2 Feb. Yours Truly is in Bangalore to attend an International Conference on “Asian Cinema: A Research and Teaching Agenda.” It is conducted by the Centre for the Study of Culture and Society. The venue is Christ College, Bangalore.
The Conference is flooded with dignitaries and intellectuals from India and abroad, specially from Japan, Philippeanes, Korea, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc. It is interesting and enriching at the same time.
31 Dec. As the year 2006 comes to its fag end and a bright, promising year 2007 round the corner, we wish you a very happy, prosperous, contentment filled new year. May you have better things in store for you this year. May it be peaceful for all of you.
29 Dec. Don’t you think in the heat of hard work you need to cool it down? And if at that moment someone special appears at your door! And that special turns out to be Mr Anil Pinto from Bangalore!
The next thing you do is take those around and dash off to a cooling place; it helps to unwind; it helps to cool off. Well, everyone deserved a break. Though, a few more could have been present! They missed by a whisker!
Next time better luck!
18 dec. For many, including Sai Krishna who acted as Ravi in the film, it was a great moment watching the famous film Suddha, directed by P N Ramachandra.
Sai Krishna, who acts as the bad boy Ravi and Sujata who acts as his sister-in-law living in Mumbai (who comes for suddha), were the attractions of the movie screening at St Aloysius college show organised by Al Madhyam, Dept of Journalism.
The film deals with the dynamics involved in conducting suddha or cleansing rites after the death of a person (house lady) in a household. The film takes place in the fast changing society of Marnad (near Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada). In the meantime, land reforms have added a new dimension to the saga of caste living: the freed low castes now own the lands they till the other day. Ravi’s father has a keep from the lower caste, and Ravi tries taking revenge on the dalits. But before he could succeed, the dalits chase him like never before. Well, earlier they would not dare speak a word against such landlords!
It is all about changing times, changing society, changing relationships in a household. In the bargain, suddha never takes place, and the widower father also dies! Now they have to conduct the cleansing rites of both their parents, together!
[In the photos are seen Fr Richie Rego (1), Mr & Mrs Sai Krishna (2) and Sai Krishan with Sujatha (3)
13 Dec. Arron Menezes is in Mumbai – experiencing the cool breeze of the sea; thanks to the NCC Navy wing.
Well, the boy is phenomenal. Quietly, in his own way he has made a mark on many. His absence from the department of Journalism brought to light how much his friends and companions miss him! So many of his classmates, juniors and friends (even seniors!) inquiring after him!
For those who miss him – he keeps calling me; keeps informed about what is happening on the Ship; how he is enjoying, how he is missing all his pals here, and when he is likely to come (i.e., 20 or 21 December!)
Probably, that is where an ordinary student’s contribution to the department and to his companions lies – what one means to many of his friends, acquaintenances… Come back soon Arron, waiting for you…
9 Dec. It was a mixed day: Art Beat was in full swing. I was delighted to see my students in the lime light. I was extremely keen to watch them perform in the much-anticipated cultural programme. But the inordinate delay just could not digested. That got me absolutely on my nerves!
Actually, I stayed back till 3.50 p.m., ONLY to see my students perform, to appreciate their efforts and talents. I negotiated with an EXTREMELY IMPORTANT appointment timing. But, when you delay a programme by 45 precious minutes, can anyone who values time, be at ease???
Moreover, I had an extremely important appointment to keep (at least I must keep my time!). With great hesitation, I had to walk out to keep my time.
I me Dr Manju Singh, Director of University Grants Commission, Karnataka & Kerala Zone. She was very very polite, all ears to what we (Prof. Eric Patrao & Yours Truly) had to speak.
Hers was an encouraging reply. “Apply for more and more research projects,” was her chorus. About our workshop, well, it was a mixed bag. But there was something precious, for me to carry back home.
From meeting Dr Manju Singh, I rushed back to Art Beat Valedictory. Reached just in time for the very last word of Art Beat “Thank you”.
Then on, it was high voltage dance, dance, dance my high volume music. I loved watching hundreds of these youngsters dancing on one floor – all in one spirit. I wish I too could dance like them!!!
26 Nov. There is something nice to be known – this blog has recorded 1000 hits in less than two months. Though this blog shows archives dating from October 2005, they are all back-up from the www.richardrego.blogspot.com and www.sacjournalism.com. When it was feared that freehostia would ditch us because of its Indo-phobia, we had taken the back of all our blogs so that we will have some record for the future. Here we are!
Thank you for your regular visits, comments, and encouragement. I will try to be as prompt as possible (within my limits) and informative as possible.
Today there was Lorna Show in the College grounds, besides the fancy fete organised by the SAC Primary school.
Adarsh High School. That is my Alma Mater. This is the siver jubilee year of my Alma Mater. I came to know about the celebrations from newspapers. How I wished to be there!
The other day, someone asked me to pen my nostalgia for the school for their silver jubilee souvenir. I wish I could. But I would rather prefer to be ALSO THEERE for the celebrations than just be an anonymous writer. After all, I belong to the first batch of the school – I remember carrying those bricks and mortar for the school building, even when studying in the presbytory and in a corner of the Holy Cross Church. Probably, we spent more time working for the new building than studying in the class rooms. And isn’t that reason enough to be there for the celebration of the Silver Jubilee…
I would have loved to be there. I wanted to be there!
11 Nov. It’s exams & holidays time at SAC; what better time could I get than this to update myself, get going with my research? Yea, that’s precisely what I am doing. Studying in greener environs around Mangalore, beyond the familiarity of SAC Campus.
Today, of course, had a change of time-table: paid an official visit to Manipal; it was good, refreshing and tiring, both together! And to travel through that Suratkal road! I almost got ripened!
That reminded me of Arron, Sandhya, Dale & Tanvi’s documentary on roads: Where is the Road? They are right – there is no road. If you have any ideas to screen these four short documentaries, made during the Documentary Workshop, for the public and
authorities, kindly come up with some ideas. It will be worth the effort.
24 Oct. As the second day of the National Level Workshop began, participants felt they are running short of time. You get it? Things are becoming interesting for them; they feel the heat, in next six days, they will have to leave!
After yesterday’s rushes’ analysis, today the participants did some more excercies for camera and outdoor light handling, and the results were there for all to see! Great improvement.
The participants watched the ZOO, a documentary by Bert Hanstra; they analysed the short documentary for sequencing and structure. It, then, was followed by brief input on sequencing and structuring documentary. Participants zeroed in on a topic for their final project. They spent the afternoon on recce! Researching the locations, planning their movie.
Well, what did Yours Truly did, you think? He had a good cinematic time with Mr P N Ramchandra. Both of them watched Mooru Darigalu and Mane by Girish Kasaravalli, and had long discussion spilling over late supper! How are these movies seen from a trained film maker’s perspective? That was quite an experience; and those cinematic tea, coffee, lunch and supper! Yours Truly is enjoying, being at the helm, head aches and full full minds!
