Television: Game of Thrones: The Childish Khaleesi Thread

These days, Star World is airing older seasons of Game of Thrones (GOT) as a precursor to the final season 8 of GOT which is going to be released in April'19. I watched a few episodes of Season 4 recently on Star World. One curious thing I observed was that how out of place this whole "Khaleesi" business looks like in the overall scheme of GOT!

The initial part of the story where Daenerys Targaryen goes on to become Khaleesi was really captivating. But post that, this whole bringing up of "dragons" in the GOT world and also the way she is shown ruling her kingdom with a compassion and care (which is so much lacking in all characters of GOT); makes her fall out of the GOT scheme of things and it just appears "weird" watching her. 

First, Daenerys Targaryen's character played by Emilia Clarke looks too childish and she does not age at all as we go along. She was from a royal household and had to undergo a lot of atrocities before and after becoming Khaleesi. But if you look at her face even when she is Khaleesi, it still shows same innocence and child like cuteness which came natural to her. Where is any sternness or ruthlessness reflecting anywhere on her face? She looks pure as ever. I don't think this is by design; it appears to be rather Emilia's inability to portray this character properly. I know Khaleesi is supposed to be a good queen and hence she must not look evil. But some grey appearing on her face would make it more natural. 

And not to forget, Khaleesi's white hair looks too artificial. I know that all of Targaryens' hair is silver-white. But only Daenerys Targaryen (aka Khaleesi)'s hair looks like a "wig". This could have been improved upon. 

Picture: Fake Hair Alert

Then I wonder what was the necessity to bring in the "dragons". Come on, GOT is not a child fiction or a fairy tale! Is it that GOT makers wanted to attract some juvenile audiences and hence brought in Khaleesi and her dragons to appeal to the younger age audiences? Or is it that dragons were supposed to be an out of the box power she was expected to have in order to come out strongly? We know there were several other options including magic or some supernatural powers which could have been attributed to her; instead of this compulsion of bringing in the dragons! 

Picture: Childish Dragons of GOT

Because of the dragons, GOT looks like a cheap commercial Chinese movie. It was not worth it.

Now, in the Season 4 episodes I watched, Khaleesi can be seen attending to her citizens in her court and granting them their wishes. She also bothers to speak out "Send the next one in" herself every time; tirelessly. She is always compassionate, noble, tired and agreeable. She is pained some times at people's demands, appears to be swallowing her own disagreements, but always ending up granting them their wishes, no matter what wrong they did in the past. This looks like a kind of cheap "popularity" that she is aiming at. But it is not. It appears that GOT makers were confused and did not work much on how to make her character "humane" while still keeping her as a "GOT character". And while all other threads of stories appear to be gripping and intense, whenever Khaleesi appears on the screen, the pace of the story comes down immediately and GOT turns real "boring". I never thought GOT could be boring; so thanks Khaleesi for doing this. 

Picture: Khaleesi: the good and boring queen

Even Khaleesi's servants are so boring. She has a maid called Missandei (portrayed by Nathalie Emmanuel) who looks like a college student. She stands tall as if she were a queen herself. And she would never have got that kind of hair without a modern saloon. Then there is Grey Worm (role played by Jacob Anderson) with his expressionless and Barack Obama like face. Both servants are as boring as their Khaleesi. 

Picture: Missandei and Grey Worm: Two avoidable characters

Apart from Khaleesi's story thread, all other threads are very gripping. I am also liking the Star World's Game of Thrones series, since it does not show too much of violence and objectionable scenes. Still, the intensity of the story is well maintained in these episodes. From Season 4, just imagine the fight between the Mountain and Oberyn Martell and how tragically Oberyn gets killed. 

- Rahul Tiwary

Hinduism: How Can Hindus Eat Meat on Holi

Someone asked how could non-vegetarian Hindus eat meat on the day of Holi festival. Is the festival not supposed to be religious in nature and hence non-veg food should be avoided? That is a fair question and we should think about it. 

First of all, vegetarians and non-vegetarians folks exist in all religions. India and Hindus have a diverse society. Different sets of Hindus can practice different practices and are still Hindus. This aspect of Hinduism can become confusing to those with Western ideological influence. But, it can be understood with time. Hinduism is not an exclusivist or a rigid religion - it allows its practitioners to follow different 'paths' and still work towards the same 'goal'. Therefore, one should never be surprised to find two Hindus, one vegetarian and one non-vegetarian, and both trying to say how their habits are good and as per their religion. So we shall leave it at that. 

Eating habits are personal choices and influenced by several factors like cultural, regional, economic and market driven. I believe along with a lot others that vegetarianism is much better option and must be practiced by all as much as possible. At the same time, when I find non-vegetarians, I do not ridicule or call them evil. 

