Encountering The Legendary Mongolian Wolves In Jiang Rong's Wolf Totem

Honestly, I have never written a book review neither I thought of attempting to write one. Being a cinephile, I often end up reading a film review before going to watch a film. So I am assuming that similar can be said for reading a book. But let me tell you, I did not read a review nor I had ever heard about the book, Wolf Totem, & certainly had no idea about Jiang Rong (the writer) before purchasing this particular one.

I was at a book sale with a friend surfing through thousands of literary works when I came across this piece. Of course because of two strong reasons: the cover had blood red colour & there was wolf written & imaged all over it. I took the bulky work into my hands & turned it right over, going for the brief summary at the back. I remember that it had Mongolia written & something to do with a Chinese guy's fascination about wolves.

Now, the only reason to purchase the book was Byambasuren Davaa's 'The Cave Of The Yellow Dog'. The film laid out everything about the nomadic people living in Mongolia & that had me caged in the thoughts of life in Mongolia, just like Chen, the Chinese guy (the book's character). I remember I had recently watched this film & was on a look for anything related to the Mongols. Well, I was in luck.

I did not start reading the book as soon as I purchased it. And It took me close to 5 years to finish the book. I admit I was just being lazy, procrastinating whenever its turn came. Maybe the number of pages put me off or I was watching more films, completing my master's or reading some other book. Finally, sometime in March 2018, I picked this book, the pages had turned yellow-brownish on the edges, it actually looked like a century old book, intriguing, secrets to be revealed page after page. So I made up my mind, to cover Mongolia, without pausing anywhere this time and so the journey with the nomads & wolves began.

Set in the 1960s, the book is about the nomadic lifestyle of Mongolian's from an outsider's perspective, a Chinese guy, Chen Zhen, who comes to Olonbulag to study the way of the nomads. He trains as a sheepherder under the guidance of Olonbulag's finest nomad, Biljee. An old soul full of stories about the history of Mongolia & a disliking towards the Chinese. Biljee held the Chinese responsible for turning the once evergreen Mongolia into a yellow-sand filled dessert, angering the 'Tengger' & sucking the life out of the lush green pasturelands with the modern ways of living.

During his stay, Chen witnesses a bloody wolf-pack attack and comes to know the risks of being a herder. He now knows that wolves are the main threat to sheep in the pastureland. But then it also comes to his knowledge that wolves are a blessing. He is told by Bilgee about the importance of balance in Mongolia and how everything here, life and death, is directly related to the wolves. The fact that wolves could be something more than a fierce carnivore made Chen curious. And so Chen's real journey amongst the nomads began.

Chen's questions about the four-legged creature increase to a point that he decides to adopt a newly born wolf. He comes up with a plan & asks his friend Yank Ke to help him. They plan to track down an adult wolf to a den where they, probably, will find wolf cubs. Bilgee, on learning Chen's plan of raising a wolf cub, becomes furious, suggesting to drop the plan at once. Bilgee tells him that he was going against the grassland rules and this would anger Tennger. But Chen seems resilient & proceeds with his plan.

Chen, Yang Ke and a few others track down a female wolf to her den & are sure about finding cub litters in there. Their luck strikes & they find seven wolf cubs in the den.  The cubs on being found, their eyes still not open, play dead. Chen's party takes them to their yurt. Unable to keep all the seven Chen soon realises he can keep only one and will have to kill the rest, send their souls to the sky, to Tennger. At that very moment, Chen realises what a grave mistake he has committed & prepares himself for the real hardships.

Chen's nature in raising a wolf; a free spirit, a wild Mongolian legend, always chained is unsympathetic. The legendary Mongolian wolves live and die on their own terms, to chain them, to take their freedom away is a crime. The same way like prison is to a man. Chen just doesn't want to raise the cub & know more about wolves but wants to build a friendship with the cub, like it used to be in the tales. Can friendships be forced?

The book explores the relationship between the cub and Chen. How Chen wants to befriend the wolf cub (Little Wolf) and how he wants to grow old with him. Wolf Totem reminded me of Miyazaki's anime world. How the selfish human side corrupts every beautiful thing that exists, from green lush pasturelands to the purest form of friendship. How the human brain differs to understand that forcing onto anything will only bring destruction, both physical & mental.

