Amitabh Bachchan's Official Blog

Still in colonial structure, palms and sea        Dec 31, 2012      Mon 9:11 PM

I come back a bit early but refer to yesterday .. in fact the day before yesterday of DAY 1718. The day when I had expressed my anguish in verse in HIndi. I had made a very rough translation, but in a sleep stupor, missed out on some lines and salient expressions. I have corrected them now and wish that it be re seen and read to get the somewhat correct effect.

Love

Amitabh Bachchan

In colonial imitations, palm and sea                        Dec  30/31,  2012                    Sun/Mon  2:17 AM

Those that question have no answers … !!

Those that have answer, question not … 

It is the law of nature on human behaviour, which questions these attitudes. They shall never see the light of the day, nor will they get opportunity to the wonders of one. Limp denominations of these and these such, shall be best when forgotten or at most fought and defeated. Sitting on fragile fences they shall forever remain there - there is protection to have the ability to drop on either side when in doubt, or indeed, when they decide to drop on either side, to know that they shall suddenly gain the false stature of the circumstances !!

These individuals are genuine and honest in most ways - they look always to back the right horse. That is the way they have been ordained, devoid of the righteousness that they forever fight and demand for. Blessed are they that possess these virtues, for they have the unique distinction of either getting their mission right, or their thoughts interpreted in the right context.

Simply put these are the required sayers, and may God in his benevolence, give them heart to know and understand that which is right. These are the ones that even without seeing a single frame have the unique quality of bringing in a criticism, which talks of everything under the sun but never the right sun ! 

I wander too far and without right reason. This is not required. A black spot to ward of the evil shall always be protective. I am well protected. The black spots come at the right moment and time.

Anyway … better to talk of stunning company, exorbitant cuisine, exquisite locations and the company of many that bring in the evening with delightful conversation.

It is ‘purnima’ tonight - a full moon ! Often the scales of astrology predict that imbalances could occur in status and nature during the course of its presence, and that those that get governed by them, behave unnaturally … I sound quite natural till now … UNLESS !!!!

Ha ha ha … just a fake scream to drill in the point that it is the best moment for us Librans, when the Moon shall take over our life for those brief moments of its fullness and drill into us the madness that follows with such sublime presence ….

I wish not to explain, what madness enters the mind now … it would be improper and not justified at all … suffice to say it has the capacity, the moon I mean, to bring us into a moment of nature that borders on insanity.

I endorse insanity now and have to tell you this that having just read what this post is all about, I realize it is a cry in the dark, a walk through to a tunnel that has endless space and length, and one that simply complies with the honest truth that it has been an exercise in absolute futility …

The environs are new … the directions and important units of interest need to be practiced and checked regularly …..I wonder when I do shut mine eyes where shall I be or be taken to ..

Dreams have been too vivid and devoid of any color …

Mine too …

Except they are lined with love and affection ..

Amitabh Bachchan 

Jalsa, Mumbai                         Dec 29/30,  2012                       Sat/Sun 1:56 AM

Anguished and disturbed at the events of the day … a day when we all hang our heads in shame … a day when we lost a daughter of India, brutally subjected to inhuman torture, I sit in the afternoon by myself and write some lines : I noticed the candles and the flower offerings at the site of the crime the entire day, from masses of our countrymen and women, paying their respects to the departed soul … and that is what inspired me for this :

समय चलते मोमबत्तियां, जल कर बुझ जाएँगी …

श्रद्धा में डाले पुष्प, जल हीन मुर्झा जायेंगे  …

स्वर विरोध के और शांति के अपनी प्रबलता खो देंगे …

किन्तु ‘निर्भयता’ की जलाई अग्नि हमारे ह्रदय को प्रज्वलित करेगी …

जल हीन मुरझाये पुष्पों को हमारी अश्रु धाराएं जीवित रखेंगी …

दग्ध कंठ से ‘दामिनी’ की ‘अमानत’ आत्मा विश्व भर में गूंजेगी …

स्वर मेरे तुम, दल कुचलकर पीस न पाओगे  …

मै भारत की माँ बहेंनिया बेटी हूँ ,

आदर और सत्कार की मै हक़दार हूँ …

भारत देश हमारी माता है ,

मेरी छोड़ो, अपनी माता की तो पहचान बनो !!

With the passage of time, the candles shall burn out and lose their flame ..

The flowers offered with devotion, shall in the absence of water, get dry and weathered out …

The voices of protest both vocal and silent, shall lose their strength ..

But the ‘fearless’ ( nirbhayata ) fire that has been ignited, shall rekindle the flames in our hearts ..

The waterless dry and weathered flowers, shall be brought to life drenched by the tears in our eyes ..

With burning throat the soul of ‘Damini’ and ‘Amaanat’, shall resound in the entire universe ..

My agonised voice you shall not ever crush or trample upon, for ..

I am the Mother, sister and daughter of my Bharat ..

Respect and dignity are my birthright possessions ..

Bharat the country is my Mother ..

Forget about me, become at least the recognised worthy face of your Mother ..!!

( ‘Damini’ and ‘Amaanat’ are the two names being used for her, as her actual details are not being given out. And another name being given to her is ‘Nirbhaya’, so “Nirbhayata” in the poem has been used not as a noun, but a state of being, almost verb or adverb like) 

Good night … travel again tomorrow and so must rest … but rest from what ? the events from the last two weeks … ??

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                          Dec 28/29,  2012                        Fri/Sat 1:12 AM

There is an irony to life .. an irony which presents itself in its many forms, almost every minute of moment. What we do at times, and we do a lot, does come at a moment when what we do, does not necessarily comply with the circumstances that we may have gone through, recently.

We are aware of the horrid incidents that have been unfolding each day of the Delhi Gang Rape and its victim. We have grieved over its occurrence, lamented the lacuna in the legal system of their punishment, prayed for the victim as she fights for her life each hour …. and yet we are entrapped in the daily routines of our work, where we laugh and smile and conduct our behaviour according to the nature of the job we are involved in ..

I smile and laugh in the picture above because it is a part of my job for the day, but deep down I do know and realize the gravity of the situation, and how awkward I feel on it.

Many others too shall believe in this, and perhaps have a similar concern and attitude for it. Perhaps we shall get noticed more because we are in a category which commands attention, and that is but natural and inevitable. But, we must admit that there is a feel of discomfort, and that this shall not merely evaporate at the flick of a thumb. It shall take its time.

I have felt that, from the moment this unfortunate incident has taken place, and even though we may be closely following the developments, there is that uncertainty that hovers about in discomfort.

People that have identified themselves with this cause of justice, and protest in peace. Many that do not join them, may have valid reasons for not. They write and commit themselves to the cause through debate and discussion and that leads us to be on the right side of what prevails. There may be some though that may not seem to like the presentation of events, of disobeying order, and they may have a different system and approach. In their model the need to lament may never be valid enough, and for those that do lament within the parameters of the event, if I may use this terminology, they soon find out that there is not much that can be done about it … sad !!

What happens next is also at times, how should I put it, a need to be associated with the issue or else it may damage their status. There are times, and this happens often with me, when reaction is required with immediate effect. Now … I may not have the accumen to respond to the type of question being asked, or the duty being asked to perform, so we maintain silence. Immediately this decision has been taken, then, the ‘other’ moves in and accuses for non participation.

At times I wonder whether just being an actor in the Film Industry suddenly makes me a wise, intelligent being, knowing all worldly answers and responses at the drop of a hat. No …. we are not that intelligent and we certainly do not have the temperament or the brains to have legitimate answers to your queries.

And because each sentence or reaction has several meanings depending on how you take it, the life of the star suddenly gets attached to those sentiments and you discover that the next morning papers carry safe and legally sound statements, confirming  your ill advise - it always is - and smashing or ridiculing your comments on the issue.

One careless remark or deed and you can be sure you shall be taken to the cleaners !! 

Contrarily though there is always that hidden request to join the ‘march’, to give side and attachment on the cause, to join the movement and allow the protest to bear your name and reactions, so that a greater number of people come forward. Now … this may be a most effective technology, but once it has been committed to your name, nothing can be safe. You are now the official spokesperson. And unfortunately, somewhere down the line if something were to go wrong, you would be labelled the face that took up this cause and failed, or brought it to some adversity.

Staying away from the turn of events, causes anger from the community. Staying with it, is appreciated and acknowleged.

You take the call then … what and why would you do if asked ever … !!!

At work today, sitting and silently watching the developments of the conduct of the show, the ‘ladies’ of the Ef of yesterday take prime positions, and as always make it a joy for me to see them in happy state. I do hope they had a good time despite some of the technical glitches that we encountered today.

The contestants ranged from the brilliant to the more awestruck. Both had their reasons and both were met with a certain amount of success …

It always gives me contentment when they come and win. It is the look in their eyes, the behaviour of their expressions and mostly the disbelief of firstly their presence inside this ‘bowl of plenty’ and then the realisation that all of it not a dream but true and live.

A young boy, son of a police officer wants to out beat his Father and their taunts, at being of no use to them … a ..’nalaayak’. He succeeds. A young man desolate after the burning down of his store where he repaired damaged phones as a small business, seeks retribution. The loan that he took to set up his business, needs repayment and he does not have a penny to do so. The stigma is unbearable for him because his agents of the loan and others too, cause disrespect to his parents. He wants to win and repay the loan so that his parents can live their life with their heads held high.

Worse follows. He comes from a community that is referred to as Dalits. They are commonly known as ‘untouchables’ in the kind of society they live in. In today’s world this cannot be allowed to exist. We are all humans, we do not belong to different castes and creeds. Our dignity as humans and as individuals must never be equated with the temperament of our caste. We are all equal … and need to be treated thus …

He played well … and shall roll over because it has timed out !!!

There is much to do …. and I must retire … there is a desire to lap up the cream, to be in state of spent and to be away from his certain areas … not nearly as away from the BED !!

Good night dearest ones …

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                          Dec 27/28,  2012                      Thu/Fri 1:54 AM

The day of early morning readiness, the drive, the message, the benevolence of the Almighty and the blessings …. all a part now of regularity within a fruitful day. It is when it does not, that the inequity creeps in … sluggish and destructive ! One does not look up to vision the changing day, its matters and its people, until it is time to descend the slopes of the construct, and the convenience of the residence in part time, from time to time …

Words of meaning, words of inspiration, words that intend to motivate, to encourage and benefit collect the space for its projection … some of great merit some that get manufactured on immediate terms, but manufactured all the same …

The clothing the face and the dressing finesse by childhood relation put one on to the stage of ovation and cheer .. and then the final touches of sound and light before the beginning of the non fiction …

Love and screams of appreciation and affection are never enough to fulfil the state of their anxiety and impatience, but do it must and then in a sudden rush all is in place for a begin !

The morsels that find necessity by the day are hard to come by - there has been no interest while the the numbers flow … so before all else, that is what beckons first …and then …

The Ef in all its glory and lady like presence. Remembrances of times by, of cricket matches and holding hands, of angst over the colleagues, of debate on aspects of many, and finally after digital resounding, imaging and documentation … the heaps of gifting, both for the two ‘a’ …. more the smaller ‘a’ !!!

Indebted to them for their love and affection and the very joy of their respect … indebted to them for the freedom of their talk … and indebted to them for the showing of their gifted manifestations … they now display in house and home, and with little ones … magnificent and touched so generously by their being in being what they are .. 

Moving the experience of their dedication and love … unadulterated and filled with sincere purity, from Denmark to Hyderabad … blessed are they that receive, but divine are they that give … the heart smarts with some rapidity on gesture genuine, and words cannot be mentioned of response that can capture enough of what needs to be enough … 

They give more than what is deserving receive .. !!!