In general, even non-vegetarian or meat-eating Hindus avoid eating non-veg food or meat on the days of religious festivals. A lot of them also do not eat meat on some specific days of the week which have religious significance - e.g. Tuesdays or Thursdays. 

Now, coming to Holi. The festival of Holi is not a 'one day' event. It spreads over several days depending on the region and local cultural. But most important and popular days are two. One day of "Holika Dahan" on which Holika is symbolically burnt as a symbol of all things evil and bad burning and only the truthful and pious surviving. This is done in the evening or night time. The next day after the Holika Dahan night is called "Rang Utsav" or even Dulheldi and some other names depending on the region. On this day, celebration is made with "color". This is why Holi is called "festival of colors". 

Like most other Hindu festivals, the timing of Holi festival is "scientific". Holi marks the "spring" season and is popularly called "festival of spring" (Vasant Utsav). The festival signifies the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. The festival also celebrates the beginning of a good harvest season; given that India was an agrarian society. 

The day on which people celebrate it with color; is the day of unhindered enjoyment and fun. This is essentially "unrestricted". On this day, there is no boundary of rich and poor; educated and illiterate; fair skinned or dark skinned, or elders and youngers. Everyone is "same" on this day. Symbolically, after face is painted with color, no one can identify the other and hence all become one and equal. This is why Holi is called festival of communal harmony. There is no surprise that Holi is not only celebrated by Hindus alone but by people from other religions in India as well. 

Now, on this day, the non-vegetarian Hindus prepare special non-vegetarian dishes and enjoy. This is very similar to the fact that the vegetarian Hindus prepare special vegetarian dishes and enjoy. "Pua" is a special delicacy and "dahi vada" is another one; especially prepared on this day. No one looks at such food prepared to treat family and guests as "vegetarian" or "non vegetarian" food. Whatever is the food, it must be best on this day.

Now coming to the specific question about "how meat can be cooked on the day of a festival". First of all, Holi's Rang Utsav day on which color is played; no special "religious" pooja or other religious practices are followed. Holi is not a typical religious day to "pray" and "worship". It is rather the day to celebrate life. Therefore, this "vegetarian" or "non-vegetarian" differentiation between food is not a valid question at all on this day. We should leave it as one's personal choice to eat vegetarian or non-vegetarian food on this day too.  

Happy Holi to all! 

- Rahul 

Travelogue: Venice Mall in Greater Noida

It is an amazing place and children can be seen enjoying a lot all around.

There is a boat riding facility which costs Rs 400 per person per ride.

- Rahul Tiwary

Travelogue: Lonavala Khandala

- Rahul Tiwary 

Travelogue: Buses in Mumbai

The double decker buses in Mumbai are classic. In below pictures you can see these buses parked / plying in Mumbai:

In recent visit I found new addition to the fleet. The new buses are Electric Buses supplied by Tata Motors and are marked with "Made In India" logo:

These new buses are Air Conditioned and much more luxurious.

- Rahul Tiwary

Travelogue: Hyderabad Airport

I have been to this airport a few times and every time it makes a mark in my memory. It is one beautiful airport. 

- Rahul Tiwary

Travelogue: Under Construction Towers in Noida

There are under construction housing projects in Noida all around. As the saying goes, a lot of these projects got stuck during previous government rule and as the builders went bankrupt. After recent government change, we can see some progress and some projects are getting completed. But looking at these giant buildings which are standing like this for more than 5 years, gives a "ghost town" feeling. Here are some of these buildings:

A Jaypee Group project (above)

A giant tower project in Noida from Supertech which got stuck as builder got bankrupt.

- Rahul Tiwary

Travelogue: Candor TechSpace, Sector 135, Noida

A view from inside the office complex; showing Savour food court, ICICI Bank branch, and a few towers.

An ice-cream vendor inside Savour food court.

- Rahul Tiwary

रावण और हनुमान जी के बीच मुक्केबाजी

Some Nature Pictures (Part-3) - (पेड़ और कविता)

कहानियों में राक्षस की जान तोते में होती थी। पर असल में इंसान की जान पेड़ों के पत्तों पर होती है… 

फोटो: पुणे में कुछ पेड़

हरिवंशराय बच्चन की एक बाल-कविता:

चिड़िया और चुरूंगुन
------------------------------

छोड़ घोंसला बाहर आया,
देखी डालें, देखे पात,
और सुनी जो पत्‍ते हिलमिल,
करते हैं आपस में बात;-
माँ, क्‍या मुझको उड़ना आया?
'नहीं, चुरूगुन, तू भरमाया'

डाली से डाली पर पहुँचा,
देखी कलियाँ, देखे फूल,
ऊपर उठकर फुनगी जानी,
नीचे झूककर जाना मूल;-
माँ, क्‍या मुझको उड़ना आया?
'नहीं, चुरूगुन, तू भरमाया'

