Moods of a Muse !

A vulnerable Indira, a Rekha who shed her mystique.. India's ace photographers talk of rare moments when their muses shed their inhibitions before the camera.

The gentleman poses! 

PhotographerI Gautam Rajadhyaksha 

I chose two suits, a shirt and a matching tie for him. At sharp 9.30 am, JRD Tata made his appearance for the photoshoot at his residence. There were several visitors and friends and he talked cheerfully. Skiing in Switzerland and French wine fascinated him. I brushed up my knowledge on these subjects and had a great conversation with him. We got talking and I got the most natural pictures.

Indira loved the Himalayas 

Photographer  Raghu Rai 

Once I made late prime minister Indira Gandhi walk along the Himalayas. She was particular about her posture when being photographed. She would watch like a hawk. Another time, I saw her in a rather tired state. One day, I went to her place, and when I reached the corridor, I saw her standing, holding the top of a door for support. She looked exhausted. I removed my camera but at that very moment, she turned. She didn’t allow me to shoot.

The PM climbed the tree..

Photographer  S Paul 

The editor of a women’s French magazine wanted some unusual pictures of Indira Gandhi, who was about to visit France. Indira called me at her residence and asked, ‘Tell me, what do you want me to do?’ And I asked her to sit on a tree that was in the courtyard, along with her grand-children. She was amused, smiled and climbed the tree which was about four feet high. Rahul and Priyanka followed their grandmother. That became a rare picture.

Pushed over the edge 

Photographer  Dabboo Ratnani 

I decided to create a 'walking off the rooftop effect’ with Abhishek Bachchan. I made him jump seven feet, from the water tank on his terrace to the ground below. I had to capture the moment his feet left the tank. Abhishek kept joking that I had decided to push him over the edge of his own building in 40 degree temperature!

Photographer  Avinash Pasricha 

 
As photo editor of the Span magazine, I was covering the 1962 visit of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Those days, there were not too many news photographers nor was there any security problem. Once, Pandit Nehru was escorting Jackie up the steps in Rashtrapati Bhavan to the Ashoka Hall. Just as they reached the entrance, I asked them to stop and got a perfect shot.

And, they turned around...

Photographer  Jayesh Sheth

‘I am not Rekha’

I went to the location and Rekha followed in a simple cotton salwar-kurta. I started shooting. Some people asked for an autograph. ‘But I am not Rekha,’ she said. 

 Akshay Kumar tied a string of 10 crabs in his ponytail. ‘You will get just a second to shoot before the crabs start biting me,’ he said.

Kitten interrupted!

PhotographerI Avinash Pasricha

I was shooting a brochure for Pandit Ravi Shankar on his 75th birthday around his house in Lodi Estate. His wife, Sukanya and daughter Anushka had recently joined him from England. There was a kitten running around the house and it suddenly jumped on the dining table. I got a beautiful shot of Ravi Shankar and Sukanya together, playing with the kitten, like little children. 

Source : Times Life.

A Single Shot Can End The War

This picture shows the six US Marines raising a flag atop Mount Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.


I remember having seen this picture in History books or some where else and it remained etched in my memory but I never came close to knowing the real "facts" or people behind this historic photograph. Until I saw this movie "Flag of Our Fathers" , last night.
And what a surprise !
It turned out to be a sort of revelation ...for, it depicted the life of those men who raised that flag in a manner that one could hardly believe!
Yes, these men were "Heroes" ...for what they did in the War....but for this very photograph, their life was never the same again.
A very compelling account of the after -effects on the minds and souls of the War 'Heroes' who actually fought and braved the bombs and the bullets but could not survive the act of glorification of this photograph... a story narrated effectively by producer/director Clint Eastwood.
As always, I am fascinated by stories based on the two World Wars....I just love the theme and the History and the mammoth size of it all....and especially if its by the legends of film-making...the likes of Steven Speilberg and Clint Eastwood. And this movie had all what I wanted to see...an 'inside' account of how the battle was fought...every detailing...the machinery, the tanks, the guns, the war-ships, the majestic battle scenes...and the luxury of watching History unfold before your eyes in the comfort of your couch or bed....
...and then it was so interesting to know the real facts of how this picture considered to be the only photograph to win the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in the same year as its publication, and came to be regarded in the United States as one of the most significant and recognizable images of the war, and possibly the most reproduced photograph of all time!