Dining in the company of all .. a full table, filled with banter and unabated mirth … of imitations of those encountered … of comment and opinion on what unfolds through medium - the young taking on the elder and winning … joy unbounded … thank you and good night …

Then finally here in space of our own … sticks of connection lying about in the event of the band failure, empty digital video disk covers, the contents inside where I reside at the moment, open pages of the readable, words of wisdom and lit interest … and not the sufficientness of time to attend all … pity … o such pity … !!!

Fewer hours of the shutted eye .. not appropriate for the load on the rising of another sun … but it would be of no value if otherwise …

Loves of mine, to be with all … in equal ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                           Dec  26/27,  2012                          Wed/Thu  1:28 AM

I wrote a verse a moment a while ..

Its lost again and not in any file,

Disgusting how unconcerned they be to mine

Sterner stuff am I made of, I shall be fine …

I’m writing another as time goes by

This shall remain, till the day that I die ..

Love 

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa , Mumbai                          Dec  25/26,  2012                     Tue/Wed  2:40 AM

The anger and the pain for the desire of justice by the young on the streets of Delhi, persists, albeit in lesser numbers. The system and the establishment have risen, albeit late, to address the situation with assurances.

I visit a dear friend in Hospital who has been admitted suddenly. While there I visit my Manager and Secretary Sheetal Jain, who has worked with me with incredible honesty and devotion for the 36 years, in the ICU, whose care and facilities I undertake personally … he looks to be gaining in his condition after a most trying time, when all hope was taken away.

Pran, colleague senior and one of the finest gentlemen of this beautiful fraternity, lies in ICU, and I visit him too … prayers for him for his speedy recovery .. I speak to him, masked for purposes of infection riddance, and he sees but does not recognise .. he has a tracheostomy done, so cannot speak .. he was in hospital a few days back and I had visited him .. he seemed perfectly all right … but he has had a relapse and I wish him well ..

ICU’s are depressing places … dark and desolate, with a quietude that disturbs .. all one hears are the sound of machines that work on the various conditions of patients, most of them critical .. I go past my room, and the room where I lost my Mother .. they are familiar sights and sounds for me, having been in these premises often …

And finally after leaving with heavy heart … reminisce all those days of pain and struggle that I have encountered through the many years …

The SIES, South Indian Educational Society honors me with an award. I am humbled by it. There is a cash prize of Rs 250,000 that comes along with it and I donate it to the family of the police constable that succumbed to his injuries day before at the sight of the protest against the gang rape in Delhi. He was the sole earning member of his family, large by some standards …

I have pictures of the moment, but something in me resists its posting on the Blog and other sites .. I cannot say why … but it does …

It is Christmas today … and a day of peace and contemplation to all that gives us the assurance of happiness, on the birth of Christ his teachings and his faith live and remain with us …

Many are amazed how Hindu’s follow Christianity .. and I think I have spoken on it enough yesterday … but from a very young age, the atmosphere of its celebration, in school in towns, among friends, has been another important day in our lives .. I may not follow it, but why would I stop myself from acquainting myself in its beliefs and teachings. I have spent a major portion of my School years in Christian Missionary schools, been to chapel services, heard the Bible, and respected those that follow it … respect in another belief’s and the divinity of their religion, does not spell any wrong for us … contrarily we seek its blessings. The Church at Mount Mary in Bandra here in Mumbai and at Mahim, have played an important role in most of our prayers in times of trial … the ‘novena’ at the Mahim church on Wednesday has had a special significance in the lives of most Mumbaikers , as has the Muslim dargah, just opposite it..

India is unique ! There are in this world Christian States, Islamic states, Catholic states … we have a secular state !! And we can have no other !! It is in our revered Constitution ..

I said I would keep away from pictures … but ..

Love …

Amitabh Bachchan

   Jalsa, Mumbai                          Dec 24/25,  2012                    Mon/Tue 12:52 AM

Christmas greetings to all … peace and happiness for this festival of prayer and well being, for goodness and friendship to prevail, and for the greater good of humanity to find a warm home in each one of us …

The children are around, the house is lit up in little bulbs and Christmas cheer. A small tree with stars and tiny Santa shoes, adorns a corner of the patio, and Jaya has most beautifully set up a dinner with Bar BQ outside and placed little gifts for each. Aaradhya has wonder in her eyes, the little shoes taking most of her attention, followed by a gentle smile of approval from her, and we are feeling blessed …

It is does not matter whether one follows a particular faith.

What matters is the faith in the others’ following.

Peace can only prevail if we are considerate to the other. To be able to understand and feel what the other does and goes through. To honor and respect belief, for it has taken centuries for it to be born and developed and put to practice. Generations and centuries of it have paid homage to it in a trust of sincerity and devotion. That is something that cannot be replaced, and it never should.

The dining table and the moments of a family gathering in congenial surroundings as we in a family sit about, the talk and debate and argument on the gang rape and its consequences, continues. Each family member has an opinion and a strong voice on it. It is wonderful to be seated as head of the family and listen to the young bring out facets of the happening, that many may have not considered.

There has been a slight lull in the proceedings. The head of state and some that rule have come out and addressed the nation. Perhaps a little too late, but there all the same. The young girl has slipped back in her condition and it seems is back on the ventilator. Our prayers remain with her and her recovery.

But look what it took. It took an entire youth and the student of the city and neighboring regions to protest in large numbers for days, bearing the consequences of police heavy handedness, before any calming assurances could be given. The entire region that had been occupied by the young, has been cleared off. Certain sections of the law have been promulgated, and those that revolt have been pushed back to a special space where most protests are permitted to be held - Jantar Mantar.

Reason … ??

Putin, from Russia is in town on a state visit. Russia, a country that has been the most trusted and lasting friend of India, has had ties since the Independence of the country. Our socialist republic India pattern, was, inspired by the Russians, what our designers of the Constitution felt was necessary for a country as complex as ours. That writing on our most sacred book for democracy, has remained unchanged as far as Russia has been concerned. Peaceful protest has legitimacy in our Constitution. The students expressed that during their rallies on the gang rape. But soon other elements entered and converted it into one of violent disposition. I had written in my Twitter my apprehension that this could happen next and that, could it be that this may be a deliberate ploy to diffuse the real cause ! Today those fears of mine had some kind of a confirmation. A leading newspaper confirmed that there had been an infiltration of elements from a students union of the ruling party, with the exact brief to cause a disruption through violent means, so that the real issue would be sidelined !! And they succeeded ! It is a most common ploy in political machinations and has been used in several other situations to great effect.

Politics can only be fought through politics and when that happens, the genuineness of a cause gets washed away through the tears of the tear gassed bombs, or cold water canons !

However I do feel that both these so called deterrents were unable to douse the spirit of the protesters, and the fact that the system has moved, in setting up fast track courts for speedy justice, and the assurance given by those in power towards policing and securing any further incidents, is something that the younger generation and the students of Delhi that took to the streets, have found victory in. They deserve salutations !!

I did write and record on Bubble my angered opinion. They are now on Face Book. At least on one point I seemed to have consonance. That hanging the culprits is not a solution. I said that in doing so they, the culprits, would get ‘uddhaar’, a kind of divine deliverance. They, the culprits, needed to live, to see, to bear the utter heinousness of their act, and nothing better than to subject them to similar fate as what they did to that young girl. A chemical castration or whatever, that would become a life long reminder of their act, but in a condition that resembled the condition of the girl that they subjected her to !!

A law being passed on their hanging, would be dangerous. A judgement on ‘hang until dead’, would need strong evidence in the court of law, one of which would be the identification of the perpetrator, by the victim. In such legal conditions the rapist would deliberately after the rape, kill the victim, so that evidence is killed !! A very senior lawyer brought this up, which is why I did not mention it.

The end result of all this has undoubtedly been a most concerted awakening to this age old ailment in society, and in that, the youth needs to be respected and praised.

The problem does not have definite solutions. Even as I write, there are reports coming in of rape in other parts of the country, but at least stern action is being taken. The phenomena is not merely restricted to India. It is there in every corner of the globe. Society needs to mature itself in its learning of morals, of respect towards fellow citizens and a hand of friendship and help towards the visitor in your land.

We have great words of wisdom in our learnings and teachings - ‘atithi devo bhava’ ! the guest, the visitor to your home to your country, is akin to divinity visiting us. They need to be looked upon and treated thus !

We pray and do sincerely hope that these most basic elements of social norm be not just taught but practiced too, in which ever country you may belong to. When you hold a hand of support for another, you build the very first link of that beautiful flower laden garland, with which we in this country give welcome.

We would never want that the flowers wither and dry, nor that the links of the garland ever break or snap !!

There is no space for gender discrimination. There is no space for female infanticide. Women are the most integral part of our existence. We have been brought into this world to exist. We must chose dignity and happiness in our existence. If not … LEAVE and GET OUT !!

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa , Mumbai                      Dec 23/24,  2012                     Sun/Mon 1:06 AM

Irfan Nuyani : happy birthday for the 24th of December … wishing you all happiness and love, peace and success and all that goes into making you special …. love

An entire day has been spent in the hearts of those that protest on the streets of Delhi, in particular seeking justice for the gang rape victim, that fights for her life in a hospital in the Capital.

But today has been a disturbing day. Watching the violence and strong tactics being deployed to disrupt this peaceful protest, is horrific. Tear gas bombing, cold water canons being sprayed in the winter of Delhi, is cruel to these young and determined students that have dared to vent their true feelings against the system, for the protection of young girls that have become frequent victims of rape.

There is anger and pent up feelings. There is a demand for protection on the streets. There is a fervent and continuous cry for justice and a quick and definitive punishment to the perpetrators of such crimes.

Meanwhile, the 23 year old medical student victim that has been raped in a moving bus, has been through the most unheard of and worse than animal behaviour by the perpetrators, who have not just demolished her modesty, but have in most heinous fashion destroyed her body and thrown her out on the street naked and half dead. Iron rods used on her have completely destroyed her intestines and she is fighting a brave fight for survival. Her condition is most precarious. She is on a ventilator, and the few moments she has come off it has only these few words to say - ‘I do not want to die’ and ‘have they caught the culprits’ ..!!

Thousands of young students girls and boys in the past two days have taken to the streets demanding action and seeking justice. Today the movement took on a violent turn. Forced back by police water canons in this cold weather of Delhi, and bombarded by tear gas bombs, they are now being piggy backed by other disruptive elements, that have instigated even greater and fierce action by the police forces, by resorting to pitched battles with whatever props they can find in and around the India Gate, a symbol of the Amar Jyot Jawan, a monument that commemorates the spirit and fight of those soldiers that sacrificed their lives during the various wars fought by India.

It has been a sad and disturbing day !

Jaya had in Parliament the other day spoken most passionately on this issue, breaking down while describing the plight of these unfortunate women, who have been targeted regularly.

This and the peace protests including the more violent demonstrations have at least coerced the Government to come out and reassure the people to maintain calm, acknowledging the protests as being just and assuring the people of quick and rapid action on the issue. How far this shall satisfy the now very motivated and angry polity, remains to be seen.

I do believe that the demands by the students and those in social circles is justified, when they seek justice for the victims - quick and fast apprehensions and judicial procedures to punish the culprits as severely as possible, and of course to make the streets safer for the citizens, particularly young girls and females. The fear of severe punishment should act as a deterrent to any future perpetrators of such crime, and if need be the law of the land be altered to accomodate these crimes ..

I do hope and pray that the system reacts favourably to such urgent needs and that the young girl, the hapless victim, who battles with her circumstances most bravely, be soon out of danger, recovers physically and gets fit enough to lead her life in peace and comfort.

The Sunday well wishers were met as always … but the topic of discussion has been so disturbing, that I do not not have the will to speak or put out pictures of it ..

