From my town, alas…

If you grew up western-Indian-urban-Catholic it’s quite likely Indian classical only lapped at your musical shores.
Shakti and Zakir Hussain were as desi as it got for households where Cliff Richard and Elvis were the presiding soundtracks.
It was not till the age of 26, and not till my office moved to the Maharashtrian side of town in Pune that I was introduced to the likes of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (died today) and Gangubai Hangal.
My bucket list, posted a year ago, had: “attend Sawai Gandharva to hear Pt Bhimsen”.
‘Alas’ - truly captures the regret.

Slow hand, blind genius

In my dying posts of 2010, I listed the great music acts left for me to see perform ‘live’.
That list stayed with me over the next couple of days and I discovered that there were more than 10 great acts that were left for me to see.
Then, in what can only be a serendipitous stroke of good fortune, two of the stars on that list – Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder – were announced to play in my neck of the woods.
In my dark and cloudy life that is one hell of a silver lining.
Oh, happy days.

Sania - and the power of what could be

If my first post of the New Year is about Sania Mirza, it may well be that I have gotten over Barkha Dutt.
If the tennis world had a one-set tournament, Sania would win it.
She would be the World No 1 in the one-set category, because, that’s all she has in her – one set.
Against Justin Henin, no less, she reminded us of why news wires, no less, still find it worth dedicating an entire piece to her - a perennial first-round loser.
But, that one set was worth it. Just for the power of what could be.

Guilty, Three years, solitary...

If you were sentenced to three years, but were given one week off before you went it, what would you do?
Running away is not an option. You do not want to run forever.
Do you spend the time weighing the cost of every minute detail that you will miss out on?
Do you spend every minute living it like it was your last?
Do you just hold your loved ones and say sorry, again and again?
Do you steel your mind and heart and begin the sentence even before it begins?
Do you die?
What do you do?

And then there were ten...

I now need ten fingers to count the great musicians of my era left for me to see.
Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, AC/DC, Billy Joel and Rod Stewart.
That reads like a heavy to-do list, but consider, the rest I have seen.
The latest being Axl Rose and his version of G’n’R.
Jaded and old, but with three spectacular guitarists and the best rock voice for 20 years still in fine screech, the rocker was a blast from a once-great past.
And a reminder, that we are all getting old.

NDTV: Barkha Dutt has to go

I was reared as a young colt in the journalistic stable of one of the toughest, meanest and almost-fanatically puritanical master trainers.
Then, as a budding thoroughbred, I joined the Times of India and for three years – lost the plot. At least on the journalistic front.
I abused my power as a journalist and now when I look back cringe like Gollum in Lord of the Rings.
My former trainers would’ve hung and quartered me, not bothering to draw.
So, when I say NDTV is disgracing journalism by not sacking/removing Barkha Dutt, I know what I’m talking about. Disgraceful.

That's not the story, guys!

I am amused this morning at the Indian press’ praise for Sachin Tendulkar refusing to endorse an alcohol brand, despite being offered billions.
In a true Barkhaesque tradition, the press missed the real story – an alcohol brand thought it made sense to have Tendulkar as its brand ambassador.
The truly smart story to do was: why is it ok for Sachin to advertise Pepsi? More harmful to more people by far.
Still, I can’t imagine his pip-squeak voice and less-than-macho image selling booze.
There was a time when PR ran behind the Indian media – now PR runs the press.