chaotic order

“Leaving Las Vegas” - a study in nihilism I have often wondered why art forms, and to a large extent, society in general, treats an alcoholic with an melancholic sympathy; looks upon him with a kind of motherly vulnerability, when we never think of according such curtsies to a smoker, or any other drug abuser. Have you ever heard of any jinxed, unrequited lover, smoking or drugging themselves to a sublimely artistic suicide? I haven’t, or it is extremely rare? I guess, there is nothing "romantic" about such acts. Unlike an alcoholic, who has found reams of poems and rich prose devoted to his escapades and sorrowful destiny, No bard, novelist, dramatist or film maker has ever elevated any other form of addiction (with a few exceptions, of course) to a pedestal where they can be viewed sympathetically or with an artistic eye. The archetypal alcoholic male with his stubby beard, shabby clothes, droopy eyes, slurring voice, unsteady steps; holding a glass or bottle reflecting

Temperature in Atlanta, for most part this week has been below zero. I guess this is first time this season that the presence of winter is making itself felt. In the mornings when I go out for a Swim, there is hardly anybody walking on the streets. Even those in cars seems to be covering their head with Hoodies (God knows why??). The chatter in the Health club is all about negotiating this "extreme" climate. Funny, though!!. This is hardly a ferocious winter when one compares it to other parts of US. Yet, I guess, people get acclimatized to local conditions, and tend to exaggerate them beyond proportion. Normally, I walk through my office buildings to get to other side where the Health club is located; and it is my practice (or more of a fond ritual..) that I stop at the further end of the building to talk for a few minutes with a very pleasant lady who works as security in-charge at that gate. She has good passion for her job, and she smiles and greets almost everyone wh

Ignorance is excusable, but arrogance that stems from ignorance is definitely not. At least - not in my books.. I was sitting in a coffee shop working on my book, when I couldn't help eavesdropping on an animated conversation happening on the adjacent table among a group of Indians - who , I presume have recently watched "Shamitabh" - the Dhanush-Amitabh starrer. It was clear from the language and tone that all of them hailed from Northern India, and they were vociferously discussing the magnificence of Amitabh and his unswerving consistency over the last fifteen years in delivering immaculate performances , no matter what the role is. For those of us who have seen the movie, it is true that Amitabh once again does a marvelous job. But that is not the point of my righteous indignation or this piece. After having discussed the story line, the cast and theme for about fifteen minutes, one of them in the group casually bought up the topic of Music and background score in t

The 87th Academy awards wasn't a great surprise. Probably , that is why it had the lowest viewership in a decade. Each year, the movies are becoming very predictable, and many movie makers have gotten into the obnoxious habit of making films that would wind its way to Academy nomination files. This year I happened to see five major nominations - "the Grand Budapest Hotel", "American Sniper" "Birdman" and "The theory of everything" and "Still Alice" . While each of them had their moments of beauty and class, the fact that "American sniper" was virtually pushed under the carpet for reasons that are not purely artistic is something that make me question the authenticity and audacious claims of the Academy as an arbiter of Movies as an art form. Americans have a nasty habit of fighting a war and then feeling terribly guilty about it; and when a film maker wishes to project a slice of what it is to participate in such a blood

“Consciousness is a singular of which the plural is unknown; that there is only one thing and that what seems to be a plurality is merely a series of different aspects of this one thing, produced by a deception...” No, these are not words of a mystic or a religious evangelist, but voiced and penned by one of the finest scientific brains, humanitarian, scrupulously honest and unbiased thinker; and in many ways, the father of Quantum physics - Erwin Schrodinger. Pure objective science is a curious Human endeavor. One starts out as an outright materialist, with all the doubts and suspicions of a scatological atheist; and after a while, if the scientist is sincere and interprets the results of his pursuit without a priori conclusions or assumptions – then it seems to inevitably lead the investigator towards an “inner self”, which gains more importance and validity in his pursuit that the initial quest or drive of discovering something fundamental and immutable in the world outside.. Ei

Valentine’s Day - A ritual, twisted with the passage of time. I wanted to post this article a couple of days ago, but if I had, I may have come under heavy flak from my young and (old!!) friends, who would be quick to judge me as unromantic, judgmental and probably brand me as someone lacking in enthusiasm for cupid’s playfulness – or still worse – a spoiler of good fun, at the very least. But I have to set right a basic premise here, If only to lend credibility, or an authentic meaning to a day which all of us have come to celebrate as Valentine’s Day. In all the holidays that crowd a western year, most of them find their relevance in Christian theology; and the few others like “Mother’s day” or “Father’s day” are merely matters of social convenience and nothing more; and the remaining are political in nature. What stands as an odd ball out in this series of premeditated holidays is the curious veneration of Romanticism and “love” on the fourteenth of February each year? Now, co

