3 more idiots

This is a fun mail circulating nowadays. I would like to dedicate this to all the young and prospective CAs.

Happy Republic Day

On the 61st Republic Day of India, I would like to dedicate the following song to every Indian at any place in the world:

Phir mile Sur (Part 1)

Phir mile Sur (Part 2)

The eternal Love Story

Erich Segal’s death came as a shocker. I read about it in the morning newspaper, a small news item put in one corner of the front page in the Entertainment supplement. I didn’t recognize him by face, and the photo attached to the article was a bit strange – a pale looking man with sunken cheeks and slightly protruding eyes. I wondered who that could be when I picked up the paper. Then, I read the name “Erich Segal” and instant recognition struck me.

I may not be a great Erich Segal fan because I haven’t read many of his works. But, I have read his most famous work, “Love Story” a number of times over and two other books, namely, “Oliver’s Story”, the sequel to “Love Story” and “Doctors”, which my sister who is studying to be a doctor gave me. Trust me, nothing ever will beat “Love Story”. Anyone who is even remotely prone to reading a ‘Romance fiction’ will swear by it.

As simple as it was, it was a truly heart-wrenching tale of happiness, togetherness and sadness. A rich boy meets a poor girl, marry against his parents’ wishes, live together on the sole foundation of love all the while struggling to make things work and in the end, the girl dies leaving the boy’s as well as the reader’s hearts filled with love and sadness. Surely, no story could have been simpler than this. Not only is the book a small readable one, it is written in the simplest manner possible. In fact, ‘SIMPLE’ is written all over it. It reaches out to its readers, even those who are not much into reading, and embraces them with feelings people only dream about but never experience – the feeling of pure romance, mush and the feeling of being in love for the sake of love.

I don’t remember how many times I have read “Love Story” but I do remember that every time I have, I have cried my heart out. I have cried my heart out for Jenny who found love against the sacrifice of a good education and career and yet couldn’t keep it long enough. I have cried my heart out for Oliver who gave up his family and its traditions for love but couldn’t make it last a lifetime. I have cried my heart out for both of them, who found love in togetherness and togetherness in sorrow. And, I have cried my heart out for myself for I wish I find a soul-mate who would love me so but I never wish the fairytale to end like this. Every time I have read “Love Story”, I have cried; and my heart has felt lighter and my belief in love stronger.

I may not be a big fan of Erich Segal, but I felt sorry for his death because for me Erich Segal was the true owner of “Love Story” as it came out of his heart and who knows may be out of his experiences as well. Now, with him gone, there may not be another eternal love story ever written. And as a small obituary, I would just dedicate one line from “Love Story” for Segal, “I don’t just love you [Oliver], I love you very much.”

The festival of Lohri – Punjab’s biggest celebrations!!

Today, on January the 13th, it’s the festival of Lohri. When I reached office, everyone was wishing each other when someone asked why do people celebrate Lohri? While explaining to him I had an idea: why not put some basic facts about Lohri on my blog. As usual basic Google Search came to my rescue and here it is – a small compilation of facts about Lohri. (Please excuse me if it reads like an essay written in school).


Lohri is an extremely popular winter festival in India, especially North India. Lohri is usually celebrated in the outdoors by friends and family who get together and have a large bonfire at sunset, toss sesame seeds, gur, sugar-candy and rewaries in it, sit round it, sing, dance till the fire dies out. In houses that have recently had a marriage or childbirth, Lohri celebrations will reach a higher pitch of excitement. Lohri signifies onset of intense winter in Punjab and surrounding areas. Cold weather is good for wheat hence farmers celebrate Lohri so that their crops lead to a good harvest. In cities like Delhi, which have a predominant Punjabi population, Lohri is celebrated to denote the last of the coldest days of winter.

