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A Few Good Movies

March 27, 2006 By 4 Comments

Good does come from icing sore knees. As I ice, I get to watch a movie and am finally catching up with the backlog :-) . Here are a few of the excellent ones I recently enjoyed. All have my highest recommendations.

And, I'd welcome your suggestions for my Movie Queue!

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: Another of Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece. Superbly done, great graphics and a very nice story. Like this better than Spirited Away. Planning on buying Nausicaa …, just so I can share with visiting kids. Now his other works are moving up the queue – fast!

Children of Heaven: Saw this Iranian movie based on an excellent review by Ratheesh here (caution, spoilers galore!). A simple yet heartwarming and uplifting story of two children rising above poverty. The child actors did a fabulous job. Reminded me to enjoy the simple things in life. Loved the little girl's name – Zahra! Heavenly. Don't miss this one. Also queued a couple of other movies by the same director.

Parineeta: Another fantastic adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's classic. The sets are not as opulent as Devdas, making it more realistic! Loved the song – piyu bole jiya dole. Sarat Chandra does a masterly job of subtly, yet firmly portraying the steeled determination of the bharatiya naari. Wish the director had taken a few more scenes to develop it further here. BTW, Vidya Balan looks stunning! Next time in India, please do not let me run into her.

Turns out to be quite an international collection here!

Filed Under: Editorial, Home Tagged With:
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Sudoku Master

January 8, 2006 By 6 Comments

My father had his heart surgery in Nov and has recovered amazingly well. Days after his chest was flayed open to replace his aortic valve, he was up in his hospital bed solving Sudoku puzzles. My brother had made large grids and copied puzzles from the web and newspaper – a binder full. Nurses were impressed and wanted to learn too. But with tubes sticking out of him he couldn't speak much. So he had the rules taped to the front of the binder, which he would pass around.

As I had heard of this, one of the things I took for him was a Sudoku book. Soon after we arrived at my brothers in Blackpool, I gave him the book and went to sleep. A few hours later when we came down for breakfast, he surprised me:

Papa: I am nearly done with the book.
Me: You solved all the puzzles in a few hours?
Papa: No, I started on the toughest one and am making progress. What's the point of solving the remaining easy and moderate puzzles!

His logic was irrefutable. When I expressed an interest in learning, he handed me the binder with rules taped on the front. Inside were all the puzzles he had solved, including ones from a national tournament. I started with a couple of the easy ones. By the end of the week, I could take on the moderate ones. After a few years perhaps, the challenging ones.

While his mind is as sharp as ever, age seems to be taking its toll on his physical body. The skinny frame is well hidden under layers of clothing. We bought some wrist weights (3 lbs each) and I showed him a few arm exercises to help him start to build muscle and gain strength. He walks back and forth in the driveway for 30 minutes each day. I think he is going to be fine in Mumbai where the weather is moderate and he has his circle of friends on Colaba Causeway. You may spot him there solving or teaching others Sudoku. Stop and visit, you may learn something. I still am learning … and will for ever!

Thank you all for your wishes.

Oh! On an interesting note, there is actually a town in England called Arun. Please don't call me if your 'refuse' is not collected or the 'street lights fail,' but I will certainly accept your car parking fines! hee hee!

Filed Under: Family & Friends, Home
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Kumta: Field of Dreams

November 25, 2005 By 21 Comments

pics from Kumta by Arun Shanbhag
Road leading from my cousin's house to the Kumta market. It's a 10 minute walk. Bicycles are family vehicles here. Mom and infant are calmly enjoying the ride on the rack.

Note: open drains to carry heavy rain water run-off; cows resting ahead on road side.

And across is this spectacular rice field. Despite having seen this field hazaar times, I am ever in awe. Depending on the time of day, or year, its a different scene. These pics are from an evening in September 2004; the light has a golden tinge and shadows are getting long. Monsoon rains have just ended, and the crop is starting to mature.