Ten years after the flag-raising, Rosenthal ( the man who took the photograph) wrote:

" Out of the corner of my eye, I had seen the men start the flag up. I swung my camera and shot the scene. That is how the picture was taken, and when you take a picture like that, you don't come away saying you got a great shot. You don't know."


Read all about it here :
Raising_the_Flag_on_Iwo_Jima



Along with " Saving Private Ryan", " Letters from Iwo Jima", this spectacle " The Flag of our Fathers" will remain in my collection as one of the greatest war movies ever made...and the greatest tales ever told...by the greatest filmmakers !

Namaste London !

I think I have a strange 'connection' with London ...or why is it that I keep missing my flight 'connections' whenever I land in this city.
Ofcourse, I have my London Dreams ...I always wanted to visit this beautiful city right next to the list with New York ...and I used this city so many times in my various stories and subplots ....not to mention the eternal love story I wrote 'Long Lost Love' in my college days.

But to arrive and depart from Heathrow Airport is a different ballgame altogether.

Circa 2007 , In my last trip from US , I was rerouted to Heathrow from Chicago and was made to spend 7 hours at the Airport before I could catch my next flight back to Delhi. My initial horror turned into a 'responsibility matrix' wherien I had to take care of another passenger (a typical middle aged Indian women :) to make her reach our common destination (saddi Dilli).


Siiting at Heathrow, I wanted to break the panes and just fly out...over to the Big Ben and the Thames ....but.



Circa 2009, on my way to US...I missed my connection at Heathrow and was again rerouted to Chicago and along came Polly...oops Dolly...or whatever her name was...Mrs. Chadda who didnt know English (or Hindi) but was heading to LA with a valid passport :)
SO history repeated and so did the matrix !

But THATS THAT....why in the world ...I had to again miss the flight on my way back to India....
I was there 20 minutes before the scheduled departure....wow!

"Sorry, Its too late !"
Hmm.....so these British Airways can do away with anything , I thought..." so what is the next available flight?"

"Its after 9 hours, sir"

OKAY......time to say 'Namaste"

A room in Hotel Renaissance, a Lunch coupon and a bus to and from Hotel to Heathrow....all set.

"What is the nearest place which we can cover within the short time frame "(cutting out the transportation, checking in and out and returning back)

"Well, you can go to Southall"

Oh yes...the name rang a bell.....right since childhood, Southall meant 'Punjab-in-England' (pronounce : ing LAND )

Here are a few moments from that visit

' Smelling the chill in the Air '

'Waiting for Bus No. 105 to Southall'



'on the way '





"Welcome Ji"










Well, no surprises ..here's what London's official website has to say about it :
"Sometimes known as Little India, Southall is a lively and diverse community in the London Borough of Ealing, West London.There are strong Indian and Pakistani roots here mixed with communities from all over the world.You'll find women in colourful saris, pavement food stalls selling samosas and Indian sweets, and bright fabrics hanging in shop fronts.Add to this the bhangra music in the air, and the hustle and bustle of a vibrant local economy, all of which makes a visit to Southall unforgettable."


Absolutely True. But the real surprise was this :

Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara

Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, on Havelock Road, Southall is the largest Sikh Temple outside India and welcomes visitors.

It's a stunning building finished in marble and granite with a gilded dome and stained glass windows. Well worth a visit.

With just an hour left to return, I wanted to see some of the English Architecture and buildings...and did see some of them

More pictures on facebook : http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=124876&id=543399479&l=2e8210c115


Hmmm.....so that was my tryst with London...ofcourse, I would like to come again (not in this manner, though ) and see what I have been missing all this while.
I am hoping my destiny would bring me here sometime and make me live my 'London Dreams'.

So I finally caught my last flight back home and that part of the journey was as exciting and memorable as I met somebody almost after 12 years and some 33,000 feet above in the air !!

