Karnataka Mallige in Hindi Movies

{[ Alert: Long, sectioned post with as many pics & links as I could find ]}

This thing about growing up in a place, which is culturally not what your family is from, can as expected and is well-known, cause many confusions, discomfort actually, in those growing years. Trying to fit in local, but that feeling of always lagging behind and, thanks to pre-existing labels, not being accepted where you try to fit in. This could be happen when growing up in different states in India or moving outside India. In this conflict, the only place you know you fit in, is Home. And the other is in Popular media. So seeing your representation in the most popular media is pretty thrilling. Hindi movies and Doordarshan has been more a part of me than Kannada movies and TV channels, thanks to the places I grew up in. So excited-pointing out, every time a Kannadiga  showed up onscreen, was one of the exciting points of watching experience. Here are few of the very well-known names.

Creators

In the 50s and 60s, Kananda producers were not actively making Hindi movies as much as movie producers from Madras. However a lot of director/producers did show up, while some exclusively created Hindi content.

Puttanna Kanagal - an iconic figure in Kananda movies, remade his Kannada movie Naagarahaavu to Hindi Zehreela Insaan, based on 3 Kannada novels by T. R. Subba Rao (TaRaSu). Hindi movie had the same Chitradurga location. O Hansini song was pictured same as Baare Baare song, which was shot very inventively. Max of the song was in slow motion, and in some scenes the screen was split with one in normal speed and other in slow motion. It was ahead of its time. I did not see the Hindi movie, but saw Naagarahaavu and few other of Puttanna's Kannada movies as a school-kid. Almost all of them about mis-fits and their tragic situations, put more fear in my mind than any horror movie.

Ahista Ahista (1981 film) is remake of Puttanna's famous Kannada film Gejje Pooje (1969) based on a novel by M K Indra. Emotional story, so was very involving. Lovely actors all in the movie and perfect music by Khayyam.

Produced by NFDC, Girish Kasaravalli made bilingual Ek Ghar with Deepti Naval and Naseeruddin Shah in 1990. It was fun to watch these to prime Hindi stars speaking Kannada.

I don't count Guru Dutt in my favorites, considering the darkness in his works; even though I have seen all his romantic and light-hearted stuff too. No one can discount the high level of work he had produced. When I grew up and fell in Wiki rabbit-hole, I learnt that Dutt was not his last name (it was Padukone) and he was not a Bengali as is the impression, but a Konkani. That was a shocking discovery for me.

Shyam Benegal's filmography is mind-blowing. Even for a masala-movies kid, I can bet I have seen it all. That's because they are all entertaining and engrossing. And hence why I am not naming any one of them. Ok, my movie recommendations - Trikal, Manthan, Kalyug, Junoon, Mammo, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Well done Abba. Bharat Ek Khoj was my Gen TV series and now it can be an official educational tool. Yatra is a great trip for a Railway and the 80s nostalgia. It was much later that I learnt that Benegal is a village in Karnataka.

Nishant cast photo

Shabana Azmi, Shyam Benegal,  & Smita Patil at Cannes for Ankur

Yet another film the impressed the masala-movies-child-me was Garam Hawa. Story-telling and absorbing actors worked here again. This milestone movie of Hindi Cinema, was made by Mysore born MS Sathyu.

In the 80s & 90s, I heard of Manmohan Shetty as almost exclusive producer of Govind Nihalani movies and shows. And later as the owner of influential AdLabs. His daughters Pooja Shetty-Deora and Aarti Shetty are taking it to bigger scale as Reliance MediaWorks.

Malgudi Days is an ultimate example of Kar impact on national level. Made by Kannadigas, it went on to become a National favorite and even today a trigger of nostalgia for the 90s kids. Based on a book by R K Narayan, made by Shankar Nag, this show was made by all Kannadigas and shot in Agumbe, Bangalore and Tumkur. Eventually Master Manjunath , showed up in Agneepath and Vishwatma, there was lot of finger pointing - by us at the screen and repeatedly saying "Swami Swami". Kids you know.

R K Narayan and Shankar Nag

A very influential Mumbai grown personality is Director Rohit Shetty. His movies have always been  the big mainstream ones, my favorite being Chennai Express.

And then there is this entity, I cannot cannot ignore. Not a director or producer or any star. But has played a role in Hindi movies. That is the Vijaya Bank. It was a matter of pride, everytime Vijaya Bank credits played on screen of Rajshri Production movies. Anecdotes of Tarachand Barjatiya visiting VB branches are legendary among the VB alumni who served in Bombay in the 80s.

