The Timid Tale

She gazed out of that window

Every single day

Wondering what’s it like out there

In the open, in the rain

For darkness grew within

Knowing no bounds

Not far was the day

When comes for her the hound

She knew she must try

Or this might be the end

For how to battle the nemesis

That dwell within

Fascinated by smiles

So vivid, so live  

She wanted to be happy

To be able to revive

Gathering her remnants

She raced to and fro

To step out in this macabre

To let it all go  

For the first time ever

She was on her own

Basking in the sun

She felt all grown

She rose, albeit unsteadily

Weary of losing her way

Of being faceless among the many

Labeled as the damsel in dismay

It’s a long way to fruition

Whines the oldster she didn’t know

While she dances away in glory

Not afraid of the dark anymore

Mumbai...I guess I haven't thanked you enough

There are many reasons as to why a mumbaite doesn't find any other city as fulfilling as his home city. The people who are born and raised here will completely agree with me on this.

Rightly known as the city of dreams, Mumbai encapsulates dreams of the daily wage earner who works rigorously and sleeps on the streets to provide for his family back home, of the struggling actor who left his home and yearns to earn a place on the big screen in this bollywood capital and also of the aspiring businessman who has a larger than life idea and the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve it. What Mumbai is, is because of its people, from the Bachchans, Ambanis and Khans…to the white, blue and red collared working class, the home makers and students, the street vendors and labourers, each and every one of us make this city what it is today!!

We don't boast of being perfect, we too have our flaws….this city is the land of ironies, our commute to work is much bigger a struggle than the work itself, we can fall sick by eating 5star restaurant food, but the vada pav at the street side bhaiya does us no harm, 15 minutes of downpour is all that is needed to generate floods here and I can go on and on..…but HEY!! even though our’s is one of the most polluted city of the country….our stars shine the brightest  

If you are new to this city, don't worry….the city eventually grows on you, becomes a part of you just like your breath, gives you endless opportunities and instills in you that nothing is impossible ! Mumbai has the power to make or mar you, it can be your ladder to success and also your slide to downfall…the choice is yours :) 

5 Must Watch Crime Classics that gave us evergreen Protagonists !

1. The Godfather It unarguably ranks first in my list. This 1972 classic based on the story of a gangster family is regarded as one of the greatest films in world cinema. It gave us much more than just bloodshed, politics and glorified action sequences that are normally indispensable parts of crime based movies. The essence that remained constant throughout all the sequels (The Godfather I, II and III) was that “Family comes first”. It also gave us two powerful protagonists; Marlon Brando and Al Pacino with Robert de Niro doing what he does best in the part 2. With such a tight cast reciting dialogues which are quoted even today, no wonder this movie is to stay with us forever.

2. The Silence of the lambs

This movie will send chills down your spine even though it is NOT a horror genre. Jodie Foster plays an attractive FBI trainee who interviews Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the brilliant psychiatrist turned Cannibal played by the man himself, Sir Anthony Hopkins. His fierce performance with eyes that sharply penetrate your head beyond the screen will give you few sleepless nights. You may fear him but you just cannot ignore him. 

3. The Shawshank Redemption 

Though this film didn't have a massive box office success during its time, its one of the highest critically acclaimed film till date. It has wide shifts in its plot, from Tim Robbins,the lead, playing a banker who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her lover in the dreaded Shawshank State Prison and him establishing a strong bond with a fellow inmate played by Morgan Freeman, to him helping the prison warden in laundering his money and then eventually fleeing the prison in one of the most smartly conducted prison break operations. It is all so articulately put, granting solace and ultimate redemption by the end.

 

4. Pulp Fiction

We had to have a Tarantino film in this list! The Protagonists in all his films leave a distinct mark. They are bad, powerful people doing their dirty business with such style and panache that they become your heroes. Pulp Fiction is one such great work. Being one of its kind american comedy crime film, this one is surely going to blow your mind with its ironical mix of violence and humour making you fall for the bad guys ;p 

5. Scarface.

Al Pacino fans like me will be drooling over his cuban accent and brazen drug lord personality in this film. It is the journey of his transformation from a cuban refugee to a drug kingpin of the mafia world to his emotional self destruction by the end. You will fall in love with his king-sized lifestyle, his beautiful women and his self-made multi millionaire attitude.

Ripped apart

No, nothing about a melodramatic heartbreak, fatal disease or suicidal instincts. Everything is just fine. I thought it would be wise to clear the air so things don’t channel towards the very obvious implications of “ripped apart”.

Lets stick to fashion and talk about our favourite and almost obligatory part of clothing….Jeans!! 

I think they are as essential as our unmentionables…sometimes even more than that ;p 

I am not going to blabber about what kind of jeans are in vogue or which ones are best for which season or what should be worn et all…you all know that..even if you don't , doesn't really matter..

As minutely suggestive from my previous post, I think of fashion as a very subjective matter and that’s exactly how its meant to be.

Wear what you feel and you can never go wrong. And interestingly jeans are a very common and apt way to do so. Invented in 1873 by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis, yes the same Levi Strauss of Levi Strauss & Co. (Levi’s) who are big players in this market even today. Jeans or denim date back to cowboy days; tight, bell bottom cut and of course heavily accessorised with leather belts.

