Chetan Bhagat: Man who brought “Reading-Revolution” to India

Caution 1: Long Post!

Caution 2: First Paragraph does not talk about Bhagat and his Bhagats.

Chetan Bhagat (Photo Courtesy - iDiva)

In the late 90s, Doordarshan was the only channel for the entire nation. And then DD Metro was launched as a second channel for Metro Cities only. And, the same happened with Cable TV – initially, it set its foot in Metropolitan Cities and it took some years before it could enter 2nd Tier or 3rd Tier Cities and finally villages of India. There was always a gap and will ever be between city dwellers and village folks – and to not had Cable TV further widened it. Cable TV not only amplified the entertainment options but it also brought Westerns Music, Sitcoms and Hollywood into Indian homes. It jolted Indians in an overt manner much like Madhuri Dixit scared Aamir Khan with her 440 Volts in Dil. A volcano of information had erupted and it became a rage to know more and more about West. USA was a dream land of Bold and Beautiful people, WWF Wrestlers and Pamela Anderson. And, it led us to a constant cribbing regarding Bollywood and Desi Serials, which had to evolve into a rage – and ultimately Cable TV viewing Indians vented out their anger in the form of scathing criticism for India. It was a matter of knowing and not-knowing. We have come this far in these twenty years, but for many it is still a kind of Hip-Thing to watch an English Movie and to brag about it in front of friends. To certain extent this same thing goes with the reading preferences of the Indians. And, Bhagat has really done a lot in that context. Not judging his contribution in improving the English of Indians, but he certainly made them read his stuff – written in English.

Now, let’s talk about Bhagat now. I know the beauty of description lies in brevity. But, no harm if you can exaggerate simple things to fill-up pages and be bluntly straightforward – when it comes to some steamy action. Bhagat has a knack for that – he can drag a Class-Room Scene to three pages and serve up a Sex Scene in a few words – “they just had to do it” kind of stuff. Easy availability of Porn on the Internet has done the same thing to current generation – they just want to see quick action or main action.

Once again, I would refer to the first paragraph that I wrote – In the early 90s – watching English Movies and to know more about America than your country became a rage or a true sense of modernity. Consequently, our reading habits also evolved with time. More and more Indians or young people want to read English stuff, but why waste time in understanding the nuance of description and immense power of word-play by reading the Novels of Rushdie, Seth or for that matter Arundhati Roy. Damn, who would like to check the dictionary at least 5 times to understand a single page written by these guys. They are boring and difficult to understand. And, Bhagat comes forth as a right substitute – cool Lingo dude. Just like we used to read those Top Twenty or King Champions notes to pass our supplementary courses in DU Exams.

Earlier, they used to sell a pack of five or ten old magazines at Railway Stations or Bus Terminals – but now they have Bhagat’s gems – five point someone, one night at a call center and many others. In the 90s, to talk about movies and cricket was vogue or in fashion, likewise reading is in vogue these days. And Bhagat is a shot-cut to intellectual enlightenment. You can read easy English and achieve that sense of satisfaction. There is an X-Factor associated with Bhagat. He is an ex-IIT and IIM Student. Well, for some people that is enough.  And, even if he criticizes these two premier institutes of India – he has been there done that. We just can’t do that and shouldn’t.

I did talk to a few who have read Bhagat’s novels. They all asserted that his books are easy to read and quite interesting - with a few quick sex scenes. Bhagat’s popularity has increased multifold since the release of his first book because this guy didn’t change a bit nor his writing style and stories – so he will never riddle you with something new – content with his content which has earned him immense following. Same goes with Bollywood. We do criticize it vehemently for producing clichés and non-sense content, but ultimately that’s what we like. And, in a country more than a billion people, it hardly matters. Because even if you get hold of 5% people – you are not the best seller but a Super-Seller. To read in English is hip and happening then why not Bhagat – the writer for masses. For many Indians, Bollywood is a get away from their treacherous daily life – and likewise Bhagat is there for them, a true-partner in their Intellectual ride – a pure vicarious pleasure.

