Sacred Spaces

These are the focal devotion places of some of the main religions in the world.

1. Kaaba: Muslim. Saudi.

2. Golden Temple: Sikh. India.

3. Wailing Wall. Jews. Jerusalem.

4. St Peters. Christian. Rome.

I owe it to Her and Him.

In 1982 I moved to a new school. All of 7 years old, my first lesson was ‘Art Class’ something I never heard of and was looking forward to.

In comes a plain looking, 5 feet tall, 50 plus, petite and fragile female teacher. She is Ms Ashraf Unnisa. After a brief introduction, she took a blue-color chalk and drew two umbrellas on the black board. One closed and another, open. This was my first encounter with an amazing world called ‘art’. I was stunned at her energy and clarity. I was obsessed about her and would talk about her to all my relatives and friends. I never missed her single class.

She could see my interest and in return took special interest in me. She guided me at every occasion. She taught me a lot about sketching, filling colors and shading. I used to paint with sketch pens as the color pencils and other material were not easily available.

She introduced me to the magical world of Colors, Imagination, Creation and Satisfaction.

I moved to another school in 1983 and lost touch with her.

Beyond doubt, I hope she is at peace, wherever she is right now and 'thank' her deep from my heart. Sadly I don’t have a picture of hers to share with you all.

I miss you Ashraf Teacher.

A decade ago, in 1993 I was introduced to a celebrated artist called M F Husain by articles and art document. I was too young that time to identify with this phenomena but his name had a miraculous effect on me.

I don’t remember which was his first painting that I came across, but what got entrenched on my senses is his authority on the medium. The usage of pen, watercolor, acrylic and of course oil is miraculous. The heavy yet confident strokes were his forte. His horses are like trademark. The symphonies were astounding.

I did try to copy him during my learning days but never got the life into them. He had his unusual style. I guess every artist should have.

Having born in a small village of Maharashtra on 17 September 1915, this man surely had his head firm on his shoulders. The struggle was surely there. The hard work was always upfront. What I truly like and respect him for, is his energy level.

Husain saab first became well-known as an artist in the late 1940s after painting a series of film posters. In 1947, he joined the Progressive Artists' Group, founded by Francis Newton Souza. In 1952, his first solo exhibition was held at Zürich and over the next few years, his work was widely seen in Europe and the U.S. In 1955, he was awarded the prestigious Padma Shree prize by the Government of India.

In 1967, he made his first film, Through the Eyes of a Painter. It was shown at the Berlin Film Festival and won a Golden Bear. I loved the film.

He is assumed to have not stayed at any place for more than 10 days! He is got dwelling in India, Dubai, London, USA and Middle East! And everywhere he travels, he paints and only paints.

For the longest time I thought he is from Hyderabad for the kind of love he showed towards the city and its culture. His Cinema Ghar was one place in Hyderabad I used to frequent a lot in a anticipation to meet my magician. And every time I missed him by a glance. I got enthralled looking at his work instead in the studio cum house in Hyderabad. And here I was introduced to his other passion, Cinema.

His first full featured film, Gaja Gamini was undeniably an extravagance to watch.

He went on to make Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (with Tabu). This was one film of his, which is very close to my heart. It was very clear that this man, unquestionably, is a magician. Should check out the direction of one song Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai….it’s just excellent.

His autobiography is being made into a movie tentatively titled The Making of the Painter, starring Shreyas Talpade as the young Husain.

Husain Saab was always a controversial child. In the 1990s some of his works became hot-topic because of their portrayal of Hindu deities in the nude or in an allegedly sexual manner. The paintings in question were created in 1970, but did not become an issue until 1996, when they were printed in Vichar Mimansa, a Hindi monthly magazine, which published them in an article headlined "M.F. Husain: A Painter or Butcher". A series of cases were brought against him and a court case related to the alleged obscene depiction of Hindu goddesses in his paintings resulted in issuing a non-bailable warrant against Husain after he failed to respond to summons.

