Thoughts on Play: The Blue Mug!!

The Blue Mug!

Director: Atul Kumar

Production: Sachin Kamani.The Company Theatre, Mumbai.

Performed and Devised By : Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorie, Sheeba
Chadha, Konkona Sen Sharma, Munish Bhardawaj.

Lights: Meghna Burman/Atul Kumar.

Sound: Preetika Chawla.

Costumes: Atul Kumar.


My interpretation of the Play
( In last couple of weeks I heard many interpretations. That means the Who-so-ever-wrote-the-script has done their job excellently well. As in they made people think[even for few mins!] which I think is the most difficult job :P )

Whats the definition of Self?

Is it the Blue Mug! which you remember? or you try to hold on to?

To elaborate the point, you can see your life the way you wanna see. If you want to be a Loser just think of all the Low points of your life,if you want to be a Winner just think of all the High points of your life. And the way you see your Life reflects in your attitude and action.

Another thing -- we all go through the same things/situations in Life. Its just the matter of perspective!

Things I liked in the play --

1) Use of Lights and Shadows - people in charge deserved the standing ovation and director Atul Kumar deserves kudos for the effect he created.

2) Vinay Pathak - Spontaneity. That is what makes him great! That is what makes him click with the public. Down-to-earth-attitude thats what is very hard to keep after reaching the heights which he has achieved in very short span of time.

3) Ranbir Shourie - Did what he does best the role of the "Innocent Joker". Character for all to laugh at,mind you not character who makes you laugh.

4) Music -

Zindagi Pyaar Ki Do Chaar Ghadi Hoti Hai
Chaahe Thodi Bhi Ho Ye Umra Badi Hoti Hai

Taaj Ya Takht Ya Daulat Ho Zamaane Bhar Ki
Kaun Si Cheez Mohabbat Se Badi Hoti Hai
Zindagi ...

Do Muhabbat Bhare Dil Khaak Dhadakate Ho Jahaan
Sabse Lambi Vo Mohabbat Ki Ghadi Hoti Hai
Zindagi ...

- Anarkali(1953)

I am dancing :P right here,right now!! right here,right now!!


Things I didn't like -

1) Costume of Rajat Kapoor.

2) Sheeba too too too theatrical.

3) Role given to Konkana Sen. I totally understand the oomph factor, the marketing stunt, but in my opinion she should have tried Sheeba's role.

But the none the less play made me think and I think it made people think too!!

Yet again thanks Rangashankara!!

Project Snehasadan !!

Time to quantify the intangible!!

Trust!!

What is trust ?
Is it something which makes you give your life away for somebody or is it something which makes you take your life in your hand for somebody?

What makes you trust Somebody?
The trust that the Somebody will always be there no matter what.

How do you command trust from someone?
Make them realize that you'll always be there no matter what.

How do you do it?
Be there no matter what.


It takes time to build trust. Timelines vary from person to person i.e how long it takes to build trust!

Also intentions should be right! i.e you should be clear what you want to do,your actions should not be governed by fear,ego.

Take away counter

Life is a roller coaster ride*!! So just sit back and relax, and enjoy the ride!!

Enjoy the adrenalin rush,tinge of fear,breathlessness,exhilaration!!

If you notice you always laugh and shout during the roller coaster ride to overcome the fear!!! So why not?

* heard or read somewhere.

Randome out-of-context thoughts

There is Time for everything just keep up the spirit and keep wanting!!!

Project Snehasadan

To change somebodies life..
1) Trust building.( takes a lot of time!)
2) Getting to know the person.
3) Target setting.
4) Working with the person to achieve that target.
5) work in progress!!

It sounds simple!! it is simple but what is required is the persistent effort.

Random out-of-context thoughts

What you want you'll get!!

But what matters is the packaging of the want! The right perspective matters!

Thoughts on Play: Gertrude

Gertrude

Director : Phyllis Bose.

