Pink Twins

Pink Twins
Gangtok

Yellow Villa

Yellow Villa
Gangtok

Sparkling Rai Saag

Sparkling Rai Saag
Gangtok

Lovely Poppy Flowers

Lovely Poppy Flowers
Gangtok

A Different type of Seasonal Flower

A Different type of Seasonal Flower
Gangtok

Blue Flavour

Blue Flavour
Gangtok

Pink & White Combination

Pink & White Combination

Dark Pink Flavour

Dark Pink Flavour
Gangtok 6th March 16

Purple Charm

Purple Charm
CS Quarter Gangtok

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip
Conservatory Near Selep Tank

Charm of Red Tulips

Charm of Red Tulips
Conservatory near Selep Tank

Lord Buddha

Lord Buddha
1-D Terminal New Delhi

Attraction of Red Panda

Attraction of Red Panda
Saramsa Garden

Lord Ganesh made of oranges

Lord Ganesh made of oranges
Saramsa Garden

Charm of Seasonal Flower

Charm of Seasonal Flower
Gaurds Ground Gangtok

Unmatched beauty

Unmatched beauty
Sikkim Organic Festival

Green is always soothing

Green is always soothing
Sikkim Organic Festival 2016

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Somewhere in Gangtok

White Orchid

White Orchid
Manan Kendra

Purple Orchid

Purple Orchid
Manan Kendra, 31-10-2015

Gift of Nature

Gift of Nature
Near Cherry Building

Majestic View of Sea

Majestic View of Sea
Marina, Chennai, 19-10-15

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting
Hotel Nork Hill

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle
Nork Hill, 24-11-2015

Mirror Trick

Mirror Trick
Hotel Nork Hill, Gtok, 24-11-2015

Yes we have the power

Yes we have the power
Qtr at Devt Area, 25-11-2015

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA
Gangtok dt 20-11-2015

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK
NEW DELHI 22-10-15

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE
MRS MALI SMU 13-10-2015

SAROD RECITAL

SAROD RECITAL
SMU CONVOCATION 13-10-15

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE
ITM GANGTOK 14-10-15

RED BEAUTY

RED BEAUTY
GANGTOK

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
MAYFAIR GANGTOK

OM NAMAH SHIVAY

OM NAMAH SHIVAY
MAYFAIR GANGTOK 02-11-15

Smile and Joy

Smile and Joy
24th September Delhi

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed
Gangtok

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok on 7-10-15

Morning Glow

Morning Glow
Denzong Regency- Gangtok on 7-10-15

Pink Orchid

Pink Orchid
Pakyong Area

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
Bojeytar Pakyong 26 Feb 15

Tabla or Log Piece

Tabla or Log Piece
HMI Darjeeling Nov 2014

Hand can do anything

Hand can do anything
Birla Science Museum Kolkata

Legacy and Heritage

Legacy and Heritage
Indian Museum Kolkata

Queen Nephretus of Egypt

Queen Nephretus of Egypt
India Museum Kolkata 4th Mar 15

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece
Tashi Delek June 2014

Foot Print of Bason

Foot Print of Bason
Satpura Forest

Foot Print of Tiger

Foot Print of Tiger
Satpura Forest (MP) March 14

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Lovely Twins

Lovely Twins

Pink,Pink,Pink

Pink,Pink,Pink
Orchid,not only Spl ,It lasts longer Also

Clean Water has a Different Impact

Clean Water has a Different Impact
Rangeet at Jorethang ,24-11-14

What a Ravishing Beauty ?

What a Ravishing Beauty ?
Teesta near Kalijhora, 19-12-14

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty
K.JUNGA, 6:20 AM 18 -12-14

Another Dawn View -Different Angle

Another Dawn View -Different Angle
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

View at Dawn in Biting Cold

View at Dawn in Biting Cold
K.JUNGA 18-12

Dawn Scene-2

Dawn Scene-2
V Awas 18 -12-14

Dawn Scenario

Dawn Scenario
K.JUNGA

Morning Means End of Night

Morning Means End of Night
K. JUNGA,

View at Dawn

View at Dawn
K.JUNGA 2 ,18-12-14

Early Morning Freshness

Early Morning Freshness
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

What an eye opener early in the day?

What an eye opener early in the day?
View of 17-12-2014 from Terrace of V. Awas

Another view of full snow around Mt Kanchendzonga

Another view of full snow around  Mt Kanchendzonga
17-12-2014

Magnificent view after bone chilling night

Magnificent view after bone chilling night
17-12-2014

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night
Vidhayak Awas Gangtok

Amazing charm of Green Orchid

Amazing charm of Green Orchid
HMI Darjeeling

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
HMI DARJEELING (13-11-14)

Bell Flower in full bloom

Bell Flower in full bloom

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Dec 14 Circuit House

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires
Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom
November 14 Ganesh Tok Gangtok

What a view after getting up ?

What a view after getting up ?
B-1 Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga
11-11-2014 VIP COLONY

Red Rose

Red Rose
Gangtok

Cranes having Gala Time

Cranes having Gala Time
Tigaon, Faridabad (2nd Oct 14)

Yes I am from Faridabad

Yes I am from Faridabad
Tiny, Beautiful Bird at NTPC, Ballabgarh (29.9.14)

Water Vital for Life

Water Vital for Life
Awesome view of Teesta near Kalijhora

Yes I had a Bath

Yes I had a Bath
Gladiola at 6200 ft.

Soothing Morning View

Soothing Morning View
Mt. Khangchendzonga from C.House (April, 14)

Natural Yellow Fascinates

Natural Yellow Fascinates
Gangtok (April, 2014)

Flowery Bell ?

