Latest Art & Culture
Cinema’s Fading Charm
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Or why I fell out of love with movies
By Khalid Mohamed
There’s something majorly amiss. That tribal rite of going to the movies just isn’t the same anymore. Never mind, the fancy price of tickets or the 200 bucks for pops of corn.
It’s just that the romance of submitting myself to the wonderful people and their conflicts on the screen just doesn’t make me laugh… or cry… with the same purity of feelings today.
BBC reviewer Alistair Cooke, once upon a time the most influential voice on cinema, had said, “A film critic should be someone who can’t stay away from films or a man who never goes at all. I leave you to guess as to which class I belong.”
Today, I find myself as someone who’s in between, a cinemaholic who hits the bar only on a Friday. Not so long ago, it used to be 7 x 7 a week.
Now I brooded over that (a bit) and arrived at a few prime reasons for losing my ‘religion’, or for diminishing my devotion:
Where are the technocrats? Even a rankly lousy film would have some redeeming feature. Ravikant Nagaich’s Farz, Suraksha and oodles of espionage thrillers would be as believable as a Rs 25 note. Yet Nagaich’s technical inventiveness was mind-blasting. Mukul S Anand would hack out predictable Bachchan extravaganzas but again, stylewise he was the asli bhai of all the directors in the showtown of the 1970s. His screenplays were messy but his direction, wah-wah. Today where are the comparable technocrats? Sanjay F Gupta? Don’t make me laugh.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Just not interested: An upcoming turnip can be smelt from weeks ahead. There was no earthly reason—except in the strict line of reviewing duty—to sample Mohenjo Daro once its promos promised the misshapen things to come. And though, I’m a major fan of B-graders—which often have more heart than the biggies—I can no longer drag myself to the Sunny Leone twists-and-grinders.
Time time ki baat hai: The movies may have become briefer and the number of songs has reduced drastically supplanted as they are in the background score. A film’s finale of fisticuffs, shoot-outs and miscellaneous showdowns doesn’t stretch on for a millennium. But for the super big-budget movies, others wrap up in two hours-flat. So why do I still keep looking at my wrist watch, eyeing the exit door? To think Love in Simla boasted of 11 songs, and it’s a pleasure even on DVD. Today, it could be Love in Honolulu with just one song and three remixes, but I’d bin it after half a viewing.
Crores roar? It’s all about loving your Rs 100 crores. But huh, whenever, Whenever I’ve tracked a mega-blockbuster in its second-week runs, the audience has been as scant as a receding hairline. Doesn’t feel quite right about watching a humongous hit with just a couple of necking couples in the last row. Feels lonely.
Multiplexes, a mixed blessing: So the clarity of the projection and sound are infinitely superior to the surviving single screen movie halls. But at the plexes, the images can be dingy and the full-on sound can drive you to an ENT specialist. Ouchhh. Believe it or yelp, mice leap through the aisles even in the swishiest of the plexes.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Gourmet dinners, no thank you: At the prohibitively-costly, souped-up multiplexes. Take Delhi’s Director’s Cut auditorium, butlers will fetch you sushi and desi trays. Now how about those viewers who just want to watch the movie, without burping and clattering about with forks and knives? I must have annoyed countless multi-waiters, on pleading, “I can’t see the screen. You’re not invisible.” Post-demonetisation, the dinners are paid for by credit and debit cards, an intricate chore subtracting that simple old pleasure of just watching a movie without making it a dining-out experience. Cell phone conversations, SMS’es and WhatsApping on blindingly bright cell screens, aah no point protesting any more, is there?
3-D, no thanks: All my friends who are assorted nuts about the movies, agree. Watching a movie with heavy glasses isn’t our idea of fun. Even on becoming Zen about the glasses, the picture quality is hazy and lacks lustre. There was no choice but to go through the drill for Avatar, Tintin, Spiderman and practically every cartoon flick from the Hollywood eye-zapping clinic.
Result: there’s something majorly amiss about going to the movies. Am I alone in thinking this way? Hope not.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Art
Tamil Nadu: Artist designs a 1.5 inch tall model of Chandrayaan 3 using 4 gm of gold
According to a video shared on X, the talented miniature artist from Tamil Nadu, Mariappan, has ingeniously fashioned a 1.5-inch tall representation of Chandrayaan-3, utilizing 4 grams of gold.
An astonishing video showcasing a miniature gold model of Chandrayaan-3 has left viewers in awe. The footage, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), highlights the craftsmanship of Mariappan, an artist based in Coimbatore. In the video, Mariappan meticulously crafts a 1.5-inch tall replica of Chandrayaan-3, complete with a miniature Indian flag.
According to a video shared on X, the talented miniature artist from Tamil Nadu, Mariappan, has ingeniously fashioned a 1.5-inch tall representation of Chandrayaan-3, utilizing 4 grams of gold. Chandrayaan-3’s Lunar Lander Vikram is slated for a soft landing on the moon on August 23rd.
