Book Review: Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud - Peter Watson

Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud by Peter Watson

The past is an inheritance, a gift and a burden. It can’t be shirked. You carry it everywhere. There’s nothing for it but to get to know it. - Jill Lepore

Crisis makes radical ideas relevant. Radical ideas inspire social movements. Social movements amplify crisis. In a crisis, shovel-ready ideas can win support quickly. History is full of deeply flawed ideas adapted rapidly by civilization and also burial ground of the ideas applied with the best of intentions. We must look at history and to understand that change never, ever, ever comes about in a brief period. It's the gradual accumulation of knowledge as ideas to historical change that lead to the historical changes.

All the current knowledge has been built on past insights, and a book is devoted for the cause. Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud by Peter Watson, has covered the key intellectual milestones of humanity’s intellectual ascent. Central to the narrative is the theme that ideas—not war, politics, or economics—are the true drivers of history, which the author weaves with remarkable sensitivity. Watson crafts a sweeping intellectual history that traces how ideas evolve and have profound consequences. 

The book is a sweeping chronicle of how human beings have thought about the world and their place in it across cultures and centuries. The amount of knowledge condensed in a single book covering disciplines (science, philosophy, law, religion, the arts, music, economics, etc.), is astonishing! 

The reader will explore about the foundational scientific discoveries and their unexpected consequences. How great minds connect the dots across different ages and disciplines? Reader will delve into the major philosophical and religious movements that defined our ethical systems and societal structures, tracing thought from the earliest concepts of the soul to the complex theories of Freud.

Understanding how ideas evolved helps the reader appreciate the unique power of human thought and innovation. Watson’s methodology and narrative structure is exhausting for the reader as the book covers the depth and breadth of intellectual evolution. 

Reading the book is worth the effort. It's illuminating, but not without blind spots! The book is too Eurocentric, and it oversimplifies things for the experts. Peter Watson does acknowledge major non-Western civilizations (like China, India, and the Islamic world) and includes influential figures and concepts from them. However, their contributions are often subordinated to the narrative arc of Western intellectual development, especially from the Renaissance onward.

Bernard of Chartres, a medieval scholar, who said: "We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance..." The phrase has come to symbolize intellectual progress built on the foundations laid by others. The trajectory of knowledge — from fire, to writing, to the internet — suggests that future breakthroughs will continue to reshape human life. Confidence in the knowledge that those before you have achieved wonderful things in past always help an individual or community to overcome doubt, hysteria and even conspiracy theories. Ultimately, the book is a celebration—and critique—of the complex history of ideas that shape our world.  

9 Must-Read Essays and Journalism Classics from The Seen and the Unseen Podcast

"The Seen and the Unseen" is India's premier long-form podcast hosted by Amit Varma. The podcast, which has been running since 2017, features long-form conversations with intellectuals, writers, economists, historians, and thought leaders from India and around the world. 

I am only sharing the books recommended related to Journalism & Media:

1.The New New Journalism — Robert Boynton

This book offers deep insight into the craft and practice of modern journalism. It features interviews with 19 leading journalists who bring facts to life in compelling ways, making stories engaging and impactful. It inspires journalists and writers to improve storytelling techniques essential for today’s media landscape.

2. The Power Broker — Robert A. Caro

This is a multi-dimensional portrait of American power and political influence. Through Robert Caro’s detailed biography, readers learn how power is gained, wielded, and its impact on ordinary people. It is a masterclass in political biography, journalism, history, and the nuanced study of power.

3. The Naïve and the Sentimental Novelist — Orhan Pamuk

This book explores the inner world of writing and reading fiction. Orhan Pamuk discusses the relationship between imagination and sensitivity, showing how literature creates alternate worlds for both writers and readers. It offers valuable perspectives for lovers of literature.

4. How Fiction Works — James Wood

James Wood’s book helps readers and writers understand the complexities of narrative art. It examines key story elements like realism, character, description, and point of view, providing a thorough understanding of how fiction is crafted. It’s useful for aspiring writers and serious readers alike.

5. On Writing Well — William Zinsser

This classic guide on nonfiction writing teaches clarity, simplicity, and effectiveness. It shows that good writing comes from clear thinking and offers ways to refine a writer’s voice. It is essential reading for writers of all styles and levels.

6. I Lost It at the Movies — Pauline Kael

Pauline Kael’s critical essays capture the experience of cinema and her personal relationship with film. The book is a deep dive into film critique with cultural and emotional insights, which is important for film lovers and critics.

7. Frank Sinatra Has a Cold — Gay Talese

This groundbreaking piece of journalism broke traditional rules, blending profile and narrative. It reveals Frank Sinatra’s world through a personal and cultural lens and showcases new dimensions in storytelling and journalism.

8. Everybody Loves a Good Drought — P. Sainath

This book highlights rural poverty, drought, and social inequality in India through thorough field reporting. It offers critical insight into social justice and rural development, making it a vital reference for journalists and policymakers.

9. A Collection of Essays — George Orwell

George Orwell’s essays provide sharp and profound analysis on literature, society, and politics. He emphasizes journalistic integrity and authenticity, which remain relevant today. His writing exemplifies thoughtful clarity.

These books offer exceptional perspectives on journalism, storytelling, criticism, and social awareness, making them important reads for serious readers and professionals.

Book Review: Full Spectrum: India's Wars 1972–2020 - Arjun Subramaniam

Full Spectrum: India's Wars 1972–2020 - Arjun Subramaniam

In his book 'Assignment Colombo', J.N. Dixit argues in favour of India's strategic dilly-dallying, stating that adhering to absolute principles of morality is the safest and most non-controversial stance in foreign relations. This policy, however, rarely serves any purpose in the inherently amoral nature of international relations.  Today, national security and foreign policy of India have gradually represented the departure from the past. The story of evolving Indian stance in geopolitics can be usually understood at the level of the conflicts faced by India, while the primary bulwarks of defense—the role of military —get overlooked. Hence, "Full Spectrum: India's Wars 1972–2020" is a worth reading for a gripping exploration of wars and conflicts shedding light on strategies, operational steps, and political consequences. 

The book "Full Spectrum: India's Wars 1972–2020" by Arjun Subramaniam takes the story forward from the previous book India's Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971. The book offers the reader an account of wars, military operations, and security challenges in contemporary India over the past five decades. The book covers in detail on the Doklam standoff, Balakot Strike, Kargil war, Siachen conflict, Naga rebellion, Operation Blue Star, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and India's military action in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Conventional wars have changed, and skirmishes are happening below the threshold of conventional structured war between nation-states. And the rise of non-conventional wars has led to Indian military either dealing with Hybrid war, cyber war, proxy war, border skirmishes, armed militancy, insurgency, and terrorism. 

The reading makes one realize that Indian military has also expanded its strategic horizon while dealing with the modus operandi of non-state actors.  The chapters of the book on India’s involvement with the LTTE in Sri Lanka, during the IPKF mission, makes for an interesting read. It shows how the Indian military faced a daring and locally supported adversary, and how this episode reshaped our military and foreign policy. Another insight from the book was that the absence of any active government machinery during insurgency in Punjab made Operation Bluestar more difficult. And compounded with it was often the fear and stigma of command failure, that prompted military leaders to persist with sub optimal operational plans.

