psycho uncovered...

Pics: scans from the thriler, American Psycho starring Christian Bale of Batman fame in the lead.

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inside a killer's mind...

Pics: Poster scans from Alfred Hitchcock's iconic thriller, Psycho

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what's up?

grim setting...

Pics: from top, poster of State of Play followed by its cast comprising of Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams and last but not the least, Russel Crowe.

Hello Netgenners,

What's on ?

How were the Weekends

Well, i chose a movie to unwind !

I alongwith Anand Hembrom, my friend who is pursuing Masters in Broadcast journalism in NISCORT hit the American Centre theater's special Friday flicks edition after going through the Times of India supplement which provides listings of all the events taking place in the city.

The Movie business in the American centre are an exercise of the popular culture of the United states which has a multi billion dollar industry in filmaking...Hollywood.

The Screening is free and this Friday flicks edition focused on political thrillers.

Unfortunately due to other tasks, we missed the productions screened earlier which run serially as.. Angels and Demons( Oct 9), Duplicity(Oct 16), Nothing but the Truth(Oct 23)

The movie State of Play is an excellent Political thriller involving a U.S. Congressman, Stephen Collins ( Ben Affleck), a tough police detective, a demanding Editor of a leading daily ( Helen Mirren), a cub reporter( Rachel McAdams) and last but not the least the cynical, risk taking veteran investigative journo ( Russel Crowe)

The story in a nutshell would be.. until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried, handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman, Stephen Collins was the future of his political party in a town of spin-doctors and wealthy politicos, he and other embroiled in this drama will discover one truth: when billions are at stake, no one's integrity, love or life is ever safe.

To maintain the dark element of the movie the lenswork has naturally been kept dark.

The introductory scene shows a pizza delivery boy being shot dead by some unidentified person driving through a dark lane.

This sparks off the case which centres around the killing of the mistress who was a secretary with a Congressman. 

 

iconic mean machines...

Pics: Scans of the cult status motorbike, Harley Davidson alongwith its logo

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How is everything?

Trick or treat !

Hi Folks,

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October 31st is a spooky day or rather an amusing day whichever way we put it ! This day the Halloween's Day is celebrated.

A Break in Time: time for a special time zone for thre North Eastern India

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The Bombshell she was...

Pics: Wallpaper Scans of the Hollywood actress, Marilyn Monroe whose death still raises conspiracy theories...

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Old Delhi beckons...

Pics:  from bottom, Non Vegetarian delicacies Kadhai Gosht, Beef Stew, Beef Korma, Beef Biryani, Tandoori Rotis ( oven bread of India). The markets of Old Delhi, the minaret ( tower) of the Jama Masjid from different angles,  stairs leading to the entrance of the mosque, Gumbaz of the mosque, the Red Fort from top overlooking the street and last but not the least.. fried Koftas ( kind of Indian Meatballs) !  

Hello Netgenners,

How is life?

How has been the weekends for you all?

Well, i chose Old Delhi to rejuvenate myself. This Sunday our dream of travelling footloose at the famous part of the capital was fulfilled.

We( myself and my junior, Amit Pariccha from Kandhamal ,Orissa at the institute)  started out at 10:45 am and headed for the Anand Vihar ISBT and took a bus for the nearest metro station, Dilshad Garden after confirming that the Bus route for the Mori Gate would take atleast an hour. 

Though i am in the city for a year but were not so acquainted with the route to old Delhi via metro, anyways travelling is fun!

Asking an uncle inside the metro abut the routes to be changed we chanced upon Rakesh, a shoe seller in the flea market outside the walls of the Jamma Masjid built by Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan.

Interestingly he doesn't travel by the Metro but didn't have a helmet to ride his bike hence the alternate means to commute !

He told us to get down at Kashmiri Gate ISBT and we, the trio boarded a bus till the Red Fort stoppage opposite the Jamma Masjid.

Reaching there we made a survey of the market just outside the entrance of the mosque, it was full of cheap electrical appliances like irons, kettles, some glassware, toys, unstiched cloths, Dry fruits at a wholesale range. The air was full with fragrance of the cheap attars ( traditional Indian perfumes).

While on the left hand side of the mosque is the famous " Meena Bazaar " selling the Boxes to hold the Holy Quran, " Burqas " ( veiled, long flowing loose garment worn by Muslim women) for the womenfolk. 

What's more there were alluminium wares with intricate designs of craftsmanship on the lid say for instance of the bowls. The Traditional " Huqqa" too showed up ( a smoking device of oriental origin popularised by the Mughal rulers and later still, the nawabs and the zamindars of petty kingdoms which has a base at the bottom containing lighted tobacco and a rope like pipe at the neck for smoking.) 

