Celebrating life!

Having read the novel on which the movie is based, many years ago, I like the rest of the world had thought this would be an impossible movie to make. But what expected was certainly not what I ended up viewing: a classic movie. Life of Pi has you in its thrall from the first. Considering that even the Booker-prize winning author of the original book (2001) Yann Martel approved, it is hard not to like the film.  While the 3D version has been highly acclaimed, the regular 2D version is also great to watch and watch you must, movie buff or not. The film begins with the haunting voice of Bombay Jayashree, which had the North Indian in the seat next to me wondering if it was a Malayalam movie. With the initial, captivating shots of the animals in the zoo the movie will have your undivided attention for the entire 127 minutes. The movie takes place in early twentieth century Pondicherry. The protagonist is a sixteen-year old boy Piscine Molitor Patel, named after a swimming...

(This is poem was written on one of my many train journeys where I contemplated my experiences in Iran with fond thoughts). Warm, welcoming, beautiful country with palaces I only read about in Kubla Khan 1 , I came as a stranger into your home and you accepted me with outstretched arms. Despite our differences, irrespective of similarities, you treated me an honoured guest. As I visited your haunts and splendours you explained to me their magical past. As I tasted the scent of your ‘polo 2 ,’ You mesmerized me with your charming faces and told me of your love for Shahrukh Khan. I, lounging back, filled to the brim With pistachios and saffron, pomegranates and carpets, heard you whisper to me through Hafez and Sa’adi stories of your once glorious Persepolis and the not-quite-forgotten legendary Cyrus the Great. You then also told me of your dreams of returning to who you were 30 years ago. After seeing your palaces, treasures, history and se...