My love as ever …

Amitabh Bachchan

     Jalsa, Mumbai                       Dec  22/23,  2012                   Sat/Sun  12:52 AM

Nargis !! In all its beauty and its elusiveness ! Pretty and beautiful and calming and with the smell of a thousand different perfumes !! They are all over the house today, enlightening the presence of their exclusive nature, in each corner, on each table, on every bed side … simply the best there ever was …

At 7 in the morning I drove down to a dubbing theatre to record some words for a CD produced by that master of song and ‘sur’, Suresh Wadkar. He records an album of songs which really are verses of prominence by that great writer, poet, philosopher, Kabir.

धीरे धीरे रे मना , धीरे सब कुछ ह़ोय ,

माली सींचे सौ घड़ा , रितु आये फल होय I

slowly dear heart and mind, slowly doth everything work …

the gardener may pour a hundred buckets of water on the tree, but the fruits shall arrive, only at the time of its season …

गुरु गोबिंद दोउ खड़े , काके लागूं  पाय  

बलिहारी गुरु आपकी , जो गोबिंद दियो बताय I 

my Guru and my Lord both stand before me, whose feet do I first touch …?

the greatness is in you my Guru, for you were the one that told me about the Lord … !!

There is not much known about his antecedents, except that he was brought up by a Muslim Mother around the 1600 - 1700 years and his works have found mention and relevance in the scriptures of the Hindus and Sikhs, and that he is equally revered by the Muslims too. A Sufi saint, born in Uttar Pradesh, the state in the northern part of the country…

His words and verses, that were teaching lessons for us as kids, remain with us forever. They showed us the path of reason and knowledge, and its relevance …

One of the most prominent reflections of being an Indian is the knowledge and learnings of Kabir …  respectfully mentioned as KabirDas … 

There is a move and intent to conduct a Peace Concert in Mumbai next month. Aadesh Shrivastava who leads this concept has composed a peace anthem, where he has used the import of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and some of our prominent singers too. In the anthem he has put in some of my singing as well, and hopes that we would be able to perform this live on the day … I shall reserve my comments for this, as far as I am concerned, but it is indeed a most noble cause. He shall conduct this in Mumbai at a large Stadium and hopes for a 50-60,000 attendance !!

There have been several discussions and meetings to replicate the recital of my Father’s poems, much like the one that many Ef attended at the Theatre du Champs-Élysée, in Paris, and to take a more sophisticated version, like the one performed at my 70th here on the 11th October, to other cities and parts of the world - Middle East, Europe, UK, USA ..

I wonder if this would meet with some acceptance. The event managers feel so. I think over it …

a full house in Jalsa .. the kids and the children and the ‘little one’ … my happiest moments

night of dreams now … and pleasant sleep …

…. and Xmas Greetings to all … may there be happiness and joy in all your lives .. peace and well being ever …

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                     Dec 21/22,  2012                      Fri/Sat  2:03 AM

The day has passed, but the memory lives on. December 21st my Mother left us for the eventual adventure of our lives. Her memory lives with us, her soul with another celestial being. I have been not too expressive throughout the day ; the family has remained together and huddled for most of the time. The children have been posting pictures of Ma on their face pages on various communication devices, and Jaya who came in from Parliament and Delhi by the late evening flight, brought in my Mother’s favorite flower - the Nargis !

She loved this particular flower. It grew wild in and around our homes that bore some semblance of winter, for that is when it flowered. And tonight it brightens up various sections of the house and my bed side. When I shall retire, Mother shall be with me through the night … !!

There she is, in her classic best, dark glasses and all - an exclusive ornament in somewhat conservative Allahabad, seeing off my Father as he travels to England, to Cambridge for his study on Yeats and his thesis on it, which he succeeded and secured a PhD. Ma had travelled with my Father to Bombay, then, to see him off at the airport, on an AirIndia four engined propeller aircraft, perhaps called the Constellation. This was 1952. I am 10, in the foreground, with my most favorite bush shirt, designed and colourful, a suggestion and gift by my Mother, chewing my thumb nails, a habit that I did not get rid off for several years.

Garlanded, my Father bears the joy of being able to fulfil his desire to study the poet WBYeats .. with my specs on these days, many feel I look like him. I should. Or perhaps look like his Father, for as I have narrated before, I was supposed to be the incarnation of my Grandfather. So my Father believed.

Both, now gone. 

All the prayers are silent … nothing demonstrative … they would have felt the same temperament ..

Good night ..

Amitabh Bachchan

ps: I tweeted about the Great Gatsby trailer no 2 … do watch and comment :

T 968 - The Great Gatsby Trailer No 2 : watch , comment, tell me, …. do something !!

http://t.co/hUOYpB9N …

Jalsa, Mumbai                         Dec  21, 2012                    Fri  6:45 PM

Sorry to have missed out … computer conked, but :

Happy Birthday Binita Sarkar for the 20th of December … may you have happiness and joy always, and get many many more years of unforgetfulness, a symtom that bothers me now often … age my dear … but :

“Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art”  ~ as friend Madhu Trehan had greeted me with for my 70 th …

Amitabh Bachchan

Taj Coromandel, Chennai                    Dec 20/21,  2012                Thu/Fri 12:53 AM

Chennai … a familiar and oft visited destination during the early years of my career, now nostalgic, filled with memories and with the adventures of the city then ..

Today as Chief Guest of the Chennai Film Festival during its closing ceremony, organised by artists of the Industry, the city looks completely changed. Progress, modernisation, busy, traffic, high rise and a greater metropolises feel and wind, has made this into yet another prime city of the nation. It always was, but somehow it was different. There was time, space, custom … not to say that it is not there even now … it is … but you just do not get to see it, amongst so many distractions !!

Suhasini, Mani Ratnam’s wife, niece of Kamal Hassan along with some other interested ladies from the Industry have come together, in a most unique and determined manner to put together a festival of better films for the Tamil audiences, and encouraging makers to come forward with their opportunity of talent, to be noticed and recognised. Just felt a warm and affectionate atmosphere that prevailed throughout the day, and have just finished for the day, to travel back to Mumbai again tomorrow … !!

It was a most individual event, a meeting together of all those that contribute to the Industry in the Southern region, that came up for display this evening ..

Some of the moments of great emotion were the effort made by an artist who drew my portrait live on the stage, as he sang ‘Kabhi Kabhi’ with one hand and the paint brush with the other. Astonishing, that by the time the lyrics of the song were over, so was the painting.

It was joy and a pleasure to meet up old acquaintances of the film world in this part of the country, including Mr N Ram the editor, one time, of the Hindu newspaper - the paper and the gentleman, being the first to have researched, checked details of my accusation on Bofors, and reporting it as the untruth, when the entire country was going hammer and tongs at my throat ! That level of media investigation was indeed a level that set an example, for all others. Sadly no one from the rest of the fraternity, took that clarity with any sense of justice.

The room that I occupy, has many stories to tell … some day they shall need to be explained and shared ..

Good night all ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                        Dec  19/20,  2012                        Wed/Thu  1:02 AM

There are moments in life or in everyday life, when the mere thought of expressing something gets burdened by the weight of lethargy !

I am lethargic today ! Not from exhaustion or denial or simple tiredness. I am lethargic today at my helplessness. I wish to write, to express, to convey … but somewhere it gives me a feel that discomforts me. I am a citizen of this world this country this moral community, but I am handicapped at times. An incident that affects us all with equal disgust needs to be addressed. But how and where seems so inadequate. I can use this and other platforms to propagate … but I cannot instigate the kind of reaction and its follow that is required. This is or perhaps shall be my folly perennially. Some folly deserves retribution. That is the easy part. The difficult part is for the folly to gain universal approval, and at times that does not come through. Many examples get thrown in your face of the power of one single voice, and how that one voice has changed time, history and geography. Regretfully I am not that. There are reasons, but reasons which I shall disclose to myself in the environs perhaps of my own mind and my inner conscience. Many feel that for the last 1708 days that is exactly what I have been doing ! I wonder. For when I on those rare moments look back, I do find anomalies. I may not be able to describe them, but I am certain of their existence. 

Many that have seen or spent time with me in observance, lament the fact of not knowing me completely. Of my enigma, of something that remains hidden. Ha ha ! I laugh within, but I shall not disclose why. Why should I ? That territory is mine exclusively. You would have to tear me apart to find an entrance large enough to accomodate you. And that shall not happen. At least I think not !!

Some that do not succeed in deciphering the character, play the game of deliberate cynicism … not the usual … but the deliberate. There is a difference. Cynicism can be just and warranted, and perhaps true in most respects in the eyes of those that indulge in it. Deliberate cynicism suffers a lingering ailment. It penetrates the weakness of the body in disease, not to infect, but to seek more than the disease. It manifests itself into an almost fool proofed examination by the prosecutor in the court of law. It is pungent and disarming, but despite that, its motive is to extract for the justice to command law and punishment, order. It provides a battle with judicial verbology to incite, break down and to confess. Not necessarily for the reasons it was instituted in the first place. That would never be the reality. It is necessitated for those mere and limited reasons only. Get the confession for the judicial order to be passed, live in its success glory for some time, and then move on to the next victim.

Those that succumb to this vile and unbecoming trial, suffer. Those that retain sense and sensibility, suffer too, but with the firm belief that the act and its drama shall play out its three chapters and then the book shall be shut !

I simply love shut books. Often ‘an open book’ describes nature. Mine does not and I wonder if I should live with this or not …

Methinks I will …. ha ha … live with it ..

Good night dearest ones … some images to keep you company … I am such a curious individual am I not … to say all and yet say nothing ! But … that is what we started with didn’t we … !!!????

Amitabh Bachchan

           Jalsa, Mumbai                      Dec 18,  2012                    Tue 11:56 PM

Can you hear the anguish and pain of silence …

No words can even begin to describe the events of the gang rape case in New Delhi ..

Amitabh Bachchan 

     Jalsa, Mumbai                         Dec  17/18,  2012                      Tue/Wed  12:48 AM

I did write some thoughts in verse without much  … they were not restrained or practiced .. they came as did the time in putting them together .. flowing I would have imagined in some form and culture  …

But it needs to be said : The translation into Hindi by Abhaya Sharma is simply phenomenal … thank you Abhaya .. your translation is better than the original .. many congratulations ..

here for all to see and read in case they missed it :

वह लघु निद्रा जो अक्सर मंडराती आती 
प्रियजन की यादें है जो मन में भर जाती 
हम मान समय का सदा यहाँ है रखते आये 
खोने को जो है पास ध्यान हम वहां लगाये 
मन में कोई नहीं भय किसी बदलाव का 
यह तो जाल नियति की नई नित चाल का

हम यहाँ है 
हम वहाँ है 
समझो लगभग सभी जहाँ है

औ जो एंठन मंद होती चाल में है 
टेढ़े मेढे कोण जिसकी ढाल में है 
न डिगा पायें कभी अपने इरादे 
दर्द कितना हो भयंकर हो छलावे 
जिस्म में वह गर्मजोशी है हमारे 
जोड़ देगी टूटते है जो किनारे
पथ सुबह का हर हमारी नई सुबह का
कर चुका है पार अब तो हर दखल का

अब तो जीवन बस नियम पर एक चलता 
आ गया है बेअदब से दूर बह कर ये निकलता 
मार्ग की सब भीड़ भरकम से निकल के 
अनमने औ अटपटे से बच बचाके

खेल जो खेले थे हमने, खेले हम जी जान से 
कल के खेमे, या कि सदियों की जलन के 
एक अवसर पा गए है आज फिर से लड़ते जीते 
काम कुछ कर जायेंगे इससे कि पहले पलक झपके 
और जो मुझको सहारा था किसी का आज बनना 
बस थामना चाहूँगा मै गिरते हुए उनके पतन का

ऊंघ पर है नींद की अधिकार किसका जो क़तर दे 
क्या हुआ गर कोई से भी हो किसी ने वस्त्र पहने 
आज कोई फिर से आ मुझको जगा दे 
और ज्वाला को बुझा वह प्रेम रस फिर से पिला दे

