Posted on: July 23, 2008 - 8:49 pm
Los Angeles, a Hotel in Hollywood, USA July 23, 2008 7:45 am
A cold ! A beastly cold and an inflamed throat now engulfs me ! Oh ! The horrors of the human body !
So a quick word with the family doctor in Mumbai and the medication has begun and hopefully there shall be sufficient repair not before long.
The weather is salubrious. Comfortable warm with just the essence of cool. We decide to venture out. Its been a while since all of us have done this. So to the movies. Back to back three films. ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘Mama Mia’, ‘Hankock’ and we come out looking like a pop corn vending machine !! So much pop corn !! OMG !! See. I catch on to modern internet lingua fracas fast !!
The street is inviting. No traffic. Blocked out to provide a little peace and tranquility. People move about aimlessly, chocolate cookies and ice cream in hand. A whiff of specially ground coffee permeates the air as you negotiate the pavement cafe. Excited squeals of young girls as they run past you. A proud father wheeling pram of newly born, wife affectionately entwined around his waist glancing lovingly at pink cheeked pacifier babe, staring in dazed wonderment. In the distance the strains of a lone electric guitar. A street performer earning his evening meal or drink. Further away a somewhat larger crowd gathers around a couple of gravity defying gymnasts, a portable belting out the latest hip hop. Here, a silver painted man, top hat and all, a paper glass in outstretched hand for gratuities. There, a mild applause at the end of calisthenic act. The performers move around the now dispersing crowd, box in hand for the coins. Hardly anyone drops anything in it. I notice the look on the faces of those heavily breathing actors. Its a look I recognize well. It happens the world over. The Latin Quarter in Paris, the Monmartre, Juhu Beach a crowded mela in Rajasthan everywhere the same attitude. Scant respect !! Scant respect for the street performer. Its for free damnit. I didn’t ask for it. I’ve seen it, well done, move on.
But the look on the faces of the performers has haunted me on every occasion as they move about hoping for contribution. Its like seeking alms but with a certain sense of dignity, yet knowing that it is not mandatory or official for the viewer to give. The expectancy of what others think your worth will be; some generous, some not so and some not at all. Its an instant assessment of your job. An evaluation of your talent. Its the moment for us, when critic evaluates our film, our painting, our music. And when it is rubbished the look on our faces is much the same as that street performer, the gratuity in his hat that he passed around signifying metaphorically the number of stars learned by liner gives after months and years of our attempted creativity.
There is pathos in that look. The little girl from the performing troupe of rope walkers on Juhu beach, sent around to the onlookers to collect has that pathos when nothing drops into her small withered dupatta that she holds out. There is pathos in the expression of performing gymnast that has been denied his meagre earning by those that have walked away inconsiderately. There is pathos on the face of that artist in Monmartre that quickly sketched your face as you ambled by and have continued to amble by without acknowledgement. It has touched me on every occasion.
I put my little contribution in hat. Size-ably more than expected. Almost to convey that I make up for those that did not and walked away. A smile of gratitude appears. Or relief, on the confirmed possibility of that much desired meal. Its an expression that disturbs me too. I walk away, without meeting their eyes.
There is a sadness in the entire episode. For some inexplicable reason there is sadness. On the plight of the human. On the different tests that HE puts us through. On our daily struggle and trials. On the inequality amongst us. On the inconsistency in our existence. We are definitely here with a reason and purpose. To fulfill. To complete. To overcome.
And until we do that we shall remain.
I ponder over the evening in the comfort of my room. I wonder if street performer shall have similar comfort - of residence, of food, of existence.
I am a performer too. I am here for that. I will perform at sophisticated venue. I will not be required to send my hat around. People would have paid before. I shall be unable to do gymnastic feat and rope walking. I cannot sketch. I am no different in form from the other. But..
He a street performer and I…
Life..
God..
Kindness…
Blessings…
Prayers…
Fate…
Destiny…
WHAT…???
Amitabh Bachchan
A masterpiece this peice of writing! So much clarity and depth in expression!
‘The street performer’. Do write a short story on this one.
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hi..
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Hello Mr. Bachchan,
Glad to hear that ur enjoying the tour, keep a watch on ur health as well coz the weather here is very strange. Hi to Ash and Abhi and Namashkar to Jayaji
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SIR,
He a street performer and I…
Life..
God..
Kindness…
Blessings…
Prayers…
Fate…
Destiny…
WHAT…???
Amitabh Bachcha……….
SIR U R …Life+God+Kindness+Blessings+Prayers+Fate+Destiny…
= AMITABH BACHCHAN
SIR YR TODAYS WRITING IS VERY TOUCHY……
SIR WE ALL LOVE U…
WE ALSO DONT KNOW Y WE LOVE U…..SO WE CANT SAY…
REGARDS
GAURAV
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Hello Sir,
well as you have mentioned i hope for your best of the health and with you get well soon.
very interesting incident you have rightly mentioned here and that we witness every day, in a train, on a street, outside temple and where not. Well my point is do we have to look at them with generous eyes or with helping eyes and i feel we are encouraging them by paying them off. Well every one will have their own point to prove but as a society whole instead of paying them and motivating them doing what the are doing i think we need uplift them. why cant they showcase their talent professionally and earn because they are real talented people.
well i think comparison is not fair between you and them cause every one comes with destiny on the earth and rest they make their own. it just a matter of being at right place at right time…rest i leave unto you sir.
