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)

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Rajesh Khanna: End of an ERA

                                            ·     Marriages are made in heaven, but performed on Earth. Perhaps very few understand that and certainly the only superstar of Hindi films, Rajesh Khanna (RK) did not fall in this category. Failed marital bliss with an equally talented person soon gave birth to heavy alcoholism, ultimately leading to his nemesis at 13:40 hrs on 18thJuly 2012.

·     RK, also lovingly called Kaka was an Icon, a craze, an enigma and a phenomenon not only for a collectivity called fair sex (many of them would splatter wind screen of his swanky cars with lipsticks) but he was also a tremendous source of inspiration and style for the young men in the 70s and early 80s. Who can ignore or forget his unique hair style, distinct buttons, dog collars, large goggles and off course, the khadi kurta, which simply swept the nation?

·     The first and only superstar of Hindi Cinema had delivered 15 consecutive hits between1971 to 1980 as a solo hero, a record unbroken till date. Jatin Khanna, the adopted son of a big shot named Chunnilal Khanna, was famous for visiting studios in expensive cars in search of a role. Though he began his innings in 1966 from Aakhri Khat, directed by the talented Chetan Anand, followed by Raj, directed by GP Sippy, it was only through Khamosi (Director Ashit Sen), Safar and Anand (1969, Director, H. Mukherjee) that he was recognized and made an indelible mark.  He catapulated into instant stardom with Aradhana. A star was born, not to fade or set, it was to blink and blink for a long time. Once a clear winner out of 10,000 Filmfare contestants, he was determined to establish his credentials.

·     To my knowledge, Rup Tera Mastana and Ye Jo Mohabbat Hai were one of the most powerful and memorable picturisations ever. Neither the novice in RK nor immense experience and calmness in Sharmila Tagore uttered or did any ‘lip service’, they simply expressed and performed through their eyes. No ‘Munni Badnam Hui’, ‘Shiela ki Jawani’ or ‘Chikni Chameli’ type of formula was needed or called for.  There are many tales and sub-tales surrounding the life and times of RK, but in the fierce competitive world of celluloid when no new and fresh face was seen on the horizon, he saw and grabbed the opportunity. Soon he proved popular, flamboyant, charming and magical. A time came when he began out living the script and the prescribed frame.

·     Romance prospered always. It lingered on in this era when multi-starrers came knocking the doors, presumably taking a cue from a few Hollywood block- busters. Ultimately, it was anger and aggression that flourished starting with Namak Haram, Zanjeer, Deewar and Sholay. And the saga of love, hatred, melancholy, compassion, submission, annihilation and what not continues.

·     Apart from Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh, Mumtaz (exemplified excellent on screen chemistry) a few encouraging, experimenting and pulsating directors and script-writers, contribution of one and only Kishore Kumar cannot be undermined in the epic success story of Kaka. If Kaka was the body, Kishore Kumar was the soul, everyone would state.

·     He died rather, loved to die or made to die several times in films such as Anand, before he actually breathed his last at Ashirvad, now rechristened Dimple.

·     Not only he embodied the innocence and struggles of common man, he had tremendous ability to connect with the audience. Having figured in and behind haunting and melodious inimitable songs, at the end of the day, he was a lonely man. He gained in name and fame tremendously but was decisively vanquished on conjugal front. Like the highly pampered prince of Premnagar he would search for his Mehbooba, ostensibly with the help of ‘Lal Rang’, evening after evening. He would resort to contemplation in isolation, with no company from his erstwhile fans, foes or friends.

·     He had an unusual and powerful image. The unique movement of his right hand, twist of neck and gestures conveyed through eyes made him a legendary figure. Though he acted in over 150 films and was a big source for living for lakhs of people, he received only three Filmfare awards as best actor.

·     In 1992 he delved into the un-reliable and mysterious world of politics from New Delhi constituency with former or separated wife Dimple and two lovely daughters in toe. The ‘connection’ and ‘disconnection’ or purported romance with the teenage sensation of 1973 continued to be part of his multifarious or fractured personality till the time he actually called it a day. 

·     Like any ‘dying’ actor or an artist of bygone era, he was conferred with a life time achievement award in 2005 by none other than Amitabh Bachchan, his Babu Mosai or ‘foe’ of yesteryears. Despite his obsession for liquid, which he publicly pretended to detest, he made an unsuccessful comeback in a TV serial and a B grade film as also an unimpressive and non-descript advertisement for a ceiling fan.

·     It may be appropriate to sum up in the words of AB or Big B ‘Rajesh Khanna entered into the hearts and minds of every Indian’. But should we also quote Raj Kapoor ‘the show must go on, because it has to go on’?

·     An illustrious career has come to a standstill. With moist eyes, let us sing ‘ Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli, Kabhi to Hasaye, Kabhi to Rulaye’.