hindi message - Response to AB's Day 310

आदरणीय भाईसाहब,

सादर चरण स्पर्श,

अत्र कुशलं तत्रस्तु । कई दिनॊं से मैं इस प्रयास में था कि आप को व अन्य सभी को हिंदी में संबोधित कर सकूं, समय या हालात ने ऎसा नही होने दिया । यहां सबसे पहले इस बात या विषय का उल्लेख अवश्य ही होना चाहिये कि आपके पत्र में जिस प्रकार आपने एक भारतीय परिवार का वर्णन किया है, जिस प्रकार आपने अपने माता-पिता के प्रति अपना अपार स्नेह व्यक्त किया है तथा जितना संभव है उतना अपने परिवार को समय देने की अपनी आशा की ओर संकेत दिया है, यह सब अत्यंत ही सराहनीय हैं ।

कल का मैच बेहद रोमांचक था, खेल में एक टीम की हार तो लगभग तय होती है वह टीम एक बार फिर भारत की थी इस बात का खेद हो सकता है खेल के प्रति दुर्भावना कभी भी नही हो सकती । अगर देखा जाये तब गप्टिल हरभजन की गेंद पर आउट नही थे फिर भी अंपायर से गल्ती हो गई थी, इस भूल को शायद ऊपर वाले ने नजरंदाज नही किया, जो मैच लग्भग भारत की झोली में आ गिरने को था अंतिम गेंद पर न्यूज़ीलैंड के खाते में पहुंच गया । वास्तव में बहुत ही उम्दा प्रदर्शन दोनॊ ही टीमॊ की तरफ़ से रहा इसमें कोई शक नही । आगे भी इसी तरह के खेल प्रदर्शन की आशा रखना बेमानी नही लगता छोट-मोटे प्रदर्शन भीड द्वारा आजकल हर मैदान पर होते है, अधिक रोष इस बात का नही होना चाहिये । खेल-भावना हार जीत से बढकर है, धोनी या हरभजन से मेरा यही अनुरोध जै कि अगली बार अगर किसी गप्टिल को आउट करार दिया जाये तो निश्चित ही उन्हे उसे वापस बुला कर खेलते रहने देना चाहिये । यहां मुझे इंग्लैंड के विरुद्ध कप्तान विश्वनाथ का या कई अवसर पर एडम गिल्क्रिस्ट का व्यवहार विशेष सरहनीय लगता है कपिल ने भी कुछ एक अवसर पर आगे निकलते हुये पाकिस्तानी को (नाम याद नही आ रहा) चेतावनी देने के बाद ही रन आउट किया था । हमें यह नही भूलना चाहिये कि हम खेल अपने अंदर खेल-भावना के विकास के लिय खेलते है मात्र जीत हार या परिणाम के लिये खेलेंगें तो निरा उद्देश्य जो खेलॊं में निहित है वही नष्ट हो जायेगा, टीम-भावना या अपने देश के लिये खेल पाना दूसरा महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दा है जिसे मै हार-जीत से उपर रखता हूं । हां हमारा प्रयास जीतने के लिये भी अवश्य होना ही चाहिये अन्यथा मनोरंजन मेम कमि आ सकती है ।

चलिये आज की वार्ता यहीं समाप्त करता हू, कल आप से फिर मिलने का वादा करते हुए यह पत्र यहीं समाप्त करता हूं, अभिषेक प्रभृति को सस्नेह प्यार एवं जया जी को मेरा सादर प्रणाम स्वीकार हॊ। अमृत तथा सविता की ओर से भी आप सबकॊ यथायोग्य अभिवादन ।

अभय शर्मा, भारत, 28 फरवरी 2009 8.38 प्रातः

The Curious Case of Praveen Kumar

Dhoni- Why Praveen Kumar is being rubbed the wrong way!

If I have some interest in the game of cricket I see that undue keenness is shown in keeping Praveen Kumar from being given adequate opportunities to play for country in the T20 and ODI games that the boy actually gets. That he is good shoul become evident as yu read further.

If his performance is any yardstick- I find him a genius if not an outright outstanding bowler. Look at these figures which speak volume about his capabilities.

1. Commonwealth Bank Series Australia –
4 Matches 40 overs 5 maidens 175 runs and 10 wickets at 17.5 ave and an economy of 4.37.

2. Recent Sri Lanka Tour
3 Matches 24.2 Overs 1 maiden 101 runs and 5 wickets at an average of 20.20 and an economy of 4.15.

3. His overall career figures Bowling :
ODI Bowling: Matches 18 Balls 941 Runs 743 Wickets 26 Ave. 28.57 Econ. 4.73 4W 3 times.
T20 Intl. Matches -1 Balls -12 Runs -15 wicket -1
T20 (overall) Matches- 18 Balls- 372 Runs - 50 Wickets -7 Ave.-26.47 and an econ. 7.25

I do not have to tell the readers and Dhoni that his statistics would have been much better but for one poor series in the Asia cup on a true batsman friendly wickets, where in 4 games he was thrashed for 174 runs that he still maintains a good average and a healthy economy rate goes to his credit.

I see this as a move to promote only players who are belonging to the likability of the captain and selectors. I take strong objections. If he does not get to play every ODI in NZL it would only prove my point further that some conspiracy is definitely being hatched by BCCI-Dhoni nexus against him. Is there no one else other than Abhaya Sharma who could champion his cause for inclusion in the Indian side after such stupendous bowling figures.

Do not worry Praveen Kumar, IPL is coming up and you will have yet another chance to prove your worth to be a permanent member of the team India! Best of luck for inclusion in the complete ODI series and a good run with the ball and the bat! Don’t let this opportunity slip otherwise BCCI might prove me wrong! Jay Ho

Abhaya Sharma, India February 27 2009 12:04 PM IST

Madhushala - The music House!

Dearest Brother

Heartiest morning greetings from Mumbai!

I am not here to open my mouth on slumdog or even Delhi-6. I think I am overdone trying to prove the similar contents about the two films, it is different that despite our similar views on the tale of two cities - one Indian and the other foreign in nature. One I have seen other I have pledged not to see. I have my own convictions and as i am not such a luminary figure like you I do not face the wrath of media and the press! That you do comes with your esteemed reputation and huge cult following in India, what if I am not a follower I still am a believer in you and your kind of thinking! The best of my opinion of course came from madam- Yes, it is not an Indian film, it may be of Indian subject but truly not an Indian film whereas Delhi-6 is!

I am happy for the recognition of Rahman, Resul and Gulzar ji yet they themselves would ask back - Is it their best work! I don't wish to feed further negatiivty- a recognition however late is still recognition. Rahman should celebrate it with his Vande mataram performance - his best over the years! I do not know much of Resul's field and Gulzar sahab has given not one or two great songs he has given in hundreds, so a recognition is acceptable to me that it has come from the world's best in terms of global acceptance. Oscar to these men do prove a point that Indians too are capable of stunning the world with their works, even if its below their own best! It is all right.

I do not think I will be able to do justice to the members of this blog if I do not submit a madhushala couplet and a possible interpretation. That people in the world love Dr. Bachchan's Madhushala is again a matter of sheer pleasure!

वादक बन मधु का विक्रेता लाया सुर-सुमधुर-हाला,

रागिनियाँ बन साकी आई भरकर तारों का प्याला,

विक्रेता के संकेतों पर दौड़ लयों, आलापों में,

पान कराती श्रोतागण को, झंकृत वीणा मधुशाला।।४१।

Jay Ho, This couplet is dedicated to Rahman, resul and Gulzar sahab for their efoorts that won them the Oscars. Th epoet says that I(nstrumentalist brings around the best goblet filled with his own tunes, The ragas and its descent turned themselves into the bar-maid with star-studded goblet for us at the beshest of the composer the run of tunes, lyrics and music gives us great pleasure The strings of veena are available enroute to the taven on the way for us to enjoy!
In essence I think poet knows all encompassing beauty of music in all its attire to be the one that is the most divine feature of our life, that it helps us to compose ourselves and organise us into more useful human beings, that music indeed is very important to our existence(Madhushala). That he has said it using his wonderful style and powerful words - a poor me can not bring about to you in the same measure! Jay Ho ..

Abhaya Sharma, India February 26 2009 8:40 AM IST

7-8-6 of a T20 game at New Zealad!