Students of Delhi University: A Serious Overview

A new session has started in Delhi University and anyone who ever visited a college in Delhi must have a fair idea about all that hustle-bustle and enthusiasm among fresh students. More than anything else, it is a moment of great pride for all those who make it to the University – I don’t know about the exact number but there are around 60-65 colleges in the University and every year more than 2 lakhs students compete for the seats (in Regular courses). So, here is the bitter truth – the outrageously high cut offs for admission are there not because DU offers the best in studies or courses but obviously there are not enough number of seats to accommodate more and more students. Well, who cares? I am here to talk about the type of students (Type means something else, politically incorrect version actually). I roughly divide them in three categories.

1.The Muftkhors (Freeloaders): They are the muftis or freeloaders. They have a little to say in every discussion, but when it comes to party or eating out – they are the Super-Charged Electrons which easily gel up with anything positive or negative because it’s about food. They encourage everyone to go out – have the names of best eateries on their fingertips and ultimately they will convince the group to go out. Once done with the first task, they will guide the group to the best places to eat, but then like any other Bollywood potboiler, there is a melodramatic twist. These Muftis will eat well, laugh out loud but they will never pay. When the group is ready to pay – they will either get busy on their phone or go to Loo. If that is not possible then they will play the ultimate trick – they will admit – they don’t have money. So, someone will pay for them – and loyal to their name – they will never pay back.

2.Tragedy Kings and Queens:  First they will appear reclusive. But, gradually they will open their mouth, they will talk about common problems plaguing our country. They are not depressingly over concerned about the problems but if someone would talk to them much – they will open up. And damn – they have a lot to say. In the end, they will convince their listeners – that they are the most downtrodden people, struggled a lot in life and they are here to make difference. Well, those who would tolerate them then might stick with them for a while – others will just run away. And, if you meet them after 2 years – they will be completely changed people – now, they wouldn’t give a damn about world – and their aspirations are limited to going abroad, earning loads of money and all that – which can be labeled Materialistic – well you can call these guys hypocrites. Yes, they also get active in the so-called Social Movements, but their ultimate goal is “Name and Fame”. Only a lucky few manage to get that – because these clichéd strategies have lost their relevance over a period of time. Now-a-days, they get caught easily.

3.The indefatigable breed: They are everywhere and deserve to be there. Full of energy and lots of ideas, they simply define the spirit of Campus – actually, these guys bring in that raw exuberance, which makes everything possible. From Sport to debates to labs – well they can be found anywhere and whatever they do – it shows their determination and sheer zest for life. They make a lot of things possible in Campus. They are good listeners and when they do something they are serious about it. Sadly, Freeloaders exploit them a lot.

Well, I could come up with only three categories. May be, I wasn’t lucky to find fourth or fifth breed during my days in the college.

Ram Gopal Verma: An unfinished affair

“Mumbai Ka King Kaun” Bhikhu Mahatre – a line that has been etched in my memory forever and somehow introduced me to a different Indian Cinema of that time. Yes, I was shocked a bit, but more than that felt sheer happiness because for me it was a new and bold experience. We had seen many gangster movies before Satya, but the way it brought the nuance of Underworld on the forefront and presented it with stubborn honesty – simply left me awestruck. Now after all these years, I can say that Indian Cinema was taking one step at a time then to embrace the much needed change and what Ram Gopal Verma did then can be termed as a Paradigm Shift.

Before Satya happened, RGV had established himself as a director with a lot in “Different and Bold” to offer with Rangeela. But, my first serious introduction to RGV’s movies was with Satya – a film that allowed Manoj Vajpai to exhibit his immense talent by portraying the role of a Mumbai Underworld Don. It hit me like a whiplash and somehow left me jolted to the core.

In one epic scene, Bhikhu Mahatre died when he went to congratulate Bhau (main villain) for winning the election. It was a single-shot to the head to kill the most powerful character in the movie – and that was typical RGV moment of the movie – devoid of any preconceived notions. It was a totally different experience for me and I immediately became his fan.

