Come on, #boycottPK ??????? Seriously?

The #BoycottPK on Twitter is trending big time with many Hindus offended by the "laapata" posters of Aamir, the chase after Shiva, the dismantling of Tapasvi Maharaj etc. All these are considered vandalism acts against Hinduism.

I cannot laugh beyond a point as my sides will split. Come on.

I think PK is the BIGGEST ENDORSEMENT OF

1. HINDU SENSE OF SATYAMEV JAYATE
2. KARMA THEORY
3. GOD's LILA IN ACTION
4. LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE BEYOND EARTH.

Take the following facts.

This nanga panga alien PK lands on earth to learn about us and go back.
His need to go back is only after he has understood the rich variety of life here. Do you think he came here only to smuggle out some cassette tapes, an old Pansonic 2-in-1, and two trunks full of Duracell A batteries? NO WAY.

So PK HAS TO GET MESSED UP... otherwise how will he know?


PK had to see life in Rajasthan. Some dancing cars. Some screaming news anchors. Some scheming godmen. Some scrambling in temples. Some considerate policemen who know the colour of a Gandhi 500 rupee note.
He has to fall in love.
That is the theory of HINDUISM. COME, GET EXPERIENCE. THEN GET LIBERATION. PERIOD.

PK mat dekho

You should see PK. But not after a couple of drinks (spoiler: the movie title comes from peekay).

Because as it is, the heady atmosphere of a cineplex smelling of popcorn and full of ads about gold and bank loan and OLX.com will rob you of a sense of humour to appreciate an Aamir Khan film.

Because Aamir is actually an alien amidst us, whether you know it or not and whether you see PK or not. To explain it further,  he thinks different,  acts different,  and makes movies which make a big impact by being different. He doesn't attempt anything cheap,  anything easy,  anything light. Intensely different=Aamir Khan.

Figure this:

We think God is a kind of alien and we always prefer our godmen. We would not be able to handle God. That is the symbolism of Bhagavadgita 11th chapter.

We are so confused about what's the core  of our religious values.  We therefore can't distinguish between a programme on Aastha cable channel, ''Eat Pray Love'' movie scenes, and a feel-good God mela.

In PK:
Anoushka looks like a botched alien plastic surgery job, except when she is romancing Sarfraz in that lovely picture-postcard Bruges.

And Delhi, however you shoot it, looks like a spicy chat made up of traffic snarls, trishul-sporting temples and I-just-don't-care cops. It's not any different in PK.

Takeaways:

Avatar is an alien movie. It succeeded big time. So time for PK here!

Aamir is an alien in Bollywood.

Bollywood needs themes about gods and godmen for survival.

God is an alien in our make-believe world.

We need an avatar to solve this mess called our world. PK is that avatar!

And of course we see reality only on TV News channels! So this movie also plays out through a news reality show.

Best part of PK:
A Rajasthan cameo with the delightful Sanjay Dutt, sands, camels, and pagdis and some wonderful music and dance is actually a lot of fun.

Postscript:
OK,  if I sound cryptic,  sorry.
My rating for PK ****  4/5
My reco:  MUST SEE.

Movie songs: OFFICIAL: 'PK' Full Songs JUKEBOX | Tharki Chokro…:

http://youtu.be/_q-_SPgzSXo

Don't just sit there, learn Bharatanatyam!

What looks like a designer chair is surely one,  but more than what you think.
The "No Sweat, No Sweat"  company,  who made their millions selling the Ab King Pro ("crunch with the punch") and the Sedentary Walker ("Move your legs, not your butt")  have launched this for the December season.

Every Bharatanatyam aspirant knows that the most important thing is Arre Mandi. This esoteric term means "how to sit without sitting." So a Bharatanatyam exponent will perfect over the years the posture of sitting on a non-existent chair. This is supposed to confer grace, posture, and foster the best eye contact during abhinaya. Now supposing you actually sit on a chair,  and the chair does all the foot thumping and aids in abhinaya, you have Bharatanatyam v3.0. That is the idea behind the Bharatanatyam Chair.

