Thursday, February 28, 2013

FROST/NIXON (2008) - ENGLISH


It's an interview where the president is interviewed for his crimes. 

Now, this is a kind of movie that made me doze off, it seemed like a character study with a historical background. A man has done something wrong and it's all upto few other people to make him accept the crime or make him guilty. Now, Nixon was the president of USA and he was the only president to have resigned in 1974 for being part of a Watergate scandal. 

It's a beginning of a fall, and a fall of a president has to be interesting or at least there has to be substantial interest. Ron Howard creates that interest by making this film like a Network kind of film, where media and the impact of media plays a huge role in determining the character of a person. You are what you you say more than you are what you do, this seems to be an undercurrent theme in this media run movie. 

Acted competently by Michael Sheen as David Frost, the man who interviewed the president Richard Nixon, played by Frank Langella. These two performances are enough to make it go and see it. Having said that, it's their dialogue that has lot many details that make us sit and observe and then they do not help us conclude but rather confuse us what is right and what is wrong. Maybe, the point was to show that we are grey and not black and white, fair enough and if that's the point surely it was well made. 

Ron Howard as a director seems to be great at such Historical Dramas, be it Apollo 13 or Beautiful Mind or Cinderella Man. This one is no surprise and definitely it's a good film and indeed worth a watch for its screenplay and dialogue and acting more than anything else. 

The production design was good, the editing could have been better for a near 2 hour film that is all about an interview where lot many details are revealed. It's not a film where we can relate to, it neither one that is entertaining and makes us sit and watch, it's one that is simply made for showing us the brain behind a deed or rather misdeed. 

A 3/5 for definitely good film but I am sorry coz it did not work for me. Maybe, I am not interested in the politics involved in the film. 

ARGO (2013) - ENGLISH


A well made film that thrives on strategy, and luck and a bit of calmness and composure.

Sure, Ben Affleck has come a long way from a Good Will Hunting Script to this film named ARGO. Don't ask me why was it named ARGO, and why the caption reads, the movie is fake, the mission is real. If you want to know better see the film. There are a few things I liked and a few things I disliked about this. 

The things I liked are the production design of setting up a 1970's troubled Iran and making us believe how real the whole film was, it showed a great depiction of the Iran Hostage crisis. The sound was great too. The performances by almost everyone were great and I loved John Goodman and above all Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez. Now, this is a real story so we are bound and handcuffed not to disagree with a few things, like how come a sudden idea sprung up to Tony and how is it approved by CIA. It happened and so we see. All, in all, I liked the sound, production, casting and acting.

Now the things I disliked was creation of a forced drama in the climax where they are caught then relieved again a fact comes to the rebels notice and they rush to stop the plane. I did not think that cinematically, it was so very needed we do not have to make a climax out of nothing. In reality, a call would have stopped the plane from take off. So this is where the director Ben Affleck needs to improve, yes undoubtedly he made a good film but if he wants to be more real and less cinematic, he needs to take out a few formulaic things. The direction has indeed faltered in few places like factually, 1950's depiction of the speeches, but I did give in to all the factual faults just that it was a bit more simpler and bit more restrained. Even the rushing up of getting an idea of making a film and getting an approval was not to my complete liking, had that been more restraint and more thought of, I would have loved that. 

By far, this comes as one of the better movies of the year and what it got is an oscar, not sure if that actually deserved coz I like Amour more than any other film of last year as I saw till now. But surely, barring Amour, this may have been the best bet with what it had, it had a realistic appeal like that of Hurt Locker, an entertaining element like that of a King's Speech, where our hero is relieved from what he has achieved. So it's good good and good but I am not sure if it's a great film, I have so many questions in my own tiny mind that keep getting back and asking me, is this the movie of the year and the answer I got after watching this not once, but twice is that "I don't think so, there are better movies than this for sure" But who needs my likes and dislikes, the majority rules this world and since the majority feels that this is the best movie for them, this won the accolades all over.  Mind you, this a thrilling documentary nevertheless and if you see it as a documentary film, then this is as fine as it gets, but as a dramatic film, it falls shirt a bit only.

Ben, sure boy you did a great job, but I wanna see you in a better director's hat than this one. I am going with 3/5 for a sure good film but I better hope for a better film next time from this director.

Monday, February 25, 2013

SWADES (2004) - HINDI


One of the most important spirit-lifting and patriotic films of the last decade.

It follows John F. Kennedy's line "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country". Apart from working in a job, be it private or government, then going home to have a wife/husband, so to take forward the legacy, producing population and calling it as our babies, what are we doing for the country? Setting up institutions is not enough we must be doing something to make this a better place to live, I want to do something but before I begin, I need money so I must earn money good enough to be able to spare for a few outside my very own family. It brings questions like should I be contributing to the huge population by producing one or should I adopt and fight for removing orphans and make my place a better place to live in.

Who would agree to my thoughts in society as hypocritical as ours is what I always ask myself, having said all about my thoughts, this is a movie that I always loved since the first time I saw it in Sangeet Theatre with a big group of my friends. It made a few of us say "Bijli, Bijli" at the climax, like Lagaan made us say "Bhuvan, Bhuvan". Ashutosh Gowariker had proved with this film, that films can be long enough if there is a real need for it, this was extremely long and it had to be a long movie because there are so many issues within a country as diversified as us. The prime purpose that I love the film is it lifts my spirit and fills in the "can do" spirit that is vaguely missing. 

Now, the technical departments except for editing are sublime. A.R. Rahman gave a score that stood even today as a great. One can never get bored of "Yunhi Chala Chal" or "Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera" and the whole background score is just apt to the visuals. The writing and screenplay are meticulous, be it keeping off the glass when offered in the beginning and then taking a sip at the railway station and feeling the water for the first time, or be it the nuances of love between Geeta (Gayatri Joshi) and Mohan Bhargav (Shahrukh Khan). 

