Allthatswritten: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth murdered by Mira Nair

Allthatswritten: A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth murdered by Mira Nair:   Have you ever waited in anticipation for a drink (tea, coffee, or whatever your poison is) from a place that is atrociously famous for it ...

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth murdered by Mira Nair

 

Have you ever waited in anticipation for a drink (tea, coffee, or whatever your poison is) from a place that is atrociously famous for it and then after you have taken your first sip, you feel cheated!!! If you know that feeling, then you will understand how I felt after watching Mira Nair, and Shimit Amin’s Cinematic adaptation of Vikram Seth’s novel - A Suitable Boy.

What were they thinking!!!!

The book is a massive 1,349 pages and it was deduced to a mockery of Western clichés of Indian thinking in 6 episodes.

I, for one, am not a fan of Vikram Seth’s novel because I found it too drab and maybe I was not mature enough to understand the complexities of emotions, relationships and depth of familial ties of a setting in newly free India. However, even then, I am appalled by the mockery in the guise of an adaption.

The series, of which I believe there will be more episodes in the coming future; seemed like a joke to me. In an India struggling to find its real identity in the post freedom era; Lata’s dilemma seemed frivolous and childish even. Her mother’s obsession with finding a suitable groom for her young daughter is justified; but not Lata’s ignorance of the political unrest in India, the Hindu Muslim discord, the absurdity of her own feelings and desires and the unnecessary stereotyping of characters.

Lata and her three suitors Kabir Durrani, Haresh Khanna and Amit Chatterji (clockwise L - R)

I did like some portions and the one I loved the best is when Haresh Khanna (Namit Das) after hearing all about the wonderful places he had missed in London from Lata’s eldest brother Arun Mehra (Vivek Gomber), asks him when he had been there recently; to which Arun starts chocking because he had never ever stepped foot in London.

Arun Mehra symbolized millions of Indians who talk about places abroad when in truth they have never stepped out of India ever!!! Somewhere, our obsession with the west and all things foreign has a long history and going by the feverish excitement that we in India had during the Presidential Elections in America, I am sure this trait is for keeps!!

Coming back to the Netflix series; the characters were truly comical caricatures, the accents very heavy and unnecessary, the disgust for all things Bengali and disrespect for women of Calcutta – uncalled for, the boy - Maan Kapoor’s (Ishaan Khatter) fixation for the Courtesan Saeeda Bai (Tabu) fascinating and her reciprocating his love understandable, the relationship between Maan and his friend/brother Firoz Khan (Shubham Saraf) with its undertones of untamed homosexuality, the brotherhood between Mahesh Kapoor (Ram Kapoor) and Nawab of Baitar (Aamir Bashir) special; in all made for a complex concoction where exemplary actors were underutilized.

Maan Kapoor (Ishaan Khatter) with Courtesan Saeeda Bai (Tabu)

If you are someone like me who prefers books to movies; then my unsolicited advice to you - please spare yourself the torture of watching the series and those of you who have seen the series, then please read the book for its brilliance, its narrative and its justice to the characters from a time when India was just born and trying to find her footing amidst the blood and gory of inter class, inter community, inter religious ideologies.

Vikram Seth

 ps: I am now going to pull out, dust and read the book once again. I suggest you do so too.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

 

Last night I watched the movie ‘Wonder’, an adaption of the book by the same name by R. J. Palacio's. This 2017 American drama film directed by Stephen Chbosky and written by Jack Thorne, Steven Conrad, and Chbosky stars Jacob Tremblay as August "Auggie" Pullman, Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson as his parents and Izabela Vidovic as Olivia "Via" Pullman, his sister.

The book was inspired by a real-life encounter Palacio had with a child who had a craniofacial disorder.

I’ve read the book a couple of times before and have loved the easy flow from chapter to chapter; each talking about the situation at hand from each character’s eyes. The movie too captures this transition effortlessly... something I don’t see often in movies. I’ve always felt that movies are over-rated and often undermine the essence of the book and its characters. Thankfully, this movie stays true to the book and does complete justice to the characters and their personalities.

Auggie Pullman is a 10-year-old boy born with a rare medical facial deformity, which he refers to as "mandibulofacial dysostosis", and has undergone 27 different surgeries in order to see, smell, speak and hear. He has been home-schooled so far, but as he approaches fifth grade, his parents (his mother really) believe it is time he goes out into the real world and meets children his age.