The book features a gripping narrative but becomes dull in some places. These lapses in pacing make certain sections feel tedious, detracting from the overall impact.  Those who support the 'realist' argument of India's emergence as a potential global military power must read this book. The book is an invaluable resource for those interested in military studies, and the intricate interplay between war and political transformation.

In the end author asked for deep introspection within India's strategic community by sharing an old Thucydidian principle called the Melian Dialogue, which emerged during the Peloponnesian War prior to the siege of the island of Melios by Athens, which says: 'The strong will do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.'

Book Review: A Corner of a Foreign Field - Ramachandra Guha

A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport - Ramachandra Guha

Our inability to understand and tell sociological stories is one of the key reasons we are struggling with how to respond to social transitions. Without embedding social narratives, we miss understanding who benefitted, who was left behind, and what kind of society we were building. The idea that we could somehow eliminate casteist mindsets, religious differences, and racist discrimination by ignoring such identity question under the veil of secular cricket leads to formation of a veil of ignorance. 

Social history of Indian cricket suffers from one enormous disadvantage: that we as a people, have criminal indifference to written records. The history of Indian cricket is indeed amazing because it reveals much more than just scores and statistics. It reflects cultural exchanges, colonial legacies, social struggles, and identities across South Asia. The history of India, like that of any other country, has been a story of social inequities, exploitation of the common people, religious conflict, and so on. The history of the cricket in India is no exception to this.  

A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Indian History of a British Sport is a book depicting religious fault lines. A book talking about caste. A book talking about racism. Yet, the book is written for the lover of the game by a writer looking from the perspective of the history, sports, social transformation, and Indian Independence. The book is divided into four chapters—Race, Caste, Religion, and Nation—and features the experiences of the cricketers, politicians, and Maharajas making it an engaging and interesting read. The inherent values of cricket —fair play, competition, and endurance—resonated with the Indians under colonial rule thus attracting broad affection and embedding itself as a part of the national psyche.

The book captures the long journey of cricket in India—from its beginning as a game created by an alliance of imperial and Indian elites to becoming a sport for the masses. The book shows how Indians overcame the deeply rooted caste barriers in society and challenged the British notion of racial superiority in the game of cricket. Cricket tournaments like the Bombay Quadrangular and Bombay Pentangular were initially organized based on religious communities of Hindu, European, Muslim, and Parsees leading to widespread riots and political unrest. The book also ends with the origins of the Ranji Trophy and the formation of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Despite attempts to break free from the legacies of their forefathers and religious divisions, Indian history drags our cricketers towards a fate which led them in Independent India, as though along a river's course.

This book introduced me to Palwankar Baloo and his brothers, early Indian cricketers, and shared stories about famous players like C.K. Nayudu, Lala Amarnath, Vijay Hazare, and Vijay Merchant. The book delves us into first Test match of Indian cricket team in England, in 1932 symbolizing both achievement and aspiration for a modern nation. This is a must-read book capturing cricket history of India in an effortless and seamless manner

Book Review: Beyond A Boundary- C.L.R. James

Beyond A Boundary- C.L.R. James

The essence at the core of culture, writes Byung-Chul Han, is ornamentation. Culture sits beyond functionality and usefulness. The ornament dimension, emancipated from any goal or use, is how life insists that it is more than survival. The book was written in an era when British have the illusion of the racial superiority even in the game of cricket while tradition and history of the game were part of the British culture.  

“Time would pass, old empires would fall and new ones take their place, the relations of countries and relations of classes had to change, before I discovered that it is not quality of goods and utility which matter, but movement, not where you are or what you have, but where you have come from, where you are going and the rate at which you are getting there."

This statement from C.L.R. James’s classic book shows role the game of cricket has played in the making of the history of Caribbean society. C.L.R. James, the historian and cricket writer, embarks on a biographical journey from 1910s to 1950s in West Indies, and England to prove the point. He invites us to look closely the complex ties between political struggles of decolonization through cricket and the long process of decolonizing his own mind from the gaze of the western civilization.  

Beyond a Boundary starts by focusing on wonder years of the writer in Trinidad and his observation on the intermingling of the race and class in the local cricket. During his teenage years, James became deeply engrossed in cricket and Literature which allowed him to examine Trinidad’s working class through the lens of sport. 

Two players he often highlighted in this context were Learie Constantine and W.G. Grace to argue that cricket is inseparable from the politics and social structures of its time. The idea of “leaving politics out of sports” is a topic of ongoing debate, but this book makes us aware that the injustice "beyond the boundary" ultimately impacts the cricket. The players are not islands of sportsmanship while being deeply engulfed into societal structures, systemic biases and burden of the history. 

The book also highlights the campaign for racial equality in West Indies cricket, including the appointment of Frank Worrell as the first black captain in 1960. 

The writer advocates cricket as an art form like Greek literature by observing the game not just as a sport, but as a craft with rhythm, beauty, and a narrative flow. The writer argues in the book that cricket was a form of resistance against colonial oppression, especially as Black players took on leading roles, challenging racial stereotypes and social barriers. 

The writer traveled to England and the exposure felt like awakening to him: Once the veil of the empire drops, he didn’t just “analyze” culture—he saw its webs working through you. From that point, C.L.R. James achieved a mental freedom, not only rejecting conditioning but also recognizing the interconnectedness of imperial power, cricket, culture, and resistance, which shaped his revolutionary outlook and deepened his commitment to black internationalism and Marxist theory.  

Today, C.L.R. James embodies a unique and compelling mixture of identities: a Marxist historian, an anglophile in initial years, a Black intellectual, and a passionate lover of cricket. The book is written through this multi-faceted perspective, that is as much about the identity, and struggle as it is about cricket.

Book Review: Time of Parting - Anton Donchev

Time of Parting - Anton Donchev (Alternate Reading)

A nation is shaped by its shared memories. In literature, we can see the elements that make up a collective memory—often rooted in a common pain —that influence national identity. Newly independent countries often seek a fresh start, breaking away from their historical past. Anton Donchev's Time of Parting (Bulgarian: Време разделно, Vreme razdelno) dives deep into a time when a nation, Bulgaria, survived by enduring humiliation under Ottoman rule.

The Balkans, including Bulgaria, were subjected to centuries of Ottoman rule starting in the late 14th century, which brought significant social and religious transformation. Catholic powers (Papacy and Habsburgs) were often perceived as foreign and adversarial.  The Ottoman conquest and the subsequent division between Catholic and Orthodox spheres of influence in the Balkans gave rise to opportunities for Muslims to act as a unifying force in a divided region. While many apologists dispute a direct connection between religious violence and radical Islam, the nuanced history of Bulgarian religious life under Ottoman rule shows that society experienced both pragmatic coexistence and adaptation, as well as periods of institutional discrimination and social unrest. 