Satya was a cult film during those times. Actually, it appeared a lot different because prior to that Box-Office was mostly ruled by directors like Suraj Barjataya or Yash Chopra or others. Either it was love-dovey Cinema, where you had those typical Bollywood love-stories – too much melodrama, Dreamy song sequences and Rona-Dhona or mind-numbing action sequences with larger than life Heroes and their whims. RGV was not there to join the rat race.

After Satya, I established a special bond with RGV’s movies – they were convincing, different and well ahead of their times – yes, if you compare his work with other directors of that time. With every movie, RGV looked strong and firm in his conviction. I did watch Rangeela later and it simply blew me away. It was not Urmila Matondkar’s skimpy dress or her audacious dance moves in Tanha Tanha yahan par jeena, but the way RGV dealt with the spirit of a free girl was simply staggering with different hues of emotions explicating her aspirations, dreams and uncommon love-affair with Aamir Khan’s character Munna.  These days we have some gutsy directors or filmmakers, who can take the Indian Cinema forward by producing a lot of different stuff; worth mentioning Anurag Kashyap and Diwakar Banerjee, but in those days, we had only RGV and he never disappointed us.

RGV  (Photo Courtesy - apnewscorner)

Be it Shool, Company or Road – RGV simply lived up to the expectations, which soared high with every movie he made. It was all good till Ab tak Chappan, another movie on underworld and police nexus. And then something happened.

I went to watch Gayab and then Naach – and felt disappointed. Whether RGV directed those movies or not, but he was involved with them. In those days, I had a friend who was taking classes with Berry John, who once trained Manoj Vajpai, told me that RGV’s production house is named “Factory” and RGV might took it seriously – it was one movie after another from Factory. Loads of quantity - damage to quality. This guy was on a spree to make movies. Well, his next flicks can’t be called anything but average with “D” and “James”, but then RGV once again hit the chord with Sarkar. There were those typical RGV moments in the flick and it was a good effort in many ways – the director was honest in his storytelling and there were some quirky one-liners like Jab koi ek taraf se ladna shuru karta hai to dushan apne aap hi ban jaate hain. Though, it was a rip-off of Hollywood’s epic flick Godfather - Sarkar was a big hit and what could have proved a turning point in RGV’s career ended up filling him with hubris, which eventually got the better of him. 2007 saw the release of Nishabd and Ram Gopal Verma ki Aag – with latter turning out as Bollywood’s worst movie ever. For someone, who delivered so many quality movies for more than a decade, this last effort brought him to his heels. And, then followed a string of Flops and creepy movies with Department, the attacks of 26/11 and Satya 2.

Yes, we have a new brigade of directors, which has kept our hopes alive for a better and nuance-oriented cinema, but amidst all this – it hurts to see such a fall of RGV. A director of uncommon sense of Cinema could have done a lot better. Now, he is coming up with Ab Tak Chappan 2 – hopefully, it would not meet with the same fate of Satya 2.

RGV gave us so much in different Cinema and kept our hopes alive that Bollywood has a big heart to accept and cherish those who believe in themselves, take risks and defy formula-based cinema.

Many call him Maverick and spontaneous director, whose love for Cinema force him to work tirelessly, but for me he is someone, who has a strong conviction, but gradually paralyzed with his own hubris. Now, at the age of 52, I believe that this great Director can take a break from films and analyze a few things about himself – a walk down the memory lane wouldn’t help and a fresh start amidst present state of affairs can do a lot for him. Yes, he can look back to draw inspiration from those great flicks of his, which enriched Bollywood in many ways. May be its too late for RGV, but he would always stand out as someone, who did a lot in reinstating the faith of many in hard-hitting cinema – when Bollywood was struggling with an identity crisis and succumbing to cliché.

