessment as this, in my view, will make it not worth the price to loot forest and land, might build a few cars less for spending more to create a balance in nature. This is not against science, but a re-evaluation of purpose. For example, it would prioritize inhabiting the moon or Mars over pointless defense budgets.

For sure, change cannot come, but in small steps. But will we ever start, and how?

A Simple Village Life

Behind this world so complex, lies a simple village life
It metaphors our choices, for glitter over stars

There is the option, to watch a calm and flowing river
To swim and bathe in glee, in a serene backyard pond
Yet we have turned away, with an endless aim in sight
Oh foolish one this time, is one that will not turn behind

The blazing sun bears witness, to the cowherd's melodious flute
And to cooling embers of moonlight, sing insects a different tune
Oh run away from here, this jarring deafening noise
To where the sun does rise, to chants of Gayathri mantras

Know No Fear

Where is that mind, held fearless and high
It now hides in fear, afraid to be seen

Do you remember, the beauty of rivers and mountains
They are thus with, their freedom of expression

Don't attach self to greed, it is just not your creed

Where fate rules alike, faith is always alive

Whatever happens will happen, no matter what you do

So just head-on with courage, and fear only fear

The senses do nothing, as self-inquiry does

For long there is pursuit, an endless cycle, for sense-pleasures. These include the sight, the smell, the taste, the touch, and the sound of something that pleases. And many of these are noteworthy, nay make life more worthwhile, more appreciative. But all these mean nothing, if one does not interpret. If one does not step back and introspect.

What gain is it, if one watches film after film, never stopping in between, snatching the time out of one's precious life. Film, like most forms of sense pleasures, are meaningless if one does not learn from it. Film is the perfect medium to give you a view of the world, the vast space which one cannot expect to cover and experience, in one life. But then, not matter how much of film one watches, one cannot expect to get exposed to all. What matters is to get the essence.

Just as reading all the books in the library are unnecessary when the main point has been conveyed, been absorbed.

I was watching this beautiful Bengali movie titled "Agantuk", where one particular dialogue struck me. When Dhritiman Chatterjee's character asks "The open sexuality, the cannibalism that you see among tribals, isn't that uncivilized", Utpal Dutt's character responds sarcastically "No it is barbaric, what is civilized is to wipe out an entire village with the single press on the button of an atom bomb. Uncivilized is where there is an oath taken to avoid the misuse of weapons". The character finds that civilization confusing where there are pillar-like skyscrapers, yet humans pulling rickshaws, a hint towards human exploitation.
Actually today's topic came from this very film. The character had spent a lifetime among tribals and came back to urban life, with his eyes forever open. His views clear and precise as only self-inquiry can achieve.

One must meditate each day, read each day, listen to the soothing rhythm of music, watch different media, but not forget the goal of it all, to instrospect after each, understand, love and appreciate, not necessarily in words. One must find meaning, to one's own, unique life, and devote himself or herself to fulfill that purpose. The senses have played their part then, self-inquiry has reached it's goal then...

Your own style

Continue to play in your own style
You are your own life
You are your unique style

Your style need not be else's
Your style need not agree with all

It is not you, but you were chosen
To express this range of the creator's ways
Your truth to your self, the only true style

My Child My Joy

What other joy is needed, when you are with me

It is blissful indeed, when I see you sleep

My child your strength, moves human will

Your innocent ways, drives away all ills

Watching you always, breakes a smile
Kissing your soft cheeks, pleasure I feel

Love, Joy and Happiness, words I don't mind

Because you have given me, the feeling of Divine

Of Mistakes Past

In life you pay for mistakes past, those past in this birth and last

I remember times, in a deep dark pit,

When I and you scratched words and kissed

I get dreams, of this life not, but lo behold of war-torn Europe

And someone reminded, of promises broken

May be courage, not lack of love then

That your wait, got alone and barren

There were lives lost, nobody thinks often

For true, it is very, hard to fathom

But each life had, a story told seldom

Stories that must complete, in next births for them

No Answer Enough

Why does my heart hurt, why is mind paining
The pain should have ended, the thorn has been pulled now
Is it so because, the wound is still bleeding?

Why did it happen, is one lifetime worth it
Why did God deceive, on the one thing I asked Him

If connecting dots, will give me an answer
Will that answer come with, the lost time and chances

A Child passes away and laws of nature beyond our understanding

This whole week, and perhaps for a long time to come, this tragic happening about a young boy passing away, will continue to be in my mind. I pray for his soul and for his family, and pray there is peace and solace everywhere.

The toddler Logan passed away a couple of days after being best man to his parents' wedding. A life we see in pictures, now no longer is around.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/497364/20130807/logan-stevenson-dying-best-man-christine-swidorsky.htm

We can never ever really feel, or console or compensate the loss of his parents.

And again, that gnawing question, why. How can the laws of nature be like this? And why does a child have to pay the price.

When we talk freedom, liberty - concepts I obviously stand for also - is there anything truly being "free". Aren't we all governed, dare say controlled, by forces, by laws of nature, by our very existence as humans on this planet.

