Long Live Test Cricket !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   

Wow!!! emotions were running high in the mind while watching the  India- South Africa first test match last day last session.  It was unbelievable batting display by A .B.  de Villers  and Faf Du Plessis.  No one would have thought  that any team would be able to chase and come close  to victory. The manner in which both of them stood upright against an unpredictable bounce on the pitch .

     Pre- match with India loosing the one day series it was foregone conclusion that Indians would fall like a pack of cards and continue there  bad  show overseas. It cannot be blamed entirely to the players since considering the previous India didn't have a single practice  game to play  and acclimatise with the conditions.

     It was heartening to see the Indian captain chose to bat and face the  pacers on the first day  of the match.  It was great to watch the new bunch of cricketers with there first tour to SA played with such grit and patience. Cheteshwar Pujara & Virat Kohli played  with such concentration that it was  a treat to see  them leaving the balls outside off stump that earlier our players used to knick it down to the slips. It was treat to see Virat Kohli  smashing the bad deliveries and treating  the good deliveries with the respect. Nice to watch Ajinkya Rahane also facing the pacers with  superb technique  and front face of the  bat.. Still , the surprise was on the day 2 when the  Indians pacers bowled brilliantly  to restrict  SA   and take marginal lead. Of the pack   Shami looked lethal with his good length and pace . Ishant was a surprise to deliver the goods. The Indian second innings was  a surprise to the Indians when the Pujara and Kohli made a big and brilliant partnership to give Indians  a score  from where  they could attack and win the match .The SA  second innings was stable with less setbacks but to cover the huge mountain was really a daunting task  which everyone thought would be impossible to reach even 300 or near it.

       The last final day was  just one how the Indian pacers  would use the morning session and the unpredictable bounce and win the match by tea. But  A .B.  De .Villers  and Faf Du Plessis had some interesting thing in there mind  they batted like warriors who never give up. They  put back the horrendous decision given to Kallis in there strides and played an innings which was making the huge mountain hill target  within there reach.  The Indian pacer trio Shami,  Ishant and Zaheer  bowled with there heart out  but were without luck missing the knick or ball failed to kiss the bails.  When the target was within reach Rahane  made a direct hit which changed the course of the  match . The match which was in ways SA hands was then drifted by the fear of loss which made them draw the Test . Surprisingly , Philander and Steyn didn't felt they could score the 16 runs in the final 3 overs. Everyone present there and watching all over were surprised that there was no intent to win .

        Overall, the match was the memorable match which will be in the history for  the  best run chase  seen . It would be having  a fitting  a decisive result  for the match  for which everyone showed an impressive fightback in all departments of the game .Kudos  to both  teams  which played an excellent test  match  to make the series  more exciting and liven up the Test Cricket in the era of T20s and ODIs.

Looking forward  to the  Durban Test  on the Boxing Day.  Ready for exciting Fight.....

THE GREAT WALL OF INDIAN CRICKET

With lot of clamour going among the cricket circles and fans about the performance of the senior players with the pathetic performance delivered in Australia and England . It was a sort of drubbing no one would have thought would have occurred after the stupendous success of winning the World Cup in India. There was a pertinent question among the fans regarding when the trio of Sachin , Sehwag and Dravid would call it a day and bring in fresh blood and legs to perform at the highest level of cricket -Test Cricket . With Sachin being burdened by the pressure to back off the irritating pressure of completing the 100th hundred . Sehwag has still not lost hopes of his revival and dream job to captain India which further creating friction with Dhoni which is clearly visible . It was the turn of the highly dependable "The Wall" gutsy call to retire which made it sure that his commitment was and always remained for the Team India .




In the case of numbers there is no doubt a man with 13000 runs under his belt would certainly create a huge lacunae among the Indian team who was one of the players who was always Mr.Consistent in local as well as foreign shores. He always place his values far ahead than any other measurement in the modern day cricket which would demand the charisma, chutzpah, and moolah . A middle class upbringing for the Bangalore boy got into the team with loads of runs and sweat in the domestic cricket . It was an institution in itself to play in Ranji tournaments which gave us the cricketers like Laxman, Sachin, Gambhir ,Kambli and many more.