Yo Yo Funny Singh – First Part

Picture a typical Punjabi wedding scene. Too much glitter, Gucci, Prada – raging clamor for attention – and a lot of booze.  Take these words of wisdom, if you are going to attend such marriage – now or in near future. A few changes here and there, but ultimately the fervor and finish would be same. Same goes with Punjabi Music – No No – I am not overstepping here or going overboard or trying to offend someone – current music scene would appear like a half-churned ‘Lassi da Glass” without Punjabi Music – So spare me and if you can’t then forget it – it’s just a Blog dude.

In 80s and early 90s, there were only a handful of Punjabi singers, who were making the waves in Northern India like Gurdas Maan and a few more (I tried but couldn’t recall the names of others) and then Daler Mehndi brought his own brand of music – From tunak tunak tun to Haiyo Rabba – India got its own form of Shudh Peppy Music – you can always dance on such numbers. It was an early stage of Digital Music, which consequently led to a spontaneous blending of Punjabi Music+ Digital beats – yes they were and are made for each other. Anyone can shake a leg or break a leg on a popular Punjabi Peppy number – even if he doesn’t understand a single word. That’s it! But yes, it was never enough.

And then something happened -  something serious, something incredible – the bourgeoisie and rich class of Punjab, which represents the progress of Punjab with its super and bigger sense of style and substance (not talking about Substance Abuse here, which has become a cause of major concern in Punjab these days)  entered the Music arena like never before.

Amidst all this – Yo Yo Honey Singh was born. A singer who first broke into the music scene with his Daring **** Volume 2 song and gradually the entire nation accepted him – as someone who can talk his heart out and truly represents the problems faced by India’s lovelorn young boys. Some people call him misogynist but now some of his songs don’t propagate any message of hatred towards women, but simply label them as subjects – with words apparently referring to anatomical details of their bodies and how they behave or should behave these days. So, it is not about hatred anymore.

What really came on the forefront with this Yo Yo Music. While Lyrics can be called truly Punjabi, Music Videos or song sequences are bluntly ripped off from the West –with skimpily clad Girls (Goriyan in Punjabi) just heaving and jumping around the singers like puppets – with their jaded expressions and incoherent dance movements - Yes, Funny Singh counts for so much. Yo Yo and his brigade of Famous or hugely famous singers look like step brothers of Gangsta Rappers – so much is common between them – cribs, girls, cars and petty fights to brag about, but we have to accept the fact that Gangsta has more variety, more violence or if I have to sum-up in one word – they have a more Gross-Quotient in them. Not an assumption but a well scrutinized fact that very soon – Yo Yo Brigade will also delve deep into to augment their Gross-Quotient.

I noticed a pattern in Funny Singh’s songs. Earlier he was a Messiah of those who always wanted it but never had it – a sex starved group of people, who had to rely a lot on their imagination to vent out their frustration, but now they have Honey Singh or for them Horney Singh, who not only talks about this socially oppressed and ignored class, but also suggest ways for them to get what they want – instantly.

These days he is a national craze and a massive asset of this country. So, it is a laborious task to analyze too much in trends in his songs because Honey Singh is not much different from most of other Punjabi singers (or Wannabe Punjabi Singers), but yes he is more popular. Most of the time they talk about – girls, big cars, money, and above all – Jaat Power. But seriously, I tried to pick out a few interesting lines from his songs. Apparently, this guy wants to say too much – wants to do too much – and too much is never enough in Punjab.

Some songs – watch Videos to understand.

Party yun hi chalegi song – there is one quirky line in this song (Gaon main Tau kaware hain – means there are so many bachelors in the village) here he inadvertently talks about the problem of female foeticide in Punjab and Haryana, which has forced the youth to bring (buy) girls from other states of India. Those who can afford Can and those who Can’t – well, they can watch Honey Singh’s videos.

The way he sings this song especially Bomb lagdi mainu – Here he touches the emotions of a boy, who is knee deep in desperation, gradually moving upwards and he is squeaking  like someone who had Kayam Churan in the night but still feeling the agony of severe constipation.  Desperation couldn’t have been expressed in a better way. Feel aa gayi na – by God!

