Michael Lured Us to Pop

I was born and brought up in Nanded, which seems rustic today to my eyes habituated to the glamour of metros for more than decade. But even living in small countryside city twenty years ago did not bar us from being lured into pop music. And I, with people from my generation who are in their thirty something now, could easily pinpoint the one phenomenal reason for this inclination towards this 'un-Indian' music. It was named Michael Jackson.

It was very late that we began to know MJ as 'Whacko-Jacko'. We were still in the era of audio cassettes and video cassettes. MP3s and You Tube were still to be dreamt. My uncle used to run a video cassette shop, a highly profitable business at that time. Renting out Hindi and Marathi movies (word Bollywood was still to be coined then) was the most profitable work then. VCPs and VCRs were new entrants then and just like Twitter today, were craze as well as a status symbol. But the music videos were the last thing to be given, especially that of a pop music video. First it was looked at with indignation for being obscene and second, not many could understand English, let alone songs.

It was in the state of ignorance itself that I first began tapping my feet on the Whacko-Jacko's rhythms. One of the first video cassettes featuring Michael's tour. The flow of time has drained down name of that particular tour. But I remember being mesmerised by the unbelievable theatrics of the King of Pop. As I passed matriculation, the magic spread day by day. The madness reached to its zenith in 1993 when Michael performed parts of his 'Black or White' at the annual Grammy awards function.

Then I began to notice the popularity of this artist. I could sense his popularity when fellow students from slum danced to his tunes. Moonwalk dance was an all time hit affair. One of my friend, who runs a local orchestra troupe now in Nanded, had performed the dance (imitated?) at our National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp way back in 1989. His influence endured far than school days. Five years later, I was busy requesting a local shop owner to prepare a cassette full of selected songs from Michael. In the days when a litre petrol cost Rs 10, I spent about Rs 30 for that cassette. During polytechnic years, the cassettes circulated in number of rooms in the hostel and was lost forever two years later.

Besides Bruce Lee, the only US artist which could adorn walls in my home town was Michael Jackson. Although I fear the majority of customers for those posters were bachelors. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stalone were later entrants in the same category, although timeline of their successes was concurrent with Michael.

I am not sure why Michael was so popular in regions hitherto unexplored. I could understand when the revellers danced to 'Dangerous' in a function with full volume blaring out thumping beats on the huge walls of speakers. Because that was in Pune and it was year 1998, when satellite channels were available as easily as mobile phones today. He was the poster boy of MTV. But what about Nanded in early 1980s? Were controversies in a way responsible for his fame? Was he an icon of rebellion? Or simply a craze? Whatever might be reason, he lured us towards pop music...I say it because pop culture has never thrived in Maharashtra. Even when Michael performed his only concert in India, it did not transformed into a movement of bands or pop music. Life moved in the same fashion as before only increasing his popularity more than ever. That he was popular in India more than any other artist of his time has to be taken with the fact that within a span of two years, he was mired into controversies after controversies. Generally, Indian people do not take to black artists as they do white ones. Only Michael was exception.

After coming to Pune, I lost track of Michael. I liked History, some songs from the album still being played on my portable music player. But Blood on the Dance Floor was almost unheeded by me. In the meantime, he turned to Islam and then I lost any interest in the person. His music continues to Thrill me, that's all. He may rest in peace now, but we will still move on his rhythms.

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The History In the Arguing

Historians Refuse to be Part of Controversy

The existing controversy between Brahmin-Maratha castes as taken a new turn with a hilarious exchange of statements today. A group which appears to be affiliated with the Sambhaji Brigade claimed that a major discussion on the history of Maharashtra will take place on Saturday, June 27. the statement issued by the organisation involved some big names like Gajanan Mehendale, who is credited with the most authentic biography of Chhatrapati Shivaji in India, Ninad Bedekar, a prominent historian and also Panduran Balkawade. But this towering figures have refused to be a part of the exercise saying they do not think it an appropriate place for the discussion.

