iranian oscar film a separation

http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/05/30/inseparable-lives-in-a-separation-best-foreign-oscar-film-reminds-life-is-not-separate-from-who-live-it/

The Best Foreign Oscar film reminds life is not separate from who live it.


‘A Separation’ is about the gulf between necessities and luxuries, responsibilities and aspirations, and lives that are torn between truths and lies. The religious, economical and gender dichotomies and disparities play a crucial role in this dramatic Iranian social labyrinth that deserved the Best Foreign Film Oscar this year. More than a couple’s separation – the issue here is to leave Iran for the sake of a child or reamin for the sake of the father. A battle between tradition and modernity, the film is full of questions captured in the daily routines of life. The audience is the judge. Life is at first manageable and easy going, as Nader the protagonist seems to think, but he encounters problems and issues along the way, making life as rough as a sandstorm.




The writer-director Asghar Farhadi scans a few lives that are ultimately inseparable and he seems to say Tehran – with its bustle and beauty – is not very far from us. Along with Iranian film gems Makhbalbaf and Panahi, Farhadi builds his sequences cleverly forcing us to go back to the early scenes to see who said what. There is a conflict between ‘I ought to’ and ‘I want to’ among the characters, who range from an upper middle class banker to a cobbler and a pregnant maidservant. The film takes an empathetic tone with the 11-year-old sixth grader, who is sandwiched between her poles apart parents even when the film ‘narratively’ tries to be neutral.



A contrasting study is well sketched between the apparently well to do, city-dwelling young girl and the most-of-the-time silent daughter of the home nurse, who hails from the countryside. There are undertones that are fully baked but half served – like the deeply religious woman who keeps secrets from her husband, a sick old man who gradually loses the ability to speak, and a dominating husband who is also a 'self-beater'.


This self-inflicted pain is part of the film’s structure. As the film gently progresses, the audience is doomed – not negatively – to witness the accounts of the suppressed feelings of the characters. In one scene the hero, separated from his wife and frustrated by the maid, bathes his frail father and sobs uncontrollably without the old man noticing.



The wife is also seen crying to an unresponsive father-in-law – he suffers from Alzheimer’s – saying ‘he never asked me to stay’. The veiled beautiful faces of the young generation seem like candles – lighted but burning within. Watch it if you would like to be showered in that candle light.

കണ്ണുകള്‍ (വീഡിയൊ)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B9JBzXd9I8 ----------------------
തൊട്ടേനേ ഞാന്‍ മനസ് കൊണ്ട് കെട്ടിപ്പിടിച്ചേനേ എന്ന ഗാനത്തിന്‍റെ വിരുത്തത്തില്‍ വയലാര്‍ അത്ഭുതപ്പെട്ടു: നീലക്കണ്ണുകളോ, ദിനാന്ത മധുര സ്വപ്‌നങ്ങള്‍ തന്‍ .. പാതിയടയും നൈവേദ്യ പുഷ്‌പങ്ങളോ! അനുരാഗകഥകള്‍ കൈമാറാനുള്ള വഴിയായും ചിമ്മിയും പിടഞ്ഞും ഇടഞ്ഞും കണ്ണുകള്‍ ഒരുപാട് ഗാനങ്ങളിലൂടെ കൂമ്പിയും കളിയാടിയുമിരുന്നു. 'ഈറന്‍പീലിക്കണ്ണുകളില്‍ ശോകം വീണ്ടും മയ്യെഴുതി' എന്ന് മമ്മൂട്ടി ഒരു പടത്തില്‍ മാധവിയോട് പാടുന്നു. കണ്ണുകള്‍ നിറഞ്ഞുതുളുമ്പുവാനും തൂവാനും കൂടിയായിരുന്നു. ഉല്‍സവമല്‍സരമേളകളില്‍ കണ്ണുകള്‍ സുറുമയും ചാന്തുമെഴുതി. മാനുകളും മീനുകളും മയിലുകളും മിഴികളില്‍ എഴുന്നു വന്നു. സര്‍വോപരി സ്വാമിക്ക് ഓടിയെത്താനുള്ള ഇടവുമായി കണ്ണുകള്‍. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ഈ വീഡിയോ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B9JBzXd9I8 ) എടുക്കുമ്പോള്‍ ഇത്രയുമൊക്കെ എന്‍റെ കണ്ണിലുണ്ടായിരുന്നു; കണ്‍മുന്നിലും.