7-8-6 of the first T20 match against New Zealand

This was the situation when New Zealand were at 160 for 3 and Yusuf Pathan came into bowl his fifth ball of an unfinished third over to Jacob Oram –

7 wickets in Hand
8 balls to go
6 runs were scored by Jacob Oram off the fifth ball

New Zealand registered an easy victory over world beaters in this most entertaining format of the game. Thus having a 2-0 lead over India in T20 Internationals with the third game scheduled for Friday February 27 2009. It is all right. The team that played better cricket won. New Zealand captain after winning the toss put in India to bat who were struggling at 101 for 7 at one stage still managed to get 162 runs on the board in the allotted 20 overs. Daniel Vettori having those magical figures of 4-0-18-1. That India could not contain as Pathans gave away as many as those runs in single overs from them. It is difficult to find faults with them in this format of the game.

What does India plan to equalize the current series and avoid a clean sweep of 3-0 from NZL in T20 game could only be known after 11:00 AM on the coming Friday. Hopefully, Dhoni is able to or made to realize that his act of leaving out his best wicket taking option in Praveen Kumar was not a good move. I do not mind if India looses the other game as long as they go down fighting. Seven wickets and as many balls to spare was hardly a fighting T20 game! Maybe the Kiwis knew the ground conditions better, maybe in this format chasing always allows more calculations possible for crafting a win or maybe it was not just the Indian day – Sehwag and Pathan did get some huge sixes against their names but their aggregates together was less than 50 runs.

I would not like to raise my fingers at anyone in particular though I feel that Rohit Sharma and to some extent Irfan Pathan will probably have to ear the brunt of axe that is more likely to fall on them – If Dhoni is in a mood to do something better than what his men did today at Christchurch, he should make some room to accommodate Praveen Kumar as well as Ravindra Jadeja in the final XI. Not that their inclusion could really make a big difference – if T20 means anything it involves much more skills than one likes to presume it as a matter of luck. New Zealand had better understanding of the ground condition and executed their plans and shots quite naturally. They were not hoisting sixes alone as some Indians thought is the only way to win a T20 game!

And for the die hard Indian cricket fans – it definitely is not that the team India could play as one unit every time it takes the field – even if all the eleven players have a good understanding of each other they could still lose to a team that plays a more balanced game!

Abhaya Sharma, India February 25 2009 3:23 PM IST

Dhoni too could err!

Respected brother,
Sadar Namaskar, hauu!

Aap sidhe raste ko jaa rahe ji, kya bolte!

That is all I can pick from Hyderabad's lovable dialect. I am bemused at this mind's activity, yesterday it told me to get enlightened by what it read of Kashmira ji, today, it appears that after all she too has thrown a stone in the water and waiting it to settle down. With due respect to the story and the beautiful intent of kashmira ji, life does not move like the way we wish it should, it is a plethora of experiences - good, bad and ugly- that we allow ourselves to remain calm or try to achieve calmness on its own is what is advisable yet that would be too meaningless existence, or so the mind tells me now!

I would rather try to set hundred things right if they are wrong in the first place even if I do not get time to set pace to take one good thing further! I may be wrong, man is almost always wrong in what he thinks of life - its situations and happenings around him yet he is in no control of even one event!

For example, I did want to comment on Dhoni's statement of having one team for Tests, ODIs and T20, that he is a genius of a captain is not my statement alone but for all of us to see and visualise. That he could err does matter. If his wishes were granted we would have the same 15 players doing duty over the three formats of the game- a very unwelcome situation given tha nature of the three different forms of the game.

If I do not speak for good of others, i would call myself a coward, yes If I speak to uplift myself or issue statements with hidden agenda for my own sake my own benefit that should be questionable and shoul draw flak!. Every statement in this world is up for grabs, understood, analysed and receive acceptance or rejection. If there is no feed how does the life move on! (I hope Kashmira ji, you are able to see the point!).

Now Dhoni bhaiya, you are the Amitabh bachchan of present Indian cricket- ( Though I had reserved that slot for kapil Dev!) all good results have come your way and you do err in your perception of the game, your exclusion of Praveen Kumar and Ojha instead of some non-performers in the fifth and final game against Lankans robbed India of a possible 5-0 drubbing. You may say India did not want to humiliate its neighbour with that kind of result - I have reservations about such statements, in sports one is not supposed to favour the opponents - it did took away the fizz from the final game before it started. Anyway- you were trying to inculcate few more new comers against your actual thinking that we should have same set of players theory!

I have great regards for Dhoni's leadership- yet he is also human an equally likely to err (though much less frequently!) - as i pointed just now- should we consider it as case of stone throwing into still waters or see it as a constructive effort to further improve his abilities to make the game of cricket more interesting! I think not only should more fit and young players be available for T20 but also only very experienced and seasoned players should play test cricket - the ODI fills the middle layer and a balance of youth and experience should be the key factor - that is speaking ideally!

I have a further suggestion that teams world over should earn points for introducing more and more new players in any format of the game - It is really disgusting to have situations that someone who did not find place in 30 actually ends up as the cricketer of the year- Do I have to name the player! Cricket connoisseurs would know him!

Now for these two T20 games I prefer the following combinations to work on the field to take India and Indians further in this very attractive format - Vurender Sehwag opens with Gambhir, followed up by Yuvraj or Rohit Sharma (to maintian left right combination!), then the captain should come ahead of Suresh Raina follwed by five Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma. In the second game he could make space for the new found talent of Ravindra Jadeja in place of Rohit Sharma or maybe even an Ishant Sharma.

I rate India very good or rather best in this format of T20, they had great benefit of playing in IPl to hone their skills sometimes during the same time last year! Dhoni bhaiya there are some strs waiting in the wings and if you choose to stick to same 15 to maintain camaraderie in the team - it is un-understandable, meri to samjh ke bahar ki baat hai. Player rotation alone can unearth new talents. We must decide how many games each top player gets in a year or over one cricketing season! I would say that Sehwag should get 20 ODIs, 10 T20 games and 3 test matches. You can decide for others depending upon their talents and abilities in the field. One should have atleast 5 top fielders in a game of T20 and a minimum of 3 in ODI team and possibly tets team could be selected with fielding as unimportant fro selection. What do you say Mahendra Singjh Dhoni. My top 5 for present game are - Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan and yourself (WK has to be agile and alert all the time!).

For sake of completeness I should name some players who are still waiting to be given Indian blue jersey - They are Cheteshwar Pujara, Dhaval Kulkarni, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Abhsihek Nayar, Swapnil Asnodkar. There exists atelast a pool of around 40 palyers who are capable of finding a place in one or the other format of the game who would be deprived of opportunity if we apy heed to Dhoni's call for one team theory! I throw open this matter for debate!

Brother, I took ample space to talk about Cricket here, more in the light of finding your interest in sports- I earlier thought you did not look beyond your domain but I now realsie that you are far bigger supporter of sports than me - your mention of Cricket, Football (Chelsea love - ishitha my small niece (5 year) in London favours that team for the reason of being in the vicinity of her home!), your Golf love Tennis and even shooting and Olympics! I love that aspect of your life - it goes to prove that besides being Amitabh bachchan you enjoy lot of things as most of us! jay Ho

Abhaya Sharma, India February 25 2009, 9:01 AM IST

Delhi-6 is a beautiful Indian film after a very long time!

दिल्ली-6 – एक बेहतरीन फ़िल्म

राकेश ओमप्रकाश मेहरा कि दिल्ली-6 एक बेहतरीन फ़िल्म है, अब किसी को आस्कर की रेस अच्छी लगती हो किसी को फ़िल्मफ़ेयर या अन्य अवार्डस जीतने की धुन, सही मायनों में अगर देखा जाये तो दर्शकों में लोकप्रियता से बढकर कोई चीज़ नही । यहां यह बता देना उचित रहेगा कि दिल्ली-6 जल्दी ही अपनी पकड भारत के दर्शकों में बना पायेगी इसमें मुझे तो रत्ती भर भी संदेह नही है ।

सही मायनों में फ़िल्म भारत से जुडी एक भारतीय द्वारा बनाई गई फ़िल्म है जिसे यहां की खूबियों-कमियों क पूरा-पूरा इल्म है । बहुत खूब राकेश तुम्हारी फ़िल्म को मै 10 में से 8 अंक देने को तैयार हूं । सभी कुछ इतनी चतुराई से पेश किया है कि एक आम भारतीय के लिये फ़िल्म में वह सब कुछ है जो वह देखना चाहता है, जानने की इच्छा रखता है या फ़िर उम्मीद करता है कि एक हिंदी फ़िल्म में हो ।