Vijaya Bank credits in Maine Pyar Kiya

Vijaya Bank credits in Hum Aapke Hai Kaun

Actors

The most iconic figure would have to be Fighter Shetty . He was a villian side-kick in hundreds of masala movies. But I liked him best in Sikandar. This was a Black and White children's movie, where 3 kids and their puppy went on a road adventure. Among all people their encounter, they do get picked by Fighter Shetty, who does his typical menacing best. And at the end of his sequence, he turns out to be the most sweetest teddy bear.

Fighter Shetty aka M B Shetty

And my current favorite Reshma Shetty. Was surprised to see her in Royal Pains on Netflix. And pleasantly surprise that she was the prime cast. Well acted in a well written role. She has a great career too.

Many superstar heroines from the 60s-70s, did act in token Hindi movies, without relocating. Bharathi worked in numerous Hindi movies, and it was thrilling to watch her in Purab Aur Paschim.
The most prominent migrant from Bangalore to Mumbai of this age, has to be Deepika Padukone. DP grew up in Bangalore, debuted in Kannada movie and then went on to rule the Hindi movie scene. She had a blockbuster debut in Hindi and followed it up with substantial work. Recently, Anushka Shetty (a Telugu movie vetren) in Hindi dubbed monolith Baahubali.

But before DP and after Bharathi there was a Shetty wave in the 90s, homegrown in Mumbai with roots from Karnataka. Shilpa Shetty and Sunil Shetty played main roles and acted in all Masala movies. Since they were in popular movies, I got asked a lot of questions by my school friends - thanks to the same last name. And Aishwarya Rai - came in via international fame and was totally a queen in every movie she worked in.

 

Girish Karnad was handsome and impressive in Kalyug and Manthan. And he was such a frequent appearance in lots of movies and TV shows. Among recent appearances, his most memorable is as Salman's boss Shenoy in Ek Tha Tiger. Hope he appears in sequel as well.

Anant Nag - the most endearing one in all his roles. I grew up watching his typical hero-wala Kananda movies and then remembered seeing him in number of Hindi movies previously. He was part of many Shyam Benegal movies, as it turned out that he had a base in Bombay too before moving to Bangalore.

Shabana Azmi & Anant Nag in Ankur

Prakash Belawadi is active in Kannada scene, but its always great to spot him in the recent Hindi movies. His presence had enriched these movies - Madras Cafe, Youngistaan, Talvar, Airlift and Te3n. I don't know of anyone else who can equal his portrayal of manipulative or grumpy or negative roles.

Prakash Rai/Raj menacing villian in many Hindi movies and a prolific actor in all 4 south Indian languages, not to forget National Award wining actor.

Arundhati Nag, an eminent Kannada personality who has appeared in a few Hindi movies & TV shows, mainly Dil Se & Paa. I am aware of the times during which she founded and continued the workings of Ranga Shankara.

Padmavati Rao has appeared in numerous Hindi movies. I remember her for a detective show on DD, name of which I have forgotten and can find a trace of it online. Unbelievable that she doesn't have a Wiki page ! And found out she is sister of Arundhati Nag

And Poonam Shetty, who played the role of Shrutakirti, Shatrugun's wife in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana. Even if her role was minor, seeing the Shetty name in the Cast credits of this iconic 90s TV show was very talk-worthy. She would be the first discovery for my gen.

Poonam Shetty in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana

Language

With Rohit Shetty, I was thrilled by him having the same last name on such a huge popularity scale. But I appreciate how he includes Tulu or KAR specific in his movies, given that Tulu or Karnataka may not have featured as importantly in his growing up years. He included Pili vesha dance in Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari song.

There was an entire sequence with prominent dialogs in Tulu and a North Kar village location included in Singham. It was controversial, some ripple in quite waters, but it was thrilling to see its inclusion in a wide release movie. I hope the controversy did not dissuade him from including more in his future movies. Chennai express tackled many points about South Indian languages and includes bits of all those languages and cultural references.

Speaking of Tulu, in the movie Welcome, Sunil Shetty (in a cameo as himself) spoke Tulu with Nana's character (Uday Shetty).

About Kannada in Hindi movies, I can't remember any. I faintly remember there was a non-mainstream movie (with MS Satyu connection, I think) in which characters in a train, spoke in many Indian languages. But I don't remember anything else about it.

Movie Characters

Sadashiv Amrapurkar as the main villan Rama Shetty in Ardh Satya (1983). Inspite of being the villain, every Shetty I know was impressed.