Well, that would be coming later....till then....'Namaste London'

Wuthering Heights!

" Roobaroo.........roshni se "

Last Day

My email to CSC colleagues :




“Man's feelings are always purest and most glowing in the hour of meeting and of farewell” ~ Jean Paul Richter


Hi ,

Hope you are doing good. I am leaving CSC and wished to say a few things to you before I departed.

I had actually prepared a long farewell speech but considering the time constraints and busy schedules, I'll just buy a little of your time*.

Given a chance, I would come and talk to you and shake hands or share a warm hug before waving off my hands. But if I am unable to cover that distance for any reason, the fact that you are reading this would compensate for it.
You hold a significant influence in whatever part you played in my journey till here , hence I would like to share the customary 'Thank You' note to your 'Order of Appearance' in my life and times at CSC.

YOU @CSC, Blythewood

~ To Team AIG/MIG aka "The Blythewood Braintrust" for giving me tremendous support, opportunities and encouragement.
~ To Traci Warren for all your help and for your continuous confidence and trust in me.
~ To David , my mentor (and buddy) for Rate Revisions , for 'Mustang' and for the 'Little Indian Man':)
~ To Clark Watson (the 'Hero' of New York Disco Villians) for your music, your great review of my book and for everlasting support and friendship.
~ To Zara Rabnawaz , for the 'Sat Sri Akal's , for bringing those Indian Chapattis for me, and your ever warm wishes and blessings.
I will always remember your lovely words when I was leaving Blythewood : "Insha-allah, you will come back again" :(
~ To every CSCIndian I met 'Onsite' , for the wonderful time spent at Windsor Shores and those great trips to the outdoor,exploring America the 'Desi' way.
AND
~ To the people of South Carolina (smiling faces, beautiful places) and neighboring states:)

The entire experience of flying down to America and the incredibly eventful (and life-changing) summer of 2007 in South Carolina, was an inspiration behind writing a book of my memoirs titled "Palmetto Heat". Each one of you , as mentioned above, have had long lasting influences which made this book a souvenir of my American Rendezvous. Your contribution is invaluable.

YOU @ CSC INDIA

~ To my Indian teammates (AIG/Safety/Geico) , for giving an opportunity to work in the best company, with the best people and for allowing to be an integral part of all the interesting experiences.I am proud of each one of you for what you are and what you do :)
~ To the members of the 'Golden Hut' trip : It was a wonderful icebreaker for the Noida P&C Group and indeed a memorable trip , I would cherish those 'Golden moments' forever.
~ To the entire FSG group in Noida/Indore/Hyderabad, for sharing your expertise and knowledge .It was a great learning experience working with you.


YOU @ CSC C3

~ To C3 Community, the social collaboration for the enterprise--linking people to people and people to groups. The network of 90,000+ employees across the globe. Connecting you and me- time zones and distance no longer be barriers. Communicating with you anywhere in the world to share what I know and learn what you know. Collaborating with you on pursuits, proposals, or projects.Right from the "Watercooler' to "Movie Nuts' to 'Everything about Excel', thanks for making it such a powerhouse bringing every brain on this world (within CSC) closer than one could have imagined

~ To you , for joining my group, for those lively discussions and for your friendship.

Interestingly, I could not become a 'Senior 'with my designation in CSC; but courtesy your votes, I did manage to become a 'Senior Collaborator' at C3 :)


A Very Special Thanks...

~ To you with whom I often had lunch, for making it such an interactive 'session'...food for thought :)
~ To you for sharing your thoughts, opinions,news and views,ideas or materials, for reading my blogs and leaving your comments, for taking out time to see my art and giving me honest feedback, and for just plain listening to me or chatting on 'sametime' for any purpose.


YOU & ME @ CSC
I have tried to capture YOU (and me) in this CSC world and share those moments in this picture. I personally feel its a very colorful collage with such beautiful people sharing space and time with me. Find Yourself :)



STAYING IN TOUCH

You and I will meet again
When we're least expecting it
One day in some far off place
I will recognize your face
I won't say goodbye my friend
For you and I will meet again

Generally in life, 'departures' and 'separations' are quite emotionally overwhelming as well as exhaustive in nature...hence I would refrain from using the word 'good-bye' , 'adieu' 'adios' 'sayonara' , 'alvida' or 'dosvidaniyan'...because I would love to see you again, meet you if I get a chance or just stay in touch.

