zakir - the ustad

I happened to be at Prithvi Theatre today evening as I was having our production meetings, and I realized about Ustad Zakir Hussain performing the memorial concert at the theatre!!:) I rushed to the box-office to check out for the tickets but as expected, they were all sold out and there were at least a thirty people standing in line before me hoping to get passes from somewhere!

The good thing, however, was what the theatre did for the people sitting outside at the cafe! They put up a big screen where the cafe visitors could see the entire concert! I was happily glued to my seat at the cafe!!

How was it? - Do I even need to mention?

For the Ustad...

frames

It might sound a bit out of the way but it is true! Since yesterday, the shots that I have taken have had a deeper meaning and story to them.

I took this shot today at the Ganesh Chowk of D.N.Nagar, Versova. This locality stands outside the Versova Police Station. I was entering this locality to meet somebody. As I was about to enter the building from it's backside, I happened to stop seeing the condition of the building. The area behind the building was filled with mud, broken stones, old half-bricks, a few half grown plants and plastic and other wastes spread across short footsteps. When I saw this sight from where I was standing, I was wondering what kind of a building this was...

But, when I entered the locality and met whom I was to meet, I also happened to see the others in this locality interact with each other. I happened to see how open the people staying here were with each other. I happened to feel the love, the purity, the brotherhood with with the residents lived here. It looked like a picture perfect...similar to the ones we read about in books or see in films...

For the frames, that look best with raw colors...

work

I took this shot at Khar today morning as I was leaving from Kumar's place, where I stayed back last night.

To be honest, I was surprised in the beginning to see a sight like this where the vegetable vendors formed their "stores" on the footpath...with the little vegetables that they have to earn them a few rupees this morning! But, a moment later, when I saw the customers coming in, stopping by, bargaining the prices, and finally the vendors selling a few of their vegetables, I could just smile and leave quietly. (apologies for not being able to capture these moments)

Work, whether in a high-level MNC or at the footpath, is work that is got to be done. If we simply smile and live the moments, everything seems so simple, so beautiful, so close to complete...

For work, that we must smile at and embrace...

marketing

Now that is what I call marketing! There was this Rolls Royce that stood outside The Mobile Store outlet at Matunga! Maithili took this shot of the car as it stood outside at one corner of the road...having all the people pass by stare at it and looking back at it as they pass.

One of my favorites, Sir Branson, never leaves any drop left in making his products felt! Virgin hasn't really done that well in this city as such...but I can surely say their promotions, ad-films, and activities have surely gathered the attention of many...

For the marketing strategies that amaze me...

pani

I took this shot near the Mulund area of the city. I was waiting at the signal as I saw this pump in the middle of the street (on the divider, to be specific) which was letting water flow out and there was no stopping.

This sight reminded me of Shekhar Kapur wanting to make his most ambitious project, Paani, which dealt with the fact of how serious a problem water would become in the near future! "We have forgotten to worship water" says Shekhar Kapur in his notes for the film...and how very true is that! We've forgotten how important this fluid is...how aimlessly and carelessly we're wasting it all over.

I like what Shekhar Kapur has written in another note of his -

"Every year, over 500,000 children in India never reach the age of 5 because of water-related diseases like diarrhea, gastroenteritis, hepatitis. Over 300 million Indians have no access to toilets. Already, 224 million Indians live in water stress. About 70% of irrigation needs and 80% of municipal water supplies come from groundwater sources. However, depleted aquifers and lowered groundwater tables mean that this is no longer sustainable. It has been estimated that by as early as 2020, India’s demand for water will exceed ALL sources of supply.

Can we make a difference?"

Can we?

For paani, that we need to begin respecting...

actions

I took this shot today at the Andheri Bridge while I was returning from office in the evening.

As much as I love my city, I do not really like the people who have "officially" vowed to take care of this city! This sign board was/is filled with dust all over it and was leaning on to the street lamp...almost counting it's last days...

