Mundane Musings

A courier guy who glanced past me into my house wanted to know if her body had been brought back. Without even asking who "her" was I replied with that slight clenching of my stomach muscles that she would be probably brought back in the afternoon (which because of sudden findings has now got delayed further more). Beautiful Sridevi.     Pic courtesy: Santabanta I have been strangely affected by Sridevi's untimely death. Since hearing about it yesterday there has been a sick feeling in my stomach. There have been very few deaths of celebrities that has disturbed me this way. When S had informed me about it early Sunday morning, I just didn't accept it. He had received a forward and I discouraged him from doing so himself without verifying the source. The news of course was all over the internet and on TV we soon learnt. Questions were buzzing about in my head. How could she die in her early 50s? How could she go when this talented actor with such an expres...

R. D. Burman: The Man, The Music by Anirudha Bhattacharjee My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is almost a labour of love on the evergreen musician R D Burman. This is a music lover's must-have, a R D Burman fan's must-possess, a Hindi movie buff's must-read book. Though it has a lack luster title for a book about a man whose music has been relevant till date, it makes up for it in the well-written and researched content. The book is divided into 3 parts and it charts his musical journey from when he assisted his father (the great S D Burman) to his meteoric rise in the late 70s and then his subsequent fall in the late 80s and early 90s. I love reading books about our Bollywood actors and musicians from early days as there is so little known about the times they lived in and the magic they created. This book shares so many of those trivia and tidbits through interviews with people who worked with RD and whom he came in contact with while composing music. I especially love...

No other day in the life of a cupid-struck person comes loaded with pressure than the one that falls on 14 th February. Valentine’s day is and will be a major commercial jamboree for years to come. People who are in love, who might be in love, who suspect they have a chance in love are going to make this day matter. And as long as that happens, the celebrations and the pressure of that day is going to build up. In the rush to be a part of it, it is easy to forget the true essence of the day. Valentine’s Day celebrates love, rightfully so. It is of course infamous for being the day you ask a loved one to marry you or may want to know if the status of the relationship has progressed to the next level (whatever that might be). A married couple may need that day to appreciate the other’s presence and so on. Yes, these milestones needn’t necessarily have to fall on the 14 th of February every year, but a day set aside to nudge you to do something that can enhance your life is a welcome...