Performances are exemplary from each and specifically, Shahrukh Khan gave the most composed performance of his life, his emotions were natural, when I saw this in theatre, I was very apprehensive coz I do not like Shahrukh's choice of movies, but went for this solely because of Ashutosh and ARR. I was happy and in the process of the movie, I learned that actually, Shahrukh is a good actor who is spoilt by his choices of films. This is the only film that Gaytri Joshi was a part of, and she made Geet her own, by becoming the character. She is the epitome of a perfect Indian woman who is traditionally progressive. She knows the traditions and she knows the purpose of her life too. Rare to find a strong-willed woman like her. Also, Kishori Balal as Kaveriamma and the huge supporting cast did an excellent job. 

Ah, so proud to have seen this so many times and I love this movie each time I saw it. It's not flawless,  no one simply agrees to hand over 100 men for work. You cannot produce electricity just like that, creating some basic apparatus. Yet, the energy behind it, the resolve, the spirit are what made this movie a great one. With nearly 3 and a half hours of running time, it makes us ask so many questions to ourselves. 

Finally, I am again asking myself the same question, am I born, to earn a job, marry, have kids, work for their school fees and education, pass on my assets to my kids and die. Or is there a bigger purpose to life, if so am I doing it? 

A 5/5 for this, no less than that ever to one of my favorite movies ever.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

SPECIAL 26 (2013) - HINDI


A well written and ill executed film.

For most of the time, people are walking in the film and that too as if in stop motion, where the slow motion comes and disturbs the interest. The climax is more or less predictable just that it had a few hints  by the end and an avid film goer  might have predicted it. 

Ok, the performances are good and I must say, post MOHRA this is the first film of Akshay Kumar I had seen in theatre and I was actually happy as it did not have fights or unwanted action sequences and instead had some brain thing. Thanks to Neeraj Pandey for not putting heavy action sequences for Akshay Kumar. Manoj Bajpai and Anupam Kher fared well. Kajal Agarwal was not needed at all, and this could have been better if the romantic track and those songs were not there. 

Coming to Neeraj Pandey, the director I was very disappointed, coz post Wednesday, it gave some hope that this man may churn out some non commercial flicks and would raise the bar, but he disappointed me with the song dance number, and the love track that made me just wait to go to the real plot. It was written with a good intent but it just did not fit in as a whole. 

Technically, the best thing is the meticulous production design of the Mumbai and other places of the 1980's and for this itself I would give an award to Sunil Babu. The editing falls flat and please cut off 30-45 minutes and increment the pace by making the walking as they are and take off the slow motion and for 75 minutes, you will get a wonderful ride otherwise it made a just above average flick. The time of nearly 135 minutes was made for the sake of making and I did not see any real purpose behind that. 

A generous 2/5 for a well designed film more than anything else. Neeraj, you disappointed me big time, need to see what you got up your sleeve next. 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

सच्चाई

चलना आसान है फूलों की राह में
केहना आसान हैं बड़ी बड़ी बातें
जो चलते हैं काँटों की राह में, उन्हें मिलता है ग़म
जो करते है बड़े काम, उन्हें मिलता है आदर कम

प्यासा

प्यासा हूँ मैं चाहत की प्यास में
प्यास भुजाये कोई मेरा, जीता हूँ यही आस में
तनहा न मर्जाऊ कही यही एक डर है
इसलिए जी रहा हूँ अब तुम्हारी एहसास में

अंदाज़

कुछ न कह कर भी सब कुछ कह देती हो
खामोशी से ही दिल की बात बता देती हो
अंदाज़ आपकी बहुत खूब है
पास न रहकर भी अपनी जादू चला देती हो

डर

तरस रहा था तुझसे बातें करने कि
शायरी तो लिखके रखा हूँ
फिर भी डर हैं बताने कि
इसलिए ऐसे ही छुपाके रखा हूँ

सोच

सोचकर लिखते थे तब, जब खयालों में कोई नही
अब तो आप हो खयालों में, इसलिए हम सोचते नही

हसीन लम्हा

वो हसीन लम्हा का आशा जब तनहा दिल खिलगया मिलन में 
कहा खोगया जो लम्हा, ढूंढता हूँ उसे तनहा जीवन में 
फिर से आएगा लम्हा, खिलेंगे कलियाँ हमारे चमन में 
तमन्ना तेरी ही छुपी, जहाँ के हर कोने के पवन में 
तेरी रौशनी में जगमगाता है हर मौम्बती चिलमन में 
आये थे तुम झलक से, अब बसगयी इस बेबस धड़कन में 
लम्हा जो खोगाया आज फिर मिलगया मेरे जीवन में 
अब तो रहना है संग चाहे जीवन में या कफ़न में

निगाहों की बातें

आंखों की अदाओं पे हम हैं फ़िदा 
निगाहों की बातों में खोगाया हूँ 
शुक्र हैं की तुम हो साथ मेरे
तेरे ही निगाहों में खोगया हूँ

तेरे सपने

ख़बर नही, और नही कोई पता तुम्हारा
पर तुम्हे चाहने लगे
तुझसे कोई रिश्ता नही
पर तुम्हारी सलामती मांगने लगे
क्या कहते है ऐसे उलझन को
यह तो हमे मालूम नही
पर जबसे देखा हूँ तुझे
तबसे तेरे ही सपने आने लगे

जवान कलियाँ

जवान है कलियाँ जीवन कि, खिल रहे है फूल अभी अभी
तुझसे मोहब्बत करने का जादू है येह, ऐसे लगता है कभी कभी

Thursday, February 7, 2013

MY WISH

I wish, this soul had a company
To fulfill its pleasures and unwind its tire
I wish I had someone to accompany
To the concerts, lakes and cold night’s fire
I wish I had a resembling mate
To share my passions and dreams alike
I wish I had a little better fate
To make me merry and celebrate alike
I wish, each passing moment
To get love, care and live the fullest life
I wish one day should come that moment
To get a beauty filled girl as my wife
I wish, with the wind, sea, sun, and moon
Wish is the only thing I can do at night or noon

AMOUR (2012) - FRENCH


The only climax to life is death. This is a depressing and a thoroughly thought provoking film on death.