दिल्ली-6 के सभी कलाकारों ने भी अभिनय के वो अंदाज दिखाये है कि मन बरबस कह उठता है कि क्या अभिनय इतनी ही सरल चिडिया है जैसा दिल्ली-6 में देखने को मिला । मेरे हिसाब से कुछ लोगों ने अभिनय नही खुद अपने आपको जिया है खासकर जमादारनी की भूमिका कर रही नायिका ने – जी नही, मैं उसका नाम नही जानता – क्या इस बात से कुछ फर्क पडता है – मेरे लिये यह बात खास मायने नही रखती ।
अभिषेक बच्चन से मै काफ़ी संतुष्ट हूं, सोनम भी ठीकठाक दिखीं उनका रोल ज्यादा था भी नही – ओम पुरी, जयगोपाल (नुक्कड), गोबर, पुलिस इंस्पैक्टर, रमा बुआ ने अपने अपने किरदारों से दिल्ली-6 में जान डाल दी, वहीदा जी एवं ऋषि कपूर के अभिनय के बारें में मै कुछ कहूंगा तो सूरज को दिया दिखाने वाला मुहावरा मेरे उपर चेप दिया जायेगा ।

दिल्ली-6 वह फ़िल्म है जिसे मै दो-तीन बार थियॆटर में देखना चाहूंगा । इसलिये नही कि अभिषेक की फ़िल्म है या राकेश ओमप्रकाश मेहरा की फ़िल्म है बल्कि इसलिये कि यह एक अच्छी फ़िल्म है ।

अभय शर्मा, भारत 21 फरवरी 2009 9.05 प्रातः

Delhi-6 - Rakeysh and Abhishek score high!

Dearest Brother,
Sadar Namaskar,

I think I shall give a detailed version of my account of Delhi-6 a little later however I must add here that it is a must see movie for every Indian, I think Rakeysh has done a great job with Indian subjects dealt in the Indian way!

The flow of the movie, Abhishek Bachchan and storyline were all very effective and I could easily give an 8 out of 10 to this movie. Delhi-6 to me is abetter film than RDB - the solution suggetsed there was good but harsh and less practical. Here one is directed to look into oneself to find the solution!

I think it could turn out to be a very big hit over a period of time- such movies pick up slow but as more and more people watch the chain reaction builds up and I foresee that every one would be talking of Delhi-6 in another two to three weeks time! Abhishek looked a much improved lot - maybe more for the reason that his charatcer suited his English and Hindi combo to his liking yet he was quite effective and attractive! This is first time that have found him attractive (in acting!).

Rakeysh can peacefully walk away with some awards if not exactly oscars- the best of the awards for a director is that his movie finds a grip with its viewers it is discussed and thought upon- in these respects He has emerged a clear winner. It is his movie and he deserves the most credit than anyone else. True Abhishek has definitely made few jumps while crossing from one roof top to another - his performance has also taken jumps along with these!

Anyone who likes a movie on Indian subjects would find the movie to their greatest likings! Sonam was just good for her role so were all others. Maula mere maula and mashakakali were good, the concept of Kala Bandar was put to great effect by the director!

I wanted to be short but then I think I have almost said what could well be a complete first impression about Delhi-6. Let the movie do the rest to prove me right!

Abhaya Sharma, India February 20 2009 9:43 PM IST

Two unnamed poems - a gift to extended family

Respected brother
Sadar pranam and great regards

I did realise that my last post was a bit crude if not exactly rude.You see, I came to know of your response after four days to the poetic justice to your post of day 296 feelings! I am amazed at my fortunes, that my extremely busy brother does find some time to read what I have to say! I am blessed! I am tense, I am flabbergasted, I am on seventh cloud, I think I have all the reasons to have lived a meaningful life. Someone I rate so high as much as next to God has responded to my words for a sure fifth time, If I have missed some more comments from you it has to be my mistake. It was the most caring Reeham who informed me that you had replied to my Hindi post. It took me some time to dig the comments and your extraordinary response!


Brother, I would make a simple request to you, please do not respond to my posts even if you like them! I say this as there are several people on this blog who probably care and respect you as much or maybe more than me, they deserve it more. I am also afraid that excessive joy does not lead me to an imbalance situation! If you are just reading my posts and not responding any one way would be not only fine but a welcome sign from me! I love you for not getting the responses from you but sharing this blog space with you like several others! It is the greatest moment of my life! That is more than enough for me!

I assume that you do love my poetry and few others have also pointed out that the better part of my posts lie in my poetic works - Here are two pieces of poem - unanmed- I do not know If I had posted them here - I know they are not listed anywhere on my blog or any of my websites! If it is a repeat over here - I hope you would forgive me -

मन के तार फिर एक बार
जुडते, करते पैदा झंकार
मानव के इस राग रूप में
भर देते सुर की टंकार
कहीं किसी के लिये कभी
दिल में है मची बसी हुंकार
किसका सपना था अपना सा
झंकृत करता वीणा के तार
फिर चलो कहीं हम आज चलें
थोडी खुशियां ले कर उधार
क्या करूं कहूं क्या सोच रहा
जीवन है फंसा बीच मझधार
आओ मेरे प्राण प्रिये
कुछ तुम्ही करो मेरा उद्धार ।

अभय भारती(य), 12 दिसंबर 2008 11.28 (रात्रि प्रहर)

रात के पहर निकल
चले बहुत ही दूर थे
हम हमीं थे यूं डटे थे
मोह में मद चूर थे
याद लेकर इस जहां की
नींद अपनी बेचकर
हर घडी बेसब्र होकर
दीन दुनिया छोडकर
हसरतें है क्या हमारी
इस जिंदगी के मोड पर
कुछ नही कुछ भी नही
हे स्वप्न मत जा तोड कर
जी उठेगा एक तन फिर
सांस की लय जोड कर

अभय भारती(य), 12 दिसंबर 2008 11.35 (रात्रि प्रहर)

Response from Brother Amitabh!

The water of life beckons me.
I reach my destination. My footprints follow behind. Soon to be engulfed in the flow. The waters wash away the desire and pain. I rest in the belief of fulfillment, giving myself to the elements. The foot prints of life now washed away, never to be seen again.
What is my life ?
That which surrounds me now or that which got washed away…

---

आदरणीय भाईसाहब,
सादर चरण स्पर्श,
आपके भावों को पद्यबद्ध करने का दुस्साहस किया है, जो अच्छा लगे तो अपना लो जो बुरा लगे तो जाने दो - (अर्थात किसी भी सूरत में आप गुस्सा न हों - अभय)

मैं अपने गंतव्य पर पहुंचा
पदचिन्हों ने मुझको खोजा
धारा में फिर बह जाने को
सुख-दुख भी थे धुल जाने को
मैं निश्चिंत भाव में खोया
तत्वों में फिर जा मैं सोया
पदचिन्ह भी है अब मिटते जाते

कहाँ कहीं अब दिखने पाते
क्या है कैसा मेरा जीवन ?
आसपास जो घटित हो रहा
या जो घटनाक्रम मे खो रहा ।

- अमिताभ बच्चन, 14 फ़रवरी 2009 कन्याकुमारी 1.30 प्रातः
(अनुवाद ः अभय शर्मा, 14 फ़रवरी 2009 मुम्बई, 8.41 प्रातः)
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ab (Click to see Activities)
4 days ago
Brilliant.. you have given more meaning than what I have written.. Thank you
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Kareena Kapoor - why were you door-door!

What does one make out of Kareena Kapoor Behaviour!

She knows it pretty well what it means to be an Amitabh Bachchan! The best way to hog the lime light is either to be pro or be pitted aginst him! That she chose the more difficult option of playing against the tide and displaying her disinterest in the living legend is her choice.

Abhaya Sharma, India February 18/19 2009 12.22 AM

Post Script: I have removed the large unnecessary venomous remarks on her. It is all right, she does have a right to have her own way of looking and treating the world even if it is not acceptable to us!

Good luck Bebo!

Day 300 of Brother's Blog !

Dearest Brother,
Sadar Pranaam,

I am taken up by the great writeup on multitasking! How much do you have in a days work, how well you cope with all that at not so sweet 67 or going to be! That you are Amitabh Bachchan of this world has not come to you at the cost of pennies! Every pint of the cup of glory has had its price, it has required you to behave in a particular style to accommodate many things and almost everything for forty long years!

What I like most about you is your humility the way you blush (if one can call it that!) at top man in the world Danny Glover has to say a few words to acknowledge your untiring efforts! I am also very enthusiastic about your calling up SRK that goes to prove how wrong are the notions in the mind of media that the top two stars of the country are at some sort of a war! How futile their thinking, how great you appear when you show and express concern for your siblings their well being and comforts! If we the EF love our Mr. Bachchan as much as we do what could be wrong with that! No, every one of us can not be living that kind of great multitasking life as is possible for you in 24 hours ( or God has granted you some extra hours! I doubt though!).