Char botal Vodka kaam mera roz ka – well there is one dreamy line in this song – kisi ki bandi ko bhi har lo (Which vaguely means…Hey, just go to the pub and pick up any girl you like) – this song sends a wrong message to all those who believe that they will find so many girls in Gurgaon pubs – at least one easy-going girl, who would behold you as if you are the famous Chawla version of Punjabi Butter Chicken and after 4 pegs of Vodka, this babe will pounce upon you like a tigress – and devour you. Yes, it happens – never mind to try it out, but first get drunk.
 
It would take at least a month to compile all those interesting lines from Honey Singh’s songs, which send across some strong messages. May be some other time – I do have some lyrics suggestions for this singer. May be in my next posts, I will try to look into the mercurial rise of Honey –Funny-Horny Singh and continue with some analysis of his lyrics. Only if I will have that much patience.

The serpentine lanes of Ber Sarai

With its front end facing old JNU campus and the middle-section sharing a wall with IIT – Ber Sarai hits you

Ber Sarai - sharing its wall with IIT

swiftly as a place teeming with students either studying for various competitive exams or those who are just loitering around, studying a bit, hoping a lot and amidst all this living in a congested locality that offers more than you can imagine – usually, the prevailing room-rent here would appear pretty cheap if you compare it with other places in South-Delhi. And, mind it, Ber Sarai is not only in South-Delhi but it is not far away from all those happening places or so called posh areas, which demonstrate the hi-fi spirit of Delhi. Be it awe-inspiring babes or roads adorned with greenery – you have access to all because you are in Ber Sarai.

Ber Sarai Market

My first visit to Ber Sarai happened almost 6 years ago, when a friend of mine invited me to his place. Though, things have changed a lot since then, but that friend still lives in Ber Sarai – a love-affair that would last so long that it would ultimately make the modern lovers of this generation bow their heads in sheer reverence for this fellow. The busy lanes of Ber Sarai are always crowded with people – comprising of students, locals and those who do brisk business in this swarming but alive place – full of hopes, dreams, rambles, chats and above all books. Once you get down at Ber Sarai bus stand, the very first thing or building that captures your attention is Kerala Café.

The Kerala Cafe of Ber Sarai

It’s not any other café and there is a legend behind it. Anyone truly immersed in the love of Ber Sarai would tell you a story behind the legend that in 80s’ or 90s’ a South-Indian guy could not make a cut to JNU and that disgruntled fellow swore to make a mark – though not in JNU but yes not far away from it. So, he started this food joint (Kerala Café) and now this place offers more than what a studious JNU student can ask for – too much to make your taste-buds salivate. For any book reader or a student who cannot afford first-hand books, Ber Sarai offers the much needed relief or requisite happiness. You ask for it and they will have it – not literature stuff, but yes Engineering, Medical, Law – all those heavy-loaded or epic-promising fields, meant for those, who can smolder the most precious time of their lives in studying.

IES Made Easy - Ber Sarai has become synonymous with this institute

Once you enter this congested place, there is a lot to look forward to or experience. From makeshift food-joints to saloons, Ber Sarai does not suffocate you with too many offerings in a little space, but it literally embraces you in its big-heart. Talk to anyone and you would find that the spirit of Delhi or as they say Delhi belongs to those who have big hearts – resonates strongly here with these people. Yes, the house rents have gone up over the years, but Ber Sarai comes forth as one of the most reasonable and worthwhile options for students, who can experience the hi-fi spirit of Delhi by taking a quick bus ride to Vasant Kunj Mall or explore the nuance of South-Delhi by visiting the nearby Malls and check out the real Mall – South Delhi babes (Well, it’s a compliment not a bland or cocky statement). Besides students and its diverse variety of food, Ber Sarai has its own protagonists or a group of special people, who have nothing that can be called ordinary. These days, there is only one guy left, but I heard a lot of stories about those fellows, who might be called as madmen but for students and thinking mortals like us – they chose to live their lives on their own terms and found solace in the streets of Ber Sarai. As many say about these fellows that most of them came to study in IIT or JNU but found their true endeavor or zeal for life in Ber Sarai – a place for all!

