Video Parlours in a New Avatar

Last sunday, I watched "Kaminey" in a cinema opened recently in Khandeshwar. Now, this establishment which goes by the name ‘multiplex’ is really a few shop galas clubbed together and has two really tiny screens that are barely larger than the new age TVs. The hall had a seating capacity of 80 and was half full at 10pm which I am told is very good going. The ambience was cool and clean, the projection and sound quality above average. However, the experience was nowhere near watching a thriller on a single screen that looms real large in front of you, covering more than your normal cone of vision, engulfing you and 500 others who have packed the hall in a thrall as if casting a spell.

The collective experience of watching the film was perhaps more like in those places in the eighties and nineties which went by a name- ‘video parlour’. These were mostly shady places among the kind of shop galas that were covered by cement sheets and fronted by a narrow verandah in which would be placed a chalk board on a stand. Coloured chalk caligraphy announced the daily screenings of video cassettes of B and C grade Hindi films or similar regional language films.

There was one such video parlour just outside our colony and many a times I would notice this ubiquitous chalk board and its contents on my way to the station. My most favourite occasion was coming upon it with a title which went- “India win England- 6.00 pm- Rs.75”. This was of course on the morning following the semi-final of the 1983 world cup in which India against all expectations defeated England. Many people gave it a miss instead of bunking work. Somebody from the video parlour had recorded the live telecast and made most of it, selling the show more than once.

Come, Come, Advaniji!

I feel sorry for the BJP spokespersons on various TV channels having to defend someone else’s (not their party’s) indefensible position.

Why is Mr. Advani mum?

Why doesn’t the ‘Strong Leader’ come clean and clarify? Where is his eloquence, he used to be so fond of talking. For last five years, he incessantly blabbered, about non-issues mostly. He kept on describing the gentle and learned PM as nikamma. When the ‘weak’ Dr. Singh dared him to enumerate his achievements, he went into a sulk and feigned hurt. Now he is feigning amnesia.

Why is everybody chasing their own tails arguing about this? Were there no minutes of the cabinet meeting in question? Wasn’t there a written record of who was present in the meeting? Are we to believe that the home minister was absent in all these meetings?

In the aftermath of the hijack, an all-party meeting had authorized the then government to take any steps necessary to avert a tragedy. Nobody in the country had the heart to sacrifice the lives of captives on the eve of the new millennium. Everybody was relieved to see them return safely, fully and sadly aware of the price having been paid.

What is all this fuss about then?

Is it because, Mr. Advani chose to distance himself from the painful decision of a government in which he was the home minister? Did he choose to lie to appear strong?

Perhaps, Mr. Advani has never realised real strength lies in having the courage to tell the truth.

Berry Pulav for Pateti

At 11.30 in the morning, I entered my kitchen absent mindedly, half thinking of cooking something. Breakfast was early and not quite what is called sumptuous. Lunch time was approaching and something needed to be done.

And suddenly, I remembered two things: that today’s holiday was because of Pateti and there were some juicy, succulent mulberries in the fridge. The decision was made: shall make Berry Pulav to celebrate the Parsi New Year. Now, I have never been to Britannia which is famous for this particular dish and therefore had no idea how it looked or tasted let alone how it’s cooked. Minor matters indeed. I also had a vague idea that it contained meat. Really minor a matter in my opinion. It’s called Berry Pulav and I had Basmati and berries. Enough to start. In went some mutter, butter, cloves, elaichi, sauted mushrooms and onion in pepper, fresh basil, salt.

Lo and behold- my first berry pulav was ready. Refer to the picture below.

To contrast with its mild sweetness, I made tangy and salty cucumber salad with celery in which were added last drops of olive oil from the Eiffel Tower look- alike bottle. This is a story by itself… I was determined to purchase my own version of a hideous Eiffel Tower souvenir so that everyone who came to my house would know, you know, that I have been there. Also, it had to be unique. Run of the mill plastic replicas or key-chains would just not do. In moments of desperation, I came close to buying tower shaped pasta but wisely decided against it. Finally, I found this bottle at one of the airport shops just before boarding our flight back home.

So…how was the pulav? Quite delicious, if you ask me. Husband can vouch for it.