HELEN ji- Diamond of our Films

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Kahan gaye wo log

What can I say for these photos?? it is like showing light to the SUN. She was exactly like a SUN. giving warmth and inspiration to thousands while burning herself. She needs no introduction For almost 75 years her voice spelled magic over Indian audience. She was a symbol of struggle, determination , hard work, dedication, self pride- swabhiman. without complaining to anybody.
Immortal she is- GanguBai Hangal.

Dheer Gambheer was her voice, heavy swaras, whatever she sang is now a standard for others to follow and achieve.  And she has set high standards.

Deepak Raja's world of Hindustani Music: Dhondutai Kulkarni (1927-2014)

Deepak Raja's world of Hindustani Music: Dhondutai Kulkarni (1927-2014): Dhondutai Kulkarni, the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana stalwart, refused to flow with the tide of populism, and consolidated her position...

Respected Gulab Bai ji- a diamond of Nautanki

There was a song in the film mujhe jeene do picturised on Smt Waheeda Rehman ji.

nadi nare na jao sham paiyan parun.

it was an immortal song.  Everyone must have heard it many times, but only few knew that it was a famous song sung by Smt Gulab Bai. She was a famous actor in Nautanki.
Nautanki had always been a male dominated field of art. Same was in other fields, even films were too!! remember males used to act female roles.  
Similarly in Nautanki also males dominated the scene. I had heard from my grandmother that there was a BAN on Trimohan nautanki. Trimohan was that time a famous nagada (drum) player. There was strict regulation about the timings as to when he can play his drum and when he is not allowed.
song.
At Kanpur there was a workshop, where Gulab Bai had given talk-discussion-cum workshop on Nautanki and associated Music. That time i saw her. later with time i could not pursue that field.

She came to join trimohan ji's company as singer-dancer. In those women in nautanki were considered not good. to understand one can see the film Teesri Kasam, where RajKapoor and Waheeda Rehman ji acted. She played role of a dancer of Nautanki, that was known as company. yes in those days nautanki theatre group worked as company. Even famous Begum Akhtar also worked in Theatre-but they were called as Parsi Theatre, not company or Nautanki. In Kanpur there were few famous dancer-singers of Nautanki. Gulab Bai became instant hit. Its pity that not much Audio-Visuals are available on her. Who could have imagined that one day time will change and Nautanki will fade alongwith Smt Gulab Bai. But Gulab Bai ji was made of steel character. while working in Nautanki, at a later time she raised her own Comapany. I think She would have been first women owner of a Nautanki Company. Which department collects data on such facts? Art and Culture Ministry? As it happens in every field She was also victim of back-stabbing. She suffred financial loss. But She always stood up and lived life of dignity. I think her daughter lived in Kanpur near Rail Bazar area? She even I have respect for Gulab Bai and writing for her, But never visited her home. 

Is it due to society's or peer pressure? Only rarely we used to go to city, only to catch train at Kanpur Railway station. But never could have taken a brave step to visit that area so as to meet her.

1 2 3 4 5.

History untold, re-told, historians revisiting their works

I had been ardent admirer of works of history writings. Romila Thapar is one of the famous writers on history. I had seen her talks/interview on Doordarshan. Those days only doordarshan was the medium.  So whatever was shown to us, we did try to grasp it.

Other personality who caught my attention was Smt Tara Ali Baig. One program was aired on doordarshan many years back involving history. Tara Ali Baig was the anchor of that program. The content-wise the program was very good. But when she appeared on screen then it seems we are listening to someone telling things true from heart. Few people have this quality.

I have heard Shri VIDYA NIWAS MISHRA also, he was sounded to me full of HISTORY and historical facts.  once he told that he is professor of Indology in some university in USA. Once i visited one professor's house at BHU. some Prof Tripathi, while talking to him i pointed out the name of VidyaNiwas Ji, Prof Tripathi commented that "Only Oratory". 

And actually contrary Shri Vidya Niwas Mishra ji did talk at IIT Kanpur on the ORAL TRaditions in India. There was lack of documentation over the centuries. Knowledge carried on through ORAL traditions. Even though few scholars wrote, but not on Paper, on Palm leaf, BHOJPATRA or other. These were not durable, or lost to floods, fire, NEGLECT or to pest (termite) etc. Later in British period lots of these MANUSCRIPT were taken away by EUROPEANs by giving MONEY to the poor scholars. (i desist myself from using the word greedy). The situation was bad in those days.

Romila ji  as I found on her TV appearances was always having others on their toes with her critical analysis. Once she told about the situation of SOMNATH temple. But that was way far from the normal perception of people.

