An ode to the beautiful game

  

Lionel Messi with the World Cup

 

(A poetic tribute to the FIFA Football World Cup 2022)

 

In the middle east, thirty two nations battled it out,

for the prized glory of the pinnacle of the beautiful game.

A fine month of entertainment, it was without doubt,

and left us all gasping for more at this piece of fickle fame. 

 

An unpredictable series it was, a euphoric dose of ecstasy, 

as a few billion faithful prayed for their chosen deities.

The breaking of hearts, the beginning of life long fandoms - bereft of prophesy;-

all this followed in winter's fury, for the carnival is not everyone's cup of tea

 

Kylian Mbappe with the Golden Shoe

 

A few upsets were conjured by the inspired underdogs,

and with courage, the Atlas Lions roared.

A bundle of emotions packed in smiles and sobs, 

and into the pages of history, a few soared.

 

The Croatians got the Bronze, a mix of experience and youth. 

But the befitting final - Ah, what a game!

Les Blues marched on Mbappe's heroics, swift and smooth,

But on victory, Argentina made an ambitious claim.

With curtains down on Qatar, the deserving host,

and with bitter and sweet memories made gleefully,

We await 2026, but for now, we toast

to the man from Rosario, the one who did not miss his messy date with destiny!

 

 

Poem / Poetic Tribute (English) - An ode to the beautiful game

A poetic tribute to the FIFA Football World Cup 2026. 

 

 

Monday, 19th of December, 2022                                                           

Maheeth Veluvali (Sonu)

16 Saladi Jamindar Street

 Palakollu

Kantara

I watched the Kannada film Kantara recently, in its Telugu dubbed version. And, it was a great cinematic experience. Set in the backdrop of tribal habitations of Tulu nadu in the picturesque Western Ghats, the story details the victory of human need over human greed enmeshed with an eternal layered conflict between good and evil, tradition and modernity and nature and man. In a simple, straight forward narrative that does not suffer the need to pamper any ideologies, Kantara’s characters enthrall us with a refreshing sincerity. The vibrant tradition of Sacred Grooves and the concomitant art forms and living styles viz Bhoot-arathana, Bhuta-Kola, Kambala, legends of Panjurli, Guliga Deva are brought to the fore in a non-caricatured, subtle, emotional way.

Rishab Shetty stood out tall as director and lead actor in this epic, dishing out once in a lifetime performance, especially in the climax, in a cinematic ode to a largely ignored tradition. In its emphasis on regional culture, the film marks originality. The supporting cast viz Sapthami Gowda as Leela and the villagers play their roles to perfection.

This is a film to be experienced on big screens and don’t miss it there.

Kantara (Film, Kannada, Hombale Films, 2022) by Rishab Shetty

Sita Ramam - Poetic, Poignant and Perfect!

There are some films which stir our very soul with sheer emotional artistry, owing the hearts and warmth of the audience. 'Sita-Ramam' which I watched yesterday in Prime is one such film. It captured the imagination of amateurish literature-fan in me, as I was harked back to the fictional life and times of  Lt Ram and his Sita, or I should say, Sita and her Ram. In this tale of a quest for lost love and redemption of honor which stretched over a score years, there are various underlying themes like triumph of humanity over religion, peace over war, Ramayana.

The pace and build up that the director attempted with courage, the sheer poetry that encompasses every scene of Sita and Ram, the anticipation set in the combination of melodious back ground score - all these elements work in right balance to make the film a great one to watch. Firstly, kudos to the director for execution such a charming love story. Dulquer Salman as Lt Ram is outstanding, as is his wont. And Mrunal Thakur as Sitamahalakshmi / Princess Noor-Jahan deserves all the adulation, a star in her own right. Her classical expressions, clash within, sheer presence makes the heart miss a beat, as slowly the story unravels to it's tragic end. 

In the end, what a film! There will surely be a second time and more times to follow.

 

Film (Telugu) - Sita Ramam, Vyjayanthi Films (2022), Amazon Prime by Hanu Raghavapudi

 

 

Wednesday, 28th of September, 2022,

16 Saladi Jamindar Street,

Palakollu

Lords of the Deccan

I have just finished reading 'Lords of the Deccan : Southern India from the Chalukyas to the Cholas',  a work of popular history dealing with the early medieval ages of Deccan. Of late, there has been an enhanced and nuanced way of approaching Deccan's brilliant past, a ceaseless, compelling clamor that the past narrative of Deccan be given it's due. The Lords of the Deccan offers an exhilarating perspective into South India and Deccan's rivalries, artistic and militaristic, that shaped India from 600s CE to 1000s CE. 