There can never be an iota of doubt that there is so much to be learned from one man in the film industry and that one man is all personified in Amitabh Bachchan. Your conduct, mannerism, action plans and above all the write ups that you dish out for this world at this blog they all point of your great involvement with the rest of the world. I only wish that people could have half as much energy as you, half as much dedication and even half of the ability to shoulder responsibilities world could be a different place!

That we have the Talibanisation of the Swat valley in the neighbouring state of Pakistan concerns me, that we have teenagers involved in killings worries me, that we have ever manipulating politicians disturbs me. Yet I continue to live in a hope as I have one Mr. Amitabh Bachchan to fall back upon. Who with his daily write up at his blog seems to be taking away every ill thought in our minds replacing it with frsh spirits and rejuvenating us to do as much good as is within our means!

Brother, I was about to be short and less frequent over here, I can not be short except that congratulatory notes is now pretty well confirmed, I can not do so is not due to my innate desire for being the one who loves the depths of details but for the fact that the man for whom I write all this does so much, writes such beautiful passages one after the other that if I deliberately cut short what is there in my heart it would be a great injustice.

There have been some unexpected credits against my name from some of the fellow bloggers, I do not want to refute their point of view I can only inform that if I am able to be here so often and present some of the thoughts and concerns it is possible only because of my great love for you brother. That I am after all an ordinary man and may be there are many more people who contribute much better posts than me but somehow they do not get mention for some unknown reasons, this human psyche is also a great leveller- we continue to read the ones that are coming in large quantities and sometimes ignore the quality. I am convinced that those who find my posts interesting are themselves finding some reflections of their own minds in what is scribbled (oops! Typed!).

My sincere thanks to you for providing such a wonderful platform for some beautiful minded people- there are atleast a couple of them who are too gooood in their attitudes towards life! I wish I could also be counted amongst them but I know the truth. It would only be inappropriate if I do not mention a couple of them here, not simply because they have been good to me but since they are really good! Reeham, Rose, Rasha, Rochelle, Reshmi (in the past), Subhash Kaura, Ravi Malhotra, Dr. Shashi Mohan, Kashmira ji and many others have excellent perceptions of being good human beings! May they continue to be as human as they have been all along! I also find that there is a growing population of Europeans on the blog! You have really been phenomenal brother to attract minds of every class, every hue and almost every race on this earth! Kuchh to baat hai apke chehare mein jo barabas apani ore kheenche liye jaati hai! ( There is definitely some element in you that compels us to be attracted to you!).

I think I should now take leave of you! I share a verse from Madhushala!

मृदु भावों के अंगूरों की आज बना लाया हाला,
प्रियतम, अपने ही हाथों से आज पिलाऊँगा प्याला,
पहले भोग लगा लूँ तेरा फिर प्रसाद जग पाएगा,
सबसे पहले तेरा स्वागत करती मेरी मधुशाला।।१।

The poet says that he has extracted the wine from the most appropriately sweet grapes, that he wants to offer it to his beloved by his own hands, that you should initiate then only the gift shall be distributed to the rest, the tavern on the way wants to welcome you first, oh my beloved!

In essence probably Dr. Bachchan wants to drive home the point that our best acts, our best deeds and our best offerings should begin with those whom we love the most - that according to him has to be the person/s who are dear to us. If we are not close enough to the ones who are in our immediate vicinity how can we love the God, or what is the fun of making an offering to him if we can not offer love to our loved ones!

With untiring love, affection and attachment

Abhaya Sharma, India February 18, 2009 9:11 AM IST

Congratulations for the coveted 300 days on the blog!

Dev Anand on brothers blog ...

Respected Brother,

Sadar Pranaam,
I see a lot of efforts in your post to keep up yourself to the best of your abilities. Indeed I did like the write up on Dev saab. I for one openly admit that I have voted down Satyam's post, not because I do not like his frankness, and not to hurt him at all, but to inform him that dear friend it is very simple to find fault in others (however illustrious!), it is very difficult to acknowledge the good efforts of others.

Eevn if Devanand after Johny Mera Naam was not so acceptable to people like him I ask if Hare rama Hare Krishna where Zeenat Aman was introduced not much after Johny, was Des-Pardes where he launched the beautifully faced Tina Munim not a run away success, was Amir Garib not an entetainer. If a Devanand exists in this industry with the sense of belonging and a great loving for his field and working constantly that itself is a great enough achievement! One can not pass judgement on any of the top three pillars of Hindi (commercial) cinema - Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar. It would amount to dishonesty to their contributions, it will appear an act of belying their capabilities and constructive approach that the trio mastered! I am afraid brother that you are not ahead of them in that sense, though you are inching to that post steadily and certainly.

In 40 years you have definitely given us the biggest supersatr the most charming and well behaved actor of Indian screen maybe even the most talented yet the contribution of the said trio is far too important as it came at times when India was down into doldrums as a country, means and material were far and few, economic situation of the country was grim and people really scoffed at those who worked in films rather than making them superstars and idols.

You deserve all the respect for the way you have conducted yourself in your films more so in Kaun banega crorepati and now on this blog! One can not fail to love someone as dedicated as you, as talented and full of calibre as one could get to be! You have carried your image far too deep on the time scale because of your sincere efforts and the discipline that you practice. I wish you continue in the same vein for another 10 more years.

कभी निराशा का तम घिरता,

छिप जाता मधु का प्याला,

छिप जाती मदिरा की आभा,

छिप जाती साकीबाला,

कभी उजाला आशा करके

प्याला फिर चमका जाती,

आँखिमचौली खेल रही है

मुझसे मेरी मधुशाला।।९२।

The poet addresses how hopelessness or darkneess sometimes crouches upon us - the goblet appears disappeared, vanishes the beauty of the wine and absconds from the scene the bar-maid, then a sudden glint of hope shows up the goblet with a shine in our eyes! as if the Tavern on the way (Madhushala) is playing the game of hide and seek!

Symbolically- the poet probably meant that life is after all a game of hide and seek, sometimes we are able to see the light in the midst of darkness just to be able to propagate ourselves ahead, and that is important, one must not stop one must continue to move forward under all circumstances in all conditions. I consider the tavern on the way (Madhushala) is the very life itself, the wine, the goblet, barmaid and wine connoisseurs are all acts and parts of our very existence! One should not take these words for their literal meanings!

More later
Abhaya Sharma, India February 17 2009 9:10 AM IST

More songs for valentine's day!

This list is extended and I did not want to replace my earlier selection so it goes to a new post! and the top song is given a direct embedding here, enjoy it here itself!

Respected Brother,

Love and more love!

As promised I compile some favourite songs from Hindi miovies on youtube to mark the Valentine’s day.

Har dil jo pyar karega – Sangam Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1n-D0XeQuA

Tere mere milan ki yeh raina – Abhimaan Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8IVa-7-2_w

Chhookar mere man ko – Yaraana Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLmzRgjZwO4

O saathi re tere bina bhi kya jeena – Muqaddar ka Sikandar Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OssRAVZhsRk

Aaye tum yaad mujhe gaane lagi – Mili Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ubpz7ErEJg

Tere bina zindagi se koi shikwa to nahi – Aandhi Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aPtjImR5RA

Hum jab simat ke aapki bahon mein – Waqt Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDK167ZthR0

Phoolon ke dere hain – Zameer link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0hPRIVSdJo

Phoolon ke rang se dil ki kalam se – Prem Pujari Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdPuOGazWZg

Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein – Kabhi- kabhie Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKMPf737pp0

Tum saath ho jab apane –Kaalia Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YlDBAl24hs

Dekh ke tumko dil dola hai – Amar Akbar Anthony Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbppZgMUZ4c

Rimjhim gire sawan – Manzil Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VzUxxa0c2I

Pyaar hua ikraar hua – Shree 420 Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HijuQ_ZpfXE

Jaane kaise kab kahan – Shakti Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZIZymWPgeo

Yeh Kahan aa gaye hum – Silsila Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWKXpC2JTVU

Teri bindiya re – Abhimaan Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWKXpC2JTVU

Tera mera saath rahe – Saudagar (actually I was trying to find Har haseen cheez ka mai talabgaar hoon, could not find that ! sad) : Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKRHhVY6kQw

Lootey koi man ka nagar ban ke mera – Abhimaan Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZXFhAs3AyM

Do lafzon ki hai dil ki kahani –Great Gambler Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTh1P2oRK0c


These are some songs that came to mind for wishing you all a great Valentine’s day! again the order in which I might have assembled them does not really follow a sequence of my liking or some sort of ranking. So please don’t ascribe any meanings! If you try to observe brother got 15 out of 20 songs that is a perfect distinction! Isn’t it! And that Abhimaan has 3 out of those 15 (one fifth!).

