In this highly acclaimed book of conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir, Waheeda Rehman speaks about her life and work with refreshing honesty, humour and insight: from detailing her personal triumphs and tribulations to giving enthralling accounts of working with cinematic personalities like Guru Dutt, Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. Against all odds, she successfully made a life in cinema on her own terms. Filled with compelling anecdotes and astute observations, this is a riveting slice of film history that provides a rare view of a much-adored and award-winning screen legend.
One of the great thinkers of Indian cinema, Javed Akhtar needs no introduction. As a screenplay writer, he and Salim Khan wrote the dialogue for blockbusters like Zanjeer, Deewar, and Sholay; as a songwriter, he has composed a huge variety of songs including, 'Yeh kahaan aa gaye hum', 'Kuchh na kaho', and 'Kal ha na ho'. Talking Films and Songs showcases both these aspects of Javed Akhtar's versatile genius, through freewheeling conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir. Originally published in 1999 (Talking Films) and 2005 (Talking Songs), these extremely popular books have delighted readers, researchers, and scholars of Indian film. Full of wit and wisdom, this edition is a must-read for Hindi cinema enthusiasts.
Is the universe infinite, or does it have an edge beyond which there is, quite literally, nothing? Do we live in the only possible universe? Why does it have one time and three space dimensions - or does it? What is it made of? What does it mean when we hear that a new particle has been discovered? Will quantum mechanics eventually break down and give way to a totally new description of the world, one whose features we cannot even begin to imagine?This book aims to give the non-specialist reader a general overview of what physicists think they do and do not know in some representative frontier areas of contemporary physics. After sketching out the historical background, A. J. Leggett goes on to discuss the current situation and some of the open problems of cosmology, high-energy physics, and condensed-matter physics. Unlike most other accounts, this book focuses not so much on recent achievements as on the fundamental problems at theheart of the subject, and emphasizes the provisional nature of our present understanding of things.
The ultimate guide to the biggest film industry on the planet. Nasreen Munni Kabir takes you inside the colourful world of Indian cinemathe romance, the adventure, the heroes and heroines, songs and dances, stunts and costumes, mythology and tradition that make up this unique branch of film-making.
This biography traces the life and works of a remarkable director and actor. During his brief thirteen year career, Guru Dutt replaced the repetitive ingredients of formulaic Hindi cinema with an individual and lyrical vision, playing his screen characters with a sensitivity and compassion that endowed them with a rare depth. The enigmatic, romantic, often tragic undertones of his screen personae became closely associated with his own persona off-screen. Guru Dutt's doomed heroes seemed totell his own story, from his middle-class origins to his dramatic film career and eventual suicide at thirty-nine. Nasreem Munni Kabir traces the life of this unusual man through accounts of his films and a series of interviews with his family, colleagues, and friends. Several years of painstaking research and conversations with Guru Dutt's associates have yielded a complete and compelling account of this legendary artist.
When composer A.R. Rahman's first film Roja was released in 1992, his astonishing music with its other-worldly melodies, tonal texture, pulsating rhythms made an instant impact in India. His abundantly flowing talent has given life to the scores of over a hundred films, including Dil Se, Bombay, Lagaan, Warriors of Heaven and Earth, 127 Hours and Jodhaa Akbar. According to a recent estimate by the BBC, 150 million copies of his albums have sold worldwide. A.R. Rahman has won a host of awards, together with a Golden Globe, a Bafta, two Oscars and two Grammys for his score in Slumdog Millionaire. In 2010, he received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour, awarded by the Government of India. Despite all his great success, Rahman remains a deeply private person, shying away from the glitz and glamour of show business. A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music is in the form of biographical conversations between the composer and Nasreen Munni Kabir in which we hear of Rahman's amazing journey from modest beginnings to an assured place in world music history.
In this richly entertaining book, Gulzar shares his life and passions with inimitable charm and candour. Poet, storyteller, director, scriptwriter and lyricist, Gulzar is a towering figure of contemporary Indian literature and cinema. Ever since he wrote his first song the unforgettable Mora gora ang lai le for Bimal Roys Bandini (1963) he has won countless admirers with his nuanced, sensitive and quietly innovative work. From the endearing Lakdi ki kaathi, that a generation grew up singing, to the Oscar-winning Jai ho his songs have enthralled millions. His unique and much acclaimed contribution to the world of poetry continues to reflect our changing times, with fresh idiom and delicate turn of phrase. In this book of conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir, Gulzar speaks with insight, candour and gentle humour about his life and work: his school days in Old Delhi, where he wrote his early poems; working in a garage in Mumbai before entering films; his association with legends such as Bimal Roy, Balraj Sahni, Sahir Ludhianvi, Meena Kumari, Shailendra, S. D. Burman, Hemant Kumar, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Lata Mangeshkar and R. D. Burman among others; his love of tennis; and his deep connection with his wife, the legendary Raakhee, his daughter Meghna and his grandson Samay.
