“Responsibility”… Indian media seems to have forgotten this term!

A couple of years back, a five-year-old child, yes Prince, fell in a borewell and rose to immediate stardom so much so that the Bollywood brigade lined up to meet him. For an idol-starved country, Prince was the perfect hero, the survivor! After two long days of arduous rescue work, the young boy, sorry hero, was finally rescued from the 60-feet deep borewell. An incident that made him, his family and his entire village famous!

Such incidents will continue to happen in rural India, but no channel would really target the careless authorities for letting these incidents happen, as the more these incidents happen, the more TRP a particular channel gets. Prince was fortunate and survived but there have been many others who haven’t been equally fortunate and have succumbed to this fatal fall. The next time such an incident happens, you can be rest assured that there will be tons of media vans covering the incident whether the rescue teams reach there or not because the media simply loves children falling into borewells.

Most of the television anchors sound more like street hawkers shouting ‘breaking news’, ‘exclusive to our channel’, ‘the very first time on television’ etc as if trying hard to sell low-quality products. Reminds me of what Amitabh Bachchan says in Rann, “TRP ki hod me khabre banti nahi, banaayi jati hai”.

Why has the media taken up the role of a spy agency?? Media is dutifully informed by their “reliable sources” about every small piece of information. Yesterday I was watching Aaj Tak where Abhisar Sharma “exclusively” and proudly showed the revised security plan, following a threat-mail from one of the mushrooming terrorist organisations, for the hockey world cup starting this month in New Delhi. He claimed to be informed by “reliable sources” the exact number of security personnel to be deployed, locations of the CCTV cameras and other such confidential information, thereby reducing the terrorists’ homework. The pertinent questions are: How much should the media know? How much should they reveal?

Ever thought why SRK-Shiv Sena scuffle, or for that matter MNS-North Indians affair, become so intense an issue..?? Thank our news channels! National politics in the last few months has been a soap opera worth Ekta Kapoor‘s skills. Last week I saw Deepak Chourasia on Star News reporting a news item titled “Dalit mahila se balaatkar”. Probably the channel thought that it would not become that big a news if the word “Dalit” was not used.

Well, I’ve a lot of issues with our media; from yellow journalism to sensationalism; from paid news to only-for-TRP-entertainment-news, and many more. I mulled over the possible reasons for these problems and realised that as students, many of these TV reporters/correspondents have been cheated by our education system that has not prepared them for the demands of the real world. And as professionals, they have also been neglected by their recruiters who have never really invested in research. These are problems that need urgent attention and involvement of the government, especially the Information & Broacasting Ministry and the HRD Ministry. I hope Ambika Soni and Kapil Sibal are listening!

In his voluminous report on the demolition of the disputed structure (I don’t intend to get into a debate whether it was a temple or mosque) at Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, Justice M. S. Liberhan states, “The importance and primacy of the media in a free society cannot be denied. However, with the enormous privileges that these chroniclers of history enjoy, they must also be alive to the trust that common man reposes in them.”

Unlike the other learned professionals like those of doctors or lawyers, the media in India has no professional standards body capable of effectively dealing with yellow journalism and sensationalism. There is a dire need for a body on the lines of Medical Council of India or the Bar Council of India which has a permanent tribunal which can entertain and decide complaints against individual members of the news/press corps or against TV channels, radio channels, and newspapers as also media conglomerates.

To top it all…

So next time when you watch some news channel, try to analyze what exactly is the real news and what are the channel’s views. Listen-Ponder-Respond! Tell them this is not what we wish to see. Raise your voice. They utilize the privileges of democracy to the fullest; we must do the same! We have to send out a very strong message: we do not want the media to jeopardise security measures, important investigations, etc. We believe that there are investigative agencies and judicial institutions in this country that are capable of doing their job.

Do you manage your mind well??!

Since its evolution, it is debated whether management is an Art or is it Science… If you were to take my opinion, I’d say it does not matter to me! Today, business management has become the hottest career option. Engineers, doctors, lawyers, everybody wants be an MBA!! It seems to have become as vital as primary education for the corporate jobs! And in this MBA-in-your-fav-field-era, talking about mind management is like launching a new political party in the already dense Indian democracy! Mind management.., sounds philosophical right?? It is not, read on!

It is proved beyond doubt that management techniques have revolutionized the whole world. When we talk of management, corporate bodies, business concerns, institutions, etc come to our mind. Profit and productivity are the two main gains of management. So management is thought to be fundamentally associated with material achievement. Whether it is time/business/man/stress management, all are directed towards boosting productivity and enhancing material prosperity.

But the Philip Kotlers, Peter Druckers, Michael Porters, in short the management gurus, have missed to take note a very important type of management, which has been crystallizing through ages- mind management. The basic difference between other types of management and mind management lies in the fact that the other types of mgmt aim at achieving something identifiable with material gains, while mind mgmt is both a means and end in itself. Mind mgmt is to transform man by changing his thinking pattern positively. A real change happens only when he starts thinking in a different way!