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what? sir u are good very good with words and the element of compassion in u makes the reading worthwhile.
amen
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Hey man!!!!!!!,
u r also a philosopher. Such a beautiful words u use…
It’s awesome yaar!!!!!!!!
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Dear Sir,
Greetings!!
It is ABSOLUTLE PLEASURE to find you blogging. I ALWAYS wanted to ask you that “What has been MOST DIFFICULT TASK of your life till now and how did you OVERCOME it?â€.
Do reply, you will make my day!!!
Deepest Rgds,
Ajay
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Dear Amit Ji,
you write well. It proves a point that genes pass along. Carry On, sir.
Good luck.
Regards.
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what?
sir u are good very good with words and the element of compassion in u makes the reading worthwhile.
amen .
N.B.I think yr son uses the prefix little b….hence ive changed it.
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winning doesn’t always mean being first, winning means your’e doing better than you’ve done before
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Good Good Good, Good Good Good !!!
A wonderful piece of literature !!!
Get well soon and go rocking and then keep writing !!!
Wishes-Vinod
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dear sir v help you for human rights
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amitab bachan is a no 1 actor………
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To be frank, after a long time I got chance to check the dictionary.. hehe good post.. But I would love to know your opinion about the character Joker from the move The Dark Knight..
I think, one of the rarest character we have ever seen in recent times.. great acting.
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RESPECTED SIR: SAIRAM. PRANAMS.
Even when your good health is disturbed with alien air and alien pollution and thus you suffer, you don’t miss to write to your Fans and That is our dear beloved you, Shri Amitabh Bachchan the GREAT. Bow in respect, in admiration, in amazement and with all Regards. In Every Day episodes of yours, there is definitely a Message and Truly for everything that we get, or rather, He Gives, it is out of SHEER COMPASSION FROM THE MOST KIND-HEARTED, MOST LOVING ALMIGHTY irrespective of whether or not we repay in Love, Prayer, Bhajan or Pooja; He only expects GOOD THOUGHTS, WORDS AND DEEDS and because possess and exhibit all these virtues, He Blesses you, is kind to you and you are loved by one all. WISH YOU BACK WITH RESTORED VIGOUR AND VITALITY QUICKLY FOR ACTIONS AND ACTIONS. Have you got back those bags? When are you going to be back at Prateeksha?
LOVE, PRANAMS AND PRAYERS
V. RAMASWAMY & SON PADMANAB SRIDHAR
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The Chosen One
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Sir, its been an actual pleasure going through your thoughts..somehow, since u started writing, i just can’t call it a blog..its ur thoughts. I’m a little stunned at how grounded into reality you are. All your posts reflect that and i have loved each moment of going through them. As for your final thoughts and questions on WHAT is the difference between a street performer and someone like you..i thought you missed out one point…LUCK. Btw…loved u in Khakee..still think its your best performance since ur comeback..if i may be allowed to call it that. May i humbly request you to sometimes give your comments on the cinema you watch..like The dark knight…i’m sure we all want to know how you view such cinema.
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Sir,
Have you ever thaught of writing a Novel. You can be a Super Star there too….
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What a beautiful way you write, Mr.Bachan! For lack of better word, Awesome!!
Raj
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My dearest Amitji,
I have reached the conclusion that when you are ill, your writing skills improve drastically!!! I am extremely touched and immensely enamoured by your expression. Wish I could give you my warmest hug so that you’s be instantly well! Take care. You deserve the best. You were the only bright spot in my unwanted existence today.
Love you
Anshu
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Ek Dum Jhakaas -
At last day 91 comment came - Superb.
I been sitting all day on your blog waitin and waiting and waiting
Finaly I hit the jackpot.
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Good luck with the medication. You need your throat especially to be in top shape for the concerts.
Once again your writing talent has just blown me away. During my break from work I will return to write more. This waiting kills me, but I can’t get caught doing this.
Love,
Rochelle
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sir…u r right..seein the different destiny god has given us…u r a performer too…but u r at that position wher ppl envy u..u wud have comforts,richness,,but i m sure somewher or other u must have paid a price for it..either in ur hard work or other….workin when guys ur age were relaxin..laughin when ppl around u were cryin..bein away from home when evryone was celebratin…u know what i mean….u hd nothin fed in ur mouth….
and if u hadn’t seen that lonely sad performer u wud had not thought abt urself ..wudn’t have realised ur comforts…
sir that was his position ,,rather his say in ur life….cause all of us are for a reason..if he weren’t there…u wud have not appreciatd urself!!!
in the end ..all u can do in rise further n thank god.!!!!thank him for all that we have….and all that we don’t!!bcoz we all miss somethin..maybe u must be missin somethin too..u see that performer again..u’ll see him with smethin u don’t have!!!n he wud see u too n realise his own worth !!!somewher he wud thank god too…for the differeneces between u n him!!!
