SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2015 (PAGE-4)

MOVIE-REVIEW PERSONALITY Comedy as a poor joke A teacher on a mission Saibal Chatterjee As completely meaningless as its silly title, Singh is Bliing is an Gopal Sharma NOBODY COMES HERE BUT THIS MADAM OFTEN COMES AND HAS attempted comedy that is funny for all the wrong reasons. It has no sto- Notwithstanding the innumerous hurdles and eco- ry, no screenplay and no logic. nomic constraints, a very humble and optimistic Gov- ENGAGED TWO FEMALE TEACHERS FOR OUR CHILDREN’S STUDY. SHE EVEN Co-produced by Akshay Kumar himself, the film is designed to give ernment teacher is moving ahead with her missionary the Bollywood star a standard range of things to do on the screen. On zeal to reform the children taking to rag- picking and TEACHES ON SUNDAYS. WE ARE PAYING NOTHING AND EVEN THE BOOKS, his part, with all his mannerisms intact, he plunges headlong into the begging and imparting them free education in a labour assignment. colony near Jammu Railway Station. NOTEBOOKS, PENS/ PENCILS, BAGS ETC ARE MANAGED BY THIS TEACHER. Unfortunately, Singh is Bliing is so utterly brainless that no matter While doing justice with her job and teaching chil- how enthusiastically Akshay strives to make it work with his brand of dren at a Govt Higher Secondary School in district Sam- buffoonery, he only hits his head against a shoddy wall of a script. ba (Sumb), this teacher (Lecturer) is also sparing time Singh is Bliing is Prabhudheva's first 'original' Hindi film, but it recy- for these children of ‘lesser God’ and trying hard to illu- cles all the cliched, lowbrow tropes he is known for. But the gags that minate their minds with the knowledge. With her dedi- he comes up with are vacuous and the dialogue borders on the utterly cation and support of two young teachers whom she is inane. paying honorariums out of her salary, she has trans- formed many children of the labour class who were turn- Punjab, Goa, ing drug addicts and indulging in smoking and chewing Romania - the Tobacco / Chutki. Many others who had taken to beg- film travels across ging at Railway Station or other city places, have joined three locations. this school- ‘Sangharash Vidhya Kendra’ with the efforts Cinematographer of this missionary teacher and her team. Dudley frames the This very humble and a little unknown social activist beauty of the of the Jammu city, Kanchan Sharma, needs no certifi- landscapes and cate or recognition from anybody. Ms Kanchan says that the skylines to she had been doing this struggle (Sanghrash) since Sep- great effect. tember 2009 and shall continue to do so till her last If only the film breath. “ My heart once wept for these children while just had more sub- passing through this area of Maratha Basti near Jammu stance, the contri- Railway Station. I made up mind to do something for bution of the cam- these children and decided to create awareness among erawork would the parents of these children and also motivate the chil- dren to go for studies”, she said. have made a dif- ference to the The initial great challenge was to motivate their par- final product. ents and asking them not to send their children for beg- ging or rag picking but allowing them to join school. Reformed from rag-picking and begging children getting education at “Sanghrash Vidya Kendra’, Jammu. The male pro- They were also told that they have to pay nothing for it. - Excelsior/Rakesh tagonist of Singh They will be getting free education and books, note books school and then I got the school registered and started forms and shoes. There is no regular support to this is Bliing is a Pun- etc will also be provided. The second challenge was to teaching here in September 2009 in a small Jhugi (Hut),” school from Government agency or any NGO so far but jab villager motivate these children, reform them and educate them Ms Kanchan maintained. this teacher is managing somehow to run this school Raftaar Singh not to indulge in the dirty habits of smoking, chewing despite many challenges. She revealed that as her salary (Akshay) who, in A dwelling head, Shivji told the Excelsior that Chutki/ Tobacco, taking liquor etc. After joining school madam has come here as an angel for their children. He has not been released for the last six months after her the company of their habits were developed to take bath regularly and said most of the children of this Basti of nearly 250 fam- transfer to GHSS, Sumb from Jammu then she had to his robust friends, keep their body and clothes clean. This was done contin- ilies, are either connected with rag picking or begging. take financial support from her retired husband. uously with the help of a head of the Mazdoor Basti and bumbles his way Many of them have turned addict and spoiling their lives. Unfortunately, no Government agency has ever from one mischief some women who even helped to raise school in a small He said it is perhaps tradition in this basti that male hut of tin and plastic sheets with wooden walls. There is encouraged or supported this teacher running this to another, earning the ire of the family patriarch (Yograj Singh). members mostly either go rag picking or spend whole school, but several NGOs and Red Cross members were Constantly shielded by his doting mother (Rati Agnihotri), Raftaar no compound for morning assembly and somehow, it