ANGELS & DEMONS

I was disappointed with the film version of The Da Vinci Code as it failed to replicate the finer history as well as the thrill of the book. But I was upbeat about Angels & Demons, which I didn’t like much when I read it 4 years back. The reason I didn’t like the book was that it was very filmy in setting while The Da Vinci Code was more like an alternate view of history. When I heard that the producers were also making Angels & Demons into a film, I knew they were going to make a better film this time. Today I can say I wasn’t wrong in my assumption.

Whoever hasn’t read the book, (though I don’t really fancy that someone who hasn’t read Dan Brown’s books reads my blog and if it happens it surely is a tragedy), here is a peek into the plot. Robert Langdon is a Harvard Symbologist who is called by the Director of CERN, Geneva to inspect a symbol inscribed on the body of a murdered scientist. Soon they realize that the murderer has stolen the ‘anti-matter’ which can turn into an apocalyptic bomb if used. But the bigger revelation is that Illuminati, a secret society of scientists, which was thought to be dead a hundred years ago have resurfaced to take revenge. Great intellectuals of middle ages were part of this society to save their knowledge from the atrocity of the Church who didn’t allow any ‘blasphemous’ discourse to happen. Many scientists including the Great Galileo were killed. As revenge, the Illuminati will blow up the Vatican City while a new Pope is being elected. Not before the assassin kills the four Preferiti (among them one would be the Pope) by branding them with Illuminati symbols. The major part of the book is focused on Langdon’s efforts to save the killings along with Vittoria Vetra, the adopted daughter of the murdered scientist, by following the hints hidden in the Vatican architecture while they are running out of time. The climax throws few more surprises and though Langdon fails to save any of the papal candidates, he saves the day.

The film is very well made. In fact I found it more thrilling than the book. Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon is superb of course. He is the kind of actor who remains above the script always. The producer said they were too reverential in adapting The Da Vinci Code which resulted in it being little too long and stagey. This time no such mistake has been made. Every moment is thrilling. But a lot of minor changes have been made to suit the feature film mode like- the book is a prequel while the film is made a sequel to The Da Vinci Code. Wikipedia mentions all the changes made in the film except one which I think is very important. In the book, the assassin is a Middle Eastern while in the film he is a regular white guy. In middle ages, the idea of contract killing began in Middle East or Muslim World. The killers who secretly lived in caves used to take Hashish (also known as Hash or Ganja, is a form of drug) before going out on mission. They were called Hashishin in Arabic and the word ‘assassin’ originates from it. The fact that the assassin in the book is a Middle Eastern draws direct parallel to its history which is mentioned in the book itself. Now the book was written in 2000, before the attack on World Trade Centre and popularization of ‘Islamic’ terrorism. Much has changed since the book was written. I think there are two reasons for changing the assassin from a Middle Eastern to a White man. Firstly, the assassin is an Illuminati who fights for science against religion while post 9/11 Middle Easterns are increasingly seen as people who fight for religion. Secondly, the mere indication that the assassin could be a Muslim planning to blow up the Vatican would have taken the focus away from Illuminati v/s The Church to Islam v/s Christianity in the current milieu. I really wonder how such small things could mean so much.

Coming to my favourite series, the sequel to The Da Vinci Code was scheduled to arrive in 2006. Now it’s finally releasing on 15 September, 2009 with a different name. The working title was The Solomon key which will be released as The Lost Symbol. I’m eagerly waiting.

Individual And Civilization

The picture above gives a very good illustration of the tension and gap that lies between Civilization and the Individual, the actual and the implied, the real and the ideal. Civilization means a better society than known in the history, “something in process of attainment”. The society we seek should serve the material needs of individuals, while raking them spiritually, by means of the love that is of God and which involves a giving of the self, to love the people around him. Civilization is an idea, while individual is real with a lot of material needs.

