Saluting the Spy-Master!

To me, the world of espionage always held a powerful and instinctive appeal. Although the beginning of this interest can be traced to a plethora of fictional sources, I was also, almost perpetually and curiously interested in knowing the 'boring and reality' part - for example - the tales of pioneers for whom limelight and popularity are pitfalls to be avoided. And yet, this was no boring tale, - for Count Alexandre de Marenches (Chief of French Foreign Intelligence service SDECE in the 70s) regarded Rameshwar Nath Kao, popularly known as Ramji/RN Kao/Mr.Ram as one of the five great intelligence chiefs of the 1970s.

This book, authored by Nitin A Gokhale, one of  South Asia's leading Strategic Analysts, portrays the life and legend of RN Kao. It is a silent tribute to the master of spies that doesn't degrade into an unbridled eulogy. The simple account sketches the insecurities of RN Kao as a child (he was bullied for being fat during school days, he was reticent and shy). In 1939, a 21-year old Kao qualified for the then Police Service (IP), and was deputed to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) after India attained Independence. The rest, as they say, is history. The stage was beginning to be set for and by the Gentleman Spy-master - the soft spoken and suave Kashmiri Pandit from Uttar Pradesh whose stellar 'behind the curtains work' changed the course of South Asian History, cementing beyond any doubt - India's role as a Regional Power.

His work as liaison officer in investigating 'Kashmiri Princess' Aircraft crash (1955, Indonesia), and the so called Ghana Assignment (1960s) - these early cases involved a lot of red tape, false egos and international ramifications, yet he came out on top. In 1967, India's external Intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) was established, with RN Kao as the first (founding) chief. His role in formation of Bangladesh and merger of Sikkim - those are stuffs of legend!

And yet, perhaps the greatest contribution that the spy-master gifted us is that he mentored a range of future R&AW officers (chiefs) who brought laurels to the country - like Sankaran Nair, Sukhoot, Vikram Sood, Balachandran etc. Documents belonging to some assignments taken up by RN Kao are still classified (at least till 2025) - perhaps by then, we may realize the extent of his contributions.

Till that time, to the Spy-Master RN Kao Saab - I Salute you, Sir!






Book : R.N.Kao Gentleman Spy-master by Nitin A Gokhale, foreword by Ajit Doval (2019)



Maheeth V,
Palakollu - 23rd of February , 2020.

Panipat

Kriti Sanon as Parvati Bai, Panipat. 

On one side, mounted Swivel guns on Camels, sharp-shooting Jezails, light artillery - all under the alert and watchful eyes of 'Dur-i-Durrani' Ahmed Shah Abdali, and on the other side, heavy artillery cannons arrayed and distant piligrims watch in anticipation as an avalanche of 'Har Har Mahadev' chants erupt - for a few fleeting moments, the film offered a stellar lesson in detail and accuracy, at least in terms of military history. Alas, India of 18th Century, to comprehend in a simple romantic sense, requiring more than a few people to be 'villainized' - if it was Malharrao Holkar for the largely ignorant & arrogant Rudyard Kipling, for Ashutosh Gowarikar, it was an array of historical liberties - Raja Surajmal, Ahmed Shah Abdali & Najib ud Dowla (both caricatured), Imad Ul Mulk etc,.

Panipat comes with a warning - it is a fictional retelling of the events leading to the third battle of Panipat (14 January 1761 CE), and right from the word go, unsurprisingly, there has been a great focus on Maratha Pride. The court intrigues and bloated egos of men (and women, too) who could not really comprehend the bigger picture is, in an intellectual contrast, brilliantly explained from the view-point of Parvati Bai. And, in bits and pieces, the film does not disappoint.Yet, it seems to lack a certain 'je ne sais quoi'.

At least, a honest attempt was made to tell a certain view of the events leading up to the battle - hitherto only a forte of history students. Arjun Kapoor, despite the negative publicity was good. Kriti Sanon essayed her part well. Almost all other roles, especially non-Marathas served only as simple caricatures. The music was inspiring. But, the CGI in the limited battle scene wasn't so good.

Overall, I've enjoyed Panipat, but I will not be surprised if most people may not like it.



Panipat (2019) - Hindi by Ashutosh Gowarikar

It's all for power

Steve Buscemi as Nikita Khruschev from The Death of Stalin (2017) 

Inspired by real events, but based on a historically inaccurate French play, 'The Death of Stalin' is a perfect dark comedy. A veneer of self deprecating humor runs as a recurring theme through out the film, masking the tragic and grotesque events of senseless violence bound to happen in any worthwhile power struggle. Gentle satire without outright criticism, comedy without cringe - ever disappearing skills come to the fore in this brilliant take by Armando Iannucci.

1953, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) - Stalin passed away after a brutal and repressive rule of 29 years and all hell breaks loose. In come a variety of characters to the fore, all pale shadows during Stalin's era, but now free and seeking power - the contrast is palpable. Two individuals stand out in this struggle eventually - On one side is Lavrentiy Beria, head of the dreaded NKVD, impeccably portrayed by Simon Russel Beale & then the Moscow head of the Party - the future General Secretary Nikita Khrushcev, essayed by Steve Buscemi. A shoutout to the apt and hilarious cast - Jasson Issaccs as Marshal Zhukov, Jeffery Tambor as stand in General Secretary Malenkov, other ministers, Rupert Friend as Vassily Stalin.

The film does have it's limitations. For once, director Iannucci himself stated that he 'toned down the real life absurdity', and we cannot expect such a dark comedy to strictly adhere to the rigors of historical accuracy. Moreover, Dark Comedy is not everyone's cup of tea.