I know this space is to show the beauty of the city...and no wonder this imperfection also is beautiful...but I just wish all of us just focus on our responsibilities and actions. Imagine, this place, this space would've been so much more prettier...

For the actions, that need to still act...

temple

This shot was taken today by Maithili, at Matunga, outside her college.

I've always observed such stalls selling similar garlands standing together outside temples. These stalls stand outside the numerous South Indian temples that reside in Matunga since ages.

It is really amazing to see how so many people come here everyday and make their presence felt in front of the creator...and secretly pray a wish...and quietly leave with the hope of it all coming true. Why do we remember the creator only at the time of need? How I wish we remember ourselves more often...

For the temples, that were created by worshipers...

airport

Vishal took this shot today at the airport as he was getting back from Chennai.
The airport always amazes me...firstly, because I love to travel and secondly, because I love to see people traveling!

The city's airport has turned out to be really nice which makes it much more fun to be at.
It's weird how people keep traveling every moment, if not physically, simply mentally! And, sometimes, they travel so much that they fail to forget that they are not really where they think they are...

For the airport...

beginning

I come back to a few of my favorite questions - is the glass half poured or half empty, is the sun rising or settling down, is that man climbing up the mountain or coming down?

This shot, taken at mahalaxmi today, takes me back to such questions! I took this shot at one of the localities of Mahalaxmi from where I was passing today. This cloth was hung between two poles and I'm guessing a mother puts her baby to sleep on this. With the sun behind, it just seemed perfect! Indeed, the sun sees all of us and gives light to all of us, whether in small proportions or big...

It is so lovely to see the various kinds of beginnings that you get to see! A mother begins her day by waking her child from this hand-made baby-cloth (pun for baby-cot) and at the same time it the same sun that begins its day by giving the same amount of light (visually) to all. This takes me back to the questions asked at the start.

For beginnings, that always end the endings...

discipline

I know I feel bad posting this shot that I took at Malad, but I just couldn't help it! I had to take this shot and I had to post it as I was feeling horrible about this sight!

The auto rickshaw that I was sitting in was on halt at a traffic signal as I saw this man on the other side of the road, stopping his car and casually answering his nature's call! As I shouted out to this man, he seemed least bothered to respond initially. After a few seconds, he realized he was being called and immediately avoided looking at me and rushed to his car!

This city is beautiful...but I wonder why some residents don't want to keep it that beautiful! PLEASE let this city be the way it wants to be...

For the discipline that we take for granted...

work

I always wonder why we get so caught up with work that we don't get to appreciate every individual's work. This shot was taken by Vishal at Dadar as some workers climbed up these bamboo rods to get this building painted.

Work is never small or big - it just needs to be appreciated to scale it in the right proportions! I can remember, as I write this, what Nipun said earlier this week - "work can never be wrong...just do it sincerely whether it is minting big bucks or simply pinning up your papers!"...I've never really taken a few seconds out and actually appreciated what such people work on...I guess, its the calling for a new act of gratitude?!

This post me of this song from Taare Zameen Par, btw...

For work...

love

Today is the day for everybody! Today is the day for love!

I love Valentine's Day...especially because I feel everyday is Valentine's Day! I took this shot at the Reclamation area of the city where this young couple seemed to be happy in love! I wish everybody a very Happy Valentine's Day and wish you guys love, happiness and smiles throughout!!:) May you be loved throughout and spread love and smiles all around...

On this day, for all the lovers, I'd like to post one of my favorite poems that some young boy wrote at the Trevi Fountain, Rome on one Sunday evening -

a moment

I would've come here for a wish
that could become true;
I would've got lost in this world
that is so free and so new;
I would've seen beyond things
that look so acute;
I would've re-written
this unforgotten route;
But the question does remain
and is pretty quiet -
Do I want things
to be easy and so right?
I am just waiting all through this
and living all these moments,
I am not wishing any wish today
by throwing these little cents;
Life is beautiful just the way it is!