Later they became common wear for factory workers for their comfort. 

And now they are common wear for everybody….

High waist, low waist, mid rise, skinny, tapered, straight, boot cut, narrow bottom…whatever serves you well, but as for my personal opinion, one factor added to any of these fits can be a catalyst to the recipe of a WOW look…...." just make sure they are ripped ! "

Ripped or rugged denims became popular in the 1990s and 2000s during the grunge era, worn extensively by artists like Kurt Cobain and fans of the movement. There used to be just one horizontal tear at the knee and that was quite about it but gradually we learnt that that was not enough. I am glad we did!!!

Now we can go all the way up to the thighs or all the way down to the ankles or both at the same time. These are distressed jeans. The older they are the better they get...Don't worry, they are absolutely safe and acceptable today! Your grandma might just offer to repair them for you now and then but she will understand with time as mine did ;p 

Out of my recent experience, I teamed up a pair of straight fit, midway rugged, light blue washed  jeans with an over sized tucked in white t-shirt that has John Lennon holding a placard that reads “War is over-if you want it” ......man that did look super cool !!

Girls!…don’t hesitate to take a break from our pretty chic doll clothes…there is something about this rugged style that will make you feel free and alive. With the ripped jeans there’s so much to experiment with ! Teaming up a boyfriend rugged denim with sequined crop tops or body hugging t-shirts, a minimal ripped skinny one with a loose fitted shirt or a baggy one with a slim fit shirt….the sky’s the limit! 

When you feel emotionally off sometimes…and want to throw, break or tear anything apart, try ripping your old denims off…that way there will be no regret after the fury recedes and there you've got your new pair of hep jeans ! ;)   *Peace*

Through the Lennon glasses.

How would the world seem without change, ever wondered? Here I am refering to the ‘change’ that encompasses one and all, the one we all fall prey to, which directly or indirectly influences us in what we choose to wear, think, look and be. I talk about Fashion, Style and all its synonyms. Here I refer to fashion not only in the tune of clothes, accessories, make-up and all that façade, rather as an identity, character and establishment, because that's what it really is.

I have this strong admiration towards some trends and more of, for the people who symbolize them. There are some distinctive eras that changed the terminology of “Fashion” per se. They were marked by people who were more than just trend setters. They actually invented a living, a culture, a whole generation!! Some vintage styles will never ever die. The emerging new trends are more or less; well planned, designed, marketed and executed versions of what were invented many years ago(with obviously some groundbreaking innovations)

For the immense love I have for the vintage and the old,I decided to write my first post over it! The innocent charm of some trademark styles is what makes them so impeccable. You can just never go wrong with it. Here are some of the remarkable ones!

Red means love....

The red lip colour has announced long ago,that it’s back to reign!! and this time with no intention of fading away in time. Marilyn Monroe institutionalized this fashion statement in the 50’s and how! You don't necessarily need the white halter neck dress and wind blowing from below to make the effect. We can wear it with the formal look, with the sexy party look, the rugged tank top look and everything else possible on this earth. It makes the world a beautiful place because it makes us feel beautiful from within. Wearing the red lip colour brings out the hidden Marilyn Monroe in every girl spiced up with the aura of our own individual personalities. Go glossy or matte, but don't forget the panache!

Punk me!

The garage rock punk style that rooted in the 70’s has never completely gone out of fashion. It was regarded as the most rebellious form of style back then because of the bold nature of the hairstyles, accessories, tattoos and other body modifications that accompanied it. Punk style has managed to survive every hurdle in its way and till today adorns our closets in one form or the other. The intensity of this style has been evidently toned down to a great extent to make it look more acceptable yet chic. This style varies more with the mood. It is instrumental with the feeling of darkness and outrage displaying strength and freedom. It exists today in our black nail paints, ear studs, leather jackets, studded boots, band tees, ripped mesh, chunky wristbands, bullet belts and the list is endless! Bands like Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash etc were regarded as the originators of the punk lifestyle as a whole. It's a style to be worn when you feel like going out there on your own and walking the streets like they are all yours!!!

*The Hipster*

This one’s my favorite. Though the hippie culture is rooted before the punk culture I decided to put it in the end because it is special. It has to have a distinct space. I don't know if you have, but I am noticing this cool style gaining momentum yet again. Born in the 60’s this style represented a way of living. Hipsters embraced natural beauty and believed in harmony and peace. They expressed this through their dressing; bell-bottoms, floral shirts, bandanas, tie-dyed tops, gypsy skirts, beaded necklaces and the mandatory Lennon glasses!

John Lennon is the name that hits our head when we talk about hippie music and style. He was not only looked upon for the music he created, but also for the style statement that he so effortlessly exuded with the sheer rawness of his chestnut brown colour beard, his shoulder length hair and the round glasses that started nothing less than a revolution! No wonder they have come back with a bang and are serving to one and all..

See the world through your Lennon glasses and you will know its really a circle, where everything comes back to where it began.  *Peace*