hangover

an aftertaste of cheap alcohol mixed with anything that appears unidentifiable, the characteristic morning sounds of feet dragging, the pervading smell of human innards lying all over the floor which had rebelled against the persistent chemical warfare of the previous night, deciding that enough's enough and rushing out of their hopeless bodily cages to plunge to their death rather than undergo the torture. That tender little pulp of tissue and nerves, something more valuable and smarter than any of our gadgets can ever be, those we protect with our dear lives even in somnolence; that tender mass; it deserts all its tenderness to hammer on till we aver that we would never again let it get molested like this.

coffee

Jim Jarmusch’s Coffee and cigarettes is not conventional cinema, it doesn’t have a script, doesn’t have central characters, doesn’t have a beginning or an end, doesn’t have good vs. evil, doesn’t have love, lust, stunts, or, for that matter, actors. There are no performances; the film is just a compilation of some apparently banal conversations over a cup of coffee accompanied by a cigarette.

Now, what’s so special about it, its impossible to describe, just watch it, the only selling point would be that the conversationalists are some of the most brilliant minds in the worldwide film industry; go ahead, take a cup of coffee, take a drag and let your thoughts wander freely, the talks will never end, you’ll want to watch it over and over again.

we all know more than the eleven in there

To represent the Indian cricket team is an honor unparalleled the world over. a nation, starved of heroes, more so in the sports arena; a nation, grappling with inadequacy and dissatisfaction, frustration and inconveniences, has found an outlet for its aspirations, its latent energy and the underlying need for association with fellow human beings through the game. It has captured the imagination to such an extent that it ha ceased to be a game anymore, its turned into a harbinger of the country’s capabilities on the international scene, even the central government machinery stirs when the three wickets are repeatedly shattered.

In such a scenario, going out there and being aware of the fact that one act of yours can bring a smile upon the faces of more number of people than there are in the continent of North America, must be an enormous experience, easily the greatest honor a person can be bestowed. But at the same moment he also knows that one error on his part can invite the wrath from the same multitude and bring disappointment and frustration to the whole country would be equally awe-inspiring, perhaps making it tougher for people in the Indian cricket team than any other sportspersons the world over.

On top of all this, we have a scandal-mongering media, which almost seems poised and eager to find a scapegoat at the expense of whom they can make their TRPs soar. We have to accept it, people love to hate and blame someone for their troubles and love it all the more if they find someone else to do it with. The channels cash in on this attitude and end up creating abominable villains out of erstwhile heroes.

Mind you, these channels never claim anything, they seem to be just showing news, not views, so at the next moment they can bring the villain back to life and project him as a martyr or a superhero, the memories are short and in any case, the most loved topic for debate in our country is the big game itself and the media perpetually provides the reason for these debates to keep their medium alive. The one who suffers from all this is the sportsperson, and consequently the sport. For the harassed players, the focus shifts to staying on in the team, getting back at the media, answering selectors, politicking, and defending themselves. Victory, and performances take a backseat.

Of course, sportspersons can also benefit if they decide to hang their boots and learn public speaking, they’d then come to the other side of the fence and conveniently pass judgments.

the universal cafe

there are married couples looking domesticated and bored with each other,
there are small parties and large parties
and lone individuals dining solemnly or feasting boisterously,
but all thinking, conversing, joking or scowling as is their wont
and just as receptive of new impressions as their trunks when on travel

the dark faced waiters trip without noise
in the small and polished floor,
now and then a girl's laugh can be heard,
as innocent and empty as her mind,
or, in a sudden hush of crockery
a few words in an affected brawl from some wit
embroidered for the benefit of a grinning tableful
the last funny story of a scandal

****Excerpt:"Lord Jim" by Joseph Conrad