The movie is named AMOUR that is LOVE in French and indeed it is all about love How distressed you would when your loved one is suffering is what this movie is based on Michael Haneke, one of the most accomplished and a great provocative director has brought to life one of the most inescapable truths in one of the most depressing and yet a thoroughly engaging way. 

Mind you, this is not a move that is enjoyable to the least, it is something that we must go through in our ripe age before we fall. But the process of suffering to death makes the one who really loves us so very distressed that it is tough even to express or contemplate what is going through. 

Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) and George (Jean-Louis Trintignant) are octogenarian (in their eighties) wife and husband. Anne has suffered paralytic strokes ad George has to take care of her. Now, he does take care and ensures that though she suffers, he does everything to reduce her suffering and to help her pass away peacefully. Michael Haneke who wrote this film, had his own past attached to such a process, where had to let go of someone he loved so much. Old age is not a great age to be in and especially, the eighties, we must be prepared coz any moment the clock can stop for us. It's supremely written and sublimely acted by these two actors who are really in their eighties. Emmanuelle Riva (85) is now the oldest nominee for an Academy Award (Oscar). I think, before their death this is one of the best gifts, these they have given us. 

Big thanks to Michael Haneke for bringing these prime-old people on board with a script that suits them perfectly and extracting sublime acting from them. Also, thanks to studios who have produced this. I can understand that this is a French Movie and French Movies mostly have an open Ending and this one too has an ending that can interpreted as freedom, liberation and even death. But truth of life is death and we have to accept that.

Set mostly in an apartment between two people, this enthrals in the agony of the woman and I must say, Emmanuelle Riva has given a performance of her life The cinematography, sound and even the usage of "Schubert" music are splendid.

Big thanks to Michael Haneke who has now become a pioneer of truly realistic cinema and indeed it's one of the best films of last year. I am not giving a complete 5/5 as I think the pace is too slow for a repeat viewing and thus giving a 4/5. I am not sure if I will subject myself to such pain again by watching this.

It's sad to know that with the commercial garbage frenzy of Telugu Films, a beautiful film and many beautiful films like these have not been released at least in Hyderabad. It would be rude on my part to ggeneralise but it's a sad fact that we as Telugu audience dwell and revel in commercialism more than the art. May the "Businessman's", "Gabbar Singh's" "Adhurs" or even "Sudigaadu's" or "Naayaks" live but LOVE is something that is very difficult for us to even feel. Proud of my Telugu Brothers and Sisters of the film industry who embrace crap and garbage and when art like this is made, it is censored in the name of "explicit". We are a hypocritical society and we shall be mostly that for generations to come. Sad but true.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

BILLY ELLIOT (2000) - ENGLISH


A good film that is dramatised a lot.

Look at the scene in which Billy gets a call from school, and he leans back in the chair relieved with a sigh and there is a dramatic score that plays in the background, we all know that he is going to make it, at least I knew he is going to make it but I do not think it need to be that dramatised. 

So barring the melodrama this is a good movie in parts and touches a few right chords, like Billy's emphatic exhibition of Ballet to get a school admission or his dad saying "he is just 11 years old, lets give him a chance" these made me feel nevertheless but yet those moments were just not enough yet. 

Jamie Bell at his age, gave a supreme performance and it's a real tough thing for a 12 year boy to learn and perform ballet. Perhaps thats one of the reasons more than anything that this movie got a wide recognition. The script is good and so is the cinematography yet, there is something that makes the movie fall, and it is the editing. Remove the dramatic pieces and cut it down by 15 minutes, this wold have been a great film. Yet, the way it is, it is just good. Also, the music could have been toned down a bit to make the whole thing real

This film can be termed as a good self help movie as it helps us understand that if we have passion in something, mostly things fall in place and help us to pursue the passion. At least, that's what happened with Billy Elliot. Also a mention of Julie Walters as Mrs. Wilkinson, she was good each time and great few times.

Overall, a good film yet not a recommended one. A 3/5 only for this.

PHILADELPHIA (1993) - ENGLISH


A significant film in the history of America and even the world over. 

It's an important film in terms of Gay rights and even the discrimination for the AIDS patients. Never before this movie was such a strong case was build up for the fight against discrimination of AIDS patient. Based on a true story, PHILADELPHIA is movie that is made well and made throughly engagingly and is completely empathising the victim of discrimination and the victim of AIDS. 

Tom Hanks as Andrew Beckett gave a great performance, with all the nuances touching the notes of perfection, and making me empathise with him. It;s not sympathy, people like him need, it's empathy. They don't tear drops they need people who stand by them. Denzel Washington as Joe Miller, fought his case and fought it hard to win not just compensation for Beckett, but also glory fro him and he made history with this.  

Kudos to Jonathan Demme, to have made it with a poise that deeply moving and at the same time having a reality check completely in place so that it is not dramatised out of proportion. It's a case that's well fought with an ardour and decency that we see in good cases fought between good people. Andrew Beckett was good but he was Gay, his partner is Antonio Banderas as Miguel Alvarez. Antonio gave a subdued and a good performance. 

