Amol Redij's Blog

What an irony! His democratic descendants, 400 years later, have downgraded his stature to a sheer statue made of some material that will certainly be nowhere close to the quality of his construction. His robust and well architected forts make it evident even today. The Maratha King constructed and won back many forts impregnable forts and sea forts to strengthen his navy in order to fight the invaders – Moghuls, Dutch and Portuguese. Lamentably, most of the forts are in dilapidated...

Ear-shattering lullabies
And muted cries,
Smoke-veiled skies
And unsaid goodbyes -
Were yours and mine
Since we opened our eyes...
In ruins we played,
Where once people prayed
And love was portrayed,
When peace had stayed -
These are yours and mine,
The memories so frayed...
Food bags with bombs,
The roads our own tombs,
Dear lives in wombs,
Seeking refuge in roofless rooms -
This page is yours and mine,
Which drowns, drains and dooms...
I remember how you'd cried
When the bad boy had pried
Away your doll's...

"Thinking only about yourself is not good and it is termed as selfish. One should think about others and help them in every possible way," I was taught this since my childhood. "It brings more pride and satisfaction of having given someone else more importance than your own self," they explained it further.
Selfishness is a not a good trait to have. Perhaps, it indeed is true when we look at things around us. With bollywood stars, cricketers, politicians, etc. getting caught under some or the...

Like my most Fridays I was there to have my elixir of life. Not that I do so on every Friday but some Fridays are exceptional in terms a friend coming back from travel, surprise bonus component in the salary, unexpected loss in the stock market, and sometimes 'just like that'.
I occupied my regular seat facing the television which had an irritating IBN7 anchor barking, "yeh wahi ashram hai…" The crossness was going to be short-lived anyway, for soon I would be enjoying my whims about things...

Just a few days before the Oscars, I watched "The Artist", a movie that was much talked about. I was rather a little skeptical to watch it. However, a conversation with Bollywood enthusiast and a columnist urged me to finally book a ticket at a "not-so-good, not-so-bad" theatre in Pune. I wish I could have got to watch "The Artist" in Regal, Eros, Sterling, theatres where I have enjoyed most English classics.I had had enough of Apes, Spider-men, Lord of Rings, all sorts of aliens attacking...

One man I have believed who could facilely camouflage pathos with subtle quirky humour was Charlie Chaplin.

I saw and heard Kiran Nagarkar at an event during the recently held Kala Ghoda festival in Mumbai.

And I found second such man.

Nagarkar was there for a reading of his latest book, "Extras" a sequel to his most famous and critically acclaimed work, "Ravan & Eddie".I got introduced to Kiran Nagarkar through his "Seven Sixes are Forty Three", English translation of his landmark work, "Saat...

Our books, which are our principal vehicles of expression, can reach people through impersonal mechanisms. This is what makes the world of books so uniquely democratic and accessible.From the blog amitavghosh.com/blog/ dt. 6th Feb, 2012*********I'll have no hiccups to rank 'Mukhavata' in the line of Dostoevsky and Marquez works, minus the sexual overtures. Arun Sadhu is a self-effacing author who believes in the power of fiction to ameliorate society and perhaps the only writer who shuns...

Just about 2 weeks ago our 'insanely-histrionic, uselessly-emotional' India celebrated a stupid festival called Valentine's Day supposedly the day to express love. Well Indians don't need any reason or logic to celebrate anything.I saw fools buying red roses for Rs. 100/rose, huge soft teddies, pink heart shaped balloons. I mean how foolish can this get? Valentine's Day is in fact a day of celebrations for these vendors of roses, greeting cards, balloons; they get buyers for any price they...

It indeed is a good song with foot tapping beats, perfect for a dandiya night. It surely has caught rage with the young crowd. It is simple "hummable" and trendy to. Junior Nigam's version is even more gripping,However, there is one more aspect why this song had to get some much fan following or rather could get the needed exposure. Though we want to largely ignore it, the fact remains that song has some association with Rajnikanth. There are number of other good songs that could have gained...

The last time I had visited the place in Dec 2004, I had absolutely got obsessed with the virgin sea coast, clean beach, and the clear water. The sudden tsunami along the sea coasts did not allow the tourists to enjoy the bliss then. Collecting few cherished memories, cashews, and macchi, I returned back to Mumbai with a promise that I will visit that place again.Back then in 2004, Tarkarli was an absolute bliss, a beach that wasn't explored and exploited. The inflight magazine of Air India...