In this God-fearing country, the parting greeting is: Dev Bare Karo! literally, May God do you good!
pics from Kumta by Arun Shanbhag

Other Kumta Related Posts:

Filed Under: Home, Konkani, Kumta Tagged With: , , ,
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Life Meme: Things you always wanted to know but were too chicken to ask!

August 11, 2005 By Leave a Comment

What was I doing:
10 years ago: In Pittsburgh! I was comfortable and coasting at work; life was good and I was getting fat!

5 years ago: In Boston! Ready to change my career! Enrolled in an MBA, got a great business plan, … and then I hated the business school types. Yuck!

1 year ago: Still looking to change careers. Have a long list of things I have considered but don't want to do! Oooh! Was planning our india trip :-)

Yesterday: was a busy day!
Got a manuscript ready for publication.
Ran 6 mi – was completely pooped. A slight ache in my right knee – this aging thing sucks!
Got a haircut!
… and made dinner!
Sliced round whole wheat sourdough bread; tomato pesto, sliced tomatoes, roasted garlic cloves, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers saved in olive oil; a few rings of red onion; fresh basil leaves, salt and pepper to taste! And added a little bruschetta on M's sandwich! Yumm! Sorry no pics as I was super hungry!

Wondering what I want to do when I 'grow up'. Being a travel writer is my current “To Be” craze!
But in the words of Swami Chinmayananda from the Chinmaya Mission, “This too shall pass.” Maybe I will end up with my book store and coffee shop in Colaba! BTW, “this too shall pass” is a handy phrase to recollect. Equally pertinent whether you are riding the peaks of euphoria or wallowing in the dark recesses of despair!

5 snacks I enjoy relish:
1. Eda-mame in the pod, and/or shelled (my new craze!)
2. Britannia cream biscuits (mango and pineapple flavors)
3. Baby carrots
4. Apples
5. Ginger orange granola (Trader Joe's)

5 artists that I know the lyrics of most of their songs:
1. Ooops, I don't know the lyrics of any song. Maybe a couple of lines of some. :-(
2.
3.
4.
5.

5 things I’d do with $100 million:
1. Move to the Ritz full service luxury Condominiums in Boston's downtown. (M would appreciate the maid service!)
2. Buy a flat in Colaba, Mumbai
3. Donate generously to schools and orphanages in konkan-land. Or better still – build and manage my own; then I will have something to do when I 'grow-up.' Or this 'growing-up' thing will have to be postponed indefinitely! :-) )
4. Buy a Mamiya 645AFD with digital back and a slew of lenses.
5. Take M to a jewellery store and then to an indian dress store.

5 locations I’d like to run fly away to:
1. Kumta, Karnataka
2. Interlaken, Switzerland
3. Ponda, Goa
4. Ladhak
5. Manhattan

5 bad habits and pet peeves I have:
1. Perfectionist
2. When I want it done, I want it done, … like NOW!
3. Hate soft drinks guzzling, couch potatoes!
4. I am either “hot or cold”; nothing in between
5. Impatient with mediocrity

5 things I like doing:
1. Munching
2. Gabbing
3. Working Out
4. Reading
5. Being Outdoors

5 things I would never wear:
1. Never say never, particularly if you offer me $100 million!
2.
3.
4.
5. Women's clothing! Though I have on occasion pinched M's plush, olive green with a burnt sienna windproof liner, polartec vest for a winter run!!!

5 TV shows I like:
1. ooops again! Don't watch TV
2.
3.
4.
5.

5 movies I likelove:
1. Casablanca
2. Cinema Paradiso
3. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
4. Silsila
5. Love Actually

5 famous people I’d like to meet:
1. Swami Chinmayananda: Don't know if he is alive. I treasure his pocket phrase book titled, 31 pointers for a (something) life. It is the size of a matchbox!
2. Warren Buffet
3. Steve Jobs
4. Nicole Kidman
5. This 'Atman' that I have been reading about lately!