Indeed everyone played their part well, be it the kids of Joe Miller too. I liked the acting of everyone, but it was a Tom Hanks movie. Yet, I loved Denzel Washington's poise more than anyone else, in the film. Now, coming to the production, firstly kudos to the studios Tristar to have accepted a subject which in 1993 was still considered a taboo and bring out a brave film. Thanks Tristar for trusting in Jonathan Demme, a master in his own way who had to struggle a lot to establish himself as director.

Now, the dialogues are good. The case was terrific I must say, mostly convincing arguments, it just goes to a peak when Miller asks Beckett to open his shirt. Rest all was great in a very very important trial and a historical case. 

A great movie that has a relevance of taking up a social issue and fighting it to the core. This is a for sure 4/5 from me. 

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

SIXTY-NINE


When I am sixty-nine
Will you say I am yours?
And you are mine
As the days pass to seventy
Will you love me in plenty?
And make love more gently
As the nights come down
A year passes to seventy-one
Will you marry me again?
As you did at twenty-one
At seventy-two will you make it true?
My one last wish to die in my home
Oh. I hope you know my home
Or should I say? It is your arms

***Inspired by the Beatles Song, WHEN I AM SIXTY-FOUR

यादें करीब है

दस्तूर दुनिया का अजीब है
प्यार के सिर्फ़ बातें होते है
किसी को जानता नही जिसका वो नसीब है
हम भी उन दीवानों में एक है
जिसे महबूबा नही पर उसकी यादें करीब है

गुलशन ए गुलाब

ए हसीन ओ दिलकश जनाब, तेरे लिए सजाई गुलशन ए गुलाब
हुस्न से सैलाब को जो भर दिया आपने, सारा महफिल करता आप आदाब

Monday, February 4, 2013

BRIDE'S PRAYERS


I want a groom, tall fair and handsome
Or one who is tall dark and handsome
One with a lavish stay and secured pay
I want him with a car or at least a bike
To take me shopping and suggest what to take
He must love care and share too
And most of all, my region and caste
He should know what I speak and reply in chaste
OhGod, please make my prayer true
In the form of a man, show me the answer too

***This poem may seem to be a very anti feminist thought, but this is just a poem, apologies if anyone is offended.

GOODBYE LENIN (2003) - GERMAN


One of the finest mother son stories on the celluloid.

How far can you go, to save your mother? How much do you love your mother? These questions are inadvertently asked in this film all throughout and by the end our love only increases to our mother as well as the film. To recreate a whole setup as it was 10 years ago, is certainly a humongous task and boy it was done so very believably, thanks to the director Wolfgang Becker who paid attention to the detail and built up the whole film so very believably.

Daniel Bruhl as Alex, gave an incredible performance, it was subtle with the mother, he held her so tenderly as if she were a little kid. Katrin Sab, as other Christiane too complemented the performance well. It was a well acted film apart from being a superbly written one. But I loved Daniel Bruhl as Alex in this one more than anyone else. 

The art direction combined with itself has a humane touch amidst all the details of creating first a period of 1989-1990 and then Alex has to recreate the pre-merged Germany of 1978-19879 and wow, all was done superbly. When the mother realises that his son has to gone to every extent to make her believe that it was all the same as it was, the son Alex remains unaware and that's when the tears rolled for me. Christiane tells him that she is already aware of what has been happening for past few months, I was moist and numb then. It struck me, deep I say.

The cinematography is good, I wish a blu-ray is released for this film, as it deserves a better watch than a mere DVD. Also, to note that this film was an inspiration to many films world over, and in my own place, a blockbuster 'Dookudu' was made out of this. 

It is a must watch film for many reasons apart from the mother son relationship, even the way Lara (Chuplan Khamatova) and Alex just have a love story as subplot and how good people are, for those with good intentions. When heart is good, all men come to help us. Good intentions are loved by good humans.

I loved this film that is made with honest and good intentions. Thanks Wolfgang Becker for this. A 4/5 for sure. Just not yet perfect though, as it slows down at places, despite being extremely interesting for most part.

BEAUTIFUL RAIN


O my beautiful rain
Come and drench me again
This time settle my pain
O my beautiful rain

Pour on me the tears of clouds
Make me happy with thundering shouts
Relieve my loss and let me gain
O my beautiful rain

Make this night very bright
Lightning all over in the sight
Do not let go your song in vain
O my beautiful rain

THE DREAMERS (2003) - ENGLISH


One of the sexiest films that pays tribute to films and film buffs.

Aficionados is a rather nice term of a buff as I learnt through movie many years ago. Firstly, thanks to my friend Raghuveer who let me know of this film and since that happened nearly 5 years ago, I watched it multiple times. When I revisited this film yesterday, I loved the whole of it again. A film buff  (Mathew) in Paris meets friends, a brother (Theo) and a sister (Isabelle) and they talk films, make out and face reality.

It's a movie that makes a comment on how different is life from movies, we just can't be dreaming for a better world, dreaming about movies, living movies. Reality is a choice while in movies, the actors have choice. The last scene is all about that is what I believe. 

Set in 1968 and mostly shot indoors, the art direction is good nevertheless and the cinematography sets the mood perfectly. Camera takes it's time for making us settle to the characters which are idiosyncratic and Matthew seems to be trying in touch with reality while Isabelle (Eva Green) claims herself to be purist and thus, does not even watch TV. Theo is another film buff and he is an introvert as it seems, he rarely gets out and is stuck with his sister most of the time. 

The music plays it's part in bringing the sound of 1968 alive, and though this is set in Paris, we hear to English songs more than the French. Now, on the whole this movie seems to be actually more about the sexual tension between the three characters than about their passion for films, as I figured out. It can also be termed as incestuous as brother and sister have fun too. There are lot many scenes, not one that point out their tension and what they desire from each other, yes there are scenes about their favourite movies, like who is good, Keaton or Chaplin and glimpses of few very old good movies, even French movies and about Truffaut too, but all are just leads to what happens between the three. Surprisingly, when their parents find out that the three have 'made out' they stick to silence and that surprised me each time I saw this and has now made me realise that it's the best thing they can do.