Since 1949, when Lata Mangeshkar was first noticed for her extraordinary singing talent in the Mahal song Aayega aanewala', her magical voice has taken a firm hold of the Indian imagination. This work reveals the person behind the voice that has provided the soundtrack for the lives of billions. Since 1949, when Lata Mangeshkar was first noticed for her extraordinary singing talent in the Mahal song 'Aayega aanewala', her magical voice has taken a firm hold of the Indian imagination. The tuneful purity and timeless quality of her voice have had a profound impact. For over six decades,
Tabla virtuoso, composer and percussionist Zakir Hussain is an international music phenomenon. The eldest son of the legendary Ustad Allarakha, Zakir gave his first public concert at the age of seven and was immediately hailed a child prodigy. In later years, his masterful dexterity and creative genius led to his becoming one of the most sought-after accompanists to the very best of Hindustani classical musicians and dancers. Zakir Hussain is equally recognized as one of the foremost contemporary jazz and world music percussionists; he has performed at innumerable concerts both as a solo artist and with renowned jazz musicians on the grand stages of the world, from the Royal Albert Hall to Madison Square Garden. With John McLaughlin, L. Shankar and T.H. Vinayakram, Zakir Hussain created music history with the band Shakti. He has acted in James Ivory's Heat and Dust and Sai Paranjpye's Saaz, and scored music for directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci (Little Buddha), Aparna Sen (Mr. & Mrs. Iyer) and Ismail Merchant (In Custody, The Mystic Masseur); he has also played the tabla for countless 1960s Hindi film soundtracks. In an in-depth conversation with Zakir Hussain, Nasreen Munni Kabir takes the readers through the story of his life: how he was deemed an 'unlucky' child; the early years of growing up in Mahim; his training from age four with his extraordinary father; and his experiences and memories working with a host of legendary musicians, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Vilayat Khan. A born storyteller, Zakir speaks with humour and humility of his understanding of music, his relationship with his students, his dedication and love for the tabla, and the way he negotiates life as an acclaimed celebrity living in both America and India. Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music is a brilliant introduction to the life and times of a huge music star, a revered role model and a visionary world musician.
Devdas is the title of a 1920s novella by the farmed Bengali writer saratchandra chatterjee. It became so popular that 15 film versions were made in various Indian Languages and periods. Bimal Roy's 1955 film is considered the finest as it sensitively tells the tragic love story between Devdas (Dilip Kumar), the son of Brahmin landlord Aand Parvati (suchita sen) his childhood sweetheart. Caste and class difference keep the lovers apart. Parvati is married of to a rich older man and devdas, who allows Chandramukhi (Vijayanthimala), a selfless prostitute, to help him at first, but ultimately finding no meaning to life, he takes to drink. The Dialogue of Devdas will be presented in a four language format: Hindi, Urdu, Romanised Hindi, Urdu and English translation. Forewords by Bimal Roy's Family and extensive commentary are also featured.
A seriously neglected area of Indian cinema is the subject of film dialogue. Though cinema is mainly a visual experience, it is through dialogue that we know the thoughts and emotions of the film's characters. Through K.A. Abbas's words and the poetic songs by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri, Awaara's Judge Raghunath (Prithviraj Kapoor), Raj (Raj K The Dialogue of Awaara, Raj Kapoor's Immortal Classic is a book for lovers of both cinema and language, featuring K.A. Abbas's original screenplay and dialogue, based on a story by K.A. Abbas and V.P. Sathe. A seriously
One of the great thinkers of Indian cinema, Javed Akhtar needs no introduction. As a screenplay writer, he and Salim Khan wrote the dialogue for blockbusters like Zanjeer, Deewar, and Sholay; as a songwriter, he has composed a huge variety of songs including, ‘Yeh kahaan aa gaye hum’, ‘Kuchh na kaho’, and ‘Kal ha na ho’. Talking Films and Songs showcases both these aspects of Javed Akhtar’s versatile genius, through freewheeling conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir. Originally published in 1999 (Talking Films) and 2005 (Talking Songs), these extremely popular books have delighted readers, researchers, and scholars of Indian film. Full of wit and wisdom, this edition is a must-read for Hindi cinema enthusiasts.
In this highly acclaimed book of conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir, Waheeda Rehman speaks about her life and work with refreshing honesty, humour and insight: from detailing her personal triumphs and tribulations to giving enthralling accounts of working with cinematic personalities like Guru Dutt, Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. Against all odds, she successfully made a life in cinema on her own terms. Filled with compelling anecdotes and astute observations, this is a riveting slice of film history that provides a rare view of a much-adored and award-winning screen legend.