There one can also go for some scarves with embellishments and gliiter according to the taste of the buyer.

The market complex and even the stairs of the mosque cater to the culinary needs of the crowd flocking the area. There one will easily be tempted by the " Biryanis " added the extra zing of Kesar/Zafraan ( fragrant additive claimed to be herbal in nature and orange in colour, is of high price, usually found in abundance in the valley of Kashmir).

The mouth watering " Phirnis "( a Mughal Sweet dish made of milk garnished with dry fruits as raisins) are found neatly tucked in earthen clay pots of cute sizes with silver foils wrapped at its mouth serving as the lid.

Adding to our amusement, one can hear the tracks of some songs running on Bollywood( The Indian movie industry) numbers that have lyrics of Urdu !

Besides these one can see part time booksellers with their fare of religious literature on Islam besides the holy Quran at the steps of the mosque as well as the Meena Bazaar.

There we admired the Muslim Skull Caps and tasvies ( rosaries ) for their variety at one of the shops.

The market has an uncanny resemblance with the Arab markets and the Central Asian ones as seen in travel photos and documentaries, the essence of Medieval age oozes out of the styling of the bazaar.

My chacha had told me that during the Mughal period there were the silk and cotton shops selling traditional finery. 

The gate was already full with tourists as well as fellow Indians from different states. The tourists are made to wear long flowing robe like garment as to complement the rules of the mosque of people flocking not wearing half-sleeved, body-hugging or scant clothes.

The dresses are polka dotted with shades of pink and blue, while the menfolk are made to wear Lungies ( South Asian free-flowing unstitched lower garment ) .

Inside the compound of the mosque which one gets access to by climbing the stairs, the visual treat that greets a visitor besides the finesse of the architecture are the simple moments of togetherness the families and couples enjoy inside, truly a structure that has a magnetic pull towards individuals of different faiths and communities.

People are seen documenting the moments either in their handy cams or still cameras.

The outside of the main mosque building is sprawling and huge and has a reservoir like structure to hold the waters of the Wazu ( abulition by water with prayers said at heart ) tradition performed by Muslims before the Salaat /Namaaz. 

Once Inside the praying hall of the Mosque one cannot help but wonder at the beautiful architecture speaking volumes of Mughal Craftsmanship and decor.

The Quranic verses are amply calligraphed in variety of formats at the surfaces just below the ceiling inside. the rounded pillars of the mosque add solidarity to this place of worship which has kind of become a symbol of sorts for this place where history emanates from all corners.

My Friend Amit was curious about the way Muslims offer Namaaz and was inquiring me about the prayers read by the performer of the namaaz at each hour ( Muslims have to pray 5 times a day) The roof like structures holding more such columns and pillars of different shapes and sizes at the two sides of the mosque makes one wonder about the past kingly age.

After feasting our eyes on the structure, we went to take lunch at the traditional non-veg restraunts or taverns.

We orderd a bit of everything ranging from Kadhai Gosht, Stew, Korma ( Mughal delicacy i.e meat in sticky gravy style usually served with bread as Paranthas and tandoori rotis).

Visiting here, who can leave without the Biryani( Flavored rice with mutton beef or Chicken pieces)  which we devoured with not a single rice left on the plates!

Personally, we rate Hyderabadi Biryani as the tastiest with Karim's ( the outlet at Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya's as well as Matiya Mahal gate of the Bazaars of old Delhi has become a brand name for this dish which has travelled from Iran to the central Asia to the Afghanistan nearer home finally landing up in our country with the Mughals) becoming a brand name in the capital city.

We washed down these lip-smacking variety with a bottle of Thumps-Up soft drink.

Having tipped the bearer as well as the child attending our table who speaks in the Mumbaish fashion and an air of maturity, we  proceeded towards what was the back of the mosque and came right at the Flea-market selling shoes and other second hand clothes.

Jostling through the crowd, we made our next destination to be the Sarojini Nagar market at South Delhi selling economical and bargain able stuff ranging from a wide variety of girls and women's items to boys and gent's tees as well shirts, shoes for both the sexes.

There are some Brand outlets too like Reebok and other such sports range. The Converse All-Star shoes  found in the different shops are actually quite attractive to look at with metro sexual colours as parrot green and orange also in the variety.

These are the contemporary accessories which youngsters just love to flaunt !

The market is circular in nature with concrete arch shaped gates at the end of one row of the shops.

As it was expected after the kilometers and miles we covered, we grew tired and sat under one of the trees at the corner of one of the boundary walls of the market.