At one point, the nomads are looking for a new pastureland to settle before the summer strikes. Bilgee takes Chen & Yang Ke to a hidden land across a hill. The sheer sight of the land atop the hill makes Yang believe that if there is heaven then this must be it. The meticulously written details about the discovered land, a green lush land, a lake with ducks & swans, with no sort of human presence to corrupt it makes Yang lost in the tranquillity. He sits & admires every inch of the land. Such detailed visualisation in writing makes you Yang as if you are seeing it for yourself.

If you ever feel like visiting the 60s & 70s Mongolia, this book is your destination. The minute details penned in the book transcends you to the location. At instances you find yourself staring in a pitch dark den with shining eyes staring back near a ravine and sometimes newly discovered, uncorrupted pastureland standing atop a hill. After reading it, you can't stop but become another Chen, trying to befriend a wolf, to earn its friendship no matter how even though you know you are going against the very rules of nature.

वो भूखा मर गया

मैंने खाना खाया पेट भर गया,
कहीं कोई भूखा ही मर गया।

थाली में मेरी दो चम्मच घी पड़ गया,
एक बच्चा सूखा चावल खाकर रह गया।

मैं खाना पचाने के लिए चुर्ण चट कर गया,
और कोई पेट पर गीला कपड़ा बांधे सो गया।

घर पर साफ पानी वाला मशीन लग गया,
कोई इक प्याला पानी को तरस गया।

दावत का बचा खाना कूड़े में फेंक दिया,
वही किसी के शाम का खाना बन गया।

मेरा खाना मुझे हमेशा वक्त पे मिल गया,
और कोई अनाज के इंतज़ार ही में रह गया।

आईना

जो है वही दिखाता है,
खुद ही से मिलवाता है,
ये कुछ नही छुपाता है,
आईना सच बताता है।

रोते की हिम्मत बढ़ाता है,
हँसते को और हँसाता है,
अंधेरे में छिप जाता है,
उजाले में छिलमिलाता है।

न झूठा भरोसा दिलाता है,
न सच्चा खेल खिलाता है,
कोई इसमें देख इतराता है,
कोई याद कर मुस्कुराता है।

माशूक की याद दिलाता है,
नज़र पड़ते ही लजवाता है,
अकेले में बहुत बतियाता है,
साथी का साथ निभाता है।

दुल्हन का श्रृंगार करवाता है,
दूल्हे को टाई पहनवाता है,
ये कई सपने सजवाता है,
दिलों का दर्पण बन जाता है।

कभी धनवान कभी फ़कीर बनाता है,
ये कभी-कभार भविष्य भी दिखाता है,
बाबु साहब! ये आईना है, आईना!
अनगिनत राज़ छुपाता है।

इक कप चाय

सूनो, रुक कर अपनी वह बात बताना,
भैय्या, पहले इक कप चाय पिलाना।

सवेरे-सवेरे ही उस का दिख जाना,
जैसे सुस्त देह में जान आ जाना।

सुर-सुर चुस्की लेते जाना,
संग उसके अखबार पलटते जाना।

दोपहर की नींद से खुद को आज़ाद कराना,
चाय! सुनते ही पहला कप अपना भरवाना।

चाय में कूचा हुआ अदरक पड़ जाना,
पी कर उसको, 'वाह!' निकल जाना।

हर वक्त कोई न कोई बहाना बनाना,
उसी बहाने टपरी पर चाय पीने जाना।

यादव, गोलार, साठे, शेख़ का मिल जाना,
उस इक कप चाय पर सारी बहस सुलझाना।

मेहमान-नवाजी हो या कहीं से थक कर आना,
बिना चाय कुछ नहीं है हो पाना।

इसलिए सब यही कहे, मर्द हो या जनाना,
भैय्या, पहले इक कप चाय पिलाना।

खुद को ज़िंदा कर

रोज़-रोज़ क्युँ सोचता है कि क्या कर,
बस कर, कुछ कर, खुद को ज़िंदा कर।

अब करुँगा, तब करुँगा, कुछ कर तो सही,
ये अब नहीं आया, वो तब नहीं आएगा,
यू ही सोचते-सोचते ये वक्त बढ़ा जाएगा।

