I Say Potatoe, You Say Potato...

Language has always been a point of debate, literally, across the globe. And English seems to be the undisputed winner.

But does this mean that thoughts in other languages are not worth their while?

If that were true, then the world over people would not be reading literature in translation or watching films with subtitles. And this holds true not only for English literature and films, but also for World Cinema.

It is a little ironical to write in English about the importance of languages besides English. Maybe because English is widely accepted and understood. But it is not to say that other languages are not important. Any language that you think and feel in is important.

I don't know how would Albert Einstein, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Armand Peugeot fair in a TOEFL exam. Nevertheless, their contributions to their respective fields and the world cannot be thrown out of the window because their mother-tongue wasn't English.

English does not ensure a progressive thought process or genius. All it ensures is a better medium of communication.

Patricia Ryan: Don't insist on English! | Video on TED.com

Tanuja Trivedi weds Manoj Sharma

Tanuja Trivedi aka Tanu weds Manoj Sharma aka Manu...and they live happily ever after (at least we have our fingers crossed!).

Tanu weds Manu is not the most unique love story ever told on the Indian screen. Neither is it the most quintessential tale of two star-crossed lovers. Yet it is amongst the most entertaining things to hit the Indian screen in recent times.

Kangana Ranaut and R. Madhavan are the perfect choice for their characters and they do complete justice to the roles. The same can be confidently said about each performer in the film. They fit their roles to the T. The story does complete justice to the stereotypes of Delhi and U.P.

Yet, to be fair, I must say that the 'falling in love' seemed a little too forced. It felt like Tanu went through a guilt trip and fell in love with Manu. Not fair! It required a better build up to the love story. Jimmy Shergill felt contrived as did his entries and exits from the screen. And the end could have done without the melodrama. But then again we are talking Bollywood. And when did a family entertainer end without the glycerin bottle?

Having said that, I have an intense desire to meet the dialogue writer of the film. After long did a I hear lines that felt authentic and fun and not 'you better laugh because I think its funny' type. The uninhibited use of abuses and slangs made me feel that finally Indian cinema is starting to grow up.

This view would be incomplete if I do not mention the music and the audioscape of the film. There has been a brilliant use of Hindi film songs to evoke moods and emotions without the use of dialogues. I remember watching Inception and enjoying the fact that the audioscape of the film directed me to feel a certain emotion. At the same time I wondered why don't I hear more of similar work in Hindi films. Tanu weds Manu was an answer to that question.

This is what I call a slice of life tadka maar ke!

On The Road

Four months since my return to the country and life has already taken to the fast lane. From Ghaziabad to Kolkata to Bangalore and now headed to Pune. The journey with VISUALTHEQUE is proving to be one roller-coaster ride and, oh boy, am I enjoying it?

A year back all I had was my classroom and friends and a year down the line I am posting 'MY' company blog to my friends. A year that changed a lot of things in my life, personally as well as professionally.

My Mom always complained about my Dad being constantly on the move. She wished that her kids would be more 'stable'. Sorry Mom to disappoint you but I turned to be my Dad's daughter.

I have been on the road for the last five years, returning home occasionally. Not that I miss that city! If my family were to shift to any other city, I would never return to Delhi. What I do miss is a home. The need to be anchored is present in all of us and we are all on the lookout for our anchors. Some find it sooner than others.

My anchor is yet to arrive. Till then, I guess, its happy travelling!