 

However, if we are to endeavor to attain “civilization”, it cannot be done solely by means of materialism, as unmitigated materialism only “debases” human beings. Materialism, whether practiced in a democratic nation or in a communist one, has failed in reality to achieve its presumed goal. Contrary to the general belief, our actual experience has shown that material improvement does not necessarily elevate human beings at all levels. It does not help people to be more virtuous and serve their fellows with love. Neither does it help them create beauty. Instead of a new dignity of man, materialism has brought a respectability to “vulgarity, bad taste, and cheapness” in our society.

 

As a society is actually composed of individuals, the improvement of individuals is a basic task to be undertaken, if we are to strive for that “Civilization”. Of course, scientific knowledge is useful, but “the wise and humane use of this knowledge depends on the existence of better individuals.” It ought to be understood that knowledge itself is neutral. The making of better human beings is a personal not a mass matter; it is a matter of excellence not of uniformity; it grows out of individual responsibility and effort, not out of techniques of mass education and mechanized social improvement.

 

Freedom consists in choosing the right slavery; slavery to oneself is one of the worst forms of slavery, while love is the highest form of slavery. The search for civilization by individuals who have chosen the right slavery may well provide a means to cope with critical problems of our age. Scientific and technological development may have done immense good to man but it has also created a danger of total annihilation of the human race.

 

Reference

A Search for Civilization, John U Nef 1962.

Howly: Town of My Teens

Howly is a small town. In fact it is much smaller than what ‘small towns’ suggest. It is situated exactly in the middle of Barpeta town and Barpeta Road (that’s name of a town as well). The former is the administrative centre while the latter is the business centre of the district. Perhaps that’s why Howly doesn’t have the trappings of a busy urban life. It doesn’t have any congested alleys, no unwanted shops; everything is more or less planned, may be by default. The national highway which connects the Northeast to the rest of the country passes by the outskirt of the town, which makes it a strategically good place. One can easily go in any direction he/she wants to. May be the presence of two battalion of paramilitary forces (BSF and Assam Rifles) will validate that.

Howly means ‘Palace’ in Assamese. I’m ignorant about the finer history of Assam due to my CBSE course which doesn’t give any emphasis on regional history. Perhaps one small time king had a palace here which has no remains, for the town to be named Howly. This was the place I spent my teenage years as my boarding school was situated here. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya opened in my district in 1995. An old government campus, used to train school teachers was converted to the school. The campus was relatively bigger than other ‘temporary’ JNVs. I joined my school in 1996. Initially we lived comfortably but as newer batches started coming in, space became an issue. Rooms were full with 12 students per room with double bed not a single piece of furniture in place. But this was made up by the amazing life we had in school.  

Assam in general is very beautiful with a lot of greenery around and Howly is even better. Every road has well planted trees. Every house is beautifully made. Nothing in that place would qualify to be an eyesore. There is lot of space available, everywhere- be it housing colonies or bazaars. As kids we used to go to market in groups to shop for groceries. It was an activity everyone looked forward to as it was the only opportunity to go out of the campus. We liked it not just because it was our moment of freedom but also because it was an extremely pleasant place to be in. 

                                  

But the most amazing thing about the place is its people. Bengali Muslims and Assamese Hindus are two dominant communities while Bengali Hindus are also a part of it. Language is very crucial to the general consciousness of Assam and there have been agitations in the past because of it. Even at peace, there is always certain sort of tension between two different linguistic groups (not religious though). But Howly is a place where the rule doesn’t apply. Everyone lives so amicably and has accepted each other that there is not even a slightest undercurrent of any sort of tension or insecurity. One can roam anywhere in the town at any time. The place is completely safe. In my 7 year stay, I never heard of a fight breaking out or any untoward incident. The town retains its simplicity with a certain panache which makes it attractive to one and all.