सोचता है तो सही सोच, कुछ और सोच, क्या करेगा?
और जो सोच लिया, तो कर वही, रुका क्या करेगा।

बढ़ेगा तभी जब लड़ेगा, पर तु खड़ा ही लड़ सकेगा?
लड़-झगड़ और पार कर, कर-कर कुछ काम कर।

उसने कहा, उससे सुना, कहा-सुना, क्या सुना, ठीक सुना?
अब बस कर सुनना, अब काम कर जो सब सुने।

रोज़-रोज़ क्युँ सोचता है कि क्या कर,
बस कर, कुछ कर, खुद को ज़िंदा कर।

जिन्दगी

कुछ रूक सी गई है जिन्दगी,
नई सुबह नही, पुरानी शाम हो गई है जिन्दगी।

पुराने ऐल्बम में उस तस्वीर सी,
फिके-पीले, कोडैक कागज़ के चौकोन टुकड़े जैसी,
कुछ धुंधला-सी गई है जिन्दगी।

चलता पंखा या ए-सी ऑफिस का,
दोनों की ही हवा ठंडा नही कर पा रही,
कुछ गर्मा-सी गई है जिन्दगी।

ट्रेफिक हो या लाइन ए-टी-एम की,
आगे बढ़ने का नाम ही नही ले रही है,
कुछ उक्ता-सी गई है जिन्दगी।

खबर अच्छी हो या कोई बुरी,
कोई प्रतिक्रिया भी व्यक्त नही कर पा रही है,
कुछ बौरा-सी गई है जिन्दगी।

Lazy Reviewer: Playing It Cool

Courtesy: Playing It Cool

"What a boring and cliche script", said my friend, and wait please don't judge him , please! The attempt to make this film itself should have been scrapped. There i said it. For instance, look at the story in a nutshell -

A writer, our hero, who has never experienced love, falls for a gorgeous women, our heroine, but she is getting married to someone else, the not so villain wealthy guy. In the end she quits the marriage as our hero saves the day by 'fighting' back his love.

It's a perfect script (no second thoughts) and the same has worked for many, many films and no one who has watched enough Rom-Coms would argue on this. But.. but.. but.. other than the 'nutshell' script, there is nothing much happening either and that is the main concern. The usual jokes, the usual friend circle and the usual tragedy with the protagonist, our hero writer.

Directed by Justin Reardon, Playing it Cool is not so cool after all. There is no juice in the film, there i said it! I don't want to sound rude or injust to the director's creative art but i can't help it, the film is just reel with an over-cliche script.

However, there are positives for the actors in the film, Chris Evans, our hero is successful in breaking the action figure barrier and is looking versatile as a workaholic and then a romantic lover. One thing that continues with Chris Evans is his best buddy Anthony Mackie, who plays freind in Captain America. Michelle Monaghan (Chirs Evan's love in film) is beautiful and her purpose is thus served.

The roles of Anthony Mackie, Aubrey Plaza and Topher Grace, Chris's friend in the film are effective and promising, but the script (again) makes them look weak.

The film is shot brilliantly, no complaints there, but as said, "a weak script makes a weak film ". Justin (director) in his previous work, a short (Zoltan: The Hungarian Gangster of Love), revolves the story around romance and comedy, which clearly shows in this film too, where the promise of the director lacks. Since it is Justin's Debut, relaxation given (waiting for Convention).

And finally, the box office too punished the film, some of the critics found it fine, some were strict towards it. Overall i would say, if you have watched this film, sympathies, if not and are planning to, save the trouble, watch Casablanca or Breakfast at Tiffany's or any other of your favorites.

Until next review, stay classy, keep watching films!

(If you have a good list of films do share with me, as a film lover to another)

What is “google pagerank”? Should ‘I’ be worried about it?

We all, sometime-somewhere, have stood first in something and have felt good about it. Being first or say being even amongst the top ten, from the rest, itself is a moment that gives you certain recognition, people look up to you as mentor, as well as a source. Suddenly, you become the talk-of-the-town and you sure enjoy this.