Rashtra Seva Sangh, hitherto an unknown organisation has issued a statement that it wants to have clear discussion on the subject of Historical Research or Brahmin-Anti-Brahmin Controversy. The debate will take place at Nehru Memorial Hall, Ambedkar Road in the Camp area at 4:30 pm. The functionaries of the organisation appears to be associated with Sambhaji Brigade or Maratha Seva Sangh. Even the appearance of the statement gives a hint of that. But even before the statement could reach newspapers' offices and carried through, the historians themselves counter-fired salvo. The statement issued by Balkawade, Mehendale and Bedekar says, “We are researchers of the history. We ourselves decide as where to discuss subject related to history. We do not think this forum is appropriate for the discussion hence we have decided not to attend it.”

All Maharashtra is plagued by this inter-caste disputations over the last one month. Maratha and Brahmin castes are face to face over inclusion and deletion of certain parts in the history books taught to the students. Successive governments pertaining to political parties have added fuel to fire by constantly changing the texts in the curriculum. Now, it has snowballed into a feud between two communities in the state. With Legislative Assembly elections in the offing (scheduled to take place in October), we will be witnesses to more such things.

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Rain God Still Away

We Need the Rains Badly

Finally, Indian Meteorological Department has modifies its prediction regarding the rainfall in the country. The department has now said that the rainfall will be below normal for the month of July. Minister of state for Science and technology Prithviraj Chavan today announced this in the capital New Delhi. In the first prediction given by the department, the rainfall in July was expected to be 96 percent.
Agriculture Secretaries of states, including Maharashtra that have not received rainfall yet are slated to meet union Agriculture Secretary on Wednesday in this regard.

The march of the Southwest monsoon, crucial for the agricultural purposes and also for the drinking water in urban areas, has been standstill since June 7.

In Pune, the south-west monsoon normally arrives in the first week of June. Even though the city has witnessed thunderstorms and rains in between week, the actual season is far from here. The city has recorded 117.2 mm of rains since June 1. Ironically, the average rainfall for the city is 116.1 mm. Hence, actually the average has been crossed.

IMD’s status report uploaded last week informed that southwest monsoon set out over the Andaman Sea around its normal date on May 20. It set in over Kerala on May 23, about a week earlier than normal. Meanwhile, a cyclonic storm Aila formed in the Bay of Bengal resulting in the advance of the monsoon over north-eastern states, West Bengal and Sikkim. After a hiatus of about a week, the monsoon further advanced along the west coast and reached Ratnagiri on June 7.

This has obviously put pressure on the dams providing drinking water to Pune. The municipal corporation has already effected 15 to 20 percent of water cut till July. There are six major dams that provide drinking water to Pune. and Pimpri-Chinchwad namely Temghar, Varasgaon, Panshet, Khadakwasla, Pavana and Mulshi. The water levels in these dams has touched a low.

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leopard 013

leopard 013, originally uploaded by deshpande.devidas.

The leopards taken into custody by forest department of Maharashtra are put at Manikdoh near Junnar. I visited the place on June 23 for one of my stories. It was a thrilling experience. I got to know so much within that half an hour. And I was thrilled to no limits. I plan to write more on this subject because I am totally in love with this animal.

The story I did was funny indeed. Which is available here: NAAMKAHANI
The rescue centre at Manikdoh is run jointly by the forest department of government of Maharashtra and Wildlife SOS, an NGO based in New Delhi.

Dr Ajay Deshmukkh is representative and in charge of this centre. The centre is run by NGO Wildlife SOS. The centre has a total 10 employees among which six are from NGO and four from the state government. The entire expense of the centre is bore by the NGO.

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If the government is really serious, Pune might have affordable homes in near future. The government is doing a survey in the city to check the possibility of affordable housing. Besides Pune, the survey is being undertaken in Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad and Amaravati also.

PTI has given this story without naming any official. It points to a source in the housing ministry which informs that this is the pilot project started by the Government in the major cities of the state to know the actual need of the people for housing and then plan a housing policy accordingly,

Considering increasing demand for housing in cities and to reduce growing slums, the Government is for the first time conducting such a survey..

