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E-mail from readers the world over
Date sent: Thu, 3 Sep 1998 11:45:01 -0500
It is cheap on Nelson Mandela's part to refer to a country's internal issue at the NAM summit, setting aside all traditions. As Kanchan Gupta mentioned, he does not reciprocate the gratitude India showed his country at the time of its need. I vividly remember India honouring him with a doctorate degree and a big public meeting in Calcutta. Songs were sung in his praise. "Zindabad Mandela, zindabad," people chanted. But now he has shown that he is not worthy for this praise from the largest democracy in the world. References like this will never dilute India's stand on Kashmir. Kashmir was, is and will remain an integral part of India. Jai Hind. Srinivas Surubhotla
Date sent: Thu, 03 Sep 1998 08:29:58 -0400
Well done, prime minister! It is about time India stood up for her rights. The prime minister has given a bold and fitting response to Mandela's uncalled for remarks. V Hari
Date sent: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 17:16:26 -0400
Mr Nelson Mandela is given to meddling in issues where his comments are uncalled for. Back in 1990, during his visit to India, he had words of praise for the Mandal Commission. Whether this Commission was good or bad is a debatable issue; but public statements from foreigners are not invited. Here is another instance when he speaks on Kashmir where his 'concerns' are voiced and may best be brushed aside by Indians. In spite of his reputed leadership and acceptability, would he voice any concern of the US attacking Sudanese sites -- another African nation? Is he not just playing safe to be the darling of the Western powers? Nuclear disarmament and Kashmir issues are linked only by the US and allies. If Mr Mandela is primarily concerned about nuclear weapons, he may voice that and not the Kashmir issue.
Date sent: Thu, 03 Sep 1998 22:12:35 +0530
I agree 100% that Mr Mandela was way out of line when he raised the Kashmir issue. His stand has definitely hurt the sentiments of all Indians. I had the highest regard for this man, but now I have a suspicion that he is not all there!
Date sent: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 19:38:52 -0400
Wasn't this known before the meeting? Amazing that our diplomats and leaders take such stupid steps. Already the relations with SA is shaky. On any given day, SA is more important than Congo. How long are we going to play down our actions? Prasad
Date sent: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 01:35:23 PDT
The contents of this play are sheer nonsense. It is surprising that a responsible news-provider like Rediff should encourage such madness without verifying the authenticity of the historical events mentioned.
Date sent: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 09:48:56 -0700
I am just wondering what is a national song? What is a national anthem? What is the difference? Do all countries have a national song and an anthem, separate? Somebody please clarify this. I don't ever recollect singing the so-called national song in my school days. I think the reaction of the Muslims could be to something that is enforced new. Raj
Date sent: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 07:42:19 -0700
The Shiv Sena, which is the modern day SS of India, has a close nexus with the police. The average policeman is making money by corruption, with the Sena's blessings. The IPS personnel, a highly political force, has to lick *** to keep their jobs and benefits. Upholding the law is not one of their major duties. The judges, who would not act on the report, are in collusion with the SS and police. Welcome to India, where the politicians dictate how much justice can be dispensed. The BJP has to put its foot down and do something credible so that the Muslims can live in peace in Bombay. The Sena paper should be banned. The articles should be censored so that it is not anti-anyone.
Date sent: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 21:07:30 +0530
Mr Mukesh Ambani's theory of creative destruction is very appealing indeed. If India wants to preserve its culture and also progress economically, we have no choice but to follow this route. Up till now, all governments have defended the status quo and allowed the established industries to be protected at the cost of the larger Indian population. If we do not allow the system to be altered significantly we will soon be left with no choice but to follow the Russian Path of totally destroying the system to bring about change. This method will inevitably damage our cultural strengths that Mahatma Gandhi helped protect in spite of the war of liberation he led. Amar Madnani
Date sent: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 23:23:34 -0400
Has she been fired or something? Please let the readers know. I guess a lot of us equate with her views and we would like to hear more from her. Mani Varsha Bhosle, as we have mentioned on these pages before, is currently in the US. She will resume her column when she returns to India.
