THOUGHTS OVER A CUTTING CHAI

On this day in 1965, Seema was born in Assam, to the culturally rich family of Jagdish and Meera Biswas. Jagdish, who was into construction, harbored a deep love for the arts, while Meera, a history teacher at an art school, had made her mark as a pioneer in Assamese theatre. Seema's siblings were immersed in the world of music and dance, with her father envisioning Seema as a singer and her mother dreaming of her as an actress. As a teenager, Seema Biswas began her theatrical adventure, encouraged (rather forced) by her mother. Her performances in the local plays started enchanting audiences. It soon became clear that her own passion lay in acting. To pursue this dream, after graduating in Political Science, with flying colors, she joined the esteemed National School of Drama. After graduating at NSD, she became a member of the NSD Repertory Company, where she honed her skills and gained invaluable experience. Her years at the Repertory Company saw her shine in numerous celebrated...

Growing up as a Malayali kid, I was fortunate to be introduced to K J Yesudas, from a young age. His Malayalam devotional songs were a cherished morning tradition in our household. Even now, the first sound that fills my home is his captivating 'OM' chanting, resonating with his enchanting voice. Yesterday marked the 85th birthday of this living legend. In light of this special occasion, I feel compelled to share my reflections on this extraordinary vocalist. K  J Yesudas was born in Kochi to Augustine and Elizabeth Joseph. His father was a prominent figure in Malayalam classical music and also a stage actor. Yesudas began his classical singing journey at a young age, learning from Kunjan Velu Bhagavathar, a music teacher and family friend. He later pursued formal music education at the R L V Music Academy in Thrippunithura, where he completed the Ganabooshanam course. He continued his studies at Swathi Thirunal College of Music in Thiruvananthapuram, studying under renowned ca...

Basu Chatterjee was a champion of the middle class, who turned ordinary lives into captivating stories. His films showcased relatable characters dealing with real challenges, making their triumphs and losses deeply affecting us. Basu da had a unique way of showing female characters. He was curious about women's thoughts and dreams, exploring their views on romance and meaningful relationships, both romantic and platonic. He began directing in 1969 with his film Sara Akash, starring FTII-trained actor Rakesh Pandey. The story, set in Agra, follows a newlywed couple dealing with the challenges of an arranged marriage in a joint family. This year marked the onset of the first wave of parallel cinema, showcasing films like Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome and Mani Kaul’s Uski Roti. However, the audience for these films, including Sara Akash, remained largely confined to film festivals. Basu Chatterjee first gained attention with his 1974 film, Rajnigandha, which is based on Manu Bhandari'...

Actor-director Nana Patekar, known for his significant contributions to Hindi and Marathi films, marked his 74th birthday yesterday. Renowned as one of the most exceptional and impactful figures in Indian cinema, Nana has earned three National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards, and two Filmfare Awards - Marathi for his outstanding performances. In recognition of his artistic achievements, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 2013. It was in 1986, that I first got enchanted by Nana in the Marathi film Maficha Sakshidar, directed by the renowned Rajdutt, a recipient of three National Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards - Marathi, twelve Maharashtra State Film Awards, the V. Shantaram Award, and the Padmabhushan. The film draws inspiration from real-life events. I was truly amazed by the performance of this slender, non-heroic figure. This experience led me to watch Ankush, a film penned and directed by N Chandra, which also premiered that same year. This incredible actor has delivered so...

As we step into the new year, I want to share my thoughts on the year gone by for the Indian film industry.  2024 saw the Telugu film industry dominate the box office, with Pushpa 2 - The Rule, leading the charge with a stellar run. The other highest-grossing films of the year are Kalki 2898 AD (Telugu), Stree 2 (Hindi), The Greatest of All Time (Tamil), Devara (Telugu), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (Hindi), Singham Again (Hindi), Fighter (Hindi), Amaran (Tamil), and HanuMan (Telugu). However, the true treasures of Indian cinema have emerged from the Malayalam and Tamil film industries. While they may not have reached blockbuster heights, they have offered a wealth of enjoyment for film aficionados. Here’s my list of my favorite 10 films of 2024 in alphabetical order: 1. Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life (Malayalam), directed by Blessy, features Prithviraj Sukumaran, K.R. Gokul, Amala Paul, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Shobha Mohan, and others. Adapted from the celebrated novel by Benjamin, this survival dra...