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Mr Bachan,
I have been following your blog religiously and am a huge fan, both of the blog and you. Please write more blogs like this. It is an immense privilidge to be given access to an artist’s mind. You have been one my idols since childhood and this blog makes me feel like I can reach out and touch you, I feel like you are talking to me.
Thank you
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hello sir,
i hope you will get well soon.
just wanted to ask wheather the unforgettable tour will be showed on tv as well.
get well soon
best of luck for the tour
avinash
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“Kill the tightrope walker on page 84 instead of 17 and you have yourself a deal”, said a producer about a script. in retrospect it makes perfect sense…street performers affect people… people do identify with them… whether they admit it then or not…whether they give money then or not… they are the most in your face people…and yet they are artists too proud to beg… even when you don’t have any money to give… they still smile at you… they know their worth…they know you’re going home entertained thanks to them and even if it was just a few minutes, they brought a smile to your face and you took notice of them. their job is done. they might not be as well of as successful as you are… but they share the same pride.
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Amit jee,
Charansparsh !
Because of + - is valuable and because of - + is valuable.
Because of life, death is a truth and because of death, life is life.
Because of Sunset, Sunrise is a hope and because of Sunrise, Sunset is to rest.
ShubhRatri !
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Dear Big B -
Very interesting blog. Am in NYC so anxiously awaiting your arrival here. Hopefully will get to shake your hand. Hope you feel better. I know the feeling.
JuggyD
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Dear Amitji
I share your sentiments, makes one wonder why some struggle through life for the simple things one needs to survive and others have more then they could possibly need. Why is this so? I’m sure we could spend enternity searching for the answer. But what is important is that when we see people we greet them with a smile and lend a helping hand to those less fortunate then us.
Get well soon, don’t let the cold bug get you down! Olbas oil helps alot, specially if you use it in a bowl of hot water and breath the steam in - clears cold quickly.
Love
Nidhi
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Amitabhji,
This inequality haunts me since long. Especially the difference is more in india .I don’t know what to say about it. After I meet HIM, I am definitely going to ask him that why he does it and the purpose. Doesn’t he want that everyone in his beautiful world should have at least the basic necessities of life i.e food/cloth/shelter. I just pray , if HE is listening , that everyone has the right to live in dignity and a happy peaceful life , so why this discrimination? Godji, aapka dil bahut bada hai. Sab par apna reham-o-karam rakhiye aur saari duniya mein khushiyan hi khushiyan ho.Amen
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hey ..
you will not talk about Rekha or what ..I know I am bng naughty which I am…
I am happy you can see the distinction here ‘coz when in India its a different game altogether….
You don’t know if teh eprson walking on teh street is carrying money(cash) and this performance is not asked for..I was in boston last month on a holdiay and I saw a beautiful girl playing a dolland she used to dance nad sing when you give money..I wantd to pay but had mmy credit card on me…but i understand wat u say…
u should feel happy and blessed and not question what you have… you are teh CHOSEN one
Love Gulshan
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Dear Amitji,
Two tablets of extra strength Bayer will give you immediate and lasting relief. God bless you with immediate recovery and great Unforgettable ahead.
Regards
Tilak Rishi (USA)
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Hi Mr. Bachchan
Hope u r feeling better…
As I was reading ur post I could clearly visualize the comparisons of the street performers in India and foreign land.Both display some amazing talent & creativity but what sets them apart is that outside India they generally don’t care whether u pay them or not but unfortunately over here they keep on following u !!
Though their need might be the same but heir outlook and approach is so different.
Take care
Love & regards
Anu Verma
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SirG,
I would like to amuse you with this story reproduced from Wikipedia since its written properly.I am sure you have heard about this before.
Mirza Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana was the son of Akbar’s trusted caretaker, Bairam Khan who had Turk ancestry.
After Bairam Khan was murdered, his wife became the second wife of Akbar, which made Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khan his stepson, and later he became one of his nine prominent ministers, the Navaratnas, or nine gems.
Although a Muslim by birth, Rahim was a devotee of Lord Krishna and wrote poetry dedicated to him. He was also an avid Astrolger, and the writer of two important works in Astrology Khet Kautukam and Dwawishd Yogavali are still popular.
He is well known for his strange manner of giving alms to the poor. He never looked at the person he was giving alms to, keeping his gaze downwards in all humility. When Tulsidas heard about Rahim’s strange method of giving alms, he promptly wrote a couplet and sent it to Rahim:
Aisi deni den jyu, kit seekhe ho sain
Jyon jyon kar oonchyo karo, tyon tyon niche nain
“Sir, Why give gifts like this? Where’d you learn that?
Your hands are as high as your eyes are low”
Realizing that Tulsidas was well ‘Aware’ of the ‘Truth’ behind creation, and was merely giving him an opportunity to say a few lines in reply, he wrote to Tulsidas in all humility:
Denhar koi aur hai, bhejat jo din rain
Log bharam hum par kare, taaso niche nain
“The Giver is someone else, bestowing, day and night.
The world gives me credit: so, down are my eyes.”
SirG, Missing you for the distance and the weather and in different experiences.