I am also reading the early India, a revised version of her book came out. As she said in TV interview that with the advancement in many methods, technology, the knowledge and PROOF which are available now with us then things must be read/retold with all such available sources. So as to correct the earlier works of history. Thus anything which is available now-days may help in developing (correcting !!) our knowledge about the history. Be it coins, excavations, painting, any work of literature, sculpture etc etc sources can be astoundingly endless.

historians are not in agreement on  fixing the date of KALIDAS.  And also there is point of contention,  whether Kalidas is a one person or many.

Thus There is need to develop a database of all archaeological excavations, Digitization of the findings, art facts or anything which is found together with photos.

Then comes,  related studies done of any such findings those can be linked.

Links to any recorded things in History, Literature, local folklore etc

TOP PRIORITY- Digitization of Manuscripts of all libraries across India, database of their records.

Database of oral traditions- Folklore, music, paintings-Ritual paintings (such as patta chitra, and in Madhubani wall paintings)

Koothu, Kudiyattam or the Kathakali are known to have old traditions and works dating back to thousands years. These can be documented.

SANSKRIT was the language in which lots of old works are said to be written.  I think I will not be able to study all the treasure of SANSKRIT in my lifetime. Because over the years SANSKRIT was kept outside of our life. Nobody study SANSKRIT at school, nor anybody reads at their HOME. All were running after learning ENGLISH, which was language of GORA SAHIB.

Jones published translation of  SHAKUNTALAM in ENGLISH in 1783??

In process what happened we are totally CUT Off from our ROOTS. Whatever knowledge was available with our ancestors and generations was ONLY in SANSKRIT. that we are unable to read. That means our own future path of progress is in Dark. They succeeded in pushing us towards darkness. Though they themselves came out of DARKness, as we studied the Renaissance of EUROPE in History books of NCERT.

Works on Natya Shastra, which is said to be a VED itself, fifth Ved.  Works of CHANAKYA, Vatsyayan’s Kamasutra, CHARAK Samhita- Sushrut Samhita, KALIDAS, ARYABHATT, BHASKARA, Brahmagupt, LILAWATI or the GEET GOVIND,

Then there is RAJTARANGINI by KALHAN written in KASHMIR is also in Sanskrit. This is said to contain the lineage of kings of Kashmir. This might prove that in Kashmir people had the knowledge of writing and preserving PROMOTING the works like lineage. This was way back in 1077 AD. 

Around  300 BC the Maurya King took over the NANDA dynasty. Thus the work of CHANAKYA must be belonging to this era??

I had read the Banbhat ki atmakatha in Hindi written by Dwedi ji…There the plot of story has been the war of Harsh Vardhan and PULKESHIN (or pushya mitra??).

I read KADAMBARI. now days no one reads these books in Sanskrit. 

But first the need of hour is DIGITISATION of manuscripts. 

Saraswati Mahal-thanjaor, KELKARS, Raja (??) BUX library-Bihar, RAMPUR-library established by Nawab Rampur, another institution is working in Mysore or Banglore also. these can be roped into making a big database of our TREASURE.

DIGITAL INDIA can be an opportunity.

Diamond of Kathak- Damyanti Joshi ji

Diamond of Kathak

Damyanti Joshi ji

compiled by Gaurang Katyan Mishra(gmisra@iitkalumni.org)

           

When I met “Diamond” of Kathak, Smt Damyanti Joshi ji

It was a fine evening at the hall L7in IIT Kanpur. It is a lecture hall but doubled as the best auditorium for all kinds of activities. The L7 was unique, everyone in the IITK Campus knew the destination. Be a film show, natak, a debate, or Lec-Dem of SPICMACAY or dance performance of Swapna Sundari ji, or Music or vocal rendition by Smt GanguBai Hangal. All were held in this L7.

There was a show by the Lucknow Kathak Kendra. A team from kendra came to perform. I could not believe my eyes when I saw Smt Damyanti Joshi ji. It was just like a dream. Since at L7, I could easily sneak-in all such programs. I immediately touched her feet to seek her blessings. Long ago I had seen her on Doordarshan. Thus one can imagine what happens to a child when he sees a star which he had seen on TV. I was out of this world. Later when she came to know that I am a keen student of Kathak, She immediately turned towards a Man. She said see it is good that he is willing to join us at Lucknow, we have shortage of boys in Kathak at Lucknow.

Later she asked me to come to Lucknow Kathak Kendra anytime. Without any hesitation you come to me- she had told me. No other person had said such words to me before, apart from one person. That another person was wife of our president R Venkentaraman. Once she came to IIT Kanpur campus to visit her daughter, whom I knew as Vijaya Aunty, I went to aunty’s house for some work. There I met her mother. That time R Venkataraman was Vice president. She told that you come to Delhi and inform at gate- so and so has come from IIT Kanpur. I really missed the opportunity to visit the Up-Rasthrapati’s house in New Delhi.  Similarly when most respected Damyanti ji said those kind words I was filled with lots of emotions, imaginations etc. But What I could have done at that time. In both instances I was a “nobody”, how could I go to their places.