Play was funny at times, thought provoking at times and just plain awesome at other times.
Actress Phyllis Bose is the stalwart of theatre. An English lady,married to a Bengali,living in Bangalore and focusing on theatre in education.

She played the part of Gertrude Stein in the most fitting way bringing out all the eccentricities of the character just by words!! just by words!! Of course with the help of all the props and the settings, which builds the character of the personality at display i.e Gertrude Stein.

Its was the beginning of the beginning in many more ways than one*!!
I love Plays!I love thoughts that they provoke! Trick is just listen!
Funny part is the only people who listen are the ones who don't have to remember it*!

Gertrude Stein ! The writer, the person after my own heart.
Why do you need punctuation.
Why do you need question mark es.
If you really want to understand the writer and his/her write please look into yourself - Bhawanao ko samjho :p

Things I like( should be liked but I still like them :() in the play

1) The thoughts to which I got introduced/relate to --

What happens if Identity and Memory meets eternity?
Identity.
Doing things than talking about things.
A Rose is a Rose is a Rose is a Rose!

2) Actress
Expressions!Intonation!Accent!

3) Script
Myriad of things that it covered - world of Paintings!Human Relationships! concept of Identity!
concept of Genius!
Anecdotes! and the dialogues(though the play was a monolouge!;))! ooh my!! What a display of pure genius!
I love Digression from the topic at centre and that the play was the perfect display.

4) Direction!

The denouement! The protagonist standing in front of the portrait of herself by Piccaso becoming the Self then and there.
You gotta see it to understand it! It just cant be put into words it will be injustice to the director!!


5) New world!
of Paintings -- Matisse,Cessane,Juan Gris,Braque and last but not the least Pablo Piccaso.

I am in my 29th year of my 26th year of Life**.

Thanks Rangashankara.

* Borrowed from the Play. Anecdotes of Gertrude Stein.
** Original : I am in my 29th year of my 29th year of Life. Gertrude Stein.

Take away counter

Scenario: A Colleague saying something like " kal dentist ke pass jana hai wisdom tooth nikalwanne, bahut dard hoga"

Realization: Wisdom is painful at times.

Random out-of-context thoughts

Shookria!!!

My mentors -

1) Dad - Do what you think is right!

2) Mom - The humor and ability to laugh :D

3) Thangachand sir -Maths teacher. Class 9th. Introduced me to Maths.

4) Ashish Arora sir - Physics teacher. Bansal Classes,Kota. Introduced me to Physics.

5) Pratyush Tiwari - Senior. Alaknanda hostel. Introduced me to Research.

6) Amit Agarwal -- AKA Chakka. Best friend. Introduced me to Philosophy.

7) Prof. T Pradeep -- Introduced me to Nanotechnology.

8) Bala sir -- Java teacher. @Sterling Commerce. Taught me Philosophy.

9) Ankita -- Made me realize wat I dont like. And brief introduction to The Play.

10) Jyoti -- Colleague.Made me realize the importance of hard work and branding.

11) Sunil Agarwal -- Head of GSC,HSBC.Introduction to path which I was looking for.

12) Akshat Jain -- Colleague. Introduction to Theatre and Fantasy.

13) Ria -- The JB!.Full Introduction to The Play and Travel. Haii Mardalla!

14 ) Harini -- Colleague. Told me not to think but just write.

15) Corporate -- Be hungry.

Random out-of-context thoughts

phattuness is a thing which takes time to go away...

Random out-of-context thoughts

I have very big ego! but its always at work when I am alone. Thats my weakness.

I care too much. Thats my another weakness.

I trust people. Thats my strength.

I love working and like to be involved in some problem for which I dont know the solution of.

I love learning new things.

I am always out there whenever freinds need me. Thats my strength.

Last few lessons!*

I love subtleties.

Sometimes "Uncle Frank" screws you bad.But bad things make you learn.

*I always think I have learned enough but next thing I realize I need to dig more,learn more.

I love contradictions.

I am hungry to the core.