Delhi was the final stage in forming my identity.  But Howly was the place where I started to become aware of it. I experienced the first change – physical, emotional, mental at this place. The first crush was so life defining. The things that I did then, is so embarrassing at the same time so beautiful to recall. Whatever I am now, the base was laid in my house and was strengthened in Howly. But the best thing I learned there is to have control on oneself. We were free to do things that we liked. Back then I was one of the bad boys, unofficial though (After going to Delhi ofcourse I realized that the outer world was much meaner). Unofficial in the sense that the teachers never thought I was one because I was never caught or maybe I was little better in studies than actual bad boys. But the fact remains that I was involved in the worst rule breaking game in school. Still I had certain control which remains with me and hopefully will continue to be so. I didn’t smoke, I didn’t drink, I didn’t eat Gutka. I didn’t do anything that I won’t be able to tell anyone. In fact we made smoking so uncool, that whoever smoked had to do it secretly. It may be because there was so much freedom that I didn’t need a cigarette to express it.

                                      

Howly hosts my most favorite festival – the Raas Mela. It’s a festival of Lord Krishna. Then we didn’t know what the festival was for but it was the biggest event not just in Howly, but in Western Assam. It happens in the month of November and lasts for two weeks. This was the only time we could go out at night, wear our best clothes and of course roam with the girl we liked. Since there was strict instruction to remain in groups, the dating happened in group as well. Although I was not that lucky since my story was a bit complicated. But the pursuit was no less interesting. Some of my best memories are attached to this festival. After leaving Howly in 2003, this is the festival I miss the most.

                                   

The year we passed out of the school, the campus shifted to its permanent building. Hence whenever I have gone to meet my teachers or my sibling who also studies in the same school, it’s in the new campus to which I have no memories attached. It’s the most magnificent building in the whole district still juniors who stayed in both the campuses say Howly was much better.

Nowadays whenever I pass through the town, I make it a point to drive slowly so that I can feel the vibe and it gives me tremendous satisfaction. The barrier of time ceases to exist and I see myself everywhere doings things that I did while in school – as a little kid as well as a grown up boy. The place hasn’t changed a bit. The trees, the shops all are in the same place. The only change is that the VCD stores are closed down. The building is again changed to training centre which is hardly used since there are no new recruits in teaching sector in the state. The mango trees we had planted have grown, but there is no one to eat the fruits. If I segregate my conscious life with different places that I have lived in, then Howly would top the list. Those seven years were crucial in every sense of way and played a vital role in shaping me up. May be next time I go home, I should go to my old campus, sit under the trees and relive. 

                                 

Ileana D'Cruz

Ileana is the reigning queen of Telugu film industry. As it happens in south Indian film industry, most remarkable actresses are from outside. Ileana was born in Bombay on 19 August, 1987 to a Christian father and a Muslim mother. Her name was given after Helen of Troy. I am sure her parents never thought the lady would actually turn out to be so beautiful that a lot of people won’t mind burning the towers of Troy. When she was ten years old, the family shifted to Goa. She has two sisters and one brother.

                                                                                             

She wanted to be a fashion designer but accidentally landed up in the fair and lovely ad directed by Rakesh Roshan. She was spotted by Telugu director YVS Chowdhury and her debut film Devdasu happened. I have seen the film and can’t miss out on mentioning the surrealism in South Indian cinema. Just anything is possible there. But she shot to fame with Pokiri starring Mahesh Babu. The film broke 75 year record in the Telegu film industry. This is one of my favourite films in recent times. Ileana is so adorably hot. The film was first offered to Ayesha Takia, my favourite actress, but she turned it down. Now the film is remade in Hindi where Ayesha will essay the role originally meant for her. And opposite, well, the Salman Khan.

    

Now coming to the main topic, Ileana shot to top as her subsequent films did well which showcased her enormous talent. Aata opposite Siddhartha is another favourite. I hope she makes her Hindi film debut soon.