कच्‍चे-पक्‍के फल पहचाने,
खए और गिराए काट,
खाने-गाने के सब साथी,
देख रहे हैं मेरी बाट;-
माँ, क्‍या मुझको उड़ना आया?
'नहीं, चुरूगुन, तू भरमाया'

उस तरू से इस तरू पर आता,
जाता हूँ धरती की ओर,
दाना कोई कहीं पड़ा हो
चुन लाता हूँ ठोक-ठठोर;
माँ, क्‍या मुझको उड़ना आया?
'नहीं, चुरूगुन, तू भरमाया'

मैं नीले अज्ञात गगन की
सुनता हूँ अनिवार पुकार
कोइ अंदर से कहता है
उड़ जा, उड़ता जा पर मार;-
माँ, क्‍या मुझको उड़ना आया?

'आज सुफल हैं तेरे डैने,
आज सुफल है तेरी काया'

Did Gandhi really say, "Be the change you want to see in the world"?

Question: Did Gandhi ji really say, "Be the change you want to see in the world"?

Answer: Yes; this single line or quote summarizes what Gandhi ji had said. In 1913 Gandhi ji had published a piece that included a thematically matching passage:

“We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.”

Source: 1964, The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Volume XII, April 1913 to December 1914, Chapter: General Knowledge About Health XXXII: Accidents Snake-Bite, (From Gujarati, Indian Opinion, 9-8-1913), Start Page 156, Quote Page 158, The Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. (Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi at Repository of Authentic Information on the life and thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi) link

As we know, the "famous quotes" can't keep a whole paragraph as a quote. The quote publishers try to summarize a famous personality's statements into as concise a manner as possible. This is what happened with this Gandhi ji's quote too. In one sentence we can say that Gandhi ji had said, "Be the change you want to see in the world". At the same time I would say that while reading Gandhi ji, I have found a lot of his statements actually coming from scriptures including the Vedas. 

- Rahul Tiwary

Travelogue: Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is situated on Bajirao Road, Shukrawar Peth, Pune. It was my long time dream to visit this museum about which I had read some article and I could only visit now. 

They story behind making of Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is very touching. Raja was the only son of Dr. Dinkar G. Kelkar (1896–1990) and he died at an early age of 7. After the death of his only son, Dr. Kelkar decided to establish a museum in his memory. That is how the museum is named as "Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum", named after Raja. 

The museum was established by Dr. Kelkar in 1962; and in 1975 he donated the museum to the government of Maharashtra. Ever since the state government has been maintaining it. 

Dr. Dinkar Kelkar dedicated major part of his life into collecting the previous objects and artefacts for the museum from all over India. The museum is dedicated to the "everyday life" from history and hence collections are of items like pots, lamps, containers, vessels, home temples, palkis, clothes, musical instruments along with weapons of war. 

A section inside the museum depicts 'Mastani Mahal' - Mastani, known as second wife of Peshwa Bajirao I. 

Here are some of the pictures from my visit: 

Replica of Mastani Mahal (above)

The museum has an entry fee of Rs 50 and you can buy a photography license for Rs 100 for taking photographs inside the museum.

I would remember a lot of items from the museum for a long time. There was a huge "nagada" (musical instrument) belonging to Mahadji Shinde. There were huge metal boxes and almirahs. There were wooden "Temple Doors". There is a huge collection of "Home Temples" belonging to 17th/18th century, mostly donated by Maharashtrian families. 

In fact a large part of collection consists of objects donated by Maharashtrian families which I found very touching. If they kept those items in their homes, those items could get lost or destroyed over the years. Also, not many would get to know about those items. Hence they allowed the museum to house those items, thereby benefitting future generations. The museum keeps name plate mentioning the name of the donating person/family along with the items, as a gesture.

One more thing surprised me - there were "combs" made of "iron"! Never thought there could be metallic combs for hair! And then there were "ivory combs" of 18th century! Certainly our ancestors were creative. 

The collection is from all over India. I could see a lot of collections from South India as well. But I could feel majority of collections were from Maharashtra which is natural. The musical instrument collection is huge - with lots of precious big veenas. War items collection consists of huge collection of guns from 18th/19th centuries. Some guns were really heavy and had very long barrels. Along with swords, there were some shields "dhaals" which were made of iron - and it must have taken huge strength to carry those shields. 

Visiting the museum, one would certainly feel proud of our past and our ancestors. 

I could see that there were several foreigners visiting the museum too. 

One more thing worth noticing was that Ratan D. Tata has donated lots of stuff in the museum, including articles on display and some modern gadgets like touch-screen panels. 

The museum is situated on Bajirao Road in Shukrawar Peth which is the old and original part of Pune. You may find the lanes narrow; since those were created long time ago. But once you go inside the museum you would realize that the efforts to reach there was worth it. 

This is a must visit place in Pune. 

- Rahul Tiwary | March 2019