Later after some time I heard that due to some reasons Damyanti ji did not continue as the director, Kathak Kendra, Lucknow. It was not her loss. It was loss of Lucknow. It was a great loss for me personally. She was the true example of Kathak. Since she had learnt from guru of Jaipur Gharana and also from All the three gurus of Lucknow, Achchan Maharaj, Lachu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj. Thus She was a GEM- a Diamond of Kathak. Whose glitter never fades. That is the only quality by which a diamond is recognized.

As a four year old child she used to play in the courtyard of a house belonging to the Shokhey’s household. The lady of the house madam shokey was none other but known as Madame Menaka. She was also a great performer, a gifted one. She adopted this child, the daughter of Smt Vatsala. Who was working in this household. Thus began the association of two stars. Under the guidance of Madam Menaka the career of Damyanti ji started charting a path, which always strode upwards. Till Damyanti ji became a glittering star herself. Madam Menaka selected teachers for her daughter-Damyanti ji.

Legend has it that when the Guru Mahalingam Pillai the great Nattuvanar started school in Bombay to teach BharatNatyam, Smt Damyanti Joshi was the first student the moment the school started. That tells the alertness both Damyanti ji and Madam Menaka had and behind all, the approval of her mother might have been a great strength.

She started wearing Saree while dancing

As the training continued under tutelage of various great masters, Damyanti ji with her determination and will power emerged as a true artist. She learnt the intricacies of art-Kathak. She did not follow the art for the sake of fame. She was a true artists at core. Her renditions were pure art. She mastered over the Abhinaya and the “dheer” emotion of taal. As we know Kathak has been used as a chamatkari nritya- that means the dance specially the gunghrus were used to have some surprising effect on the audience, using the high speed laya and taal (beats). So as to mesmerize everybody. But, She chose Vilambit laya, the lowest speed while dancing. Through the slow beat the focus remains on the abhinaya, or so to say, if someone has truly mastered an art, it can be judged only through the vilambit laya-the Slow pace.

In another article I read that she did not like the introduction /announcement before any item. As she felt that dance itself should be able to communicate with the Audience. What is the need to inform the audience before-hand. If a dancer tells to audience before dance That means artist has failed in its objective. Kathak means the story telling. If we are not able to convey the story though our gestures then we fail ourselves.

She was also master in the Nayika Bhed, or the Astha Nayikas. The eight types of mood or heroines. As earlier I had written about Natraj Gopi Krishna, he was a true natraj and he demonstrated the nayika bhed with added masala. Small little things like pulling the hair pin with teeth and then putting on plait. But Damyanti ji demonstrated within the boundaries as defined in the shastras. She has been credited to introduce the practice of wearing Saree while dancing.

I attended several Lec Dem and seminars etc. In one utsav of Kathak at Delhi  in evening there was program of Smt Damyanti Joshi ji in the FICCI auditorium. The year is not important. It was I think 1994/95?? It was quite late in night. I was strong lover of dance. I reached the FICCI, but when I entered the auditorium I felt ashamed. Felt very sad. At least when such a star artist and that too a senior artist of her status has come down to Delhi and more over she has the determination to perform herself on stage at that advanced AGE, all the dance fraternity must be present there. But I felt sad that only few days back there was a programme by Smt Uma Sharma ji for Spastic society of India. The FICCI auditorium was full. But when Damyanti Joshi danced in same auditorium not much seats were filled. Only a quarter of hall was with human heads. That day inside me I wept somewhere. But as I am a nobody, whom I could complain.

But kudos to that spirit, Damyanti Ji came on stage and danced with gunghroos on her feet. She danced few Tihais and chakardars also. Sometimes it seemed she will fell down. But She composed herself and completed dance. I salute her spirit. I saw her dancing at that advanced age is no sort of miracle for me (as a student of art). Not many from Kathak Kendra were there. However few from organizers and prachin kala Kendra were there too.

Photos I have taken from internet. Now days anyone can google pictures. But for us the students of arts this medium is very beneficial as we can atleast see many works of arts.

Thanx to the Google, The internet which has become a world wide web…..no one can come out of it!!! Google from a noun has become a verb!!!

KAHAN SE SURU KAREN KAHAN PE KHATAM

I used to get chance to see Doordarshan only on few days at one house at IITKanpur campus who owned a TV. All children used to gather at window of that house to watch TV. In those days we knew few programs only, Such as Films, chitrahaar etc. Later I came to know about phool khile hain gulshan gulshan, Antakshri etc but most of these famous programs were based on films.
People who owned TV might be knowing lots of TV programmes. But people like me who did not own TV came to know tv programmes only when either the owner told us or we got to know from friend gossip in the class.  I doubt if anybody in class v or vi student might have been reading any magazines.  If some did read magazines, those were rich. Lot-pot, Champak, Parag, Chandamama, gudiya etc. magazines i had read in those days.