I know what I am doing I still go ahead and do it and then laugh at it later on.

I care about my Image whatever be the Cost,I am ready to pay it.

Shookria!

Aim is set! M on my way! No more distractions.

Motto is Work! Work! Work! Learn! Learn! Learn!

Thoughts on play: An Idiot out on a Dinner!

An Idiot out on a Dinner!!

What a play it was!! Really hillarious! The thing that I liked most about the performance was the spontaneity of couple of the characters. For me Comedy is all about the spontaneity. And heck yeah ! Evam Entertainment Group has it.

Original Play by : Francis Veber.

Director: Micheal Muthu

Troupe: Evam Entertainment

Characters that I loved -

Hari, Tax Auditor. You need to see him to realize what spontaneity is. he deserved the standing ovation that he got.

R Golden Gopu. The Idiot. He just went into the character,he played it so beautifully and with so much of ease that at times I thought is he like that in his personal life as well.:P

Sam.Freind. His timings of Laugh made me laugh and roll on the floor.

Thoughts while watching the play-

Damn the Indian directors( film directors) Bheja fry was a perfect copy with not a single bit of original imagination of the Director.

Play is by far more entertaining then the movie.

Hari of this play outclassed Ranbir Shouri's performance (in movie Bheja Fry)by miles!

Thanks Rangshankara!!!

Random out-of-context thoughts

Long term investments are safest and surest thing.*


*For all things in life.

Random out-of-context thoughts

I still make silly mistakes. But the good part is I learn fast from them.

One other thing that helps in the process is the "persistent effort". Dudes it always pays of..

D Traveller

The sudden trip to Tumkur!! and the funny,scary,amusing incident in the night time!!

At around 10:30 PM in the night I decide that I should go for a bike ride. It was Friday night so plan was to come back by Saturday evening and driving approx 350 Kms to and fro.

Original plan -- Go to Hassan and see if I can go to Chikmagalur.

What happened -- Packed the bag (items those went into the bag - pen,cigarette pack,diary,water bottle,facewash) and left home at around 11 PM. After driving for 10 mins I realize I dont have cash and there is minimal petrol in the bike.

So I am off to Udupi Garden petrol bunk for refueling the tank. Thats when I came to know that they wont except credit card from 10:30 in the night till 6 in the morning. I was lucky that I had Rs 200 hundred in cash so I got my bike's petrol tank filled for Rs 200 worth of fuel,thinkingI'll see what can be done later on with regards to refueling,and I am on my way.

Next stop SBI ATM in BTM 1st stage and got loaded with cash( with whatever was left in my account).

I take the road to Yashwantpur going towards Tumkur. Based on my estimation I thought atleast I'll be able to make to Tumkur and will be able to return with some fuel still left for the week.

I am some 20 Kms ( approx.) from Tumkur when I see Jaz toll company's toll collection gate*.

I am stopped for questioning as I am a suspicious character travelling at night time for no reason.

The field officer Vaid Murthy had the following questions
Most frequent question " Why are you going to Tumkur?"
Followed by less frequent question " Itni raat gaye kya akele! kyun be kya lafda hai?"

It took me 20 mins to explain him that I am just going for ride. He checked my bag,purse,windcheater.

Finally he asks me which religion do I belong to and proof of that. I told him I am Jain and showed him the picture I have in my wallet. His comment --" Tu Hindu hai isleye chod raha hoon agar Musalman hota tho abhi thane le jata"

I was just dumbstruck thinking should I thank god or should I blame somebody for this condition.


* Some 11,000 vehicles cross this gate/day.

D Traveller

Part III - Sri Lanka Trip (Super express trip!!)

The Travelouge!

Journey towards Sri Lanka began on 05/06/09 by boarding Volvo from Madiwalla for Chennai. As I had to catch the early morning flight for Colombo from Chennai.