Set during the Islamization of Bulgaria in the summer of 1668 particularly in the Rhodope Mountains, the story doesn't claim to be an exact historical record. Instead, it reflects how those events shaped Bulgarian culture and identity. The theme of being forced to choose a side resonated strongly with the dominant ideologies of the polarized world. The novel has sparked ongoing debates about how the Ottoman period and forced religious conversions are viewed in Bulgaria. With the changing political landscape, Time of Parting continues to be a highly discussed and impactful piece of literature.

The book explores a painful choice for a community: whether to hold on to their beliefs and die for them or convert to a foreign religion to stay alive. The narrative is told in parallel by two witnesses: the French nobleman called the Venetian, and the Bulgarian priest Aligorko. This dual narration provides a layered, nuanced view of the cultural, religious, and personal conflicts. As the tale culminates, the relentless campaign of forced Islamization breaks the spirit and unity of the Bulgarian Christian community. This finale reflects the larger historical tragedy of the era — the erasure of cultural heritage through brutal force.The heavy loss of life, culture, and dignity leaves a haunting legacy of division and sorrow.

The movie "Time of Violence" (Bulgarian: Време разделно) released in 1988 is based on the novel "Time of Parting" by Anton Donchev (Антон Дончев). The portrayal of historical events is considered by few as biased leading to debates over historical accuracy. The Hindi book "बेला विदा की" (Bela Vida Ki) is a rendition of "Time of Parting" authored by Vimlesh Kanti Verma and Dheera Verma.

Book Review: India's Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971 - Arjun Subramaniam

India's Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971 - Arjun Subramaniam

A new generation of Indians are rediscovering their military history, realizing that the popular narratives often fail to reflect the complexities of the truth. Today, India's military remains resource-constrained, overstretched, and increasingly aware of the dual-front threat posed by China and Pakistan. Its strategy and preparedness are shaped by a mix of historical conflicts, and contemporary geopolitical realities. 

For anyone genuinely interested in understanding the historical wars with our Pakistan and China, "India's Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971" by Arjun Subramaniam is an indispensable read.  The book offers a compelling examination of India’s military evolution post-independence, with detailed accounts of pivotal wars, including the Indo-Pak Wars (1947-48, 1965, and 1971) and the Sino-Indian War of 1962. Battles into contested regions like Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (referred to as Azad Kashmir by Pakistan), Gilgit-Baltistan, Arunachal Pradesh (claimed by China as South Tibet) are meticulously explored, often accompanied by maps to provide clarity. While the historical narrative may pose a challenge for casual readers, the book is rewarding for those seeking the intricacies of battlefield strategies and political decision-making.

I have few notable observations as a reader:

• The departure of the British left India with inadequately demarcated borders leading to the territorial disputes.
• India has reliance on idealism and restraint that clashed with the pragmatic, force-centric approaches of adversaries like China and Pakistan.
• Unfolding of events in China India 1962 war is tragic tale for the Indians. Tragedy presents situations in which there is a desperate urge to assign blame. In all this chain of events, failure of intelligence and political decision framework hurts most.
• India's limited intelligence-gathering capabilities and the "fog of war" resulted in critical decision-making dilemmas. These inadequacies were evident in moments of crisis, often amplifying the challenges faced during conflicts.
• India captured the strategically vital Haji Pir Pass during the 1965 war but returned it to Pakistan under the Tashkent Agreement, forfeiting a key advantage in controlling infiltration routes into Kashmir.  
• After the Bangladesh Liberation War, India released about 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war without leveraging their return for a resolution on Kashmir or territorial securities, drawing criticism for missing a major bargaining chip.
• Post-1971 victory, India did not negotiate for the transfer of border enclaves or land on Bangladesh’s side that could have reduced the vulnerability of the Siliguri Corridor (“Chicken’s Neck”), leaving the Northeast perpetually exposed. The Siliguri Corridor remains at risk due to inadequate geopolitical leverage post-1971 and greater China-Bangladesh collaboration.

Subramaniam also highlights a hard-learned lesson for India: in international relations, realism often trumps idealism. It took nearly 25 years for Indian leadership to move beyond the non-violent and nonaligned ideals of the independence movement and adopt force as a legitimate instrument of statecraft. This shift is at the heart of India's modern military doctrine, making the book an essential resource for understanding the evolution of its strategic mindset.

Books on Ideas That Will Make You Smarter — Curated from The Seen and the Unseen Podcast

"The Seen and the Unseen" is India's premier long-form podcast hosted by Amit Varma. The podcast, which has been running since 2017, features long-form conversations with intellectuals, writers, economists, historians, and thought leaders from India and around the world. 

I am only sharing the books recommended grouped into broad thematic categories that align with traditional library and academic classification systems in philosophy, psychology, ethics, and literature:

Psychology and Cognitive Science

1. The Elephant in the Brain — Kevin Simler & Robin Hanson
2. Human: The Science Behind What Makes Your Brain Unique — Michael S. Gazzaniga
3. Thinking, Fast and Slow — Daniel Kahneman

Ethics, Morality, and Philosophy of Goodness

1. The Moral Arc: How Science Makes Us Better People — Michael Shermer
2. Better Never to Have Been — David Benatar
3. The Difficulty of Being Good — Gurcharan Das
4. The Expanding Circle: Ethics, Evolution, and Moral Progress — Peter Singer
5. On Bullshit — Harry Frankfurt

Philosophy and Intellectual History

1. Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud — Peter Watson
2. The Hedgehog and the Fox — Isaiah Berlin
3. The Open Society and Its Enemies — Karl Popper
4. The Logic of Scientific Discovery — Karl Popper
5. History Of Western Philosophy — Bertrand Russell
6. History of European Morals — W. E. H. Lecky

Sociology, Social Psychology, and Mass Behavior

1. Crowds and Power — Elias Canetti
2. The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind — Gustave Le Bon
3. The Argumentative Indian — Amartya Sen

Literary Criticism and Classics

1. Why Read the Classics? — Italo Calvino
2. Testaments Betrayed — Milan Kundera
3. Beyond Words: Philosophy, Fiction, and the Unsayable — Timothy Cleveland

The King Khan – Irrfan khan – A filmography (PFC Archive)

Note: The following post is taken from the archives of PassionForCinema.com, a much-loved platform for cinema enthusiasts. This is being republished here in the spirit of archiving, historical significance, and sharing important conversations with the readers who may not have had access to the original site. The author of the post is Kartik Krishnan  who published the post on  January 6, 2007 at 4:57 am. 

ok ok here is a post that was looooong due ….

Here’s a question – Who is the best khan in Bollywood ???? (meaning which one do u love the most)

Aamir-Lagaan and DCH being released in the same year might make you think that he is the best. Besides. He also is the ‘thinking Khan’

SRK - yeah …. sure ….

Salman – might be without his shirts off and if you are a female(or gay) that is.

Saif – post omkara, Saif has achieved a demi-god-ish status…

All are good but here’s the khan whose films I look forward to most eagerly…who sadly is not a part of the khan triumvarate (which is now also increased by Saif’s entry in it)

Irrfan Khan

For those who don’t know him (God help you if ever I see you guys), here’s an imdb on him

“Irfan Khan is from Jaipur, India. He was studying for his M.A. degree when he snagged a fellowship at (NSD) National School of Drama in 1984. After graduating in 1987, he moved to Mumbai. Theater and television kept him afloat till Mira Nair offered him a cameo in “Salaam Bombay”. But the role was edited out of the final copy.