The aim of the survey is to first identify locations where housing is required and land is available. It would also check demands for permanent and rental housing, the official said. The final report would carry suggestions like area of each flat, the price of the flat among others.

This reminds me of the talk organised by Vikas Mathkari, leader and corporator in Pune Municipal Corporation. The seminar which took place in January drew attention to the fact the the rates of houses in Pune are high because the availability of land is less. If the land cost goes down, the prices of homes will also go down. But then, if state government itself jumps into the fray, it can avail land at relatively extra cost which can ease the tension. Let's hope this comes true!

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New Spells of Rain

But Where is Monsoon

Pune witnessed new spell of rains in the season on Saturday. It comes on the background of a 20 percent cut in the water supply of the city. Still, this rain is not sufficient for fulfilling the needs of the city. Officials say that at least 10 days of rainfall will be needed for the water supply to resume at original level. Meanwhile, the meteorological department clarified that the rains on Saturday were not that of monsoon but conditions are favourable for the advance of monsoon.

City recorded a rainfall of 39.7 mm till till 5:30 PM on Saturday. Sources in meteorological department told Pune Mirror that these were pre- monsoon showers. But conditions are very favourable for the advance of monsoon in most parts of the state including Mumbai. The monsoon is expected to arrive within 48 hours.

I was to Junnar yesterday and while returning, there was quite a good spell of rains. But here in Pune, the rain gods seems to have lost interest in visiting the city. It is a repeat of last year albeit a bit different. Last year, the monsoon had arrived on time but the rains came very late at the end of June. Normal onset of monsoon for Pune is June 7 but this time it is testing too much. I hope it comes soon!

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The Magic of Wari

It is the same ritual for over three centuries, repeated year by year with same vigor and enthusiasm. Even the rising concern for security and growing attraction for materialism does not deter the warkaris from thronging the streets of Pune in search of Viththal, their beloved god. For the warkaris, Pune happens to be only a stage in their quest for this eternal deity rising above the caste and religious limits. A magic among the living species, the wari or annual sojourn is conducted by the lakhs of people from Maharashtra as well as Karnataka. The warkaris come from every corner of the state and all the roads lead only to Pandharpur. This year also warkaris have come in innumerable size, in groups as well as individually. This annual sojourn takes place without any formal organizer. Each person comes with his own instinct.

In Pune, both the palkhis of Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar come on same day. They have a one day stay here and head towards Saswad from where they go to Pandharpur. Passing of these palkhhis through Dive Ghat (Dive Pass) is one of the most spectacular sights of wari. Many a people are mesmerized by the sight of this passing of palkhis. This year the monsoon is yet to arrive otherwise it is a visual treat to see a large human see spiraling itself along the hilly terrain in a rain soaked environment. Last year I was witness to such a treat. Even those who have regularly attended this spectacle for years can not escape the magic of this moment. I spent a day listening to voices who went on to narrate their earlier experiences in wari. But come the main chariot in which the image of Sant Dnyaneshwar is placed, everybody motions to the same rhythm. Everything else in the world does not exist at that moment.

I am always amazed at the way these warkaris manage their affairs. This is normally the most important season for any Indian farmer when the rainy season is started. Sowing seeds for the new crops takes place at this juncture. Yet it is the people from farmer community that comes largest for wari. As a journalist, I always give an excuse of busy schedule when somebody asks me whether I have attended any wari. Seeing these farmers and peasants perfectly balancing their work, on which depends their livelihood and their commitment to faith always makes me feel ashamed. It is easy to say that it is a wastage of time and nothing else. But just think, how much time we lose in movies and gossiping. If a person invests his time in a thing which does not bring any benefit to him or society, it is a wastage of time. But if a mass of people engage in a ritual for centuries, the fruits of which can not be negated by a conclusive evidence, and that too for centuries, then it is a movement. A structure of culture and tradition.

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'CorruptionRaj' Guru!