Nana Patekar as Uday Shetty in Welcome (2007) - Full fledged Shetty in main protagonist role. And on the whole, every scene in the movie was funny.

Inspector Vishnu Kamath in Dum Maro Dum (2011). I am counting in Goa ka Konkani as well because he was the protagonist and with no irritating South Indian-ism stereotype in his character. Abhishek entry sequence was too good to see in HD and he was the best part of the movie, all good dialoges for him. "Cuna tha. Chuna lagaya." and more.

Girish Karnad  as Salman's boss Shenoy in Ek Tha Tiger (2012). He had some chunky crucial scenes as Tiger's mentor. And the most whistle-maro moment was the scene where he asks Gopi for the number of countries in the world :D

Dr Varun Shetty in Krish 3 (2013). It was great to see Arif Zakaria after a long time, but his name was totally unexpected, so I went "Ai ?"


In Daulat Ki Jung (1992), there is a minor villain character named Mr Shetty

There are more Shetty's in different Web Series Short Films.

More Names:

Nakash Aziz (singer), Neetha Shetty (Model, Actress);

Happy Karnataka Day  ! Jai Karnataka !

This post is a result of months of typing and single person research. I have obviously covered only the prominent and very popular personalities. And also because they were who, I saw in my TV time. Today, the second and further generation Kannadigas, growing up outside Karnataka and those migrating from Karnataka, are the numerous skillful contributors in different departments making up the Hindi movies.

It is said that Kannadigas outside Kar, do not unite, do not form their groups, are shy to talk in Kannada as much as other South Indian regionalists. Yes very true observations. But it's because we are not threatened by any fear of loss of Kannada or our identity. We are living up the language and Karnataka link, as we go, wherever we go.

My Yearly Movies List here. 

Minneapolis Halloween Half Marathon - 2017 - Race Recap

Ran the Minneapolis Halloween Half Marathon this year. I was sure this race is 2-3 years old but turns out it was the inaugural race ! Big surprise when I found out. This race is definitely a great alternative to Team Ortho's costumed race on the same day. MN Series have a great reputation and great races as such. I do have feedback for them at the bottom of this post.

Most costumed runners were for the shorter distances. There were some interesting ones in Half as well. Nurse costume, set of 4 guys in super-hero shirt & cape, Giraffe onesie, some with Pizza-doughnut add-on strapped to their chest. A Harry Potter lady  I met at 10th mile (complete with round specs, wand, scarf and robe). A lady in Red Riding Hood costume with a cuddly wolf in hand. Lot of folks in colorful wigs.

Weather as usual, built-up in the week till the race. The previous weekend was like a perfect summer day, even though it was Minnesota October. Then on Mon it was like dementors had descended and transformed the place into 24/7 dark & rainy. Thursday night and all of Friday was Snowfall day - which thrilled the kids as there was enough to build a Snowman. But boy, the stress it caused all registered runners. Finally on the Sat race morning, it was clean, dry, cloudy and a constant 35F throughout the race & rest of day. Thank god for no rain !

Route was entirely on Riverside. Only the start and finish was on the North of the river. Soon the course crossed the river on Central Avenue and went on the South side of river. At the Stone-arch Bridge entrance, there was a volunteer holding the 5K turn board. I was not paying attention and ran towards it when my run buddies corrected me.  There was timer-carpet at 4th mile. After the turnaround for 10K, it got lonelier, with sparse crowd going further for Half. The turnaround for Half was further up at 7.5. Surprisingly there was no timer-carpet here. So much scope here for cheating.

And around this point my watch started showing, off from the mile markers by around 0.1 mile. I would usually expect it because I often forget to start my watch and do it much after start-line. But this time, I was careful to push the start at the exact time I crossed the start line carpet. Later in the day, I got organizers email that their route measurement was off and compensated by $10 for the next race. They know how to please us runners :) (notoriously chindi-chor/cheap crowd).

But most notably, the riverside route was unbelievably hilly. Just rolling ups and downs. Thankfully it was not windy, expect for a patch in the last 4 miles, when it was exposed.

I pretty much walked the miles 11 and 12. My thighs felt like they were frozen solid. Since this real cold morning came up after a spell of great weather, I was not 100% sure what to wear or discard ? So I had laid out Plan A to Z options of gear, which I kept switching till the point I locked the car and left. Eventually I stuck to my usual fleece jacket for outer layer and also kept the gloves on (which I was unsure about). This is in-addition to 2 layers of tech shirts, compression pants & cap. And my choice turned out perfect for me. Even though it felt warm for the first few miles, it worked perfectly when it got cold in the second half and saved me from the chill caused by wind and sweaty shirts. It was also important for all the time spent outside, before and after the race. So. Leaving an extra layer for packet pickup would have helped. Helpful volunteers stuck around even till noon, so no tension of loosing your packet coz am a last finisher.