He continued to dabble in television making impacts on various soaps and tele-historicals series. To break away from television Irfan featured in few main stream movies but none of them were a box-office success.

But things changed when Landon based director Asif Kapadia gave him the lead in “The Warrior”. An historical film completed in 11 weeks on the locals in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

“The Warrior” stormed in international film festivals making Irfan Khan a noticed actor. His first Bollywood main lead role came in the movie “Rog”.

He is married to writer Sutapa Sikdar who’s also a NSD graduate and they have a son named Babil.”

I remember seeing him in a serial called Darr on Star, which was written by Anurag Kashyap. I saw one or two episodes and was scared in daylights. Irrfan as the maniac psycho – killer was terrifying. I also remember seeing him in Star Bestseller serials and Banegi Apni Baat. There was somehting about his eyes which struck me. Ironically, his eyes were scoffed at the most during his filmy struggling days. His dad used to say “Yeh aankhein yeh, ya pyaala ??” His bulging eyes and scary looks would make him look like a psycho. But trust me, there were somehting about his eyes. Anurag says acting lies in the eyes. For a proof look at Irfaan where he talks about his acting skills, roles and NSD.

Here’s my little tribute to him.

Ek Doctor ki maut – (The Death of a Doctor)

The film is about a Doctor-scientist who is trying to find vaccine for TB and succeds is his research, but is sadly failed, ridiculed and insulted by the system. The first of the realistic ‘man-against-system’ films I can think of. Pankaj Kapoor (yes u heard it right !!) played the protaganist and Shabana Azmi puts in a ’supporting role – arty’ performance. Acting with them as a minor-supporting character(a Biology student turned Journalist) must have been scary for Irrfan. Somehow, you see the film in hindsight and realise that Irrfan could’ve been given a stronger role, but nevertheless, the film is watchable more for Pankaj and Shabana, rather than Irrfan’s almost small apperance. He was strictly ok … nothing mentionable about him in that film.

Watch this film for pankaj kapoor and shabana azmi and a nice screenplay.

Ghaath – (Hurt)

A bollywood masala film about a wannabe cop (manoj bajpai), a corrupt cop (mukesh tiwari in a brilliant performance) and a shady/kameena politican/don – Mamu (Irffan). Irrfan was the side villan in this one, and the scene where he walks into Om puri’s house at night and offers him bribe …. is amazing … just from the dialogue writing and its enactment/execution point of view. That scene was the one which inspired me to try my hand at acting (with disastrous results however). The sheer audacity of Irrfan is noteworthy, the fact that his character is patronizing Om Puri’s character easily comes across. His ’seductive’ dialogue delivery, which was later to be explored in many other films … came into its full form in this scene !!! This film can be rented alone for this scene only. I must say everywhere else … he looks lame…possibly becuase the writers didn’t realise what a wonderful chance they had to explore Irrfan’s villany. Tabu, Manoj, Anupam and others … well the less said the better about them in this film. Mukesh Tiwari and Irrfan shine out. Although again, here, Mukesh Tiwari’s role (who had done a gabbar in Rajkumar santoshi’s Chinagate) was meatier.

Kasoor- (Fault)

This is such a shitty film that I don’t even want to discuss its story. As far as I am concerned, songs were good.. and Ashutosh Rana was pretty convincing as the sadist cop. Irrfan played the public prosecutor and I vividly remember the kool dialogue delivery wrt the accused “Abhi usko jaaney do… woh nahi bhagega … baad mein court mein dekh lengey” (Let him go now … he can’t evade prosecution …we’ll see him in court)

Another scene that I remember is where the main witness account is declared false..there is pandemonium in the court…and Irrfan is in two minds whether to raise an ‘Objection’ or not. He says it half heartedly..and that conveys his realisation that they’ve lost the case.

The Warrior-

A warrior for a feudal lord in rajasthan renounces violence in a moment of surrealism/realisation. He gives up his sword and tries to escape, but the warlord’s other warriors are after his life. He loses his son to them… and he cannot/does not want to fight back. A film of violence and redemption spawning over the intensely hot deserts of rajasthan and the serene hills of himalayas, the 100 minute film has barely 10 minutes of dialogue. Irrfan got the lead role as per Timangshu Dhulia’s reccomendation. The director, Asif Kapadia, was a UK based NRI shot to fame with this film. It got a BAFTA award and a whole lot of foreign awards but it was disqualified for entry into Oscars due to some linguistic considerations!! Irffan was called as ’sex-god’. From the horse’s mouth (from an interview here)

“What surprised me most after “The Warrior” was that people were talking about my looks and body language! I was even called a sex god when I was in London! This kind of critical pampering was new to me. I began looking at myself with new eyes. I’m indebted to Asif Kapadia for seeing a hero in me.

The character allowed me to convey everything from compassion to sensuality. People loved my big eyes, which were initially seen by some as a handicap. That used to hurt.”

He also talks about the start-to-end schedule of the film and how it drained him completely here.

The scene where he brandishes the sword to the little girl’s neck and looks at her talisman and realises suddenly he is in the snow would’ve looked really unconvincing and almost comical… had someone else played it. Throughout the film… Irrfan talks to you through his eyes … you can relate to his pain…its almost as if he had become a warrior.

On side track – the director Asif kapadia is a man to watch out for… even his first student film – The Sheep Thief was pretty good… minimalistic dialogues – “show more and tell less” – ala Satyajit Ray (ok this is a far call)

A must watch !!!! Not just for Irrfan’s performance .. but also stunningly beautiful photography and how to ‘tell a story in pictures’

Gunaah – (Crime)

How many films have u seen where, camera work is bad… acting in general is stupid … script sucks … music is a pain to the ears … the story is cliched as a grandma’s tale … but just one actor rises above the film and makes your entire laborious journey of watching the film less painful. Irrfan as the sadistic-malevolent villanish cop Digvijay Pandey (what a loathsome name by the way) eats up everyone else with his lines and performance. The manner in which he tells a prostitue “Nangi ho jaa phataphat” (Hurry up and take off your clothes) or he berates the female cop Bipasha Basu – “Sir ab aurat ko yeh kaam dogey toh aur kya hoga ??” is simply jaw dropping for the sheer arrogance of the man. His performance comes across as sheer kameena to the core… and completely convincing. In a scene, he asks a friend to urinate on the face of a journalist…and then after shooting the journalist off …says audaciously to a stunned constable “Ja Kachra saaf kar ” …asking the constable to ‘clear out the trash’ referring to the dead body. That character is mean and mean just for the sake of being of mean ..without any apparent motivation. Again you can take my word and watch this film in fast forward mode… stopping and playing whenever he enters the scene !!!

Supaari – (Contract killing)

Again..this film falls into the Gunaah category… I will never understand why the main villan -Nandita Das and why her sidekick -Irrfan chose this film ?? Except for the good songs here and there… there was nothing else to watch for this film. Irrfan and Nandita were criminally ignored/underused in this film. Even their charactert sketches are as sketchy as they can get.