Mariappan revealed that he employs gold to create miniature models during significant events. In this instance, he designed this remarkable model using 4 grams of gold as a tribute to the dedicated scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 endeavor. Crafting the miniature took him 48 hours of meticulous work, as he expressed his pride in this achievement for every Indian.
The post, which was shared just a few hours ago, has already garnered nearly 19,000 views and continues to attract attention. A flurry of comments flooded in, with some offering inspiring words, others marveling at the creation’s magnificence, and many expressing their admiration with heart emoticons.
According to ISRO reports, the Indian spacecraft has come closer to the moon and is preparing for a landing attempt at the lunar south pole. Launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, Chandrayaan-3’s journey has reached a crucial stage. A senior ISRO official noted that the final landing maneuver is complex, with the decision to proceed made two hours prior to the scheduled action. This decision can be delayed if unfavourable conditions prevail.
The official further shared that if the landing is postponed, Chandrayaan-3’s operational time on the Moon might be reduced from the intended 14 Earth days to around 10 days. This implies that the lunar south pole landing of Chandrayaan-3 could potentially occur on August 26 or 27.
Art
Watch: Group of Kathak dancers perform to the tunes of Calm Down
Renowned dancer Kumar Sharma took to YouTube to share this remarkable creation, showcasing a group of Kathak dancers moving gracefully in harmony with the melodies of Calm Down.
The captivating and soothing melody of Calm Down by Rema and Selena Gomez has resonated deeply with fans all around the world, prompting numerous enthusiasts to share videos of themselves joyfully dancing to its rhythm. Recently, an awe-inspiring video surfaced on social media, featuring a group performing a mesmerizing Kathak dance routine to this chart-topping track. The enchanting allure of the performance is such that you might find yourself watching it repeatedly, perhaps even swaying along.
Renowned dancer Kumar Sharma took to YouTube to share this remarkable creation, showcasing a group of Kathak dancers moving gracefully in harmony with the melodies of Calm Down. The ensemble cast includes dancers such as Kumar Sharma, Anmol Sood, Rahul Sharma, Eshika Choomer, Meghna Thakur, Khushboo Gupta, Smriti Bhandari, Jidnyasa Kurtadkar, Nandini Sonavane, Enakshi, Yogesh Thombre, and Hriday Parash Kalita.
Unveiled on YouTube on August 4, the dance video has rapidly garnered over 22,000 views and continues to draw in a growing audience. A comment from a YouTube user resonated with enthusiasm, describing the choreography and execution as mind-blowing. The creative prowess demonstrated by Kumar and the Kathakrockers group in their interpretation of Kathak is truly remarkable. Their consistent excellence never fails to impress, consistently offering performances that are invigorating and bring smiles to faces. The admiration for their work is resounding, and the encouragement to continue the exceptional efforts is heartfelt. Three cheers for Kumar and the Kathak rockers!
Another commenter echoed a sentiment of precision, perfection, coordination, and seamless flow. They noted the absence of any misalignment in movements, and how each member’s speed harmoniously synchronized, a testament to the collective excellence of this accomplished group of artisans. The acclaim continued with a third person joining in, expressing awe at the meticulously composed brilliance of the performance. They were left virtually speechless by the impeccable choreography and the tabla’s flawless beats, appreciating the visual delight it offered.
Art
Social media hails artist who creates shadow portrait of Virat Kohli
In the video, Mourya dedicates three days to meticulously assembling a stack of matchboxes and thin wooden sticks, skillfully wielding a glue gun to bind them together. Once the masterpiece is completed, he places the intricate sculpture in front of a light source, resulting in a breathtaking shadow that remarkably resembles a portrait of Virat Kohli.
In today’s world dominated by digital art, it’s a delightful surprise to discover artists who embrace unconventional methods. Shintu Mourya is one such artist who recently gained attention for his extraordinary shadow portrait of former Indian cricket captain, Virat Kohli. What sets this artwork apart is that it was crafted solely using matchboxes and wooden sticks. A viral video showcasing the entire process of creating this remarkable shadow art has captivated audiences worldwide, and it’s easy to see why.
In the video, Mourya dedicates three days to meticulously assembling a stack of matchboxes and thin wooden sticks, skillfully wielding a glue gun to bind them together. Once the masterpiece is completed, he places the intricate sculpture in front of a light source, resulting in a breathtaking shadow that remarkably resembles a portrait of Virat Kohli.
The video, shared on Instagram on June 9, has since garnered immense popularity, amassing over 12.5 million views and more than 1.6 million likes. The post has sparked an influx of comments, with many users expressing awe at the artist’s remarkable talent.
Some users expressed their wish for Virat to witness this masterpiece. Others praised the artist’s unique talent and prayed for his continued success. The artwork was even referred to as a treasure, with one user hoping that Virat would have the opportunity to see the magic behind it.
However, not all users shared the same sentiments. Some suggested that the artist should refrain from gifting his creation to Virat, as they believed that the value of art may not be appreciated. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority marveled at the artist’s exceptional skill and expressed a desire to share the story widely, hoping it would eventually reach Virat Kohli himself. One social media user even suggested that the artist should make portrait of Shri Ram and Lord Krishna
