When they please, they agree, at an additional “20 rupees extra” or decide to drop you where they want because it’s a long route for them to get back.

And what’s worse is, between the Auto authorities and the Government, they decide on revised rates and who suffers? Citizens.

So, last week some citizens decided to strike back with Meter Jam. An internet initiative to say no to Autos. People (a large number I hear) boycotted autos.

Needless to say, the auto drivers were least bothered. But at least citizens got a whiff of what unity is. If you look at this wall post on Explocity Bangalore‘s Facebook page, you will understand that people are irritated about the price hike. So, Meter Jam worked in creating awareness. Now, the people over dependent on autos know that there are other modes of transport as well.

How successful will such initiatives be in the long run? It’s hard to say exactly. But one thing is for sure. A day of the citizens was much needed and one is glad that someone initiated it.

Having said that, I by no means claim that ALL such artists are fake. Several are truly in awe of the past and their work, really is an ode to the Picassos and Da Vincis and the Michaelangelos.

Coming back to my point, I got to know that some contemporary artists are putting together a show that marries their passion for art, to the day and age we live in. I was browsing through the Explocity events mailer MyTime and found that the event called Irreverent Genes is happening today at the Crimson Art Gallery in Bangalore.

So exactly what is it that inspires these artists to create? Passion for art for sure. What else? I would never know. Do you?

Share. Post a comments and share.

Some of the names that stuck were Radha Thomas, Mishko M’ba, Holger Jetter, Dana Gillespie and yes, Louis Banks. So, when I got the Explocity Bangalore Events Newsletter that said Jetter and M’ba are performing at Olive Beach today, I clicked.

The whole point being how the mind works. Jazz – a genre I don’t really listen to and know very less about, I read a few random names and they stick. And when I read them again, it’s like, “Hey! I know this guy!”.

And suddenly when I was reading the details of the event, I had a ‘know-it-all’ and ‘damn they aint doing enough of jazz musicians in India’ look on my face. Funny how these things happen!

Moral of this post: None!

Interesting read because I think we are all addicted to the ad-hoc. The randomness of life interests us more than planned stuff. An example is – sometime last week, I got to know about this classical music event called Flights of Fantasy on Explocity Bangalore Events. Now, I am not the sort who would go for classical music concerts, but something reminded me of this concert I attended with my parents, several years ago where a Tabalchi (Tabla player) teamed up with a guitarist (both names unknown to me even today) and performed like a dream combo. Tragedy is, I had no clue what music was back then (come on, I was like 4 that time) and ended up sleeping after about 15 minutes into the show.

Wouldn’t say I enjoyed it, but for nostalgia, I felt like going for Flights of Fantasy and did. And I must say, Carnatic musicians Lalgudi Sri Krishnan and Lalgudi Smt Vijayalakshmi on violin, Harikatha exponent Smt Vishaka Hari along with vocals by Smt Ranjani and Smt Gayatri were amazing.

I don’t listen to classical music to be able to review the concert. But as per my limited knowledge of music, it was great.

A random, ad-hoc decision which I’m happy about!

I haven’t seen it yet, so I cannot (AND SHOULD NOT) comment on it, but I’ve seen the Telugu original in bits and pieces and am aware that it’s a pretty entertaining premise. So, if the makers have remianed loyal to the original, then they cannot go wrong with regards to mass appeal and entertainment.

Mind you, it’s not intelligent cinema. It’s action packed, thrilling, interspersed with songs and dance. In a nut shell, a pucca masala movie.

Now, the million dollar (ok fine, hundred bucks) question – why am I posting something about a movie that I haven’t even seen? Well, while doing some random googling about Wanted and its reviews and statistics, I came across this one line review on Explocity.com. Go to this link: http://bangalore.explocity.com/movie/32787/ and scroll to the very bottom. Some user there says, “Salman Khan rocks in this movie.” That’s it. That’s his review and in a single line, he’s said enough. Just by reading that line, you can tell this is a pot boiler that has a glorified hero, with the good versus evil concept running throughout.

Why the whole build up? Well coming to that. It goes to prove that despite the whole clamour of intelligent cinema and new age cinema and intellectual film-makers around, the fact remains that the core cinema-goers (the ones who actually make a film a hit or a flop) still love their hero. And they still like him to be larger than life. When they see a character similar to themselves on screen, while there is an immediate connection (oh… I can relate to the problems this guy is facing), but sooner than later, the redudancy begins to get to them. They soon get to a point wherein they’re like “Damn! This happens to me so often and now again… ehh! No!”

My friends who have watched ‘Wanted’ say one thing – it’s a well made, mindless masala movie which keeps you glued to your seats. What do YOU think?

Aah nostalgia!

Ok. Sentiments apart, what’s happening at Mahatma Gandhi Raste is meant to be good. Why I use the word ‘meant’ is because that’s what we are told. We don’t know for sure. The Metro is coming up. It’s key to the city’s growth. It’s aimed to reduce congestion and traffic load on the road. However, claims, aims and the likes are always volatile. You can never be sure. So as of now, I see the monstrosity of construction that’s clogging that road and assure myself that it’s all for the greater good. In a few (really?) years time, the Metro will be ready. Bangalore roads will be less congested. There will be more space. We’ll be cleaner. Hopefully greener.

All of the above, make me a supporter of the Metro. We need it. Even if we can’t be too sure if at the end of it all, we’ll have just as much traffic as we do right now, with the addition of trains running above and beside us, to add to our problems and traffic. The idea, the thought that it gives us a chance to not worry about traffic someday, is enocuraging enough.

I will miss the glory of this city though. I will miss the old world charm of the sidewalks of MG Road. But as a citizen of this awesome city, I will support the Metro.

What I will also do is walk down MG Road a couple of times this weekend. Why? Because I don’t want to end up thinking about it while listening to Pink Floyd playing “…and then one day you find; 10 years have got behind you; no one told you where to run; you missed the starting gun.”

There’s so much comedy on the Telly these days. There are comedy shows, serious actors cross-dressing to make people laugh. Even talk shows use a lot of humour elements. And let’s not forget intense movies using stereotypes to provide the ‘relief factor’. Why? It’s just that while India has faced the brunt of terror for years together, it’s just that post 9/11, life’s a little more scary and tense. The fear is very real. And what happened at Taj and Oberoi on November 26 last year, made the truth so much more believable. Kashmir was no longer the battle-zone. The surrounding bomb blasts brought the danger much closer to home.

So, the average Indian battles bad roads, insensitive governments, taxes for which ROI is rare, price hikes, recession, terrorism, communalism, racism (and a few more ‘isms’) and finds few moments to make him (or her) smile. So, comedy it is. The departure for us, ehh?

For those who agree and wanna check Rajiv Satyal out, I found out from my friend who’s working for a company that’s bringing him down to Bangalore, you can win free passes to the event. Check: http://contests.explocity.com/rajivsatyal/rajivsatyal.php. Wondering why I’m being so generous? Well, I’m gonna mooch off a free pass or two from my friend.

Peace.