वस्त्र आभूषण विवाहोचित हो या फिर हो पुस्तकों से 
है अहम् यह बात, हूँ कैसा मै दिखता देखने में 
प्यार कितनों से मिला है चित्र भी कितने निराले 
पीढियों के संग कैसे फिर आज मै पहुंचा किनारे

ये घडी बेला है ये शुभ आज की कितनी मनोहर 
है सहायक दूर करती दुःख बन मेरी धरोहर 
आँत में हलचल मचाती जो भी भीतर यंत्रणाये 
बंद होती या कि खुलती कर रही कुछ मंत्रणाएं

और मैं फिर बढ़ चला अपने सफ़र पे सब से मिलने
फिर विमोचन एक पुस्तक का चला था आज करने

मुस्कान मुलाकातों मस्ती का दौर रहेगा 
सम्मानित करने उनको न मिल पाया जिनसे बरसों से 
भाषण शब्द कहे जायेंगे प्रेम का भी होगा अभिसार 
यह सब मुझको नहीं लगता अब इतना भी दुश्वार

अब यह सब देखा भाला जाना पहचाना लगता है 
पीठ के पीछे कोई कुछ भी बोले अब सब चलता है 
वापस आता हूँ अब यह शांति काल की बेला है 
घर का भोजन, खाना पाकर मन मेरा अलबेला है

जो कुछ भी वे करते है निश्चित ही वह अच्छा है 
रोने धोने से लाभ, क्या तू अब तक भी बच्चा है 
सही समय अभ्यास का अब जब आन पड़ा है 
लिखा इतना बुरा है मानो लेखक पूरा नौसिखिया है

दिखाई दे रही है बिस्तर पर सुन्दर रंग की हरी चादरे
और अनगिनत कोमल तकिये भरे पेट का स्वागत करते 
शुभ रात्रि शुभ रात्रि मेरे परम प्रियों 
डरना मत गिर जाओ अगर नींद में ख्बाव देखते !

अपने इस अद्भुत परिवार को मेरा सदा प्यार और अभिनन्दन !
अमिताभ बच्चन

(अनुवाद अभय शर्मा)

And here the original in English … in case you missed it :

That little sleep that wanders in

Among the trudgings of our kin,

We are forever keeping time, of lost possessions amongst the grime,

Be not afraid of variant changes, they come adorn and revolve round hinges.

We are here

We are there

We are almost everywhere ..

That spasm of the limiting walk ;

Crooked and angled away from balk.

Determined we are to pursue the cause, in heavy pain and all its flaws ..

Working up the body warm,

Neutralizing all of it thats shorn ;

The ridden route all day and morn

Has now become worthy of such scorn,

That following discipline, follows alone

The others so ill mannered that flown

In and around the congested path,

Are but the tidings of unwanted wrath ..

The games that play with deep concerns,

Of future camps, and ageing burns

Has given us a fighting chance, to be of use without much glance ..

Were I to hold a torch to them, I would encourage not to rot the stem

But slumber sleep is seldom shorn, irrespective of what was worn ;

Come take me down

Come slobber me up

Come perish a frown, and soup me cup ..

Dressings own for marriage and book,

Its important how I look to look ,

Love of many, pictures galore

Rushing off with progeny and shore ..

It is the auspicious time and day, of those that helped and to alay

The complications of the gut, switched on and off in that..ched hut

And on again on journey more, to releases of the written chore

Smiles and meetings, laughs and more

To honor that which hibernates for sure ..

Speeches, word and loving care,

I have no reason to despair

For they are just a friendly front

Behind of course they rant and grunt ..

Back from it all to calmer climes,

Of home and food and khana times ..

They are the best at what they do

Best left alone to grunt and croo ..

The best of times is now in practice

Writing the worst , worse than a novice ..

Looking forward to the green sheets bed,

Soft pillows aplenty for the stomach well fed …

Good night good night my dearest all ..

Be not afraid when in your dreams you fall ..

My love and admiration to this wonderful family …

Amitabh Bachchan

It is a talent that surpasses all other, when the copy betters the original ..

In times of comparison, often the impression of that which came before remains longer and with great space. It is a rarity then to find and we a witness to that which came after and beterred the one that first presented itself ..

Many a family, particularly so of celebrity, often hope and expect the tradition to be carried and improved upon. A legacy is not something that enamours me. My children must be human and in principle and discipline. That would be the best translation that anyone could offer …

My Father’s words resound ..

“मेरे बेटे 

बेटे होने से मेरे उत्तराधिकारी नहीं होंगे 

जो मेरे उत्तराधिकारी होंगे वो मेरे बेटे होंगे  ..”

“My sons 

just because they are my sons, shall not be my successors or inheritors,

those that are my successors or inheritors, shall be my sons !!!”

The Father holds the little finger of his new born, when it takes its first steps, to walk along in support, in care, in its guidance. When Father’s and Mother’s grow with age, can we not hold their little finger and help them to tide over their last years, with support and care ??

There comes a delegation this afternoon of publishers of repute the world over, to suggest to me the desire to publish my auto biography, to put together in book form this very coveted and almost pious to me, Blog. My response may have seemed disappointing to them.

My Blog is my personal communication with my extended family .. one that I sit across each evening to share discuss and debate. If it shall be converted to book, it will incur cost and economics. Is this what I had envisioned for the Ef when we first started ? No !! Moreover, if commissioned I would feel handicapped in writing further DAYs, for then it would forever play in my mind that someday what I write shall be converted to book and sale !!! It would rob me of the freedom that I exercise when I am with you .. a consciousness would forever creep in on the content and text of my expressions ; knowing that one day it shall become worthy of being published !! Err … no … that would be disturbing for me !!  

Auto biography ?? Not worthy enough for any kind of documentation of my life myself. Impressions of others is more than welcome, but not in the first person.

The argument is that, even the Blog has moments of the ‘I’ which prevails !! Right, it does ! But this is conversation, the other would be an unchallenged aberration ! Besides, in the presence of the mammoth anthology of my Father’s works, it would be impertinent to think that I would want to indulge in something that even remotely resembles what is commonly known as ‘writing’ … !!! 

Discussions throughout the day continue … and continue on similar vein … not of writing but of recitation, much like the Lincoln Center, New York or the Theatre du Champs Elysees, Paris. This I like and must do. The how and where and when is now under planning. It would be a joy, a satisfaction, an ode to the greatness of my Father’s works. And perhaps one that shall hopefully enthral others too, that show love for the finer elements of literature and poem.

There is discussion too on film and future project. All of which now urges to fall into place. Of the future association with KBC and Tv ..

So much to do … and so little time … 

But must prod along regardless, see that minimal opening in the doorway, pushing our foot into it and allowing it to remain there … until … the door opens wider to our needs and inputs and our contributions … !

Till then, in hope and prayer ..

 Amitabh Bachchan

     Jalsa , Mumbai                       Dec 16/17,  2012                    Sun/Mon  2 : 12 AM

Creative artists hunger recognition and reward , not necessarily in that order, but they do, even if they were not to accept it ..

Our species is unique in many ways … ways that may not be appropriate to talk about now, but we are … we are also blessed, and gather the affection of those whom we may never know. This in itself is a quality that would always prove attractive, even to the non believer !!

Attention at times if taken away proves detrimental to our standing. Many wish they would get preferred positioning - the proper seat at a function, at a table of some formality, of the liberty of breaking lines at important stations - the security, immigration, movie lines et al ..

Not something that grants itself an appreciation according to me. In front of the law of the land we are all equal. In public platforms no one is superior, each has its value and its importance. Fritter away not the reason for reactions that belong to a stage of compliment. Distress not at the eventual possibility of failure or a combing down of sentiments that may well have been at peak some time ago.

Look not at that ladder that you used to climb those higher domains, with contempt, for they shall be the bearers of your disillusioned status when it shall be time to descend.

Taunt not the possession of your glory in obvious degree, when in the company of him or her that perhaps lacks it. Words and expressions and praise of the self, once spoken can boomerang very quickly. remember always that as you round the corner, there shall always be a stronger, wealthier, and competent authority, coming at you from the other end …

Everyone is fallible and not .. it is a possibility ..

Does one ever wonder how the vagaries of life become our greatest teachers, than episodes which many lament. Sometimes failure possesses greater strength that victory. Win yes, always and work towards it too. But not at compromise, nor obligation.

The human fights alone ever, and for himself and its betterment. In passing he may extend a hand to hold and behold, but not always does the object of desire, stay long enough for it to be monopolized. 

I do monopolize … my Ef and their affection … I was born with them but I have been born by their interest and love. In our times of today rare are the moments when we think of the other for benefit. Give and see, or seek … you shall be rewarded …

for reward is fulfilling .. that is all … otherwise its another piece of metal in the environs of living. Its procurement through an arduous process is mostly welcome, but not always and not always to all ..

My wishes for a peaceful night shall always be attractive and benevolent … the heart can do no other ..

Love ..

Amitabh Bachchan

         Jalsa, Mumbai                     Dec  15/16,  2012                   Sat/Sun  2:23 AM

That little sleep that wanders in

Among the trudgings of our kin,

We are forever keeping time, of lost possessions amongst the grime,

Be not afraid of variant changes, they come adorn and revolve round hinges.

We are here

We are there

We are almost everywhere ..

That spasm of the limiting walk ;

Crooked and angled away from balk.

Determined we are to pursue the cause, in heavy pain and all its flaws ..

Working up the body warm,

Neutralizing all of it thats shorn ;

The ridden route all day and morn

Has now become worthy of such scorn,

That following discipline, follows alone

The others so ill mannered that flown

In and around the congested path,

Are but the tidings of unwanted wrath ..

The games that play with deep concerns,

Of future camps, and ageing burns

Has given us a fighting chance, to be of use without much glance ..

Were I to hold a torch to them, I would encourage not to rot the stem

But slumber sleep is seldom shorn, irrespective of what was worn ;

Come take me down

Come slobber me up

Come perish a frown, and soup me cup ..

Dressings own for marriage and book,

Its important how I look to look ,

Love of many, pictures galore

Rushing off with progeny and shore ..

It is the auspicious time and day, of those that helped and to alay

The complications of the gut, switched on and off in that..ched hut

And on again on journey more, to releases of the written chore

Smiles and meetings, laughs and more

To honor that which hibernates for sure ..

Speeches, word and loving care,

I have no reason to despair

For they are just a friendly front

Behind of course they rant and grunt ..

Back from it all to calmer climes,

Of home and food and khana times ..

They are the best at what they do

Best left alone to grunt and croo ..

The best of times is now in practice

Writing the worst , worse than a novice ..

Looking forward to the green sheets bed,

Soft pillows aplenty for the stomach well fed …

Good night good night my dearest all ..

Be not afraid when in your dreams you fall ..

My love and admiration to this wonderful family …

Amitabh Bachchan

        Jalsa, Mumbai                     Dec 14/15,  2012                    Fri/Sat  2:01 AM

It is now under my realisation that lack of sleep can be responsible for many of the misdeeds that one may get acquainted with during the course of the day. The importance that we are driven into by our elders of it is now a reality. It never was earlier. It was one of the most dreaded moments in the day of our lives when free from schooling chores, the afternoons were thrust upon us as a time to rest and be in the company of slumber.

Sneaking out quietly as the elders slept was our main attraction for the day. Sneaking out and playing marbles with the lads around the house. Marbles was the it sport then. The jingle jangle of their plenty in our pockets a clear indicator of our social and public standing and recognition within the four walls of the school or classroom.

There were favorites too in color and form. The striker being the most cherished possession. That was the one, much like the striker on the carom board, that won you your medals - others marbles !!