is time in gambling while women work to feed children. done inside the ‘Jhuggi’. influenced by the holy mission of this lady teacher and makes a hash of a job as a zookeeper. A lion escapes from its cage and The parents have also forced their children to rag pick- accorded her honour on certain occasions. She has a Raftaar is compelled to replace the feline with a dog. This Primary School located near Maratha Basti has ing and beggary. They are not worried about the future dream to raise good school for these children having His exasperated and angry papaji sends him to Goa to work for a now been registered with the Chief Education Office of their children. good environment and facilities but perhaps it is beyond Jammu and has seventy children. While Kanchan Shar- casino owner. There he earns the confidence of his employer and is giv- Shivji further said that with the support of a few good her personal capacity. She explained that for this some ma normally bears the expenditure to run this school but men of the Basti, a hut was raised with own resources funds are needed and mostly NGOs and people do some- en charge of Sara Rana, an English-speaking girl (Amy Jackson), who she sometimes takes help from her husband R C Kha- and support of this madam to raise a school. Some times thing from where they can earn publicity or if they have has arrived from Romania to look for her mother. juria, who retired as additional secretary in the J&K Gov- when all children are not accommodated in this hut, some vested interests. No politician or legislator ren- Trouble is that Raftaar Singh doesn't know a word of English and he ernment few years back. She says some times J&K Red dered help when she approached them on certain occa- has to fall back on an interpreter (Lara Dutta) to communicate with the Cross Society renders some help and once a local NGO some children are shifted in a nearby Jhuggi. “We are beautiful guest who, as it transpires, needs no bodyguard. and Jain Attachi House owner donated school bags for highly thankful to this pure human being who is caring sions in past. Now, she has left hope and doing it at her Sara is a bare-knuckles freestyle fighter who can reduce the tough- the children and uniforms. During rainy season water for our children, reformed many of them from bad habits own. If some helping hand is rendered by some body, she welcomes it but it is received hardly once or twice est pf men to quivering wrecks in a jiffy. peeps into the school room. There is only one hut where and comes here to educate them. Nobody comes here but these children study under one roof. Some of them were this madam often comes and has engaged two female during the whole year. In the film's only out-of-the-ordinary sequence, a drug dealer and teachers for our children’s study. She even teaches on his men pulverize Raftaar in a bar. Sara steps in to rescue the hero. By found to be quite interested in studies having sharp mind Showing attendance register and performance of the but the domestic circumstances of many others did not Sundays. We are paying nothing and even the books, children, the school teacher indicated that children have the end of the brawl, the lady is the only person standing. notebooks, pens/ pencils, bags etc are managed by this Singh is Bliing is only for Akshay Kumar fans, but both Amy Jack- allow them to join school. talent but they need care and support from the parents teacher. We are highly indebted to her,” the Basti head and society. Their life can be reformed if the society starts son and Lara Dutta to have their moments. Jackson is a pretty face but Referring to her initial struggle, Ms Kanchan said, man maintained. “For about about three years, from 2005 onwards, she caring for them. It is also responsibility of the society to she also makes her presence felt as an actress both in the action scenes At present there are 70 children in this school. But render them help and do something for them. The little and softer romantic moments. was after the then Director SSA Jammu and even DSE Jammu to open a Govt School for these children near the their number goes on increasing and decreasing as some children can be saved from addiction, beggary and abuse Lara Dutta's comic timing is exceptional, but there just isn't enough Maratha Basti but they did not pay much attention. She families shift to other locations. Ms Kanchan said that of child labour if any Government agency and civil soci- meat in her character to allow her to rise above the runaway medioc- ran for it from pillar to post but returned dejected. Even even after motivation, some parents do not send their ety comes forward. They also have their childhood like rity. The film also has Kay Kay Menon, one of Bollywood's better char- I contacted some NGOs but they too, did not muster any children to school as they thrive on their kids’ earnings. other children of the country but they are carrying load acter actors, in the role of a grotesque bad guy whose pet refrain is: "easy courage to open a school in this Mazdoor Basti where liv- Their fathers beat them and force to go for begging or of ‘Kawad’ (rags) on their back and roaming on the dirty is boring". So, he goes looking for shrill drama in everything that he ing conditions are very unhygienic. Even some of them rag picking job for Kwadis. The hapless children have no