5 favorite toys:
1. Nikon camera gear
2. iPOD
3. collection of fountain pens
4. book collection
5. anything made by apple

3 people I'd like to see complete this :
who so ever has not done it yet!

Filed Under: Home, Life, Misc Tagged With:
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Rajabai Clock Tower

July 14, 2005 By Leave a Comment

Under its gaze
Childhoods were made.

Give us a ball
any ball
cricket ball
tennis ball
football
a rubber ball
a torn ball,
a worn block of wood,
a pebble
or a wad of paper held by rubberbands

Dribble, dribble
shoot
cartwheels
push and shove
fall
scuffle, scuffle
scrapped knees
dirty shirts
comforting each other
sharing Ganna juice
one by two
limping back home
way past our time
HeeHeeHee

O what fun!


The Mumbai Courts besides it
© Arun Shanbhag

Filed Under: Home, Mumbai Tagged With:
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Come Running With Me!

February 13, 2005 By 12 Comments

My second most favorite activity in Mumbai is going for a run. The early morning light is beautiful, its cooler and the humidity is lower. Earlier in the day, people are in a better mood too! And running along the sea-face at Marine Drive is just spectacular. Importantly, starting the day with a nice run makes me less guilty when I indulge in my #1 favorite activity in Mumbai: EATING! So actually, running justifies eating. The more you run, the more I get to eat! Fun! Fun!

I would start at 6:15 am from home near the Colaba Police Station. After a brief warm-up, I would run by the Cooperage football field, along Madam Cama Rd, past the Oval Maidan, Mantralaya and reach Marine Drive by the Air India building next to the Oberoi/Trident Hotel. This is how it looked on the day I took my camera along! It's a great feeling to realize I would run the entire Marine Drive upto Walkeshwar. A nice 7 Km run.

By Cooperage fields I dodge a gang of mangy dogs, who think they own the road (if anyone is interested in taking a supari for getting rid of these dogs, let me know!). Just past the Oval Maidan I saw this person pulling the water tank.

Past the Mantralaya (State House) and the MPs' quarters, as I trained my camera on the mural of the vigilant Shivaji Maharaj, this person gave me a threatening look. Instinctively I managed a smile and a greeting in Marathi. As he carried on, I slipped away! Phew!

Along the wide sidewalks of Marine Drive, it was heartening to see so many people enjoying the day. Some just sat by the water, others sauntered, others dashed, motivated by speed. Whatever you chose to do, it was the perfect time.

Along the way, a large flock of pigeons were feeding on chanaa; Morning walkers buy cups of this lentil from the hawker and sprinkle it on the sidewalk. It’s quite a sight.


On Chowpatty beach, these two women relaxing on the sands seemed to capture the tranquility of the morning by the water. They seemed to be in no rush, just waiting for the tide to come in.


As I run, I am in a state of euphoria. I can't count my blessings enough: to be here, healthy, to be able to do this. Here and now! What a blessed life. But what’s so special about this place I wonder. Running along the Charles River in Boston is even more spectacular, and you don't have to worry about rabid dogs. What's with this place? As my mind raced on, I noticed this statue in front of me. I thought it was the poet, Rabindranath Tagore, but as I ran closer it was someone else. And the lead phrase hit me like a ton of bricks.

“My place is with my people” it screamed.

Suddenly my heart seemed to slow down, my muscles relaxed, my breathing returned to normal and I was no longer gasping for air. I realized why Mumbai and India were such a special place for me. Because it was my place, and these were my people; and I belonged to them. A place where no one was gonna ask me – where you from?

A calm descended on me and I knew why I did the things I did. I felt I could keep running forever. The ache was gone. I was beaming! I dashed past Wilson College and charged up the hill on Walkeshwar Road. Just before Teen Batti, as the sidewalk ended in a chaotic urban congestion, I ended my run in front of this nariyal paani wallah (person selling tender coconuts) – Mahipal.