Staying there for an hour, we proceeded towards the Safdarjung terminus which was at a distance of 1 km and boarded a direct bus to Anand Vihar ISBT and reached our destination at 8:15 pm.

Though we were tired yet the memories of carefree travelling in the streets of old Delhi brought a nostalgic smile in our faces !

Yeh Dilli Hain mere Yaar,

Bas Ishq, Mohabbat pyar...

Masti hain mastanon ki dilli..dilli..

Gali hain deewano ki Dilli-6  ( 6 is the pincode of Chandni Chowk included in this snazzy and hip number by A.R. Rahman from Delhi-6)

Keep Humming Folks..

History, recreation, culture, arts all under the same roof.

Its the heart of India

This is Delhi ! 

Rise to each day with the desire to discover something new

so long folks

keep commenting

celluloid offerings from Russia...Day 3

Pics: from top, the Poster from the Russian Drama comedy " Crawfishlike " and a scene from the movie showing lead actress, Olga Sun from the production.

Hello Bloggers,

How is life?

How is life?

Celluloid offerings from Russia...Day 2

Pics: Poster scans from the Russian Romantic Comedy, Love in the Big city... which was a light take on issues of love and infidelity

Hello Bloggizens,

How is life?

Celluloid offerings from Russia... Day1

Pics: Scenes and posters from the Russian movie Kislorod .

Hi folks,

What's on?

How is life?

Russia is a fascinating country. This nation has strange ties with Asia and because of the border it shares with the Asian continent, Geography brands it as Eurasia i.e., Europe and Asia.

Before its breakdown from USSR, it comprised of the Central Asian countries of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and  many more such states.

It is a fact that Russia has close ties with India and that encompasses the cultural field too.

Indian movies are loved in the nation and actors especially Raj kapoor is admired by the public there. Speaking of Raj Kapoor, i am reminded of his classic " Mera Naam  Joker " wherein he used Russian artists.

The fusion of culture and art took place when the 5 - day long Russian film Festival took place at New Delhi, India. The first two movies were screened at some other venue but three movies will be screened at the Russian Science and  culture Centre at Ferozeshah road.

Unfortunately, i missed the first two screenings of the event due to some other works at hand but made it to yesterday's screening of the production titled " Kislorod."

Kislorod is a Russian term denoting oxygen. Oxygen as we all know stands for life. It is the harbinger of the gift all humans enjoy... Life.

The movie is roughly a 1 hour production directed by Ivan Vyrypayev. 

Though i have never before got the opportunity to watch Russian movies, this was my first.

The movie story wise is a narration of the vices and the negative energies that flow in each human being. 

These can be said to be the seven sins as told in Christianity and other faiths according to their own culture and context.

The constant affirmation in the story is that kislorod i.e., oxygen drives everything.

The legend of the Che...

The Pics: from bottom Che Guevara as a child, in his youth, in his transition as a Guerilla leader 

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Lady with the unconventional looks...

Pics: Different scans of Model turned actress, Katrina Kaif who is the leading Bollywood lady now.

Hello Bloggers,

How is life?

Beauty, Glamour and Panache are the elements of urban lifestyle given a certain status quo by the media's shift in covering Page 3 celebrity related events, shopping malls, designerwear targetting the middle class consumers ( in India's case) and differing according to the economic distribution of different nations the worldover.

There are some women( recognised faces internationally) who with their unconventional looks and features and also along with their success especially in the glamour bussiness tend to create a ceratin image for themselves, thanks to media which accords the staus quo to them which includes the hype, PR excercises etc.

The Indian film industry has witnessed many beautiful and elegant faces. Beaty has been defined and redefined. Madhubala was a ageless and evergreen beauty who has grown into a legend. Nargis' sharp features added to her timeless appeal. Meena Kumari's grace and acting had made her a household name. 

Then came along the flurry of modern leading ladies in the celluloid as well as the modelling industry who gave beauty and style an added dimension with their somewhat tomboyish ( i am not being generalised !) , open body language and also in the process defining modernity not only in attire but thought process too making the girl next door emulate them consciously and subconsciously.

India's tryst with Models going on to films is not new. Persis Khambata who made a sudden appearance as the alien queen in a Star Trek franchise had earned critical acclaim.  

Sangeeta Bijlani, wife of cricketer Mohd. Azharuddin was a Miss India winner before joining movies. Even the Polish( Poland) and Bengali origin model, Lisa Ray( God Bless her as she has been detected with cancer) known for her unconventional looks was an acclaimed model before she turned over to movies.