Christchurch: Fast bowler Matt Henry was on Friday named as replacement for the injured left-arm pacer Neil Wagner in the New Zealand squad for the second Test against Pakistan, starting on Sunday.
Wagner was struck by Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi yorker while batting on the second day of the first Test, sustaining undisplaced fractures in both the fourth and fifth toes of his right foot.
Wagner's recovery is expected to be approximately six weeks, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
Coach Gary Stead said Henry brings Test experience and local knowledge to the squad.
"Matt has been in good form with the ball having recently taken 6-53 for New Zealand A against the Pakistan Shaheens (A side) in December," Stead said.
"We're still a couple of days out from the Test, so need to take a look at the surface while also assessing our options for best-possible team make-up," he added.
New Zealand won the first Test by 101 runs to take 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling (wk), Will Young.
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3bbr0ZR
Rio de Janeiro: Neymar laughed off controversy Thursday over reports he was throwing a mega New Year's party for 500 guests, posting a video online of preparations for what he called a "low-key dinner" with family and friends.
The superstar footballer has faced a flood of criticism in his native Brazil and beyond over reports that despite the coronavirus pandemic he was ringing in 2021 with a week-long bash for hundreds of people at his mansion outside Rio de Janeiro.
However, he took to Instagram several hours before midnight to show his New Year's Eve plans, which he described as small-scale.
The 28-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker posted a video of a dinner table that appeared to be for about 40 guests, decked out with white flowers and an empty chair between each place setting.
"Marvellous decoration for this beautiful, low-key little dinner at home, with social distancing," he said.
"And it's not for 500 people, ok?" he added with a laugh.
"Social distancing. Everyone tested," he wrote in a caption.
Earlier, he posted videos of himself and his nine-year-old son getting what he called his "50th test" for the new coronavirus.
Neymar, who hasn't played since injuring his ankle against Lyon on December 13, had previously avoided commenting on reports about his supposed party in the seaside town of Mangaratiba.
Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors have opened an investigation into the reports.
They said Neymar denied on Thursday hosting any party in Mangaratiba, according to news site G1.
The footballer has reportedly travelled to Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil to ring in the New Year there.
His press office did not immediately respond to questions from AFP on his plans.
Brazil has the second-highest death toll in the pandemic, after the United States, with nearly 195,000 people killed by Covid-19.
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/38UFpXc
Deepika Padukone, who is currently celebrating New Year with husband Ranveer Singh in Ranthambore National Park, has deleted all her tweets and Instagram posts.
The Chhapaak actor has 27.7 million followers on Twitter, and on Instagram, she is followed by 52.5 million people, reports The Indian Express.
While this sudden move left her fans confused, many also suspected her account of being hacked.
New covid strain has been found in China, Deepika Padukone's Instagram and twitter handles has zero posts aur abhi to 2021 start huye kuch ghante hi huye hain.
On the work front, the actor has been working on Shakun Batra’s next, also starring Sidhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday. She is also awaiting the release of sports drama 83, where she essays the role of Kapil Dev’s wife Romi Bhatia.
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/353b2wW
Melbourne: The Indian bowlers, led by the crafty Ravichandran Ashwin, have successfully trapped Australian batsmen in the first two Tests, conceded Marnus Labuschagne but vehemently defended Steve Smith, who is currently going through a poor run of form.
Australia have been all out for 191, 195 and 200 in three out of four innings with Ashwin getting 10 wickets so far dismissing Smith twice and Labuschagne once.
"I've never faced Ashwin before until this series. You don't have the stats that Ravi has without being a great bowler and also a great thinker," the 26-year-old said during a virtual press conference.
"He's (Ashwin) obviously come in really prepared and they're being really crafty with their field and what they're trying to do. We have fallen into their trap a few times," he admitted Australia's inability to counter both pace and spin.
The Indian bowling attack, on the other hand, has executed its plans to perfection, leaving a heavy leg side field to cut down their run rate and not allowed them to cross 200-mark in both the Tests.
"They are very disciplined in their bowling and have come up with a plan in both spin and pace...They've held it that straight line and made us face a lot of balls," Labuschagne said.
He defended Smith for his underwhelming show.
"Call it what you want to call it, but not long ago he got two hundreds of 60-odd balls in ODIs (against India at Sydney)."
Asked what could be the reason for Smith's sudden bad patch, Labuschagne said: "He's not short of runs maybe, I mean, he has played a lot of white ball cricket and he probably hasn't had as much time against the red ball as he would have liked.
"That's the reality of cricket and of this COVID situation."
Labuschagne reminded everyone about Smith's staggering Test average and this current series could just be an aberration.
"He averages 60-plus after 80-odd games (75). He's shown he's consistent even from the start of his career to now. He just keeps putting the runs on the board.
In fact, Indians have created a leg-side field and blocked their run-scoring opportunities.
"They've certainly come in with a plan, making sure that they're really not leaving stamps and and having a really heavy leg side field....
"....It obviously slows the scoring rate down because you know those shots that you do get on your legs, go for one or four," he explained.
"And then they're always keeping those catches in the game. We also need to come up with ways to put them under pressure."
The Aussie No 3 had scored three centuries and a double at the SCG in the home series against Pakistan and New Zealand but he's not been able to cross a half-century from four innings so far in this series.
"We've just got to keep finding ways, keep hitting balls in the training and keep finding ways to get out there."
Another area that is ailing the home side are the number of dropped catches.
In the Boxing Day Test, they grassed as many as eight catches including two by Labuschagne.
"All of our fielders are working really hard on their exact position. If you are short leg, or leg slip or bat pad, or fielding in the slips, we are all working really hard.
"It's maybe a concentration thing, maybe a focus thing, but it's definitely not a work ethic thing," he concluded.
The third Test will be live and exclusive on Sony Six, Sony Ten 3 (Hindi) and Sony Ten 1 channels from Thursday 5am onwards.
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/383AUKU
Berlin: Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland is expected to make an eagerly awaited return from injury as his side look to battle back into the Bundesliga top four with a win over high-fliers Wolfsburg on Sunday.
The prolific Norwegian prodigy has missed the last four league games and the last seven in all competitions after picking up a hamstring injury in early December.
Yet the 20-year-old returned to team training this week, and Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed that he would be back in action this weekend.
"Erling’s recovery has gone well. We are working on the assumption that he can play against Wolfsburg," said Zorc.
Haaland’s return is timely, with his side in desperate need of a win after a miserable run of form before Christmas saw them drop to fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich and two behind Sunday's opponents Wolfsburg.
Dortmund sacked coach Lucien Favre after they were thrashed by promoted side Stuttgart in mid-December, before suffering a shock away defeat to minnows Union Berlin in their second game under caretaker boss Edin Terzic.
Defeat to Wolfsburg would see Dortmund lose four home league games in a row for the first time in 20 years.
"The most important thing is that we start well and end well," said Haaland, who has scored 17 goals in 14 games in all competitions this season.
In a season squashed by the coronavirus pandemic, many Bundesliga clubs have had just a week off in the shortest winter break in the league’s history.
Yet after their pre-Christmas cup tie was postponed until January, champions Bayern have had an extra week to recover and are expected to waltz past struggling Mainz on Sunday and defend their two-point lead at the top of the table.
Second from bottom and without a win in six games, Mainz parted ways with both their coach and sporting director over Christmas. Huddersfield boss Jan Siewert will take the reins as interim coach against Bayern.