The most formidable style of his game was his defence. Rahul used put a price on the wicket such that it would require a Jumbo effort for any player from the other side to uproot his wicket. It was the strenuous effort he made in the heat and made each express delivery hurled at him into solid defence which made the pace bowling seem redundant even at 140-150 kmph. He was such a cool and confident customer who even in the worst start for India would make the next batsman comfortable and make huge partnership that would take out India from the verge of defeat . Who would forget the superb partnership with VVS Laxman against Aussie at Eden Garden .

He was the only player who would always had technical brilliance who could negate the harsh and bouncy conditions of foreign wickets . If Sachin , Laxman were run scoring machine with stroke making brilliance ,Dravid had the elegance of standing tall in the moment of calamity . This calmness and belief to lead the team to safety and further post dramatic victory at Headingley were the pitch was spitting venom he stood by hitting on every part of the body but never ever gave his wicket.



He always showed his leadership skills the way he captained the team to success on the overseas wins at West Indies and England . The most brave and controversial decision to declare was at Multan Test when India declared with Sachin stranded at 194* , shows his gumption to put Team decision before individual decision . The ways the seniormost player in the team wear gloves and accept wicket -keeping to help the team accommodate seventh batsmen in the team .

He will always remembered for his dignified persona even when the bowler used to sledge the Mr. Cool of Indian Cricket. Who would forget the outburst of Allan Donald against him in South Africa and Michael Slater notorious verbal volley in India against a doubtful catch. It shows his focus on the game despite hurdles.


Dravid was dropped from One day in series in India on pretext of slow batting . That hurt him so much that he determined to change his game for the faster version of the man . And yes he did it with style smashing four and sixes with equal aplomb . The once Test labelled Dravid now is a formidable member in the Rajasthan Royals IPL team leading the pack of young players. His flurry of 3 huge sixers in his last ODI at England showed his mettle as cricketer who can adapt to every form of the game .

Known as "Jammy" for his role as jammer against the pace batteries all over the world here is a player who has always held his high while debuting in test against England with 95 at Lords. His last series was one blip in his career which can be forgotten regarding his huge career success and contribution to India . Even if the WALL has retired , the strength of his values and commitment will always be pillar of success for TEAM INDIA .

JOKE PAL!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS !!! HAR EK FRIEND ZAROORI HOTA HAI . At least everyone who had trouble with Airtel network issue would agree to have a friend who has Vodafone network .






The week was full of twist and twirls along with holiday mood making it special The only poor species on the earth which were really sad and working overtime this time of year was our elected politicians for the much awaited and publicized Lokpal Bill . The TEAM ANNA also made an effective arrangement for the festivities with the show at MMRDA grounds at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) .The frenzy newsmakers were running from the parliament  to the ground to catch up with latest tit- bits about the debate in the parliament and to find out any STARlet and STARS made there presence on the podium at BKC . For Mumbaikars, this was just one other form of another entertainment which always interested in enjoying the wine and dining mood rather than churn and think about the Lokpal and what zzzzzzzzzzz boring na....


The major entertainment was from overseas where cricket frenzy fever overtook the moment was the INDIA- AUS Agneepath series . Even though India lost it meekly but it took much precedence and value than the Lokpal . Since we always values these gimmicks rather than the important issues whats this Lokpal and Jokpal bhai, enjoy cricket man !!!.