I got to read some of pages from magazines like Dharmayug, Hindustan etc. Parag, Lotpot and champak came later in my life. My father was in Indian Navy and got posting in Bombay & Lonavala. Being in Bombay they got exposure to magazines. Thus they might have started reading those magazines. But how I came to know about those magazines? is due to their habit of collecting pages. Thus the pages collected during 1965-67 etc came to our hand in 1976 onwards, when we siblings started reading all the printed alphabets. Thus began my reading of various printed material housed in our home, collected by my Parents during their stay in Bombay and other places.

Our collection included Dharmayug, Hindustan(the magazine), Kadambani, Navneet, Illustrated weekly, LIFE magazine, etc to name few, There were lot of cuttings from old news papers. One was a very good English dictionary. This was the main source of information and attraction for me. This dictionary had many pictures in it. Thus pictures had always attracted me, and those pictures contained various information. Type of horse carriages used in Europe, the types of leather straps used in tying the horse etc. My father brought a record player prior to 1982 I had it at our home, it was of SANYO brand. Few LP record I purchased. I had a long record of “The Sound of Music” I think it was a movie. Actualy when I started attending PPN Degree college at Kanpur. For the first time in my life I got freedom to travel alone, while studying in BSc. Near to college was Parade ground and on it was a great bazzar, it had everything. I saw the old clothing of police and military. During winter woolen clothings were sold. Next to it was a market of old LP records and related accessories. I used to go to that market to collect LP records or old songs. I thus got few LP- the tawa as it were known in Hindi. It was similar to tawa in looks on which chapattis are cooked. There were 33 rpm and 72 rpm etc. I got pakeezah, a LP named Akhiri Mujra and Mehfil e mujra. These records which I bought had song of dances of films.

I also bought few of Ballets, Tango, Salsa steps, without knowing ABCD of these dances. But when TV came to my home in 1982 everything changed for me. I got to know about a different world, that was hidden till 1982 to me. First song was on Immortal melodies and singers. Famous Singer Noorjahan had come to India from Pakistan. When somebody asked her about this coming to India, She said I always had asked Allah that pl give me one chance to atleast meet this person before I die- that person was Dilip kumar. He was with her that time both of them were very close friends. She was beeming with happiness and whole of her saree was glitering.                                                                            On my TV screen she was a glitering star. Even though we had a Black and white TV but those moments which I witnessed were full of colors. Full of emotions and I could feel those emotions those were the true emotions and not acting. There were Famous singer Rajkumari, Naushad ji and many more. Through reading magazines and watching TV, that outside world became known to me. Thus I  became conscious of word ART and MUSIC. After that whenever the chitrahaar and films came on TV I was fixed to one place for hours, but contrary to others I used to observe nuances of arts, The costumes, The set designing, The dance steps,  choreography. When films started. the titles used to start, I used to read who is dance director, who is assistant dance director, who is Art director, set designer etc,

By the time TV came to my home I was already famous as a "dancer" boy in my school and in IIT Kanpur campus. I was actually an UNTOUCHABLE. Whole class mates were mocking and making fun of me. I grew up ignoring those jokes, comments, racist remarks, Unpleasant remarks, demeaning remarks, Not only from my classmates but from their young sisters and brother, from their mothers and often from fathers.
One of the Professor at IIT Kanpur was very famous for attending the music programs but when there was some topic of her daughter dancing with me or sharing stage with me. That foreign return professor who was teaching at IIT Kanpur denied and told his wife that not to let their daughter dance on stage. This very same professor welcomed a boy of a middle class family to their home, whom they did not considered upto their class before, I mean he never considered that middle class family upto their class before but when this boy secured good marks in some examination they immediately dreamt that he would be a good suitor for their daughter. That daughter was not very much studious as far as I know. That daughter was much younger to me they were (both boy and girl) born in front of me. I mean I had seen them growing since their first year of life. I shifted to IIT Kanpur campus in the year 1973 or so (if I correctly remember).

Often when my classmate boys ignored me, they did not let me play with them, or not let me join their group. Those days were very pain full for me.  girls were left to talk to me I then got a chance to communicate with my peers. I started playing with those girls. they allowed me to play with them. What games girls play??