There has also been a changing of the guard at bottom club Schalke, where new coach Christian Gross will take charge of his first game away to Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
Former Tottenham and Stuttgart coach Gross has been charged with leading Schalke out of danger and ending their miserable winless streak of 29 games.
Having not won since last January, the seven-time German champions are now just two games away from equalling Tasmania Berlin’s unwanted record of 31 games without a win, set back in 1966.
One to watch: Manuel Neuer
Fresh from his coronation as the world’s best goalkeeper, the Bayern stopper is just one game away from equalling Oliver Kahn’s club record of 196 Bundesliga clean sheets, a milestone he has been chasing in vain for more than two months.
If he fails again to reach Kahn’s mark against Mainz, Neuer will have gone nine league games without a clean sheet for only the second time in his Bayern career.
Key stats
150 - RB Leipzig will celebrate their 150th Bundesliga game when they take on Stuttgart on Saturday. They have won 80 of them so far, more than any other German club at the same milestone.
50 - Weeks since Schalke’s last Bundesliga win in January last year. The league’s bottom club are just two games away from equalling Tasmania Berlin’s unwanted record of 31 games without a win.
10 - Goals Erling Braut Haaland has scored in his eight league games for Borussia Dortmund this season. The Norwegian is set to make his first appearance in a month against Wolfsburg.
Fixtures (all times 1430 GMT unless stated)
Saturday
Werder Bremen v Union Berlin, Arminia Bielefeld v Borussia Moenchengladbach, Cologne v Augsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Freiburg, Hertha Berlin v Schalke (1730), Stuttgart v RB Leipzig (1930)
Sunday
Borussia Dortmund v Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich v Mainz (1700)
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3huJNAk
The highly-anticipated Malayalam thriller Drishyam 2, starring superstar Mohanlal, will have its global premiere on Amazon Prime Video in 2021, the streamer announced on Friday.
Mohanlal dropped the teaser of the film on 1 January to give his fans a sneak peek.
Written and directed by Jeetu Joseph, and produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas, Drishyam 2 stars Meena, Siddique, Asha Sharath, Murali Gopy, Ansiba, Esther, and Saikumar in pivotal roles.
The story of the sequel will begin from where the prequel left off. The movie was already made into Hindi, starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu.
Mohanlal plays the role of Georgekutty in the movie. The sequel will details how his family is coping with the fall-out from the fateful night depicted in the original movie.
With the entire family harbouring a secret that could make or break them, the gripping teaser sets the premise of what lies in store.
Speaking about the film, popular actor Mohanlal said, "Drishyam was one-of-a-kind thriller, way ahead of its time, that was loved by all. With Drishyam 2, we are taking the story of Georgekutty and his family ahead from where we left it off.
"I am delighted to associate with Amazon Prime Video to release one of the most-awaited movies of the year. Prime Video has helped take some of the best stories of South Indian cinema to avid cinephiles not just in India, but across the world."
Vijay Subramaniam, Director and Head, Content, Amazon Prime Video India added, "Drishyam is a cult film and fans have been eagerly awaiting its sequel. We are thrilled to bring Drishyam 2 on Amazon Prime Video to customers in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. At Amazon Prime Video, our aim is to constantly provide our viewers with content that provides wholesome entertainment and who better than Mohanlal and Jeetu Joseph to bring that out."
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/2L6sRUC
सखी री बिरहा के दुखड़े सह सह कर जब राधे बेसुध हो ली Sakhi ri birha ke dukhde sah sah kar jab raadhe besudh ho li
तो इक दिन अपने मनमोहन से जा कर यूँ बोली To ik din apne manmohan se jaa kar yoon boli
आज सजन मोहे अंग लगालो, जनम सफ़ल हो जाये Aaj sajan mohe ang laga lo, janam safal ho jaaye
हृदय की पीड़ा देह की अग्नि, सब शीतल हो जाये Hriday ki peeda deh ki agni, sab sheetal ho jaaye
*
करूं लाख जतन मोरे मन की तपन, मोरे तन की जलन नहीं जाये Karoon laakh jatan morey man ki tapan, morey tan ki jalan nahi jaaye
कैसी लागी ये लगन कैसी जागी ये अगन, जिया धीर धरन नहीं पाये Kaisi laagi ye lagan kaisi jaagi ye agan, jiya dheer dharan nahi paaye
प्रेम सुधा... मोरे साँवरिया, प्रेम सुधा इतनी बरसा दो जग जल थल हो जाये Prem sudha... morey saanwariya, prem sudha itni barsa do jag jal thal ho jaaye
आज सजन... Aaj sajan...
*
मोहे अपना बनालो मोरी बाँह पकड़, मैं हूँ जनम जनम की दासी Mohe apna banalo mori baah pakad, main hoon janam janam ki daasi
मेरी प्यास बुझा दो मनहर गिरिधर, प्यास बुझा दो, मैं हूँ अन्तर्घट तक प्यासी Mori pyaas bujha do manahar giridhar, pyaas bujha do, main hoon antarghat tak pyaasi
प्रेम सुधा... मोरे साँवरिया, प्रेम सुधा इतनी बरसा दो जग जल थल हो जाये Prem sudha... morey saanwariya, prem sudha itni barsa do jag jal thal ho jaaye
आज सजन... Aaj sajan...
***
“What is the secret behind Sahir Ludhianvi’s everlasting appeal?” Surinder Deol asks in an essay for Firstpost, examining the poet-lyricist’s life and legacy in the year of his 100th birth anniversary.
Mehfil-e-Sahir is Firstpost's ode to Ludhianvi, a collection of video tributes by seven leading Hindi film lyricists — from Varun Grover to Kausar Munir, Irshad Kamil, Shellee, Raj Shekhar, Mayur Puri and Hussain Haidry.
Each of these lyricists has picked the verses that speak most to them, explaining why Sahir's words resonate even three decades after his death.
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on 8 March 1921, in Ludhiana. His poetry and film lyrics from the 1940s onwards made him wildly popular, and earned him titles such as "the people’s poet” and “bard of the underdog”.
“Today we are witnessing new threats to democracy and secularism... In this context, Sahir's voice is essential,” Deol notes in his Firstpost essay. “The values he championed are here to stay for the better part of this century.”
Varun Grover reads: 'Aaj Sajan Mohe Ang Lagalo' (Pyaasa, 1957)
This song from Guru Dutt's Pyaasa is a testimony to Ludhianvi's songwriting acumen, where he could summarise the entire essence of a film in a song. With Sachin Dev Burman's music and Geeta Dutt's mellifluous voice, Ludhianvi penned a love song which is deeply rooted in the Vaishnava traditions. Pictured as a kirtan sung by a group of wandering Baul minstrels, the song depicts the yearning and love of the prostitute Gulabo (played by Waheeda Rehman) for the poet Vijay (Guru Dutt).
"Desire, surrender, love — all of this is in just one song, and that too in a bhakti song," points out Grover while talking about this gem from Ludianvi's repertoire. "These are two outcast people — the poet and the prostitute — and the lyrics go: 'मेरी प्यास बुझा दो मनहर गिरिधर, मैं हूँ अन्तर्घट तक प्यासी | Mori pyaas bujha do manahar giridhar, main hu antarghat tak pyaasi'," says Grover, talking about how this foreshadows the film's ending where both these characters leave this world of hypocrisy and start a new life together.