But wait before we vote these cricket stars and the bulky biceps stars as the entertainer of the year there were the Indian silver stars MPs who ruled the special session and proved there folly and wits in the Parliament . In the Loksabha ,the usual witty debate by our Rajghat dance fame Sushma Swaraj who made the UPA ministers look like dumb lambs. The mute SARDAR MMS made some whispers which really made for futile breaking news since he opened his mouth for some fifth sixth time in the entire term of governance . Yup Sirji thoda BOLA karo Accha lagta hain . The major entertainer ( or what say embarrassment) the Lalu Prasad Yadav with his rustic style and one liners .By hook and crook because of majority they passed the Lokpal bill in the LokSabha(LS) . The major test of the bill was in the Rajya Sabha(RS) where the UPA doesn't have enough numbers to win the majority.For the better part of the day it was good intelligent debate a high standard above the LS debate. But the day was ruled by our own Bengali Chamak Chalo who decide to go otherwise and made our PM a.ka. Simpoo Singh fall before the voting takes place . Seeing the Govt. will not win the majority the Govt played its card by creating commotion and senseless debates by some undistingushed MPs like Ram Vilas Paswan which disgraced the RS debate.


The devil stroke was played by the RJD Lalu MP Rajniti Singh( who helped him in the Chara Ghotla case). This weary bearded follow just came and took the Lokpal copy and torn in the center  of the house . Then Ithink the cong ministers were crooning to the famous marathi somg from Natrang "MALA JAU DYANA GHARI, ATTA VAJLE KI BARRAH " . Our Vice President and speaker who dances the tunes of ITALY KI RANI Sonia gave up to the demand and rushed to his home . Thus then started the blame game where each one was through dung, and jagrons like fedral ,CBI and all the hullabaloo that the Lokpal was trashed in the dustbin which would be opened and checked in by budget session but you know it will never get passed siNce no one wants to get caught up by LOKPAL . On the top of it was exposed by the leading media news channel that the RJD-UPA staged the ruckus in the RS.

Hope so the scenes which were in the parliament never ever dampen the spirit of the India citizen and work forward for clean healthy and Positive INDIA

JAI HIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE WILL MISS YOU !!!

The year 2011 has not been that good as concerned with the artistic world in India .The start of the year started with news of the demise of Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and then followed by Srinivas Khale and Jagjit Singh . The trio were great name in the music world which enthralled everyone with there music and lyrics .


"Abhangawani" was such a treat to the ears that it would also make an atheist to be a believe in  Panduranga. The Abhangas "Tirth vithal shetra vithal"and "Je ka ranjale ganjale" make the common man to have a Wari(yatra) of Pandharpur.


Khale saheb compostion was such that would get on with the small children to the doyens of classical music fans ."Gori gori pan phula sarkhi chan" to tunes of " ya baglyanchi maal" are his classics. None other than him would have brought Pandit Bhimsen with Lata Mangeshkar .


Jagjit Singh classic silk voice brought a life to ghazals. He was the real maestro who with his "Kagaz ki kashti" and " Na chitti na koi sandesh "brought revival in this form. His voice from the movie " Arth" was melodous especially "Tum itna kyon muskurate hon" and still remain the favourite.


We even lost the famous Rudali Assamese  singer Bhupen Hazarika who brought the Assamese music in the mainstream cinema .



The year also took away from us the two shining stars from our film galaxy . The first was the Yahoo man legendary Shammi Kapoor. The pinkish chubby star with his free enigmatic dance moves was the heartthrob of everyone . With his swinging moves in " Bar bar dekho " to " O hasina zulfowali " it was the charming actor which made every class to move with a zing . He was suffering fro kidney ailment but still his zest of learning the internet world and mingle along with youth , gave the glimpse of his evergreen life . The fact he was accepted across all generations till date suggest his popularity and charm.
Yesterday the Sunday morning was brought to a lull by the news of the demise of the ever charming Dev Anand. Astoundingly charming good look with the puffed hair style the lanky hero had his own style . He has numerous of fantastic hummable songs "Jiya hoo"," Acccha ji mein hari"," Aaj phir jeene ki tammana hai. ..... the list goes on and on never ending list. The most striking feature of his films were they were his movies would challenge the set of values and was the out of box thinking which make shock and awe. No one would forget the song " Mein zindagi ka sath nibhat chala gaya" the style of Dev sahab was superb hats off to him . His movie "Guide " was the cult classic with the character of Raju , the guide by Dev Anand and Waheda Raheman. It was surprise to hear in todays press that the movie was also directed in ENGLISH for overseas market with the foreign crew . His courage to make movies with his own viewpoint and not being bogged down by the commercial interest was spectacular . He gave the major boost to careers of many debutantes like Zeenat Aman , Tina Munim , tabu. He had got such energy and enthusiasm that even till date he had plans to make new movies but sadly his movies were with very out of date type of treatment which obviously didn't work out. But overall a fantastic career beginning from a humble background to be a hero then have his own banner "NAVKETAN FILMS".