Thus when I was permitted to play with girls, obviously I had to play those games which girls played. What is harm in that?. But there also I was not spared. I was bombarded with comments that he is a girl and plays with girls. Funny boys!!!. First they did not let me in their group activities they hid lot of secrets from me and when I was permitted to play with girls then they started abusing me ? what is the law of land? Thus in class VI & VII in old campus school building I played langdi with girls in free periods. I am gratefull to Sunita, Lily, Savita, Ragini, Rajni, Anita and Anita2, to name few girls who let me play with them. I still cherish those friendship beyond anything. Since in those tormenting times I was given space and time to breath like a free spirit, even though they did on second thought. But I am quite happy that they let me play with them without any inhibition.  
 In this group there was also two three groups as was within boys. The race and caste system was inborn. At IIT Kanpur campus I felt the difference of class, the poor and rich. But at IIT Kanpur campus there was FACULTY and STAFF feeling always.  As children do, it is their normal habit to boast off among their peers. But the subject or the object to boast off was quite interesting. Few boys and girls  were engrossed  with idea of their supremacy over us – the middle class families, what they had more was the knowledge of English. Often the professors were called as foreign returned. They spent few years in America or outside India. Few boys boasted off about their green cards etc things.

Very few class mates did invite me to their birthdays. But I invited everybody to my birthday. One of my classmates remembered and told in front of his colleagues that I invited all the girls and only him (a boy) to his birthday.     This statement was a big surprise to me. I thought ok if he is saying so when he is 49 years old then I must accept his statement. But I am sure he was exaggerating it. I did invite few of my friends. Naturally when I used to play with more girls I will invite more girls than boys, what is new in it?

One day I went to Lily’s house for I think it was birthday. There on tape record I heard a song which was from the film shikari, dil tumko diya itni naaz se naina lad gaye bhole bhale….. The moment I heard the song, the beats and taal  whole music took over me. And inside of me somewhere I could not resist myself from dancing on the song.

So powerfull music it has. The song had Ragini and Helen ji. Both danced superbly. Helen ji did a superb job. She matched each and every step to the Ragini Ji. Ragini ji was a trained and a famous dancer. She was a renowned Bharatnatyam dancer, she was one of the TRIO the famous Travancore sisters. They were well known faces in the dance field. But in this song Helen ji danced better than Ragini ji. Helen ji was not much trained but she is a born talent. I don’t know whether she received any award from Govt of India?. It is awkward that the much famous dancer of her time did not receive any award for recognition of her art/ Talent.   Few hero and heroines of films  of recent times have been decorated with the awards like Padma shri.  she must get PADMA BHUSAN. But the society is such grappled with the fear psychosis about dance, the stigma is still there. Stigma attached to the dance is still there. She must receive sangeet natak award or Padma bhusan for her contribution to the dance in films.
Whatever dance she did it was of a class. She was never looked or favoured vulgarity on the screen. Whatever getup was given to her by the producer and film director she wore it and she performed with first grade. She was the only one who could it. No one is near to her in film industry who could perform like her. Without any flaw?? Her's was a flaw-less performance. There should be DADA SAHEB PHALKE award for the contribution in film dance segment. I think Helen Ji deserves it….all the heroines must be taken into confidence and all the living heroines must be asked to vote for saying yes or no for giving any award to Helen ji, and let us see what the result come. I don’t know why Karan Johar and Faraha Khan do not ask anyone in film industry this question whenever they host any programme?

 There was another film which captivated me and my attention. It was KALPANA, not the kalpana made by Shri Uday Shankar, but it was a Hindi film a bollywood movie. Full of music and dance. There were Stalwart of BharatNatyam, the duo of sisters,  TRIO the Travancore Sisters.

Padmini ji and Ragini ji. Both danced to full limits, but i doubt since in this film there were directed by the dance director, choreographer.
Both the dancer wanted to please the god through their dance.  Dance became puja for GOd.
For hours i used dance at roof of our house at TYPE TWO, IIT Kanpur campus. All the neigbours were thinking me as a mad.  few thought i had sex change.  

As One uncle said there will be problem for your papa, if you do this. he would have to search a MAN for you for marriage?. or he also said who will marry you, there will be problem for your marriage. This uncle was my neighbor and that too  I think hailed from Lucknow Kanpur area, where the NAUCTH had been famous from centuries. either in form of Nautanki  or the tawaif dances.
He was most polite MAN in my neighbourhood, He died in front of me. irony was I was to witness his death.