"Sahir saab has so masterfully used the narrative of the film to lend these lines to the characters on-screen."
Editorial support, text and coordination by Suryasarathi Bhattacharya | Video edited by Akshay Jadhav | Art by Satwik Gade
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/3o5MJ93
ना तो कारवाँ की तलाश है, ना तो हमसफ़र की तलाश है Na to karwaan ki talaash hai, na to humsafar ki talaash hai
मेरे शौक़-ए-खाना खराब को, तेरी रहगुज़र की तलाश है Mere shauk-e-khana kharaab ko, teri rehguzar ki talaash hai
*
मेरे नामुराद जुनून का है इलाज कोई तो मौत है Mere namurad junoon ka hai ilaaj koi to maut hai
जो दवा के नाम पे ज़हर दे उसी चारागर की तलाश है Jo dawa ke naam pe zehar de usi chaaragar ki talaash hai
*
तेरा इश्क़ है मेरी आरज़ू, तेरा इश्क़ है मेरी आबरू Tera ishq hai meri aarzoo, tera ishq hai meri aabroo
दिल इश्क़ जिस्म इश्क़ है और जान इश्क़ है Dil ishq jism ishq hai aur jaan ishq hai
ईमान की जो पूछो तो ईमान इश्क़ है Imaan ki jo poochho to imaan ishq hai
तेरा इश्क़ है मेरी आरज़ू, तेरा इश्क़ है मेरी आबरू Tera ishq hai meri aarzoo, tera ishq hai meri aabroo
तेरा इश्क़ मैं कैसे छोड़ दूँ, मेरी उम्र भर की तलाश है Tera ishq main kaise chhod doon, meri umr bhar ki talaash hai
इश्क़ इश्क़ तेरा इश्क़ इश्क़... Ishq ishq tera ishq ishq...
ये इश्क़ इश्क़ है इश्क़ इश्क़, ये इश्क़ इश्क़ है इश्क़ इश्क़ Ye ishq ishq hai ishq ishq, ye ishq ishq hai ishq ishq
***
“What is the secret behind Sahir Ludhianvi’s everlasting appeal?” Surinder Deol asks in an essay for Firstpost, examining the poet-lyricist’s life and legacy in the year of his 100th birth anniversary.
Mehfil-e-Sahir is Firstpost's ode to Ludhianvi, a collection of video tributes by seven leading Hindi film lyricists — from Varun Grover to Kausar Munir, Irshad Kamil, Shellee, Raj Shekhar, Mayur Puri and Hussain Haidry.
Each of these lyricists has picked the verses that speak most to them, explaining why Sahir's words resonate even three decades after his death.
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on 8 March 1921, in Ludhiana. His poetry and film lyrics from the 1940s onwards made him wildly popular, and earned him titles such as "the people’s poet” and “bard of the underdog”.
“Today we are witnessing new threats to democracy and secularism... In this context, Sahir's voice is essential,” Deol notes in his Firstpost essay. “The values he championed are here to stay for the better part of this century.”
Kausar Munir reads: 'Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai' (Barsaat Ki Raat, 1960)
Often considered one of the longest qawwalis (approximately 12 minutes) recorded for a film, 'Na To Karwaan Ki Talaash Hai' / 'Ye Ishq Ishq Hai' is a "masterpiece" and a real tough act to follow — be in terms of the stellar music arrangement by Roshan; the vocals by Manna De, Mohd Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Sudha Malhotra and Shiv Dayal Batish, and of course the path-breaking lyrics by Ludhianvi. Legend has it that this song from the Bharat Bhushan-Madhubala-starrer Barsaat Ki Raat took nearly 24 hours to record and became a milestone for the representation of the qawwali form in popular Hindi music.
Kausar Munir believes 'Ye Ishq Ishq Hai' isn't just a qawwali but is a work of art spread across a wide horizon. "The song starts with the traditional Urdu shayari and then meanders through the hills and streams and fields and rivers of India. It paints a vivid picture of the syncretic culture of our country, of its ganga-jamuni tehzeeb," says Munir.
This allegorical musical gem has references to Sufi poetry; Radha and Krishna's love in braj bhasha; the devotion of Meerabai; mention of Musa (Moses) and Kohetoor (Mount Sinai), and even one interlude that pays a tribute to the immortal romances in the fields of Punjab. With this song, "Sahir Ludhianvi masterfully presents a comprehensive definition of ishq (love) and at the same time paints a cultural poetic history of India," Munir adds further stressing how every poetry lover must internalise this song in order to learn and appreciate the art and craft behind it.
Editorial support, text and coordination by Suryasarathi Bhattacharya | Video edited by Akshay Jadhav | Art by Satwik Gade
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/2KHNNl7
मैं ज़िंदगी का साथ निभाता चला गया Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya
हर फ़िक्र को धुँएं में उड़ाता चला गया Har fikr ko dhuven mein udata chala gaya
*
बरबादियों का सोग़ मनाना फ़िज़ूल था Barbaadiyon ka sog manana fizul tha
बरबादियों का जश्न मनाता चला गया Barbaadiyon ka jashn manata chala gaya
मैं ज़िंदगी... Main zindagi...
*
जो मिल गया उसी को मुक़द्दर समझ लिया Jo mil gaya usi ko mukaddar samajh liya
जो खो गया मैं उसको भुलाता चला गया Jo kho gaya main usiko bhulata chala gaya
मैं ज़िंदगी... Main zindagi...
*
ग़म और खुशी में फ़र्क न महसूस हो जहाँ Gham aur khushi me fark na mehsus ho jaha
मैं दिल को उस मुक़ाम पे लाता चला गया Main dil ko us mukaam pe laata chala gaya
मैं ज़िंदगी... Main zindagi...
***
“What is the secret behind Sahir Ludhianvi’s everlasting appeal?” Surinder Deol asks in an essay for Firstpost, examining the poet-lyricist’s life and legacy in the year of his 100th birth anniversary.
Mehfil-e-Sahir is Firstpost's ode to Ludhianvi, a collection of video tributes by seven leading Hindi film lyricists — from Varun Grover to Kausar Munir, Irshad Kamil, Shellee, Raj Shekhar, Mayur Puri and Hussain Haidry.
Each of these lyricists has picked the verses that speak most to them, explaining why Sahir's words resonate even three decades after his death.
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on 8 March 1921, in Ludhiana. His poetry and film lyrics from the 1940s onwards made him wildly popular, and earned him titles such as "the people’s poet” and “bard of the underdog”.
“Today we are witnessing new threats to democracy and secularism... In this context, Sahir's voice is essential,” Deol notes in his Firstpost essay. “The values he championed are here to stay for the better part of this century.”
With Dev Anand in a double role, the 1961 film Hum Dono had two primary themes in the narrative — one of love, and the other of war. And somehow both are as topical in current times as ever. When the film was re-released in colour in 2011, a confident and optimistic Anand had said in an interview: "The story of Hum Dono is not dated. Romance is modern… war is modern and so is the song, 'Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya'."
The songs of this film remain hugely popular till date essentially for the soulful music of Jaidev and the memorable lyrics penned by Ludhianvi. The two most popular and acclaimed songs of the album — 'Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya' and 'Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Haalat Pe' — were sung by Rafi and immaculately depicted the head and heart of the lead actor [Dev Anand played the double role of army personnel Major Manohar Lal Verma and Capt Anand].