After the turn on StoneArch bridge, the last mile, I was still waddling along, when #LadyCrew, my Run club buddies came along from the opposite side. One had finished her Half and the rest had completed 5Ks. They brought the energy boost, so I could start jogging again. And then further up the bridge I saw a glimpse of the Finish line arch and was totally surprised - coz I thought it's further up half mile at the same place we started. That sight made me sprint and I could cross the line at 3:06:25 hr. Wow ! I watched my video in results later, and my sprint looked like the slowest jog in the world - but hell it felt like a high. 

Volunteers were great throughout. Helpful before the race, in sharing information. Numerous porta--potties, so very minimal wait. Very frequent water-stops. The first one did not give Gatorade, so I was stressed out there won't be any and I had brought only 1 Gu, but turns out all other stops have Gatorade as well as water. There was even a water-stop on the last mile and 3rd hour. So thankful they waited.

But some very crucial feedback.

1. There was no sign at a crucial last turn on Stonearch bridge. My friend & a Red-Riding Hood lady who were ahead by atleast 30 minutes, but they missed this turn and went on further & added 2 miles to their run. Not to mention spoilt their finish times. Getting lost on a run is the worst feeling and that too in a race, is shocking. This turn is on the last mile. For the last batch of runners, its their 2nd hour. Brain is not going to remember every single turn, even if you prep & study the course map. Proper direction signs are needed at this point.
2. No parking ramp info on the website. Only pointer on generic map but not by name or address. I parked at St Anothny Parking Ramp (Parking: 215 2nd St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414). Very low rate & lot of spots available. And just a short distance from the start & finish line.
3. Facebook responses were very controlled. Not responsive enough.

Race gear was smooth full-sleeve shirt and a nice Halloweeny medal featuring scary pumpkin. I plan to wear it for the actual trick-or-treating trip.

Bus stops - Rest of the World - Tritiya

Bus stops - The Sequel- Rest of the world

I have visited the India bus-stops in this post. And those in Bus stops - Dwitiya - The Americas.

And here follows a photo-listicle of bus-stops from places I have not been to - Amsterdam, Singapore and Japan. My family and friends sent it to me thanks to my relentless badgering. They are not named or linked simply for their privacy reasons.

Basic system of all transportation is same. Monorails on color coded lines, online apps for timetables, Automated machines to dish out daily passes. Local color comes from the commuters.

 Amsterdam

Bus-stop

Central Bus Stand

Singapore

Japan

All of the bus-stop pictures were sourced from my family and friends living across the globe. They are not named or linked simply for their privacy reasons.

Salilda ke Sung Suhana Safar

This post is my ode to a Salil Chowdhury phase.

There is so much longing and feels in his beautiful songs. I feel the need like I could churn out a 10K words worth essay, to convey the beauty. But of course, like it usually maps out, feeling boiled down to a teaspoon of words. Large feelings might pour out into very limited words.

Publications

So then I have been looking for really great writeups about Salilda. Here is what I found and that makes me satisfied.

Website dedicated to Salilda which is a great collection of all things Salilda:
http://www.salilda.com/

And an article here written by his grand-daughter - so it is very personal look. I could imagine myself peeping through one the thick wooden old-world doorway in their house.
http://www.indianmemoryproject.com/tag/salil-chowdhury/

This is not directly about Salil. But it talks about most of the movies featuring his songs.
https://baradwajrangan.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/between-reviews-remembering-roy/

I guess I am looking for a fan group, where others have an equal outpouring of feels. Or a blog with more in-depth writings on his music.

Mix-tape

I have played all of these on repeat so many times - if they were on CDs or casette tape or LP, they would have worn out. This mixed tape has just the right songs.

Madhumati

Flute and other sound instruments rule in every song. I am curious to know all the orchestra instruments played in "Zulmi Sang Ankh Ladi" song. The opening chorus in the same song is enchanting. Jungle sounds creep in and even the sounds of silence in some of the songs is so striking. The way Lata's voice flows in different levels, is so soothing. Words in each of the songs are too pure for this world. North-east India music esp Bihu, influence.

Anand

Mysterious start sequence of "Kahin Door Kahi Din".
Orchestra and string and wind instrument sounds in this Manna Dey gem - "Zindagi kaisi ye paheli".
Jovial conversational tone of "Maine tere liye". Plus the very beautiful Seema Deo in the video.
Lata's voice and tabla taal in "Jiya Lage Na".
Hard to believe there are only 4 songs in this album.