These marbles won in battle were our prized possessions. We kept them secure in our pockets. Hid them from our parents when we reached home. Preventing any kind of jangle that would give them away, resulting in the whack of the ruler on our bare hands by infuriated Mom and Dad ! But we were attached to them. During the breaks we would rush to get the prime spots on the recreation grounds, devoid of grass or any growth, just mud plains where the hole could be made, to conduct a game - after striking another opposition marble, putting your own inside the hole was a win and an extra marble in your pocket - the hole being just large enough to accomodate one normal sized rounder of glass, or the ‘sodri’, our main attack vehicle, named so because it came out of a soda bottle. I wonder if any of you ever experienced the soda’s and cold drinks of the time. They used to be bottled and the mouth of the bottle shut with an opaque marble, when when pressed hard enough, opened up the soda with a fiz, and sank to the bottom of the bottle. Extracting it from there was an adventure, but on its successful procurement, became the ‘sodri’ of value. It was harder and heavier than the others and when struck hard against the more coloured ones, did have the capability to break them in to two pieces

Slinging the marble or the ‘sodri’ with the index finger, using the index finger of the other hand to push it to direction and strength, was the hall mark of a champion. And after the strike to be able to spin it into the hole, or ‘bill’, was what technique was all about …

Ahhh !! Those lovely days of school and the summer heat of the afternoon in Allahabad, playing marbles ! Now of course we have more sophisticated games on electronic and computerised programmes and screens, called play stations. They are good and do require great skill in its operation, but marbles or ‘goli’ was an excitement of its own … never to be replicated or removed !!!

And … ahem … marbles, have derived a different connotation altogether !!

And this evening as we sit by the television, glued to the horrific stories emanating on this unbelievable shooting episode, in the US, we wonder and bless those innocent days of ours in school, when such talk or happenings never ever crossed our minds.

What has humanity stooped to ? There is something seriously wrong with our systems, our values, teachings and the way in which we are being brought up. Yes brought up ! It is that early inculcation that remains and abides by us. Even if one among us goes insane the entire community needs to be made responsible, for we have not paid attention to some aspect of the lives of those that go mad. Reevaluation of our methods, greater attention to the concerns that such incidents throw up, mending and correcting them before they become unreachable, is what is needed .. 

It is not enough to apprehend such individuals and give them the strickest of punishments, but indeed to search within ourselves to find what it was that gave rise to this human in the garb of a beast !!

Too disturbed to comment any further ..

Love to all .. I see now that that was something missing from last night’s post … but ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                    Dec  13/14,  2012                   Thu/Fri  1:25 AM

The greatest moment in the life of any individual shall be the instant when he or she shall remember them that brought them into this world, gave them the learning, the value of their experiences, the history of their existence and the importance of legacy …

The great sarod maestro, a favorite instrument of mine, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan writes a book on his Guru his Father the distinguished musician Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan and asks me to launch it at a ceremony here tonight.

One of the greatest tributes that can be paid by any would have to be the time and space that he or she shall give to the memory of their parents. Our parents do not just give us a life by birth, they teach educate and give us the learning of life. Those moments spent with them remain as our path guiders for the rest of our existence. We refer to them even in their absence, indeed more so in their absence, and derive courage and strength from what they taught and left behind for us. I feel a special affinity to them that honour and respect their elders and give them a platform of public importance. And I feel a special privilege when I am asked to be associated with an event that endorses such feeling ..

We are a nation that has only very recently started the practice of documentation of building records of important events, people and situations - a practice which I admire in the West.

The creative artist, his or her contribution to the arts to the world is priceless and to have that for posterity needs to be the most significant and important aspect in the life of said celebrity. There is very little that seems to attract the state in this direction. Lack of interest, or a relegation of the deserving importance never does seem to cross the minds of those that run and establish the think tanks of a nation. It is a sad reflection on the state of the minds of those in control and command.

Individual efforts therefore that are made either by progeny or admirers is of immensely greater importance than any other. The idea is not of a deliberate attempt at legacy, it is a deliberate attempt at the honour and gratefulness of the contribution made by those that have left us with a large volume of creativity and its process. Leaving behind an inspiration is to me of much importance. Getting inspired by the inspiration in constructing something that could be reflected as individual achievement, is even better - which creative artist has not been inspired by another !

They that are responsible for bringing us into this world, guide us through life, hold our little finger and teach us to walk, run, think. Is it asking too much if during the time when they are invalides unable to conduct themselves the way they did, because of age, for us to  have held their finger for guidance, to hold their hands today in remembrance ?

To me it is the greatest deed …

Leave me .. it is not my day .. ‘tis the day of the son who has recreated a memoir of his illustrious Father … but will the media ever realize this .. ?? I wonder !!

The large smile is not one for the cameras of the media … it is in reverence to the deed of one son towards his creator, his Guru, his Father ..

           Jalsa, Mumbai                        Dec 13,  2012                    Thu  11:32 AM

Tumblr. you beauty .. you are back ! Waited all night for you ! Your rejection is not welcome at all ! Please do not even think about it next time .. 

What I needed to express last night, was indeed expressed, but could not be carried by you … I load it now ..

Amitabh Bachchan

              Jalsa, Mumbai         Dec 12/13,  2012            Wed/ Thu  2:58 AM

As I drive to work in the early hours of the morning, that message that one dreads perennially, flashes – Pandit Ravi Shankar passes away !!

An entire life, an era, a most incredible period in the history of classical music in India has come to an end. Pandit Ravi Shankar’s sitar spoke when he played it, and from today it can only be heard through his countless recordings and performances. It shall never speak again – metaphorically.

A strange feeling crawls within me. Just last week his wife Sukanya ji had sent a message to me on my mobile, while I transited from Marrakech, Morocco to Florence in Italy. It was the first time ever that I had received a message from her. She had requested a time when she could call back as Ravi Shankar ji had wanted to talk to me. He was keeping unwell she had said and was to undergo a surgery on the Thursday. Due to the time difference I was unable to connect with her immediately and it was only the next day when I called back that she spoke most endearingly and put me on to the great maestro ! I was speaking to Pt Ravi Shankar for the very first time ever on the phone. We knew each other, there were strong and long family relationships, a few casual meetings, but nothing more. Why was he wanting to speak to me now ? I was puzzled. But he came on the line, spoke with great warmth, on seeing me on the television often, of my films and my fans in the house, informed me that he was going in for a surgery –

“Aap se baat kar ke bahut achcha lag raha hai …  pata nahin aapse phir kab baat ho sake ..Thursday ko meri surgery hai … dekhiye kya hota hai !”

I had wished him well and after the phone call was over, sat for long, wondering how what had transpired had actually happened. Our families know each other. My Father’s association with him his work and that of his elder brother the equally great and iconic Uday Shankar’s dance troupe was often the dining table conversation at home. The several occasions of our mutual family meetings had been most warm cordial and filled with creative appreciation of each other. Creative artists have a natural affinity to each other, a respect and regard seldom found in other walks of life. Today all that remained in the mind was those wonderful evenings spent in their company and art, and the lasting impressions it left behind.

Uday Shakankar ji had been a pioneer in taking the contemporary Indian dance form out of the country and particularly to the West. His combination with his partner, Simki as a couple in his performances were legendary. Ravi Shankar ji, much younger than his elder brother had started off by joining his brother’s troupe, but soon changed direction and took up the sitar under the master Allauddin Khan, father of the great sarod player, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, following the guru-shishya tradition with the master, a marked change from his Western environs of Paris and Europe, during those heady days of the 30’s.

I had mentioned in an earlier DAY of our relationship and that of the immense talent present in his family down the ages …

The media wishes me to speak a few words in his remembrance. I have been at work and just back. It is not possible to respond at the drop of a Channel hat, on a matter which I believe perhaps remains best unsaid.

As artists we are often chased by media to respond immediately on the passing away of our colleague or contemporary, and mostly so when we are in the process of digesting the loss, or at the last rites, cremation ceremonies. I find it most intrusive to be forced into giving the now most popular lingo of the journalist … a bite, on such moments, and have refrained from doing so.

I would rather write about it on a platform that I believe belongs to me personally … as I do now ..

But Pt Ravi Shankar ji , a Bharat Ratna, the highest honor of the country, was always a most gentle and kind hearted individual. His efforts to bring the Indian Classical sitar on an international podium of appreciation, was a pioneered effort never attempted before. Right from the Beatles to that incidental player at restaurants in most European countries, the West was in awe of this man and his stature as a most accomplished creator. The Western audience was completely ignorant of his instrument, his music and indeed the music of India.

At a public performance as he sat in the traditional posture to play, he, as is the routine, began to fine tune his instrument. This lasted a few minutes, until he was absolutely comfortable with the sound. When he stopped after the tuning was done, the primarily Western audience thought it was the end of one of the pieces he was to play, and applauded !!!

A surprised Ravi ji, immediately took hold of the mike and said :

‘If you have enjoyed my tuning so much, I am certain you shall love when I shall start playing’ !!

An embarrassed nervous laughter of the audience, greeted the remark, along with Ravi ji’s own little chuckle !

As performance after performance played out, the West awakened to the majesty of Ravi Shankar and indeed the sitar. Apart from its more classical identity, the instrument and its sound became a symbol of the hippy and the beatnik generation. Hare Rama and Om inscribed saffron kurtas flourished, and an entire revolting youth, eager and unhappy with the war with Vietnam, took refuge and escaped to the lonely and pristine beaches of Goa and the serenity of the Himalayas, drowning themselves in meditation and marijuana … and the ethereal sound of the sitar !!

For me though, and I am certain among the many admirers of the classical, the ultimate moments were always the ‘jugal bandi’ of Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan on sarod, with Allah Rakha on the table … it was beyond magical !!

Tonight’s episode recordings of KBC, were specials with the School Champs from various schools all over the country playing for their respective institutions, and winning large sums of money for it, in order that, better teaching facilities and their own circumstances improved via the winnings brought by their students !!

It was an educative exercise for me too. Many of the contestants were incredibly bright and aware, well educated and excelled in most of the questions that dealt with common general knowledge. Quite remarkable ! It coerced me to observe in the closing that the country was in safe hands for the future !!

I am also told that Nandita had sent in for the audience, a few children from orphaned homes, a noble and worthy cause that she and other Ef work for quietly, to enjoy the ambience and working of KBC !! Thank you …

Ankur has been wished a happy birthday for the days gone by … but we are all sending our good wishes through this medium also … Enjoy !!

The effort and time and diligence that those that admire send to us and the family is so humbling. Paintings, knitted clothes, little gifts, symbols of luck, prayers … I really have no words to express my gratitude to them …

The episodes we record are for the week before Christmas, and hence the decorations and the wishes for a joyous Xmas and a Happy New Year ..

My blessings and good wishes always with you and my prayers ….

Love to all

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                           Dec  11/12,  2012                       Tue/Wed  1:21 AM

The Taj Hotel in London has just redecorated a room as a tribute to Indian Cinema completing 100 years. They wished that I would be the first to live in it. I did. A warm, busy, cozy and exceptionally beautifully decorated room, with nostalgia of films down the ages. Felt funny sleeping in the bedroom with a painting of mine staring at me .. designed by Sabyasachi, it is quite amazing. This is the hall with the dining room at the back .. a separate room as the study, and two bedrooms .. which you reach after traversing a long passage lined with a galaxy of memorablia of ours and Hollywood films … quite something .. not to mention a reception area, alarge and fully functional kitchen, washing machine … the works … I could live here !!

And .. more ‘la Dolche vita’ in Florence for the River to River Film festival 2012 .. just love the black and white .. we have forgotten its importance and presence .. suddenly transports one to the 50’s and the 40’s and the evenings of dress and protocol, misty environs, smoked cigars and the bright aroma of freshly burnt coffee … 

But back and at home is where we find ourselves getting possessive and protective. My Jalsa bestest ! So much to look forward to, and most of which comes from that ‘little one’ who is taking a bit of time to adjust to the absence of her Dada ! Though I have to say that an impression has been created in her mind. Her parents, skipping through channels came across K3G being broadcast and she did not take more than a minute to blurt out - ” Dada” and soon after “Dadi” .. 