Particularly about 'Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya', Irshad Kamil reveals that it is actually not a song, but a ghazal; three couplets of this ghazal have been used in the film. Talking about why he admires this ghazal, Kamil says, "I believe this song is not just a creation of Sahir Ludhianvi — the poet, but also of the saint that dwells within him. One who lives in this world, but is not of this world."
In this song, coupled with Jaidev's ebullient melody, Ludhianvi, in his signature style, translates profound philosophical emotions into simple everyday words. And in doing so, he also lends a flow to the narrative of the film as well as the character arcs of the actors. "A shayar/ poet possesses the extremities of the world, life and journeys of all kinds within them. Ludhianvi too had a similar microcosm of his own within him."
Editorial support, text and coordination by Suryasarathi Bhattacharya | Video edited by Akshay Jadhav | Art by Satwik Gade
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/2KUSfga
“What is the secret behind Sahir Ludhianvi’s everlasting appeal?” Surinder Deol asks in an essay for Firstpost, examining the poet-lyricist’s life and legacy in the year of his 100th birth anniversary.
Mehfil-e-Sahir is Firstpost's ode to Ludhianvi, a collection of video tributes by seven leading Hindi film lyricists — from Varun Grover to Kausar Munir, Irshad Kamil, Shellee, Raj Shekhar, Mayur Puri and Hussain Haidry.
Each of these lyricists has picked the verses that speak most to them, explaining why Sahir's words resonate even three decades after his death.
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on 8 March 1921, in Ludhiana. His poetry and film lyrics from the 1940s onwards made him wildly popular, and earned him titles such as "the people’s poet” and “bard of the underdog”.
“Today we are witnessing new threats to democracy and secularism... In this context, Sahir's voice is essential,” Deol notes in his Firstpost essay. “The values he championed are here to stay for the better part of this century.”
Shellee reads: 'Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par' (Pyaasa, 1957)
It is no wonder that Guru Dutt's 1957 magnum opus Pyaasa is considered one of the most defining films of all time. Not just the narrative, but each and every song in the film is a masterpiece in itself. SD Burman and Ludhianvi's stellar combination made Pyaasa immortal in every respect. 'Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par' is one of those songs where Ludhianvi makes a soul-stirring commentary on the deplorable conditions in which women of the marginalised communities — especially courtesans and prostitutes — live in our country. Macroscopically, he highlights upon the social injustices plaguing the very fabric of Indian society at large.
Ludhianvi, through Guru Dutt's character in the film, questions the upholders of society and justice and brings to the fore their misplaced pride in being an Indian. At the Jashn-e-Rekhta festival 2019, Javed Akhtar had said, "People feel elated to say that these writings on the social-political situation of the country are still relevant today. Saadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chughtai and Sahir Ludhianvi wrote about social injustice, and it is sad that these themes are still relevant. Yeh koi khushi ki baat nahi hai, yeh bahut dukh ki baat hai. It only means that all those sufferings, suppression and social issues are still present in our society."
The song 'Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par' is a recreated version of one of Ludhianvi's poems/nazms titled Chakle. "The only difference between the nazm and the song from Pyaasa is the line 'jinhen naaz hai hind par woh kahaan hain'. In the original nazm, the line reads: 'sanaa-ḳhvaan-e-taqdees-e-mashriq kahaan hain'," mentions Shellee. He talks about how Guru Dutt was so impressed by this nazm from Chakle that he decided to use it in Pyaasa and in fact also created a whole situation to weave it into the film's narrative. However, he felt the recurring phrase of the original nazm was way too complicated for the layman and hence asked Ludhianvi to rephrase it into something easy and catchy.
"Sahir was as much a progressive poet as a romantic one, and his words, just like the meaning of his name, cast a magical spell on the readers/listeners," Shellee says.
Editorial support, text and coordination by Suryasarathi Bhattacharya | Video edited by Akshay Jadhav | Art by Satwik Gade
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/3obeSvy
कोई भी चीज़ दुनिया में रहती नहीं Koi bhi cheez duniya me rehti nahin
आज मैं हूं जहां कल कोई और था Aaj main hoon jaha kal koi aur tha
ये भी एक दौर है वो भी एक दौर था Ye bhi ek daur hai woh bhi ek daur tha
*
आज इतनी मोहब्बत न दो दोस्तो Aaj itni mohabbat na do doston
कि मेरे कल की ख़ातिर न कुछ भी रहे Ki mere kal ki khatir na kuch bhi rahe
आज का प्यार थोडा बचा कर रखो Aaj ka pyaar thoda bacha kar rakho
मेरे कल के लिये Mere kal ke liye
कल जो गुमनाम है, कल जो सुनसान है Kal jo gumnaam hai, kal jo sunsaan hai
कल जो अंजान है, कल जो वीरान है Kal jo anjaan hai, kal jo veeran hai
मैं तो कुछ भी नहीं हूं Main to kuch bhi nahin hoon
मैं तो कुछ भी नहीं Main to kuch bhi nahin
***
“What is the secret behind Sahir Ludhianvi’s everlasting appeal?” Surinder Deol asks in an essay for Firstpost, examining the poet-lyricist’s life and legacy in the year of his 100th birth anniversary.
Mehfil-e-Sahir is Firstpost's ode to Ludhianvi, a collection of video tributes by seven leading Hindi film lyricists — from Varun Grover to Kausar Munir, Irshad Kamil, Shellee, Raj Shekhar, Mayur Puri and Hussain Haidry.
Each of these lyricists has picked the verses that speak most to them, explaining why Sahir's words resonate even three decades after his death.
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on 8 March 1921, in Ludhiana. His poetry and film lyrics from the 1940s onwards made him wildly popular, and earned him titles such as "the people’s poet” and “bard of the underdog”.
“Today we are witnessing new threats to democracy and secularism... In this context, Sahir's voice is essential,” Deol notes in his Firstpost essay. “The values he championed are here to stay for the better part of this century.”
Hussain Haidry reads: 'Main To Kuch Bhi Nahin' (Daag, 1973)
Ludhianvi's poems or nazms had this unique lyrical quality to it that made them just apt enough to be used as songs in films. There are many nazms of the celebrated poet-lyricist that went on to become memorable songs, be it Khubsoorat Mod which is popularly known by the song 'Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se Ajnabee Ban Jaaye Hum Dono' from the 1963 film Gumraah , or Chakle that we also know as 'Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par' from Guru Dutt's 1957 Pyaasa.
'Main To Kuch Bhi Nahin' is, however, a rare exception. "Ludhianvi wrote this nazm after receiving numerous congratulatory messages and accolades upon being conferred with the Padma Shri in 1971. The nazm was titled 'Aaj Ka Pyaar Thoda Bacha Kar Rakho'," mentions Hussain Haidry. Unlike his other poems, this wasn't made into a song. In fact, it was read out as a monologue by Rajesh Khanna in Yash Chopra's 1973 film Daag. In the scene, Khanna's character is also being honoured with some award and he says this poem as a thanksgiving note amid thunderous applause from the audience.
"This nazm is a favourite of mine because unlike most Urdu poems, its lines aren't on a single metre. It doesn't have stanzas; it's more like a free-flowing verse. Yet, it has a rhythmic pattern which is perhaps also a reason why it sounds rhythmic when it is used as a monologue in the film," adds Haidry.