heaps for picking up their livelihood. Ultimately, they does. Even by the standards of Prabudheva films, this villain is ludi- remarked who will come at such a place to teach. Then other option with them. Gradually they also develop the are crushed under the load of labour, resort to addiction crous, neither comical nor ominous. It is doubtful if Kay Kay Menon a retired Education officer advised me that I can launch habits of their father and elderly boys in the locality. and other evil habits. She said country planners are need- has ever looked more stupid on the screen. a school if there is no support from Government. There- Some women of the locality who realize the value of edu- ed to device a policy for people living in such slum areas Painfully trashy, Singh is Bliing is a travesty of a movie that reduces after, I consulted some elderly people of this Basti and cation send their children regularly. Drop out cases are and improve their living condition and impart free edu- comedy to a poor joke. especially ladies. They assured to give space for the also many and frequent. Many children have no uni- cation to their children. BOOK REVIEW Tript’s Poetry depicts Life Paharies torch bearers of composite culture in the State O P Sharma & Sanjogta Avtar Bhat Muzaffarabad, now in Pakistan, Name of the book : Paharies of J&K (an analytical study) Reasi and Udhampur and Jagir of Name of the Book : Solhan Aanne Sachch (Dogri poetry) Poonch fall predominantly under Author: : Dr S P Vaid Name of the Author : Rakesh Sharma ‘Tript’ the influence of Paharies. The Publisher : Classic Printers Bari Brahmana ,Jammu Price : Rs 850 numbers of Pahari speaking peo- Year : 2014 Name of Publishing : Shyama Publications ple in 1931 were 5, 95,754 against 5, 36,069 as per census of 1921. Pages : 128 House Jammu, 85 Subash Nagar, Jammu The book states that despite Price : Rs.250/- Dr S P Vaid's recent book Paharies in having different religion, their lin- J&K throws light on the Pahari culture, the guistic communications, customs, This 128-page book of Dogri poetry titled “Sol- way of life of Pahari people, their language, traditions, and sharing of their fes- han Aanne Sachch” by Rakesh Sharma Tript has traditions etc. Going through the pages of tivals is common. The book while come as a pleasant publication for the Dogri read- the book one comes to know that the author terming Pahari society as an Eth- ership. Rakesh Sharma is a gifty poet who has pen had made an independent study on life and nic Group reveals that Pahari soci- down his ideas about the prevailing conditions in history of Pahari people in erstwhile J&K ety has a composite culture in the society. He has sought to convey that in the State. While going through the book one areas inhibited by it. The Pahari present set up there are many hidden evils and cor- will find that it has both the depth and pro- society has a distinct style of living, rupt practices but some of the facts of life are quite fundity and one may go through it both for separate dress, food habits, folk real and apparent. pleasure and profit. The book is totally based songs and traditions. Both “Solhan Aanne Sachch” is the maiden poetic on research over the life and history of Paharies and Gujjars are ethnic, linguistic and cultural entities who venture which has caught the imagination of the Pahari people in the State. It is sanguine that this book will go a long way to prove useful possess similar racial and cultural people. The poet has used the common man’s lan- characteristics. Their dresses are guage and used typical style with flight of emotions. for further research on the subject as it can provide the necessary historical material to generally common like Shalwar - His down to earth approach to life and the existing those students, teachers and scholars who Kameez and turbans with a waist realities have left a deep impact on his thought have the urge and propensity to evaluate the court and a blanket on their shoul- process. His poetry is gradually getting popularity. events and the happenings that overtook the ders so that one can't differentiate the capacity of Emeritus-Fellowship of this REALITIES OF LIFE people of the region in the last century. between a Pahari and a Gujjar walking together. Not only this but their cus- prestigious national mission. It deals with The book hence will be very useful for Rakesh Sharma firmly believes that poetic com- LESSONS OF LIFE toms marriage, rituals, and traditions are the origin of the Paharies, their Historical position is actually God gifted and it must be devot- researchers and can be used as a reference the same. background, the Pahari society, life style of ed towards the well being of humanity . The pen of The book under review has 72 poetic composi- book by them as it is with a vast source of The author has touched the every sphere Gujjars and Bakkerwals as well as with Gad- information on the pahari people. Indeed the poet is as powerful as any other communicator. tions comprising of poems , ghazals and chamukhas of Paharies life. While referring to their dies and Sippies, Duggar-Desh society, . Going through this book gives an exciting experi- the author has made an unique attempt to By his writing revolutionary changes can be ushered physical features he states that the Paharies Kashmiri society , property and laws of