All in all, it's a great film by Bernardo Bertolucci and a 4/5 would be apt for the sexiest tribute to films, just wish it was more about films than sex.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

हर चेहरे में तुम

हाल कुछ यु हुआ कि हर चेहरे में तुम नज़र आते हो
यादों को समा कर यूँही चले जाते हो
दर्द ए दिल को हँसाकर मुस्कान सजाते हो
हम तो दीवाने हुए न जाने और कितनो को दीवाना बनाते हो

आता नही

प्यार को ज़ाहिर करना हमे आता नही
प्यार का इज़हार करना भी आता नही
फिर कैसे बयान करू लफ्जों में
यह भी हमे समझ आता नही

गुस्से पे प्यार

उनको आता है प्यार पर गुस्सा
हमको गुस्से पे प्यार आता है
और कहता हूँ सुनो येह किस्सा
हमको उनके हर अदा पर प्यार आता है

The first two lines are of "Ameer Minai"

तेरी दूरी

बैठता हूँ जब फुर्सत मैं, तो तुम ही याद आते हो सनम
जब एहसास होती है तेरी दूरी तो मुझे होता है घम

Friday, February 1, 2013

COME BACK MY UNIVERSE

You are the universe of the universe
The world is for you and galaxy is yours
Let me for you complete the verse
Oceans, waves, and all its drops are yours

Stars twinkle when you wink

The sky shines when you smile
The sun rises with your wake
The moon does with your sleep

Rivers flow and breezes blow

When you walk and as you glow
The storms mellow, the clouds would slow
To listen to you as your words grow

When you weep they cannot see

For thy beauty turns the ugly
When you frown there cannot be
A scene more sick and dirty

Reciting these, I sent you to sleep

Come back my child to hear these
Come back now and stop my weep
Come back from the grave where you sleep

DAUGHTER'S DEATH

To tell you the truth,
I’d wonder what I should say
Hearing that, you’d never want to talk
Never want to stay
Never want to sit or walk
Never laugh or weep
Never even sigh or breathe
Never want to live and wish we died
Never want to look at your own face
Never wanted to hear and hope it’s a lie
But, I couldn’t help it dear I too am in tears
Tears of a lifetime and I got nothing but tears
Make your heart hard, and hear what I heard
Our daughter is no more she has just left us
She, in all senses, has theft us,
She looted our dreams she left us with screams
She, my dear has gone to the grave
Why live, what to crave? You may say
Yet we must, for the second one we have
Live and give her life

గంజి నీళ్ళు

"ఏమిటి  సూరీ ఇంకా ఆలోచిస్తావా?  ఎవరో డాక్టర్ అట ఫోటో కూడా చూపించారు, జాతకం కూడా కలిసింది అని వాళ్ళ దగ్గర నుంచి కబురు వచ్చింది, ఇంకా ఆలోచించాలా?"
"చూడు చంద్రం, ఇలాంటివి అప్పటికప్పుడే తేల్చుకునేవి కావు, ఇది నీకూ తెలుసు, కొంచెం ఆలోచించనీ"
"అదిగో మళ్లీ ఆలోచన అంటున్నావు, మీ మగాళ్ళు అందరూ ఇంతేనా? ముందు మాయ చేసి, తర్వాత ప్రేమ అని కాలక్షేపం చేయగలిగిన రోజులు కాలక్షేపం చేసి, తర్వాత చేతులెత్తెస్తారు"
"మగాళ్ళ గురించి అలా అనేస్తావు ఎమిటి? మన విషయం ఇంట్లో చెప్పినప్పుడు, నేను బ్రాహ్మణుడిని అని, నువ్వు కోమట్లు అని ఇలా కులాల గురించి పోట్లాడుకున్నారు. మళ్లీ వాళ్ళ దగ్గర నీ గురించి ఎలా చెప్పటం, ఈ సారి చెప్తే అసలు నిన్ను కలవనిస్తారా?"
"ఇప్పుడు మాత్రం వాళ్లకి తెలిసే కలుసుకున్తున్నమా? అయినా ఇంత ఎందుకు, అసలు నన్ను పెళ్ళి, అదే నువ్వు అంటావు కదా కలిసి బ్రతకటం అని, అది చేయాలని ఉందా?"
"ఏ క్షణమైనా నీతోనే నా ముగింపు, నా అంతం. నీతో ఉండటం కంటే నాకు ఇంకేమి కావాలి "
"ఇన్ని కథలూ, సినిమా డైలాగ్సూ చెప్తావు మరి ఆలోచన దేనికి? ఏదో ఒకటి చేయొచ్చు కదా"
"సరే, నువ్వే చెప్పు ఏం చెయ్యమంటావు?"
"నేనా? ఇందుకేనా నన్ను ఇన్ని రోజులూ పెళ్ళి చేసుకోకుండా ఆపింది? నా పేరు సూర్య నారాయణ, నీ పేరు చంద్రలేఖ చూసావా పేర్లు కూడా కలిసాయి, ఒకరి కోసం ఒకరు పుట్టామేమో అని ఐదేళ్ళ కింద చెప్పి, ఇప్పుడు మళ్లీ నన్ను చెప్పమంటావా?"
"సరే సరే ఇక ఆపు, రేపు ఉదయం దాకా ఆగు"
"కానీ పొద్దున్న దాకా ఎందుకు? నన్ను చూసి వెళ్ళడానికి ఆ మూక రేపే వస్తుందో, రేపు కుదరదు ఇప్పుడే చెప్పు"
"మూకా? వాళ్ళు ఏమైనా గొర్రెలా లేక పశువులా? మంచి వాళ్ళే అయి ఉంటారు"
"వాళ్ళు ఎలాంటి వాళ్ళు? ఎలా ఉంటారు? ఎలా ఆలోచిస్తారు? ఇవన్నీ నాకు తెలియదు, తెలుసుకోవాలనీ లేదు. నీకు ఉద్యోగం ఉంది, చదువు ఉంది, ఇవి చాలదూ మనం కలిసి బ్రతకటానికి?" 
"సరిపోతుంది, మరి ఈ పెద్ద వాళ్ళు, ఈ మర్యాదలూ ఇవన్నీ నీకు అవసరం లేదా?"
"నాకు నీతో ఉండటం కావాలి, వీరే వాళ్ళతో పని లేదు"
"నీ మాటలు నా స్నేహితులు కానీ, నీ స్నేహితులు కానీ వింటే, Immature and foolish అని అంటారు"
"ఎవరో ఏదో అంటారు అని మనకి నచ్చిన పనులు చేయటం మానోద్దని పెద్ద హీరోలా చెప్తావు, అన్నీ ఉత్తి మాటలే అనమాట"
"ఎందుకు అలా రేచ్చాగోడుతున్నావు, ఈ రోజు కొత్తగా?"
"ఇలా మాట్లాడకపోతే నీలో చలనం లేదు కాబట్టి"
"సరే, మీ ఇంటి నుంచి రేపే వచ్చేయి నాతో"
"మరి పెళ్ళి గుడిలోనా లేక అది చేసుకోకుండానే కలిసి బ్రతుకుదాం అంటావా?"
"నీకు తెలుసు కదా నాకు మతం, కులం గుడి ఇలాంటి వాటి పై నమ్మకం లేదు అని"
"అందుకే కదా, ఇంతగా నచ్చావు. అయితే వస్తే చాలు, కలిసి బ్రతుకుదాం అంటావు"
"లేదు registrar office లో సంతకాలు పెట్టుకుందాం. అది చాలు మనం హాయిగా ఉండటానికి"
"ఎంత బాగా చెప్పావు, సరే అలాగే రేపు ఏ బస్సుకి నువ్వు వెళ్ళేది?"
"ఏడింటి బస్సుకి"
"రేపు బస్టాండ్ లో కలుద్దాం"
"మరి నీ పెళ్ళి చూపులూ, ఆ మూకా?"
"వాళ్ళు మధ్యాహ్నం వస్తారు, చూసి వెళ్ళిపోతారు, అసలు నీ దగ్గరికి వచ్చే పూచీ నాది, తప్పకుండా వస్తా, ఇక వెళ్తాను"
"అప్పుడేనా?"
"గుడి, అని చెప్పి వచ్చా, సర్వ దేవతా దర్సనం గంట కంటే ఎక్కువ పట్టాడు. నేనే వెళ్ళకపోతే, మా వాళ్ళు వస్తారు"