Editorial support, text and coordination by Suryasarathi Bhattacharya | Video edited by Akshay Jadhav | Art by Satwik Gade
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/3840LCr
मन रे तू काहे ना धीर धरे Man re tu kahe na dheer dhare
वो निर्मोही मोह ना जाने, जिनका मोह करे Woh nirmohi moh na jaane, jinka moh kare
मन रे... Man re...
*
इस जीवन की चढ़ती ढलती Is jeewan ki chadhti dhalti
धूप को किसने बांधा Dhoop ko kisne baandha
रंग पे किसने पहरे डाले Rang pe kisne pahre daale
रुप को किसने बांधा Roop ko kisne baandha
काहे ये जतन करे Kahe ye jatan kare
मन रे... Man re...
*
उतना ही उपकार समझ कोई Utna hi upkar samajh koi
जितना साथ निभा दे Jitna saath nibha de
जनम मरण का मेल है सपना Janam maran ka mel hai sapna
ये सपना बिसरा दे Ye sapna bisra de
कोई न संग मरे Koi na sang mare
मन रे... Man re...
***
“What is the secret behind Sahir Ludhianvi’s everlasting appeal?” Surinder Deol asks in an essay for Firstpost, examining the poet-lyricist’s life and legacy in the year of his 100th birth anniversary.
Mehfil-e-Sahir is Firstpost's ode to Ludhianvi, a collection of video tributes by seven leading Hindi film lyricists — from Varun Grover to Kausar Munir, Irshad Kamil, Shellee, Raj Shekhar, Mayur Puri and Hussain Haidry.
Each of these lyricists has picked the verses that speak most to them, explaining why Sahir's words resonate even three decades after his death.
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on 8 March 1921, in Ludhiana. His poetry and film lyrics from the 1940s onwards made him wildly popular, and earned him titles such as "the people’s poet” and “bard of the underdog”.
“Today we are witnessing new threats to democracy and secularism... In this context, Sahir's voice is essential,” Deol notes in his Firstpost essay. “The values he championed are here to stay for the better part of this century.”
Raj Shekhar reads: 'Man Re Tu Kahe Na Dheer Dhare (Chitralekha, 1964)
Unlike the common perception that Sahir Ludhianvi's poems and lyrics use rather difficult Urdu vocabulary, this song from the 1964 film Chitralekha is the best example how often the most profound feelings can be expressed in the fewest of words. And, Ludhianvi wrote this song in pure Hindi. Gulzar, in one of his memoir pieces on Ludhianvi, had said: "The spirituality is distinct in the lines: 'Rang pe kisne pehre dale... man re tu kahe na dheer dhare.' Even Hindi writers are not able to write so beautifully."
"Look at that line when he says 'koi na sang mare'... In those very four words, Sahir has been able to express the biggest philosophical truth — that we come in the world alone and we die alone," opines Raj Shekhar. "Imagine the amount of anxiety we have these days dealing with relationships; we tend to complicate everything when the real truth is so simple."
"For all of us writers, poets, listeners, I believe we have so much to unearth in Sahir and his words; they have multiple layers," Raj Shekhar adds.
Editorial support, text and coordination by Suryasarathi Bhattacharya | Video edited by Akshay Jadhav | Art by Satwik Gade
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/34ZG60e
“What is the secret behind Sahir Ludhianvi’s everlasting appeal?” Surinder Deol asks in an essay for Firstpost, examining the poet-lyricist’s life and legacy in the year of his 100th birth anniversary.
Mehfil-e-Sahir is Firstpost's ode to Ludhianvi, a collection of video tributes by seven leading Hindi film lyricists — from Varun Grover to Kausar Munir, Irshad Kamil, Shellee, Raj Shekhar, Mayur Puri and Hussain Haidry.
Each of these lyricists has picked the verses that speak most to them, explaining why Sahir's words resonate even three decades after his death.
Sahir Ludhianvi was born on 8 March 1921, in Ludhiana. His poetry and film lyrics from the 1940s onwards made him wildly popular, and earned him titles such as "the people’s poet” and “bard of the underdog”.
“Today we are witnessing new threats to democracy and secularism... In this context, Sahir's voice is essential,” Deol notes in his Firstpost essay. “The values he championed are here to stay for the better part of this century.”
Mayur Puri reads: 'Sar Jo Tera Chakraye' (Pyaasa, 1957)
Just when the drama begins to intensify in Guru Dutt's Pyaasa, Johnny Walker breaks into the scene out of nowhere, calling out "Maalish... Tel Maalish" — and we get this gem of a song in Mohd Rafi's mellifluous voice. It is said that SD Burman based the melody of 'Sar Jo Tera Chakraye' on a song in Hugo Fregonese’s 1958 British film, Harry Black, at the behest of Dutt, who had picked up the album during his trip in England.
While the other songs in Pyaasa are highly philosophical and profound in their meanings, Ludhianvi penned a very 'of-the-streets' song with 'Sar Jo Tera Chakraye', and it ended up becoming the anthem of the working class. "What's interesting to note in this comedy song particularly is how Sahir saab has kept his socialism intact," says Mayur Puri.
Ludhianvi beautifully lends dignity to labour when a maalishwallah proudly says that his massage can bring good fortune. Puri points out, "Imagine when he used a phrase as a social equaliser: 'Naukar ho ya maalik, leader ho ya public; Apne aage sabhi jhuke hain, kya raja kya sainik'," and further adds that in celebrating a song like 'Sar Jo Tera Chakraye', one actually celebrates the range of Ludhianvi's writing.
Editorial support, text and coordination by Suryasarathi Bhattacharya | Video edited by Akshay Jadhav | Art by Satwik Gade
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/3n2kTZN
London: Liverpool will start 2021 in a familiar position at the top of the Premier League but with a rejuvenated Manchester United leading a pack of challengers who are all within striking distance.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side would join the champions on 33 points if they beat Aston Villa on Friday, with Jurgen Klopp's men not in action until Monday.
But just seven points separate Liverpool from their next opponents Southampton, all the way down in ninth spot, giving clubs a chance to dream.
AFP Sport looks at some of the main talking points ahead of the weekend action in the English top-flight.
Liverpool v United battle?
Jurgen Klopp said he was not "overly frustrated" after seeing his side held to a goalless draw at Newcastle on Wednesday.
But the squandered points denied Liverpool the comfort of a five-point lead over bitter rivals United heading into the New Year.
The leaders have now drawn three of their past five Premier League games, including last weekend's disappointing 1-1 draw against struggling West Brom.
Midfielder James Milner has noticed Manchester United's rise and has warned injury-hit Liverpool that they must "kick on" or risk losing their crown.
Liverpool and United are the two most successful clubs in English football history but have rarely been at their best at the same time.
It would take a brave punter to back against Liverpool, and Manchester City are tipped by the bookies as more likely winners than their neighbours.
But despite lingering questions over United's defence, there is a sense of momentum at Old Trafford and a growing belief that they could mount a proper title challenge for the first time since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Chelsea face Man City test
The most eye-catching game of the weekend pits Frank Lampard's Chelsea against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday— coronavirus permitting.
New-look Chelsea appeared to have found a good balance after an early defeat to Liverpool, embarking on a long unbeaten run, but have lost their way in recent weeks, taking just four points from their past five matches.
