ताल भंग न हो पाय (Don’t break the rhythm)

I came across a story while reading a book. Let me start with it.

There is a story of a very Nepalese King, who was well-known for his miserliness. Once there was a dance session in his royal court with a pretty dancer, accompanied by a man on the musical instrument. The prince, the princess, a rich merchant and many others were present. A passing monk also stopped by. The dance session went on for one hour, two hours and so on till late in the night and then the morning was approaching. But the King would not present the gift. The custom was that the King should be the first to present the gift to the dancer and the others would follow for the dance session to end.

The dancing girl (Nati) became so exhausted after hours of continuous dancing and in desperation, she added a sentence of her own while singing:

रात बहुत बीत गयी, थक गयी पंजर मोरी,
 नटी कहे सुनो वामदेव, इनाम मिला न कोई .

(I am too tired now, no gift is forthcoming, I am going to stop.)

Immediately, the accompanist (Nat) also added a sentence of his:

बहुत गयी  थोड़ी रही, थोड़ी  भी अब जाय ;

नट कहे  सुनो  नटी, ताल भंग न  हो पाय.

(Very little of the night is left now; don’t break the rhythm; all efforts will go in vain; continue the dance as morning is not too far away.)

Then the miracle happened. The merchant threw his costly necklace to the dancer, followed by the prince and the princess also throwing their necklaces. The monk did not have any costly gift to offer , so he threw his blanket to the dancer. Seeing the traditional custom broken, the King asked all of them for their explanations.

The merchant replied that the previous day he received the news of his one merchant ship sinking with the goods and was contemplating suicide in the night. But hearing the words of the accompanist (Nat), he remembered that there were four more ships on their way; and he was yet to receive their news. If they reached safely, he would not be a total loser, though a little poorer and this realization prompted him to give the gift to this pair.

The prince said that the King, though very old and infirm, was not abdicating his throne in his faviour and hence he was planning to murder the King in the night. The words of the accompanist (Nat) saved him from committing the regicide as the King was in any case not likely to love long. And the prince would inherit the throne.

The princess explained that since the King was not getting her married, she was planning to flee the palace that night to marry someone. But the words of the accompanist (Nat) saved her from this stigma.

It was the turn of the monk to explain now. He said that despite many many years of practising austerity or ‘sadhana’, he had not realized the God and hence was planning to get married and enjoy some worldly pleasure. But the same words saved him from this stigma as he was sure to realize the fruits of practising austerities all his life very soon.

The story underlines the need to have patience and never giving up or quitting.

This was the story from the book ‘Happiness and Peace in Everyday Life’, authored by Swami Nikhileswarananda, published by Ahmedabad Management Association.

The message is very simple. We should not quit when we are about to achieve our goal. One easy and most relevant example is of Scientist. They synthesize hundreds of molecules, aiming that it will cure the disease. Would it be appropriate if they quit in between without patience, when the lead molecule is on the way? Would it be appropriate for the batsman to lose patience and get out on 90+ runs? No, not at all. 

When you are sure that goal is visible or about to be accomplished, do not quit. In fact, our faith or enthusiasm should increase. 

Jay Hind !!

Suresh Purohit (Su_hit)

su_hit@rajshree.co.in

“Where are the break-free programmes?”

Please take your seat in the time machine. Let’s go to 1985-1995 era. We are watching Television, now. Come on, don’t ask which channel? In this time, Television means Doordarshan and Doordarshan. Remote control has no role to play. Even no one cares if it exist or not. One channel, many diverse programmes, many viewers, many expectations. But one by one, not at a time. Our DD is meeting and satisfying us. Popular programmes like Ramayana, Film on Sunday evening and Chitrahar are running house full. TRP word is not coined or used. It is the era of break-free entertainment or information. Yes, there is an intermission around 7.30 PM for Sunday film.  Please kindly note that all programmes are free in monetary aspects. 

Because of immense popularity, advertisements are telecast for almost 15 or even 20 minutes at the beginning or end of the programmes. But all of them are in one go. They do not disturb us while watching them. We have good probabilities to get engrossed. 