It is sad that these wonderful songs may not be understood by lot of non-Hindi friends but they may still listen and if they insist I might be able to give them the essence of the song! If they wish!

Abhaya Sharma, February 15 2009 11:03 AM

PS if I must choose one as the best song- it has to be - Lootey koi man ka nagar banke mera from Abhimaan both Amitabh and Jaya look simple but extraordinary at the same time!

Valentine's collection from youtube

Respected Brother,
Love and more love!

As promised I compile some favourite songs from Hindi miovies on youtube to mark the Valentine’s day.

Har dil jo pyar karega – Sangam Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1n-D0XeQuA

Tere mere milan ki yeh raina – Abhimaan Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8IVa-7-2_w

Chhookar mere man ko – Yaraana Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLmzRgjZwO4

O saathi re tere bina bhi kya jeena – Muqaddar ka Sikandar Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OssRAVZhsRk

Aaye tum yaad mujhe gaane lagi – Mili Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ubpz7ErEJg

Tere bina zindagi se koi shikwa to nahi – Aandhi Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aPtjImR5RA

Hum jab simat ke aapki bahon mein – Waqt Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDK167ZthR0

Phoolon ke dere hain – Zameer link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0hPRIVSdJo

Phoolon ke rang se dil ki kalam se – Prem Pujari Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdPuOGazWZg

Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein – Kabhi- kabhie Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKMPf737pp0

Tum saath ho jab apane –Kaalia Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YlDBAl24hs

Dekh ke tumko dil dola hai – Amar Akbar Anthony Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbppZgMUZ4c

Rimjhim gire sawan – Manzil Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VzUxxa0c2I

Pyaar hua ikraar hua – Shree 420 Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HijuQ_ZpfXE

Do lafzon ki hai dil ki kahani –Great Gambler Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTh1P2oRK0c

These are some songs that came to mind for wishing you all a great Valentine’s day! again the order in which I might have assembled them does not really follow a sequence of my liking or some sort of ranking. So please don’t ascribe any meanings!

It is sad that these wonderful songs may not be understood by lot of non-Hindi friends but they may still listen and if they insist I might be able to give them the essence of the song! If they wish!

Abhaya Sharma, February 14/15 2009 2:15 AM

PS I must now get some sleep!

Valentine's Day Gift from Dr. Bachchan!

Respected Brother,

Fellow bloggers, readers of this blog and

Rest of the World!
Today I present a gift from Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan on the valentine's day. especially listen to the Nisha Nimantran and Mele mei khoi gujariya though the page also contains brother ia very deifnitive mood enunciating (it is higher than reciting, or so I feel, even if it mean something else!) the best verses from Madhushala
http://www.angelfire.com/ab/abhayasharma/htmldocs/bachchan_youtube.htm

My love goes to every living soul on this earth and I pray that peace gets its chance, Harmony engulfs us like never before and brotherhood finds its own most deserved place in the world. That we have people like Dr. Bachchan and his son Amitabh Bachchan among many great persons who loved the world with no pretence but with just pure love- then and only then could Dr. Bachchan write Madhushala and our brother - the owner of this blog could act and write so well that he is a living legend himself!

The way in which Amitabh Bachchan has presented his some other work had also been compiled by me elsewhere but that site abhayasharma.net is not working, atleast not in India. some other day I would present some more collection which I had gathered of brother from YouTube.

A GREAT VALENTINE'S DAY TO EVERYONE ON THIS EARTH AND PARTICULARLY TO MY FIRST VALENTINE -MY COUSIN NEERU WHO WAS BORN ONLY ONE AND HALF MONTH AFTER ME!

Abhaya Sharma, India February 14 2009 20:04 Hrs IST

Post Script: Today the three members of my small family are all in different places - Savita is in Mahabaleswar on her school tour, Amrit is at Nerul with his cousins - Vinita et al. It is all right. My great love to both of them!

Namrata - Mdhushala - Foreword by AB

Respected Anna (Elder Brother),
Vanakkam,

For a second I could not believe that the actor turned writer had switched the profession again to be a photographer! True every one of us sort of loves photography, especially with digital cameras doing round in our hands! What was earlier important to photography still remains true till today - you need to have a good eye and a good sense of shot selection, your focus depicts your imagination, and the basics of photography have to be followed almost like a habit to bring such results as are evident in the pictures taken over last couple of days by you! That is really commendable, almost!

Well, here I add that sometimes we register wrong spellings of some words and they take a deep seat at the back of our mind. I do not intend to hurt you but that it does happen to the most talented is actually nothing but the truth. I am convinced that when you are saying forwards you actually mean the foreword or preface that some like to call it.

That Namrata is a poet goes to be believed yet it would definitely have helped EF to have the title of her publication or the collection of her works, not that I can not track her down on google, amazon.com or some such site where one can really find a reference to her work. I was aware of her art and painting - that she has also took up to writing poems is indeed a matter of joy - being a descendant of that great poet who besides being your father and her grandfather is popularly known as the creator of Madhushala - That folks is Dr. Harivanshrai Bachchan for you! I deliberately used is- The poets like him do not die with their physical death- they become immortals in this world and live eternally in their beautiful words (works!).

Brother, excuse me, if I have sounded a bit different in my last two posts and harked upon some suggestions/advises. I love you so much that I can not keep myself away from telling what my heart asks me to do! If we do meet someday, somewhere sometimes, and if you had not liked some of my views here or even did not like me as a person just feel free to say so! I would rather consider myself fortunate to be addressed by you in any one way!

With unabated and undiluted love as ever
Yours Thambi (younger brother!)

Abhaya Sharma, India February 13 2009, 11:17 AM IST

Have a Website Designed!

Respected Brother,
Sadar Charan Sparsh,

I am bowled over by your photographic abilities, it was first with your acting then with your writings and now your skills with the camera prove that one who is good at one art has the ability to excel in other forms too! The last photograph appears to be taken from somewhere other than earth ( I was trying to rephrase out of this world experience!) , I have never seen such a beautiful skyline and a peaceful coastline! A great effort!

Now yesterday night around 2.00 AM I had posted some comments after a late return from the family marriage in Bhandup, I spent sometime with you on the blog and was unable to get my posts along. I remember in some post or rather a reply to one post you did mention - that there actually is no moderator... and another time to another post .. this time it did (on someone trying to know why his post was not getting uploaded!). That technically these maybe correct and frank views of the blog owner- it could be little harsh on someone who does not save his comments/posts. I myself do not save every tit-bit that I submit.

I also observed that the filter on comments does not work on the first apply, I thought it was a glitch but when it re-occurred every time - It takes the second attempt to get to your posts that you wish to filter - though it may help those who might not have tried for second time, I have less choice but in agreeing with Subhash, Rose, Rochelle, Reeham and few others - that blog has got into some difficulties with these new added features. Maybe the test run of blog with the new features should be attempted from another machine than the server! What you might be seeing on the server may not always exactly get across to the rest in similar fashion!

These were mere suggestions that I feel could help the EF. I know you have good intentions of making the blog as attractive and responsive as possible. Also the use of additional pages for displaying comments is little awkward, someone who uses the edit and find on this feature to locate the members or himself has to make quite an extra effort to switch to these pages and submit the request for each page.

Please do look into these aspects and please do find out the possibility of erecting a website as early as possible, the pictures presentations over here do appear little cluttered at times. Though the pictures themselves are quite great it would be worthwhile to use some slideshow software to include them on your website. A website is far too more serious thing than blogs, it could have videos audios, poetry, quizzes and even your multiple language based pages. The posts could all be sorted out in much more planned manner in addition to the original blog. Give it a thought or maybe give it a serious consideration.

I do not know of others - I would be deeply interested in knowing several facets of your life in an indexed manner that only a website can provide. Once the initial design and features are in place on the website- it actually is fairly simple and straightforward to maintain and update!
I remember the link I gave on day 290 to my unpaid website was having a glitch in it - the missing m for com.

http://www.angelfire.com/ab/abhayasharma

I must warn the visitors that all links may not be working as I havetaken up this angelfire site after nearly more than a year only after great struggle with the fate of my paid site abhayasharma.net.

With my regards to Jaya ji and love to Abhishek and Aishwarya I wish you a great day ahead with your schedules in Kanya Kumari.

Abhaya Sharma, India February 13 2009, 08:31 AM IST

Edited on Febraury 13 2009 7:08 PM IST

Translation into Indian Languages!!