The Death of Stalin (2017) by Armando Iannucci is a British Satirical Dark Comedy film based on a French Play - 'La Morte de Stalline'

Blossoms...those times! First time at India's largest second hand book store...

Inside Blossoms - Image from Wikipedia by CamilleaM1FLERéunion

January 2014, Bengaluru

The first time I visited this place which was suggested to me by a colleague at work, I made a heavy weather of the conveyance. I trusted city buses instead of the quicker metro and finally got down at Mayo Hall Bus stop. The Church street on a saturday evening was all the more confusing - is seemed like an eternal celebration of life! After a cursory glance at the small pillar (if I could take the luxury to call it as such) paying glorious tribute to British Indian troops (especially from the erstwhile provinces of Madras and Mysore) of First World War, I set out for Blossoms!

Neatly tucked away in a side lane, unmindful of the noisy humdrum of the MG Road, to a first time visitor like me - the most distinguishing feature of Blossoms is it's invisibility! Neat piles of books including the one on Hindusim by Wendy Dongier (at that point of time, the book was yet to be banned in India) greeted me at the entrance. Blossoms, the much beloved and popular Independent book store of Bengaluru selling new and used books alike is touted as India's largest second hand book store.

Despite the visible simplicity, the diverse class of people visiting Blossoms and the sheer scale of this shop (three storey building - piles of books neatly classified on three floors) amazed me. The staff are very helpful - in the sense that they'd never bother a browsing introvert like me unless I approach them first for any help - a rare trait that I liked. The store was packed - youngsters skimming through English novels and classics, few parents dealing with their nagging children in kids section and elders in quest of some rare books willingly helped by the staff! The Godfather by Mario Puzo was my first purchase. The prices are very affordable. The space appeared cramped, but that did not matter as one could simply lose oneself for hours here.

During my next visit to the shop, I was more wiser - I took the metro from Bayappanahalli. I made some more visits, each time returning with some good books. I do miss Blossoms ....and those times.








Blossoms is an Independent book store at Church Street, Bengaluru started by Mr. Mayi Gowda in 2001.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/W2MZgH4wA3GHmSd76

Delusional, disturbing & deep.... simply the best!

We all watched Heath Ledger as Joker in the film 'The Dark Knight (2008)'. The sheer sarcasm and irony in people rooting for a villain whose laugh appears terrifying & unnecessary at the same time, cannot be missed. A comic villain was thurst upon us & we took him with glee. In truth, I only liked Heath Ledger as Joker. I never liked the Joker until today.... 

'Joker' directed by Todd Phillips is disturbing, delusional & deceptive at times. A simple background story of how Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) transforms into the Joker is detailed & sketched in different shades, touching various themes. The audience actually cheered the grotesque actions of a psychotic & hallucinating Arthur Fleck - this should not mean that all the people who watch the film have such violent tendencies. It is merely a testimony to the director's craft and to the sheer acting class & panache of Joaquin Phoenix.  And a big credit to the screenplay that helped in creating a villian-sympathetic narrative. 

Robert DeNiro sizzles in his little role - a patronising & condascending false role model that we all had in our respective lives. Music simply elevated the film, with two haunting songs adding depth. The climax - Joker's monologue set at the cusp of a cleverly potrayed battle of haves & have nots - ah! This is how a film should end. Be warned, the element of normalised gore may disturb you and as the Joker says... 'You wouldn't get it'. 

But, I got it.

Joker (Warner Bros, 2019) by Todd Phillips

A Fervent Wish....

Like NSA Ajit Doval ji, I hope to roam & travel freely without fear in Kashmir. I'd bow before the mighty & pristine Himalayas, admire the numerous gardens of Mughals, and follow the route charted by the legendary Adi Shankaracharya all the while traversing through the simple dargahs, mosques of Kashmir & the great Buddhist monastries of Ladakh.

I'd dearly love to see a day when insurgency becomes a thing of past, when all the slogan-shouting & stone-pelting anger melts into an intellectual debate - about the development of Kashmir as a part of India, or remembering the great historical figures of Kashmir - it's benevolent rulers of the past like 'BudShah' Sultan Zainualabidan, or the return & rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits or unlocking the tourism potential with no impact on beautiful kashmiri ecology or heritage.

I'd like to see a day when I could sing the telugu poem ''అటఁ జని కాంచె భూమిసురుఁ డంబర చుంబి శిరస్సర్ఝజరీ" as visualised by Allasani Peddanna's hero Pravarakhya, gazing upon the beauty of Himalayas in Kashmir! One day in the near future, I'd be happily comparing our spicy Mango pickle 'Avakaya' with the Kashmiri Apple Pickle!

It's a dream in the past, now it's a wish of the present but in the near future, who knows... 

On the Greatest World Cup Final...

 (Poem)

Respect to both teams for the Greatest Cricket World Cup Final ever played...

An unscripted tale of woe and warmth played at Lord's,
as some fickle twists of irony rattled billion hearts.
A fine game of cricket in the very home of the gentleman's game,
between victory and defeat, a struggle of an unrelenting aim.

No fine line could separate the victors and the vanquished,
no same mind could anticipate the thrill without an anguish.
Great men speak of balancing triumph and disaster,
but in terms of action, no one's the wiser.

Sheer luck takes a lion's share - in the battle of nerves,
The game's cruel - a mirror of what life serves!
When dusk fell, only one team won the cup...
But I saw two sets of champions, down yet unbowed, at glory's cusp!

But I see two sets of champions..