My Page

Image Source - IMDb Have you seen poetry on celluloid? A soft, lilting song playing out in slow motion? A story unpeeling itself, episode by episode?  I have revisited Shoojit Sircar's exquisitely beautiful movie, October. The whole film unspools like poetry in motion. Each frame, each movement, each word adds to the lyrical quality of the touching film. And Shantanu Moitra's mellifluous background score brings it to life. I still can't get that haunting music out of my mind. Whoever would have thought a mainstream film - about a sudden, freak accident that sends the lead actress into coma could be so very ephemeral, so lyrical? Most part of the movie unfolds in a hospital room, amidst catheters, ECG machines, drips, and hospital beds. Yet, the way the director has handled this serious theme is spectacular.  Celluloid lyricism, economy of expression The director works his magic through poetic frames, expressions, seamless transitions, verbal and non-verbal imagery. His stor...

Durga Pujo is a week long celebration these days in Bengal. Dazzling decorations, jaw-dropping idols, exclusive theme-based decor, lighting, sound effects, installations, the entire city of Kolkata is now a giant road-show or carnival or feast for the senses.  From the second or third day of Debi Paksha, the crowds start swelling and you bump into all kind of revelers or "pandal hoppers", as we call them.   For the uninitiated, pandal hoppers are that breed of enthu-cutlets visitors who flit from pandal to pandal ticking off the must-see pujas from their list. This list has the names of this year's popular "theme pujas", as well as the traditional crowd pullers. Also included in the list are the "award" winning pujas that are discussed on social media for either uniqueness or shock value or some other x-factor.  The variety of pandal hoppers is eclectic. From the bundle of endless energy kids, to the selfie-clicking youngster, to the middle aged honcho...