ఆ మాట చెప్పి వెళ్ళిపోయింది. ఆ రాత్రి నాకు నిద్ర లేదు. నేను చేయబోయే పని, unethical, లేచిపోవటం, సమాజం ఒప్పుకోదు కానీ వేరే మార్గం కూడా తోచటం లేదు పైగా దాని గురించి ఆలోచించటానికి సమయం కూడా లేదు. ఇలా అనుకుంటూ ఉండగా ఎప్పుడు కునుకు పట్టిందో తెలియదు. లేచి చూసాను, నాన్న వరండాలో కాఫీ తాగుతున్నారు. అమ్మ పూజ చేస్తోంది. తమ్ముడు వాడి గదిలో చదువుకుంటున్నాడు. అంతా షరా మామూలే ఎమీ కొత్తగా లేదు.

నిన్న చంద్రం చెప్పిన మాటలు గుర్తొచ్చాయి. సాయంత్రమే బస్సు, ఈ రోజే, ఈ సాయంకాలమే. ఇంతలో నాన్న "ఏ రా, ఈ రోజే కదా ప్రయాణం, అన్నీ చూసుకో పెట్టుకున్నావో లేదో?" "సరే నాన్నా" అన్నాను నేను. అమ్మ లోపలి నుంచి, "నాన్నా, మళ్ళీ ఎప్పుడు వస్తావు? ఈ సారి వచ్చేటప్పటికి కోడలిని సిద్ధంగా ఉంచుతాం". అంతలోనే నాన్న అందుకుంటూ "ఔను రా, మన వీధి చివర సిద్ధాంతి గారి అమ్మాయి నిర్మల తెలుసుగా, ఆ అమ్మాయిని కోడలిగా చేసుకుందాం అనుకుంటున్నాం". వెంటనే అమ్మ "ఔను నాన్నా, చంద్రలేఖ కంటే వంద రెట్లు చక్కగా ఉంటుంది, చాలా నిర్మలమైన మొహం పేరుకు తగ్గట్టు" అని అంది.

"అమ్మా, నాన్నా, నేను మళ్ళీ చెప్తున్నా, నేను చంద్రలేఖని పెళ్ళి చేసుకుందాం అనుకున్నా, మీరు ఆలె కంటే ఎంత అందమైన అమ్మాయిని తెచ్చినా, మంచి అమ్మాయిని తెచ్చినా నాకు నచ్చదు.పైగా నాకు ఈ సంప్రదాయ పెళ్ళిళ్ళు నచ్చావు, అది మీకు కూడా తెలుసు. ఈ విషయంలో మీరు బాధ పడతారని తెలుసు, మిమ్మల్ని బాధ పెడితే నేను నాశనం అవుతానని మీరు అంటారని  తెలుసు, కానీ నేను చంద్రంతోనే కలిసి ఉండాలని నిర్ణయించుకున్నాను, నా జీవితం నా నిర్ణయాల మీద ఆధార పడాలి కానీ మీ నిర్ణయాల మీద కాదు" అని గట్టిగా చెప్పాను నేను.