A tribute to all these stalwarts who made our life more interesting and meaning to our life . RIP TO ALL THE GENIUS SINGERS AND ACTORS WHO LEFT A INDELIBLE MARK OF THERE SHEER GENIUS AND HARD WORK .

RIP TO ALL THE GREAT SOULS !!!!!

Is bollywood creating real box office winners ?

Just watched this weekend two movies on TV , on was the much publicized so called super hit movie "BODYGUARD" and today very lowly publicized fine  Marathi movie "TARYANCHE BET".
It made me think how are the business economics , box office and all financial things has no real connection with the quality of the movies . It gives a clear picture to the viewers that only highly publicized mega  budget movies are the once who just because of high promotional budgets lead the race and win it too. Whereas, low publicized and high on subject story gets critical acclaim and less moolah.




So, not deviating from the subject saw "BODYGUARD " of super builder star (not actor)was such a lousy and boring film. A movie with some very plain tasteless subject and unimaginative turns which fall flat on the face . Just on the basis of Salman , the movie goes on showing his biceps and packs and all. In short , its total waste of your money and time to watch this type of big star boring and meaningless film .



On the other hand the another Marathi film with Sachin Khedekar film "TARYANCHE BET" a low budget film but with a fine storyline and excellent subject goes unnoticed on the box-office. A film based on a small happy family enjoying a rural life and content with it. His son who comes with him to Mumbai for a short trip gets fascinated by 5- star hotel and bets with his father to spend a day in hotel if he tops in his class. This simple but expensive request creates a sort of mental turmoil in the life of the protagonist. A simple film showing loving relationship of father - son and his fight to make his son's dream come true.

Thus this shows how come in Bollywood the star power and promotional strength just creates movies only star-centric and just concerned about the 100 crores bracket and not relating to the script. Whereas we see in the regional films , the major thought is given to  the content and not revolve around the star . Due to less financial strength they not be in the league of the 100 cr BoxOffice winners , but definitely high on the content with soul in the name which makes you satisfy to watch a story which entertains and also gives something to takeaway .

There is an exception to "3 IDIOTS"but most of the movies which have reached the 100cr marks are all duds and only driven by the STAR power gimmicks like Singham,Ra-ONE an the list goes on and on.... So, it would better which ever movie just don't go on the face of the star power on the star power , wait and watch rather these people will go on giving us meaningless BO films.

RA-ONE THE WRONG-ONE

SRK's much awaited film RA-ONE released today and the mixed reviews much more on the positive side made my decision to view it today. If not today , it would have been anytime this week since Ra-One was all over no space left where even if you close your eyes the character of G-ONE(SRK' Character) will be in front of your eyes.



With high expectations on Ra-One, the first 10 minutes showed the glimpse of boredom which made to feel this is Bore-One . The initial character of SRK of South Indian with aiyos, idlis and kunju kunju was typical SRK ham acts which makes you believe you are going to watch humbug movie. The child actor Armann Verma has played his part very well and it suits his character very well. Kareena Kapoor looks Gorgeous but seems to be POOO... FROM Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum . She has done her job well, the scene where she has negative shades has been depicted superbly. The plot of good over evil has been the central theme of the movie . The plot would have been okay if it would have been movie with shorter length and devoid of songs . The songs really broke the pace of the movie.