Mahipal would slice two large mitha malai-wallahs (sweet with a light cream). At 17 Rs each (~ 30 centes) it was a bargain. The best refreshing drink you can ask for after a nice run. Beats any day, the yucky tasting, colored, chemical laden sports drink you get elsewhere.

As I cooled off here, I would chat with Mahipal for about 15 minutes. He is a recent migrant from Madhya Pradesh and actually works for a Mallu owner (it was satisfying to see the Mallu monopoly on the nariyal paani business still going strong ;-) . After a few days, he would notice me struggling up the hill and start to pull out the best nariyal. When I asked him to pose, he wanted a copy of a pic. He planned to send it to his parents in Madhya Pradesh. Apparently they were arranging his marriage, and a nice picture would snare him a pretty lass. With a person’s life possibly at stake, I tried my best. He does look debonair in this pic, wouldn’t your say?

Satisfied with the run, I take a cab back home. Aiee and papa would just be waking up and the kaapi brewing! Its going to be a great day and I am ready to sample Mumbai’s best! My number one favorite activity!

Filed Under: Home, Mumbai, Running Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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Back Home in Boston!

September 28, 2004 By Leave a Comment

Exhausted, drained and my circadian rhythm is shot. Two conferences in the next three weeks and 700 e-mails to attend to. Why does everyone think I read my emails while on vacation?

Since I live to eat (suffer ye thinkers!), my self imposed exile to the culinary Siberia has resumed. Yesterdays cafeteria choices included Corn Chowder (85 Cal), Chicken in red cream sauce (995 Cal – really!) and 65 other equally unsavory options. While I really wanted the Rawas Hyderabadi or the Shrimp Kadipatha, I would have settled for the bourgeois Kamats Thali.

I already miss Aiee asking every night what I want for breakfast the next morning (M, please take note). And restaurant waiters understand “strong filter coffee.” I met fascinating people all day, every day. I am going to miss them the most. I don’t miss living out of a suitcase(s) for 4 weeks and my shirt soaked 2 minutes after I wear it.

I have 900 pics to go through, 45 books I brought back, a huge stack of CDs, a suitcase full of Ganapati foods (puran-poli, chewda, shankar-palli, saath, mysore-paak, banana and almond halwa, kaju barfi from Chandu Halwai, …) lots of knick-knacks and a boat load of memories.

It took me 45 minutes to get ready after the shower. Confusion reigned: what trousers do I normally wear to work? Which shirt? Socks? Where are they? Damn! They need to match the shoes. Where are my keys? What time is my bus? … Am I forgetting something? Bostonians, if you spy a zombie, its just me!

All signs of a great holiday!

And I am equally glad to be back HOME! My bed, my pillow and my blanket (yes, its getting chilly here!).

Filed Under: Boston, Home Tagged With: , , , ,
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Gafar, on Colaba Causeway

June 21, 2004 By Leave a Comment


My earliest memory of Gafar must have been either in the first or second standard, running on the foot-path in front of our home in Colaba. He would grab and hurl me up in the air. As I screamed, he would gently let me down. Tentatively I would ask him to do it again, … and again.

Gafar tends this little hosiery stall in front of our building. At the start of every school year, all of us cousins would buy our socks, handkerchiefs, banyans and underwear at his stall. Even though his stall appears tiny, he had everything any of us needed. He knew our sizes, and would reach up and pull out a box from the shelves. It was always the right box with the correct things we needed. As we moved away to College, every visit home included a trip to his stall to stock up on necessities. Even now when I visit India, I stop by his stall and buy banyans and handkerchiefs. Now I don't lose my handkerchiefs as often, but I still pick up a dozen of the finest on every visit. I now probably have 3 or 4 doz sitting in my closet. Its become a tradition now!