More Songs:

Choti Si Baat & Rajnigandha - they don't have a Video Jukebox on youtube. But they should. Just look at the million views on their exiting non-HD songs. Listen to the instrument strains in each song.The flute strains in background music is like cool breeze wafting the curtains in the movie. That background music from "Choti si Baat", eventually became a song - Tere galiyon mein hum aaye.

A lot of his songs just need to heard, not seen. They definitely gel with the movie. But they are also individual art pieces. Their movies need not be watched. Just experience Lata's voice and Flute harkat in "Mere mann ke diye".

Not all are here

Everything shared here is only my personal favorites. I was introduced to them in the 1980s in my Bombay/Mumbai years when I was in Elementary school. However now the value of these songs are beyond nostalgia. Salilda music is all pervasive in Indian music. His strains are in many many works. Just reading about them is exhausting. I would rather enjoy the feels they create in the listener.

Spectating TC Marathon 2017

TC Marathon is the big deal local Marathon event of the year. Frankly its the only local Marathon for the Twin Cities, something which does not involve driving for more than an hour or looking at hotel logistics.

This year 2017, I arrived at the cross of Summit Avenue & Oxford Street, to cheer for my Lifetime Run Club buddies. This is the 24th mile. I monitored my run-buddies run on the TCM app and timed to arrive here as per their times. By then rain had picked up and their times for this milestone were delayed. But this was the loudest cheer zone for sure, with music blaring from Mill City Running truck parked here.

Lifetime Run Club cheering zone was here since 8 am and inspite of sitting through the rain for 5+ hours, was just as high-spirited in their cheering. My kids cheered on, rang cow-bells and held umbrella with one hand and held out the other for high-fives. Rain did not bother them as much as I was worried.

All the 5+hour finishers were rushing past. You could see last 24 miles on their face, yet the prospect of finishing it in another 2 miles. Rain kept its relentless pitter-patter on them. So many memorable faces - a father-son pair, Ann-Blake's husband, a 74 years old Senior who was disappointed at having missed sub-4 hour finish.

This pair had the words SHAME & DISGRACE printed on their t-shirt. I had read about it on Twitter in the morning and so was excited to actually see them.

Finally my Run clubbers arrived. Everyone was out to scream and make the lodest noises. #LadyCrew who had finished 10 mile earlier in the morning, had joined the Marathoner at 20 mile.

Then the Mother-Daughter team joined them from here. The best supporting Run Club team #LadyCrew.

For spectating in 2014, I went to Lake Calhoun with my daughter. It was 35 F that morning. This was around Mile 6 of the marathon. I got to see all the runners - Elite, mid-packers till the very last one. Everyone still fresh from the start.

In 2015, I went to spectate at Summit Avenue. That is the 24 mile and I was there at around 10:30 am, a very bright sunny morning. With the race start at 8 am, I was there at the exact moment all the leaders passed by. What a view.

And last year, in 2016, I got the privilege of running the TC Marathon.

Netflix Recommendations

Here are my Netflix Recommendations, I can't recommend them enough. And last I checked, these are still on Netflix. Don't be mislead by my conciseness - each of the show & the characters are rich.

Burn Notice - Set in Florida. Ex-Spy & friends solve cases to help people while trying to get back his Spy job. 

White Collar - Set in NYC. FBI agent enlists Art-Thief solve other big-budget theft cases.

Leverge: is well similar to above in genre. Problem solving thriller of a team of 5 and well-packed in each episode.

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries - Australia production set in 1920. Mystery. Saucy heroine & interesting team. 

Murdoch Mysteries - Canada production set in 1800s. Mysteries solved by scientific-minded Detective Constable. Entire cast is endearing. In different episodes, they bring in some future gadget or tech and pretend like they are the early inventors of that. Some of the real life celebs of those times are brought in characters in some episodes.

Death in Paradise - Set in Caribbean St Mary's island. English inspector & local team solve cases. Sun sand & coconut trees everywhere. Best viewed in snowed-in January winter.  

Father Brown - BBC village priest & friends solve murders.

Good show, first coz adorable Arthur Weasley actor plays the lead, then the whole repeat ensemble cast grows on you. The village setting, green open surroundings, stone houses grow on you. 
Other notes: Everyone wears colorful dresses 1950s fashion. Old British did not stick to monochrome or dark colors like US, but more fancy color choices like Indians. Everyone is prom & proper in manner. Village reminds me of our own villages, atleast South Indian Kar. Just no plastic or paper trash or garish billboards around. Tourism hype apart, all European small towns are like Indian small towns & villages.Everything seems romantic when described in English or some fancy language or on Instagram. 