But i'll say the journey began on 03/06/09 with sweet,awesome Dessert. It started around 11:00 PM in the night over a cup of coffee. What a night it was .Bike ride. Full moon. Cold Bangalore night with yellow road lights. Bangalore is most beautiful in the night.Cool breeze. I could feel the tingling sensation when IT touches you. Night ended with the warm ,sweet,Dessert. All I have to say about the dessert is Shukriya!!

Now coming back to 05/06/07. It starts with running to Office at 9:00 am in the morning, working till 12:00 am.Then again running back home packing bags and leaving for Bus stand.

Work in Progress!!

D Traveller

Part II -- Sri Lanka trip (super express trip!!)
Gyan for the Geeks!!

2. Facts

-- Word serendipity comes from the ancient name of Sri Lanka,long before Ceylon,Serendib,given by Arab travellers.
Serendib --The name was recorded in use at least as early as ad 361 and for a time gained considerable currency in the West. It is best known to speakers of English through the word serendipity, invented in the 18th century by the English man of letters Horace Walpole on the inspiration of a Persian fairy tale, “The Three Princes of Serendip,” whose heroes often made discoveries by chance. -- Courtsey -Encyclopedia Britanica.

-- Lanka is very green!

-- It has amazing coastline with white sand and clear waters.

-- There are 5 types of Sea Turtles in Indian Ocean.

-- All of them have diferent hatching period. Varying from 30-48 days.

-- In the famous turtle hatcheries of Kosgode male turtles are released in the ocean after 7 days of their hatching.While the female turtles are kept for 7 years on an average before they are released in the ocean.

-- Albino turtles are as rare as 1 in 1000. Albino turtles have 40% shorter life span then average turtles.

-- Most places in Sri Lanka could be reached by bus in 7Hrs from Colombo.

-- Lank's National bird is Jungle Fowl.

--Lanka's currency conversion rate for Indian Rs is 2.5 but brokers wont give above 2.2. Damn brokers!!

-- Yala ( read it as Ya aal) National park is spread across 35,000 hectres and is surrounded by sea on east . It is famous for Elephants and Leopards.

-- In Colombo you will find armed guards every hundred meters or so. Every 3rd vehicle is stopped for identification.

-- Main sources of income are Tourism,Gem stones,Tea.

-- You can find all sorts of cars in Lanka,roads are flooded with them.You name it you have it -- Mistibushi,Volswagon,Tata,Nissan,Toyota,Mercto name a few. The point here is -- they are in big numbers.

-- Best way to travel ( according to me) in Lanka is Tuk Tuk's or Bus. Tuk Tuk's are bit expensive but they are more fun.

-- Bargain works in Lanka as well.

-- Indians are always treated with lot of enthusiasm and respect.

-- Lankans some times go out of thier way to help you.

-- Sample: 3 kids, 2 of them 18years of age and 1 of them 23 years of age.

Education : 12th + A level ( read it as Advanced level, no technical education)

Profession: Sales executive in Airlines ( supposedly the most lucrative job)

Salary : Varies from 8000 -12000/month in Sri Lankan Rs.

D Traveller - travelouge

Part I -- Sri Lanka trip (super express trip!!)

Duration : 6th June - 10th June'09 ( 4 days 3 nights)

Self discovery in the land of serendipity

1. Realizations
-- I like travelling but travelling with some comapny is more fun.
-- I have adventourous spirit but at times I am not that adventourous.
-- Travelling alone is very expensive and my paymaster doesnot pay that much.
-- I can bargain but I am always at the loosing end of the deal.
-- I make freinds very fast my trick is too offer a cigrette or a beer.
-- I am bad at managing my money.
-- I cant take exams anymore.
-- I cant spot mongoose at one go!
-- Travelling alone is a good thing to clear your head and ponder over things but problem with me is all the thoughts are assimilated and I know what I want so travelling alone is lonely at times and boring at other times.

--I dont like yellow light in my room when I am alone in some xyz country. Its scary. Otherwise its sexy.
-- I dont give up and I cant help it.