He became very sick, i think there was some kidney problem. He was taken to Delhi. Owing to habit and nature of my father, i was forced to visit this uncle at Delhi, I dont remember but we had gone to Delhi for some work, thus once we were in Delhi, it was but natural that being a neighbour my FATHER found it as a duty, we had to visit this uncle. Thus in hospital we used to visit him. He was on dialysis. When we visited him, aunty might have thought that he is not neat and clean [i mean when visitor arrive mostly people try to make up their home to show off]. Aunty said will you stand and change your cloths. we did not know what instruction doctors had given to them or not. He had a heart stroke also that time. there was a tablet in his mouth. I came to know that in such cases they put a tablet in mouth???. Aunty took him towards the bathroom for changing the payjama. after few seconds aunty screamed loudly from inside the toilet. I think uncle must have collapsed but she must have tried to pull him up, but since his body became heavy she could NOT hold him up thus she screamed and called for my papa. My papa rushed towards toilet, and he brought uncle in his arms lifting towards the bed. Uncle had died the moment he was taken to bathroom. If he had a heart stroke  What was need to change his payjama at that very moment. Next time his son was admitted in a hospital. But somewhere I still feel the trauma with I which I had gone through during the childhood. It has resulted in my stunt growth. also the UNTOUCHABILITY somewhere protected me from becoming polluted- young mind was saved from going hay........
But now when I have reached 47 years of  my life- I still feel VOID of that close friendship- I have few class mates but I still deep inside of me cannot say that they -my classmates- like me or not??? whether they consider me as a BOY or they consider me a HUMAN Being or not? Always a query keeps coming up in back of my mind... Why my classmates do not consider me as a human being and why they did not behaved with me NORMALY.... what was abnormal in me- If I loved to dance what was their problem- I was socially targeted. Whenever and where ever I used to go or walk I observed some curious eyes following and who ever met me always hinted or commented about my dancing abilities----- SO much so when I was in BSc while going to the bus stop at BANYAN tree in IITK Campus on the way few classmates sang the song - "Tauba eh matwali chaal" or some will sing "naatch meri bulbul paisa milega" I mean all sort of comments I heard in morning while going to attend my college. Some time I used to feel that why I should go in front of them these silly boys...but I could do nothing since only one bus goes to Kanpur city from IITK at 9.30 AM by which I could go to my college.

But God knows when we all will DIE.

Ashoka, the tv serial

The known to all story of Ashoka is very different to what is being currently shown on the Colors TV.

The most surprising was the Amma ji of serial “Lado na aana is desh”. The Character of Amma ji was larger than life. But we do not complain since the TV serial or Natak to be exact should be filled with Drama. Unless a natak doesn’t has a drama element it is not complete. The character had an IMPACT, that will remain with me throughout my life.

Now this ashoka has started with aplomb. First few episodes were the best, As it happens with every serial. When I saw that serial runs for whole one hour. I was so engrossed with the idea that “now atleast a serious TV serial producer has born” The most incredible thing was that serial ran full for one hour without any break or commercial advertisement. Some serials were made only for commercial advertisement purpose. But when I found that there is no break I felt happy at heart. And thought to appreciate the producers. But mummy of Jaivardhan cursed the producers as now for whole one hour my son had to sit in front of TV and that too without any break. His final exams were approaching and we all were encouraging him to work hard and prepare for his exams. But now this Ashoka came and he would sit in front of TV for full one hour.

I was happy that atlast some serial has come with serious agenda to highlight the ancient Indian civilization and help it to regain its glory.

As once did the Ramayan and Mahabharat. The history of TV will be not without these two serials. History was made by HUMLOG. Then there were TAMAS, BUNIYAAD.

When Ashoka was aired without any break I thought history has been made. But I was proved wrong very shortly there after. Much to relief of mummy of Jaivardhan, my son.

The Chanakya has come ina new Avatar. The writer, screen play writer, the director, The dialogue writer, the set designer, casting director (I don’t know whether casting director had any role in it ?) all are to be praised.

Initially the Rani Dharma, Ashoka emerged as hero.  Artists did full justice to their roles.

The serial is best as of today as I found, be it concept, costume, DRAMA, suspense, Screen play, artists.

Actor who has played the role of Chanakya has actually tried to deep into the characterization. The dialogue rendition is very good. Credit can also be given to editing. The set designing reminds me the sets of Bharat Ek Khoj by Shyam Benegal, (I don’t remember if Nitin Desai was there). And then there was CHANAKYA by the “chanakya” Prakash chandra Dwedi ji.

The ashoka serial people have done lot of research on the topic.

I think TV has got/invented a KING. The artist looks like a king. (Not many can). He was first seen in rani Laxmi Bai. He played the role of king of Jhansi who married laxmi bai. Then he played the role of King Shuddhodhan, father of Gautam Budhdha of kapilvastu.

He played the role effortlessly. His gait and mannerism are shown like of a king. I could guess that he is a Marathi actor, due to his accent.

The fact that mother and Ashoka was not known to Bindusaar while they continued to ive in Patliputra was new to me. She was a daughter of a Shresthi of Ujjain, who followed the JAIN or jeevak lifestyle and/or similarly the wife of Ahoska was also from a shresthi of Ujjain.?? I don’t know?.