There were also reportedly death threats. The artist left the country stating that "matters are so legally complicated that I have been advised not to return home".

He took over the Qatar citizenship in February 2010.

For the last years of his life he lived in Dubai and London, staying away from India, but expressing a strong desire to return, despite fears of arrest. He died in a Royal Brompton hospital in London at 2.30 am on Thursday, June 9, 2011 following a cardiac arrest.

His achievements’ are not to miss. Today the art recognition that India got is all merited to Husain saab.

It will take me longest to digest the fact that Husain saab is no more and much longer than I consider to forgive India for losing him.

I shall honestly miss you Husain saab.

The Heritage Hotel of Goa.

The Panjim Inn is a well restored Century old Heritage Hotel in Goa's Latin Quarter, Fontainhas, Panjim, and is now part of the WelcomHeritage Group, was discovered by me by chance, this month while strolling Goa with friends.

The hotel is just ‘wow’ and very affordable place for people looking for the ‘haveli’ feel to their stay.

There are 24 high ceiling bedrooms, 12 in the old house and another 12 in the Rebuilt section facing Rua de Ourem,with Modern Facilities Including Air-conditioning, Mini-Fridge, Cable Television and electronic safes in all rooms.

Each room is distinctly individual in Character with Period furniture including Four Poster Beds, Carved Rosewood Almirahs, and Art and Antiques being part of the furnishing and décor. An In House Art Gallery make for a perfect time spent.

A Comfortable Bed, Good Food and Drink, an Informal Warmth and Friendly and Caring Staff Soon make the Panjim Inn a Romantic Home away from Home!

Their tariff changes with season. Do check out in advance on their website.

Panjim Inn

E-212,31st January Road,Fontainhas
Panaji, Goa 403001
0832 2435628

http://www.panjiminn.com/

Cut Out Obsession!

The south Indian film industry is the only one in the whole world which is infatuated beyond repair! I said repair because it’s the only industry where the actors are worshipped and treated like semi-gods by their fans.

From constructing temples to opening fan clubs and taking out rallies to support their films, the fans are fanatically mad for their super stars. It’s something that you don’t witness in any other film industry.

Mega Star. Matinee Idol. Victoty Venkatesh. Prince Mahesh are some of the choicest titles given to the stars by their loyal fans.

And the ultimate and the most apparent one is a hand painted cutout of approximately 100 to 200 feet of the actor during their film opening at the theatre, garlanded with pots and flowers! Unbelievable!

Presenting some glimpse from this obsession of Tollywood in Hyderabad.

Enjoy.

Rhapsody all the way!

Run by Ms Gayatri, tuck in a by lane of Srinagar Colony (take the lane of Ratandeep Market) the place, Rhapsody, with a feel of college canteen, is raising the chart of recognition since its inception way back in November 2010.

The place is pretty open and extremely comfortable in addition to their standard of hygienic atmosphere.

exceptionally inexpensive on the pocket, with a range from Rs 20 to Rs 100 one can order a Brown Bread Chicken Spinach Corn Sandwich with Scrambled Eggs or go for their varied range of Dosa, Puri, Button Idlys with karapoddi along with Coffee, Tea and seasonal juices.

For people who love rice the Chicken Pulav for the Non-Vegetarians or Sambar Rice for Vegetarians is to die for.

Whenever am in Hyderabad, I make it a point to eat there once!

No great desserts.

Good parking space.

Open from 7am to 10pm.

SRIDEVI: The only ONE!!!

I LOVE SRIDEVI!

Lot has been said about this extraordinarily talented actress and am not going to bore you all with the same, rather am here talking about her movies/performances, which are close to my heart.

Lamhe: I think Sridevi’s performance in Lamhe was much superior and mature than any of her other roles. Despite the fact that Lamhe wasn't a box-office hit but that's how it is in show-business.

I can watch this film anywhere anytime. Remember watching it in Manju Theatre in Secunderabad with Kishore was back in 1991!

I prefer Sridevi as the more sober and mature Pallavi from Rajasthan. She was marvelous in Morni song.