"వీడికి ఆ సిటీలో ఉన్న వాతావరణం, సినిమాలు, పుస్తకాలు ఇవే నేర్పుతాయి అనుకుంట, వాడే తెలుసుకుంటాడు" అన్నారు నాన్న అమ్మని చూస్తూ.

"వీళ్ళకి ఎంత చెప్పినా అర్ధం కాదు, అసలు అర్ధం చేసుకోవాలని ఉంటేగా" అని నాలో నేను అనుకున్నాను. రోజంతా ఇక అమ్మ సనుగుళ్ళు, నాన్న గొనుగుళ్ళతో గడిచిపోయింది.

సాయంత్రం ఆరు అయ్యింది. ఎప్పుడూ లేని వ్యాకులత, అవస్థ అప్పుడే మొదలయ్యాయి. బస్టాండ్ కి గబగబా నడుస్తూ చేరుకున్న. ఇంకో అరగంటలో బస్సు, ఇద్దరికీ టిక్కెట్లు తీసుకున్నా, ఇక ఎదురు చూపులు మొదలు. అసలు వస్తుందా? వస్తే ఎంత బావుంటుందో, ఇది నా జీవితంలో అన్నిటికంటే సంతోషమైన ప్రయాణం అవుతుంది. మరి రాక పొతే అసలు వెళ్ళగలనా? తను ఎందుకు రాలేదో వెళ్లి తెలుసుకోనూ. ఏమో ఇది అంటా కొత్తగా ఉంది, ఏదో తెలియని ఉత్కంఠ.

ఒక టీ తాగాను, ఐదు నిమిషాలలో బస్సు బయలుదేరుతుంది. Conductor 'హైదరాబాద్, హైదరాబాద్' అని అరుస్తున్నాడు. చంద్రం ఛాయలు మాత్రం కనపడటం లేదు. అదిగో ఇంతలో పక్కనే వచ్చి కూర్చుంది "ఏమిటీ, రాను అనుకున్నావా?" అని అడిగింది. "బస్సులో కూర్చుని మాట్లాడుకుందాం, ఔను నీ సంచి ఒక్కటేనా, మరి బట్టలూ?" అని నేను సందేహించాను. "ఓయి, అక్కడ కొనిస్తావు కదా అని తీసుకు రాలేదు, కొనివ్వనూ అని చెప్పు, ఇప్పుడే వెళ్ళి తెస్తాను కానీ బస్సు పోతుంది" అని నిదానంగా చెప్పింది.

బస్సెక్కి కూర్చున్నాం, అది బయలు దేరింది. రాత్రి వేళ ఒక సందేహం, "రేపు మా ఇంటి ఆయనకీ ఏం చెప్పాలి, ఇన్ని రోజులూ ఒంటరిగా ఉన్నాను, ఇప్పుడు చంద్రాన్ని చూసి ఏమంటాడో?" అని మనసులో అనుకుంటుండగా, ప్రక్కనే కునుకు తీస్తున్న చంద్రం "మా చుట్టాల అమ్మాయి చదువుకోవటానికి వచ్చింది అని మీ ఇంటి ఆయనతో చెప్పు" అని మెల్లగా గొణిగింది . "నా మనసులో ఎమనుకుంటున్నానో తనకి ఎలా తెలుస్తుందో కానీ ఖచ్చితంగా చెప్పేస్తుంది, ఇదే నిజమైన ప్రేమకి తార్కాణమేమో!"

హైదరాబాదు వచ్చింది, ఆటో ఎక్కి నేను ఉండె ఇంటిక వెళ్ళాము. ఎవరు లేరు బయట, పరిచయం చేయిద్దాం  అనుకున్నా కానీ సమయం కాదేమో అనిపించి పైన నేను ఉండే భాగానికి వెళ్ళాం. ఇంట్లోకి తీసుకెళ్ళి అంతా చూపించాను "అంతా బాగానే ఉంది, చాలా చక్కగా అమర్చుకున్నావు. ఔను, ఒంటరిగా ఉంటే ఏదో వెలితిగా ఉండదా కనీసం టి.వి. కూడా లేదు?" అని అడిగింది. "ఆ వెలితి తీర్చడానికి, అవిగో నా పుస్తకాలు, ఇప్పుడు నువ్వు వచ్చావు, ఇంకా వెలితి ఏముంది. సరే కానీ ఈ రోజు registrar office కి వెళ్ళి దరఖాస్తు పెడదాం  మన పెళ్ళికి, నెల రోజులు ముందే పెట్టాలి, తర్వాత వాళ్ళు మనకి తేదీ ఇస్తారు" అని చెప్పి ఒక గంటలో తయారు అయ్యాము.

కిందకి వచ్చి మా యజమానికి ఏ విషయం చెప్దాం అనుకుంటుండగా, ఆయన తాళం వేస్తున్నారు, "సమయానికి వచ్చావు సూర్యం, మా నాన్న గారు మంచం లో ఉన్నారు, ఇక రేపో, మాపో అన్నట్టుంది ఎప్పుడు వస్తామో చెప్పలేము, కొంచెం కనిపెట్టికుని ఉండు, పక్కింటి నరసింహం గారికి కూడా చెప్పానులే" అని చెప్పేసి వెళ్ళిపోయారు ఆ దంపతులు. "కల్యాణం గురించి చెప్దామని వస్తే కాలం చేయబోయే ఆయన వార్తా విన్నాను", అని అనుకుని, చంద్రాన్ని తీసుకుని, ఇక registrar office కి బయలుదేరాను. 