Your self crowned CHELA,
Vinod Agarwal
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DEAREST AMIT JI,
WHAT A MOVING PIECE! WHAT A PERFORMER YOU ARE!ANYONE IN YOUR POSITION WOULD NOT GIVE THEM A DAMN, A CENT OR EVEN A THOUGHT….THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING AND SHOWING HOW MUCH YOU CARE. YOU ARE THERE BECAUSE GOD HAS REWARDED YOU FOR YOUR “KARMAS”,PAST AND PRESENT. THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL BHAJAN,WHICH REFLECTS OUR HINDU PHILOSOPHY. IT SAYS “EK JHOLI MEIN PHOOL BHARE HAIN, EK JHOLI MEIN KAANTE, ARRE KOI KARAN HOGA.” PLEASE CONTINUE TO BE THE SENSITIVE PERFORMER YOU ARE. THIS IS YOUR USP. WE LEARN EVERYDAY, FROM SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND US. YOU ARE ONE SUCH SUPERB HUMAN BEING.
WE PRAY THAT YOU GET WELL AND STRONG VERY SOON.PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR SHOWS AND MAKE A DVD FOR YOUR FANS IN INDIA. THANKS A TON FOR EVERY POST.
REGARDS.
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Hello Amitji,
I almost thought… finally this guy got some time for himself… some easily accessible (for a change) and much required free air… I almost thought that he finally got the break he (or I should say they - you all) require the most… But then realized… even your body is not used to all this (and may be thats why you fall sick :(), and how easily you can forget about yourself and think about others and try to reduce their pain in all possible ways. Your thoughts and seriousness for life and your profession really inspire me and reminded me… come on… he is Amitabh and no common man (of course I’m saying this in positive way).
Keep it up… we look up to you for this and make you as one of our real life hero.
BTW… you still not promised me that next time you come to US, you will come to DC area :).
~MP
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Dear Amitji
Your blog yesterday shows that you are very introspective and have tried to figure out formulas of life from the experiences, guess it is not easy to know or no one could ever be convinced even if there is one. Posting again as I guess you would not gone back to the responses posted yesterday.
I am writing my personal experience and would risk being ridiculed because it can benefit if you read and believe. You can meet many but I do not how many can share that there is way out from suffering, sin and death. So please read it seriously after that if they don’t mean anything then you forget about it, but I can bet on my life this will benefit you. We don’t have to resign to fate nor be ignorance of the Way the God has made to know as God the Father.
We live in the imperfect and fallen (where there sin and holiness) world and many times we attribute the happenings and sufferings to will the God. But who knows if the sufferings were intended to draw us nigh to Him (God) and also remove the imperfection (arrogance, self, hate etc ) that we have so that we learn humbleness, practice meekness, love.
I agree with that we need to do KARMA but I also feel that it is essential as children of God to seek (most imp KARMA) to know what the Truth is. Who is the true God among so many and here I don’t intend to drag into conflict of religion but still there is only one truth. I believe God is not small person who could be found by any means and any path. We are talking about God who created billions of stars and still knows each man’s heart such God should be incomprehensible and should perfect and righteous who cannot stand Sin or mistakes of mankind against Him.
Such God can could be understood by humans only if God desires to reveal himself to us by overlooking our sins. It is written that
Hebrews9: 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;
Hence it is required us to get rid off the sin that entangles our earthly life, and because we have already sinned against God, any amount of sacrifice or good works or penance will not take away sin and grant us entry to the Righteous God.
Hence God Himself had to come in the form of a man (one who is sinless to die for our sins) because His law says Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things(our sins and misdeeds) are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission
God sent His son to save the mankind from the eternal death that is caused by sin.
John 3:16“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his unique Son so that everyone who believes in him might not be lost but have eternal life. 17Because God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s unique Son. 19And this is the basis for judgment: The light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light because their actions were evil.
Hebrews 9:26 But now, at the end of the ages, he has appeared once for all to remove sin by his sacrifice. 27 Indeed, just as people are destined to die once and after that to be judged,[q] 28 so the Messiah was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people. And he will appear a second time, not to deal with sin,[r] but to bring salvation to those who eagerly wait for him.
Here I am not doing anything other than introducing you to Son of God who came into this world dies on the cross for our sins and rose again on third day to help us the sinners to approach HOLY and righteous God through his grace.
So how can I and you be saved, as it is written in Bible, by confessing with mouth that we have committed mistakes and believe in heart that Jesus dies for our sins on the Cross and rose from the dead on the third day; that’s it by our faith in Jesus we are saved from eternal condemnation.
Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead you will be saved.
Pray that this would bless you. Again its not about Christianity as religion but its about coming to the knowledge of saving faith Jesus who came and died for us on the cross, so its not about religion but about our faith on Jesus.
Ravi.
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Beautiful post on the street performers. I have also seen the expression on their face and been haunted by it. Here in New York, where I work there are many people who perform in the subway they are always lost to the world. I always feel sad when I see people just crossing them, as they pour their soul out into a piece. But I am guilty of that too. I have to get to work and don’t have time to stop and listen to them. Yet, I feel bad that they have to perform this way. I think art needs to be revered.