Jahra's young stories

Jahra's young authors 'unleash' their stories

'Thirty years ago a woman was divorced from a rich man' - begins a story 'Lost Lima', penned by Turki Abdullah, a 7th grader. In the 20-page story (set in Mexico) Lima the 15-year old daughter of the divorced woman who grew up in an orphanage home, ran away and was rescued by a kind old woman. Events unfold through strange and odd episodes until we find Lima living happily with her parents and the old woman. From happiness, cooperation to environmental care and animal husbandry, emotions rule the stories written by the students ranging from grade 1 to 9 as part of the writing month conducted at Kuwait Bilingual School. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'What is better than kissing your child when he is crying', goes a line in a story. The school organized an exhibition of kids' books for the public where many parents came and read to their surprises, their children's and other kids' stories. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Poverty, violence, drugs and other forms of evil also find their place in some stories. 'Protecting Program', a gory story, authored by 9th grader Abdulrahman Assad tells about a storekeeper who married the daughter of a poor widower. He then sells his child, much to the anger of his wife, (and to the agony of his English teacher). He was brutally killed at the end by his wife who leaves no proof for the police to arrest her. When asked why their stories sound so unfamiliar, both Turky and Abdulrahman said they wanted imagination take over their day to day reality. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I had many delightful moments going through 500 plus stories", agrees Susan Jenkins, the English coordinator at the school. This is more than I expected, she said. Their imagination is soaring; voice is varying and perspective changing. To look from a different point of view is not easy with today's kids, she added. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stories of high morals were the most found genre in the two-day young author exhibition. Tamara Mubarak's character, Abdullah throws soda cans and plastic wrappers from their car on the way to the beach. The environment unfriendly Abdulah also smashes a bottle on the beach before he goes for swimming. When he comes back from the water, 'Agrhrr!!' writes Tamara, 'the glass piece went into Abdullah's feet.' The story ends when Abdullah later learns his lessons at the hospital. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In another moral story, one of the fighting boys ends up in jail 'when they continued to fight even in front of the police'. Other environment themed works were plays collectively written by Grade 5 girls. “They brainstormed the idea, formed and named characters, including narrators”, said their teacher Meghan Bigwood. One play talks about a competition on taking care of the environment. "A dry topic like environment would be ignored. So we put some element of competition in it", said one of the young authors. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kid characters who are happy when they are sick because they don't have to go to school; A kid who poisons her math teacher and makes the teacher dance; A bug traveling through London, Madrid and other places through the days of the week; A poor worm that was accidentally stamped by a child; The pirate who kills people by his sneeze, and realist fiction like community helpers also found their way to the imagination of the kids. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earlier, the school had month-long activities on writing. Anagrams, puzzle-jokes (Why did the chicken cross the road? To get away from the burger shop!) both in English and Arabic were put up on the bulletin boards where students had to find crazy solutions. The classroom doors were decorated with details of an author as part of the 'Author of the Week' activity. Classes were given topics in English and Arabic before the students went bang with a flood of stories. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KG children also took part with their single character - one-page picture story about samak (fish), asad (lion), pat (duck), arnap (rabbit) and a girl who is eating salad. The nursery teachers stood by the wall mounted stories of the little authors to explain 'This is a tree, this is a bear', inviting and invoking the Alice in Wonderland in us. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And for more serious readers, here is a story on recession - 'A Spanish citizen goes to the US, learns English and goes back to his country equipped with a skill' is the theme in a story written by 8th grader Abdulaziz Mamdouh. The title he gave to his story is open to more conclusions: 'Untitled'.

Blessed by baby shower

http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/04/26/baby-showers-unite-mothers-to-be/