They now find themselves level on 26 points with City, who also have two games in hand after quietly putting together an impressive string of results following a slow start to the campaign.
Despite the cluster of teams within striking range of the Premier League summit, neither manager will want to risk falling further behind Liverpool, who have the capability to go on a long unbeaten run.
The reason Guardiola's team have an extra game in hand is because their match against Everton this week was postponed over a Covid-19 outbreak at City.
First-team training has resumed and the club said a fresh round of testing had not revealed any new positive cases.
Following the update from City, the Premier League issued a statement confirming the game at Chelsea on Sunday currently remains on.
Frustrated Mourinho
Just a few short weeks ago Jose Mourinho's Tottenham were top of the Premier League and looking every inch credible challengers.
Now they are seven points off the pace after two draws and two defeats in their past four matches— and had to face the further frustration this week of a coronavirus-enforced postponement.
Mourinho said his side should be doing more to kill games after conceding late in a disappointing 1-1 draw at Wolves.
His mood was not helped by the postponement of Spurs' home match against Fulham on Wednesday with three hours' notice after a coronavirus outbreak in the visitors' camp.
Tottenham host free-scoring Leeds on Sunday in a mouthwatering clash, with Marcelo Bielsa's men just three points behind Spurs after bouncing back from their 6-2 Old Trafford humbling with two wins.
Fixtures
Friday (GMT)
Everton v West Ham (1730), Manchester United v Aston Villa (2000)
Saturday
Tottenham v Leeds (1230), Crystal Palace v Sheffield United (1500), Brighton v Wolves (1730), West Brom v Arsenal (2000)
Sunday
Burnley v Fulham (1200), Newcastle v Leicester (1415), Chelsea v Manchester City (1630)
Monday
Southampton v Liverpool (2000)
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3hESWGv
London: Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani has been banned for three matches and fined £100,000 for using a racial term in a social media post, the Football Association announced on Thursday.
The 33-year-old summer signing produced a match-winning display at Southampton on 29 November, providing an assist for Bruno Fernandes before netting a two goals in a 3-2 comeback win.
Cavani posted a social media message on Instagram shortly after the match, replying to a message of congratulations using the Spanish term "negrito" (small black person).
The Uruguayan swiftly deleted the post and issued an apology after being made aware of the connotations, with the player releasing an apologetic statement saying he was "completely opposed to racism".
But the FA has now punished the striker after he admitted breaching FA Rule E3.
"A comment posted on the Manchester United FC striker's Instagram page was insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute," the FA said in a statement.
"The post also constitutes an 'aggravated breach'... as it included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin," the statement added.
Manchester United issued a statement saying Cavani was not aware his words could have been misconstrued and "sincerely apologised" for the post and to anyone who was offended.
"Despite his honest belief that he was simply sending an affectionate thank you in response to a congratulatory message from a close friend, he chose not to contest the charge out of respect for, and solidarity with, the FA and the fight against racism in football," the club said.
United said they hoped the independent regulatory commission appointed to decide the sanction would make it clear in its written reasons that the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player "is not a racist, nor was there any racist intent in relation to his post".
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/2X38RF0
Karachi: Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq is not disappointed with the performance of his team on the ongoing tour of New Zealand, saying his players competed with fatigued body and mind.
Pakistan lost the T20 series before the 101-run defeat in the first Test.
"People have to understand that we have been through a very tough time in New Zealand. After 14-days of total quarantine for the players to still perform like they did in the T20 series and Test match with fatigued bodies and mindset," Misbah said in an interview.
"There are a lot of positives for us on this tour."
The former captain stressed that it had been very tough for the players to remain in total quarantine where they couldn't even exercise properly.
"But the players put all that behind them and had only six days to prepare for the T20 series including the travelling and all."
"I think we performed competitively in the T20 series and if not for some mistakes at crucial times like our fielding and top order failure we could even have won the T20 series."
He said injury issues to Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Shadab Khan had also hit the team but it remained competitive.
"The plus points for have been the performance of Rizwan the way he has taken responsibility even as captain and batsman. The way Fawad Alam has come to the front and played so well and the way Faheem Ashraf has come back strongly. These are all positives for us."
Misbah said he was happy that the team remained competitive and resilient throughout the first Test and unluckily lost the match in the final session with a few overs to go.
"If you remember we had also come close to winning a Test in England and now the way we lost the first Test in New Zealand, I think it is a matter of time before we can start winning consistently."
Misbah said the emergence of young players was a big plus for Pakistan cricket and they would all get better with exposure and grooming.
"Players like Abdullah Shafiq, Haider, Khushdil, Hasnain, Haris Rauf etc are a very good lot and some have already performed well but they will only get better with time."
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/383sLGk
London: Former Manchester United and Scotland manager Tommy Docherty has died at the age of 92 following a long illness, his family announced on Thursday.
"The Doc" made more than 300 appearances for Preston, also playing for Celtic, Arsenal and Chelsea, and won 25 caps for Scotland.
He went on to manage 12 clubs — including Chelsea, Aston Villa and Derby — and had a spell in charge of Scotland.
He won the League Cup as Chelsea boss but was best known for his five-year spell at Old Trafford, overseeing an FA Cup final win over Bob Paisley's Liverpool in 1977.
"Tommy passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home," a family spokesman told Britain's Press Association.
"He was a much-loved husband, father and papa and will be terribly missed."
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tommy Docherty, who led us to FA Cup victory in 1977 with a thrilling, attacking team in the best traditions of Manchester United.
Docherty was irrepressible, outspoken and often controversial, accruing a seemingly endless supply of anecdotes, quips and one-liners.
In December 1972, with Scotland on their way to the 1974 World Cup finals in West Germany, he quit as manager to take over at Manchester United.
"One of my biggest regrets was leaving the Scotland job when I did," he later said.
The Red Devils were relegated to the second division in 1974, but stormed back the next season as champions.
After surprisingly losing the 1976 FA Cup final 1-0 to Second Division Southampton, he led United to the FA Cup final again the following year when they beat favourites Liverpool 2-1.
However, celebrations did not last as he was almost immediately sacked for having an affair with the wife of club physiotherapist Laurie Brown.
Docherty later married Mary Brown and they remained together until his death. They had two children, while he had four children with Agnes, who died in 2002.
Subsequently he worked as an after-dinner speaker and media pundit.
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3aYlmtV
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand: Talismanic New Zealand captain Kane Williamson says it is "surprising and humbling" to leapfrog star Australia batsman Steve Smith and India skipper Virat Kohli to the top spot in the ICC Test rankings.
Williamson (890) gained 13 rating points for his player-of-the-match effort of 129 and 21 in New Zealand's 101-run win over Pakistan in the first Test to end the year at the top position on Thursday.
He dethroned Smith, who slipped to the third spot after managing scores of 0 and 8 in the two innings against India at the MCG. Kohli (879) is at second, 11 points behind Williamson and two more than Smith.
"Those two players (Virat Kohli and Steve Smith) are the best. For me, sneak up ahead of someone (like them) is very surprising and humbling," Williamson said in a video posted on the ICC's Twitter handle.
🗣️ "It was a great game to be involved in. We seem to have many tight finishes against Pakistan. The last three have gone to the last 25 minutes of the last day."
"Those are the two players year and year out in all formats moving the game forward, very fortunate to play against these guys," said the 30-year-old right handed batsman.