It has been a recovery day from the travel and the jet lag and the unpacking and catching up on the office work. But soon afterwards, when Abhishek joins in after his short visit to Delhi to open a show ‘Top Gear’, we sit and back to back watch ‘Talaash’ and ‘Avengers’ ..

An entire day well spent, with the Pizza and the chilli powder and the exceptional VfX loaded ‘Avengers’ … how on earth does anyone think up these visuals and stories .. what are they on … !!!

Dilip Kumar, Dilip saheb, Yusuf Khan celebrates 90 years today on his birthday. God bless him. May he keep well and healthy. His contribution cannot be described in words that fall in here at the Blog … one would require reams and reams of paper to express what we all and in particular I, would have to say for the occasion. But he has been the redefining spirit behind the way actors perform and conduct themselves in front of the camera. History that shall and if ever documented on the timelines of our glorious Industry, will refer to all that transpired as ‘before Dilip Kumar’ and after ‘Dilip Kumar’ when talking of the artists that have adorned the silver screen in this part of the world …

The other night after the screening of ‘Jab tak hai Jaan’ at YRF and after having exhausted all the others on the dance floor post the premiere, we had all collected around a group of us - Aamir, Shahrukh, Anushka, Karan and others, talking of films and directors and artists and of course Dilip saheb. Someone asked me what it was that enchanted me so much about the idol, and I told them, it is not what he does when he speaks, it is what he does when he is not speaking and merely listening to the other on screen ! The power to listen to an oft rehearsed dialogue as though you were hearing it for the first time, depicts the true caliber of an actor. In the context of the film JTHJ which we had just witnessed, I told Shahrukh that there was one scene in the film where I could sense a performance extraordinary, was the moment when he is in Hospital after his first accident, and Katrina comes and tells him she is with another man … That close up of SRK as he stares at her was exceptional !

One day in the not too distant future one should hold a remark conference or debate on performances after viewing a film. It would be most interesting to read what the other Ef think about and what it was that they liked or disliked about a particular performance. That or a moment in cinema that others witnessed and wanted to define in their own words about its significance or its absurdity. I think it would be a wonderful platform for all to express themselves .. a critics center so to say. And then perhaps we could chose a couple of them that impressed all and put them up up on some of the other social network platforms that we inhabit. Sounds like a plan ??

Fine then … while all of you mull over the feasibility of such an activity, may I beg to be excused .. 

Good night all and my love for each in equal measure …

Amitabh Bachchan

      Jalsa, Mumbai                    Dec  10/11,  2012                   Mon/Tue  4:00 AM

Softly and with great tenderness I hold thee in my quivering hands, caressing the covers of your body that envelop all that is touched upon. My fingers travel across the countless points of expression and emotion, of love and passion and immense desire. Is it really you ? I wonder ! Travelled with me cuddled close to my being, charging up interiors both externally and internally, opening so many feelings, conveying all that boils within me, in my deepest portals …

It is for you that I live for each day. You, that in the silence of a golden morn or an endless night, compels me to guide my feelings towards your playful countenance. Your lithe and limp presence, lights up as the folds that hold all that you consider precious illuminate the immediate desire to touch and feel and design. Your gentle squeals of joy at the supposed pleasure you enjoy, when that which is sent and received completes its time. Your ability to take all within you, irrespective of volume. To, at the slightest hint and wish of the master, transfer all that you absorbed, to another, is the grace and legend of understanding and kindness. You make yourself greatly more attractive, in continuing to reduce the elements that would have taken so much longer to excite. Despite the irreverence shown to you, by detachment, you still continue to hold and engulf all that had been delivered into you. And you still without any complaint, show up in your prettiest self each time you are requested to boot up !!

My tribute to you my Retina Mac Lap top .. I missed you … sorry to have deserted you in the loneliness of another foreign world .. to have deprived you of the soft leathery cushions that wrap you and protect your tender insides from any damage ; that subject you to undress at all times when under scrutiny of security and pervasive rays and that force the nakedness that you are coerced into, by unknown and impersonal gloved hands.

Mine hands and fingers have so longed to be in touch with your receptive self, to guide me to assist me overcome me with all the eventual final destinations that you send me to. These ends, these climaxed finalities are your utmost attraction and may I never give you an occasion to belie them …

Good night dearest RMLT … you are my facilitator .. without your impetus, your perseverance, your rubbing off with creamy hands, the pain and the desire of absence, I would never have had a restful exhausted night in bed …

Amitabh Bachchan 

The Isles again, in united form                 Dec  9, 2012               Sun 7:05 PM GMT



Major tragedy ! My valet forgot to pack my laptop in Florence, and I have landed in the Isles without it … livid and most upset .. luckily my CEO was still in Italy and has found it and shall be able to get it back but only when I reach Mumbai and home …
My hotel in the Isles has very kindly given me a working mac and I am writing this on it, and shall then have to email it to my digital team in Mumbai and they shall load it up on the Blog … and Twitter and the FB !

Its like the loss of the world … so … darned …
Ok forget it … cool down mister, and get on with what is best ..

It has been difficult to tear myself away from Florence and all the lovely people that looked after me, and those that showed their affection during the Festival. It makes the farewells seem so personal, tinged with just the right amount of emotion. It has been noticed often that the moment you start to get comfortable at a foreign destination,  comes the time to leave. And the only comfort that one can give at that time to oneself is .. ‘right ! must be back here soon’ … and that often takes many years, unfortunately.

The journey back was  quiet and picturesque. The Alps with the fresh snow upon them the bright sunlight breaking upon it and the several large lakes that scattered the peculiar horizon, was breathtaking … took some pictures with my mobile and had wished to send it across, but …. lets not go there ..

I am afraid I am going to limit this Blog to just these few words … not connecting with the Ef was my primary concern .. I hope this goes up in time ..
My love and affection as always …

Amitabh Bachchan

Firenze ( Florence ), Italy                    Dec 8/9,  2012                  Sat/Sun 3:35 AM local

On the street, well clad, well shoed and well … in front of LuisaviaRoma !! Brides gown and all ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Firenze ( Florence ), Italy              Dec  8/9,  2012               Sat/Sun  2:10 PM local

Cobbled streets, old period palaces of families that lived and became its prestige, a cold winter breeze through the hair, body protected well with padded jackets and scarfs, mingling with the Saturday market crowds of Firenze in the main square …. just a grand feeling of being free and independent and like any other, for once !!

A small quiet and unassuming looking restaurant in one corner of the city, Italian delicacies beautifully presented, sparkling water of the brand Pellegrino  and stimulating conversation with the festival organizer of River to River Indian Film Festival, marks the end of the afternoon, before the main event - ‘Black’ at the show at the Odeon, the aged film theatre built like an opera house, astonishingly well kept and in sane condition. Gifts galore pour in as the local community gathers my presence, and then to the opening of the first presentation …

It is a full house and it looks attractive. After a brief interaction to introduce the film, mob commotion, and shhh’s of silence, the film begins. Many who have had some experience as a viewer or hearer of Indian Films, move about speak loudly, almost as though they knew what was coming … but within a few seconds into the first frame, a silence pervades, and remains so till the last credits. When the lights come on the audience stands and applauds for long … long enough for me to walk up back on to the stage for a Q&A. It is quite overwhelming. Amid shouts of ‘bravo’ I stand before the audience and for long take in the applause. Applause … ? The company that has interest in the film and in its distribution is also called Applause … so every time in the opening credits when the word drifts by, the obedient audience breaks into a clap … ha ha ha cute !! Its like those q-boards at Tv shows, when a large sized card is h eld up to tell the live audience in the house to clap their hands !!

Tomorrow is back to the Isles … and then on to the bounds of home ! Cannot exactly say that I am missing it, but yes eventually there is nothing like it, ever.

In Italy, moreso, I discover, it is expected of everyone to be dressed as though they were on the fashion ramp of some of the prominent parades that take place. Everyone is designered to an elegance that makes me wonder, where and how on earth did all the beautiful, aesthetic, and poetry laden style, get to those that occupy the ‘boot shaped’ outline …

What happened to these European states that they became this epitome of all that seemed elegant ? Art, architecture, living and so many other aspects … all became the reference point for design. And as you walk down the streets enjoying the moment, you cannot but marvel at this phenomena. What took place in this part of the world that set them off to explore and conquer, to be different and experimental and to be welcomed as guests that finally turned out to be a dangerous welcome to wherever they went …

‘La Dolche Vita’ …. well almost like those times, that we saw in early Italian films and applauded … its the black and white that does it ..

The keys … three of them and I wonder what they would open and what would they close ..

Finally the keys of the city !! Florence … yes I have many memories of this modern age, and the age gone by … why ? I would never know …

Love to all

Amitabh Bachchan

Battery failing will be back in some hours … love to all … and for this unpretentious message ..

      Firenze ( Florence ), Italy                Dec 7/8,  2012               Fri/Sat  3: 15 AM

Overwhelmed as I am with the beauty and elegance of Firenze, the opening of the River to River 12 India Film Festival tonight at the Odeon Cinema, one of its oldest is a delight to be present at, where the Deputy Mayor of the City, with his designated sash or ribbon of honour around his shoulder, presents me with the keys of the City of Firenze, and invites me to the city again not as a tourist but as a guest. Nothing could have been more overwhelming than this recognition, in the presence of the Ambassador to Italy of India and other distinguished guests.

Firenze or in popular English, Florence, has a quiet elegance about it. Well … that is an inappropriate description, for, elegance is always quiet. Its seeming simplicity is what eventually is its most enduring complexity. It is not a book to be judged by its cover. It requires for one to stay a while, walk about on their own and finally discover that there is  far more to it that was originally contemplated. A city of exquisite beauty in its museums and galleries, of history and geography and in just the simple way that the inhabitants of this enviable place, live and enjoy the pleasures of life. Pleasures of life ? Yes because as one moves about the narrow cobbled lanes, entering old Palaces that have now been converted into meeting places, restaurants, theatres, shopping malls, one realizes that a city of such eminence needed to be preserved in the way it is. Any attempt to modernize it shall eventually result in a lack of interest in its origins, which would not be accepted by the rest of my family and perhaps with your entire family, that glues itself down each evening before the Tv watching and enjoying the typical serials of India, bring out TAM oriented results !!

I wish I could have some pictures to justify my statements on the city, but in the absence of my own camera department, I wonder when I shall be in a situation to share what has been promised to me by the Festival. So let us wait and see …

The Italian shall look the most casual and uninterested party initially, but soon, if it likes you, shall overwhelm you with its intimacy, and regard. I await this day with great anxiety !!

Allow me the pleasures of life at this advanced age … and … allow me to get me to bed asap !!

Amitabh Bachchan

            Firenze (Florence), Italy               Dec 6,  2012                Thu 10:20 PM

The early morning call to get to the airport in time for the flight to Florence, drove me to shut mine eyes as soon the flight took off. For some strange reason there were dreams .. dreams that one always forgets when it is time to remember. They say it is possible to remember the dream, but never possible to remember its beginning …

Many beginnings of our lives too are easily forgotten when there has been extreme progress, a multiplication of fortunes and the raising of the bar in our condition. I believe being in honest touch with your start up days, its circumstances and conditions keeps one grounded with reality. A very large percentage of living humans, come out from most humble beginnings and it is for them that I mention. The humble days of yore, of hardships and how they were overcome, tests and trials, embarrassing rejections … all go to play an important role in the days to come or the present times. It is good to remember every now and then where we began from. And if we can reconcile ourselves to that fact, we have been blessed. The bottom line should never be over looked or set aside. We wish that the good times achieved should last forever, but in most cases it never does. God forbid if an early reversal should take place, then the conditioning of the mind and body can undergo severe reversal too.