Till today I did  not  see much about Helena, the daughter of Selucus.

She was married to Chandra Gupt. Culture were different. Language might have been a great barrier. Isnt it? Interpreters were engaged or not? God knows?

Her son was also there, a completely new information for me. Not much was known to me about the Charumitra the wife of king Bindusaar.

The status of Chanakaya was larger than anything else. Once, a dwarpal was ordered not to let anyone enter without permission. Later Chanakya stood at the gate. On recognizing the Chanakya the dwarpal did not stop him from entering the palace. Since Chanakya had acquired a status larger like a king or kingdom. His devotion and faithfullness towards the Magadh- the mother land was quite extraordinary and well known throughout the kingdom. Even Kings could not disagree on that.

As we write in ACR- the appraisal forms for the integrity- Beyond doubt… often blindly we write it there. Lest there is a reason for otherwise….often in govt nobody dares to write such things.

Now I have started appreciating the acting of the lady playing the role of Helena. The screen presence( as we call it) combined with the background spells it magic. I am thinking who this expert lady is? Is she an Indian (anglo-indian) or a foreigner? If she is not from India then hats off to her courage and caliber.. She is a true drama artist. The face of cuckoo of old Hindi films comes to mind. But few of her gestures suggest that she if from other nation. But when she emotes and conveys the emotions through facial gestures it becomes difficult to imagine that lady actor do not understand the hidden meanings of words of Hindi? Though the accent has been kept un-indian..That actually  justifies the acting.

GDP phenomena in making, or just numbers

What GDP is all about?

Someone commented as how GDP of India is just 4%?

As the news came in that the IMF and other International Agencies are predicting a downfall in GDP of India a year back. after that everyone is commenting freely over this issue.

Nowadays anyone who reads a newspaper or watches news program regularly hears something like economic growth of India is predicted to be 5 or 6.  Few news items forecast it to be at 6 etc.   But can everyone tell what that means?

What is GDP? What does 4.7% actually represents? And increase of 2% but versus what?

And such other questions often comes to one’s mind.  There are many official definitions of GDP.  The most widely accepted definition is that it basically measures the value of all goods and services produced in the country (in a given time period). 
What economics is all about?  Does it not involve the values of things?

It is also referred to as the Gross National Income or Gross National Product. But most important thing in GDP is Gross Value Added, The GVA- It is the value of out-put less the value of intermediate consumption. The GVA is a measure of the contribution of GDP made by an individual producer, industry or sector.

in past news arena was abuzz with the report that our country is struggling to make GDP grow by 5%. certain international agencies were also predicting the worst. But they were all predicting or estimating only. Nobody was sure. These figures often undergo revisions also.

Let us assume at that any day, One has spent one hour sitting at a bus stand or on a road just staring on vehicles going here and there. After that one hour you entered a mall and on a kiosk itself ordered several items for purchase or You buy something on your Smartphone through an online shopping app.  then another one hour spent on tutoring the students or doing some part time job? or “worked online” sitting at your home.

For the first hour one has basically did nothing of any value to society. That contributed nothing to the economy and thus it contributed nothing to GDP.   While buying a pair of shoe or a shirt etc on smart phone actually did something for the society.  The company, whose product you purchased got money and thus made a profit out of it and on the way of ordering either from a Mall or from a kiosk or from a smartphone or internet there are others who profited.  The app. provided, the internet service provider, the other company/entities who are involved in producing these services and products all were benefited from the money you spent.  All such purchases are accounted in GDP.  In another hour for which one has worked on part time job, or online work done for your employer, you provided a service. Or one travel company engaged you as a guide, driver or anything likewise. Here you are providing a service that employer pays a “value” to it in form of your pay. Thus what the consumer pays covers your pay part also.

There are some measurable items utilized in GDP calculations that include sales of automobiles, Smartphone, food, financial services and even movie tickets. Thus, the higher the number the better the economy is doing.

Generally GDP can be measured in 3 ways; Output measure, Expenditure measure, Income measure.

Output or production method is used in mostly in primary sectors. But actually it is the Gross Value Added (GVA) or the value of goods and services produced by all sectors of the economy, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, construction, service sector and government.

Income method: The value of the income generated mostly in terms of profits and wages.

Many experts dislike the production approach as it does not include income. Rather, they feel that money / income each family brings home is a better way to evaluate economy.  Thus this approach measures annual income of all individuals:

     Income is culled from:

1.      Wages, salaries and supplementary labour income

2.      Corporate profits

3.      Interest and other investment income

4.      Farmers’ income

5.      Income from non-farm un incorporated businesses

On adding all these numbers adjustments such as indirect taxes(sales tax ) minus tax subsidies (tax breaks …) are added. Then depreciation on assets is added to it that gives GDP.