Respected Brother,
Namaskaram,
I am convinced of the fact that one photo speaks a thousand words. These pics shall definitely attract few of us to be driven to Kanyakumari. Your discussions and observations on windmills, your commitment to help the country in time of needs, and support to spread education to the needy and deserving, all these point to a great philanthropic side of Amitabh Bachchan that few would have known before. One can contribute to development by setting such good examples as you described in this and previous post. And the first and the last pictures were really awesome!
Have great time and also possible support to get your extreme willingness to help take forward this country that most know as India, some call Bharat and a few others like to refer to as Hindustan. I do not mind your hiring translators to provide your posts in several Indian languages. If it could help India unite I would definitely not mind such a step. Once again I take objection that it is not the right step. Though I must instantly add that this is your blog I actually can not have or rather should not expect you to listen and give a thought to such thinking!
India is a diverse country large number of its people speak too many different languages and if you appease one group you might displease the other and if you decide to translate in all the 15 national language it is going to be an ominous task and may even lose credibilty. I may be wrong on this but I seriously oppose the formula to have multiple language system.

This does not necessarily mean that I do not respect the other languages. However, when some Hindi newspaper read and commented completely wrongly of your story about 5 dollar meals - one can only expect that too many translations in too many languages could result in more confusion and could lead to unwanted discussions. Some of it could leave you in an inability to know what was conveyed in the translations. I understand that you are quite good at number of Indian languages but definitely not all the 15.

Just think over it before going too far on such thoughts. Maybe people in Russia, France and now even quite a sizable fraction of people in Germany might also wish that they are provided the translations in those languages as well. If there is an end to all this language barrier I feel English adequately handles your blog perfectly. I would not even put pressure on you to adopt Hindi though that is one language that Dr. Bachchan did want to promote for this country and the one that you have amply promoted the world over through your movies. I sometimes look at my old Hindi comments on your blog and find them converted to something worse than Greek and Latin. Still you decide if it is wise to adopt to additional languages and lose some authenticity.

I am sad that I have been little rude in my today's post, I should not have been. I again repeat that my head only follows my heart - and my heart goes for Hindi alone if you need to provide translations in other languages! Presently there are billions of people who understand Hindi in the world by courtesy of Hindi Cinema. I am not a statistician but I can confirm the fact that those who use internet - the medium of this blog - they naturally understand English very well, if you really intend to propagate the base of your readers on the net - you or anyone else need not look beyond English - the most prolific International language in the world! If it has cut and put kind of made up controversies those who are trained in English do know and are able to handle such issues.

I would probably be getting a -2 for these comments in the light of 2 for the best comments and 3.2 for my ordinary comments. The rating system is acceptable to me with all its flaws, I have nothing to fear of how others rate my posts, no two man are supposed to agree on every aspect of the views on a subject!

I think I have been too longish yet I also wish to submit atleast one stanza of Dr. Bachchan's Madhushala in Hindi - I am really sorry for my dear friends in Reeham, Rose and several others who do love English interpretations even if it may not be exactly similar to what the poet would have said! There lies a chance of being erroneous in any translation effort, how can I be an exception!!

ध्यान मान का, अपमानों का छोड़ दिया जब पी हाला,
गौरव भूला, आया कर में जब से मिट्टी का प्याला,
साकी की अंदाज़ भरी झिड़की में क्या अपमान धरा,
दुनिया भर की ठोकर खाकर पाई मैंने मधुशाला।।७२।

I would now take a leave as it is getting quite late in the night and I am feeling little sleepy as well!
With Love and regards as usual
Abhaya Sharma, India February 12/13 2009 2:46 AM IST

In response to Amitabh Bachchan - Day 293

Respected Brother,
Sadar Charan Sparsh,
I am indeed moved by your thoughts about Dr. Bachchan, the senior most to assume the name Bachchan, it is a different matter that the name Bachchan became official with you entering school as Amitabh Bachchan, how blissful to initiate a new surname! No, I do not envy you I admire the fact that you were born as a son of the great poet Dr. Harivanshrai Bachchan, I am half his son, no not the step son, the real half-son! I rate and treat you as my brother even if you do not accept this philosophy of my assumption or presumption, I do not stand to be a loser, it is me who likes to treat you as my elder brother irrespective of your assertiveness about it! I live to be known as your younger brother in my heart and my mind! I bet you or anyone else can not denude me of the fact that I hold you in such high esteem! In fact it should be a matter of your greatness that I am willing to confront the whole world to deny me this right (you included! smiling!). come on brother, don't say you don't like an additional younger brother to Bunty! I know you are nodding in affirmative, thanks for anyone way you feel about this issue!

छोटे-से जीवन में कितना प्यार करुँ, पी लूँ हाला,
आने के ही साथ जगत में कहलाया 'जानेवाला',
स्वागत के ही साथ विदा की होती देखी तैयारी,
बंद लगी होने खुलते ही मेरी जीवन-मधुशाला।।६६।

In this short and finite life, how much can I love, how much can I drink (love agian!), the moment I arrived in this world I was declared to be departing one day, With welcome I also noticed the farewell being annointed as if the tavern on the way (the life!) was about to close the moment it opened!

Dr. Bachchan tells us that this life is destructible a non-infinite process, someone who comes or takes a birth has to go, has to die one day, why not live it fully well, with every moment enjoyed as if the last drops of wine, parallel found in our existence which anyway is to become extinct one day!

I love the couplet as it is so very close to life, so very true to its meaning, who knows how long one has to live! why not love as we live rather than confound ourselves with grudges and shortcomings! Thank you Dr. Bachchan, if brother finds you in his thoughts so do I, atleast in this respect I am equal to him, I am equal to him in being born as one among the mankind, I am also equal to him that one day I too shall pass away from this world like him. Only difference between an Abhaya and Amitabh is that the latter is known to the world and the former tries to know the world!

We are all sailing in the same boat we have the same fate as far as life and death are concerned, neither you bought anything nor would be able to take away anything from this world when the final moments arrive, so very true for me and for every living soul on this earth! Why to consider ourselves inferior for the fact that we live different lives and enjoy different level of success during our life times!
Brother, excuse me for my words if they are not true or not likely to be true, kahan raja bhoj (You - the Amitabh Bachchan of this world) kahan gangu teli ( the ordinary Abhaya Sharma). Today I would have given myself a rating of 3.5 though like many others the rating of comments really disheartens me, more for the fact that I am yet to find a less than 3.2 rating for me, that is not possible, main kabhi kabhi to bahut hi bakwas likhata hoon, especially when I take the onus of trying to improve others - Kabir sahab ka ek doha yaad aa rahah hai -

Bura jo dekhan main chala
bura na miliya koi
jo dil khoja aapana
mujh se bura na koi

I think if I write beyond this I will lose marks must call it quits for the day!
Yours as ever
The younger brother
Abhaya Sharma, India February 11 2009 11:47 PM IST

1-2-3-4 of first T20 game in Sri Lanka!

Respected Brother,

Sadar Pranam,

Yes, I did note the commendable changes on the blog to my surprise quite early in the day around 3,30 PM or so. I have had the patience to read your beautiful thoughts about these developments and your praise for LBC and the young talent that is on display in abundance in the industry. Before I start my story of the one off T20 game with Srilanka, I must congratulate you among other Indians on our champion statsu in this latest and most entertaining format of the game. My story follows!

I was locked in my office as the watchman did not realise that I was still in my office at 6.50 that he had put the lock, worst, I was not knowing the secuirty extension, moreover he had locked his cabin which is quite far and a shout would have not reached him in any case. To my surprise, I was not alone there was this one colleague who was closing his room on first floor. I was quite relived, he did some trick and the door with its lock in palce could open. I was eahger to get home for the first ever T20 game to be played in Srilanka.
1 team alone could have won the game

2 brothers were in the middle

3 wickets were remaining and

4 more balls were yet to be bowled

And India won the game from the cluthches of an almost sure defeat! Pathan brothers did their best to make every Indian smile at their cricketing abilities. My heart goes out with Irfan pathan though most likely the elder brother Yususf might just walk off with the man of the match. ( I was right in my judgement!).

T20 is the format India does so well, I fail to understand why don't they play more of that format of cricket at International level (IPL is not counted under T20I)! Wake up India!

If India made a mistake by not playing Praveen Kumar, Srilanka would definitely ask why Jayasuriya did not get to bowl his fourth over!

All is well that ends well, Dhoni despite his earlier mistake of resting Praveen and Pragyan in the final one dayer had erred again in choosing Ishant/Khan over Kumar (inexplicable!). It si OK, Dhoni might just say does it really matter as long as we are winning! It does! I am sorry if I am arrogant to the most successful captain that India has produced!

Abhaya Sharma, India February 10 2009 11:02 PM IST

In conversation with Amitabh Bachchan - Day 288

Dearest Brother,

lemme touch your hands! and be happy for a while!