I have intentionally sent this email to your short id and saved in my contact list so that I can bother you in future :)

My personal email id is : sumranjots@gmail.com , and I'd look forward to hear from you.

You can find me on Facebook and Orkut and I would love to see you there.

I assume that you already know how terrible a writer and horrible an artist I am (thanks to my numerous 'please see my blog' promotional emails and art links) , but if you sometime feel unoccupied with any unoccupational work , please take a short visit to this spot :

http://sumranswanderingthoughts.blogspot.com/

(You can add it to your favorites so that you don't have to fetch for it again :)


This is how far I go. Thanks for your time*

Wishing you a great career at CSC and beyond.


Thanks,

SUMRAN JOT SINGH

Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again. ~William Shakespeare


* You can log 0.5 hours against etes code :SUMRAN_LWD_17NOV09

Day and Night

Day and night
I toss and turn, I keep stressing my mind, mind
I look for peace but see I don't attain
What I need for keeps this silly game we play, play
Now look at this
Madness to magnet keeps attracting me, me
I try to run but see I'm not that fast
I think I'm first but surely finish last, last

Day and night
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night
He's all alone, some things will never change (never change)
The lonely loner seems to free his mind at night (at, at, at night)


He's on the move can't seem to shake the shade
Within his dreams he see's the life he made, made
The pain is deep
A silent sleeper you won't hear a peep, peep
It seems the feelings that she had are through, through

Slow me
When the temple slows up and creates that new, new
He seems alive though he is feeling blue
The sun is shining man he's super cool, cool
The lonely nights
They fade away he slips into his white nikes
He smokes a clip and then he's on the way
To free his mind in search of,
To free his mind in search of,
To free his mind in search of,

Day and night
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night
He's all alone, some things will never change (never change)
The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night

At, at, at night

'Boys' to Remember

Well, its been long since I wrote a review of a movie here, although I have been watching them a lot!
Whatever kept me away, I just feel like putting some notes on this film I saw yesterday ..lazily trying to pass the hot summer Delhi noon. To my surprise, it wrapped me in its 2 hour run time and even made me cry in the end....almost a bliss!
I had no clue about this movie and had just copied onto my laptop from a friend's hard drive...but I wonder why it failed to create ripples ...it was such a treat to watch this beautiful story of 4 orphaned kids called the 'December Boys'.
The narrative was so simple yet so intriguing that it kept its hold until the very end....accentuated by some splendid screenplay and cinematography replete with breathtaking imagery of the Australian countryside. I didnt know that it was Australia until the credits rolled up in the end..all through the movie I was guessing if it was England by the sea or East America!

Apart from the beauty of the frames, it was the superlative performances by each individual cast including Daniel Radcliffe (aka Harry Potter) which made this movie such a special viewing experience. Those who have seen the 'wizard boy' Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter series would gallop in surprise with the kind of role he plays here ....of an orphaned teenager trying his foot into adolescence and yet stuck into his gang of minors called the 'December Boys'.

The film is essentially the story of the friendship between these boys but it twitches your heart with some splendid elements of parenthood, life in orphanage, confessions and indulgences of the mind of young boys , the fight for survival, the need for adulation and much more...elements that would make your eyes wet ..in the end.

I would rate this movie 4.5 out of 5 for its sheer simplicity , innocence and beauty....I thought I would remove it from my already crowded disk space but no....now I have put it in my 'all time favorites' folder....for another experience ...some time later.....the 'Boys' to remember!

The Black House on Blue Ridge

I dont know why whenever I look at the picture of this house I feel an eerie magnetic pull ....its just one of the photographs that i clicked on our way to the Blue Ridge Parkway in East America.

There 's really something about it....i cant explain.

For more pictures of the beautiful Blue Ridge , pls visit this link below:

A Drive to Remember