Regarding the VFX effects , they were simply wow. On that count the movie stands to be first with super effects and the execution. But considering the character and the story it falls flat. Can't imagine to watch its sequel . Arjun Rampal is a wooden furniture better not to have a word about him .





The songs "Dill dara" is nice soft hummable tune . The much famous " Chamak Chalo" is nice and fun especially  Akon vocals  but not in the class of item songs like Munni and Sheela.SRK has given his best shot for bringing advance special effects , the suit and all but the core part of plot and nice story line let it down. The train sequence was fun to watch and the introduction of Rajinikanth was a damp squib.The fight sequence of G-One and Ra-one was very childish and not upto the mark

Over the movie which through its over extensive overdrive marketing gimmickry with products like Pens, TV, Youtube Channels and Reality shows fell flat . It was similar to the delivery which spinners bowl which seems to come in and goes the other way around ... the WRONG-ONE. Yup the high expectations of Diwali release like DDLJ, KKKG, KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI,DON,OM SHANTI OM this RA-ONE was sure a BORE-ONE.

ENJOY DIWALI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The mild chill in the morning air bring along with Diwali atmosphere . Diwali bring along the feeling of joy, enthusiasm , fun and lots of energy . We see along every house , shops nook and corner people scrubbing the floors and cleaning there houses to welcome Goddess Lakshmi at home. The markets are filled with heaps of rangoli colours , kandils(lanterns), crackers and sweets .


My favourite among them is the Akashkandil which sways with gentle wind during the Diwali night surrounded by the colourful light torans. The traditional pantis with lit up diyas removes the darkness of the night illuminates and radiates happiness in every person rich and poor with simple joy and smile.




The festivities and shopping around the Diwali is enjoyable but my favourite part of the festivities is the faral for Diwali . The fragrance of the bhajani for chakli which is brought freshly grounded is simply put of the world. WOW!!!. The aroma of the besan while preparing of besan ladoos craves to have the ladoo melt in your mouth as soon as possible.



Its great fun to be in the kitchen during the preparation of faral ( i do it very less and my work is mainly to taste the faral ). Its fun to watch the ladoos being rolled into shape and stuffed with pista,badam, charoli and kismis. The making of chaklis is fun to watch which really require skill and strength to shape them up. The crispy and sweet diamond shaped Shankarpalis( wonder why its name like that) are very beautiful .



But mine favourite is "CHIVDA". It just a bliss to have the combination of chivda, garma garma chai and Diwali ank ( makes my Diwali day :) ). The chivda is such a craze for me that friends at hostel used to address me "CHIVDA BABA" .Although its being my made yearly for me but the relish of enjoying it in Diwali is something different. The Kranjis with its sweet half moon shaped filled with coconut fillings also makes to lose the calories consciousness.Then are may rawa ladoos, anarse , shev the list goes on and on .... .


But the fun of Diwali is along with friends and relatives together and enjoying whole day with faral and gupshup day along. Evenings filled with dhamal bursting crackers , and who will miss the colourful rangolis which welcomes Goddess Lakshmi to bless all the year along . But the truth is fast pace life and the people moved away for careers head these moments have been lost . Still the advent of Facebook, Twitter and E-greetings have made virtual gathering of festivities.

Who can forget the bursting of crackers , the sparkling sparkles , the anars and the zamin chakras . It was fun to gather on the terrace or ground and enjoy the crackers with bonfire at the end.But, now we have to be socially responsible since these crackers also affect the old people, small children , animals and birds . So its better to burst cracker before 10 p.m and after 6 a.m .
The Diwali along with the welcoming of wealth it also brings along the responsibility to share joy , clothes, firecrackers and sweets to the needy people .

So , enjoy DIWALI with delicious faral, play safe with crackers and have loads of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


SHUBH DIWALI TO ALL FRIENDS ENJOY !!!!!!!!!!!!!