The ecuador boys story brought tears to my eyes I don’t know why, I will never know why at all! How am I connected to this, there were some very pleasant description of the food joint and a lot of other stuff, but boys behaviour caught my attention, was it because it was at the end of all the stories or was it that we become human sometimes and human sufferings anywhere in the world to anyone on earth are so similar, so very sentimental that tears actually can not be controlled! OMG, am I sounding a little too much concerned for the boy who loved his mother so much!! am I really suffering as he suffers, if it is true I am proud to be a human being! Maybe tears flow to my eyes for I never could do anything for my mother! She left us a few months before I got my first and present job in 1981.

Earlier in the day, I had typed some sentiments from my afro-american author friend Gisele Barbosa, I was so happy for her, basically to put across her feelings for you and birthday wishes for Abhishek. I such short a para she had ogled too much of affection and love that I felt ashamed of not been able to convey with mu long sequences of write ups that could roughly be called posts!

Life is too short, we must all try to enjoy it as much as possible and leave rest of it on the manufacturer upstairs - whatever form whatever shape in whatever dwellings he resides, I know one thing for certain, that he cares, that he looks upon us with love and affection especially when we are in sad and distressful condition, when we find the goings are really tough, yet he does not complain why we did not seek his help when we were having nice times or enjoying our times. He is so kind and so very fond of his own creations - if for a moment we could believe ourselves to be his creations!

Brother, my complain about missing Abhishek picture has not been answered, I saw that few others wanted the picture of the birthday boy! It is all right if he does not like to be photographed around and be displayed, there is nothing wrong with that! Amrit has developed this kind of feeling - he does not allow me to take too many of his pics, maybe he feels that I am unnecessarily intruding into his life - a ten year old not letting me take photographs is strange. I for instance have hardly any photographs of my childhood, not because it was expensive but more because that it was not so common to be photographed those days! It is OK, I now do not wish to force myself upon him!

Today we were also a part of ring ceremony me and Amrit at Borivali where his maternal cousin sisters engagement or rather pre-engagement ceremony took place. I had charged the batteries specifically for the occasion, had also deleted the pics and videos from Delhi to have ample space but then the camera was left at Malad at his another aunts house. Sometimes few things do not remain in our control. Let it be so, there must be some good thing about that! So I do not really repeat my request or force you to post some of AB Jrs. birthday pics. It is all right!

I shall soon submit another post after I pick up some couplet from madhushala for interpretation to my non-Hindi friends on the blog - Reeham, Rasha and Rose in particular and Rochelle if she likes too! and all those who do not pick Hindi as much as we north Indians could! That would be after a while!

See you shortly!
With infinite love affection and emotions!
Abhaya Sharma, India, February 6 2009 11:17 PM IST

----------

उस प्याले से प्यार मुझे जो दूर हथेली से प्याला,

उस हाला से चाव मुझे जो दूर अधर से है हाला,

प्यार नहीं पा जाने में है, पाने के अरमानों में!

पा जाता तब, हाय, न इतनी प्यारी लगती मधुशाला।।९९।

I think this one is extremely important concept - the poet says he loves that cup of wine which his hands can not reach, he likes that wine the msost which is far away from his lips. He further adds the love is not in finding what one wants in life, it is hidden in the thought to have an ambition in the first place. If he had found the tavern on the way easilt probably it would not have remained as attractive as it does otherwise.

In essence Dr. Bachchan wants to convey home the point that we love things which we do not possess once we posses the charm and attachment vanishes- the fun is in the unexpected rather than the what is materialistic achievement.

Shall join you tomorrow, it does appear that I am learning to be shorter whether it is also sweet I can not judge, it is for others to tell. Originally I am one person who likes the detailed set up! It is OK, I have to be aware of the value of the time of others, what if I have plenty to spare - I can not assume that others including you as well would have enough to spare for vague and disconcerted thoughts!

Abhaya Sharma, India February 6 2009 11:15 PM IST

Congratulations MSD and Team India!

Respected Brother,

Sadar Charan Sparsh,

Let me use this wonderful platform to send my congratulatory note to the Indian Cricket team. I think they are playing some wonderful cricket out there in the middle. My heartiest congratulations alos go to Hesh-Sania duo and Yuki for their commendable wins in Aus open. Here goes my praise for the team India -

Congratulations MSD and Team India!

It would be unfair if I do not express my joy right away with team India registering yet another convincing win over Sri Lanka। To make India lead 4-0 in the series is a great feeling. I must not mince any words in telling the Indian capatain and team India that they are doing wonderfully well. Keep it up, keep the tricolor flying high at its best.

The early departure of the centurion Virender Sehwag for a mere 5 and a similar fate for the other centurion down the line a 5 for Yuvraj Singh could not deny India a mammoth total। Through Gautam Gambhir (150) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (94) India saw to it that Sri Lanka would not have it easy to win a game even if it was inconsequential to the outcome of the rubber which had already been sealed in favour of India with a 3-0 lead on February 3. Today’s win proves a ppoint or two in favour of the present Indian team and more importantly in favour of MS Dhoni. He did listen to my words or so it seems, he was far more wise than me in making about only two changes by resting the sachin and Zaheer.

It indeed is a matter of great pleasure to me and I am sure lot of other Indians who love the game of cricket that finally India is playing to its true potential। Now we can not settle for anything less than a clean sweep and we keenly look forward to a fifth and final victory in this 5 game ODI series. No, I am not for records and rankings, I want it for lifting the spirits of this huge country which has been so passionate with its cricket and cricketers. Yet Dhoni did not let Sehwag bowl his quota of 10 overs (smiling as well as joking!).

It was a highly commendable performance by the leader and the led alike। Gautam has shown once again that he loves to open the batting in any and every format of the game. Mahendra SinghDhoni really deserves to be the number 1 batsman in ODIs has been proved as well! Sehwag is a clever bowler has become clearly evident. Cricket is a team game is also amply visible. CONGRATULATIONS TO DHONI AND ALL HIS CRONIES!

May I now expect that Balaji and Jadeja too get their share of glory by being made part of the playing eleven in the last and final game of this wonderful ODI series। I would not mind if Sehwag is rested (smiling again!). Let us look at the options for this to be made possible –

Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Raina, Rohit, Jadeja, Irfan, Kumar, Ojha and Balaji.

Let us hope we get to see this as the final eleven that dons Indian colors in the last venture and that India still picks yet another victory to make a clean sweep of the Sri Lankans।

More later
Abhaya Sharma, India, February 5 2009, 11:12 PM IST

Abhishek - Best Wishes

Dearest Abhishek
Sweet rememberance,

At the outset let me first wish you on an individual level - A very happy and prosperous birthday to you - the young one of Bachchans!

I did write a poem to mark your brthday that was in Hindi and I do not really know f you got to read it in the first place #170 on this days blog. Actually I had compiled it yesterday and is also available on previous days entries as well.

Now, I wish to tell you something very important, something significant and something that is going to please you too! That I consider your father Amitabh Bachchan as an elder brother - is tarah rishtey mei to ham tumhare chacha huye ! But when I cnsider my nephews and nieces quite some of whom fall in your age group - I have no hesitation to relate to you in the same way as I relate to them - a friend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIEND, MAY SUN ALWAYS SHINE THE BRIGHTEST ON YOU, MAY THE SKIES ALWAYS BE KIND TO YOU AND SUCCESS ALWAYS TAKE PRIDE IN YOU. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY TODAY AND ALWAYS.

Sometime back I had promised myself to be little short on my avtars on the blog so as I do not end up wasting away too much of the precious time of respected brother and also the extended family. Yet the story would be incomplete if I do not tell you in which movies I found you outstanding. Let me warn you that I have not seen all your movies yet to begin with let me inform how Amrit used to refer you when he was probably less than two - you were Tera Jadu to him. Those were the days when the ads of tera Jadu chal gaya were aired on TV. As an addendum let me also inform you and brother that he had a great liking for KBC and he would refer brother as itabh chamman, I don’t know how the words get mixed up for a 2 year old. Let me extend birthday wishes on his and Savita’s behalf too. He is now 10 plus but tells people that he is 11. Every child wants to be thought of and treated bigger than his actual age!