The famous Jawahar Book Centre of Ber Sarai

You just need to find Jawahar Book Depot and stay there for a while and you might notice a man writing placards or just standing and exchanging glances with the onlookers. I don’t know his real name, but as my Friend said, many know him as Ramanand – a man, barely in his 50s. At times, he stands on the little erected structures (I don’t know what they call them) in the middle of the market-place, which were actually built to beautify the overall ambience of the place, but now serve as chairs for students and make-shift vendors of Momos and Chaat. First time when I saw Ramanand, I noticed his black beard and piercing eyes, we chatted a bit with him, as he inquired whether we were students from JNU or IIT and then went about with his business. The beard has turned gray now and he looks a bit feeble these days, but yes that spark in those eyes is still there to probe you to the core.   After every few days, Ramanand stands on one of those erected structures and delivers a speech – not many students look at him, when he speaks, but yes most of the time, he talks about politics and all those, who have made this country hell – well, we all complain in random about all this and that, only Ramanand does it in open and often. For me Ber Sarai expounds the true sense of freedom, a journey through the memory lane – and above all a place that gives me hope. Believe it, you can get it by just looking at the faces of those students, who like thousands others have chosen Ber Sarai as a temporary home to study and succeed.

The curse of being a Content Writer

50 paisa per word or 30 paisa per word – how much? How many keywords in a 300 words article and how many articles in a day? So, what about the quality? Sir/Mam - If you want fresh or quality content then at least pay 50 paisa per word! Sometimes the conversation or online discussion between a Content Writer and his client goes like this.

Those who pore over the Internet trends would agree that everyday thousands and thousands of websites are coming up. So you got it all sorted and backed it up with those big dreams, aspirations and diligent thinking, but what about the content? Designing will play its part but in the end its words that will define the heart and soul of your website – a bit of exaggeration, but if you are that serious then!

In India, there is a huge army of writers to do that. Getting a website these days might have become a lot easier or convenient, but times have not changed a bit for Content Writers. I remember back in 2006, it was the same situation and damn it, after all these years, things have not changed or moved a bit for Content Writers. To see your idea or website on the Internet, automatically gives you that sense of pride and a lot of fancies or dreams get attached to that. Yes, we can make it big like others did! But, as Google has put it straightway – Content is the King! You start searching for those, who can make you big. So, first of all you need those who can show you the numbers and assure you that you will not get lost in this ocean of websites. Here is a hesitant account of the way things work or move with a snail’s pace for a content writer these days – well, it has been always the same case!

SEO Lords and the world of Keywords: Yes, SEO guys rule! They can show you the numbers. No matter how they do it, but you will get listed and your website will come on the first page of Google-Search – some of the popular one liners associated with new websites and SEOs. It is always a scary situation when a content writer faces an SEO – loaded with so many tools and data that a Content Writer does not even think much, when it comes to having a coherent conversation with these Web Evangelists. During those meetings, when these SEOs explain the requirements to these Writers, they simply dictate. So, its 3 keywords in a 150 words article or paragraph. Well, a writer has to fill those up because that is the best way to get traffic. Undoubtedly, keywords are important to get traffic or disseminate the important information about your website, but things become a lot complicated when it’s all about stuffing them even if the content appears senseless or bland. It hurts a Content Writer, but who cares! Google would show the popular keywords based upon the way things get searched on the Internet. So, if someone is searching for a good camera phone, the most popular keywords might come like this – Cheap and best camera phone, popular and cheap camera phone, best and cheap camera phone. So, even if they don’t make any sense at times, a Content Writer has to stuff them between those carefully woven lines and that might leave a reader in a kind of yank, but Keywords have to be there whether they make sense or not. So, many times the overall effort or thinking behind the content gets screwed because of these Keywords.

