Books -> Movies

It felt really good to read a news like this. A book, penned by an Indian author, being made into a movie. It is not the first of a kind, but does show a greater progress in the adaptation of a book into a movie.

However enchanted I am by Bollywood, I can’t condone its irreverent plagiarism. Not that it only copies movies from other film industries, but it also pilfers some original book scripts. To avoid paying royalties, the movie-makers take the stories without even crediting the authors. The point thus is not only about money, but also about a serious lack of encouragement for the writers to come up with good movie-adaptable scripts. For Indian cinema, the biggest challenge is the dearth of concomitant and inventive stories, and there is no other way than to start forming a bond with the writers to purvey it a good supply of stories.

Subhash Ghai has said that he is willing to pay even 1 crore rupees to the person who gives him a really good script. A welcome change. In fact, I am looking forward to the day when a film-making company will strike a deal with a coterie of writers, ala the ADAG group’s with Spielberg. Believe me, many more ‘Slumdog Millionare’s can then be raised based on the ‘Q&A’s.

Why I don't like Western Music?

There are two things that I have been doing in my endeavor to widen my global understanding: eating different cuisines and listening to foreign music. While the former is a very recent activity and should pick up in future, the latter has been absolute disaster. Not that I don’t listen to it. In fact, I was picked on it very early, with its catchy music and foot-tapping rhythm. But as I found out later, that was it which it had to offer to me. I couldn’t move myself to explore the other unobtrusive ones, and whenever I tried, as done recently too, I could not attach myself to it. I couldn’t enjoy it; that sums it all. I feel so alienated, even though I know everything is not meant for everyone. But as my desperation grows, I have been able to identify a few things.

First, I don’t like the preponderance of music over the songs. For me, the delivery of songs is more vital than the media on which it is being delivered. Here the music is so dominant that singing is just an adjunct and perfunctory job. The sweetness of songs is hard to find. Everywhere there is boom boom music blaring out. Sorry for exaggeration, but what else will you call all the clutter of guitar, violin, cembalo etc. And I haven’t mentioned the lyrics yet which is the soul of a song.

Second, now the songs are inextricably related to their videos. Nothing could be more propping for songs, as the visuals lend a real touch to the songs. But what I find is a carnal touch. All the songs videos now are show strips for those famous singers. I am very sexually-liberated and open-minded (at least I think so), but to watch Britney or Kylie gyrating in knickers on a supposedly sweet love-song is revolting. If I have to watch sensuality, I know what to watch and where to go. But hello, songs are different. Why every female singer has to be in half clothes, and every male one with a flattened torso crooning and imaging his half-naked love? Nicole Scherzinger has such a good voice, but she makes it secondary by concentrating on how much skin she is showing. I mean, every singer has to be good-looking first, exposing second, and if he/she sings well, then acceptance is granted. It is really unpalatable for me.

Third reason, which is more eccentric but also correct is that the songs lyrics are not always obvious to me. English is now the back of my palm, but I still can’t understand some accents totally in the songs. Naturally my enthusiasm dies down then. Also I have tried listening to Arabic and Greek music which is great. But for lack of understanding, I can’t hold on for much. I am seriously trying on this front though.

There can be many more reasons, but the real point is to highlight my aversion, and my (may be) short-sightedness. I know I haven’t been helped by my intrinsic disassociation with its cultural background. I also don’t score highly on this kind of music’s knowledge front too. But somehow this is just not coming. I need some serious mentoring. Phew!!! But I will keep trying.