Williamson had briefly occupied the top spot towards the end of 2015 before Kohli and Smith soared ahead of him.
"It's about trying to do as much as you can for the team. If you can contribute as much as you can and it can be reflected on the rankings, that's really cool," he said.
Williamson said his focus was on helping New Zealand achieve success across all formats and personal milestones are just a byproduct of that process.
New Zealand clinched a last-session thriller in the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Mount Maunganui after the visitors put up a valiant fight.
"It was a great game to be involved in. We seem to have many tight finishes against Pakistan. The last three have gone to the last 25 minutes of the last day. Both teams fought incredibly hard.
"I think we had moments although the resistance put up by Pakistan on the last day was incredibly strong. It is really exciting to cross the line and hunt for an opportunity for the World Test Championship," said Williamson.
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3o8waZW
Ranbir Kapoor is all set to play the lead role in Kabir Singh fame Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s next directorial Animal.
On 1st January, the makers shared a teaser which sees Ranbir delivering a voice-over. His character could be heard talking to his father with an eerie whistle as the background music.
The video also announced that Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol and Parineeti Chopra will also be a part of the film.
The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar & Krishan Kumar’s T-Series, Pranay Reddy Vanga’s Bhadrakali Pictures & Murad Khetani’s Cine1Studios.
Meanwhile, Kapoor will be sharing the screen with Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Mouni Roy, and Akkineni Nagarjuna for Brahmastra. Touted as a fantasy adventure franchise, the movie is directed by Ayan Mukerji and will see Ranbir playing Shiva, a character with special powers, and Bhatt will essay a character named Isha.
He will also be seen in Karan Malhotra's Shamshera alongside Sanjay Dutt and Vaani Kapoor. Set in the 1800s, Shamshera follows a dacoit tribe who fight for their rights and independence against the British.
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/350YnKH
Karachi: Pakistan will engage in 10 bilateral series next year apart from the World T20 Cup assignment, PCB chairman Ehsan Mani has said.
Mani said in a podcast that Pakistan had lined up 10 bilateral series in the new year and would play around nine Tests, 20 ODIs and 39 T20 matches as there would be no shortage of cricket for players.
"New Zealand are coming over before the World T20 Cup. Next in is England to play two T20 matches and both teams will then leave for the event in India," he said.
Mani said South Africa had sent their delegation to Pakistan to assess the Covid-19 protocols and security arrangements and they have agreed to send their team in January for two Tests and three T20 matches.
According to details, New Zealand will first come over in September-October to play three ODIs and three T20 internationals before leaving for the World Cup.
The day the New Zealand team leaves for India, England will reach Pakistan for their two T20 matches.
Mani said the board was totally behind the national team management of head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq, coaches, Waqar Younis and Younis Khan and the support staff.
"I don't think we can have a better management and support staff."
"We have the best and it can't be better. We have also started inducting elite former players into our high performance centre and domestic cricket teams."
Mani also said that the board realised that Misbah could only work with the available resources and overall selection has been fair.
"Misbah is not alone; he has the support of Waqar and Younis Khan and all of them are people who have played and done well everywhere for Pakistan."
The PCB chief also made it clear that Pakistan had got no financial benefit from sending its team to England in the summer but it was a decision taken after much thought for the sake of world cricket in the pandemic.
He also said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had approached the PCB themselves for the short tour to Pakistan and the decision to hold the series later in the year was taken to ensure England's full strength side came to Pakistan.
"All these positive things happening are only possible when the management in the board is professional."
Mani also said that the Board was working on methods to slowly allow back crowds to matches in coming days.
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/35h6EdV
2020 has been a watershed year in history, and that has also trickled down to the realm of entertainment. In this series, 2020 Unwind, stakeholders from the Indian entertainment scene weigh in on how they view entertainment now, how their skills had to evolve and adapt to changing patterns and whether the year has altered them as artists.
*
It is going to be hard to sum up the lockdown work experience in words but this is as hard as it gets for folks like me who come from a place of great privilege. I have survived the last 10 months with food, shelter, a job, the comfort of friends, the excitement of new connections, a rock-solid family, enviable colleagues, and my sanity. I am putting my thoughts down today with complete acknowledgement of my privilege, deep gratitude and understanding of the place where I am doing this from. We have all lost the right to and, frankly, the will to complain. Everything pales in front of the misery and devastation the world is facing. No matter how difficult it got to swallow food while looking at the millions suffering in abject poverty, hunger, rampant joblessness, debilitating depression, domestic violence, and disease, the fact remains that I was carrying spectator pain on a full stomach and a warm bed.
But this is me talking 10 months into the pandemic. Let me dial it back to when it all began. I had just come back from Dublin in the first week of March realising— like so many other things one has only been able to understand in hindsight — that I had escaped the early quarantine hell by a few days. The murmurs around COVID-19 had begun to gain serious ground. The news coming in from Italy was both scary and sad. In light of mounting fear, the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) office was one of the first to close its shutters in Mumbai. We went into WFH mode on 13 March, and cancelled the scheduled Year Round Programme screening of Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts’ incredible documentary, For Sama. It was the responsible thing to do. The festival was scheduled for (5 to 12) November edition without a break. But we are also an active academy through the year. We had launched the academy’s Year Round Programme in 2016, a free-of-charge initiative that brought together film lovers in the city every week for screenings, masterclasses, and conversations. All of the work we did through the year culminated into the annual festival, Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, in October. Over the past few years without marketing, outreach or any tangible resources, we have around 16,000 members, a global database of over 50,000 people, an intercity imprint bringing its members the best of films and talent they deeply admire and want access to. It has taken us four years to build this programme from scratch. Can you imagine where this programme would be if we had media and money support? For the first time, the heaviness of this realisation engulfed me.
When the lockdown was announced, we were following the rollout timeline of launching three new academy initiatives apart from continuing with the festival properties — Word to Screen Market, Young Critics Lab, Half Ticket, and Movie Mela that we organise and curate as a run-up to the festival. The lockdown felt temporary (looking back, I want to laugh at this delusional optimism induced probably by disbelief in the earlier half of the year). In a country where culture is the last priority and funding is a constant struggle, Jio MAMI has been built with the blood and sweat of a lot of good people and the resources and kindness of generous partners. Inherently, I felt this was not the time for us to lose momentum. We knew we had to pivot fast. Pivot to what and for what were the larger questions. We had no platform to screen films, no technology to rely on (remember back in February, we didn't even know the word ‘zoom’ in any other context except in relation to cameras and lenses) and had no roadmap or contingency plan for a situation like this.
We were all about the in-person, on-ground, touch, feel, brick-and-mortar experience. We were everything that the digital experience does not offer. That was our USP. It felt like we were expected to run blindfolded.
Just like when you lose the use of a key sense, you develop and hone other faculties, the lockdown forced us to look in directions we had never had to. We took a first small step with the digital screening of Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha on 24 April. Props to Tanuja Chandra and Anupama Mandloi for putting their trust in us. Screening in a theatre is different. A digital screening opens you up to piracy, ambiguity with regard to the premiere status of your film (very important in the festival circuit), and probably puts filmmakers in crosshairs with streaming platforms. These questions had no answers 10 months back. Convincing a filmmaker to give us a new film to digitally screen a film without a foolproof system put into place was a tall task. Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha opened the floodgates for us. We got another booster shot when we were the only Indian festival amongst 21 prestigious international festivals invited by Tribeca Enterprises and YouTube to participate in the first digital global film festival – We Are One. Our Chairperson Deepika Padukone was amongst the global film personalities that gave people hope for better things to come as part of this festival. I curated the films for the festival and four of our best films (two features, two shorts) screened to staggering success at the event — Nasir, Eeb Allay Ooo!, Natkhat, and Awake. A personal highlight was being a speaker along with Robert De Niro at the festival’s opening press conference. The successful screening of Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha and We Are One’s impact propelled us to take larger strides.