The over two centuries old wada in Rajgurunagar in Khed, where the freedom fighter was born and lived for 10 years afterwards, is in controversy. I was yesterday at the site of this old wada where one of the illustrious martyrs of India was born. It is unimaginable that it was used for misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs 70 lakh. This is the inside view of the birthroom of Shiram Hari Rajguru, who along with Shahid Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev sacrificed his live for the motherland.
Birthplace of Rajguru, originally uploaded by deshpande.devidas.

The full story is here. The Monumental Scandal (Pune Mirror)

It is a telling commentary on how low we as a society have gone. there more appalling pictures from Rajgurunagar. I will post them tomorrow.

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Sanskrit and Marathi

A Tale of Two Languages

Sanskrit and Marathi, as anybody with a primary knowledge of languages is aware, are sister languages from the Indo-Germanic languages. In Maharashtra where the Marathi is the primary languages, both the languages shared a vibrant and cordial relation for centuries. Most of the vocabulary in Marathi is sourced from this ancient language. The scriptures from Sanskrit inspired a plethora of similar texts in the native language. Just as the Ramayana inspired Kamb Ramayanam in Tamil, the Bhagwat inspired Nath Bhagwat in Marathi. Most of the writings of leaders in the freedom struggle like Lokmanya Tilak and Swatantryaveer Savarkar was replete with Sanskrit quotations and couplets. It was no surprise then that the state emerged as one of the prominent centres of Sanskrit learning. For centuries, alongwith Varanasi (Benaras, UP) and Shringeri (Karnataka), Pune and Wai from Maharashtra were recognised as the centre of learning for the Sanskrit. So much so that University of Pune has a centre of advanced study in the language having been the only such centre in the country recognised by the University Grants Commission. Besides, institutes like Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) and Deccan College are heavily engaged in the learning, teaching and research of Sanskrit.

After Maharashtra was formed on May 1, 1960, Marathi became the official language of the state. On account of the three language formula adopted by the central government, Hindi and English replaced Sanskrit as the secondary language in the schools. Although on account of the exam pattern, Sanskrit remained scoring subject for students of the secondary schools. At the primary level though the study of the Sanskrit was discouraged as much as possible. Coupled with the government's unwillingness to continue the teaching of the subject in curriculum, nouveau intellectual voices also projected the language as a symbol of retrogression and caste supremacy. 'it is a language of Brahmins used to oppress the masses,' was a popular argument. Slowly the number of people knowing Sanskrit diminished. (at the personal level, I myself do not know much Sanskrit. I could not learn it in school because we had no teacher available. In later years, I tried to learn it and caught up a bit of skill in writing some stray sentences, but that is hardly a fluency. I can only say that I am a Sanskrit 'literate'.)

This fading of Sanskrit had its percussion on the linguistic life of the state. Speaking at a function in the city yesterday, noted Sanskrit scholar Pt. Vasant Gadgil underlined this fact. “Today we are decrying the sorry state of Marathi. but we have to understand that it is because of the neglect of Sanskrit that Marathi is fading into oblivion,” he said. And he has a point. In the last five decades or so, the formation of new words in the Marathi has taken a beating. That has made the language unpopular in the younger generation. Once Sanskrit was sidelined, hardly anybody has taken pride in using the native language. Government of Maharashtra had introduced many new words for the technical and administrative terms. But they were opposed on the ground that these words are heavily influenced by Sanskrit. The net result of this argument was that public remained away from using these words and people who opposed them could not provide any alternatives either. So first these words from English seeped in singularly and then whole language was adopted. The state of the affairs is such that in the state, number of Marathi schools is dwindling each passing year giving way to English medium ones. One more reason why English mediums schools are catching up is that it offers more opportunities for youths in contrast with vernacular languages. But that is a different subject altogether.