Now, come to current era with time machine. Many channels. Various categories. Few special categories. Virtually infinite number of programmes. Many viewers. Many expectations. Still we may feel unsatisfied. Remote control plays vital role. Few of the viewers do not watch TV without holding ‘remote control’ in the hand. They get the feel of watching only and only with remote control. Shhhh....Continuous search of some special programme is going on with this device. The search is on and on. But, still feel little bit unsatisfied. We had enough free lunch. It is the era of paid channels. We are paying various charges for those channels.

Now, I will take you to break scenario. In a serial of 30 minutes, you will watch serial for around 18-21 minutes. Rest 25-40% of your time, you need to surrender to channels to watch advertisements. Fine. But still you will not watch your programme ‘break-free’. You will find 2-4 breaks in the programme of 18-21 minutes. Analytically, 5 to 10 minutes in one-go. Are you okay with it? I am not. Is it what we wanted compare to DD era? How, one can get engrossed or have charm of the programme. If you talk about film, then for 2 ½ hours film will take your 3 ½ to 4 hours. Means, you have paid the additional cost by devoting your additional time. 

So, few TV channels became smart and launched the concept of ‘one-break-film’ or ‘movie-on-demand (without break)’. Still, at every half an hour you will find break. They are kind enough that they will not telecast commercial advertisement. But they will force you to watch advertisement of their channels’ various programmes. Concept is same. If they do not get anything, then they will show advertisement saying “you are watching break-free programme on our channel”. So, virtually it is not break-free.

Let me talk about FM Radio channels. They also became smart and launched the concept of ‘teen gaane back to back (Three songs in one-go)’ or ‘Yeh laga city ka chokka (four songs in one-go)’ or ‘Sunday ko shut up (Only songs on Sunday)’. But what is the reality, you and me know. After every song, they will play this tune to make you realize that it’s break-free.

So, ‘where is the break-free information or entertainment? Have we lost it in the globalization?’

Suresh Purohit (Su_hit)

Feb 17, 2011. 8 PM IST.

Data presentation of Bollywood

We, many Indians are great fond of Hindi films. Newspaper, Magazines, Radio programmes and TV shows are providing content ,coverage and information pertaining to  film stars, their films, their lives and lot of the things we want to know (with stuff that we don't want to know.)I thought of applying data presentation technique to data of Filmology. Here, reading and coorelation becomes much easy. One can also refer very quickly and moreover accurately. 

The selected male actors (Amir Khan, Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Salman Khan, Sharukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor) and female actors (Vidya Balan, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, Kajol, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Rani Mukerji, Deepika Padukone) films are presented in the matrix format. We call it 'managerial approach'. After all, knowledge has many application, irrespective of the field or the industry.

Surprised ! 

Agreed or big no, kindly do let me know.

Suresh Purohit (Su_hit)

su_hit@rajshree.co.in  

Truly Innocent kids

I would narrate three real-life incidences pertaining to kids. It is really interesting to observe that how they see and correlate various things or statements. 

Incidence # 1: Hawaa (Wind)

One day I went on terrace with my son in the evening in summer in Ahmedabad. He must be of around 6 years of age. He asked me very gentle and genuine question after waiting for prolonged period of 2 minutes, like we also do. If not, then we should. “Why we came here?” he asked politely and innocently. I said “Thandi Hawa khane ke liye (We are here to enjoy the cool wind)”. What next? He opened his mouth to eat .......  This was the simple meaning. Did you know it? I did not. 

Incidence # 2: “Do not touch plant in the evening”

Again, in the evening of summer, in Ahmedabad (right), during same time (again you are right) I went with my son (hat trick by you in making guesses) at cross roads. I thought we will sit nearby few plants and would enjoy the gentle traffic, passing by people and vehicles. There was a small plant of tulsi (basil in English). He requested me to pluck few leaves of that plant. Because of our various conceived standard perception (scientific, religious, etiquette, social, etc.); I thought appropriate to say “no”. Then, he asked me very pertinent scientific question ‘why?”. One of the standard perceptions of one of those above-mentioned fields came to my rescue. I replied, “Because the plant is sleeping in the evening, so you should not even touch it”. Immediately, he said, “That is not possible. Because how come it sleep in this noise/traffic.” He had instantly correlated that my wife and I have been stopping him not to make noise when his younger sister is sleeping.  See the reaction time of a kid. Probably, faster than the reaction time of cricketers Jonty Rhodes or Mohammed Azharuddin. I was caught and bold by him. 