The author rightly bemoans the existence of very few reliable historical sources (viz, glossy Prasasthis, lack of large scale archeological excavations at Basava Kalyan, Manyakheta), yet enthralls us with the tales surrounding the rise, fall and re-rise of the Sri-Parvatha Vallabhas of Vatapi / Manyakheta. The book is diligently divided into three parts - Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas and finally - Western Chalukyas and their rivalry with Cholas. Yet it is not just a chronological white washed eulogy of Kings and King makers. The themes discussed viz, Sanskrit Cosmpolis, temples and sects as institutions, powers of merchant guilds, symbolism of banners and icons, the sea bound trade routes of Indian ocean, development of regional literature etc offers an interesting insight into the lives and times of Medieval Deccan.

Indian History is not just about the primacy of few places (Gangetic plains) or dynasties (Maurya, Gupta, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal). As the author rightly points, the immenisty of medieval sourth India still looms over us, demanding that we coninue to tell its stories, and learn from its horrors and glories.

 

Book (English) -  'Lords of the Deccan : Southern India from the Chalukyas to the Cholas' by Anirudh Kanisetty - Juggernaut Books

 

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Saturday, 11th of June, 2022,.

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu.

Vikram - a thriller beyond words!

I watched Vikram, the hit-list. And I loved it. 

A great film is not a good meal, it need not necessarily offer something for everyone. But, the director Lokesh Kanagaraj has created a cult classic and transported us into his own cinematic universe, another rare element in Indian cinema. In carefully executing a well crafted plot set amongst such iconic cast as Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan, Fahadh Faasil, Vijay Sethupathi, Suriya Sivakumar - the director ensures that the parts of the whole are never great by themselves, but make simply make a greater whole.

The plot is singular and thematic - set in the backdrop of drug menace, an almost mythical and discredited ex-black ops specialist tries to unravel the mystery behind his son's murder, which somehow involves another black-ops specialist in his prime and a sadistic yet family loving drug peddling gangster. I feel proud to be a fan of Ulaganayagan - Andavar carries the role with ease, grace and ability as is his wont. Fahadh Faasil is a revelation, well set to be one of the greatest of our times and Sethupathi sets the film on fire. The BGM sets the tone and elevates the film, and Anirudh deserves all the love and adulation.

Do watch the film!

Vikram - The Hit list (Telugu) by Lokesh Kangaraj, Raj Kamal Films International

Maheeth Veluvali, 

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, 

Palakollu

Wednesday, 08th of June, 2022.

RRR - a celebration!

RRR!

The crafty, creative carver that SS Rajamouli is, armed with trusted lieutenants, takes his time and never fails to impress. RRR is not just a mass entertainer, but suffice to say that in depressing times, it remains one of the few positive points to feel proud as a Telugu guy and a film fan. Very often, I abhor the artistic creativity and cinematic liberty that puts a film on a higher level. Not this time though....

Almost a Roman a clef, the film is set in the backdrop of British India of 1920s, an era marked by simmering discontent. With the underlying themes of patriotism, friendship and courage, the simple tale weaves an alluring web of events, the fictional 'what if' of Manyam champion and freedom fighter Alluri Sitaramaraju meeting Gond rebel and warrior-hero Komaram Bheem. Right from the word go, one is transported to that part fictional and part factual era, crying, laughing, dancing and fighting - as an entire gamut of emotions play out!

The grandiose visual spectacle, the cinematography and the taking, the slow build-up backed by adrenaline pumping music, the Ramayana epic theme - all hallmarks of the director are extremely impressive. Ram Charan and Jr NTR stand out in their respective defining roles - iconic, flawless. The ensemble cast also dished out their best. A jam-packed theatre on a week day with crying babies, shouting fans and deeply immersed audience - for once it harked back to pre-covid times. I'd certainly watch the film again!

Film (Telugu) - RRR by SS Rajamouli (2022) 

Maheeth Veluvali, 

Wednesday, 30eth of March, 2022

16 Saladi Jamindar Street, Palakollu,.

The Batman

At 'The Batman'

 

Nine and half years after the Dark Knight rises and two years and half past the Joker, I watched the Batman. The film reeks of tribute to the past Batman films, yet offers a fresh perspective. Dark, slow, comic and depressing at times, it's not everyone's cup of tea. The story line is simple and pretty straight forward. Batman in first person narrative, offers fresh insights as a detective and a man with misplaced rage and vengeance. The opening sequence and monologue slowly builds up the momentum of the film. 

Robert Pattinson as Batman stood out - a role he played with elan. This Batman is still all powerful, but realizes he has his own limitations. And the skewed transition from a bumbling vigilante/detective with no allies towards offering hope to the people is brilliantly underplayed as the Batman sinks deep into the cesspool of Gotham. The OST of the film and the BGM at times are superb, especially the buildup of the church bill theme is goose-bump guaranteed. The director and the music composer stand for speical appreciation. The ensemble cast viz Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano et al did justice to their little roles, but overall, it's Batman!  

 

 

Prose (English) - "The Batman" - on the film 'The Batman'

 

Sunday, 6th of March, 2022,. 

Maheeth Veluvali,

Capital Cinema, Trendset Mall, Vijayawada,.