The scene where Irrfan gives Uday chopra (yeah he’s there in the film too !!!) a rose after Uday’s first killing .. is another one which could’ve been carried off by Irrfan only.

Strictly ignore this film. Despite Irrfan being in it .. I walked out a good 20 minutes before the end.

Haasil – (Achievement / Achieve)

This one and the next two films of Irrfan…. the more they are written about .. the lesser it is. Haasil is the first of the Irrfan’s ‘great films trilogy’. An award worthy performance which for some strange reason ..was ignored by the National Award comittee. This film is also the explosive debut of Timangshu Dhulia, manirathnam’s assistant on Dil Se (and also the dialogue writer of the film.. WOW !!!) Timangshu was Irrfan’s junior in NSD (National School of Drama) Here’s some info on Tigmanshu

The film is set in UP with campus politics and eventually state politics as its backdrop. A normal guy (Jimmy) falls for a normal girl next door (Hrishita bhatt). Meanwhile Irrfan who plays Ranvijay Singh, uses his own backward caste status to get into politics. Pistol killings, betrayl, love, run, handmade grenades, small theaters, kumbh mela, cycle rickshaws …. wow….. u fall in love with the mileu (Sehar is another must watch just for the reason that it ventures out of Bombay and is set in UP !!!) There are scenes where it almost appears that the film has been directed by Manirathnam... the razor sharp characters and the cutting lines are there.. eg: the father-son cold war between Jimmy Shergill and Tinnu Anand… especially when they going to purchase Shirts. 95% of the film is brilliant … take away the forced Qawalli and u have a gem of a movie …

Enough said about the film (and enough digressed) .. this is the film in which Irrfan revels ..and blossoms … in almost like a role of a lifetime .. Gabbar singh … Langda Tyagi and Ranvijay Singh … are all in the same league. Fantastic villans ..and fantastic performances… Additionally, Langda tyagi has his handicap – lameness, Ranvijay Singh has his own handicap/inferiority complex (especially when it comes to girls) – his eyes. He does say “Aisi aankhein dey dee hain bhagwan ney !!” (God has given me such eyes). And both these characters… are villanous .. perhaps out of their handicap ??? Shades of Richard 3rd (hunchbacked) ??? Both use people around them for their own ego-power satisfaction…. Both are downright villanous …usurping and power hungry. Both are trusted by around them ..

Memorable scenes of Irrfan which can be seen 10 times =

1.The very first scene where he is running from Ashutosh rana’s goons … and when he says (despite being hurt, outnumbered, out of breath and life) “Pandit humko maar do …aur agar hum ach gaye … tu maarney main deer nahi lagayengey” (Kill me … if i escape then I won’t delay in killing you)

2. his immidieate reaction after killing pandit where everyone around panics and he calmly tells his cohorts “Shambu talkies 9 sey 12″ (Meet at Shambu cinema haall for the 9 pm show)

3. his insanic response when he gets to know that his entire family in village has been masaccered by Ashutosh rana

“Tum log humko gauri shankar key taap sey bachaa rahe ho ..woh saala chinal hai sarkar ki…. Raat ko chupke sey aaya … aur chori sey maar kar chala gaya … gaay aurat bacchcha … ”

His visceral scream of “Gauri Shankar ………………… Pandey” with a pause in between. Wow !!! May God bless Timangshu’s soul for creating such a character !!!

The mad rush of anger can only be gauged by the fact that his cohorts TIE UP HIS HANDS SO THAT IRRFAN DOES NOT RUN ONTO KILL.. IN RAGE. They are even forced to shut his mouth with a cloth !!!

4. Who can forget the classic arrogant line before he has his revenge(when he shoots Ashutosh Rana) – “Netaaji Pranaam”

5. The scene where he shoots at Prithvi Zutsi .. and asks “Left haand pey maara hai… rightey haand sey khaatey ho na tum log bread aur butter ??” (Don’t worry .. I’ve only shot u on your left hand ..ur right hand is still free to feed you your bread and butter)

6. The curse – “Maarey Lappad tohar buddhi khul jaaye” (One slap and your brain will open up)

7. The scene where he beats the chief minister of the state with his slippers !!!! Which villan has ever done that ??

8. The confrontation scene with Sharad Saxena “Ladki badnaam thi …par humney phir bhi shaadi key liye haan kari. Aur yahaan hum subah sey tayyar baithey hain … Gaon bhar sey Dost-rishteydaar aa rakhey hain ..lekin aapse ho gayi galti ..aur ladki ho gayi phurr “ (The girl was infamous, and yet I agreed to the wedding..and now she is absconding !!!)

The threat – “apni bhaari aawaz sambhalo aur apni beti ko dhoondney mey lagao ..warna shaam ko toh hum aa hi rahein hein …aur aapki biwi ko hi utha ley jaayengey ..aur ganga kasam humein koi rok nahi sakta” (If u don’t search for the girl .. I will come and take my mother in law as my wife ..and nobody will be able to stop me !!!)

9. The climax .. where he tells the heroine -“Mein tumharey liye mar key dikhaonga aaj !!!” (I will die for you today !!)

A bravora performance and an Amazing ..amazing film ..highly under-rated classic… a film which Irrfan can gladly take to his epitaph when he dies (God forbid)

Contd. in part 2

3rd Letter to Teen Taal (तीन ताल को तृतीय ख़त)

तीन ताल के सभी साथियों को जय हो, जय हो, जय हो!  छः संख्या भारतीय मिथकों में पूरापन और संतुलन का निशान मानी जाती है। तीन ताल की छटा छः ऋतुओं  से बनती है जिसे ये छह महानुभाव बनाते हैं - कमलेश ताऊ, कुलदीप सरदार, आसिफ़ खान चा, पाणिनि बाबा, जमशेद भाई और संयोजक अतुल जी| इन सभी को मेरा नमन!  

तीन ताल क्यों सुने ? नए श्रोता लोगों से बस कहना चाहूंगा कि तीन ताल का भौकाल एकदम टाइट है क्यूंकि जिस ज़माने में जुबान और उसूल की कोई कीमत नहीं रही, वहां तीन ताल उसी ज़माने की छोटी-छोटी परेशानियों, समाज, राजनीति, और निजी अनुभवों पर खुलकर और दिलचस्पी से बातचीत करता है!

ये चिठ्ठी पीर बाबा के दमके हुए पानी का लाइट मोड अर्थात बीयर पीकर लिख रहा हूं,  जो लिखूंगा वह सच लिखूंगा, सच के सिवा कुछ नहीं  लिखूंगा। खबर ड्रोन की तरह उड़ते उड़ते पता चली की  लखनऊ की धरती  पर  तीन  ताल  के  महारथी  लोगों  का  ज़मावड़ा  होने वाला है ! लखनऊ की  जनता  की  किस्मत  से  रस्क  करते  करते, उनको  बहुत  बधाई.