Bletchley Circle - Great follow-up to Imitation Game movie. Set in the same place. 4 coders who are retired after war and dealing with the duller life, where they play a secondary role now. Meanwhile new mystery brings them together.  

In each of these BBC shows, the location is so outstanding, its another character in itself.

Madame Secretary : Set in Washington DC State office and White House. But depicts the real corporate talk, life and politics. Real world dynamics. Not dramatic or exasperated sarcasm. Very textbook showing what to speak, when and to whom. All about problem-solving.

The Crown: Impressive but not additive to go on a marathon spree. Each episode is full enough to keep you satiated and to process it before you are ready for the next episode. It is capturing cinematic-ally, by the varied cast and their acting, gently walks us through historical events, esp the Diana-free gossip. Best show to slowly improve English wit and in Europe history, rather politics. Elizabeth’s personal and UK’s political unwrap in consequent waves. Dialogues have surprising humor even within intrigue. It's only 1 season old with 10 episodes, but they have plans for more seasons - something to watch out for.

All of these are best for that quite TV watching after a tiring weekday. They are in proper bit-sized 40 min-1 hour chucks, with no cliffhanger to click on the next episode. Or go on a marathon binge if you can afford it, for full immersion in their setup. 

All of them are mystery genre, but not extreme thriller, not horror, not gory. Grownup up but not scary for rest of the family. They have a season long mystery to solve, but each episode has a mystery which is solved by the end of it. Monk was the only perfect show, which had an addition mystery was was show-length and which never distracted from it and actually wrapped it up cleanly in season finale. but unfortunately Monk no longer on Netflix. All of them have an interesting ensemble. Each interesting character, and something to like in each.

All of the OTT / Web Series watched every year.

City of Lakes - Half Marathon - 2017 - Race Recap

I had run the City of Lakes - Half Marathon in 2015. And this year I got a chance to run it thanks to my Run club buddies.

Lovely perfect September morning. Temps must have been in the 60s. Cloudy sky. So I ditched my cap this time. We parked in one of the side streets around Lake Harriet and walked to the start line at Beard's Plaisance, near tennis courts. Turns out the finish line was at Lake Harriet Bandshell, so the return walk was 1 mile. Yes, it counts as recovery walk.

Race first loop was around Lake Harriet, then through the road to Lake Calhoun. Here the elite runners form Africa were returning to Harriet after completing Calhoun. Ah what a sight. I got to see the the lead female runner from their group. Then a loop around Lake Calhoun, where we encounter the first timer-carpets for 3 mile. Weather was still perfect temp and cloudy sky. After looping Calhoun, it was back to Harriet and when I reached the tennis courts, the group from Africa was leisurely walking after after finishing first. I yelled a Congratulations and they politely replied and said I was doing good :)

The next loops around Lake Harriet and then Calhoun did not feel so long or endless. At Mile 11 at Calhoun, I did feel an anxiety rush into me, sort of negative thoughts which I had distracted from for so long. So the pace dropped in the last 2 miles. But I knew that my pace must have been great in the initial miles. I had minuscule walk breaks this time.  Finish time was 2:59:34 hour with a pace of 13:53. So thrilled to be sub-3 hour after almost 1 year. I have my Run-club buddy to thanks for, who I ran with throughout.

At the finish line, I was joking that this race is the first, where they touch-our-feet for Namaskar at the end :) Because the volunteers pull out the timer chip strapped to the shoe-lace. Good thing - they know we are not going to be able to bend for another day or two.

Swag was a lovely medal in the shape of sailing yacht or boat - apt representation of Lake Calhoun & Harriet. And a glass mug. This one had opaque etchings instead of colored one in 2015. T-shirts here, are for category winners.

Mishti-Doi Craving

I recently identified a feeling and called it "Bengali-craving". Not Bengali food, not fashion, not language. I have not lived in Bengal or indulge in any of these at any point in my life. So I don't have much explanation on what that craving was ? But I noticed it a few weeks after watching Vicky Donor and Kahaani.

Bingo, I blamed it on the diet of Doordarshan. Specifically of 80's and 90's, when at any given point of time, they did play a show in Hindi with it's roots in Bengal. Shows based on Rabindranath Tagore's work, Mahasweta Devi's stories, or movies by Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Bimal Roy and some of Basu Chaterjee's movies. I guess the imagery stayed back more than I knew. That way I can also blame Hemant Mukhrjee, Salil Chowdary, RD Burman and Bappi Lahiri, who used a lot of melodies between their Bengali and Hindi films

Among all, this one is the sweetest memory for me. Satyajit Ray's Apur Sansar, end sequence. I was captivated by the location and sannata, just the wind and few dialogs.

