National Poetry Month 2017 – My Projects

This year on National Poetry Month I plan to do two projects. One would be Malayalam translations of International Poets and other would be reading videos of my poems. Like last year this is going to be a daily project starting on April 1st and ending on April 30th. Some of the poets whose poems I plan to translate to Malayalam include Bertolt Brecht, Henri Mixhaux, Francis Ponge … Continue reading National Poetry Month 2017 – My Projects

Rahi, Happy 10th Birthday on another International Women’s Day

Dear Rahi, It is another of that day when I get to write you as always about life and love and some thoughts to share with you as you grow up. The other day when I was writing something you came over to me and read the word ‘Feminist’ and asked me “Papa what does a Fenimist mean?  and I was amused that you could not even say … Continue reading Rahi, Happy 10th Birthday on another International Women’s Day

It is March 3rd – Did Khuli Khidki fame Gajendra Chauhan Leave the post as Chairman of FTII?

If you are not aware yet, March 2nd /March 3rd is the end of tenure for Gajendra Chauhan as Chairman of FTII. For those who do not know Gajendra Chauhan, he was the Yudhishtira in the TV serial Mahabharat. He was actually offered the role of Krishna but he spent sometime in New York after the decision and put on weight and was demoted to … Continue reading It is March 3rd – Did Khuli Khidki fame Gajendra Chauhan Leave the post as Chairman of FTII?

Malayalam Theatre Production in SF Bay Area opens with ‘The Wild Horse’

I have been part of the regular audience for many of the Indian theatre productions in the Bay Area in the last couple of years. And every time I used to wonder when we would have a full length Malayalam theatrical production. I am not sure why I always thought (and still do) that it was a daunting task. May be because it was never … Continue reading Malayalam Theatre Production in SF Bay Area opens with ‘The Wild Horse’

On the TED Talk by Deeyah Khan: What we don’t know about Europe’s Muslim kids

This is a very important talk by film maker Deeyah Khan. And here was my comment on TED. Deeyah, Thanks for sharing these stories with the world and for doing what is in the best interest of kids growing up. I remember a quote by Denis Waitley “The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” … Continue reading On the TED Talk by Deeyah Khan: What we don’t know about Europe’s Muslim kids

Pursuing a passion on the side can make life happier

Everyone has a passion but most people are not lucky to have their passion and profession be the same thing. The constant push by self help gurus have been to make a living doing what you love. It is not always easy. But pursing a passion, doing what you love to do is important even if you do not monetarily benefit out of it. Understanding … Continue reading Pursuing a passion on the side can make life happier

Hindi movie Irada with Naseeruddin and Arshad Warsi

Irada is a new Hindi thriller feature film that released on Feb 17th. Watched it yesterday. The main incentive as always having Naseeruddin in the lead. It also stars Arshad Warsi and I have also liked him in non-comic roles, especially his Sehar in 2005. It is interesting that he never got serious roles after that. The movie was directed by Aparnaa Singh and produced by … Continue reading Hindi movie Irada with Naseeruddin and Arshad Warsi

How Passion and Purpose can together drive Meaningful and Rewarding Professions

Many of you might have probably read about The 10,000 Hour Rule that is closely associated with writer Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers. The principle says that 10,000 hours of “deliberate practice” is needed to become world-class in any field. To give you a sense of the actual passing time. If you spend 2 hours a day you hit this in close to 14 years provided you do it every single day. … Continue reading How Passion and Purpose can together drive Meaningful and Rewarding Professions

Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger: Our story of rape and reconciliation

Watched this TED talk of Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger: Our story of rape and reconciliation. Here is the talk And here is the comment I put on TED. A few points and questions. While we know it is not a Women’s issue, we have to understand that IT IS ONLY the Man’s issue. Or in other words the issue of the perpetrator. There is … Continue reading Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger: Our story of rape and reconciliation

How to consciously be in the Learning Zone

In Eduardo Briceño’s TEDX talk he talks about the Learning Zone and Performance zone. We might be under the impression that we are learning new things regularly in our life and work, but the concept of having a Learning Zone and Performance zone kind of makes us think about it. We all know that there is an element of learning that happens sub consciously as … Continue reading How to consciously be in the Learning Zone