Don...Again

Thanks to Mr. Mayukh Das for the creation.

Mayukh is a freelance graphic artist based in Kolkata, India and can be reached at mayukh786@gmail.com for any consultancy purposes.

On Losing Side---Yet Again

The morning started in a disappointing note.

Last night I retired from my television set at around 12 o'clock leaving India well placed at 40-plus runs with 9 wickets in hand and with run-a-ball chasing equation. Defending a paltry run on board, I was quite sure that this was not the night of the Proteas and Dhoni's men will at last get a chance to leave the ground on a winning note at the Super 8 stage. It takes only special talents to loose a match from here and the the MSD brigade had just done that.

With many experts owing India's defeat to fatigue and over-exposure to cricket, I beleive it's the sheer callousness of the Indian cricketers that catalysed India's exit from the World T20 championship. Even in yesterday's match, while the South Africans were more interested in converting their ones into twos, most of the Indians fell in the process of hitting over the rope when it was an extravagant option. The skipper himself fell pray to an imaginative run that was never on the card.

Let's hope the team will bounce back in West Indies.

Check Your Social Networking Literacy

If you are a netizen, especially somewhat taken up by the concept of social networking, this is a must read for you.

Week-end Watch: Kshudhito Pashan

I was waiting for this movie to re-release ever since I heard that a copy of Kshudhito Pashan (Hungry Stones) has been found after a long period. Even couple of years ago, watching the Tapan Sinha classic inspired by a Rabindranath Tagore short story seemed like a forlorn hope as it was assumed that like Balika Badhu and Manjari Opera, copies of this masterpiece have also been lost for ever.

The DVD was released on last Friday, I picked it up from Planet M and that started my weekend. The story revolves around ayoung government officer posted in a remore area under Nijam's rule. He decides to stay in an ill-famous archaic palace even after repeated warnings from the people around. Nights after nights, he discovers the cruel chronicles of the palace and ultimately realises that he is also going to face the same fate as that of Meher Ali, a once-inhabitant now-mad resident of the palace with his enigmatic 'Sab jhut hai, tafat jao' blares.

To be frank enough, from the cinematic point of view, Kshudhita Pashan disappointed me. The sript was unlike a Tapan Sinha movie and the narrative seemed too predictable and shoddy. Soumitra was more than outstanding as Mayurbahan in Jhinder Bandi, but here his acting appeared a little subdued to me. However, Radhamohan Bhattacharjee's impeccable Urdu and quotes from Ghalib were simply outstanding. Chhobi Biswas also justified his standard in the small role of a postmaster (his character was not there in the actual story). Arundhati Devi also had very little to do.

The most astounding factor was Ustad Ali Akbar Khan's music. The master musician was at his best in amalgamating Indian classical music with Rabindrasangeet.

Thanks to all the people who made this movie available once again.

Federer's French Revolution

What could have been a better way to end the weekend than watching Roger Federer win the record-equalling 14th Grand Slam and that too with a tournament that had evaded him throughout his career?

Though Roger was never near his best tennis in the final, it was enough to maul Soderling. The world number 23 played good tennis in the 2nd set (and also throughout the tournament) and took it to the tie-breaker, but that was not enough to stop the indomitable Swiss.

Fedex must thank Soderling for making his task easier as it was a final in Roland Garros sans Rafa. Nevertheless, he is one of the greatest (if not the greatest) and will remain so.

Image © FFT

World Environment Day

An educative read on the World Environment Day.

Jai Ho....

'Ane De' (Let them come) was the call from all over the country since the last few weeks. And finally, the d-day has arrived. The MSD brigade is all set to defend their world champion title in the shorter version of the game. With an explosive set of cricketers, ameliorated with the IPL experience, India seems to be the top contender for the cup. The only worrisome factor was the opening combination. How the injury prone Viru and struggling Gauti wouldfare was the concern for every cricket-loving Indian. However, Rohit Sharma's escapades in the practice matches and a decent performance from Gambhir must act as respites for frowning Dhoni.

Best of luck to the experient young brigade.

New Zealand and South Africa are my other favourites for the tournament.

What is your call?