So yes, this craving meant a repeat show of Talaash. Come to think of it, this Doordarshan TV serial had all the big-shot Bengalis associated with it.

Once Nostaligia was covered, we needed something current, something of this age. Not that anyone went away, but Bengaliness is coming back on center-stage again.

Beginning with Vicky Donor. Protagonist was Delhi-Punjabi but the heroine was Bengali and they had some Kolkata locations as well. That is what triggered this in the first place.

And soon came Kahaani (2012). That was some sucker-punch of a movie. I am a nobody to praise its excellent Kahaani/Story ! It needs to be seen. Cool Bidha Bagchi and really really sweet Rana. Their unique poster lead to a really interesting movie. And one side-effect is - it makes me hum a lot of 80s RD songs. A lot of them played in background, in Bengali.

Last few years has definitely seeing a surge in Bengali-backed movies. And then thanks to Netflix I got to see these 2 new movies a billion times.

Piku

I still don't know what Piku means, but nevertheless I have watched this movie like 50 times.
Ad-films background of the director shows up, in those well composed shots, which last under a minute.

Very interesting dialogues and sequences. People speak up at the same time. 2-3 disjointed thread run through a single conversation. Someone says no & does exactly that. Every single talk around constipation is included at different intervals. True depiction of how bugging 60+ & their adult kids dialogues.

Classic trope of AB having a side-kick to make things interesting, and his friendship with Raghuveer Yadav. Deepika and her kajol eyes. Her bickering with AB and defensiveness when outsiders/Rana comment. Irfan is a gem as usual, every sequence he was part of.

Production quality is impeccable. Piku's cluttered house, but with impressive wall artworks. Rana's messy house. Trip packing sequences and getting up at dark O' thirty for a long road trip. For a road trip movie, they picked great locations. Night time Ganga ghat at Varanasi, so many sights in Kolkatta, Delhi.

Music by Anupam Roy has been on loop in my Youtube.

Detective Byomkesh Bakshy

So when the movie trailer came out, I was turned off. Not believing they could making something watchable for something in my favorite genre - Raj-era environment, Calcutta, Detective, Mystery. And later it lingered on Netflix for a long time, before I watched it.

Movie was very tightly made. So when it ended, I did not understand many things, I had to re-watch it - just to answer, "Wait what" questions. Then, I guess I played it 50 more times. Everytime kids came back home, they would be exasperated, cause this was always playing on TV.

Superb and controlled acting by Sushant as obsessive-compulsive about finding the truth. His compulsion to find the truth, takes things forward. Tough Ajit, and that gang of bachelor boarders. Really menacing villain - his end sequence with heavy metal background music, elevates this to SuperHero movie level. No mention of 'Satyanveshi' word - hope that happens in a Sequel.

In terms of frames, I could put a snapshot of every single scene here and still not be satisfied. This movie is worth watching with unblinking eyes. Watching the tram go away in the middle of the night. Marriage invitation piping up but not distracting from the storyline. Angoori devi makeup room. And many more.

Production values were superb. The way they built outdoors locations and crowds. And blended CGI into it. The Making videos are educational.

They ended with an awesome hero, trusted friend and a menacing nemesis. That is the perfect combination for a franchise. So looking forward to the sequel. Every indication so far shows it's not in plans. Attention of all producers and makers have dissipated.

Music - now there is no equal for it and yet it was prefect in the movie and very hum-able outside. Yes no item or dance number yes, chalega. All songs were in background, spreadout and blended with the background music. Heavy metalish in a Raj-era movie - and no one notices. Unexpected yet perfect.

2017 includes its share.

Jagga Jasoos. My detailed review in the link. I got twitter responses from Anurag Basu. That's included as well.

This one was eye catching thanks to rich imagery of Africa and North-East India. Its Bengali-heavy maker team did add their nostalgia elements. But there were no clihed Bengali stereotypes in the movie. They did not even say "Cholegaye" in Khaana Khaake Chalegaye, :D In the story, there was a stopover at Kolkatta, but without any sightseeing, just tram and few other studio props. Offline I did find out about the Bengali specific Easter eggs (agapastala, tiktiki, shundi), but it no way changes the flavor of the movie.

Bengali-ness simply enriched these movies, without overwhelming it.