ence and one is impressed by wide-range of topics make available the vast source of informa- inheritance, Riwaj-i-Aam, economy, occu- in course of time. And history has numerous such are generally handsome, courteous and taken up by the poet. tion which usually is not available for the enthusiastic. They are also laborious, daunt- pation and changing life style of the Paharies examples ! Born on March 11, 1967 in Jammu and after pre- people who are interested to study the his- less and hospitable. Besides they are soft and last but not the least the present The poet ‘Tript’ which is his pen name and he liminary education he had influence of some poets tory, culture and Pahari traditions in depth. spoken, upright and self respecting people demands of the Paharies. It also highlights has devised and adopted his wife’s name ‘Tripta’ who encouraged his talents in Dogri poetry . He first Dr Vaid a versatile writer has nine books who have no match in hospitability. the artificial division of Jammu and Kash- to his credit which included How Partition basically a shopkeeper who has inkling for creative started getting his poems published in different Referring to their food habits, the book mir state migration of masses from both Rocked J&K , Socio-economic Roots of expressions . Not highly educated but learnt the les- local newspapers. Afterwards during 2014 , he got reveals that the maize is the staple food for sides, role of social organisations and polit- sons through close observations and experiences of Unrest in Jammu and Kashmir 1931-47, Paharies including Gujjars and Bakkerwals. ical movements as they developed over the this book of Dogri poetry published by Classic Print- Tourist Destination in India, Derailing of life. He drew inspiration from prominent Dogri The Makki -Roti is cooked in earthen huge years. The author has tried to champion ers Bari Brahmana , Jammu. youth from main stream, causes and reme- writers like Dinoo Bhai Pant, Tara Smallpuri , Rakesh Sharma ‘Tript’ is associated as a mem- cooking place called Tandoor or Oven and their cause as well. He has tried his best to dies, Exams, jobs, Career &Burning Envi- make the book very informative after con- Mohan Lal Sapolia and Padam Dev Singh and start- ber with Adbi Kunj, Duggar Manch and Nami Dogri mostly it is cooked on iron pot. Maintaing ronmental issues, Bichhode-Ki-Peeda (an sulting virtually all sources and resources Sanstha and is still engaged in literary activities in that most Pahari people are poor the author ed his poetic journey. This is his first book of Dogri Autobiography in Hindi), judaee- that are available on this side of the border addition to his other engagements. He is reputed to says they can't afford rice which is available poetry and it has been received well in the literary ka_Dard(an Autobiography in Udu), Pangs at certain places. in the form of official records reports mem- have been felicitated by Rashtriya Kavi Sangam , circles. of Separation (an Autobiography in English) The book says Paharies are mostly super- oirs interaction with well meaning and well SOCIAL THEMES Delhi ;Samooh Theatre, Jammu and Ravidass Sab- and Jammu Kashmir ke Pahari Log Ake Ake stitious and have become victims of evil spir- knowledgeable personalities of the State to ha Rajpura. He is working on yet another compila- Tajziat Mutalia in Urdu. The Paharies of its and these dogmas are quite common make it authentic. About the Author: The Sahitya Akademi Awardee, Mohan Singh has tion of Dogri poetry. J&K is his latest book. written foreword in this book and has good a word among both the Muslims and Hindu com- author who was born in village Gunni, tehsil The title of the book is at once catchy being a The author has quoted historical and offi- Kotli, ditrict Mirpur now in PoK is a doctor- for the simplicity of language its directness in stat- munities. Their customs are mostly com- good picture of famous heritage building of Jammu cial references to substantiate facts and fig- mon showing unity in diversity. These cus- ate in History from Jammu University. He ing the facts and sharing his experiences with the which is symbol of Dogra culture. The book written ures given in the book to make it more rele- toms prevail in them from birth to death and has served Education Department for readers. Mohan Singh has a word of praise for poet in attractive style touches the heart of the readers. vant and authentic for students of research. from cradle to grave, reveals the book. decades together and is the recipient of the ‘Tript’. It is hoped that “Solhan Aanne Sachch” will be read As already mentioned the author who has Besides the book is an initiative taken by State and National Awards in the year 1995 Kewal Krishan Shakir has also expressed his with interest by the Dogri readership .‘Tript’ poet- made an indepth research on life, history, the author after being emboldened and and 1996. He was also honoured with opinion about poet ‘Tript’ for this poetry book . His ry has certainly added to the rich Dogri literature. culture, language and traditions as well as encouraged through the project allotted by Mohyal Gaurav Smmsn in 1998 and their way of life states that the districts of is also of the opinion that the poetry is ‘Impressive’. (Starline Syndicate Service) University Grants Commission (U.G.C) in Rashtriya Gaurav Award in 2004.