The origin of the name Lohri may be traced to folklores. Some believe that Lohri has derived its name from Loi, the wife of Sant Kabir, for in rural Punjab Lohri is pronounced as Lohi. Others believe that Lohri comes from the word 'loh', a thick iron sheet tawa used for baking chapattis for community feasts. Another legend says that Holika and Lohri were sisters. While the former perished in the Holi fire, the latter survived. Eating of til (sesame seeds) and rorhi (jaggery) is considered to be essential on this day. Perhaps the words til and rorhi merged to become tilorhi, which eventually got shortened to Lohri.

Singing and dancing form an intrinsic part of the celebrations. The central character of most Lohri songs is Dulla Bhatti, a Muslim highway robber who lived in Punjab during the reign of Emperor Akbar. Legendary stories are associated with the brave Dulla Bhatti. He used to rob rich to help the poor and needy. It is believed that Dulla had restored the prestige of an innocent girl whose modesty was outraged by a wealthy Zamindar. There are various versions of the actual story. Some traditions say that Dulla had adopted this girl as his daughter and arranged her marriage in the Jungles of ‘Saandal Bar’. As there was no priest nearby to chant the Vedic Hymns and solemnize the marriage Dulla had lit a bonfire and composed an impromtu song, “Sunder Mundriye Tera Kaun Vichara ! Dulla Bhatti Wala Ho! Dullaeh Di Teeh Viahi Ho! Ser Shakar Payi !” The bride and the groom were asked to take pheras of the bonfire as Dulla sang this hilarious song. Yet another tradition says he had safely rescued a poor girl from the clutches of a Mughal general and later arranged her marriage. Later on people collectively composed this Lohri song in honor of his chivalrous deed. Dulla Bhatti sacrificed his life fighting the Mughals, in one of the battles. Besides robbing the rich, he rescued Hindu girls being forcibly taken to be sold in slave market of the Middle East. He arranged their marriages to Hindu boys with Hindu rituals and provided them with dowries. Understandably, though a bandit, he became a hero of all Punjabis. So every other Lohri song has words to express gratitude to Dulla Bhatti.

There are many songs associated with Lohri, the most one being “Sunder Mundriye”. But, one song I found on the net which I found really funny. So sharing it over here:

“Mukai da dana, Aana lei ke jana…
hulle hulare
asi ganga chale
sas sora chale
jeth jathani chale
dyor darani chale
pairi shaunkan chali
hulle hulare


asi ganga pohnche
sas sora pohnche
jeth jathani pohnche
dyor darani pohnche
pairi shaunkan pohnchi
hulle hulare

asi ganga nahte shava or hulle
jeth jathani nahte
dyor darani nahte
pairi shaunkan nahtii
hulle hulare


shaunkan paili pauri
shaunkan duji pauri
shaunkan tiji pauri
maiti dhakka ditta
shaukan vichhe rud gayi
hulle hulare


sas sora ron
jeth jathani ron
dyor darani ron
paira oh wi rove

main kya tusi kyon ronde
tvade jogi main batheri
mainu dyo badhaiyaan ji
Hulle Hullare”

Translation

“We set off to have a holy bath in the Ganges
Mother and father in law tagged along
Elder brother and sister in law tagged along
Younger brother and sister in law tagged along
But that bitch my co-wife too latched on

We reached the bank of the Ganges
Mother and father in law landed up
Elder brother and sister in law landed up
Younger brother and sister in law landed up
But that bitch my co-wife too landed up there

We bathed in the Ganges
Mother and father in law had a bath
Elder brother and sister in law had a bath
Younger brother and sister in law had a bath
But that bitch my co-wife too had a bath

Co-wife climbed the first step
Co-wife climbed the second step
Co-wife reached the third step
I gave her a shove
Co-wife drowned in the stream

Mother and father in law wail
Elder brother and sister in law wail
Younger brother and sister in law wail
But that bastard also wailed

I said why do you wail
I am good enough for you
Congratulate me
I have returned after drowning my co-wife”

Venture out to take risks!!!

3 idiots: Not idiotic at all!!!