My Yearly Movies List here.

Walk in Baker Park Reserve

I had this patch of being jobless coming up. And a few days when family was going to be out of town. And I had always wanted to use this kind of day for a long, very long trail hike kind of thing.

I spent many days, researching on which route would be best for me ? And kept aiming for an ambitious 20+ mile day. Eventually I chistled it down, but I picked a route I had never been to -  Bakers Park Reserve. After a few mis-tries thanks to messed up Goggle directions, I reached there.

Since I did not get hold of a clearcut trail map yet, I spent wandering by the lake. Once I found an arrow towards some trail, I did complete a loop, which was a disappointing 2 mile. And which turned out to be around a campground.

Before I could groan more and give up, I found a paper map, in a office building by the campground. And that pointed me to a 6.2 loop. Now that looked promising (which is why I came here) and challenging (because it was almost noon and I was hungry for lunch). Btw Baker Park Reserve Trail map is here.

More maps were there in a box at the entrance of this 6.2 loop. The path to the start of this 6.2 mile loop was about a mile. So overall I got 9 miles of walk in the unknown, that day. This was in addition to my morning 5 mile run. I had to really control myself from breaking out in a  run, because my aim was a long wlk here.

Here is the start point of the 6.2 mile loop.

The entire stretch had varied geography. Parts were woodsy scary.

Then came the spreadout prairie valleys.

I had  left home at 10 & knew I would be in the middle of woods at noon. So I had packed some basic supplies. Didn't want hunger pangs to derail me. Plus as usual I had huge chances of getting lost. I did not stop any specific place for lunch. Kept munching on (1) pretzel and apples I had packed. I also added (2) water, (3) an emergency contact list and (4) a whistle in the lightweight bag.

This was the most fascinating exciting sign I found. And I looked around for my kids or someone to chit-chat this with, but ahem no one around.

Here, the Baker Reserve loop crosses path with Luce Line.

By walk 6.2 loop seemed endless. I crossed path with 2 bikers, 2 skaters and 1 runner who started from the opposite side. Thats about all the people who were out here on a warm August weekday afternoon.

All in all, a lovely day spent conquering the unknown (for me).

Minnesota Half Marathon - StPaul - 2017 - Race Recap

I really really enjoyed this year Minnesota Half Marathon on Shepard road, St Paul. Multiple factors.

For the 7:15am start, I left home at around 5:40am. For the first, it was a carpool commute with my run buddies. It lightened the stressful morning ride and was fun laughing at different experiences on the way back.

Parking for this race is in Rivercenter ramp. Vehicles going in, queued up on the 7th Street W. I did get anxious and thought should park at the lot opposite Excel Energy, but I was stuck anyway, so crawled to the Rivercenter ramp. It wasnt so bad. Loads of free parking space. Parked it closer to the lower level, because exist it o lower level. Don't want to climb the stairs up after the half race.

Run crowd was not very large. It did not feel crowded and pressured to push fast in the begining. nor was it lonely in the last 3 miles. I am amazed by the paces of the first half. The extra long time in the last 4 miles, I think I took extended water breaks and yes slowed down the pace. But mentally I was better focused than I have been in past years races.

The race in itself was fun too. Loads of fun cheering squads, who had come to inspire their family/friend. 2 ladies holding a glittering stone covered Flamingo on a stick. A duo holding Unicorn helium balloon. And in my pace group, there was as Blind runner with her guide. Such an inspiration.

Historically, this race has always been the hottest - being in August. I think that is why I skipped it in 2015, or maybe it was some other reason. But the spectre of heat was always hovering around. Last year, they did take some temperature control measure. Same thing this year. 7:15 am start. Route winding westward. More trees lining the sides and center dividers. But the biggest unexpected surprise of all, was the cold-wave that came in that mid-week. Coldwave ? In August ? In Minnesota. Yes. Thunderstroms dipped the temps to 50s and it never went above 70F that week. The effect of that on race morning was so very useful for us runners. Throughout the race duration, it was supercool, cloudy hence hardly any sunny patches, and breezy thanks to the River by this route. I forgot my cap in the car, and I did not miss it at all.

My finish time was exact same as last year - 3:05:01. Yet instead of disappointment , I am more accepting. Coz I actually enjoyed this race.

The race gear. Ah, I cant stop gushing over the shirt. Its is such a geat design - the sleeves, round collar and the hem-cuts. Just perfect. Material is perfect - not too filmsy that it would be see-through on being sweaty, but very lightweight. Medal was cute too.

Past Minnesota Half Marathons: 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2014 |