                                         

Why this post? –It is because I have nothing much to write about. I am sitting idle and I thought you would like to know about her. I hope she makes me her PR manager now :P

The Stormy Night

Last night it was difficult to sleep

In my small hut in the woods

The thunder storm was frightening

Riding the west wind came

The princess of lightening

The brightness enough to light the underworld

Was blinding

 

She was surprised

God’s creation could be so wretched

I was awed

It could be so beautiful

 

She brought an army of happiness

To conquer my solitary world

At victor’s feet laid my heart

Willingly I surrendered

 

We played silly games

Sang melodious duets

How I wished

The night would never end

 

Our worlds could never meet

But desire knew no bound

I wanted to change

Pretended to be a poet

Tried to be compassionate

 

But I failed to overcome

What was destined

In a mortal’s life

Not everything could be attained

 

The night was long

When morning arrived

She was gone

If only I could dream on.

Endless Wait

I crossed thousand miles in a day

But can’t seem to cross few meters in years

The eternal distance between us

Am I dreaming?

Or stuck in reality

 

You burst with joy

As people get closer to you

Some known

Some unknown

While I longingly wait

For my turn to walk the distance

I brave the stormy rain, the burning sun

All filthy tests of nature

But the wait seems endless

 

Then someone walks through me

I feel pain

Not sure if it is physical

I want to move away

But I cannot

Plead with the passerby

To take me along

No one cares

For the fallen soul

 

A beautiful girl comes by

I am shaken

To wake up

To reality.

Ramdhenu

This afternoon it rained here. The season's first big shower giving relief from a month long scorching heat, hot wind and dull surroundings. Suddenly every movable and immovable, living and non living came to life. As I walked down the road to get a new DVD from bigflix store, the beautiful change mesmerized me. Every house seems to be newly coloured as it draws my attention which it fails to do every time I pass them. The trees are washed from the mask of dust to be green again. I noticed everything that came my way - the election campaign posters, the billboards, the park railings etc etc. The road is swarming with people. After rain walk is so beautiful. But I missed one thing which I have been missing from quite some time - the rainbow.

Ramdhenu is the Assamese word for rainbow. I am not a linguist so I might not be correct. I think ramdhenu literally means the bow of Ram (the hero of the epic Ramayana). All rainbows that I have seen were in Assam, mostly during the early days of my life in my village. Since Assam receives high rainfall and has a clear sky with less pollution, seeing a rainbow is no big deal. On special days there would be multiple rainbows. During a cricket match or while coming home from school, we would always standby to see the ramdhenu. Then we didn't have much time to romanticize or think about the reason for those multiple colours in the sky. Then I also didn't know that someday I would stop seeing them.

For me rainbows signify a bygone era which was innocent and beautiful. As rainbows have disappeared from my life, so has the era to come back in my nostalgia.

A Year in Calcutta

I have just completed a year in Calcutta. Last year around the same time I had come here from my home for the first time. Living in Delhi, I had certain expectations from this city and I couldn't escape the obvious comparisons that would occur in my mind. Though I haven't seen the city in its totality, it fails to stand up to Delhi which invokes a mixed reaction within. The good part is I can romanticize about Delhi being the perfect city and the bad part is I'm not in the perfect city.

But the thing that I miss the most are the wonderful friends I have or made in Delhi. The fact is disheartening. That's why sleep is eluding me tonight and I'm here writing this post. One year is perhaps too less a time to make deep and intimate relationship. But at least in a year one will figure out who would be those long lasting friends. I too have. But that number is a bit disturbing. I always had a long list of close friends. Things seem to be changing. May be the long vacation, which is supposedly my internship, is taking its toll on me. I don't seem to know. Or may be the time to make those selfless relationships is just over.

But last one year has been the longest year for me. Working round the clock, mostly out of my comfort zone has made me learn a lot of things. This year has made me realise that physical time and memory time are two different things. Initially when there would be too much work pressure, I would greet the same person in the evening whom I had met in the morning thinking that I had met him/her the previous day. Finally I'm learning the Calcuttan way of speaking Bengali. May be next time onwards I won't have much difficulty in convincing people that I'm one though I am no more proud of this fact. The bygone year has acquainted me more with reality and my responsibility towards me and my family. One basic truth I have learned is that the struggle with life will never get over. There would be no particular point after which there will be just happiness. Struggle and victory goes simultaneously. You are never sure when you will meet whom.