I'm going to be free
and just live it...just be...
I don't need a wish for you
or a cent or destiny;
All we need is a moment,
a moment from life
where you will see
the love;
the love that stays in me...

For love...

night

I took this shot today from the rickshaw as I was heading back home and was stuck in traffic (as usual) at Seepz!

The line that the auto rickshaws form at the traffic are worth watching. I wish one could experience it by sitting in one of the auto rickshaws as at that moment, one can hear an amalgamation of a number of various soundtracks playing on the music decks of these vehicles! The best part that amazes me is that these auto rickshaw drivers are never really frustrated by the traffic! They simple listen to the music and look around...but are not really bothered much about when the line is going to move ahead!

For the night that takes us back home with all the waiting...

service

Yesterday and today are surely going to be special. We had always heard of individuals who stand out in a crowd...since last evening, I've been living moments with two such individuals! I took this shot at the Welingkar Institute of Management, Matunga today as I was attending this talk by these two individuals! It isn't the best of the shots, but some simple shots of best people just work...

Nipun and Jayesh Bhai were down in the city and we, at MAM, had the good opportunity to spend these two evenings with them! I had always heard of people performing selfless service all the time and today here I was listening to these two talk! And if you ask me the best part about these two individuals, it has to be the fact that despite living so many stories, they don't preach...they simply share their experiences...which, according to me, is much more enriching, exciting, and encouraging!

The best time that I had was last night when I was washing the dishes and Nipun had the entire "guy gang" onto the work of cleaning the dishes for Madhu and Meghna, the hosts of the Wednesday Meditations! I'm not at all fond of meditations and silence but with Nipun, I just wanted to do it for him...

Some people simply inspire you with their silence and presence...I've just met two such individuals!!:)

For Nipun and Jayesh Bhai and the spirit of service...

democracy

I took this shot at Lokhandwala. The advertisements of IDEA never really excited me much but this campaign where when the minister is in a fix, the assistant suggests asking the public, the citizens through "IDEA", the cellular network, amazed me!

The billboard here says "janta ka faisla" (the decision of the citizens)...which, I feel is coming to be true! Slowly and steadily, it is the people who are becoming the rulers, the citizens who are becoming the decision makers. I'm not being too optimistic and saying that we're soon going to be in a time when the people, the public, the citizens are going the make the rules...but, I am being realistic and saying that we, the people, ARE going to be the rules!

This reminds of me a recent short video that we made which Akash directed for a competition organized by the American Embassy.

For democracy...

us

Ok, I know I've been a bit too moved by the Greenathon, but I can't help it - these guys have done a brilliant job and it has been of such interest to me! Imagine, the Greenathon has collected over 2 crores of rupees in their 24 hour drive, which means that over 4000 houses will be lit through this initiative! But more than that, I'm sure it has motivated hundreds of thousands to stand up and save our nature!

Isn't that absolutely brilliant? I took this shot as I was passing by this tree at Bandra. I've realized strongly today, more than ever, that these trees, these leaves, this nature is equally a part of us and we must protect it! We want our children's children to live a life amidst green surroundings rather than destructed ruins, isn't it?

Thus, I'd request all of you to save this space from getting ruined, simply because in the process, we would be saving ourselves...

For us as we must together act...

studio

I was back at the YRF Studios today for the Greenathon shoot!
Since, it was getting a bit boring, I had a walk around the studio campus.

I took this shot outside the Studio number 3, where these workers were making a massively huge set for a shooting that is to begin three days later. I loved standing where I was while taking this shot and just staring at what was happening at the other side of these huge doors. I realized that I was just a few steps away from my dreams...and I know that very soon, I will take these steps and walk to the other side...

All throughout, subconsciously, I was humming the song from the film, Luck By Chance, which is so true for all of us who are a part of this industry and many more who wish to make it big one day...