Writers or Manipulators: Internet has certainly empowered the world in many ways. And, most importantly Google has become God for these writers, who search for the content on many websites and then the process of writing begins – the way it should be. Not a trick but something that a Content Writer has to do on a regular basis - make a few quick changes in sentences, search for Synonyms on Dictionary.Com and get the content ready. Whether it’s about three keywords or five keywords, these writers will do that for you. They are ready to write because in the end its words that get counted. And, likewise mostly the SEOs come on the fore to authenticate the content – they only check the keywords actually.

Cheap, Cheap, Cheap: Even though they attach great sentiments to their websites and want to make it big. Yes, they want to earn money from these websites, but when it comes to Content – they want it cheap. No, I am not blaming them because they know that it is pretty easy to write at least 5 articles of 300 words in a day, when you can manipulate. Yes, SEO guys get handsomely paid because they can show you numbers, latest Google tools and a lot of stats jargon. Usually, the owners of websites want to see the big picture and for them writers are just fillers or a cheap support system.

Stigma, come on anyone can write English these days: Yes, well they don’t get paid much. They are often considered those, who could not do anything special and became Content Writers. But, the worst thing is that in the end they are robbed off their self-respect. For example, in an office where you have programmers or people who do coding (actually the REAL WORK) or designers or Product Managers (Thinkers) – a Content Writer does not stand a chance to make his presence felt. During those quirky office arguments, whenever he tries to assert his opinion to highlight the value of his profession, others get united and say in unison that anyone can write English these days. Come on – you get it all from Google and add synonyms only. So, after writing 10 articles in a day, when you feel a bit good about your work, they pin you down and show you - your place.

The Judges, their verdicts and whims: Here comes another interesting facet of this profession. Content Writers are forced to manipulate and compromise the overall quality of the content, with deadlines hanging over their heads like swords and the money associated with Words. But, damn it – they are judged by those, who don’t want to know much about writing but yes they like their websites to earn millions for them because they can see the future and believe in the big-picture (a term shamelessly abused by Management Gurus). So, even if you have summed up some original content, many times it will be judged by those, who can do it just because they own the website or have enough dough to start a company or those who know how to get quick hits for a website.

Career Growth! Damn it you can only write: So, you can write! Great! But, what about SEO? Can you get me good traffic? What about numbers? Can you get me numbers? How many hits in a day? Well, these are some of the most obvious questions which a Content Writer faces during Interviews. Yes, writing only is not a skill. Especially in a country like India, where every year thousands of new graduates are coming up to get jobs. So, if you have a degree in Journalism or mass communication and could not get a job in a Media House or News Channel or anything that could be labeled as a big Brand – Content Writing is there for you. Yes, everyone needs content and there is no shortage of work. This one fact screws up your career and you find yourself jostling to catch a breath in a place cluttered with too many rats.

Sucking Interviews: Well, as mentioned above, your writing skills do not matter much if you are a content writer – or just a content writer! But, the most hilarious part is that usually those who take your interviews are SEOs. The Lords of the Internet, who can get those numbers and usually become apple of their boss’ eyes. So, when they take your interview, they will never ever ask any rational question related to writing. The most obvious questions would be – how many articles can you write in a day? Do you know anything about Meta keywords? And, if you give some decent replies, they will come up with that ultimate weapon – so are you aware about the latest tools in SEO, launched by Google a few days ago. Well, you are screwed. Just say that Sir, if you would guide me then only I can do better like you and there is a strong possibility that you would get a job.

That guy with Ektara

While wiping out the dust from my old diaries today, I got hold of something interesting, a small piece of writing, filled with some hastily written lines – well, I recalled that day, when I wrote that quickly because I didn’t want to forget about that experience. Actually, almost nine years ago I wrote that. It was the time, when I used to save every penny to buy those music cassettes with a price tag of 120 rupees. It was a flourishing time for all those boy bands (Boyzone, Backstreet Boys and a few others). Well,  my only source of English Music, Channel V and MTV -  were also showing their tracks most of the time. So, whatever was hit on TV or coming more often on TV – was hit for me. Though, I didn't understand the lyrics of many of their songs, I hummed them in the bathroom and tried to imitate those good looking boy-singers, when no one was watching me. Well, I started this post with this small introduction to recall that what I was listening during those days, when I met that guy on that day.