फिर मन में लगा जैसे लखनऊ ही सबकी पहली पसंद हो और कानपुर बस खामोशी से किनारे  हो रहा है। नेपाल में अगर जनरेशन- ज़ी (Gen Z) सड़कों पर उतरकर विरोध दर्ज करा सकती है तो हम अधेड़ लोग कुछ क्यों नहीं कर सकते? हमें तो केवल चिट्ठी लिखनी है, कौन-सा हमें आज तक कार्यालय पर हमला करना है। अहिंसावादी देश में पत्र-ग्यापन ही विरोध प्रकट करने का सबसे सही और लोकतांत्रिक तरीका होता है|

कहने वाले कहते हैं,  लखनऊ को तरजीह देना, ये पक्षपात बहुत पुराना है । मैं फिर भी तीन ताल को बेनिफिट ऑफ़ डाउट देता हूँ , हो सकता है  राज्य सरकार का निमंत्रण हो ! लखनऊ बनाम कानपुर — जब बात हो दोनों शहरों की, तो मज़ाक का पिटारा खुल जाता है। अरे भई, लखनऊ और कानपुर की बात ही कुछ ऐसी है जैसे दो बड़े कलाकारों की भिड़ंत हो, एक जहाँ तहज़ीब और तंज़ से लबरेज़, तो दूसरा ज़मीन से जुड़ा, पसीने और उद्योग की गंध लिए।  तो आप कहें, कौन बेहतर? मेरा तो मानना है ये सवाल वैसा है जैसे गोलगप्पे में मिर्च कम या ज्यादा, स्वाद तो दोनों ही लाजवाब हैं! दोनों शहर अपनी-अपनी धुन में मग्न हैं !

आज मेरे आधार कार्ड पे लखनऊ का पता है और  ठिकाना बेंगलुरु है पर कानपूर से पुराना रिश्ता है। परदेस में जब किसी गाड़ी पर UP78 लिखा दिख जाए तो इस कानपुरिया दिल में बिजली-सी कौंध जाती है ! इसलिए हम लोग जो कानपुर छोड़ आए, कहीं दूर से भी कानपुर की मिट्टी की  खुशबू फैलाते हैं, और उन यादों की छांव में सदियों तक तरोताजा रहते हैं।

कहते हैं ना कि अपने तो अपने ही होते हैं ! जब भी कानपुर से गुजरता हूँ, दिल में बसा हुआ पुराना वक्त याद आने लगता है। मानो बचपन की गली में फिर से कदम रख रहा हूं, जहां से पला-बढ़ा हूं । मैं खुद 1994 से 2004 तक किशोरावस्था में यहाँ रहा हूँ|उस समय की कोचिंग मंडी की हलचल और मोहल्ले का माहौल आज भी मन को छू जाता है। 

वो जमाना भी बड़ा गजब था, जब सड़क पर सुअर और ऑटो विक्रम दोनों मिल के राज किया करते थे। 90 के दशक में यहां की कहानी कुछ ऐसी थी कि जैसे ये सुअर जनाब शहर के असली मालिक हों। हमारे  कानपूर के  मेयर अनिल कुमार शर्मा थे, जिन्होंने उस सुअर की गैंग को खदेड़ा। कानपुर वाले बहुत कुकुर प्रेमी होते थे। कानपुर के ग्रीन पार्क स्टेडियम में क्रिकेट मैच के दौरान कुत्तों का मैदान में घुस जाते थे, जब भी ऐसा होता है, तो लगता है जैसे कुत्ते कह रहे हों: "यार, तुम लोग कब से एक ही गेंद के पीछे भाग रहे हो? थोड़ी देर हमें भी खेलने दो! हम भी तो स्टार परफॉर्मर हैं इस स्टेडियम के!" इकाना स्टेडियम ने यह मज़ा भी छीन लिया।

जब भारत में ब्लॉग लिखने की परंपरा शुरू हुई, लोग अपने-अपने अनुभव, यादें और विचार पहली बार खुले मंच पर रखने लगे। उसी दौर में हमने भी कलम उठाई और सबसे पहले लिखा तो अपने कानपुर के बारे में | कानपुर माहात्म्य पर जब कभी भी फुर्सत में चर्चा हो, तो निवेदन है दशकों पहले हमारे द्वारा  लिखा गया कानपूर श्रृंखला का दस्तावेज़ पढ़ियेगा।  

हम कानपुर वाले भी 'तीन ताल' का हिस्सा हैं, हमारे दिल भी इसी धुन पर धड़कते हैं। इसलिए, एक बार कानपुर को भी मंच पर बुलाइए, ताकि हर आवाज़ बुलंद हो सके और हम भी कह सकें — कसम कानपुर की, गर्दा उड़ा देंगे ! हम चाहते हैं कि तीन ताल के तीनों शिकारी स्वादिष्ट समोसे, ज़िंदादिल ज़िंदगी को महसूस करें और कानपुर की अनोखी कहानियों को अपने मजाकिया अंदाज़ में पेश करें। पत्र इन प्रसिद्ध निमंत्रण की पंक्तियों  के साथ खत्म करता हूँ : भेज रहा हूँ स्नेह निमंत्रण, प्रियवर तुम्हें बुलाने को। हे मानस के राजहंस, तुम भूल न जाना आने को।।

असल में, सोच-समझ कर लिखना जरूरी होता है, लेकिन इस बार जल्दबाजी में कुछ कहा गया है,  क्यूंकि सुरूर छा रहा है।  तीन ताल के सभी साथियों को मेरा कोटि-कोटि प्रणाम।  जय हो, जय हो, जय हो! 

--- यायावर  ( टीटी स्टाफ)

विकास दिव्यकीर्ति द्वारा सुझाई गई 11 सर्वश्रेष्ठ किताबें

डॉ. विकास दिव्यकीर्ति एक प्रतिष्ठित शिक्षाविद् और यूपीएससी परीक्षाओं के विशेषज्ञ हैं, जिनकी सरल और प्रभावी व्याख्या लाखों छात्रों को समर्पित है, और उनकी पुस्तकें न केवल विषयों की गहरी समझ प्रदान करती हैं बल्कि नैतिकता, इतिहास, दर्शन एवं सामाजिक चिंतन में भी मार्गदर्शन करती हैं, जिससे छात्रों का संपूर्ण व्यक्तिगत एवं अकादमिक विकास होता है। विकास दिव्यकीर्ति द्वारा सुझाई गई पुस्तकों की सूची इस प्रकार है:

1. एनसीईआरटी पाठ्यपुस्तकें (कक्षा 6-12)
2. सोफी का संसार - जोस्टेन गार्डर — यह एक रहस्यपूर्ण दार्शनिक उपन्यास है जो पश्चिमी दर्शन के इतिहास, विचारधाराओं और मानव अस्तित्व के गहन प्रश्नों को सरल हिंदी में प्रस्तुत करता है।
3. गोदान - मुंशी प्रेमचंद — ग्रामीण भारत की झकझोर देने वाली कहानी जो गरीबी, असमानता और सामाजिक अन्याय के बीच किसान होरी की जीवन यात्रा के माध्यम से देश की ग्रामीण समस्याओं और स्वाभिमान की गूढ़ भावनाओं को जीवंत करती है।
4. सत्य के प्रयोग - महात्मा गाँधी — गांधीजी का आत्मकथा जो सत्य और अहिंसा के आध्यात्मिक, नैतिक और राजनीतिक प्रयोगों का विस्तारपूर्वक वर्णन करता है, जीवन में नैतिकता और सादगी की महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका को उजागर करता है।
5. सेपियंस - यूवॉल नोआ हरारी — मानव जाति के विकास, सांस्कृतिक विश्वासों, वैज्ञानिक क्रांति और सामाजिक संरचनाओं का ऐतिहासिक और वैज्ञानिक विश्लेषण, जो आज के वैश्विक परिवेश की समझ को गहरा करता है।
6. 1984 - जॉर्ज ऑरवेल –  तानाशाही, निगरानी और मनमानी शासन व्यवस्था के भयावह दृश्य प्रस्तुत करता एक काल्पनिक उपन्यास, जो व्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता और सामाजिक नियंत्रण के बीच के संघर्ष को दर्शाता है।
7. एनिमल फार्म - जॉर्ज ऑरवेल — सत्ता के दुरुपयोग और सामाजिक व्यवस्था पर आधारित एक गहन रूपकात्मक कथा, जिसमें राजनीतिक तंत्र और क्रांतिकारी विचारधाराओं की विडंबना को सामने रखा गया है।
8. भारत एक खोज - जवाहरलाल नेहरू – ह पुस्तक भारत की विविधता, उसकी महान विरासत और राष्ट्र निर्माण की यात्रा को समझने के लिए गहराई से लिखी गई है।
9. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway - It portrays human endurance, courage, and the unyielding spirit to fight against odds, symbolizing the dignity of human struggle and perseverance.
10. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - The story explores themes of racial injustice, moral growth, empathy, and the loss of innocence in a deeply prejudiced society.
11. The History of Mankind by Friedrich Ratzel - The book provides a comprehensive and detailed study of the geographical, social, and cultural development of human civilizations. 

Saurabh Dwivedi ki Kitab Salah - Pathakon ke Liye Behtareen Kitabein - The Lallantop

लल्लनटॉप पर एक साल पहले, सौरभ द्विवेदी ने प्रशासनिक सेवा तैयारी कर रहे उम्मीदवारों के लिए अपनी दोस्त की लाइब्रेरी से कुछ महत्वपूर्ण किताबों की सलाह दी थी।  इनमें संस्कृति, इतिहास, राजनीति, समाजशास्त्र और आर्थिक विषयों से जुड़ी गहन जानकारी वाली किताबें शामिल हैं। इस ब्लॉग में उन किताबों के साथ-साथ उनके अमेज़न से खरीदने के लिंक भी दिए गए हैं, ताकि आप सीधे सही किताबें खरीद सकें और समय बर्बाद न हो।

* कभी-कभी ज्यादा सोचने-समझने से किताबें हाथ में नहीं आतीं, इसलिए बिना ज्यादा देरी किए किताबें खरीद लेना ही सही होता है। अपनी लाइब्रेरी खुद  बनाइये, धीरे धीरे जोड़िये....

Hindi Books

1. Sanskriti Ke Char Adhyaya by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar
2. Kashi ka Assi & Upsanhar by Kashinath Singh
3. "अभ्युदय (राम-कथा)" श्रृंखला ( दीक्षा, अवसर, संघर्ष की ओर, साक्षात्कार, पृष्ठभूमि, अभियान, युद्ध -1, युद्ध - 2) और  "महासमर" श्रृंखला (बंधन, अधिकार, कर्म, धर्म, अन्तराल, प्रच्छन्न, प्रत्यक्ष, निर्बन्ध, आनुषंगिक ) by नरेंद्र कोहली
4. Swang by Gyan Chaturvedi
5. Awara Bheed ke Khatre by Harishankar Parsai
6. Meri Jeevan Yatra by Rahul Sankrityayan
7. Mrignayani & Ahilyabai by Vrindavan Lal Verma
8. Manas Ka Hansa by Amritlal Nagar
9. Rajadhiraj, Patan ka Prabhutva, Gujrat ke Nathh by Kanhaiyalal Maniklal Munshi
10. Tamas by Bhishma Sahni
11. Shuddhipatra and Khela by Neelakshi Singh
12. Jitni Mitti Utna Sona & Lapujhanna by Ashok Pandey
13. Gandhi aur Sarladevi Chaudhrani by Alka Saraogi
14. Areba Pareba and Aur Ant mein Prarthana by Uday Prakash
15. Shabdo ka Safar Vol. 1, Shabdo ka Safar Vol. 2 and Shabdo ka Safar Vol. 3 by Ajeet Vadnerkar
16. Basere Se Dur, Neerh Ka Nirman Phir, Dashdwar Se Sopan Tak and Kya Bhulu kya Yaad Karoon by Harivansh Rai Bachchan
17. Raam Rajya and Maun Muskaan ki Maar by Ashutosh Rana
18. Akaal me Uttsav by Pankaj Subeer

English Books 

1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
2. On the shoulders of giants by Stephen Hawking
3. The archer and Brida by Paulo Coelho
4. Relentless by Yashwant Sinha
5. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
6. Unfinished: A Memoir by Priyanka Chopra
7. Joseph Anton by Salman Rushdie
8. Writer, Rebel, Soldier, Lover: The Many Lives of Agyeya by Akshay Mukul
9. Bose: The Untold Story of an Inconvenient Nationalist by Chandrachur Ghose
10. Babasaheb: My Life With Dr Ambedkar by Savita Ambedkar
11. Indira Gandhi: A Biography by Pupul Jayakar
12. Intertwined Lives: P.N. Haksar And Indira Gandhi and A Chequered Brilliance: The Many Lives of V.K. Krishna Menon by Jairam Ramesh
13. Indian Innings: The Journey of Indian Cricket from 1947 by Ayaz Memon
14. The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace by A.S. Daulat
15. A Little Book of India: Celebrating 75 Years of Independence by Ruskin Bond
16. Steve Jobs and Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
17. Glimpse of World History by Jawahar Lal Nehru
18. Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography by Fali Nariman
19. The Indian Trilogy: An Area of Darkness, A Wounded Civilization, A Million Mutinies Now by V.S. Naipaul
20. A History of the Sikhs Vol 1 and A History of the Sikhs Vol 2 by Khushwant Singh
21. Bharatiya Darshan Vol 1 and Vol 2 by Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan
22. Political Violence in Ancient India by Upinder Singh
23. How Prime Minister Decide by Neeraja Chaudhary

Books translated in Hindi

1. Manto Dastavej by Saadat Hasan Manto
2. Kagajhi hai Pairahan by Ismat Chughtai
3. Hindu: Jeevan ka samriddha kabaad by Bhalchandra Nemade
4. Ramayan-manvata ka mahakavya by Gunwant Shah
5. Mrityunjaya by Shivaji Sawant
6. Bharat me Isai Dharm-prachartantra by Arun Shauri
7. Lata-Sur-Gatha by Yatindra Mishra
8. Kuchh aur Nazme, Mirza Ghalib and Manzarnama series (film screenplays) by Gulzar
9. Savarkar: Ek Bhule-Bisre Ateet Ki Goonj 1883-1924 and Savarkar: Ek Vivadit Virasat 1924-1966 by Vikram Sampath
10. Bharat Nehru ke Baad, Gandhi: Bharat Se Pahle and Bharat Gandhi ke Baad by Ramchandra Guha
11. Shiv Kumar pura Sangreh by Shiv Kumar Batalvi
12. Urdu-Hindi Shabdkosh by Muhammed Mustafa Khan 'Maddah'
13. Baburnama by Babur

Academic and Religious Books

1. Samaj Vigyan Vishwakosh
2. Bharat Ka Samvidhan by Dr. DD Basu
3. Doosra Lucknow by Nadeem Hasnain
4. Rigveda Sampoorna Khand
5. BBT- Geeta Press Combo Of 11 Upanishad.