Flowery Bell ?
Circuit House (May 14)

Riot of Colour in Monsoon

Riot of Colour in Monsoon
Circuit House, Gangtok(May 14)

Blushing orange

Blushing orange
Circuit House Gangtok (May 14)

Magnificent Taj

Magnificent Taj
Sept 2013

I can lift Taj Mahal

I can lift Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal,Sept end 2013

Natural fan to beat the heat

Natural fan to beat the heat
India Gate (24.08.14)

Engineering Marvel

Engineering Marvel
Coronation Bridge (22.08.2014)

Cascading water, soothing to eyes

Cascading water, soothing to eyes
Scene near Teesta Baazar (22.8.14)

Teesta attracts at every bend

Teesta attracts at every bend
16.7.2014

Monkey jump

Monkey jump
Teesta River, Birik(22.8.14)

Onset of Night

Onset of Night
Qutub,Sept.13

Qutub,Dusk Scene

Qutub,Dusk Scene
Sept.13

Together we take a Plunge

Together we take a Plunge
Clean Calicut Beach, Feb-2013

Setting Sun, always soothing

Setting Sun, always soothing
Dusk at a Gaya village(15.5.13)

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle
Lake surrounding Purana Quila(20.10.13)

Thursday, September 11, 2014


RANGOLI,   LOSING ITS IMPACT ?

It may not be inappropriate for a novice like me to attempt a piece on the mesmerizing and tantalizing world of Hindi film songs on the eve of the 81st birth anniversary of Asha Bhonsle. May the Almighty be pleased to give many more fruitful years to this living, lively and versatile legend hailing from the culturally rich State of Maharastra. Taking a cue from her long and illustrious career of over six decades, may I try to reiterate the dictum-‘Old is Gold’?

Something old is supposedly made, crafted or developed with care and caution. Same is, therefore, expected to survive or last long. In tune with this spirit, one is tempted to talk about if not comment on ‘Rangoli’, a programme started by Doordarshan more than thirty years ago to rekindle, revive and sustain interest in the songs picturised in Hindi films in the bygone era. Songs that dealt in equal measure with emotions, mystery and mythology on the one hand and fun, fantasy and reality on the other. A few would religiously promote tenets of patriotism also in the struggling young Nation.

At the very outset, this hour long presentation telecast once a week would have cream of unforgettable songs from old films, mostly of black & white phase. Songs would not only be carefully chosen in tune with a particular theme, occasion or festival but those would be also anchored well. Sometimes, by well established starlets, having a fantastic screen presence. Audience/viewers, as a result, would get a sense of natural involvement. With the passage of time, black & white songs were supplemented with the melodious beauties of what was once termed the Eastman colour era. Gradually, songs from the coloured films began having an edge, if not domination altogether. Yet the aura and charm of ancient era was not ignored or forgotten.

In the very recent past, however, not only there has been drastic deterioration in application of mind for selection of songs but rapid commercialization seems to have become order of the day. Unnecessary chit-chat in between too cuts into the prime time. Number of songs, therefore, has been the first casualty- reduction from fifteen to twelve to nine now, in the one hour keenly awaited programme.

A close look at some of the recent editions would reveal that barely nine songs are featured in one capsule, some songs are sub-standard and some are included totally out of context, still others  are abruptly cut for no rhyme and reason. Only silver lining perhaps, has been retention of two songs from the golden black & white era. 

But for this, memorable songs, such as, Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya, Hum Jeekay Kya Karenge (K.L. Sahgal, Shahjahan, 1946), Jiya Bekarar Hai (Lata, Barsaat,1949), Aawara Hoon (Mukesh, Aawara,1951),’Shame Gum Ki Kasam’, sung by ‘serious’ Talat Mahmud in 1953(Film Footpath, Hero Dilip Kumar),Aao Bachon Tumhe Dikhayen Jhanki Hindusthan ki (Kavi Pradip, Jagriti, 1954),Mera Joota Hai Japani’, rendered by ‘simple’ Mukesh in 1955(Film-Sree 420,Hero Raj Kapoor) or for that matter,’Naa Jao Saiyan Chhura Ke Bainyan’ ,sung so beautifully by the talented actress singer Geeta Dutt in 1962 (Saheb Bibi aur Ghulam), Laaga Chunri Me Daag (Manna Dey, Dil Hi To Hai, 1963) and several other jewels would never be heard again by those born between the forties and the sixties of the last century. Those born later, as such, may not have much interest or inclination in this regard.

Apart from enabling one to get face to face with the ancient glory and letting one rejoice and heal up in the process, programmes, such as, Rangoli help in preserving and sustaining our cultural ethos. It is nothing but a yeomen service. This is one conglomeration, one waits patiently to watch AND that too, with the whole family. Old songs aim to portray a message, story or an event through less made up eyes and effective facial expressions by the actors clad sufficiently and decently as opposed to the new numbers mostly specializing in vulgarity and gymnastics, aided and abetted by unusual language, at times.

In the backdrop of scenario presented, there is not only a need to review the present style of presentation of Rangoli but introduction of more than one programme of this genre twice or thrice a week would be in fitness of things. Unwanted details concerning an actor, singer or composer need to be avoided.  As plethora of advertisements have the potential to kill the spirit and mood, restricting them too would be also very much desirable. Don’t they divert attention and focus in addition to looking out of context?

Simplicity, serenity, beauty and good values deserve to be projected, not the loud and unrealistic fantasies based on other worldly notions and life styles, alien to our culture and civilization.

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