The mother-to-be was at her workplace, waiting for office to disperse so that she could go home. Her friends and colleagues, mostly Arab nationals Americans, Indians and Filipinos hurriedly packed gifts for Bahraini national Fatema, their eight-month pregnant friend, as part of a tradition called ‘Baby Shower’ where friends gather to bless the mother and child. When gifts and food were laid out and everything was ready, Fatema was ushered into the party room, and they broke the suspense. “Shh… we don’t want to shock a pregnant woman,” said Amal, her long-time friend. “By the way, men are not allowed,” she winked. Baby shower celebration is usually held after the birth of a child in most part of the Middle East. It is slowly shedding its rigidity, absorbing elements from other cultures. In Kuwait, where expats are free to observe their traditions, an eclectic cultural mix has also impacted customs like baby shower. “It’s like a birthday celebration for us,” said Basmeh, part of Fatema’s baby shower. “It’s an occasion for all of us to share our joy.” “Some mothers-to-be cover their faces during the baby shower,” said Maha who resides in Jabriya. “This is done to make sure that the baby will not be ‘cursed’ by an ‘evil eye.’ Even if we hold a baby shower after the baby’s birth, we refrain from lavishing praises like ‘Wow! The baby is beautiful!’We whisper, ‘Mashallah, the baby is healthy.’” In Egypt, Maha said, a custom named ‘Soboo’a’ is practiced where the mother steps over the baby that is laid on the floor. “This is also to emphasize the mother’s protective authority over the baby and to spare it from bad luck,” she said. Fatema, dressed in an abaya, face uncovered, did not seem to have a stink in the eye to be part of the baby shower organized by friends. She sat in a chair beside her friend Mayada who, unwrapped gifts one by one. There were teethers, moving toys, baby quilts, among other things. There was an Arabic book about baby care and a DVD containing lullabies. But the most surprising gift was the gender specific baby clothing. “That’s a big change now,” said Amal who let me in to the room and asked a shy Fatemah to take a photograph. “Many things that were once kept secret are open now,” she said amid while flashes from iPhones and Galaxy phones blinded the room. “You’ll see these photos tonight on Facebook,” she said. Someone had brought chocolate-covered rice crispy treats. Everyone was about to begin feasting. I asked Fatema if she had anything to say. She glanced towards the door, “I asked my husband to attend the baby shower,” she said. “Probably he doesn’t know men ARE allowed in!” http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/04/26/baby-showers-unite-mothers-to-be/

രതിയുടെ പ്രവാസമുഖങ്ങള്‍(വീഡിയോ)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiGWnv-npx8

രതിയുടെ പ്രവാസാനുഭവം ഗള്‍ഫ് നാടുകളിലെ മരുഭൂമികളില്‍ മാത്രമല്ല, നാട്ടില്‍ത്തന്നെ, അവനവനില്‍ത്തന്നെ പല അളവുകളിലും കാലങ്ങളിലും തുളുമ്പുന്നുണ്ട്. പൂര്‍ത്തീകരിക്കപ്പെടാത്ത മൂര്‍ച്ഛകളില്‍ ഒന്നു മാത്രമാണത്. വിവാഹിത ബാച്ച്‌ലേഴ്‌സ് കൂടുതല്‍ പാര്‍ക്കുന്ന ഒരു പ്രവാസപ്രദേശമെന്ന നിലയില്‍ ഗള്‍ഫ് പ്രവാസികളില്‍ അത് കൂടുതലായി ഹോമിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. ഉപവാസങ്ങളിലും ത്യാഗങ്ങളിലും ഉയര്‍ന്നു നില്‍ക്കുന്ന ഉപേക്ഷയാണത്. ഫ്രോയ്‌ഡിന്‍റെ ജീവചരിത്രകാരന്‍ ഏണസ്‌റ്റ് ജോണ്‍സ് പറഞ്ഞ അഫാനിസിസ് - രതിചോദനകളുടെ അഭാവം; ഒരിക്കലും അവസാന പടവുകളിലെത്താതെ സിസിഫസീകരിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന അനോര്‍ഗാസം; ജീവന്‍ വെടിയുന്ന നിമിഷങ്ങള്‍ പോലും ഉത്തേജനം കൊണ്ടുവരുമെങ്കില്‍ അത് - ഇതൊക്കെ പ്രവാസരതിയുടെ അതിഭാവുകത്വങ്ങളാവാം. എങ്കിലും ബാഷ്‌പീകരിക്കപ്പെട്ട് പോകുന്ന വികാരങ്ങള്‍ ഉച്ചച്ചൂട് പോലെ സത്യമായി നില്‍ക്കുന്നു. അതിന്‍റെ പോക്കുവെയിലില്‍ പിറന്നതാണ് ഈ വീഡിയോ - മണല്‍പെയ്‌ത്ത്. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiGWnv-npx8 വേഷമിട്ട പൌലോസില്ലായിരുന്നെങ്കില്‍ സത്യമാകാതെ പോകുമായിരുന്ന എന്‍റെ വീഡിയോ ശ്രമം.