I know there are philosophical answers to philosophical questions, but nothing will convince me that it's at least unjust where children pay the price.

May those forces, those Gods listen, that laws for humans, please be humane.
That some laws do, really need exceptions.

Lal and Charisma

As is usual with me, just yesterday I finished watching the Malayalam movie "Summer in Bethlehem". This is after about a week since I started it..phew. Now one of the things I'd heard about the movie was the cameo by Mohanlal. And I continued to watch the movie, there was no sign of the cameo. Being a movie of the musical-comedy-romance genre, I'd perhaps expected a funny entrance among kids. But with the entry of a gloomy Manju Warrier character should have made me guess. It was an intense role, and boy, was it "intense"!

It is just one scene of 9.5 mins, and rightly built up to be the climax of the movie. And a scene with many characters sharing the scene with Mohanlal: the jailer, Suresh Gopi and Manju Warrier. But the performance in those few minutes really underlined why he is one of the greatest actors in this country, of this generation. In entry itself the character shows spark (the background music also helped). The bearded ascetic appearance belies the mood that would be, of this scene. Lal eases the tension, and lives it up too. When he speaks of how by killing an evil industrialist, he really killed a whole family including innocent children, your eyes well up with his. When he just after says how he realized how communist "revolutionaries" miss the point that what you need to fix is the system, not the people, you can feel the searing passion. When he hurries from Manju Warrier to Suresh Gopi begging him to put the thali, the hurry is expressed in action and expression. Subtle, but only if you miss. Pure amazing otherwise!

I can't remember an even better cameo in any film, at least till now, even 2 days after I finished the film. Some people have it, what they call charisma. They are born with a talent. And when they make what they love their life's work, you can see the rhythm. Mohanlal, the actor, is one such. 

I have known and am willing to accept that Mohanlal the human may have deficiencies. But to expect him to be perfect will be like stifling him. It'll only kill the creativity within the artist. I've always said, there's no need to be a fan of any person, just his good parts. In this case, his acting talent.

Apparently all his scenes are spontaneously performed. And that, like the other great actor Amitabh, Mohanlal is a nervous wreck before his scene. But that's until the camera starts rolling and the sheer magic begins. Just sit back, enjoy and celebrate the performance.

Ironically perhaps, people might have walked out the movie theater equally or more remembering Mohanlal's cameo than the rest of its content. But then, Gods do take preference!

A Beautiful Day

When I opened my eyes, to the first morning sunlight
I said what a day, what a bright beautiful day

When I went running, beside freshly bloomed flowers
The fragrance that I breathe in, made even oxygen dear

The river that I drank from, as the afternoon parched
I could swear it served, not water but pure nectar

As the evening breeze gusted, to orange-crimson skies
It freed me off all tiredness, it made me fresh again

The darkness now has gathered, and crickets chant to moon
In her glowing embers I now rest, I sleep I meditate

Loss

When a mother loses her child
She loses two lives
When a man loses his wife
He loses his very mind

What happens when you wake up
And the loved one is not beside
What does one go through
When the heart pines for it too

Is easy to express
That lot happens in life
But not easy is to walk
In soul-less shoes

Movie Review: Meri Jung

Good entertainer.

Revenge drama with a simple storyline.

Anil Kapoor at his dashing stylish best. Amrish Puri equally good.

Support cast good to their roles. Nutan as the mother, Javed Jaffrey for dancing. Meenakshi Sheshadri is only in this for the beauty factor.

Simple storyline, and indeed proof that Subhash Ghai really created good movies in the 80's.

One of the few Subhash Ghai movies that does not slow in between, keeps up a good pace.

Credit also should go to the good editing.

Climax fight could have been better..

Movie Review: Robocop

Brilliant sci-fi movie, well-thought and fantastic from various perspectives.

The movie makes a point at different levels. At the physical level by being a plain revenge-drama. At the social level of making a case of where to draw the line of privatisation and automation. At the metaphysical level of longetivity of the subconscious, even beyond physical death.

The sarcasms on our daily double-standards are hilarious and in a way, ahead of it's time! In a sense, the director took a risk by creating a soul, but succeeded by elevating, what would otherwise have been a plain-jane action movie.

Movie Review: Thazhvaram

Poignant is the right word to describe this movie. From one view one might think it is slow, but every moment is loaded with the haunt of what could happen next.

Simple storyline: A man shows up at a village with the intent to kill the thief who stole his savings and killed his wife.

Hats off to Mohanlal and Salim Ghouse for their excellent performances.

It's surprising when you look back, there are not many characters in the film. Shankararadi does well, and Sumalatha adds the beauty quotient.

Another unique point is that the main plot does not cover a large time- span. Instead relies on timely flashbacks to tie up the loose ends.

The movie is a showcase of the director Bharathan's genius.

A truly unique film in Malayalam cinema. True, it takes inspiration from the Western genre. Never before nor after has one such been attempted!

The ending is especially commendable. No sentimental gimmicks!

Truly a must-watch!