Well, you may feel a little weird, as what this above paragraph got to do with “google pagerank”? But don’t strain your brain too much, the entire, above written content just describes what a “google pagerank” is and functions like. Let’s us understand this in a much broader and clear perspective.

Google Pagerank

Google pagerank is a criterion that determines where your website page is ranked amongst the others of your kind. Say, if you have a blog about food, then where does it stands amongst the similar blogs and websites and does it matters? Yes it does matters!

If you’re ranking is higher, chances of people crashing on your website increases. So, the more you are on the internet, the better are the chances of you getting a high rank, and eventually getting you the required number of views that you are targeting. This is beneficial for all, those who are having a business oriented website and those who just want people to engage with what they are publishing on their website.

A better ranking website, say amongst the top 10, would land you on the first page of the google search engine. This would help you advance in an increase of your audience. The more you grow the merrier it would be for your website. Ranking in the top 10 helps you to have worldwide recognition and credit.

So, let us come to the conclusion of google pagerank – yes it is important for a multi-national corporation and even if you are an indie blogger. It helps you achieve a wide audience and a credit for your name. But, this doesn’t end all. Let us look at two quick features that can help you be the next on the number one page of google.

• Importance of content management

Content is the king. Yes it is, in every manner possible. The better organized the content is, the higher the chances of people crashing your website. It is important to understand that ‘just filling’ is not the best option. There are numerous websites that have written content just to fill up pages, at all cost avoid that.

Content should be structured and engaging. Write like you are talking to your audience, use images, videos to make it interesting. Make the fonts attractive, look at your design for once and don’t just fill up, write meaningful lines. It would be a waste, if you write 1000-2000 words of cliché, instead use some freshness, a content that engages the audience.

You can opt to write little, but interesting. In a time, where there are thousands of websites offering the same content you can interest your audience writing to the point, avoiding long boring content. So, next time you are filling content on your website or blog, choose your words wisely.

•        A better social networking feature on your website

You have a good creative website design and an excellent content to support it too, but still no traffic or change in your google pagerank? Well, one of the most prominent reasons could be that you are lacking social network promotions.

Social networking sites like facebook, twitter, linkedIn, pinterest, tumblr, etc. are very important to bring your website under notice of your target audience. Social networking sites help you to get more recognition and if your website really has all the interesting, engaging and exclusive content, it won’t be late that you would be in ranking amongst google pages.

Social networking sites help the audience to engage with your website better. This increases the chance of your website getting shared over various social media platforms for free and you getting free advertising too. The more your website is visited the fast it becomes for your website to appear on google’s first page.

Hence, make sure that you are providing all sorts of social networking buttons for sharing your content.

So, now you know what you need to do in order to bring your page on top amongst the others. Google pagerank is important and it does matters for your website or blog. Manage your content, be present everywhere on social media sites and make yourselves the next big sensation of the new big market – the INTERNET!

Unpaid internships should be boycotted

Hi guys! This, write up (or shout out), is a direct appeal to all the fresh pass outs as well as working students; if you are good at something, never do it for free (a famous quote).

To be honest, my personal experience has been, a little, agonizing, working as an intern. I worked for a multinational media firm for 1 & ½ months (45 days) to be exact, for free, not a single penny guys! I realized (thanks god I did), they should have paid me something, at least traveling should be considered, but nothing as such happened.

I even spoke to the seniors working over there but found no help. Then I took the matter to the head, but was denied any explanation for this routine. Finally, I decided to leave them, and I am sure they must have hired some other intern for free. This incident was back in 2012.

Thereafter, I decided I wouldn’t work for free for anyone (except for my friends ;) ) and since have stood by my word. I refused any opportunity that was provided to me in exchange of no-money-intern. This, unpaid internship, situation has worsened over the years. I strongly believe that this is nothing less than exploitation of the intern.

I know some students, now working, who have worked, as long as, for 18 months without pay in the journalism industry. Isn’t this exploitation in a way?

The situation, especially, is at cataclysm in Mumbai. There are numerous media agencies and they run this unpaid internship thing ‘shamelessly’. Even the multinational media corporations are doing the same. It is even more-heartbreaking that these firms, most of the times; don’t even pay for the intern’s traveling allowance. “Paying stipend” is a complete different story.