The severance of ties between Sanskrit and Marathi has not only affected the word additions, it has also created a void in the shaping of literature. After the tide of Dalit literary movement died down, the new Marathi literature appears heading nowhere. Its old roots have been lost and new directions are hard to get. As new generation is more prone to western influenced, it appears disinterested with the literature based on new conventions. Hardly any new book in Marathi has created wave in recent years while old classics like Mritunjay (an epic novel on the lifes of Karna) and Yayati (a novel based on a story from Mahabharata)still reign supreme in the market. This shows the affinity of common readers to its own roots. This is not withstanding with the popularity of Dalit literature which rejects the Sanskrit traditions but is more vernacular than it.

It is unlikely at the moment that Sanskrit will regain its glory in India immediately. But it continues to exist in pockets and continues to flourish, if dedicated attempts by various quarters are to be believed. However, in case of Marathi, it is unlikely to benefit by distancing itself with its source. The disadvantage will be more of Marathi and not Sanskrit.

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Another Censor in Maharashtra

We Should Welcome It

Another censor board is in the offing in the Maharashtra. The state government is contemplating on creating a monitoring body for the content beamed on satellite channels. Rana Jagjitsinh Patil, minister of State for Cultural Affairs told the state legislative council that the Government is planning a comprehensive policy to check violence and indecency in television programmes.

"A meeting would be called to dwell on issues like setting up a censor board at the state level to monitor television programmes," he said.

Speaking on a non-official bill was mooted by Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe demanding stringent laws to curb violence and indecent shows on television, he said that the Crime Branch of Mumbai police took a serious cognizance of some TV programmes and action was taken in these cases.

The programmes included 'Split Wild' on MTV, an advertisement of Virgin Mobile and the 'Big Boss' show on Colors channel, he said. The Cable Act provides for curbing indecent programmes and the Collector can take action, he added.

"The state government should have a censor board on the lines of the central Censor Board for movies and dramas to monitor TV shows before telecast," Gorhe said.

This is the second such move by Maharashtra government. Yesterday, it proposed to prosecute television serial producers who have hired child actors to work in their soaps.

Labour Minister Nawab Malik informed that cases will be filed against the producers in the Judicial Magistrate First class court in a day or two. The producers include makers of popular serials "Jai Shri Krishna", "Uttaran", "Balika Vadhu", "Chhote Miyan" onColors channel and "Chak de Bachche" (9X), "Chhota Packet Bada Dhamaka" and "Maayka" (Zee).

If the government is serious, we should welcome. On account of its glamour and influence, the Tv and film industry seems to get away with anything it does. Maha government has failed on many fronts in implementing its announcements. If this announcement too goes that way, it will be bad enough.

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If You Want Entertainment, Look No Further

_{All YOU HAVE TO DO IS WATCH NEWS CHANNELS}

India is a country rich with history. Many people have inhabited here living their lives full or void of any action. I wonder how they passed their time when there was no television or to be specific, news channels. What sort of entertainment exactly filled their existence surpassing other forms of pastimes. Being born in an era when even tape recorders, forget the idiot boxes, were hard to be found, one can easily ask for the details to this creature. But that was far away in the locked doors of my memories. They have already been blurred by the continuous bombardment of images in the aftermath of that age of innocence. One reason why I cannot recall the things people did to amuse themselves was that I was a mere child then. Most of my waking time was spent in worrying about my studies and it was proved beyond doubt in later period that the worrying was not uncalled for, because I could never do anything memorable in my academic career.

By the time I was accustomed to the torment on account of the studies, a tape recorder entered the life to accompany an old radio set. Poor thing radio, it worked on vacuum tubes. But its efficiency was never surpassed by any instrument which tried to fill the vacuum which was apparent there when the radio set did not blare any program. The arrival of tape recorder set the tone for influx of the audio cassettes by all and sundry in the household. Each member tried to bring the cassette as per his own choice. Shortly thereafter, the television arrived on the scene.

From the day the TV set came in, confusion has prevailed on the viewer as to what is entertainment and what is not. The foremost use our TV set was put to was to watch the live cremation ceremony of Indira Gandhi, late prime minister of India. Whole of surrounding areas thronged our old house then to catch the glimpse of young Rajiv Gandhi setting fire to the sandal pyre of his slain mother. Sobs could be heard from the each and every corner of the room where the TV set was put up. That was my first experience of surround sound!