Every actor dreams of a golden run like what Bradley cooper has been having since 2011. Three successive academy award nominations for three brilliant movies - American Hustle, Silver linings Playbook and now American sniper. From a small guest role in a poplar television soap "Sex and the city" in 1999 to the Hangover trilogy in mid 2000's and now this incredibly mature and confident actor that Cooper epitomizes -his journey to this pinnacle has been one of rigorous commitment, extraordinary passion and hard work. It has always been my firm belief ( which I am sure many of my readers will readily agree to) that great actors always have a firm grounding in Drama, especially the classical ones. And Cooper is no exception to that. I was In New York city this week and Booth's theatre at Broadway was playing "The Elephant man" , a deeply moving drama by the renowned playwright Bernard Pomerance. It is based upon the tragic life of Joseph Merrick, who lived i

This essay, in many ways is a confession. Perhaps Nostalgia is a better word. And it came upon me last Sunday, as I tuned into Netflix to watch an old Sophia Loren and Cary Grant movie “Houseboat”. It is a film that touches a very deep, sensitive chord within me for a reason very different from what I am used too. It evokes memories of my first, and probably the only episode of puerile infatuation with a girl in my life. It’s a strange feeling; and it has lingered on like a shadow after nearly twenty five years now. A thousand more beautiful, captivating and interesting faces and minds have passed before my eyes, but her’s still remains resplendent in my mind. When I close my eyes, I vividly see her fair skin, dove like eyes, clad in a spotless cream Salwar, walking, smiling, and talking with lissome feminine grace that marks the fresh touch of maturity. It all happened at an age when distinct stirrings of one’s manhood uncoils itself, and the body is infused with an uncomfortable ye

Anthony De Mello SJ and the order of St Ignatius - a personal gratitude and remembrance. A casual look at the 16th century portrait of Saint Ignatius of Loyola by the great sensualist, Flemish painter, master of color and depth - Peter Paul Ruben - will reveal a Man with regal bearing, an aristocratic face, steady gaze, slightly tilted upward in a divine trance, draped in crimson tunic, one hand holding a prayer book (possibly) and the other turned outward in benediction and renounced abandon; gently leaning against a table with effortless ease. One would scarcely believe that this is a picture of a man who founded one of the most influential, prolific, authentic and mystical Christian societies in the history of organized Christian church. “The society of Jesus” or the Jesuits, as it is known throughout the globe was established by Ignatius, the chivalrous soldier, in 1521, after his forced convalescence due to injuries sustained in a war against the French. The hot spirited warri

The story of English Dictionary. On my flight back last Saturday, after a cozy lunch served in the first class cabin, I settled down to read for God-knows how many’eth time the wonderful play of Shakespeare - “the Twelfth night”. I have a quite a strange affinity for Shakespearean drama. From my school days - when the very name of Shakespeare evoked immense disgust (because of its convoluted language, obscured imagery and bygone contexts) and the need to memorize huge tracts of painful orations - to the present time, when I almost love every written word ever penned by this great bard - the journey had been enriching and fruitful (to say the least), and like vatted wines, his dramas and sonnets have aged imperceptibly within me invoking a delectable taste in my literary buds, improving its sublimity and taste with each fresh reading and contemplation. Shakespeare wrote most of his plays and sonnets between the years 1590 and 1613 - the most prolific, productive and to a large ext

Rajni - a Janus-faced life It is not surprising to find a Hollywood actor professing or proselytizing a religious faith or spiritual practice. Tom cruise is known for his commitment to Scientology; Richard Gere, a catholic by birth, a Buddhist by choice has been active in the Tibetan freedom movement for a long time; Madonna, the pin-up girl of the eighties and nineties has switched allegiances multiple times from being a Jew, to a practicing Cabbalist, and then to Islam; Rain Wilson, a rising comedian indulges in Bahai - a Persian faith; Steven Seagal , the uncrowned king of martial art movies believes himself to be a reincarnation of the Dalai Lama; Robert Downey Jr, interestingly confesses that he is a “JeBu” – a Jewish Buddhist; or Russell Brand, the British actor, who chose to marry his girlfriend Indian style, is a committed practitioner of Kundalini Yoga( Incidentally, his Indian guru is now a very rich man!!) - The list seems to be endless, and this fashion statement to be