The media industry in defense, for unpaid interns, has reasons like, the students are not professionals or in order to learn you have to invest something first or, even to a level, we don’t require you; it is you who is in need of the internship.

They, media houses, are only able to do this because we, interns, don’t speak for ourselves. We don’t have to be scared about the opportunity, first and foremost important thing. If you are good at it, eventually, you would end up getting a decent paying job.

You just start saying ‘no’ to unpaid internships. There are n numbers of opportunities in this growing media-journalism-business. You only have to stand-up for yourself, say no to unpaid internships, at least ask for what you deserve; and deep down somewhere, you know that you deserve better.

And yes, if you are concerned what happened to me when I refused unpaid internship; nothing much to worry, I am still associated with the media business and on a decent pay ;). Quit worrying, stop getting exploited and stand for what is yours. You just have to ask and I am 100% sure asking don’t cost a single penny.

A show called ‘WWYD?’

I recently came across this show, WWYD (what would you do?), while I was surfing random videos, like everybody else, on youtube. I was struck and struck again with the honesty of the videos. I went on to watch more than fifty episodes back to back on the channel.

The script of the show is a social experiment relating to any problem the people face on the planet earth. Problems like illegal immigration, homelessness, racism, bullying, eve-teasing, abusing, etc. are discussed via the show. The producer of the show is John Quinones. Well, this is all the show is about.

I am writing about it because I find all the episodes intriguing. The show is like a spy show, out in public. An actor is given a situation and is asked to perform it in a public place, like a mall, parlor or a bar. Multiple cameras are fixed, capturing all the angles of the scene set up.

Now, the people around the actor, who maybe sitting, standing or walking past, does not know anything about the set up, they don’t have the slightest of the idea what is going on. This is what the producers of the show want, that the people to be real and to record their real reaction.

The show is about faith, hope and humanity. The people around the actor are provoked to react to situations, racism, nationality, eve-teasing, etc., and that is recorded on the camera.

I know I am getting cliché, as I am continuing this. I have provided the link below, if you have time do check, and yes this is not a promotion of that show. Watch it, I am sure you would love it.

what would you do?

India wins first match in Hockey World Cup 2014

It was India against Malaysia and India won 3-2. From the beginning whistle the Indian team attacked and kept the possession, this helped them scored the goals at regular intervals when needed. Indian managed to penetrate the Malaysian defense 3 times. In the reply, Malaysia gave came up with a 2 goal reply, but was unable to breach the Indian defense more.

From now on in the tournament, India has nothing to lose. Instead they have a bright opportunity to make it to the 7th position, increasing their World Ranking by 1 position up, settling at 7. India should be satisfied with their performance and with this win would have their morals high. But their next match is with the group giants, Australia.

Australia hasn't lost a single match in the tournament so far and has looked strong, both in defense and in attack. Managing a win would be great, but under the circumstances a draw would be fine too. It is a little difficult for India, but with the kind of performance in the tournament so far, Indian players can certainly make the giants worry a little.

This team is young and has a potential of being a great future team. With the leader like Sardar Singh and a experience coach like Terry Walsh, the team is looking to touch new heights. The recent performances before Hockey World Cup 2014 of team India have been impressive. Hope they continue the form and perform their best in coming matches. All the best India.

India vs Spain,1-1, Hockey World Cup 2014

What a delight to watch an exciting 70 minutes of play, with the players making it even more exciting buy showing their extraordinary performance. I would say, a draw in this match was India's win. India did not had any points on the table and this draw against Spain ensures that India stay in the game of making it to the 4th spot in the table, which eventually will help them raise their world ranking.

India was certainly not looking in complete control when the tournament started, but they have made progress. A last minute loss in both the prior matches against Belgium and England respectively. But this time against Spain, it was different. The Indian players played an attacking game and on the same time managed to restrict the opponents to only a single goal.

Image Courtesy: International Business Times

The match ended, 1-1. Both the teams took single point from the game, but India was quite happy. The player who has been giving goosebumps to the opposition is not any striker but India's goalie Sreejesh. He is doing a perfect job in keeping the ball away from the nets and has been in phenomenal form. He has made some really impressive saves for team India.

