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Showing posts from August, 2025

Let's Select a Few Good Movies to Watch

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This month, I watched several films, ranging from recently released ones to classics from the 80s, covering different genres. Was I completely satisfied with all of them? No. So, what influenced my choices for these particular films? More broadly, what factors compel or trigger me to select a specific movie or book? Honestly, there are no strict rules; however, I’ll try to outline a few considerations that guide my selections for my next watchlist. Let’s make it happen! right here, right now: 1. Trailers: A major reason that I often select a particular genre of films is that the trailers have been quite engaging and have genuinely ignited an interest in me to include it in my playlist. In recent times, I have not felt that urge to pick any film based on its trailer, and I watched a few of those. However, one of the movies that I watched recently after watching the trailer was Kalidhar Lapataa , and I did not regret it; in fact, I watched it with my family. 2. The Story: Most individua...

Top 5 Foot-Tapping Songs to Play this Ganesh Chaturthi

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The whole of Mumbai has started celebrating. This Sunday, the sounds of dhol and tasha, topped with people's devotion, defeated the outpourings to welcome Bappa in various parts of the city. Every house, shop and corner has been lit bright with flowers, lights, modaks, laddoos and the citizens' enthusiasm. Tomorrow marks the holy occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. To celebrate this day, amidst chants and rituals, there will be dance and merrymaking amongst devotees.  I have created a playlist of a few foot-tapping dance numbers suitable for this Ganesh Chaturthi. 1. Deva ho Deva ( Hum Se Badhkar Kaun ): I remember watching this song in Chitrahar as a kid, and humming along throughout. What was striking for me was the assembly of the famous villains of Hindi films in the picturization. There was Amjad Khan, Danny Dengzongpa, and Ranjeet, along with Mithun ( who seemed to be the good guy). Jokes apart, the vocals were powerful with Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhonsle and Bhupinder Singh giv...

Top 3 Bengali Crime Series to Watch Now

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Detection, court Room dramas, catching the killer- to sum it up, this is what I like to read about or watch the most. So, when I started watching Dexter, my mom said, "Stop watching this Psycho stuff and watch something pleasant" I started watching Castle (it was pleasant). Coming to the now, I tried to shift my focus to watching romantic films in between, but it left a void in me, something I can't explain. These types of too good to be true situations are unfathomable for me. So either you make something brilliant like Pretty Woman, The Notebook and 50 First Dates, or leave me as I am. Thankfully, Bengali web series these days are more into crime-based content, and I, as a designated admirer of the genre, have made the maximum out of it. Today, I have compiled a few of the crime-based Bengali web series that are streaming on different platforms.  Advocate Achinta Aich Season 2: Ritwik Chakraborty is one of Bengal's finest actors. The first season has already shown A...

Being a Student of Millennials, Gen Z & Gen Alpha

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I have three years until I reach a half-century, which means I belong to Generation X. I have been fortunate to witness three younger generations who have come, seen, and conquered the world. In fact, they are now ruling it. Today, I would like to highlight what I have learned, am currently learning, and hope to learn from these younger generations. Learning from Millennials There is a narrow distinction between late Generation X and early Millennials. Many of my friends, close cousins, and colleagues fall into this category, and I have been fortunate to work the majority of my life with Millennials. Having primarily worked with this generation in both my personal and professional life, I have developed a fondness for them. Therefore, instead of referring to it solely as learning, I prefer to think of it as a process of sharing and exchanging ideas with Millennials.   Learning from Gen Z Let me first take a deep breath, for what I am going to write now may make many people wary, fo...

Top 6 Patriotic Songs Composed by A.R.Rahman

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What a beautiful week to celebrate! This year marks our 79th Independence Day , followed by Janmashtami. For the #BlogchatterBlogHop this week, I considered various topics to write about. Should I pen a letter to a soldier as a thankful citizen or craft a short story about the life of an average Indian like myself? After much thought, I finally settled on a different approach. I decided to write about a personality who has brought us global fame and made our country proud with their immense talent. This could be a sportsman, a politician, an author, or a poet. However, since music plays a significant role in my life, I chose to focus on the patriotic songs composed by A.R. Rahman . A.R. Rahman's career in Hindi films began with his composition for " Roja " in 1992, which brought a fresh dynamic to the industry. Following this debut, his soulful compositions continued to win the hearts of audiences in various Hindi movies, including " Bombay ," " Dil Se ,...