2nd Letter to Teen Taal (तीन ताल को द्वितीय ख़त)

तीन ताल के सभी साथियों को जय हो, जय हो, जय हो!  कमलेश ताऊ, कुलदीप सरदार और आसिफ़ खान चा को मेरा नमन!  "जस मतंग तस पादन घोड़ी, बिधना भली मिलाई जोड़ी" — ये लोक कहावत का आशय है कि जैसे हाथी को उसके पांव के अनुसार घोड़ी मिलनी चाहिए, उसी तरह विधाता समान लोगों की जोड़ी बना देता है। मेरे जैसे काम में उलझे हुए लोगों का तीन ताल का दर्शक बनना सुंदर संयोग है !  

मेरे में लखनऊ की किस्सागोई नहीं है ना ही है हरियाणा का ठेठ अंदाज़ ! पर १०० -२००  घण्टे सुनते सुनते लिखने का मन हो ही गया। परसाई जी की बात याद आयी : जो प्रेमपत्र में मूर्खतापूर्ण बातें न लिखे, उसका प्रेम कच्चा है, उस पर विश्वास नहीं करना चाहिए पत्र जितना मूर्खतापूर्ण हो, उतना ही गहरा प्रेम समझना चाहिए।  अतः बहुत प्रेम से  तीन ताल को लिखा प्रथम ख़त लिखा जो प्रोग्राम में पढ़ा नहीं गया, ना जाने किस गलियारों में खो गया। मन में बहुत तीस उठी। कई लेखक मानते हैं कि संपादकीय अस्वीकृति व्यक्तिगत पसंद या बाजार की मांग के कारण होती है, पर मुझ नौसिखिए को पता है कि यह अस्वीकृत चिठ्ठी में बकैती की कमी है।  

हिंदी साहित्य में कवियों और संतों ने अस्वीकृति को केवल अंत नहीं, बल्कि आत्म-विकास का द्वार माना है। अस्वीकृति मनुष्य के सबसे गहरे  और कभी कभी  कटु अनुभवों में से एक  होती  है। फिर भी, यही अस्वीकृति हमें आत्मबल और धैर्य का सबसे गहरा पाठ पढ़ाती है। जैसे तीन ताल में अपेक्षित चिट्ठी  नहीं  पढ़ी  जाती है  तो यह अस्वीकृति  एक  मन में  अधूरापन  छोड़ देती  है।  लेकिन इसी अधूरेपन में एक नई चिठ्ठी  का बीज छिपा होता है।

"मेरे पास दो रास्ते थे – ‘हारे को हरिनाम’ और ‘नीड़ का निर्माण फिर से’! सो उम्मीद का रास्ता चुनकर द्वितीय ख़त लिख रहा हूँ।  यह द्वितीय कह रहा हूँ दूसरा नहीं क्यूंकि पहला प्रेम हो या पहला पत्र अद्वितीय होता है ! खान चा की गवाही चाहूंगा ! 

खैर  क़िस्सागोई मुझसे आती नहीं और  बातों को सँवारने का हुनर नहीं है मेरे पास, बस जैसे मन में आता है वैसे ही उगल देता हूँ।  पिछली चिट्ठी धीरे-धीरे आंच पर पकाए हुए मटन जैसा थी, लेकिन यह लेख तो फास्ट फूड है, जो एक समझदार मगर थोड़ा तड़कते हुए अहंकार के कारण जल्दी-जल्दी तैयार हो गया है। इस लेख में थोड़ा घमंड भी मिला है, जिससे बातों की गहराई कुछ कम रह गई है। 

मुझे तीन ताल क्यों पसंद है? तीन ताल  मेरे लिए एक थियेटर ऑफ़ द एब्सर्ड है ! यह एक ऐसा संवाद है, जो अक्सर  साधारण बातों को भी असामान्य बना देता है।  लगता है जैसे हम लोग मित्रों से चाय की दुकान या नाई की दूकान जैसे  गैर-औपचारिक माहौल में बैठे हंसी ठिठोली कर रहे हैं। 

लिखने की तो नहीं, मेरी पढ़ने की बहुत आदत थी । मेरी शरारतों के बावजूद घरवालों की कोशिशों का ही नतीजा था कि तक़रीबन सात साल से रविवार अख़बार का बच्चों का पन्ना, चंपक, सुमन सौरभ, नंदन, बालहंस, नन्हे सम्राट और कामिक्स पढ़ने की आदत हो गयी थी । बचपन में  दादी और बाबा से अनगिनत कहानी सुनी ! उन दिनों को याद करते हुए कई बार मैं अपने से पूछता हूँ - हिंदी के प्रति प्यार के पीछे सबसे बड़ा प्रेरक तत्त्व क्या था ? मुझे एक ही जवाब मिलता है - वे मेरे बचपन के दिन थे और मेरे बेशुमार कहानी सुनने के सपने थे।उसी समय में हिंदी से मन, वचन और कर्म से भावनात्मक लगाव हो गया

अब हिंदी का प्रोफेशनल उपयोग जीवन में नहीं है। यक़ीन करें, मैंने हिंदी में कहानी सुनना और सपने देखना अब भी नहीं छोड़ा है!  ऑनलाइन के ज़माने में भी कोशिश करके साल १-३ किताब हिंदी में जरूर पढता हूँ।  आज जब मैं "तीन ताल" के पॉडकास्ट में ताऊ, चा और सरदार की बातें सुनता हूँ, तो मेरे मन में बचपन की मीठी यादें, हिंदी भाषा की मोहब्बत और घर के बुजुर्गों की छवि एक साथ जीवंत हो उठती है |  हाल ही में बीते हुए हिंदी दिवस  पर सभी हिंदीभाषी और हिंदी प्रेमियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। 

बाकी तो राजनैतिक दलाली और घटिया दलीलों से भरे न्यूज़ के दौर में बकवास सुनना एक ब्रह्मज्ञान प्रतीत होता है। अब लगता है'क्या बकवास है' या तो निहिलिज़्म की तरफ पलायन करते हुए लोगों का जाप है या फिर जेन ज़ी में क्रांति के बीज बोते हुए ताऊ का महामंत्र ! जय हो, जय हो, जय हो! 

--- यायावर  ( टीटी स्टाफ)