We launched our flagship property, a one-of-a-kind knowledge series, Dial M For Films on 31 May. Over the last six months, we have also launched Writer’s Block and The Long Road To Success within the series. The talent that has appeared on the show has been generous both with their time and experiences. We have featured Zoya Akhtar, Kabir Khan, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vicky Kaushal, Taapsee Pannu, Anvita Dutt, Richa Chadha, Shakun Batra, Mira Nair, Sudip Sharma, Abhishek Chaubey, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Anjali Menon, Bejoy Nambiar, and Jaideep Ahlawat amongst many others. Hosting, creating, and curating this series has been a dream come true. Nothing for me is more exciting than to pick the brains of artists. Here a host of people joined us on the call and did the same along with me.
I have always imagined Jio MAMI as an institution that is a repository of all things films and creating for screen. As a space, where any person can walk in, ask any question about film, and our team would be ready to help with information, access, patience, and a cup of tea. Where can film lovers and aspiring film professionals go to talk to their film idols? Where do working film professionals go to speak to their contemporaries and seniors? Who will connect industry professionals across film cultures in India and the Indian talent to professionals abroad? These are a few of the many gaps I feel Jio MAMI can fill. Keeping these in mind, we also launched Storytellers Are Us: The Origin Story that I host with my partner in crime, the head of programming for Jio MAMI, Kalpana Nair. Zoya Akhtar met Prateek Vats, Anvita Dutt met Kislay, Juhi Chaturvedi met Achal Mishra, and watched each other's work because of Storytellers Are Us. Over 500 aspiring film professionals, working film professionals, and cinema lovers attended the Dial M For Films sessions on live Zoom calls with film personalities they always wanted to talk to.
There has been staggering love for both shows. Our biggest struggles are resources and media attention because both would give us a larger reach but we are happy with the way these two shows are making a difference. My heart is full and the fire in my stomach burns brighter because I know we are onto something cardinal. As with all labours of love, I know we just need to keep at it, and keep improving as we go along. With 30 episodes, Dial M For Films has become like a film school for aspiring talent, Storytellers Are Us is a meeting ground between creators working in the same industry but who have never met and 11 digital Year Round Programme screenings found us a plethora of audience beyond the city of Mumbai. This was value creation beyond clocking views. We resolved to carry this forward even after the pandemic was over. This period has taught us that even though the theatre and on-ground experience is unmatchable, our digital arm is here to stay.
But all this while, as we created properties, what we really hoping for was for cinemas to open. Sadly, the cinemas did not open in Mumbai in time for the festival. Despite all the preparations, we had to cancel the 22nd edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in late August. Any later would have been unfair to all our stakeholders, especially the filmmakers. It broke our hearts but what was worse was the way every collaborator of ours was suffering. Business had come to a complete halt for PVR Cinemas, Turkish Airlines, BookMyShow, JW Marriott, Pentagon Events and Activations and many others who work with us. Companies that were no longer just companies. They were now friends and partners. I felt guilty for mourning the festival. It felt selfish. Their grace during this period of strife made it even worse. I am filled with nothing but even more respect for them than before.
I cannot sign off without talking about the experience of working during the pandemic. And the comforting myth associated with work from home. What could be better than lounging in bed with the laptop and typing emails in your pyjamas... right? Contrary to popular belief, the initial months felt like walking through cement. WFH without any scope for meeting even once a week is very challenging and requires a special kind of rewiring. You are expected to break patterns and a mindset that you have never had to think of an alternative for. What earlier got accomplished by a glance between teammates now took multiple Zoom calls, WhatsApp messages, emails, and minimum two rounds of feedback. The new way of life the team had to deal with on top of the anxiety that the pandemic brought did not help. But the initial frustration slowly turned into deep respect and empathy. I was fortunate to be part of a team which rose to the occasion every single time patiently and with perseverance. They did not always speak about their challenges but I know they were all battling difficult things like everyone around us. They showed up every day despite this. I cannot thank Kriti Dhanania, Gaurav Gupta, Yash Chhabria, Gavin Pinto, Ankit Patel, Sanchay Bose, Saurabh Mehendale, Pratyush Thaker, and Aaliya Bamboowala enough. The unshakeable faith of our Board of Trustees and our principal sponsor, Jio has given us the foundation that we stand on today. I mention this here where I have been asked to write about my pandemic work experience because nothing binds you more than solidarity in a crisis. You don't forget that and this will not be forgotten.
Lastly, in this dark and difficult time, it is impossible to separate the personal from the professional. The physical separation between home and work has literally vanished. Our lives have merged during the pandemic, and hence both aspects have spilt into one another. For all the lofty ambitions (plan to chase each one with ferocity) I have written about in this article, I would say, don’t turn down that coffee with a friend, chat with family, making that presentation for your dream project, showing up for yourself and people you love, for anything. We don’t know what tomorrow holds. And I don’t want to live with regret, guilt or unpursued dreams.
Smriti Kiran is Artistic Director, MAMI and Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
For more stories in the 2020 Unwind series, click here.
from Firstpost Bollywood Latest News https://ift.tt/38S92bW
Melbourne: Joining the Indian team after completing his mandatory 14-day quarantine, star batsman Rohit Sharma on Thursday went through his first practice session in Australia under the watchful eyes of batting coach Vikram Rathour.
The prolific opener is expected to play the third Test in Sydney from 7 January.
"The engine is just getting started and here is a quick glimpse of what lies ahead. #TeamIndia #AUSvIND," BCCI tweeted with two pictures of the batsman.
While he trained, the rest of the squad took a brief two-day break after India's fine win in the second Test at MCG.
The 33-year-old Mumbaikar, who had missed the limited-overs series as well as the first two Tests against Australia due to a hamstring injury that he sustained during the IPL, was seen taking catching practice in the photographs.
Three throwdown experts - Raghavindraa, popularly known as Raghu, Sri Lankan Nuwan Seneviratne and Dayananda Garani - were also there to assist Rohit.
Prior to meeting his teammates, Rohit had spent two weeks in quarantine in Sydney.
On Tuesday, head coach Ravi Shastri had said the medical team will look at how the player is physically before a call is taken on his inclusion in the playing XI for the third Test.
On 11 December, the BCCI had announced that the opener cleared an eagerly-watched fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, paving the way for his departure for Australia ahead of the four-Test series.
Rohit, along with the Indian team, is likely to leave for Sydney on January 4 after a change in schedule due to the COVID-19 situation in the state.
Rohit had sustained a hamstring injury during the IPL, which led to him missing the white-ball leg and the first two Tests of the ongoing tour. It remains to be seen who makes way for Rohit from the side that trounced Australia in the second Test.
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has backed the swashbuckling Mumbaikar to open the batting with the young Shubman Gill in Sydney.
from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3pIQIJb