 If my bottom line is that ‘gudari ka lal’, the ‘tanga’ that brought me to my modest home and our very modest living when I was born, then I should not imagine any issues. But in times of crisis, when the very foundation is threatened, then it should not be a bad idea to look back and say  the cliched ..” I came here with Rs 10 in my pocket, and look where I am today”. !! Noble, exciting and positive outlooks, fearless and deserving … but to keep repeating it, and more so in public, diminishes its value to me and my understanding.

I must know where I shall be when things go wrong, and I must be prepared for it.

Despite all setbacks, I would reassure myself with the undeniable fact that I was ready to sleep on the pavements of Mumbai, until matters got resolved. I still think the same. You can protect yourself through your means and assets of commerce for perhaps three or four generations, but after that what … ?

…. and as I dream of many complicated matters, I always keep telling myself that I would give up everything and ask my children to guide and protect themselves for us, but for some strong reason I discover that the journey to Florence has almost been completed. As I look out to slumberous connotations in my mind, I am stunned to see below me in the aircraft, snow capped mountains, either of the Alps or some other, looking pristine and filled with passion and purity. The airport in Florence is mild mannered and polite. Nothing overt and undeserving. And the drive to the Hotel is pleasant and short, overlooking many of the prominent sites of this great city and my own reminiscences of my visit here many years ago with a group of friends.

Each corner of this beautiful city speaks by itself, its glamour, its social standing, its arts and culture and of course the exquisite construction that it enjoys ; fairy tale like in its appearance and demeanor, prompting a visit perhaps again with the grandchildren to those regions and areas that we were unable to see or talk about. Perhaps Abhishek shall be greatly more enterprising with Aaradhya.

So …. now that the privacy laws had played out, the different sufferers latching on to their woes shall assemble and put forth their grievances in ‘a shop that caters to all’ ..

( I have not the foggiest idea as to what the above sentence means or how it came to be written )

Interviews and photo shoots took most of the afternoon away. But I have to say this. The French and the Italians are masters in their respective arts, and here in Italy the labor is working away, so the burden of responsibility shall fall on us, irrespective of the result. Not talking about any thing in particular, but just that the magic of shopping always takes center stage. Not for me. But for the photo shoot that is to follow soon.

The La Republica newspaper, the largest in the country and the Uomo Vogue, spend time and energy to talk of the reveal, and reality of cinema. The dress outfits - a combination of personal and what they brought along is looked after. And some stunning photography takes place by the greatest in his profession and the country. And then resourceful attending staff from home, sets up the dining table with … yes you guessed it, Indian food !!

In the heart of the finest eating regions of the world, and we ask for Indian ! In matters of food , buddy there can be no winner … its only Italian.

The bad habit of watching Tv while we eat is another grave disorder. So in between lovely ‘dal’ and ‘bhindi’, I make myself updated by CNN of the second uprising and soon go down to winning 7-1 for Chelsea. The win has cooled of, because another event on the news draws your attention - the Arab Uprising in Egypt. Listening to the President speaking to the rest of the nation on Tv, gettings debates and opinions… such a morsel all this !

Talking of Egypt one cannot but be reminded on their political situation. 

Egypt is the first nation in the Arab World that has adopted a democratic system of governance, and for the first time, ever … 

Tomorrow is the opening of the Festival, at the Odeon, a short walk across and the introduction to a somewhat reclusive audience with regard to Indian Cinema. And day after the tribute and screening of ‘Black’ followed by a Q&A …

It is almost 1 degree centigrade … the room is taking time to heat up, causing a very quivering hand to punch in a ‘good night’

Good Night

Amitabh Bachchan 

            Just about in the Isles            Dec 5,  2012           Wed  11:05 PM gmt

Strangely, and for the first time, I had a call from the house of the great sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar. His wife Sukanya ji wanted to talk to me to get me to talk to Ravi Shankar ji, because he had expressed a desire to speak with me. He has been unwell she informed me and was going in for a surgery on Thursday.They are in California, USA.

This has been a most unusual occurrence. We all know Pt Ravi Shankar, who doesn’t, but I must admit that even though we have met on a few occasions, his association with my Father, our association with his elder brother the great dance exponent Uday Shankar, my own association with his son and daughter in law, and with Uday Shankar ji’s actress daughter … this has been the first time ever, when such a request was made to me.

Many years ago, Ravi Shankar ji and his wife Sukanya ji were house guests at my brother’s house in London. There have been several occasions when we have attended his recitals, where he has performed with the great sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and the tabla guru Allah Rakha - a trio of incomparable genius. Those occasions had through time and age covered an entire era of my life and career ; their performances at one of the most important classical Indian music soirees in Kolkata, then Calcutta, at the Ballygunj Music Festival, are legendary. Legendary too are the escapades of some of my music loving colleagues and I, when I was working as an executive in Kolkata, keeping awake all night to listen to some of the greatest artists of Indian Classical music perform at this festival. We were never of any substancial means to buy the exorbitant tickets to enter the open air events. But we waited behind closed barriers, listening to the sound coming out of those old fashioned loud speakers, and then as time passed by, quietly sneaking in, begging the authorities and seeking the ticket stubs of those that were leaving the venue, posing as genuine ticket holders that had gone ‘to spend a penny’, and gradually moving up in the stands to get as close as possible to the stage, waiting for the performers to strike the right raga, the early morning one, before dispersing. Invariably it used to be Vilayat Hussain Saheb, another genius on the sitar, that came on at that hour !!

Aahh !!! Those were the days !! ‘Those were the days’ … the famous Beatles number. And then meeting the Beatle member, George Harrison at a common friend’s place in London for lunch, and reminiscing those days of psychedelia, Ravi Shankar, India and their Guru’s and the sitar, which if there are any Beatles lovers among you, will remember the famous “Norwegian Wood” and the strains of the sitar played by George Harrison.

Ravi Shankar ji’s elder brother, the renowned contemporary dance exponent, Uday Shankar and his troupe that performed to world wide audiences in the late 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, in London for King George, Paris, Europe and the USA and his legendary pairing with Simki, his female counterpart, of great renown, are now iconic references of his multifaceted genius in music and dance.

What great times we have lived through ! Uday Shankar ji’s son, Ananda Shankar, a friend, himself a great sitar exponent designed his own dance and music troupe with his wife Tanushree, a member of the group. Many of those performances I had the privilege to be invited to, and recently to have given a voice over to a dance drama that has been choreographed by Tanushree, after the sudden passing away of Ananda. Mamata Shankar, Ananda’s sister and daughter of Uday Shankar ji, was in films as an accomplished actress, doing mostly films in Bengali. I had last met Uday Shankar ji at a literary friend of my Father’s in Kolkata. He had aged, his glamour seen the vagaries of time, but his presence still invoking those early years of his exquisite face and body, renowned for its masculine virility that it propounded on the dance stage.

 Pt Ravi Shankar and his sarod counterpart in the ‘jugal bandi’, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan were pupils of the grand master Ustad Allauddin Khan, (Ustad Ali Akbar Khan was Allauddin Khan’s son), known to be one of the greatest musicians of the country. Ravi Shankar ji married his daughter, and long after, a separation,  he married Sukanya ji, his present wife. They have a daughter, the famous sitar player Anushka Shankar. Ravi Shankar ji also had a daughter through another liaison, who is the famous pop singer that won several Grammy Awards a few years back, Norah Jones.

Such exceptional talent … all in one blood stream !!

But tonight to get a call from this great master, this legend and icon of Indian music, must go down as one of my most privileged moments. He just wished to speak to me. He is unwell and shall be undergoing a surgery on Thursday. He said he and his wife loved my work … whew !! … and then he blessed me !

I pray that all goes well with him and his treatment. Would it be asking too much for all our Ef to pray for his good health ? Thank you …

Amitabh Bachchan

     Isles the, room the and cinema         Dec 4,  2012              Tue 10:35 PM gmt

Many wonder why I come in so late to communicate. Many wonder too when I do sleep. And many just wonder !! It interests me to discover how all these questions ever come to mind. I write late because it gives time to assimilate all that I can for the entire day. I sleep when my Blog,FB, Twitter is over, and yes even though it may get late there is compensation for it during the remaining time period. That is it. No need to get so worried and questioning about it. I try to maintain a connect as much as I can, for as long as I can, and do not find any wrong in that …

The platform that was created by the love affection and the patronage of the entire EF, is not without its pitfalls. Every word in today’s times gets watched, dissected and microscoped on by various others that sit in peace and get critical of others.

Knowing also now that each written word has potentials beyond what the original purpose of writing it was, the effort to be correct, plays always. Most of what is written or expressed, for example, gets picked up verbatim on to the media. This has two connotations. One, that the media need not come to us any more. They get what they want by merely reading the various DAY’S. And two, knowing that what is inscribed here will find space in national news, one can conveniently manufacture material, knowing that it shall get picked up.

The morals and the legals involved for this medium, are still not stipulated, or designed. Debates and discussions one hears take place each day. Some peculiar legalities get under operation, and people get arrested and so forth …

Research that should be conducted before the beginning of operations, needed to be done so that the basics are in place, before. Many are so obsessed by the modes and the inventions that they do not consider it important that a vehicle that shall revolutionize communications, needs to be studied before the market is thrown open. We get operational after an emergency takes place. But that is dangerous.

The fire department has no proper equipment to address a situation, if god forbid, one of the high rises has an emergency. Recently a fire in a high rise in a major city, was dealt with with efficiency, but not after lives had been lost. The equipments required were inadequate to say the least, not to mention the human fire fighter that has to undergo trials of this sort, with practically no protection, training or reserve. It will be impossible to get a nozzle up to the highest point in a skyscraper. So what does one do ? It prepares firefighting goods to be present and operational at the time of an emergency. But no .. there aren’t any. Equipped fire fighters for high risers is what is needed apart from nozzles that can reach the 14th or 15th floor. These specially trained men … with high end equipment … actually climb indoors into these flamed buildings and handle the fire there. We have no such …

When you build infrastructure, certain basic points or aspects of it need discusion and implementation. I am sure many do. Its just that it is not enough. Or not properly thought out, or designed but not placed or …

Lives, so dear to all of us get taken away, for a fault that does not necessarily, belong to us. This is cause of distress for me. This is cause for worry for me. Worry because if we keep ignoring such basics, in time, the burden of that which is pending shall reach a stage when no matter what one may do, it shall not solve or reduce the problem …

Build a high way yes. Train those that shall drive on it, about its laws and specific driving conditions. I notice many that simply do not ever follow even basics. Where lies the fault then ? It lies at the time of giving out the licenses. It lies at the time of catching a defaulter and after three faults to deny him or her their license, and then make sure that the owner does not go free of detection …

Dear me .. I have ranted on about matters that do not deserve attention from all the Ef. But it is important to air out what troubles the mind. The moot point of all this is, discipline. Lack of it to me becomes the cause of problems that we shall face each moment.

It is important to follow regimentation at times when it is most demanded. Just because regimentation is often related to oppression, and oppression related with the foreign ruler that enslaved you, does not mean that it is an act to be dishonored …

If standing in the queue is what has been prescribed at airports, bus stands, trains … then so be it. Do it, irrespective of who you are or who you are related to. Jumping a traffic signal will not get you to your destination in faster time, but it could get you to another ‘destination’ where all of us are sure to be, quicker than most of us !!

We fought for our independence by disobeying the foreign ruler, and achieved success … but after gaining independence, the disobeying practices must surely not continue …

Oh dear I have so much to state … but it has no relevance perhaps ..

For me and my thinking, regimentation and discipline need to be inculcated for the betterment of society. Yes there are disparities, social in nature and hence can prove stumbling blocks in the understanding of these issues. But tell me which society is devoid of all this.

I read the comment of one of the Russian respondents, which brought up a pertinent point. She said during the Soviet rule, she knew that when she went to get a medication, that it would be available and that it would be available at the same price and nature as it would, any other. Now in present times, there are issues and problems. The medication is only available at a particular price, which is unaffordable for her. What now ?