Incidence # 3: Yoga by kids

As I mentioned in the beginning, they are real incidences. Hence, there are more probabilities that kids around me would be the characters of these events.  Once upon a time in Vadodara; my son, my daughter and my niece were taking all the lovely possible advantage of their get-together. They were making other sophisticated civilized persons’ routine or life horrible by dhamal, masti and shor-bakor (loud voice clubbed with volume (I would not dare to say it ‘noise’, emotionally)). I took a corporate initiative to engage them. I said ‘come on, I will teach you yoga.’ Only one member should agree on this proposal to materialize. I was lucky enough. Then, I initiated. I asked them to sit in the standard sitting posture. I instructed them to close the eyes and pronounce ‘ommmm.....’ by holding breath for little longer period. I also dared to instruct them to concentrate. It lasted for 7-10 minutes with little disturbances, as anticipated. Finally, to my surprise, my niece felt sleeping and she slept there only. I could not imagine it. You also cannot imagine how much I was laughing. What would you say? Am I a good corporate initiator, a fantastic yoga teacher or magnificent child care-taker or a good spin bowler (as I have taken a wicket)?  

I would wait for your answer and comments.  Don’t stop yourself. Be innocent like kids.

Suresh Purohit (Su_hit)

su_hit@rajshree.co.in

February 9, 2011; 8 PM IST.

"So, how are you Rahul?"

My surrounding people (i.e. friends, relatives, colleagues, family members) know it very well about my this characteristics. I know it is difficult for you to guess, luckily. Ohhhh, I am referring to My style. Little different. Whenever I come across or meet the unknown person and I have no clue about his name. I come across them at tea-stall. I meet them at restaurant. I may meet them in bus or at bus stop. In train, at railway platform, or at shops, even. Now, how to address him? A big challenge. ‘Tenya’, ‘Chotu’, ‘Bhaiya’, ‘Party’, ‘Boss’, ‘Saheb’, ‘Chacha’, ‘Kaka’ ‘or ‘Lala’. The list will be long. We use this various word to address him.

I use the most relevant name for him. For example, I will say while looking at him ‘Rajesh, hamare liye do chai aur ek coffee lana’ (Rajesh, please bring two tea and a coffee). I will also use this phrase ‘Maheshbhai, humko aapki rickshaw mein us char rasta tak chod dena’ (Maheshbhai, please drop me in your auto at next cross-roads).

I have been using this technique since 2003 (that I can recall, as I was staying in Delhi at that time). So far it is good going. The opposite person have been also enjoying or liking this style. Many times, he is refreshed by this unusual conversation or salutation. I use it very safely and looking at the situation. If person does not like then I try to cover up nicely without hurting him.

In Dec-2010, I have taken a seat in shuttle rickshaw to go Ratna Sagar Cross Road (Meghaninagar) from Subhash Bridge in Ahmedabad. It’s a real fact. The rickshaw driver was very young and jolly. He would be of around 20-22 years. He started boasting. He started gossiping little bit (even little big) while driving. I also counter played the same, even though I am not good at it. Then, I said, “Come on, I know you. Your name is Manoj”. He was shocked. He opened his both eyes up to what level he could do. I said to me “he is acting”. Then, he said, “my name is Manoj. But how do you know”. While driving, he also tried to show me his hand with permanent tattoo to show the name Manoj. But after few seconds, he said it has become dull now. I was not sure what is happening. Still I managed to showcase confidence level, even though it was not a reality show airing on TV. Then he said “I will show my identity card at the end of your journey”. I was at ease, if possible.

Then I arrived at the stop. You reached to the climax. I asked him for his Identity card. Now, it is my turn to get shocked and pleased both. He was Manoj. Trust me! He was Manoj Chauhan.

I said to myself, It was about to happen one day. It took 7 years to locate right person. Now I was on the sky on that day and next day too. 7 years is too long, isn't it?