If you walk around Colaba Causeway, you may see him standing in front of his stall. Or maybe sitting on the wooden stool in front, or maybe sipping a chai. Give him my Salaam, and buy a few handkerchiefs.

Filed Under: Home, Mumbai Tagged With:
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An Accidental Life

June 12, 2004 By Leave a Comment

Nothing works out as I plan; Everything turns out different, totally unexpected, beautiful and just perfect. Better than even I could have imagined, or planned. My whole life, this has been the story. Like if there is an invisible hand guiding me to do its bidding. I just do everything with my heart and soul. Where I end up is anyone’s guess. But you can be very sure, its going to be just perfect.

A blessed life! Lucky me!

Do you feel that way?

Filed Under: Boston, Home
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Ransacking the Kitchen on a Sunday Morning

April 12, 2004 By Leave a Comment

Sunday mid-morning.

Discarding the newspaper he walks into the kitchen, opens the cabinet, pulls a steel dubba (indian canister) and peers inside. Not that. Pulls another. Nope. Finally, roasted almonds! Grabs a handful and pops two in his mouth. Puts the dubba back and continues rummaging through the gleaming row.

In the adjacent room, she cocks her ear at sounds in the kitchen, looks up from her cross-stitch and asks loudly, “What are you doing?”

He: “Nothing,” and continues searching
She: “uuhh?”
He: “Just looking for a snack”
She: “Are you hungry?”
He: “No! No! Just want a snack” and continues rummaging. Yes, dried fruits! Tosses the remaining almonds into his mouth and grabs a fistful of dried tropical mix.
She: “Sounds like you are hungry? I can peel an orange for you?
He: “Uuhh? Yeah sure!” Ahaa, he spies the ginger orange granola. Yumm!

He grabs a cereal bowl and pours out a half bowl of Oat Crunch cereal. Pulls out a spoon, tilts the dubba and scoops out three heaping teaspoons of granola on top. Grabs the container of raisins and heaps out two teaspoons of black raisins. “Now thats a cereal!” he mumbles as he carries the bowl over by the refrigerator.

She walks into the kitchen, “You must be hungry. I will peel the orange.”
Still looking with pride at his cereal bowl he mumbles “Yeah, sure.” Opens the refrigerator and pours milk over the raisins till the bowl is nearly full.

He turns on the stereo and pops in Buena Vista Social Club. Oblivious to the world around him, he savors each spoonful of the cereal. To get the remaining little bit of milk, he raises the bowl to his lips and slurps loudly as the last molecule of milk is drawn onto his lips. He smacks his lips and considers licking the last crumb of granola stuck on the far side of the bowl.

She has peeled the orange and flops the plate in front of him.
She: “Urgh! Why do you have to eat like that! You are not a kid anymore” she scolds.
He looks at her, puzzled, and shrugs.
He: “I don’t think I can eat the orange. I just ate cereal. You know the orange and milk don’t mix.”

Already headed out of the kitchen, she stops. Spins around, “You asked me to peel it for you!”
He: “B b b b but I just ate cereal, … with milk”

She pulls her chin down closer to her chest and her forehead leans slightly forward. She peers at him through huge eyes. Her nostrils flared. Her brow wrinkled.

He feels the laser-like gaze burrowing into his forehead. Hindu lore is rife with instances of God Shiva turning his enemies to ash with one glance from his ‘third eye.’ He realizes what the subject must have felt an instance before being vaporized.

He reconsiders, “I am still hungry, I will eat the orange!” He grabs the plate and settles next to her on the couch. He pops a few pieces in his mouth and tries to make nice. “This is a very good orange. Where did you get it.”

She returns the deadly gaze. Utters nothing.

He eats a few more pieces, “you want to go for a walk later? (pause) We can go by Dunkin Donuts and get a hazelnut latte? … We can share?”

After a long pause, she yields, “let me finish this first.”

Moral of the story: If you want to ransack the kitchen, do it very quietly!

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