ఆఫీసుకి వెళ్ళడం, దరఖాస్తు పెట్టడం, వాళ్ళు తారీఖు చెప్పడం జరిగింది. ఇక ఆ నెల రోజులు, నాకు మా ఇంట్లో వాళ్ళ నుంచి, తనకి వాళ్ళ ఇంట్లో వాళ్ళ నుంచి బెదిరింపులు, "ఇక మీరు మాకు లేనట్టే" అనే మాటలు వింటూ నెల రోజులు సజావుగా సాగాయి. 

ఇక రేపే మా సంతకాల పెళ్ళి.

రోజూ రాత్రికి మల్లే ఆ రోజు రాత్రి కూడా 'రొమాన్సు' చేసుకున్నాం. దాని తర్వాత "ఔను రేపు మన పెళ్ళి  తర్వాత అయినా మన వాళ్ళు మన దగ్గరికి వస్తారా? అర్థం చేసుకుంటారా? అసలు వాళ్ళని కాదనుకుని, మనం బతకగలమా? నువ్వు ఇంకా కొంచెం మంచి ఉద్యోగం తెచ్చుకుని, ఒక మంచి కారు, ఒక సొంత ఇల్లు సంపాదించగలిగితే చాలు, మా వాళ్ళు తప్పకుండా మన పెళ్ళిని ఒప్పుకుంటారు" అని చెప్పింది. ఆ రోజు ఎన్నడూ లేనిది నా చంద్రమ నుంచి సందేహాలు, సూచనలూ  విన్నాను. 

"అంటే నంటావా? కులాన్నీ, మర్యాదనీ, పెద్దల్నీ, డబ్బునీ, ఇన్ని కాదనుకుని వచ్చింది మళ్ళీ వాటి కోసం ప్రాకులాడతానికేనా? అవన్నీ కావాలి అంటే అసలు ఇన్నాళ్ళ ప్రేమ ఎందుకు, ఈ సంతకాల పెళ్ళి  ఎందుకు? కలిసి బ్రతకాలి అనే కోరికే గనక ఉంటే చాలు, అడవిలో అయినా హాయిగా బ్రతకచ్చు, గంజి నీళ్ళు ఉన్నా సరే ఒకరినొకరం చూసుకుంటూ పాయసం లాగా అనుభవించి తాగచ్చు" ఆమె తలని నెమరేస్తో అన్నాను. మాట లేదు ఇక, అటు తిరిగి పడుకుంది. తను నిదురపోయిన్ది అనుకుని నేనో పడుకున్నాను.

పొద్దునే లేచాను, తను ఇంకా పడుకునే ఉంది, కాఫీ పెడదామని వంటింట్లోకి వచ్చాను. పొయ్యి మీద అన్నం గిన్న ఉంది, తను లేచి వచ్చింది "నిన్న రాత్రి అన్నం వండావా, ఆకలి వేసిందా?" అని అడిగాను. "లేదు దాహం వేసింది, గంజి చేసుకుని తాగాను. నువ్వు, ఈ గంజి నీళ్ళు ఉంటే చాలు హాయిగా బ్రతకచ్చు" అని నవ్వుతూ అంది.

ఇక registrar office కి వెళ్ళే టైమ్ అయ్యింది, తాళం వేస్తుండగా మా ఇంటి ఆయన పైకి వస్తున్నాడు, "నాయనా సూర్యం, తాళం చెవుల కోసం వచ్చాను" "ఇప్పుడే తెస్తాను" "అవునూ ఎవరీ అమ్మాయి, మీ చుట్టాలా?" అని అడిగాడు. "లేదండి నా కాబోయే భార్య, registrar office కి వెళ్తున్నాం పెళ్ళి చేసుకోవటానికి" ఇంతలో చంద్రం ఆయనకీ పాదాభివందనం చేసింది"సుమంగళీ భావ, ఇదేనా అమ్మా రావడం" "కాదండీ నెల రోజులు అయ్యింది" "ఓ అలాగా! నేను ఊళ్ళో లేను కదా, అయ్యో సమయానికి మా ఆవిడ లేదే, ఆమె ఇంకా రాలేదు ఊరు నుంచి" "ఫర్వాలేదు లెండి, రాగానే వచ్చి కలుస్తాను" "సరే అమ్మా, క్షేమంగా వెళ్ళి, పెళ్ళి చేసుకుని రండి" అని చెప్పి పంపించాడు ఆ పెద్దాయన. 

అలా బయటకి వచ్చి ఆటో ఎక్కి మొహాలు చూసుకున్నాం,  ఆనందం. అసలు మాట చెప్పినందుకు, ఏమీ దాచానందుకు. 'నిజాలు చెప్పటానికి ఏంటో ధైర్యం కావాలి, ఈ రోజు ఆ దారియం వచ్చేసింది' అని అనుకున్నాను. అదీ నేటి సమాజంలో, ఇలాంటి విషయం ఎదుటి వ్యక్తీ ఎలా స్పందిస్తాడో తెలియకుండా నిర్భయంగా నిజం చెప్పాం, అందుకే ఆనందం. 


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I firstly declare here that all the content written in the blog is exclusively written by me and I hold the copyrights of each and everything. Be it a poem or a movie review. Also, the videos or photographs I upload or attach are exclusively owned by me. This declaration is important in a world that seems so worried of piracy. The prime purpose of these blogs is to put my writings and photographs on the net. and well to start with.... I live in my mind, and existence is the attempt to bring my thoughts into physical reality, I celebrate myself, sing myself and I am always happy in my own company.....I am not the best in the world but I strive for excellence and thats what keeps me alive... Talking much about oneself can also be a means to conceal oneself--Friedrich Nietzsche