To ensure a smooth entry into school, the Principal Mr. Tushman of Beecher Prep, a public school, arranges a tour for him with three other students: Jack, Julian, and Charlotte.

The story follows Auggie as he deals with bullies, meets children, goes on a trip, makes friends and finally wins the Henry Ward Beecher Medal for his strength and courage throughout the school year.

We are also taken through the situation from the eyes of his sister, his father, his friends and his sister’s friend.

A beautiful story about deformity, empathy, compassion, spirit, passion, grit and friendships – this book makes for a wonderful read. The fact that the movie exceeded expectations and matched the standards of the book makes this a wonderful duo to have on your read and watch list.

 

Allthatswritten: Within Reach: My Everest Story Book by Jack Galvin...

Allthatswritten: Within Reach: My Everest Story Book by Jack Galvin...: A book about a young man's quest to reach the peak of the highest mountain in the world.

Within Reach: My Everest Story Book by Jack Galvin and Mark Pfetzer

Some books make a huge impression on you and not just because of their content, but also because of the Author. In this case it’s a book by a 15 year old and its about his accomplishments at that young an age.

I’m talking about the book, “Within Reach – My Everest Story” by Mark Pfetzer and Jack Galvin. This is a story of a young man’s unforgettable journey.

'Within Reach' is a book about Mark and his passion and ambition to climb the highest mountain in the world – Mount Everest. In the words of Jack Galvin, “Most of us will never climb Mount Everest, but Mark has shown us that we can all live our own adventure if we have the strength of will.”

Mark’s interest in the mountains and mountain climbing starts at a young age of 12, when he was part of the Advanced camping trip team at the Alton Jones Wilderness Center at the University of Rhode Island. The first experience of climbing up and then rappelling and belying down a mountain gave him an adrenal rush. From there on, each step of his has been towards tougher goals, harder trails and exhausting workouts.

This book might seem like a regular book about Mount Everest, but what makes it so special is Mark’s determination, his focus, his passion, his unrelenting vision of getting to the top of Mount Everest and his punishing regime of strength training and workouts.

In 1994, Mark scaled Mount Pisco, Peru at age 14 and was the youngest to summit. From then on he has scaled Huascardin, Peru and ten Cotopaxi, Ecuador (the world’s third highest active volcano); all at 14 years of age.

In two years, at the age of 16, he climbed Mount Everest (26,000 ft.), from the Nepal side.

What differentiates Mark from other regular kids is his ‘dreams-to-reality ratio’ and his commitment. In the words of Jack Galvin, “Once he decides to take on a skill or an activity, he becomes committed. Then he learns, prepares, and immerses himself so intensely that success is not only predictable but inevitable. … Once made, he allows nothing to stand in his way. How else can you account for a thirteen-year-old, living in a small seaside town, with limited funds, who decides he wants to climb mountains and then finds his way to the upper reaches of Everest two years later?”

Through his experience on the mountain he teaches us about dedication, focus, teamwork, fear, death and triumph. He talks about how everyone is treated as an equal on the mountains and how important it is for everyone to carry their own load, he talks about people from different parts of the world, he talks about different parts of the world, he talks about the Monks who stay in the higher reaches of the Himalayas and truly seem content and in touch with the Maker up above.

This is a wonderful read for all those who aspire to climb Mountains and especially for all the youth who think they have it tough; when in reality they all have it very very easy.  

I admit, I am not athletic; but going through the book, made me want to start off. I’m not promising to run the marathon; but I atleast get off my chair!!!

This book has made me realize, it’s easy to sit back and complain about every small thing and make excuses for everything we do not want to do; and how if you make up your mind, nothing..nothing at all seems like an uphill talk!!!  

A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!!!

Mark Pfetzer

7 Ki Baat LAJA Ke Saath with Kiran Demble, Celebrity Fitness Expert, DJ ...

Being aware of and forming a self care routine should not be limited only to beauty and grooming; but to caring for your entire body and soul. LAJA is excited to bring to you one such speaker, who has fought against all odds, survived a health scare and is now an inspiration to many men, women and celebrities alike.

From being a homemaker, to being crowned the Most Beautiful Body Builder in Hungary in November 2013; Kiran has come a long way.

Vandana Joshil, Team LAJA has a heart-to-heart talk with Kiran Demble, Celebrity Fitness Expert, DJ and TEDx Speaker.

Allthatswritten: The Show must go on!!!

Allthatswritten: The Show must go on!!!: The Show Must Go On - On Tour with the LSO in 1912 & 2012  by  Gareth Davies