Expenditure method:  This is the value of goods and services purchased by households and by governments, Investments in machinery and buildings.  It also includes value of Exports minus Imports. Few experts exert that neither income nor production method is sufficient.

This approach measures all expenditures by individuals within one year.

The components of this method are:

Consumption:  as defined by purchase of durable and non durable goods and services e.g. food, rent clothes, gas etc. purchase of a new house is not included as consumption.

Investment:  means capital investment such as equipment, machinery, software, or digging coal mine.  It does not mean investments in financial products, like stocks and mutual funds.

Government’s spending is total expenditure on goods and services, including cost of govt. employee salaries, weapon purchased by military and infrastructure cost.

Net Exports are calculated by subtracting the value of imports from the value of exports.  Exports are goods that are created in this country for other nations to consume, while imports are created in other nations and consumed domestically.

However, the production method is the one that is used most often. Other thing of importance it that while we use these data as an indicator, The value of what is produced generally goes up over time due to inflation etc. So, we have to adjust for that when comparing GDP for previous years. That’s why often the term “real GDP” is heard, with the real referring to the value of dollar or rupee or the currency that is adjusted to account for inflation.

Looking at the data available in the website of MOSPI, The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation there are various pages of information on GDP. One page gives state-wise data on GSDP at Current prices!, one page gives state-wise data of GSDP at constant prices. Similarly there are few other pages giving data such as NSDP at current and constant prices, Per Capita NSDP at current and constant prices.

Now which page is to be seen in relation to which comment of someone regarding the GDP??

Thus there is so much of data, but if one wishes to find out something about the GDP then he or she has to get the data for that context only. 

The economic growth is now days linked to the GDP figures. Now the awareness about the word GDP has grown up and very fast. That too emerging from much unconnected arena, when there were lots of public discussions were on the topic of politics and election, lot of people started talking of GDP!!

Looking at current prices, it only gives a picture of all events at the prevailing prices during the current time (year). Everyone must have heard the news that rupee has come down in comparison to dollar!! or some news says that rupee has strengthened against the dollar!!

Few years back one dollar was equivalent to 45 rupees approx. but now it is about 63 rupees. Thus at the current price the value of rupee has come down. Let us see another example do you know what a person could have bought in one rupee 40 years back. And he cannot buy same thing in the current year, but why? Since the value decreased (depreciation is another term people always know about?) or the inflation?

Thus can we say that value in the current year cannot indicate the growth in actual terms?

Therefore the concept of BASE YEAR is often talked about whenever the economic growth is compared.  This tells the growth at the rate or value on the basis of BASE YEAR prices. Or the real growth.

Till this year the base year was 2004-05.

On 29th January 2010 the base year was changed from 1999-2000 to 2004-05. In January 2006 base year was changed from 1993-94 to 1999-2000.

First base was 1948-49. that was shifted to 1960-61 in August 1967. Similarly it has been done regularly.

On January 2015 the base year has again been shifted to 2011-12.

The estimates at the prevailing prices of the current year are termed as "at current prices", while those estimates prepared at the base year prices are termed "at constant prices". The comparison of the estimates at constant prices, which means "in real terms" over the years give measure of real growth.

The growth rate of All India is 11.54% at current prices for the year 2013-14. but at constant prices 4.74%

GSDP % Growth	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14
All India
Current prices	15.18	18.66	15.77	11.88	11.54
constant prices	8.59	8.91	6.69	4.47	4.74
A & N Islands
current prices	18.39	5.41	14.99	12.80	9.18
constant prices	13.20	7.86	7.89	7.55	5.11

  Now just see that when at all India level growth % was struggling to keep economic growth at 4 or 5% at that same time Bihar posted 10.73% and Pudduchery at 11.65% growth in 2012-13.   There were 23 states which posted their growth more than 5% but still at all India level the growth was posted as 4.47%.

Goa posted 20% in 2011-12, Sikkim posted 73.61% in 2009-10. thus there are cases of extreme also.  Some people confront me on the issue of per capita income. If we look at the data, the per capita growth in 2013-14, there is 30.47% increase in Pudduchery at current prices whereas at constant prices it was 10.38% only. Meghalaya shows an increase of 10.10% in 2013-14.

Almost 13 states posted increase in per capita income as more than 5% in 2013-14. MP(9.64%), Maharastra(8.36%) increase in the per capita income.

On 31 January 2015 Ministry of Statistics has released new series of National accounts, revising the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12.

In this revision some changes in methodology of compilation have also brought into. so as to increase the coverage, this will result in more and more awareness about GDP.

Thus think about what these figures are and what is their value in our life?? How do they affect us, in any way??

Next i will try to connect with the monthly per-capita household expenditure and such other data.