That reminds me of my childhood (in the 80s) when occasionally you would see performers (mainly the acrobat kinds) who would come into our coloney. Even then people shirked from paying them anything. That race of performers has unfortunately disappeared in big towns now. I have not seen a street performer in Delhi for years now. You only see them in the santised environs of Dilli Haat.
All this somehow reminds me of Guru Dutt’s films. The scene in Pyaasa shot with the background of sahir’s poetry ‘Yeh hanste hua phool’ , where a beautiful bee hovers around a flower and settles down and is instantly trampled over by an unconcerned foot. Or the Nightingale in Oscar Widle’s ‘The Nightingale and the Rose’. That is the worth of an artist in our world. Artists like you are lucky. There is glamour attached to your profession. Yet how many people really appreciate the art and the sensitivity. But there are so many artists out there who wither away as outcasts.
I guess we can sum this up by saying world is capricous. An artist whose heart is usually soft as snow needs to steel up to survive the indifference of the world. All I can wish for all those artists who give us so many wonderful moments with their art - Become an Amitabh Bachchan not a Guru Dutt
Bless you sir!
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Yes ,I do wonder at times about our very existance. God, the Almighty loves all
of us and has a purpose for all the lives He created then why this difference?
Some people enjoy every thing because they are born in a certain family and others have to struggle on a day to day basis even if they are highly qualified or talented ..whatever u say.
Ultimately,I have come to the conclusion that fate is something which controls everything whether we beleive in it or not .
Life is so mysterious, I do not think we in true sense will ever be able to define it
but irrespective of all this our attitude towards life makes a big differance.
Some people make this world more beautiful simply by being in it.How?
By sharing happiness . And we need a heart for it, a selfless , unselfish heart with empathy and sympathy. A mind capab le of absorbing our surroundings for indifference of mind will lead to the starvation of brain. A brain at use for the
betterment of self and others. Ans also we should try not to hurt people if we cannot help.
For sure , I know one thing , words have power and if we keep uttering positive things it will happen for unknowingly we will work towards it.
I , as I look at my life always agree with the hymn writer
“Count your blessing
name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done”
When u look at others with their wealth and gold
think that Lord has promised u His wealth untold
We need to be at peace with ourselves and others to understan
Life..
God..
Kindness..
Blessings
Prayers..
Fate
Destiny…
Yes, we need the strength to change what we can and the understanding to
accept what we cannot. Does that make any sensE
Beena
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BRAVOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GREAT PEICE OF WRITING
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Amazing depth…I think we all wonder on that part…the part that sets us apart from others…even though we do the exact same things with equal amount of effort.I believe its destiny…one has to work hard..but in the end somewhere we cannot control what happens to our lives…We can only try..put in the best of our efforts…
Please recover soon…am dying to see you at the show…hope the salubrious weather helped
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So eloquently said.
I ask…..and please reply….why did you not start writing some 20-30 years ago?
Whatever made you become an actor? Not that I dont love you as an actor or your films. Feeeling bad for all the chances we have missed in reading something written by you.
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Sir, i think it is called POPULAR. What we give you and some of your brethren is our gratitude and appreciation of having touched our lives at some level. Making our lives a bit optimistic for a short span of time. Making us believe in poetic justice. Making us believe in ourselves and above all making us smile and happy. That sir is priceless!! We, with no disrespect to any other kind of practitioner and performer, value what we experience when we watch, more and us wrteched souls rate talent far less . Otherwise nasseruddin shah would be paid higher than many people, probably even you, no offesne meant.
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Respected Amitji…or uncle wondering what shall i call u……
Very true…i guess iam the first respondent today…used to read this space everyday…today thot of writing too…u r really a gem…Wish you a very speedy recovery and wish you all the very best for the remaining shows…U rockkkk…..U have a show on Aug 9th in Atlantic City..had wished to c as my birthday present..but then its too far..Wish there was one in nearby region or maybe Atlanta, Georgia….please…please…please…have one show here too..
with all the respects n wishes n lots of luv for abhi too
shailey…
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So eloquently said.
I ask…..and please reply….why did you not start writing some 20-30 years ago?
Whatever made you become an actor? Not that I dont love you as an actor or your films. Feeeling bad for all the chances we have missed in reading something written by you.
Bigadda: this is no duplicate and you better post my comment this time.
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I think you missed an ‘n’ in lingua francas
What did you think about The Dark Knight - I saw it last week and I can still not compare it with any other movie I’ve ever seen
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Glad you saw the Dark Knight. This is a stunning film. The best superhero film ever made in my judgment but of course it goes much beyond this as well. It is the most compelling interpretation of this American ‘mythos’. The director incidentally made a ‘prequel’ three years ago called Batman Begins. I do not know whether you’ve seen this but this itself is a fantastic film.
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RESPECTED AMITJI.
NAMASTE.
EACH POST FROM YOU TOUCHES THE SOUL. YOUR SENSITIVE HEART COMPELS YOU TO THINK ABOUT STREET PERFORMERS WITH COMPASSION. ANYONE ELSE IN YOUR POSITION WOULD NOT GIVE THEM A SECOND LOOK. NO WONDER YOU ARE WORSHIPPED BY MILLIONS ACROSS THE CONTINENTS.