malayalam folk song ente peril oraalmarathil

എന്‍റെ പേരിലൊരാല്‍മരത്തില്‍ കൂട് കൂട്ടാനായ്
കൊണ്ടുപോയി, കൊണ്ടുപോയി അമ്മ കാണ്‍കെ പാത്തു വച്ചെല്ലാം
എന്‍റെ കൈയില്‍ ഒരോട്ടുവളയില്‍ കോര്‍ത്ത് വക്കാനായ്
കൊണ്ടു പോയി വര്‍ണ്ണമീനുകള്‍ നോക്കി വച്ചെല്ലാം

നാട്ടുകടവില് പാട്ടു മൂളണ ചെമ്പരത്തിക്ക്
നിന്‍റെയാല്‍മരക്കിളീക്കൂട് വിട്ട കാറ്റ് തൊട്ടെന്നോ!
കണ്ടീല അവിടെയെങ്ങും ഒരാലില പോലും
കണ്ടു ഞാനൊരു ചെമ്പരത്തി ചിത്രത്തിലെങ്ങോ

ചായ്‌ച്ചു കെട്ടിയ കുളപ്പുരയില് കളഞ്ഞു പോയെന്നോ
അതോ കായ്‌ച്ചു നിക്കണ കാവില്‍ നീയാ ഓട്ടുവളയിട്ടോ?
കുളവുമില്ല, പുരയുമില്ല, കളഞ്ഞു പോയത് വളയുമല്ല,
ഓട്ടുവളക്കായി കുഴച്ച മണ്ണ്, പൊന്നരി മണ്ണ്

മണ്ണും മരവും പോയെന്നാകിലും
മനസില്‍ മഴ പോല്‍ മലയാളം, അച്ഛന്‍മലയാളം
മറക്കില്ല, മടിക്കില്ല, മരവിക്കില്ല
മലയാളം, മലയാളം, അച്ഛന്‍മലയാളം
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUp6-WxNNVk&feature=channel&list=UL

kuwait's new Malayalam FM radio

New FM radio tunes
expats into roots

Connecting Indian expats to their roots and gluing musically-inclined Egyptians to their seats, new radio stations are foraying into Kuwait in aplomb. The Indian FM radio station, 98.4 U FM, will be officially launched on April 14, the Hindu festival of Vishu (Malayalam new year). It 'caters to the need of expats' claims the ongoing test broadcast advertisement. The test broadcast now runs Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi songs and jingles that resound the latest Bollywood hits. The Egyptian operated makanfm.com, also on test transmission, offers unlimited Arabic songs and programs that vary between religious and spirited debates.


Kuwait's Marina FM-assisted 98.4 U FM is a much awaited dream come true for many. The inception of an expat-oriented radio began a year ago. Manu Chandrashekhar, Program Convener, said about 17 professionals from TV-radio fields in India were recruited, and the station uses internationally renowned Dalet radio software. Experienced technicians and nine radio jockeys, in addition to locally recruited administrative staff make the 98.4 U FM team a force to reckon with, and it aims to spread it wings, Manu said. The staff, hand-picked without the interview process will work in two shifts. "Our concept is the pure infotainment for the Indian community", Manu said. The station observed earth hour by shutting down last evening from 8.30 to 9.30.

The FM team boasts a vast collection of 52,000 Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi songs that will be aired. Plans are on the anvil to include every half-hour news, announcements, phone-in programs and advertisements in its 24/7 format. The team is busy working on the background and scheduling its program list, to be transmitted from Muthala station. Manu said hypermarkets and small-scale companies have expressed interest in placing advertisements.

Since March 21, (the day 98.4 U FM went on air) the test broadcast has become a talk of the town. Music lovers and listeners circulated e-mails, sharing the good news. Some believe that such a station should have been made a reality much earlier. Others felt that listening to music and news is the best can help pass time while waiting in traffic.

Egyptian internet radio makanfm.com will broadcast 'Matigi nitkalam,' an online voice chat program where people describe funny real-life incidents. Football, technology, hit chart will also be featured in the internet radio station that can be accessed through Real Media and Windows Media Player. "It is team work where a few Egyptians make an online space for a large number of compatriots who will be connected through the programs they listen to," said Sherif Ismail, who does advertisements for the internet radio.

As for 98.4 U FM, being able to bridge the gap between India and Kuwait brings in more good news. The festival of Vishu signifies the first thing seen on the day, believed to have a bearing on one's life in the coming years. The FM's launch could not be timed any better.