Not an unusual phenomena in most places, and one that is genuine. The desire to overcome such disabilities, to place systems that are respected, can and shall be operational, only if there is respect for discipline and to some extent regimentation !! 

Regimentation !!! An awkward word. Gives the impression of compulsory indoctrination - an unacceptable clause for most of democratic humanity. But I do hope you understand the deeper meaning ..

Good if you did … and if not, better  !!!!

Amitabh Bachchan

   the Isles, in rooms of cinema              Dec 3,  2012                Mon  10:45 PM gmt

Oh ! lazy lazy me ! Doing nothing at all the entire day … remaining the way we were the previous night. It is rotten to be so, but such a delight, to not follow rules and conditions. Limited meals while you tap a few words on the lap, not wasting energy to pick up the remote, the mobile, and certainly not getting up to pick up, what was once the most important element of our lives - the land line telephone !

Land line telephone ?? Almost getting in the way these days, because of its non usage, its futility and its limited consumption. But remember the days when it had just arrived in the house ? Its placement at a particular spot, a special table put out for its resting, decorated around with flowers on the side and a special platform for its deployment. When it rang, the entire household would run to get it - who ? what did he say ? did they show excitement at us having one …

To us in Allahabad, it came after we had shifted to our third change of residence, having applied for it for months. It was not with us when my Father was in Cambridge studying for his PhD. Pity .. it was the most wanted element then. It had its elements but at least it was there. To make a call to another city, it took hours. For an international, days. And the shouting into the mouth piece was an exercise, that demanded great lung power, for such calls. A lot of the new generation find it most amusing when they see films of the 50’s and 60’s and even the 70’s, where the Father speaking to his daughter studying in another city, or another country, was seen shouting out his speech into the telephone. But that is how phones were at the time - if you did not scream the other end never heard you.

When my Father was in England, the question of speaking to him via phone was simply out of question. One, we did not have a telephone and two, even if we did it was far too expensive to make a ‘trunk call’, as it was popularly known then. It was when he had landed by ship at Bombay, were we able to speak to him for the first time in two years. And that too was done in a most intricately planned manner.

A time was given of the possibilities of the call, and we had to travel a good twenty minutes on our bicycle to our friend’s place where the call was going to come. What exciting days. Imagine spending an entire day working out a plan to receive a phone call ..

Now … it is being projected that the mobile too is on its way to lose its importance and relevance. Slowly but gradually a research has shown that the sms traffic has reduced from the previous year. Invention is taking over our lives …

Pictures … some at the tribute … trying to put up a video clip of the event too ….and my speech … hope it works … I am such an imbecile at matters such as these ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMeC3HvuPvY

The fraternity lives a few feet away from each other in the same city, but has to travel thousands of miles to an alien country to meet up, chat, and spend time together ..

Clearly there is a huge desire to get together, walk into another’s room, freely and unselfconsciously and talk about everything under the sun, but films. The fun side of all of us strikes out firmly during these meetings and they are the best ever.

Shweta has come in too with me … and there shall be much to catch up on. December 6th being Navya Naveli’s birthday …

And in a while to Florence, Italy for the ‘River to River Film Festival, where they do a retrospective of my films. The world of Film Festivals grows in importance I feel, most of us not having time to attend them and discover what India and Indian film makes us proud.

Ok … that gap was a rather large yawn ..

Good night dear EF

and my love to all …

Amitabh Bachchan

the Isles                                Dec 2/3,  2012                         Sun/Mon  2:05 AM gmt

Partings are always difficult, but when the time comes one leaves. The warmth, the people, the love shown by the Moroccan’s has been sensational. There is such a sense of wanting to serve, to endear themselves to the outsider, is surely an indicator of the impact made by our films to them.

The regions that comprise the entire North African belt, have for many many years enjoyed and patronised our cinema. It is just that we were simply unaware, and that some smart operators or distributers, did, and have enjoyed the revenue benefits of products that were contribute by us as well.

We are far too distant from the finesse and marketing technology of the West, but the moment we do, there can be a remarkable change in the tale.

The temperature’s drop drastically all over. Some evenings becoming a minus in their readings. Those that live in the vicinity of such range need to guard and perhaps hide themselves, as would they do in all times to come !!

Switzerland is one country that can disappear in its entirety, into tunnels made artificially, to protect the inhabitants from a nuclear fall out. What a sense of security they would demonstrate to their own people. Cleaver !!

I do feel the need to educate myself, an undying urge that, comes often within me !! There has never been deliberate desire or pressures to indulge myself into a cause I know shall bring great benefit. But then …. I hesitate. For what and why I do not know. What I do know is that I shall be a good student. Not a leader, but a humble pupil.

Does all this come from examples of the past - the second class degree in University, the second position in the sports that I took part in, second in the boxing ring … and so many other second holdings. May well be !!

For me personally I have never hankered for the top. I have believed that a good and competent second can also deliver. The second position has now been patented for me. Which is something I have had no objection to. Let someone else lead ; let me merely be a good lieutenant. The outside world can and may vehemently disagree with this, but I do not !

I want to sleep now … so what would the present follower dictate .. as a second, I shall await the order from the elder, or the first - my EF !

Let me know by the morning after my sleep … ha ha ! Confused configuration ??

Love

Amitabh Bachchan

La Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco          Dec 1/2,  2012           Sat/Sun 1:57 AM gmt

The 12th Marrakech International Film Festival which pays tribute to 100 years of Indian Cinema comes to an end at a glittering ceremony at the Palais de Congrés. The evening is filled with fanfare and protocol, etiquette and glamour. The divine Mademoiselle Catherine Deneuve, the iconic French actress pays tribute to me, and a childhood dream comes true. I would never have imagined to be standing next to her, in the glow of the most beautiful woman of the world. After the tribute among the large fraternity presence of our Industry, I speak :

SPEECH MARRAKECH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, TRIBUTE TO INDIAN CINEMA 100 YEARS, MARRAKECH DEC 1, 2012

Salaam alekum !

Bon Soir

Namaskaar

When I was here last in the year 2003, for the tribute paid to me at this Festval, I had thanked British Airways for losing my bags, because then I was able to go to the market here and buy the traditional Moroccan dress, which I wore to the function with great pride. This year, unfortunately, British Airways has not lost my bags and has thus deprived me of not wearing your traditional dress tonight. My apologies !!

My gracious thanks first to His Majesty King Mohamed, for giving us an opportunity to be in his beautiful country of Morocco and indeed here in Marrakech .. I also want to thank him for the Medal of Honor of Morocco, which he decorated me with, when he had, some years ago, visited India …

My grateful thanks to His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, for his personal  invitation to the 12^th Marrakech International Film Festival and the Tribute it pays to 100 years of Indian Cinema …

My gratitude and absolute admiration for Mademoiselle Catherine Deneuve, for her most generous and kind words, and for presenting this Tribute tonight, to the Indian Film Industry - an honor, that I most humbly accept on behalf of all my colleagues present here and in India.

Your world wide acclaim has not only been restricted to your contribution to the creative artistry in cinema, it has also been acknowledged for the creative artistry bestowed upon you by the Almighty, as one of the most beautiful women of the World. As an ardent admirer of yours from a very young age, it is the fulfillment of a long cherished dream, to be in your company tonight ….

My regard to the Members of the Jury ..

… and to Melìta Toscan du Plantier, Director of the Festival, for taking on the onerous task of meticulously planning this festival year after year, with immense efficiency and care. It has been unfortunate that the rain this year has been a dampener, pun unintended, to most of the activities planned for the outdoors, but as they would say in my language in Hindi :

“ aise avsaron pe pani ka barasana bahut shubh maana jaata hai “ !! –

The coming of the rains on occasions such as this, is considered most auspicious..!

May better luck prevail in the remaining days of the Festival  …

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, the 12^th Marrakech International Film Festival, pays a tribute to 100 years of Indian Cinema.

For a country to celebrate a historic milestone of another country, it is indeed a most laudable and honorable gesture. It signifies the respect and admiration you and your country have for the cinema in our country, and I am deeply grateful for that. On behalf of the entire Film fraternity of India, may I express my utmost appreciation and deep sense of gratitude.

In the year 1913 Dada Saheb Phalke pioneered and produced the first Indian film called ‘Raja Harishchandra’, the mythological story of a pious King who sacrificed his Kingdom, wife and child in the pursuit of truth.

Indian Cinema has since grown to being the largest producer of films in the World, making close to a 1000 films each year, not just in the Hindi language but in most other prominent languages as well – Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Kannad, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Assamese, Oriya … to name a few !

It is often unofficially stated that, the number of people world wide, that watch Indian cinema, is greater than those watching Hollywood films … the other large film producing nation of the world.

I have no ready reckoner or gauge to confirm this information, but looking at it purely statistically, keeping in mind that the population of the World is close to 7 billion, and ours in India is approximately 1.25 billion, thereby making every 6 and 3/4^th individual in the world to be Indian, this unofficial statement may not be entirely incorrect.

In the early years of its inception, cinema in India, and particularly in its conservative society, was considered infra dig to be associated with.

People and children from good homes were kept away from it.

As a child, my own parents would whet a film before I was given the liberty to go and see it.

Happily, over the years, those binding norms have changed dramatically, and it has become today, an almost parallel culture of the country.

Its content, once looked upon cynically and with some sarcasm by the West, has become its greatest USP, thanks largely to makers like Karan Johar and actors such as ShahRukh Khan, whose immense popularity gave credibility to such cinema.

Along with the mainstream, escapist, commercial fare, the artistic and different cinema also prevailed, perhaps not to the same commercial extent, but attracting sufficient attention to the more discerning audience. In today’s generation of makers and artists, some of whom adorn the stage along with me here, we are noticing the emergence of those that have dared to be different and succeeded.

Indian Cinema to me thus rests on the cusp of a very interesting phase, and I can only wish it greater success and presence.

Within the confines of a darkened cinema hall, the caste, creed, color or religion of the person sitting next to us, may be different to ours, yet we enjoy the same stories, laugh at the same jokes, cry at the same emotion and sing the same songs and .. emerge to the outside world, with a smile on our lips and a dry tear on our cheeks, having been served poetic justice within three hours – a feat most of us shall never achieve in a life time or several life times.

In a world that is rapidly drifting apart, and dividing people, the cinema hall today is perhaps one of the very few examples that integrates humanity. I am proud to be a small member of this illustrious fraternity !

My sincerest thanks to all those present here tonight ; for your affection and for your love.

May we through this medium continue to build healthy and peaceful bridges in the years to come.

Shubh Ratri

Shabba Khair

A bien tot !

I shall be back … good night

Amitabh Bachchan

La Mamounia, Marrakech, Morroco         Nov 30,  2012                Fri 9:50 PM gmt

Interviews amidst the cold climate and rain … chatting sessions with Balki and his wife Gauri … photo sessions with Christian Loboutin and his unique collection of shoes which he presents to me … an escort to the Palais de Congresś the official location for the conduct of the opening of the festival, large, colourful and sincere … a quick meeting with His Highness the Prince Moulay Rachid, who stays in his own Hotel, next door … a pleasant relaxed evening …the open square and the meeting with a free large scale screen that shall show ‘K3G out in the open in the rain and bitter cold … now back in room and quick bites of food and the exhaustion showing on the minds and faces of those who are connected on this site …

I do not know why, but it may well be the drug taken to control the cold, that puts me to sleep instantly …so maybe I should follow the instructions and rest and not get out of bed, till my condition improves … but tomorrow it is the time for the Tribute to Indian Cinema completely 100 years, and a dinner with the Royal Highness … all so intense and programmed, one is scared to even make a small sugesstion ..

O dear ! I really must knock off now .. I shall put in some more tomorrow ..

Amitabh Bachchan