HOPE YOU ARE RECOVERING FAST. ALL OUR PRAYERS WITH YOU AS ALWAYS.
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Another touching moment described
Thats life Bachchan Saheb. What can you do. At one point in life you went through that path and tasted the difficulty - the failure - eyes of people who look at you in a way to disappoint you.
People not showing the faith in you thinking you are nobody, you can’t achieve anything.
But it is fate, faith, belief, love, hard work, passion, positiveness alot of other things that made you where you are.
So I know how you felt. We all feel at some point.Sometimes I live on that feeling and thank that I could be there or worse. Sometimes I think who cares.
You do care and sometimes you move on. But life moves on and so do we.
Cheer up look forward to life - everyone has their destiny to fulfill. Mine is not worth it but yours is.
Hurra.
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I should also say that this is perhaps your most ‘Dickensian’ post when you reflect on street performers and so forth. Once again a very moving post..
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Sir,
That question of yours to your readers. If/when I find an answer I’ll let you know. I ask HIM “yeh bhhed hai kaisa koi kuchh to batana”. (o jane wale).
Its nice to know you are relaxing. Very happy for you. God bless you sir. Please please dont worry about anything.
Daksha
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its courage big b! thats what makes the difference a courage to go wrong. i guess get well soon…
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It is no doubt that you are very talented. However, there could be other people equally or even more talented than you. But, you at the time of your struggle you put your energy at right place and grabbed the opportunity which came across. You have been incredibly lucky that all these worked so well for you. It is said success is what preparation and luck meets. And you are extreme example of that and thus are a person of incredible good preparation and luck.
By the way I would be at your show in Chicago.
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First off, I must say that your descriptions are amazing. I can imagine the scene you described so vividly.
Secondly… you are a good person. Bless you.
Take care
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Dear Mr. Bachchan,
Namaste.
I wish you are getting well by now, and that you are recovering fast.
Of course I loved your post today (oh, that’s a recurrent sentence in all my comments
), but what’s beautiful in it is how we sometimes react to things, and feel about things.
through out we pass by several events and incidents without thinking or meditating. But what I liked is the thought that this street performance has evoked and brought into your mind.
God has created life and HIS creatures in this way. HE wants it to be in this way. lots of ‘inequalities’ and variations on all levels and standards. Life in itself is a big test and blessed are those who are aware of this, because in our daily life and struggle we forget that. The rich and the poor pass through the same test, but each in a different way. We have been given life as a gift, and we are being tested on how we will go through. Of course we are to be grateful for God, even if we miss something in our life. Actually we don’t miss anything, it is only that we want everything. We have been given all the tools to live a good life, on the physical, spiritual, and mental levels, but it is how we use these tools.
it is said and believed that everyone is born to fullfil his destiny or fate. isn’t that a test?!!and how we are going to fullfil it? i believe in the idea. but, i don’t know what is my destiny, and whether i am being true to my test. and i don’t know how much time i should take to be aware of it.
It was a nice gesture of you putting your ‘little contribution’ in their hat, not only for the act of giving, but also for your feelings for them. That was so human. If all humans feel for each other, life will have a different face.
Thanks for sharing this experience and your thoughts with us,loved pouring my thoughts back to you
With my best wishes and prayers,
Love you,
Rasha Zayed.
BigB yahoo group.
Cairo, Egypt.
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Dear Amitji,
Wish you a quick recovery.
Before I realized I became an addicted reader of your blog entries.
Never left a reply, because most of what I wanted to say had been said by others already. :-). Seems today I am the first one to comment.
Guess you should ask your big adda team to set up another counter, to count the number of people who have read the blog, along with number of comments posted. I know its technically possible.
Kindest Regards,
Anudeep
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Bravo.
Luck by chance.
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Probably bits of everything…some cosmic equation which is more equal for some then for others.
Beautifully written as always…
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Sir,
There is no inconsistency in HIS universe.Everything is in perfect harmony including our existence.HE is the street performer,HE is the inconsiderate spectator,and HE is the man who puts his little contributation in hat.Discord is in our mind only.
Regards
Sumana Roy
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I was also reminded of Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself reading your post. here are some extracts:
“There was never any more inception than there is now,
Nor any more youth or age than there is now,
And will never be any more perfection than there is now,
Nor any more heaven or hell than there is now.”
” The blab of the pave, tires of carts, sluff of boot-soles, talk of
the promenaders,
The heavy omnibus, the driver with his interrogating thumb,
the clank of the shod horses on the granite floor,
The snow-sleighs, clinking, shouted jokes, pelts of snow-balls,
The hurrahs for popular favorites, the fury of rous’d mobs,
The flap of the curtain’d litter, a sick man inside borne to the
hospital,
The meeting of enemies, the sudden oath, the blows and fall,
The excited crowd, the policeman with his star quickly
working his passage to the centre of the crowd,
The impassive stones that receive and return so many echoes,
What groans of over-fed or half-starv’d who fall sunstruck or
in fits,
What exclamations of women taken suddenly who hurry
home and give birth to babes,
What living and buried speech is always vibrating here, what
howls restrain’d by decorum,
Arrests of criminals, slights, adulterous offers made,
acceptances, rejections with convex lips,
I mind them or the show or resonance of them — I come and I
depart.”