Let us have a look back on some of your films that I have seen. You were outstanding in - Bunty aur Babli, Dhoom (Excellent), Dus, Om Jai Jagdish, Sarkar (Very Good), Dhoom 2, Guru, Refugee (Good). I have not seen many of your films and therefore not in a position to comment on them. I did want to see Sarkar Raj, Drona and KANK but did not find an opportunity. In a nutshell you have to really establish yourself and the expectations from you are very high - you being the son of that legendary figure whom we all know as Amitabh Bachchan. People should not make comparisons between you and your father but I must warn you that you definitely will have to face such comparison belonging to that illustrious family - Jaya Bhaduri was the next best actress after Meena Kumari that she had to curtail her career in the wake of family responsibilty, not you alone - your gain of motherly care was our loss of Jaya the actress, it is all right, I now feel that it was a good decision though I had earlier been acerbic on this count! It is OK, one need not be rigid in life but discipline and dedication are two important ingredients of success- try pracice both in good abundance - you can always look up to your illustrious father and grandfather to gauge their value!

Have a gala time in New York and give my regards to Aishwarya, may Pink Panther 2 does as well as the first. Good luck for Delhi-6. When do two of you give us the good news!!

Abhaya Shama, India, February 5 2009, 12:09 Hrs IST( Are you already born on time scale, joking!)

चाँद के पार ... अभिषेक का जन्म दिन

चांद के पार ...

चलो कहीं हम मिलकर देखे
वो ख्बाब अधूरे आधे से
आज उन्हें फिर पूरा करके
हम जीवन में अमृत भर लें
कहीं किसी की भूख मिटा दें
तन पर कुछ कपडा पहना दें
बेघर को घरबार दिला दें
चमक जगा दें चेहरे पे
किसी जगह हम ऎसी पहुंचें
हो जहां सजे सपने अपने
अपने ही दिल से ये पूछ लें
क्या बन सकते इंसान नये
इस धरती के सुख की खातिर
चलो चांद के पार चलें ...

अभय शर्मा, भारत, 4 फरवरी 2009 11.13 रात्रि प्रहर

Come lets us walk together
In search of unmet dreams
In quest to make them true
To fill life with new brew

To quench the hunger of few
Let clothes be on them too
For homeless a home too new
So smile on face could grew

Come reach that some such place
Where dreams can find some trace
And query this to our brain
If we can be human again !

For the pride of earth alone
Let’s cross over to moon …

Abhaya Sharma, India February 4 2009

and something for अभिषेक

सिने जगत में पिता तुम्हारे
और पितामह कवियों में
जितना भी सम्मान पा गए
मिले तुम्हे भी सदियों से

अमिताभ-पुत्र हरिवंश-पौत्र
अभिषेक सुनो क्या अभय कहे
मानवता के पथ पर बढ़कर
जग में नाम कमाओ तुम

सदा तुम्हारी साख रहे
भगिनी श्वेता का स्नेह मिले
सदा सुखी हो जीवन में

एश्वर्या से वह प्रेम मिले

धन्य जया जिन जन्म दिया

अमृत का प्याला जग समझे
आज तुम्हारे जन्म-दिवस पर
आओं मिल जुल आनंद करें

अभय शर्मा, भारत, ५ फरवरी २००९
अभिषेक बच्चन के जन्मदिन के अवसर पर

The way your father in the Cine world

and grandfather in the realms of poetry

may you also be rewarded with repsect

for ages to come and in many more ways

Son of Amitabh and grandson of Harivansh

listen what thsi Abhay has to say

tread along the path of humanity

and earn a lot of fame and name

I wish you are loved for endless times

and sister Shweta loves you always

You always get to enjoy the life

Aishwarya's endless love be on your way

Jaya who gave you birth is a blessed mother

Goblet of nectar - The world considers

On your birthday today

let us all enjoy and let us all play!

Abhaya Sharma, translation February 10 2009.

India is not fair to its sportsperson!

Respected Brother,
Warm regards, ( It makes some difference!)

I hope you are able to chalk out your planned trip as per the schedule. Today I write on cricket after a long gap. I don’t think I wrote any article after the IPL. Now the context is today’s game and I also use this opportunity to voice my concern of our apathy to our sportsperson ! Do read if you get time! I can ot be shorter in the length of my aricles - that is really my curse!

India is not fair to its sportsperson!

I say this when we Indians are doing so good in the sports arena in recent times yet there are dark sides in our standing as a country and the kind of treatment that is meted out to a few of them! Who actually desrve a better deal than what they usually get!

Today India convincingly won the third game against the out of colours Sri Lanka yet I felt that the man of the match award could have only one contender and he was denied it! God only can tell what more Sehwag should have done to be awarded the man of the match in todays game.

His 116 were no way inferior to Yuvraj Singh except that he allowed the Yuvraj more strike as he was in good nick and striking. I feel Sehwag deserved to be allowed his complete quota of 10 overs for his brilliant bowling efforts when the batting powerplay that Srilanka opted made Dhoni use his frontline bowler for longer duration than he would have loved. Had he (Sehwag) not bowled as well as he actually did things could have gone awry for team India.

The soft dismissal of Kandambi, the catch of Jayawardene and his seven over spell all indicated that the MOM award should have been his. It is OK Sehwag, life is much less cruel on you than it was in very recent past when Mr Vengsarkar who was in the commentary box had not included you in the list of 30 players for the Australian tour, had it not been for Imran Khan and Ian Chapell and yours truly who had cried foul on such empathy for a player who had a triple Hundred against his name.

Take it from me that one glitch of Dhoni in this ongoing series has been ignoring Sehwag’s true bowling potentials. For example, in the last game he had thought it better to use Pathan ahead of him, yet today he probably knew it too well if one man who could provide the break it was Sehwag. So when Srilankans were almost in the hunt he realized only Viru’s success could apply breaks, and he handed the ball to him after the first over of Ojha. Ojha on conceding 10 runs to Kandambi in one over could have brought his spirits further down but the support of a tight line from the other end in form of Sehwag not only helped him strengthen his spirits it bolstered his confidence. Especially the soft dismissal of the in form batsman made the life simpler for the young spinner from Orissa. Ojha was a different man.

If anyone conducts a survey of cricket loving persons and question them as to who should have been given the man of the match at Premdasa today – I am sure 9 out of 10 would have voted in favour of Sehwag!

Yet Sehwags are left out from 30 and if I can understand the gameplan of Mahendra Singh Dhoni probably Viru would definitely be one of the man who would be rested in the forthcoming non-significant games. Let him have the courage of resting Viru and Yuvraj in the same game! I dare he would not have the courage.

If some changes are to be made in the side to include and induct fresh players from the benches it must be at the cost of non-performing ones. When I say this I include my favourite Suresh Raina and world and India’s favourite Sachin Tendulkar and maybe even Gautam Gambhir from the batting line up and Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma from bowling ranks. Thus making room for even Ravindra Jadeja and Balaji to get a game as well!

I doubt if our most fortunate captain would be listening to this piece of information. Yet I announce my playing eleven for the next game of the series as – Sehwag, Gambhir, Irfan Pathan, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar, Prgyan Ojha and Laxmipati Balaji. I understand that Sachin has been our mainstay for nearly last 20 years but does it mean that we should not rest him to give chance to our younger brigade. Non-performance should be the only criteria to rest a player when there is so much of talent knocking on the doors of Indian cricket.

To make a more complete analysis of Indian government’s failure in providing recognition to the performances of the heroes of Beijing Olympics – it pains me to understand the logic of honoring Harbhajan with a Padma Shri ahead of Sushil Kumar, Vijendra Kumar or even a Saina Nehwal – that she is in top 10 of the world ranking in her game is no mean achievement!

Is there any fun in telling all this to our Babudom who decide the awardees. Maybe Harbhajan does have great regard for the martyrs of India and joined Sachin in their honor but can that act wipe off the facts that he was involved in the Shree-slapping incidence and hurling abusive remarks on Andrew Symonds – Is he really the kind of role model for promotion of our sports. I beg to differ – even Yuvraj Singh for his six sixes in the T20 championship would have been more deserving than the Sardar. (Mind you I love the word Sardar as it is associated with Bhagat Singh and Nirmaljit Singh Shekhon!)

I conclude my comments with the hope that not only MSD pays heed to my words but also the Government and selectors do not continue to discourage and embarrass true sportsman that India produces otherwise we Indians would be worthy of being only slumdog millionaires in our approach to sports. It is not out of patriotic feeling that I write all this it is more for the argument that I can not tolerate injustice – not only to Sehwags and Nehwals but several others. Wake up India!

And yes, I did not like India calling off the Pakistan tour in the context of terrorist attacks. India and Pakistan have earlier played on neutral venues and efforts should have been made to convince PCB with such proposals instead of slapping a ban. The return slap by them in banning their players from participation in IPL would definitely take away some of the colors of the premier T20 tournament. One can only hope that the subcontinent learns the importance of the sport of cricket in improving the relations between the two rival countries.

Abhaya Sharma, India February 3 2009, 22:56 Hrs. IST