HUM LOG 1984

As a Child, I only recall the title track tune but nothing about the series as I was too young to understand and grasp anything from this show and to tell you the truth, I remember finding this show really boring. Its been said that HUM LOG was the pioneering TV soap opera of the country and today as a grown-up, I totally agree after watching this Pilot episode. This 80s soap, in the history of Indian television set records for getting the highest television rating points (TRPs) for close to a Decade, so there's no denying about the fact that it was one of the most successful family drama in those times. The Legendary characters of the sitcom sold the series wonderfully,  has engraved in people's memory who watched it then and I assume who understand "real life drama" of a family will buy it today as well.
Just a thought: Today's Jr.Artists aspiring to Stardom may want to engrave this kind of performance in their mind to be a good actor.

In my opinion, today we'll never find this kind of Art not just because of the different generation or Time but 'cause of the simplicity and the natural performance these Actors delivered. What I mean to say is that its difficult to find such passion with serenity and its the reason that makes me wanna say they are, the REAL ACTORS. Look at their performance, what you're gonna find is the amazing chemistry between each roles, story and most importantly the act which are main ingredients of a Delicious performance. The integration of their body, Language, mind and soul is marvelous. Absolutely there is no commercialism or acting in this old series its like its all happening right in-front of you. Feels really live. Wow! "Old is really Gold".

Every single episode in the end, Ashok kumar gave his reviews and a summary which in a way was very helpful to the viewers and this part was quite unusual for a sitcom which made this particular show distinct from others. He pointed out the issues that everyone faced in the family, their struggles and how some of them took a stand for themselves and for those who didn't do anything about it, let themselves get grilled by the other family members who were somewhat little better-off. Hum log was about the 80s quintessential middle-class Indian joint family and their hardship to tackle the issues living in the hard economy was all very well depicted in the show.

PILOT EPISODE OF "HUM LOG 1984"
 

Malgudi Days 1987

Hello viewers! How you've been doin'? I hope really amazing! Here I am to grind your mind again with my Post that some of you like and some of you may not- my Apologies for that 'n' Check this out Malgudi is Back! you can watch all the Episodes HERE.

Folks, how would you describe the world today in One word? if you ask me, I would in Two : )
I would describe it "Digital" and as "Commercial". Today we look for things which could magically take us on to a Fast track that could fulfill any needs or relieve any kind of stress, all with an ease of pushing a Button. We live in the world where TECHNOLOGY plays an important role that just doesn't stop striving to make our lives more easier. Some of you may think (as you read this post) what is this Non-professional blogger exactly gettin' at! :) Well yes I may not be making a lot of sense talking about the Times we are in now or how the Technology is taking over our natural lives that could anyway relate to this Post about Malgudi Days 1987 and it really doesn't much but just a little, comparing to how simpler those times were earlier when people lived with almost same material expectations or any other but with a twist and that were about Principles, looking for the real meaning of LIFE, existence of each individual and their contribution to the community. Please forgive me, I am not implying that there are no such people including myself in today's era that would do anything for the betterment of their communities but its just that I personally feel, the voice is not heard enough.

Let me ask you another question, regarding family sitcoms on TV:
Folks, in today's date would you be interested in watching just an Episode about a life of an ordinary Clerk or Cashier or a Cobbler or any Common Man (of any profession) who didn't make a million bucks?? I guess 90% of us may not, since there are lot of choices to skip Or who knows may be we've just lost those directors who created 80s DD soap Operas which had all that. I am talking about those stories like in a 20min episode every week we watched a simple Life of a Farmer who managed to make us cry and at times put a huge smile on our faces and the Viewers no matter what status or class they belonged, they bought it and loved it. There was a connection and the Essence of life was not all that different. One thing I would like to add about Reality shows today in Sports and some informative programs including News and talk shows are really great and have evolved a lot compared to old Doordarshan programs. So that's a Good thing!

