Even the Big B Can't Deter Those Who Want to Make a Mess

 

CESC has done a wonderful job of transforming the city's electrical junction boxes into pieces of public art, celebrating iconic personalities and adding colour to Kolkata's streets. Sadly, it doesn't take long for some people to spoil these efforts with posters, graffiti, stickers, and vandalism.

One such junction box features the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, along with a tribute to his early days, noting that the Big B began his acting journey in Kolkata's theatre scene during the late 1960s. It's a wonderful reminder of the city's contribution to one of Indian cinema's greatest icons.

Unfortunately, even the presence of Bollywood's biggest superstar isn't enough to discourage those who choose to deface public property. It's disappointing to see such creative initiatives treated with so little respect.

Beautifying a city is a collective effort. While organisations like CESC are doing their part, preserving these artistic installations is a responsibility that belongs to all of us. A cleaner, more respectful city begins with the choices we make every day.

On the Pillbox:

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Started hi acting

career from

Kolkata theatre in

the late Sixties

Vidya Vox Live in Kolkata

Went for an awesome concert today at Nicco Park organised by Mirch Live (Radio Mirchi). Had watched some of her videos online and when we went for the concert, Vidya Vox more than delivered an awesome Musical Experience.

When in Mumbai, Shopping at Bandra Linking Road is a Must

 I wanted to head out to Lands End Bandra to get a good view of the Bandra-Worli Sealink. After spending some time here at Bandra Fort, we decided to take a walk down to Linking Road.

 It was quite hilarious to watch all these people coming to this gate and clicking pictures. Then we realised this is Shah Rukh Khan's famous Bungalow "Mannat". Spendt some time here just to see how these fans kept hanging around in the hopes of catching a glimpse of "King Khan" in case he decided to make an appearance, which I hear he does on occasion, climbing up on that platform and waving at the crowds gathered outside.

 After the shopping spree at Linking Road and that long walk, we had built up an appetite and found this quirky place called TAP Resto Bar. Fueled with Beer, Food & Music, we headed out again.

 A Mario Kisok. If you don't know who Mario Miranda is, click here. And if' you're looking for Mario Merchandise visit www.mariodemiranda.com

Later that evening we went to one of Mumbai's best Gujarati Cuisine Restaurants. Chetana in Fort area is a Vegetarian's Delight.

Mother's Wax Museum

Mamata Banerjee - Chief Minister of West Bengal

Shahrukh Khan

Amitabh Bachchan

Mithun Chakraborty

Kishore Kumar

Lata Mangeshkar

Manna Dey

Diego Maradona

Sourav Ganguly

Kapil Dev

Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose

Uttam Kumar

Suchitra Sen

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

Kazi Nazrul Islam

Rabindranath Tagore

Swami Vivekananda

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Mahatma Gandhi

Spiderman

Abhijeet Launches his First ever Rabindrasangeet Album

And yet again, I'm at Starmark. That's the 2nd time this week. The last was a Book Launch and this time around it was for the Launch of renowned Bollywood Singer, Abhijeet's first ever Rabindrasangeet Album called Oi Asonotoler.

Nilanjana of Chaplin fame and one of the most popular Radio Jockeys from 91.9 Friends FM was present alongside Abhijeet to launch the Album. The shutterbugs had a field day, before they could let the Singer get on with some Q&A and sing some songs thereafter.

Amish Launches His 2nd Book at Starmark

After a lot of contemplation and a complex day at work, I decided I need to get out and attend the book Launch at Starmark, South City Mall. This is the first time I have been to a book launch where an AV has been made from part of the book depicting scenes from within. It was like the trailer to a Hollywood Blockbuster.

The last time Amish was in town, I got to know him but in the comfort of our studio. The Best Selling author was as friendly, down to earth and amicable in front of a crowd. After a brief reading, he was eager to start the Q&A and fielding questions from both young and old, it was clearly evident that he was a well read person & had dwelled long on research.

Even when foxed by some questions by youngsters, his boyish smile was enough to disarm even the biggest guns pointed his way. Post the book launch, while signing books, he was always able to pop his head here and there to get in the frame with eager fans. The shutterbugs am sure had a field day. I'd have loved to be counted in as one of them, but the battery in my camera died even before Mr. Arindam Seal arrived to launch the Book "The Secret of the Nagas" which is the 2nd book of his SHIVA Trilogy. So these are the few captures of the Author "Amish Tripathi" that I managed to get.

ART IN LIFE 2011 Curtain Raiser at CIMA GALLERY

I was so looking forward to visiting CIMA GALLERY for this event after visiting ART IN LIFE 2010. Last year when I first visited CIMA GALLERY, a lot of myths were broken. I, like most people, felt that Art Galleries are meant for the upper crust of society, and yet when I visited the gallery for ART IN LIFE 2010, I was shocked to see items as cheap as Rs. 50 too.

The ART IN LIFE Project is the brainchild of the curators of the Gallery who go to extreme lengths covering the length and breadth of the sub-continent scouring the art and artisans to bring their creations to us. It is their endeavour to keep these Arts alive and ensure that better commerce prevails to keep these artisans true to their art. Their belief is that if these artisans don’t get their livelihoods from these beautiful creations, they are forced into seeking opportunities in other fields and thus with them dies a legacy of our heritage and culture.

ART IN LIFE 2011 opened privately to a bevy of Celebrities and Socialites of Kolkata and it was a pure joy to see the likes of Rituparna Sengupta and Kiran Uttam Ghosh who went crazy shopping. Aparna Sen was the first to show up followed by Rituparno Ghosh and Anamika Khanna . The gorgeous Moon Moon Sen too floated in like a butterfly. Madhu Neotia just couldn’t get enough of the simple yet exquisite saris.

Aparna Sen

Rituparno Ghosh

Rituparna Sengupta

Moon Moon Sen

RJ Purbasha of 91.9 Friends FM

All I would say is that if you’re looking to buy some nice stuff for yourself or your home or better still as a gift for someone this Durga Puja, ART IN LIFE 2011 at CIMA GALLERY is the place from 02 September to 01 October 2011.

CIMA GALLERY

Sunny Towers (2nd Floor),

43, Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue,

Kolkata, India 700019

Date: 02 September to 01 October 2011

Hours: Daily: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Phone: +91 33 24858717

Website: http://www.cimaartindia.com/