Date sent: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 10:53:42 -0500
I was very touched by this article. Mukesh is indeed a legend. Murali
Date sent: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 11:07:43 -0400
I think your review of Dil se completely missed the point. If one bothers to look closely, it will become obvious that the real issue that the film deals with is blind faith. It does not deal with love, it does not deal with terrorism. It shows how we question something without bothering to think deeply, as a reaction to some stimulus. The film is also about the reactionary nature of modern life...when we do something without necessarily thinking it through. It takes very seriously the Tyranny of the Majority as put forward by Alexis de Tocqueville. India is a classic case of such a tyranny, and Mani Ratnam beautifully addresses the issue. What does it matter to the average Indian that a marginalised north-eastern state is being treated badly? The film sensitises us to such issues. As far as blind faith is concerned, Meghna is the perfect example of someone who blindly follows her faith. She is ready to be the human bomb because she is reacting to something in the past. Her leaders have brainwashed her into believing that India is the enemy and that it needs to be attacked. Shah Rukh's character is the perfect counterpoint to that of Manisha's. Amarkant Varma is a fool in love...blindly in love. He knows nothing about the girl he loves. He is just attracted to her and convinces himself that he is madly in love with her. It mirrors the same blind sentiments that Manisha has towards India. The movie continually questions these ideas of love and hatred. They are beautifully illustrated in Amar and Meghna. Both are offered alternatives to their paths. Meghna's comes in the form of Amar but she is too blind in following her leaders. Amar's alternative comes in the form of Preeti. But they both choose not to take these options and instead stay with their original blind faith/loves. And the climax is fantastic. Who is responsible for the explosion..? Is Amar doing it out of love for his country? For Meghna? Or is Meghna doing it for Amar? Or is it that both commit suicide because they are disenchanted with their lives? There are several exceptionally sensitive moments in the film. For example: the scene when Meghna and the other terrorist woman are lying in bed and Meghna starts doubting her cause. She is taken out into the rain and made to repeat her oath while the rain washes away her doubt. That is beautifully cinematic and symbolic. Other scenes like the delirious Amar running through Delhi in his drug-induced state, and the last scene where Amar asks Meghna why she is doing all that she is doing are comparable to any world class film-maker's films. Take a look at the work of Luis Bunuel, Frederico Fellini and Italian neo-realistic movies like L'Avventura to see what kind of rich cinematic tradition Mani Ratnam is continuing, still keeping this film in the framework of Indian commercial cinema. As far as the plot goes, it is only a tool to bring the audiences in. Serious cinema has never given any importance to plot. Plots in world cinema are like songs in Hindi films... they just get people to watch the movie. Film is more of a medium of expression, and presentation of thoughts. Dil se is much more complex than the average commercial film. I believe it is superior to Schindler's List because Schindler's List was a piece of propaganda. Sure, it showed us the horrors of concentration camp life, but it was inferior to Dil se because it did not treat its viewers with respect. It laid down what the viewers were supposed to think. Spielberg was continually telling us what to think throughout that film. I am not saying I side with the Nazis or anything. But Spielberg's treatment was definitely one-sided. But that may also have been due to the subject matter that he was dealing with. Dil se, on the other hand, presents both points of view and lets the viewers decide if they should choose to take the trouble to think. This is not your average typical nautanki love film even though it is packaged as one (due to the constraints placed on Indian commercial cinema). It is far superior to most Indian films and a lot of Hollywood junk floating around (including Mr Spielberg's ridiculous films...he's a competent director but he's not an artist). Mani Ratnam has tried to be artistic in the commercial frame that Indian cinema provides him. And I respect that greatly.
Date sent: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 20:25:13 +0530
She certainly is turning out to be a good actress. Didn't know she could act so natural till I watched her in Satya. In fact, I watched the movie twice. Both times, I found no flaws in her acting. She will certainly go a long way. The very best to her. Olga Kambhoj]
Date sent: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 10:51:55 +0530
It is a lovely depiction of the scenery of Kinnaur.
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1998 10:54:58 -0700
I was born in Kerala and visited it frequently while growing up in the United States. It's great to know that Cochin has ceased to be a backwater and has good eateries; on the other hand, it's also sad to think that it's becoming so much a part of the "great world" that local restaurant guides exist. You might put this out in French and German -- I remember going to a Kalamandalam performance where we were seated behind two tour groups, each explaining the performance to its tourists in French and German, respectively. I'll keep on checking your URL for more stuff on Kerala. Thanks. Ramani Mathew
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