As the days followed, the same confusion prevailed. The programs which Doordarshan, the only boradcatser at that time which has only a meager airtime of eight hours a day, beamed thinking that people will relish them were discarded without any hesitation. Programs which were supposed to educate the people were instantly lapped up as being most entertaining. Films Division’s documentaries always fell in the latter category. I remember we younger lot always looked forward to the election time because DD had a knack of turning into a movie channel when results were declared. That habit was in vogue till as late as 1990s. Bosses in DD thought that people in Maharashtra will be dying to know who was elected from the Hardoi in Bihar or viewers in Uttar Pradesh will be deprived of valuable knowledge nutrients if they do not know who was defeated in Thiruchchi. So they always intertwined old movies in between the programs which gave shape to the careers of Pranav Roy and Vinod Dua.

The same fate has now befallen on the news channels which are supposed to relay newer information. But seeing these channels is no less than an amusing distraction for a common man like me. They have all the spices to fill your dish making sure that you are never short of amusement nutrients. Like when a simple act of launch of party manifesto is turned into major serial for three consecutive days stretching the every corner of imagination’s limits. In addition to the sundry details of promises in the party’s ritualistic paper coming out at every election, the reporters of the channel do not tire of reminding you what the party piece has been missing in it.

Their latest muse seemed to be fixed not on the elections but shoes. About a month ago, each alternate two days, we heard of someone throwing his shoe at someone. The moment such an incident took place, you were bombarded with the clippings of past such incidents ranging from Iraq to China. You are not forgiven if you dare to question the authenticity of the information or the limits to which the coverage can go. It is okay to say that you have the remote control in the hand and you can change the channel anytime. But what can one do when every channel is playing the same footage and playing same nonsense game.

After the election results, it was proved that predictions from all channels were gone awry. Not to learn anything from this, the channels starting blaring one dose of sycophancy after another. One particular family in the country is labeled as the sovereign leaders of the land. As if it is not sufficient, the clips from Bollywood movies are played in between. It has become a staple for the channels. So much so that the entertainment and news are mixed irrevocably. That is why, if you want entertainment, do not go further. News channels are here.

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A New Low For Maharashra

It is one of the worst cases of criminalisation of politics in Maharashtra. A powerful leader with decades of experience behind him has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigating (CBI) on the charges of murder. This is one of the most unbelievable, if not most, development after the formation of separate state in 1950.

Newly elected member of parliament Padmasinh Patil, who also happens to be a close relative of Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar is arrested by CBI sleuths last night. He is charged with the murder of his cousin and Congress leader Pavan Raje Nimbalkar, who was killed by gunmen in 2006. Patils also happens to be the first leader from Marathwada to be charged with such serious crimes.

Pavanraje was shot dead by two gunmen at Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai on July 3, 2006, after he was lured there under the pretext of striking a business deal. After three years of investigation, the case was transferred to CBI in March this year. Pavanraje's wife Anandibai, had filed petition before the High Court, seeking CBI probe and alleging that NCP leader and former state minister was involved. The high court had transferred the case from Navi Mumbai police to CBI.

What punishment Padmasingh gets will be clear with the advent of the legal process. Already he has taken the oft repeated route of hospital after being put into the custody. But this incident raises some serious questions:

• will it always be necessary to have the same clout for victims to get justice? Since Pavanraje and his family were into politics, running a co-operative sugar factory, it was possible for them to follow the matter adamantly. Would it have been possible for common citizens to take the matter to its logical conclusion? What about those who do not have the same resources but are victim of some sort of injustice?

• can those having influence at right level of administration and government do anything they want, leaving the system to their mercy? Will there be any authority to check the wrongdoing of these leaders?

• will Maharashtra also see the culture wherein criminals get a ready status immediately when they enter the politics? Why the lure of the politics so powerful that a person is tempted to eliminate anyone coming in his way?

But asking these questions will take us to nowhere. After all, with 150 MPs in 15th Lok Sabha having criminal background, what can we expect in the future?

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