Form now, team India has nothing to loose in the tournament. They have two matches left, one with the might Australians and the last with the Malaysians. India would want to win both the match and make their mark. Hope all goes well for the team. they are now looking in good knack as the tournament has progressed. Wishes to team India fora better play in future.

'TWO' in a row for Indian Hockey team!

Yes, second loss in a row in the Hockey World Cup 2014 for India. Team India looked defensive and were not able to keep the possession in the game against number 4 ranking team England. India lost 2-1. India did not had the possession but were able to keep the shots of the opposition out of the nets.

What was heartbreaking for the Indians, that the English players scored the second goal in the last couple of minutes via a penalty. In this tournament this is the second time that the Indian players were unable to defend the goal in the final seconds of the game. Earlier it was with Belgium, in which India lost 3-2 to Belgium, with the last goal coming in the final 10 seconds.

Ind 1-2 Eng

Image Courtesy - NDTV Sports

Indian team looks balanced but is unable to convert those close calls into a goal. The loss against England have thinned their chances of making it to the top two and going into the semi-finals. But a lot of positives for team India to take. They have managed to play good, they have made their opponents hunt for goals, making it difficult for them to score.

The two things that team India needs to work on in the ahead matches is their attack plan and their last minute defense. India is certainly looking and performing like a team worth playing the world cup. They have come a long way and have showed some good performance. Hopefully, they will be able to finish at a better spot in the tournament. India currently ranks 8 in World Hockey Ranking.

Game lost, but a steady start!

With the first whistle of the match, Belgium started dominating the play with India at the 2014 Hockey World Cup. In doing so, the Belgian players scored their first goal, creating a good pressure on the Indian players, who also rank 8th in the world hockey ranking. Belgium (ranking 5th) continued their play and made sure they were attacking their opponents.

The second half started better for the Indians, as they started showing some skills on the ground. It payed off as Mandeep Singh shot a goal to equal the score 1-1. This gave the Indians confidence and their play on the field became more impressive. Thus, with their good coordination they were able to secure another in the net and the score became 1-2.

The final 20-25 minutes were the main play, where all the drama happened. Belgium came back strongly and nailed the score, 2-2. After that they created many opportunities but were unable to convert them into goals. India too lost a couple of opportunities, including one penalty corner.

The last 60 seconds were entertaining yet heart breaking for the Indians. With a very skillful and energetic play from Sardar Singh, the Indian captain leading from the front, the team was unable to keep the shot of Belgian, Johm-John Dohmen, out of the net. The last 10 seconds was the turning point, when the Belgian, Johm-John Dohmen scored a fantastic goal to make sure Belgium emerge as the winning team with 3 points on the board. India lost 3-2.

Image Courtesy - IBN

The Indian side can take a lot of positives from this match. They held Belgium quite well. The Indian players looked hungry to perform better to prove their worth and book their place. It is good to see team India performing well, hope the coming matches will go well for team India.

आगामी चुनाव - Navbharat Times

मेरे विचार चुनाव पर।

THE PLANE THAT WENT MISSING, MH370

The suspense over missing Malaysian airline MH370 is growing day by day. It has been close to a week and there is no trace, not a single clue about MH370. One would wonder where it went, hijacked or crashed in the ocean (hope nothing as such happens)? As of now the hijack angle has been ruled out.

A total of 239 people were on MH370. I pray for people aboard on MH370 and for their families. How strange it sounds that in times of technology, where everything can be monitored by technology, a huge plane with 239 passengers just vanished somewhere, just like that.

The officials of search operations are looking for the signs, like the parts of airline MH370, and this gives a signal that there’s a very high possibility that the airplane has crashed somewhere in the sea.

But let us look back. We see that there are 5-6 such cases with similar endings. The famous case of Amelia Earhart, the lady with wings and strength to conquer the world with her plane, she too disappeared somewhere in between the wind and sea. Remains of her or her flight were never found. And there is Bermuda triangle! A mystery still unsolved. A plane just disappeared in Bermuda triangle and the plane with 13 search officials, who went to find a trace, too disappeared. Nothing was known about both of the planes and its remains. But both the cases are almost 50-70 years old, when we didn’t had high technology.