Translation of Ulanga Raja by Nirendranath Chakravarty

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Nirendranath Chakravarty was a renowned poet and novelist. One of his very famous poems  is Ulanga Raja. I have attempted to translate it in my own way. The Naked King The King is naked; they can see, but Still they clap They even scream, Bravo bravo! Some led by superstition, some by fear Some led by their wisdom being indebted to others; Some are parasites, some are under mercy and some just deceitful seekers. Some think the Royal Outfit is truly fine, Too fine to see, but it's still there, And that's not impossible. We all know this story. But the story was not only about  Some eulogistic, praiseworthy words of fearful and dishonest or absolutely mindless flatterers. There was also a child. An honest, innocent and fearless child. The King of that story now walks the real path. Surrounded again by applause; Mobbed by flatterers.  But why can't I see that child anymore? Where is he? Has he been hidden inside a cave in the hills? Or has he fallen asleep while playing with...

The Tibetan Bowl

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Subarna was preparing rice kheer in her kitchen, with semi-roasted dry fruits set aside, just as Saikat liked. Fortunately, it was Sunday, and Saikat didn’t have to go to the office. He decided to invite some friends over to celebrate his 30th birthday. She knew well that her son’s close friends were all double his age, mostly connected to the literary field. Saikat was a budding writer, well-established in the tech industry, and had already begun to win hearts with his contemporary fictions . He now primarily spends his leisure time with individuals connected to the literary world, including authors, poets, theatre personalities , and novelists. Subarna had arranged for an elaborate feast for her son's guests. There was Fish Orly , Vegetable Cutlets , Kashmiri Pulao , Garlic Paratha , Nilgiri Dum Aloo , Mughlai Chicken and mutton Kebabs . Her well-known butter pudding and Rice Kheer were there for the dessert. There was a time when she could manage it all alone, but situatio...

Top 10 Bengali Songs on Friendship

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Last Sunday was Friendship Day. To honour that day, today I have listed a few Bengali songs based on the eternal theme of friendship: 1. Purano Sei Diner Kotha: This Rabindrasangeet may be the earliest song about friendship in the Bangla language and the cherished memories that accompany it. The melody is influenced by the Scottish song, Auld Lang Syne, written by Robert Burns, which also addresses the theme of friendship.  2. Coffee House er Adda: This is undoubtedly the most popular song about friendship in the Bengali language. Sung by Manna Dey, written by Gauriprasanna Majumdar, and composed by Suparnakanti Ghosh, this song has become a symbolic representation of friendship, emphasising the significance of the Coffee House, where a few friends from various backgrounds gather every evening for a hearty laugh, conversation, and debate.  3. Bondhu chal: A contemporary song by Anupam Roy, this song is from the film Open Tee Bioscope. It emphasizes the days of innocent friend...

Translation of MilanMaya by Shankha Ghosh

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Shankha Ghosh is considered one of the pioneers of modern Bengali poetry. This is my humble effort to translate one of his celebrated poems, Milanmaya. The Union of Illusions Sitting beside your sorrow Watching the carpeted grass across the horizon, Like a drop of pure blood caught on each tip. Red, green and blue- the magical illusion of union Spread on your eyes. No other things to see, no other sounds to hear, anywhere. Sitting beside your sleep. The serene ray of your tranquil face-dispersion of my reflecting grief. Meaningless stands everything else. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Reubenna Dutta (@memoviesmore)

Ping, Tring or Ding Dong Ding?

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What are you—a ping, a tring, or a ding-dong-ding? By now, you might be wondering if this middle-aged woman's banter has crossed all lines and is heading toward absurdity. But relax, listen, and join me in this thought process, if you have the time to invest in my somewhat exciting journey. Yes, this question—this baffling dilemma—has been teasing, pinching, and haunting me for the past few days. What am I as a person? A ping, a tring or a ding dong ding? Let me analyze this million-dollar question for everyone's ease. Ping: Am I the kind of person who constantly checks my phone for SMS alerts or notifications on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook? I cook, eat, and watch TV, but my constant, albeit subconscious, satisfaction comes from that little ping on my cell phone. It's an instant reminder of someone’s text message, a notification of a like on my recently posted reel, or even a new message in one of the many WhatsApp groups I'm part of, that I have...