I have two favorite moments in Lamhe - the time the younger Pooja is emotionally wounded and walk out of the house in England and the other is the time when told by Anil Kapoor that he was in love with Pallavi, is very touching.

Arguably, Sridevi's finest film and performance, Lamhe was released in 1991 - 20 years ago! Truly a magical film with incredible performances, music, direction, dances, cinematography... oh everything.

The film is close to perfection.

Nagina: Sridevi in Nagina. Magical!

This movie was a ridiculously huge hit in 1986.

A suspense thriller with mythological and superhero (unquestionably Sridevi was the first 'superhero' on Indian screen) tendencies, Sridevi's finale dance number carried the whole masala film.

I was so mesmerized by the film that I sketched out every single imperative scene in my scribble pad (I lost the pad in the floods of 2000 in HyderabadL) and would catch anyone and start narrating the story, songs, scenes…. whether they are engrossed or not. People actually started shunning me! Hahahaha……

Collected some thousand postcards from the film as a souvenir. And considered Sridevi as the real goddess!

This was the film which captivated me to her histrionic acting and beauty and how. Am still obsessed!

Mr india: Sridevi as Seema Sohni living as a paying guest at Anil Kapoor's house and exasperated with the brats who keep harassing her was the most poignant yet comical side of this another fantasy movie.

Without putting anyone down Shekhar Kapoor handled the situation very well. No wonder he was selected to direct as they said he was good with kids (remember Masoom with Kiddo Urmila and Jugal?)

The Charlie Chaplin scenes are my all-time favorite. I'm Chaplin's admirer and it was pleasure watching my other favorite, Sridevi, as Chaplin.

I still remember an interview, way back, of a kid in conflict with his mom to take him to watch Mr India. to which she argues, “ but you have seen it 4 times already” “ I want to watch Sridevi as Seema and Seema as Chaplin, again”! The boy replies. I felt the same way.

Thoroughly enjoyed sridevi being in the Chaplin moustache, baggy trousers and bower hat; the kids acting with her had a whale of a time, too. And, I think, so did we.

The concept of making a film about an invisible man was really novel those days. It took guts to make a big-budget commercial film of it. Not only was it a gamble, it was also a challenge for the producer and for the audiences too.

Besides these three films I adored her in Chandini, Chaalbaaz, Khuda Gawah, Sadma, some telugu films and Judai.

All about my EGO!

It’s incredibly suitable to write about monuments, tourist place, where to eat and shop, of a particular city. But beyond all this our lovely cities (mainly if it’s your hometown) has more than that.

A particular dish you have always loved. Favorite park/hang-out place to lighten up. An unknown barber who cuts your hair and make you look like a ‘super star’. And so on….

Opening from now, am going to focus on such impressive people/place/dish/shop in my exquisite Hyderabad, that has truly taken me by surprise.

So let’s begin with EGO MAN!

Ego Man is a beauty salon for Men. I accidently discovered this ‘all-men’ salon way back in 1995 for my acne problem! Situated on the first floor of Babu Khan Estate (same building that houses Meena Bazaar) at Basheerbagh cross roads, it took me by surprise to see a place where men were getting manicures, pedicures, facials and bleaches without any shyness.

I got done my first bleach and facial!

Today when I look back after 15 years I sense a sort of rewarding relation with them for the single fact that I had never trusted any other parlor after that!

It’s fairly comfortable, rectangular size, fully air-conditioned parlor, with five seats alongside individual mirrors and wash-basins. With each client has a personal guy to attend, you certainly treated with extra arm message while your face pack is drying!

The complete clean-up process takes the most time and the whole session lasts for approximately an hour and fifteen minutes.

Bleaching: 150/-

Facial: varies from 300/- to 650/-

Haircut: varies from 100/- to 450/-

Shaving: varies from 50/- to 200/-

Besides they have a special body massage facility for regular clients.

Don’t forget to ask for the exceptional ‘Groom’ packages.

It’s worth every single penny. Try it guys.