Hopefully, this time we will be victorious and our brave search officials will find out some news about the ship. Salute to all the search operation team who are 24*7 in search of any hint about MH370. Hope we get to hear anything, but positive, about MH370.

Prayers!

यकीन

तेरे होने ना होने पे यकीन नहीं होता है।

जब छोटा था चीज़ो कि समझ नही थी मुझमें,

हमेशा बड़ी अचरज मे रहता,

बड़े जो समझाते उसे हि सच मान लिया करता,

हर जवाब में सवाल निकाल लिया करता।

समय बीता, शरीर बढ़ा अक्ल बढ़ी,

अब मेरा सवाल पुछना कुछ कम हो गया है,

जिन सवालों से अचरज हुआ करता था,

अब उन सवालों के जवाब गुगल कर लेता हुँ।

लेकिन बड़ी असमंजसता मे फँस गया हुँ,

जिन सवालों के जवाब सिधे-सरल लगते थे,

अब उन्ही के जवाब पा सन्तुष्ट नहीं होता,

इसलिए तेरे होने ना होने पे यकीन नही होता है।

बहुत कहते है तु है कुछ नही भी,

देखता हुँ किसी को-

परेशान, भूखा, डरता या मरता,

एक ही सवाल फिर उठ खड़ा होता है,

तेरे होने ना होने पे यकीन नही होता है।

इन्तज़ार

उसे हर वक्त इन्तज़ार रहता है।
साल के बारहो माह बंद रहता है,
न कोई पूछता है, न कोई झाँकता है,
फिर भी उसे हर वक्त इन्तज़ार रहता है।

एक उज़ाड़ सा सूनापन घिर गया है,
मकड़ियों के जालों से भर गया है,
धूल जम-जम कर मिट्टी की शक्ल ले चुकी है,
फिर भी उसे हर वक्त इन्तज़ार रहता है।

वह पुराना हो चला है,
खबर है उसे कोई देखने आने वाला है,
पहले कि तरह अब मुसाफ़िर उसे अनदेखा नही करते,
उसे देख आपस में बातें करते है,
उसका इन्तज़ार अब बेसब्री में बदल गया है।

उसके आंगन में एक अज़ीब कौतुहल है,
हर वक्त नज़रे सामने वाली सड़क पर रहती है,
मानो सदियों से बिझड़े किसी शख्सियत का इन्तज़ार हो,
जिससे मुलाकात अब बस होने वाली है।

आज एक मोटर आई थी,
एक शख्स निकला और इसी तरफ देख रहा था,
पता चला यह वही है जिसका बेसब्री से इन्तज़ार हो रहा था,
फिज़ा मे एक अजीब सी बेचैनी छा गई,
लगा अब इन्तज़ार खत्म हो गया।

वो शख्स दूर से ही मुआएना करता नज़र आया,
अचानक वो मोटर मे बैठा और मोटर के धुंए मे घुम हो गया,
सब एकाएक थम सा गया, आंगन में वही पुराना सूनापन छा गया,
जो इन्तज़ार खत्म होता नज़र आ रहा था,
अब वो इन्तज़ार फिर इन्तज़ार बन गया।

THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS

LA VOZ DE LOS SILENCIADOS

‘Silently effective’

The film is based on true events. The Voice of the Voiceless, directed by Maximon Monihan, like its title tells the story of a teen girl, Olga, who is deaf and brought to New York in fake scholarship to a school from Guatemala. But New York doesn’t appears the way she imagined, she has to sell ‘I am deaf’ trinkets and generate 100$ a day to avoid the harsh punishment. The film with almost no dialogues and only actions is shot around New York.

It is a film which strikes subtly with the issue raised. It makes us feel pity on Olga to see the trauma through which she is going, a never ending nightmare. But on another note she is also trying to enjoy life by spending extra money by saving when she gets more than 100$. The film talks about a whole racket of such physically challenged kids who have to do this in order to survive.

There is nothing much from the cinematography aspect and the music too sounds okay. Director, Maximon, makes it very clear that the film is all about the girl, her imaginations and desires of a better life like any other citizen. Again, the film just arrests you with its end and makes you feel for Olga, the girl.