When composer A.R. Rahman's first film Roja was released in 1992, his astonishing music with its other-worldly melodies, tonal texture, pulsating rhythms made an instant impact in India. His abundantly flowing talent has given life to the scores of over a hundred films, including Dil Se, Bombay, Lagaan, Warriors of Heaven and Earth, 127 Hours and Jodhaa Akbar. According to a recent estimate by the BBC, 150 million copies of his albums have sold worldwide. A.R. Rahman has won a host of awards, together with a Golden Globe, a Bafta, two Oscars and two Grammys for his score in Slumdog Millionaire. In 2010, he received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour, awarded by the Government of India. Despite all his great success, Rahman remains a deeply private person, shying away from the glitz and glamour of show business. A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music is in the form of biographical conversations between the composer and Nasreen Munni Kabir in which we hear of Rahman's amazing journey from modest beginnings to an assured place in world music history.
Tabla virtuoso, composer and percussionist Zakir Hussain is an international music phenomenon. The eldest son of the legendary Ustad Allarakha, Zakir gave his first public concert at the age of seven and was immediately hailed a child prodigy. In later years, his masterful dexterity and creative genius led to his becoming one of the most sought-after accompanists to the very best of Hindustani classical musicians and dancers. Zakir Hussain is equally recognized as one of the foremost contemporary jazz and world music percussionists; he has performed at innumerable concerts both as a solo artist and with renowned jazz musicians on the grand stages of the world, from the Royal Albert Hall to Madison Square Garden. With John McLaughlin, L. Shankar and T.H. Vinayakram, Zakir Hussain created music history with the band Shakti. He has acted in James Ivory's Heat and Dust and Sai Paranjpye's Saaz, and scored music for directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci (Little Buddha), Aparna Sen (Mr. & Mrs. Iyer) and Ismail Merchant (In Custody, The Mystic Masseur); he has also played the tabla for countless 1960s Hindi film soundtracks. In an in-depth conversation with Zakir Hussain, Nasreen Munni Kabir takes the readers through the story of his life: how he was deemed an 'unlucky' child; the early years of growing up in Mahim; his training from age four with his extraordinary father; and his experiences and memories working with a host of legendary musicians, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Vilayat Khan. A born storyteller, Zakir speaks with humour and humility of his understanding of music, his relationship with his students, his dedication and love for the tabla, and the way he negotiates life as an acclaimed celebrity living in both America and India. Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music is a brilliant introduction to the life and times of a huge music star, a revered role model and a visionary world musician.
Twenty-four year old Aditya Chopra released his defining film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (The Brave-Heart Will Take the Bride) on Diwali, 20 October 1995. The film swiftly made box-office gold and created a deep impression on audiences across generations. This timeless romance has now famously played for a thousand consecutive weeks at Maratha Mandir, Mumbai (where it continues to play), making it India's longest-running film. Produced by Yash Chopra and widely known as "DDLJ", the film brought a new twist to the familiar love story. Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) fall in love on their travels through Europe and instead of rebelling against an objecting parent, Raj decides to win over Simran's uncompromising father. In 1996, at the height of the DDLJ craze, the young Aditya Chopra decided to step away from the limelight and despite his ever-increasing power as both producer and studio-owner, he has remained largely unseen and unheard for two decades. People outside his immediate circle know little about him and as a result, he has gained the reputation of being an enigma in a world of celebrities and glamour that thrives on constant visibility. Twenty years after the release of the film, the private and reclusive Aditya Chopra traces the journey that led to the making of his first film - he discusses his influences, shares insights on cinema and provides fascinating detail about how he went about making the movie that changed his life and that has now become part of the lives of audiences across generations. With [previously] unknown information and anecdotes about DDLJ in the words of its director ... [this] is the story of this phenomenally popular film that turned the tide of Hindi cinema in the 1990s and has rightfully earned pride of place among the most successful and acclaimed Indian films of all time"--Publisher's description.
Devdas is the title of a 1920s novella by the farmed Bengali writer saratchandra chatterjee. It became so popular that 15 film versions were made in various Indian Languages and periods. Bimal Roy's 1955 film is considered the finest as it sensitively tells the tragic love story between Devdas (Dilip Kumar), the son of Brahmin landlord Aand Parvati (suchita sen) his childhood sweetheart. Caste and class difference keep the lovers apart. Parvati is married of to a rich older man and devdas, who allows Chandramukhi (Vijayanthimala), a selfless prostitute, to help him at first, but ultimately finding no meaning to life, he takes to drink. The Dialogue of Devdas will be presented in a four language format: Hindi, Urdu, Romanised Hindi, Urdu and English translation. Forewords by Bimal Roy's Family and extensive commentary are also featured.
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