For the studios and the lovely madness that they provide...

chai

I mentioned about being invited for the Greenathon shoot at the Yash Raj Films Studios today. Well, I reached there at 9:00am sharp today. Although, it started at 10:00am, it was fun.

Today they shot all the dance performances that will be telecast in between the talks and fund raising. Whenever I enter a film studio, it takes me to a completely different world altogether. Today, was no different...more so because it was the YRF Studios! This was started by Yash Chopra, whom I also saw in the evening, around eight years ago and whether one accepts it or no, it is the most powerful production house that stands today!

I stopped by at the cafe and had the traditional "chai" out there in the morning before we begun. Trust me, a film studio as an ambiance to live in, with chai to accompany and a vast life of dreams and imaginations to explore - what more can one ask?

For such chai...

green

I took this shot at Mahim today. At times, I like playing around with the options that are present in my digi-cam. Well, there is a reason why I'm posting this shot today -

Tomorrow, we've been invited for the shooting of NDTV & Toyota's Greenathon filming at the Yash Raj Films Studios. Initially, I decided to take up the invitation because it was at hte YRF Studios but now that I've gone through the Greenathon website, I'm all in awe of this initiative.

Keeping our space clean and tidy might sound a small deal, but its surely much more than our imaginations. As Vikram Chandra says, there are hundreds and thousands of villages which have absolutely NO electricity and through this initiative, NDTV and Toyota are trying to raise funds and donations through which they will light up at least 18 such villages with the help of solar lanterns! Can you imagine, it takes approximately Rs. 3 Lakhs ($7,500 approximately) to light up an entire villag...which means that it takes around Rs. 3,600 ($90 approximately) to light up one house.

It surely is high time we take this up seriously...so, what are we waiting for? I've just made my donation...you can make your's here.

For a green planet, that we need to make...

break

If February 1st's post was heart breaking, I don't know what this would be. Maithili took this shot today, at Matunga.

This young kid fell asleep, in some shelter, standing below a tree on a jute sack bag. The worst part about the moment was, probably, that one couldn't even wake him up seeing him take a break and sleeping peacefully for a few seconds. How I wish such breaks would've been taken by him playing out with his friends in his colonies, instead of wandering about in the heat.

Is it really that difficult to realize how important childhood is for every child?

For the break, that we need to take, and get to some actions...

path

I took this shot at Vidyavihar today. I was passing by the station when I saw this path going somewhere with litter all around it.

I fail to understand why people don't understand a simple principle of keeping the space you live in clean? The path that you keep tidy now is the path that will be tidy tomorrow when you return.

Hopefully someday soon, we shall all realize these simple gestures...

For the path and the cleanliness...

travel

I took this shot today, as I was traveling from office to my home. As usual, I spend a very good amount of my daily time in the city's traffic that has increased drastically lately due to the construction work that is happening all over.

As I was listening to my set of favorite musical tracks, what amazed me was this one guy who had no worries of traveling. Yes his feet were peddling his cycle and he was singing all along.
I remember when I was in Holland, I always wanted to ride a cycle but used to prefer to walk it up as the climate was so appealing to be on road for a bit longer!

Travel time for everybody should be something that they always cherish. I wish this traffic improves soon so that we can sing our times to our destinations.

For the travel...

silence

After an irregular week and lots of guilt, we're back.
Sincere apologies for not being in touch but things were really tied up BADLY at this end. More details will follow soon...

I took this shot today as I was passing by Andheri. This kid was sitting on the footpath at the Andheri bridge. The kid was holding a bottle filled with water (I'm hoping) and as soon as she saw a camera in my hand wanting to click her, she was alert and ready to be captured. I couldn't stop smiling at her only till I realized that the white shawl next to her had her colleague who was busy in his smoke. I was and am a bit speechless...

Why is it so difficult to have lives live the colors to the fullest? Why does life need to be of different colors to all?

For the silence that remains...