There have been innumerable mind managers in the world. They have been born in every society in all ages. Lord Krishna, Swami Vivekananda, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Oscar Wilde, Sigmund Freud and the list goes on! I know this is for the first time that you are viewing these people as mind managers, but mull over it!

When Sri Krishna declared in Bhagwad Geeta to perform action without thinking about the fruit of action, it is the highest stage of mind management. The mind is nothing but a thought-flow. If you can control and manage it, you are a winner! While playing music, the greatest musicians get totally engrossed in it. They are not aware of the surroundings and their physical entity. And this is equally true for poets, painters and even scientists.

In my view, mind mgmt is central to all managements. Creative changes take place only when you manage your mind well. So better manage your minds than businesses! Great people changed the course of history through the technique of mind mgmt. Man will not change unless his thoughts are changed. I believe there are only 2 types of men who never change their thoughts, one dead and the other is a fool!! I know you’re not! Enjoy!

To top it all,

Dil toh dil hai, dil ki baate samajh sako toh behtar hai,
Duniya ki is bheed me khud ko alag rakho toh behtar hai..
Gaur karo toh apna mann bhi aksar baate karta hai,
Tum bhi isko tanhaai me kabhi suno toh behtar hai!

PRASOON JOSHI: EXEMPLARY ADMAN, CONSUMMATE LYRICIST, THE NEW GENERATION ‘GULZAR’!

After mulling over the topic of the first post on my blog, I finally decided to dedicate it to somebody who has been truly inspirational for me and is also associated with fields I love the most- music, movies and media!!

I broadly classify writers, poets and artistes in two categories- the first includes people who write/perform keeping in mind the readers/audiences (example: Javed Akhtar, Sonu Nigam, Shahrukh Khan etc); and the second comprises of those who follow the art and their hearts independent of the fact that how will the receivers react (example: Gulzar saab, Kailash Kher, Amir Khan etc). In the former case, art is bounded by uncertainty of feedback and hence cent percent utilization of potential becomes almost impossible.

… And then we have Prasoon Joshi, who is probably the only Indian writer who can be classified under both the above mentioned groups. As a copywriter he writes specifically for the target customers of the product being endorsed, whereas as a lyricist he simply follows his heart!

Let me first throw some light on his advertising career…
He started his career with Ogilvy & Mather (O&M) Delhi, and after working there for over 10 years, he joined McCann-Erickson, in early 2002. By 2006, he was Regional creative director, South and South East Asia, when in December 2006 he was elevated to Executive Chairman for McCann World group India and Regional Creative Director, Asia Pacific.

He has created many remarkable ad campaigns like Thhanda matlab Coca Cola, NDTV India- Sach dikhate hain hum, Happydent- which is considered, by experts, as India's best ad till date. He has coined so many brilliant phrases and a lot of memorable ads. These include commercials for Cadbury, Asian paints, Chlormint, Pond’s, Close-up, ING, Pulse Polio program and many more. He has won more than 200 advertising awards! I think that says it all!

…Now, coming to the crux of the post; although we do have lyricists who pen down a few good songs, they all lack depth and versatility. When I, an aficionado of Gulzar, look around at all the lyrical mockery that’s happening and all the poetical gimmickry, I wonder what will be the fate of lyrics in Hindi cinema, going ahead. It’s not a very happy picture, let me tell you. Barring a handful of new generation lyricists, I don’t see much talent around.

That’s where my search begins for a ‘Gulzar’ of the next generation. A lyricist/poet who can write sensitively, with sublimity, with progressive ideas. Someone who can write on innocent situations as well as controversial stuff; who can make your blood boil as well as cool your senses, who can write about society at large as well as for the individualistic/ common man; who has knowledge of historical events and keeps pace with contemporary issues.
The only person who comes to my mind, who can carry forward the legacy of Gulzar, or who can write Gulzarian lyrics, seems to be Prasoon Joshi. Let me pick some of Prasoon’s works which seem to be the silver-lining around the dark clouds of movie songs’ lyrics.

Rehna Tu from Delhi-6

When I first heard the song, I mistook it to be a romantic song and I imagined Abhishek singing this for Sonam Kapoor. But I was pleasantly surprised that this song is dedicated to Delhi. That was a stroke of genius, an innovative concept where even a city is made to sound like a ‘dilruba’ and ‘jaaneman’ and is not supposed to change for anything. The character of Delhi is brought out very well and the spirit of romance is all over the song, sample these lines:

Rehna tu hai jaise tu,
Thoda sa dard tu, thoda sukoon
Tujhe badalna na chahoon ratti bhar bhi sanam,
Bina sajaawat milaawat, na zyaada na hi kam.
Mujhe teri baarish mein bheegna hai ghul jaana hai,
Mujhe teri lapat mein jalna, raakh ho jaana hai…




Maa from Taare Zameen Par

I don’t get moved that easily, but this song creates the magic which can melt a stone. A song that won so many awards. A beautiful piece of poetry, a dedication to every mother that echoes the sentiment of every child who has been showered by mother’s love.

