Monthly Archive for March, 2007

Page 3 of 3

World Cup Snippets 1

Published on March 7, 2007 in Cricket. 57 Comments

Why have minnows in the World Cup?

Yes they sure do provide the odd mega-upset (as we speak Bangladesh, technically not a “minnow” but practically so, has upset New Zealand in a practice game and Ireland came mighty close to doing so against South Africa yesterday) and throw up some brilliant individual performances in losing causes (John Davison going berserk against the Windies [2003], Dave Houghton’s magical innings against New Zealand [1987]).

But then they usually fold up for 45 in front of a Chaminda Vaas or Sajid Mahmood, thus devaluing the competition. They are also responsible for 1) making the Cup go on forever and 2) making washouts against weak opposition (Say you are India and your game against Bermuda is wash-out ,you end up sharing points whereas all your competitors in the group have taken their full points from them) the death knell for teams trying to qualify in tight situations.

Yes that’s what they say.

And so do I.

Usually.

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Eklavya—the Review

Published on March 4, 2007 in Reviews. 41 Comments

There is only one positive in Eklavya (picture left from its Imax launch).

No, not the “Eklavya dilemma”, central to its theme. That incidentally has about as much depth as a grocery-store self-help book parable.

Not the performance of its ensemble cast, which is often uneven.

Not the bleedingly beautiful visuals which try to pack so much artistry and symbolism into each shot that technique often suffuses the narrative.

No not even the intense Amitabh Bachchan who got a Rolls Royce for this role.

What makes Eklavya refreshingly original is that after an eternity of waiting, we finally get to see a palace not filled up by ambiguously happy people leading idyllic lives and dancing in choreographed lock-step while doing Karva Chauth.

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Channel Bh

Published on March 1, 2007 in Video. 72 Comments

Ever since I had this vision of Dhoni’s evil twin on Youtube singing “Gulaab jaisan bagiya main, mahok jaal gori”, I have become a convert to Channel Bh.

Or as the Babuas calls it: Channel Bhojpuri.

Many eons ago, I had commented on how Bhojpuri movies were like a breath of fresh earthy air in today’s claustrophobic world of sepia-toned, stylized NRI dramas that are totally detached from the dreams and aspirations of those whom Lalloo refers to as the “pipool”.

Now it seems that Bhojpuri music is following in the steps of Bhojpuri movies, moving in to relieve the “aam aadmi” of their listless existence, brought about by remixes, item numbers, nasal bleatings and stale Indipop.

And unlike P Chidambaram’s aam aadmi budget, Bhojpuri music really works.

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