Now, lets’ come straight to the point here. It was one of those days, when I was going to my friend’s place, I boarded a bus in South Delhi (Madangir – the exact place) and after the bus reached the fourth bus-stand, I saw a guy standing, facing the passengers of the bus. He was using the metal rod cover of bus-bonnet to support his body – with his back sticking firmly to those rods. He had a unique kind of musical instrument in his hand. I quickly related that one instrument to Ektara, I once saw in a play in my school titled “Meera”. Actually, it was an Ektara or one string guitar as I would like to call it with a big base or head made of pumpkin. It was a blue-line bus and anyone who lived in Delhi during those days must be aware about that killing fleet of buses, which were driven by pokerfaced drivers, who were always competing with others to get more and more passengers and very rarely I saw them saying anything. Whenever they opened up their mouths, either it was to abuse someone or to order conductor to do something – sometimes to change the side of the cassette in the music player - something I always liked!

Let’s come back to our protagonist or the guy with Ektara. Like he used to do with every other passenger, conductor approached that guy and asked for tickets, this guy smiled and balanced himself as he was preparing to play and gave a few coins to the conductor – who counted them and immediately shifted his focus on another passenger. Interestingly, our protagonist was not playing it like Meera (as I saw in that school play), as he had another stick, which he was using to play it like a violin. Initially, I didn’t notice it as I was busy enjoying the race between our driver and other – as both were stepping on the accelerator every now and then to reach to the next bus-stop quickly before other. My head was moving to and fro every now and then with the frequently altering speed of the bus – but that guy was standing firmly there, with his back-body sticking to those metal rods – meant to keep the passengers away from the bus-bonnet or driver. That guy stretched out his arms, held the Ektara like a violin and started playing, with the utmost focus. Passengers were boarding and alighting, but this guy was right there with that Ektara – and he was playing the tunes of some popular Hindi tracks. While balancing my head with the wobbly speed of the bus – I tried to concentrate on those tunes and found that he was changing the tunes without any break. So, I had to focus hard as he quickly shifted from Pardasiyon se na akhiyan milana to tu mera jaanu hai tu mera dilbar hai.

He was absolutely focussed on that Ektara and gradually, I found myself in a kind of trance created by that music – sometimes those tunes were crushed by the cranky horns of the bus and other vehicles - but I didn't lost my grasp on those quickly altering tunes. I must add here about those interruptions by the conductor, who was pushing that guy every now and then to accommodate more and more passengers in the bus. Those pushes were nothing as compared to the abrupt alterations in the speed of the bus – but this guy was skilfully balancing himself while his Ektara and he looked as one – both were working as a perfect unit to captivate me and others, who were listening to those tunes, seriously.

As the bus reached the fourteenth bus stop this guy stopped playing and opened up his palm before passengers. A few guys sitting in the front tossed up a few coins in his palm and then he came to me. Gradually coming back to my real-self, after experiencing that pure ecstasy of music for a while, I seriously took notice of that guy – a man between his forties, looking somewhat dishevelled in those sweat-laden dirty clothes, with a few wrinkles emerging at the edges of both sides of the eyes and a few white hair on his beard further worsening his looks. He had dark lips – which were looking parched may be due to relentless smoking or cruel Delhi weather of May. Then I noticed his petite smile – not the one you see on the faces of those who ask for the money after performing something in public. And, if you don’t give anything to them – they come up with that wry smile to leave you with a biting-thought – What the hell, I didn’t ask you to perform that. This guy had a very assured smile and he didn’t stop smiling before those who didn’t even look at him.

I gave him a five rupees coin and then he got down at the next bus-stop. I travelled on that route many times after that but never saw him again. That day I didn’t feel any pity or sympathy for that guy. Good Music attains sublime form – no matter, where you play it. That guy had every good reason to smile and feel too good for himself because he played like a virtuoso during those ten minutes or so and touched my soul with his music.