How this advanced design works is that you find a convenient, spacious, well ventilated, flat surface in a room and place the chair. Then you plug it into the wall socket (100-240V,50/60 Hz, 10A).
You have an iOS/Android app that links via Bluetooth 3.0 and controls the lessons.

You are led through all the key moves of the classic art form including foot movements, hand movements, eye movements, neck movements, and facial expressions.  A series of mild shocks make you squirm and stomp your feet as you sit comfortably on the chair. No need for make up,  jewellery, special costumes etc. unless you are performing in public.

The Bharatanatyam Chair has graded lessons and you can become a Master of Arts in 24 lessons. The entire system is covered by a one year warranty.
Order yours today online at USD 499.95!

Why Bhagavadgita is India's #1 scripture

I don't wish to debate the idea of making Gita India's national book. For one thing I don't understand what that status will imply. But surely I wish to tell you why I think the Gita is India's most important scripture.

To begin with,  for a scripture to be of timeless importance,  it has to have direct relevance to our lives. It has to address both ethical and social issues. It has to provide guidance for a seeker of truth. You may give the status of truth to what is scientifically validated, or spiritually experiential, or both.

Second, the scripture has to be easy to read and understand. It has to have layers of meaning which are consistent and that make sense to different readers. It has to talk not through myths and legends but through a more direct discourse.

Third,  it should have an authentic text which prevents people from disputing endlessly  for versions and interpretations.

Fourth, it should have a transformational power which rules the minds and hearts of men.

The Gita qualifies on every one of these criteria, as will be seen from a study of the work and its various commentaries. Let me add some more points.

First of all it is a direct dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna,  a warrior, standing ready to battle his enemies for his right to the kingdom, which has been taken away wrongly. His friend and guide Krishna has become his charioteer. Arjuna has sudden doubts of what's right for him to do. He gets advice from Krishna. For those confused about Gita's context for the righteous war, I suggest reading the Mahabharata first. And then Gita. Anyone who has not read either Mahabharata or the Gita seriously has no right to take part in this discussion.

Krishna gives his advice first at the level of responsibility for a warrior readied for battle for a cause he has stood for, all his life. This gives a social and ethical basis for discussing one's duty within the context of Arjuna's life situation.

But Gita quickly moves into ideas of the nature of existence and creation,  how man acquires his tendencies and propensities,  how he has to deal with conflict,  how he has to give back to life.  We may feel uncomfortable with Hindu concepts of rebirth, karma and such. But we are discussing here a scripture of this nation, and these ideas are implicit to our way of life and form the fabric of thinking for an entire civilisation. That is why both Buddha and Mahavira accepted rebirth and karma theory as the basis of their teachings also.

The concept of karma and rebirth provides a strong basis for ethics.

Now Gita does not stress image worship, ritualistic prayer and ostentatious ceremony. Very briefly, Krishna says that all duty done well is a sacrifice or offering that helps the entire circle of life. Worship is more important in spirit and attitude. Worship is not meant to be ostentatious display. In fact Krishna says it is evil and unethical to horde and display wealth. Wealth is to be treated only as a trust.

There are far reaching discussions also in the Gita about-
Discipline in habits,  day-to-day living,
Moderation in rest and recreation,
Leading by example others- especially those who look up to a man of influence,
Taking failure as a stepping stone to success,
Treating success with equanimity,
Giving to others generously,
Speaking the truth,
Contemplation and solitude for self-development,
Becoming attuned to the circle of life.

All these ideas as developed and discussed in the Gita have no mythological dimensions but are dipped in immense practicality.

Man has also to find answers and meanings in life as well as in death. Krishna deals with these aspects in a most inspiring and thought- provoking manner.

Finally Krishna also lists what's wrong- meaningless ritual, blind adherence to practice without commitment to the larger goal of life, and a dogmatic response to reality.

I don't know of any other such timeless classic in Indian civilisation. Bhagavad Gita is for me the scripture for the Hindu way of life.

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Earth shakes below the Metro. I see the Iskcon spire. I remember the prasad.The climb's worth it - such fabulous decorations! Am lost in the chant until I hear the conch.

#Unsharemyfries

Let's go to Big Mac, oh mere sathi!
Let's have a big blast,  shall we?
But you must beware
MY fries, I unshare
For it's a communion: my chips and me.