Main kabhi batlaata nahi,
Par andhere se darta hoon main maa…
Yun to main dikhlata nahi,
Teri parwaah karta hoon main maa,
Tujhe sab hai pata, hai na maa…

It reminds me of what Mother Teresa once said: “God created mothers so that He could be everywhere”. His delving into child psychology and coming up with such gems shows us a glimpse of his sensitivity and emotions. The ease with which he brings out those feelings is simply awesome!

Khoon Chala from RDB:

Every time I listen to this, I get goose-bumps. It makes me sit up and think about how we take things so lightly instead of speaking out against it. A call for revolution, a call for change, a call for new enthusiasm and a call for blood, akin to what Bose once said – “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”. Echoing those very sentiments are these wonderful lines:

Kuchh kar guzarne ko khoon chala, khoon chala,
Aankhon ke sheeshe me utarne ko khoon chala…
Badan se tapak kar, zameen se lipatkar,
galiyon se raston se ubharkar, umadkar,
Naye rang bharne ko khoon chala, khoon chala…
Khuli si chot lekar, badi si tees lekar, aahista aahista,
Sawaalo ki ungli, jawaabo ki mutthi sang lekar, khoon chala…

The movie demanded such lyrics, such pain and the subsequent actions that follow. Prasoon has very effectively and efficiently described a revolt with so less words which actually translate to a whole lot of ideas. In fact all the songs from the movie Rang De Basanti (Luka chhupi, Tu bin bataaye, Paathshala, Rubaroo) display the variety similar to that of Gulzar saab in so many movies like Omkara, Kaminey, Satya, Maachis, Saathiya, etc.

Khwaab jo from London Dreams

Jo tujhe jagaaye, neende teri udaaye, khwaab hai sachcha wahi,
neendo me jo aaye, jise to bhul jaaye, khwaab wo sachcha nahi…
Khwaab ko raag de, neend ko aag de…
Angaaron ko jagaaye, koyalo sa jo gaaye, khwaab hai sachcha wohi,
lehare jo uthaaye, paaniyo ko hilaaye, khwaab hai sachcha wohi
khwaab ko raag de, neend ko aag de…

A soft, soothing song which stimulates you to make your dreams a reality. Truly helps you in defining a dream. It’s a kind of motivational song in itself which helps you mollify the unrest of the unstable mind!

And then there’s my favorite..,

Arziyaan from Delhi-6:

Written as a qawaali, it’s a prayer with a lot of heartfelt thoughts. The first two lines convey the pathos of the soul. Face is the mirror of the soul; if the soul is wrinkled, so will the face be. There is nothing more to explain than the expression of disdain written all over the face…

Arziyaan saari main chehre pe likh ke laaya hu,
Tumse kya maangu main, tum khud hi samajh lo..

Daraare daraare hai maathe pe maula,
Marammat muqaddar ki kar do maula…

He goes on to explain how people have got all their wishes fulfilled whenever they approached Him. The thirsty ones who asked for a drop, have received an ocean of blessings… I do not wish to translate it, it loses the charm. Just read it:

Jo bhi tere dar aaya, jhukne jo sar aaya,
Mastiyaa piye sabko, jhoomta nazar aaya..

Pyaas le ke aaya, dariya woh bhar laya,
Noor ki barish me bheegta sa tar aaya..

Sajde me rehne do, ab kahin na jaunga,
Abb jo tumne thhukraya to sawar na paunga..

Sar utha ke maine to kitni khwahishe ki thi,
kitne khwaab dekhe the kitni koshishe ki thi..

Jab tu rubaru aaya, nazre na mila paaya,
Sar jhuka ke ek pal me, maine kya nahi paya…

Simply sublime! One of the very few songs that can be felt and not just heard. Very few people know the story behind the making of this song. A. R. Rehman actually composed this tune for himself in 1999. He listened to it everyday after Namaaz and never thought of commercializing it. Rakesh Mehra told him that he needs a qawaali for Delhi-6, Prasoon wrote the lyrics. These were the magical words that forced Rehman to utilize this 10 year-old intensely personal composition!!

To top it all…

Well there are many more marvellous and meaningful songs by Prasoon from various movies like Hum Tum, Ghajini, Kurbaan, Fanaa, Black, Aankhe, etc…
If you wish to listen to the best song ever written to express a child’s imagination, his innocence, thoughts, perception.., I strongly recommend “Mera Jahaan” from Taare Zameeen Par, sung by Adnan Sami.

I hope you remember the stupendous songs Dooba dooba by Silk Route, Shubha Mudgal’s Dhholna, Ab ke saawan; let me tell you that all these were from Prasoon’s pen!
The talent that he has displayed through his miscellany of work is really impressive. In fact, quite a few times his lyrics sound like they’re from Gulzar saab’s school of thought. Prasoon Joshi is indeed a ‘Gulzar’ in the making!
In the end, I’ll share this pacifying song from Phir Milenge, which has a lot of optimism and gives a spirit to live, to tackle the problems of life...

Khulke muskuraale tu, dard ko sharmaane de,
Boondo ko dharti par saaz ek bajaane de…
Hawaaye keh rahi hai aaja jhoole zara,
Gagan ke gaal ko chal jaake chhoole zara…