” Through me many long dumb voices,
Voices of the interminable generation of prisoners and slaves,
Voices of the diseas’d and despairing and of thieves and dwarfs,
Voices of cycles of preparation and accretion,
And of the threads that connect the stars, and of wombs and
of the father-stuff,
And of the rights of them the others are down upon,
Of the deform’d, trivial, flat, foolish, despised,
Fog in the air, beetles rolling balls of dung.
Through me forbidden voices,
Voices of sexes and lusts, voices veil’d and I remove the veil,
Voices indecent by me clarified and transfigur’d.”
“Agonies are one of my changes of garments,
I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself
become the wounded person,”
“And as to you Life I reckon you are the leavings of many
deaths,
(No doubt I have died myself ten thousand times before.)”
This magnificent poem goes this way from strength to strength. It is visionary, apocalyptic, soulful and much more. Many critics consider it the most important work of modern Western poetry. You are in LA. If you haven’t read it instruct Abhishek to pick up a copy for you right away! Any bookstore would carry this!
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This has touched my heart. We never think it the way you have written .Hope who ever reads this gives a thought to the street performer. This may be a small start to acknowledge them.
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Dearest Amit ji. Very well written n it feels nice to read that you were able to enjoy with your family all three movies, including the popcorn a must in movies.
you are right sir that everyone of us are here for a reason, some find that reason early in life and some later on in their life. You were put on this planet to bring happiness, joy, n smiles to millions around the globe with your movies. you have touched our lives in many ways which even you may not realise. my earliest memories of you are in “sholay” and crying non-stop when your death scene is shown, and watch in utter confound amazement, completely dazzled and flabbergasted as to how you were alive again. The answer to that my cousin gave was that you had just pretended to die and when the movie finished you just stepped out of the screen and went home n made another movie. To a 5 yr it was as simple as that n satisfied my quest.
You are my MENTOR, Amit Ji.
Amit ji when one goes through a tough n bad period in their life all round it becomes very difficult to push oneself because no matter what you try and achieve and how much hard work you put in the returns are few and less.
What do you do, how do you survive???? how do you move forward, how do you come out of the rut you are stuck in???? Well i am trying to put in my 120% in hard work, and i have faith n HOPE that one day it will pay off, and during these tough times your movies bring a smile, joy, n happiness in our lives.
god bless YOU Amit ji.
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From what you mention here, it seems you were at the Hollywood Blvd., watched a movie at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater besides the Kodak theater? Looking forward for the show on Saturday…good luck!
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SIR JI
INTRESTING TO READ YOU TOO WENT BACK TO BACK 3 MOVIE, WAS JAYA JI ALSO WITH YOU ?
YES THIS IS LIFE, SOMEONE HAS ALL THE COMFORT IN LIFE AND SOME STRUGGLE FOR DAILY NEEDS, BY SEEING ALL THIS, ONE MUST THANK GOD FOR WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US AND TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED
INTRESTING TO NOTE THAT YOU AND JAYA JI SPONSOR TWO DANCERS (SALSA OR JAZZ ) FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETE !! COOL
GOD BLESS YOU AND GET WELL SOON
WARM REGARDS MANOJ GROVER
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I’m a free spirit that has been shot down and wronged
I pleaded for help a kind gentle mercy
My heart felt like it rose up to my throat as you choked the life from me
I cried with pain; can barely speak your name
Throat swelling burning like a flame
This fire this burning I’m yearning for help
This is all I have ever felt
My life as its slipping
Veins running cold
My blood as its churning its last
My lungs choking for air breathing heavy
And nobodies there to hold me tight
Or watch this site as I fall to my knees
In a last try to be set free abandoning all of me
Because there is nothing left for me
Why can’t I ever just see?
As the rain falls it sucks the life from me
My one joy to hear and feel the rain and it consumes me
And this ending pain; no more shame
Dedicated to my grandmother who always believed in me.
Dear Amitaji
SAlutes to ur heart and depth of emotions
I thank u for ur first marathi film
I read ur nice hindi letter on ur blog. i am hindi lover
and a fan of poems of ur father. Hope to listen all his poems in ur voice
I am resident of delhi after marriage. Born and br up in mumbai.
Thanks for ur blog.
shuchi borkar
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well said..
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Mr Bachchan, your words are really very thoughtful. You are really a deep thinker. Your performances are the best. Godspeed. Get well soon.
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Dear Amitabh,
There is a hint of pride, achievement yet modesty in your writing. You deserve every bit of what you are today - I am sure, and it must be / have been quite a heady feeling.. a feeling that us ‘normal’ human beings get during a promotion perhaps or maybe an inexplicaple and unexpected joy. But that feeling is memorable for us because it does not happen everyday - I wonder what it would feel if we were to be promoted everyday..?
Love you,
Debjani.
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it was fate sir
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My dear Mr. B.,
You may be tired of hearing what an amazing writer you are, but once more you’ve carried me away to where you are, seeing what you see, hearing what you hear.