That day a good friend told me on phone, “Leave everything and go watch ‘3 idiots’... and when you come back, write a review on your blog... ‘coz I wanna know what you think of it.” Well, for once, I was honoured, dear friend, and overwhelmed to know that my opinion matters to you. Thanks!! And then again, your wish is my command, so here comes the review.

For once, our opinions match. I absolutely loved the movie. It is indeed after a long time (after “Taare Zameen Par” and “Jodha Akbar”) since I have seen a movie as appealing as this one. It’s got a fair dose of drama, a flair of comedy, and an absolute justice to emotions. All the characters seemed just out of life – no one is the perfect son/daughter, no inspiring professors and teachers and naturally judgemental yet affectionate parents. The performances were par excellence. Not a single actor seems out of place. Aamir is a natural and saying anything about him is like showing light to a lamp, so I would keep away from doing so. Sharman is truly marvellous. Although he has proven his mettle time and again – be it Rang de Basanti, Life in a... Metro, or Golmaal (although I didn’t quite like this one), he has proven that he can get into any character and play it with aplomb – Bollywood has yet to wake up and take notice of this guy. Madhavan, right for his TV serial “Saaya” days, has established himself as a good actor and he doesn’t disappoint as usual. Now, I am not a Kareena Kapoor fan. In fact, she is one actor who features in my list of least favourite actors. But, here she doesn’t give me any reason to complain. She is simple and elegant, not over the top for a change, and quite good actually. Boman despite his hilarious make-up and facial expression is absolutely cool. To watch out for is his expression when he mutters “I’ll get back to you on this.” Last but not least, one guy to watch out for is certainly Omi Vaidya (who plays Chatur Ramalingam). Not only does he fit the part to the T, but his is the one of the finest performances in the film.



I found “Taare Zameen Par” flawless. I cannot, however, say this about “3 idiots”. Two scenes were difficult to digest a bit. First, there was Sharman Joshi’s interview on the wheelchair. He did not say a single positive thing and absolutely not a single sentence that would “sell him” to the employers, and yet he got the job. Now, this is not a good guide for all young job searchers as it would not get them a job but certainly a lot of trouble. Second, as everyone who watched the movie would agree, Mona Singh’s delivery scene on the Table Tennis table was atrocious. Oh, who needs sanitation, hygiene and sterilisation while dealing with medical emergencies? Even if Hirani made a fab film, he stumbled heavily here. The scene was absolutely misfit in an otherwise awe-inspiring movie. But then as the reviewer on rediff.com wrote, “It's not like 3 Idiots aspired to be a “Dead Poets Society” anyway. For all its well-meaning remarks on the currently unimaginative state of the education system while celebrating its merits (through Rancho's radical vision), 3 Idiots is a full-on commercial entertainer with boisterous songs, romanticised idealism and jaunty buffoonery -- traits we have always adored Hirani for. What's even more rocking is the climax. FINALLY, a film that knows how to wrap up with a punch. You know how rare that is. I am willing to give it all the brownie points for this alone.”



Before the ending note though, a word for Chetan Bhagat. I have read “Five Point Someone”. Though my two sisters root for it, I did not find it extraordinary in any way. It was just passé, nothing great. Chetan’s books are certainly no literary masterpieces but they do well with readers who want an Indian touch and some youth related fun in their books. The price and availability makes his books easily available and affordable, hence, the fan following. Now, a lot is being written about Chetan’s displeasure at the way his name is put in credits. But, I see no reason for him to protest. Not only is the screenplay of 3 idiots different, the path, and the twists and turns, that the story takes every now and then is also different. Only the basic premise – that of 3 dissimilar boys coming together at a ragging session at IIT and forming a bond of eternal friendship – is common to the book and the movie. Now, that can also be a coincidence.



Hirani again is a director to watch out for and this was one of the finest films to come out of an otherwise disappointing year. He is one person who once ‘practices’ what he ‘preaches.’ “Pursue Excellence – Success will follow.”