Some of the viewers in the mails write to me that "You Digg for memories from the Past 'cause this thing called "Nostalgia" hit you good and for the fact those Serials were off the air for a long time" and I agree but that is not all true. Doordarshan Programs had some really great content with good quality of Art and Direction which managed to convince us and made a difference in our thoughts. Of course in the earlier days Doordarshan, the state-owned monopoly was the only channel yet it had a lot of Variety and thru which we not only got entertained but got educated about lot of things in a fairly practical way. That's how I remember those days.

So how about those times right! who can really forget what Magic Malgudi days brought in our Lives : ) The TV series so well directed by the Late Kannada Actor and Director Shankar Nag based on R K Narayan's short stories along with his Brother, another renowned Kannada Actor, Politician Mr. Ananth Nag who played many roles and contributed really great throughout the show.

Wonderful Stories that revolved around a Small town known as MALGUDI and the period was quite earlier when the Country was under the British Rule. Believe me or not this show had everything, there were stories that dealt with humility, religion, a family, Govt servants, about a Child, a Maid, Vendors, a belief, Student, the watchman or just a Mail-man.. anything you could think of.

Another fact, what is unforgettable about Malgudi days, is the title track ta na na ta na..! the soothing flute music, the playback sounds in the series and the beginning credits. Here's a crazy thought:  Is it me or do you also think when you look at  R K. Laxman's cartoons, the story tells itself : ) great sketches aren't they? The acclaimed cartoonist R K. Laxman with those superb illustrations always made me wonder what would they show today? will it be a suspense story? a thriller or a happy ending, well, whatever goes on in the mind of an 8 to 9 year old kid, Right!

As we watched we wondered about the Stories that put us into a deep thought, sometimes we laughed, we were surprised, saddened, fooled and at times terrified just like how Life could throw anything at ya. What can I say more, It was simply great, entertaining and interesting to watch. Lastly i would like to say, If there was an Emmy Award or an award equivalent to Oscar for Indian television Programs those days, I bet Malgudi days would have won many and again in many categories.

Watch this amazing Episode:  "Engine Trouble" one of my Favorite story 'n' it is so funny about an unsophisticated person winning a Lottery prize at the town's Fair and how he gets Tangled with that Prize..Enjoy!

90s DESH RAAG

Baje Sargam har taraf se, Goonj ban kar, Desh raag... Desh raag!! This was quite similar to " Mile surr mera tumhara"  that featured great personalities and public figures including Film stars. It was a Social advertising that was brought to us by Doordarshan in the 90s. DESH RAAG featured big names in the domain of Indian classical music such as Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain and many more. It was a great presentation by Lok Seva Sanchar Parishad, made us realize about our own Rich Indian cultures in Music and Art. As kids we also learnt about the Regional cultures of the country which were like divided into classical, folk music, North Indian Hindustani and South Indian Carnatic music. We got educated about the different Diverse cultures we have within the country and their own significance and History which is so beautiful in its own way. Today I watched it after like 15 odd years, brings back memories somehow it made a lot of sense compared to earlier days, as it shows us to know that our Music n Art is not less than any Western cultures or it is simply incomparable.

 I liked watching "Desh Raag" over and over again on DD in the 90s, made me feel that Music if its good breaks any kind of boundaries and until the whole Universe exists Music will be there reaching to all of us. As I think about it I recall my father used to enjoy the Tabla Jugalbandi between Zakir hussain and his Dad or Ustad Alla Rakha in this video, it was Great! Other than all this Music Lovers like me, got to know about the various musical instruments the great artists used like Tabla, Bulbul tarang, Santoor, Sitar, Veena, Shennai etc. I guess every other time when they played this short social advert on DD, I learnt and understood how Music without any language reaches to everyone's heart and how important it is to the soul.   

Lok Seva Sanchar Parishad presented a Rich contribution made by some of the eminent Indian Maestros. I feel Proud to to be part of such a great country India. I m so glad to share this video in this blog cause on the whole it still makes us realize to look for the depth of our Culture which has been alive from ages and this video is giving us a powerful message to pass it on and keep it alive as it is the Truth about who we are and where we come from.

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