Big cities, small towns … people are the same. Fear, hunger, terror of what comes tomorrow haunt us all, but through it all shines courage.
Aloha … I hope you’re feeling better today.
Love, Dorothy in Hawaii
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Sir,
I have been living in Toronto for the last eight years. I hail from a generation that has grown watching your films. I still remember the day when Muqaddar Ka Sikander was released; I was studying in fifth standard in Bishop Cotton School (BCS), Nagpur. I joined a bunch of guys, who had decided to bunk classes to watch Muqaddar Ka Sikander. As unlucky as I have always been, my Dad turned up at the school the same afternoon to “check on my overall progress”. Needless to say, I got the spanking of my life; but still I thought the end bargain was very profitable: I got to see the Amitabh’s movie on the first day of its release.
Your brilliance as an actor was always beyond dispute; but what has shocked me, albeit pleasantly, is your writing prowess. After reading your blog, I also felt that you are a very sensitive person. I do not know you personally, but I surmise that your sensitivity sometimes may also be inflicting emotional injury to your psyche. I have closely observed people in journalism and found that half of them may not come even close to your writing competence.
Well, I do not want to dismiss your writing competence by saying, “you gew up with good literature, you ought to be a good writer”. That may be very silly. You may have grown up in the midst of good literature, but I think your persona makes you a kind of writer you are. And the credit for evolving into a persona that you have should go to none other than yourself.
Just thought would pass my compliments to you for being such a wonderful writer…
Best Regards
Manoj Sharma
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moved by ur blog. only a down to earth person only can write such touchy feelings. hts off to u sir
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Amitji,
Beautifully described ! Brought tears to my eyes.Life can be so tough,so uncertain,so painful but still we have to live.Inspite of everything, we love life.We humans are strange creatures and probably that is our strenght ….
You know exactly how to make someone think philosophically bringing alive the humanity in a person.One can feel your thoughts,pain,feelings .
God bless everyone……..
Get well soon !
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Dear Amitji,
I hope you do feel better. Especially for Saturday, as I am astounded that I finally get to see you, Abhishek, Aishwarya, Preity and Ritiesh. It is like a life’s dream come true.
I just wish i could get a picture, autograph and maybe a few minutes to talk.
It would make my life, and I would the happiest person on earth.
Good luck
Hope you like LA, and The Dark Knight, Hancock and Mamma Mia!!
I thought The Dark Knight was fantastic
Yet to see the others
Please pass my regards to Jayaji, Abhishek and Aishwarya
Lots of Love,
Kunali Shah
*949-716-7560*
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An excellent post from the legend.All bloggers are very much concerned about your health. Too much dependence on antibiotics may be avoided as it slowly reduces the resistance power .Carry on Amitabhji as Saibaba will take care of everyone in the UNFORGETTABLES.
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Respected Mr. Bachchan!!
What a watchful people’s person you are!!! Felt one with you and your thoughts. You spoke my mind. I travel a lot through some of the most amazing cities our world has to offer and notice the same treatment to street musicians. Really sad
But it is just a few that really pause to think and give these dedicated performers a thought.
Welcome to the club of “PEOPLE WITH A HEART”!! YOU HAVE JUST BEEN APPOINTED A MEMBER; SO STAY RIGHT THERE!!:-*:x:-*:x:-*:x
Love & prayers-Lily D’Penha/Frankfurt-Germany.
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hiAB,
welll humble little me being the first one to write…….
it takes a lot of sensitivity to fel what u did, yet that’s the way it is..mayb some day that street performer will get his/her due…get recognised for what he does better than many who got luckier cos they got noticed..
i am myself a struggling small time enterpreneur who did’nt need to move a finger cos god blessed her with a silver spoon at birth n followed it wiyh a golden spoon at marriage.BUT i felt the need for justifying my existence in this world n here i am working from scratch without help from my family(by my choice) and trying to make a go for it.
u were blessed as many always claim but tell me did u not always have fears , insecurities and phases of no work..so let the critics be..what u have today is what u worked hard for,mayb as hard as that street performer and u deserve all u have…the diference lies in his destiny and yours..n that is what some power beyond our comprehension n reach decides..
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Mr. Bachchan,
I’m glad that you, Mrs. Bachchan, Abhi, and Ash had a day off to relax, have fun, and be together as a family. I think all of you richly deserved a day or two off. Watching movies can be a great relaxer. Out of the 3 films you mentioned watching. I can only endorse the new Batman film: The Dark Knight as being really entertaining, topnotch, and worth every bit of the ticket price. It really has been the best film of the year. I really enjoyed the way you described your surroundings in LA and the street performers. It is true that every performer is dependent on the audience’s goodwill and interest. I’m sorry to hear about your cold and fever. I’m sure its the different climates. I hope you get well soon. Also I want to thank Abhi for taking time out of his busy schedule to post on the Drona page. He needs to keep it up and make sure the film is promoted extremely well.
Best wishes!!
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hey u r unwell n comments closed………GET WELL SOON
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Wonderful !!!
Love n Respect,
Ranjit,blore
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hope u get soon fast….
god ur words are so touching…..
and plzzz reply my comment if there is any way