"I Am A Big Aamir Khan Fan": A R Rahman

A Day Dedicated to Observing Great A R Rahman

It was a day dedicated to observing the great A R Rahman sahab. Without demanding any attention, he commands such unbridled respect that it makes you stare at him in silence. He, along with Oscar winning Sound Recordist Resul Pookutty launched the music of 'Nanak Shah Fakir' at Gurudwara Rakaabganj in Delhi.

Rahman is the music mentor of the original background score of 'Nanak Shah Fakir'. He feels that this film has been mounted on the same scale as 'Laurence of Arabia'. In fact it was Resul who took the film to A R. Resul had seen 40 minutes footage of the film and became associated with it selflessly. He hasn't charged any money for it. Rather he has spent money from his own pocket for getting the best technical output. He is the Co Producer of the film. Uttam Singh ji has composed the songs. Pandit Jasraj ji, Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher, Bhupendra and other giant singers are associated with this project. Nirmal Singh ji, the Padam Shri winning Gurbaani singer has sung all the Shabads. He has also been closely associated with the germination of this project.

'Jai Ho', a documentary on A R Rahman by Umesh Agarwal was screened for the very first time in India at Delhi's India Habitat Centre today evening. It is a fascinating account of Rahman's artistic journey. Danny Boyle, Shekhar Kapoor, Gulzar sahab etc have richly contributed to making this documentary very special. He answered questions from the audience post the screening. Questions from Delhi's intelligentsia are far more insightful than what you generally get in Mumbai. Rahman remained cool and calm and collected and handled a few googly questions with a lot of patience. I did an interview with him after the documentary session. As usual he spoke less but whatever he spoke, it flowed from the heart. It was a day well spent. And yes the Delhi weather is wonderful. Loving it!

Nature's Delight 'Nile'; King's Valley, Brilliance of 'Hatshepsut Temple'

A breakfast by the Nile is surely a wonderful way to start the day. The pleasantness of the placid waters is a treat and I shall savor it for ever. Our first stop was 'Valley of the Kings'. The moment we entered the terrain, dotted with ancient yellow hills on the sides, it filled me with a curiosity to what-will-follow-next!

The 'Valley of the Kings' is a picturesque location for the kings to have found their tryst with After-life. It is amazing how people in the ancient times communicated through pictorial depictions. The Pyramids are a lot older than the tombs that we saw here. The mark of development is the use of colours in pictorial communication. Small birds, snakes, human form etc. I made friends with all the guards at the various entrances. 

The 'Hatshepsut Temple' has a fascinating aura around it. A huge flight of stairs leads up to the top. I, along with Tahir ran up on full speed. Great cardio, I must say. We had an interesting discussion with our knowledgeable guide Sheriff Hassan on the tools that were used in carving the ancient statues. The pictorial depiction on the walls was designed on some other source before the final engravings. Sai, a member of our media group introduced me to one of the guards by saying that I have interviewed Salman Khan. I showed the guard a picture of mine with Salman and I was treated like a King by him.

We had our lunch on the terrace of an Egyptian restaurant. I had a very interesting discussion with Mr Jay Mandal, a renowned Photographer who came from USA for covering 'India by the Nile' festival. He spoke about his long stint with the biggest of Presidents and Prime Ministers from all around the world. The best part of travelling is the people that you come across and how they enrich your outlook and knowledge.

The Felucca ride on a sail boat was my first tryst with Nile and I genuinely hope that I shall get many more opportunities in the future. I did the touristy thing of putting my hand in the water and feeling the cool green sensation. Observing the setting sun amidst the quiet and serene ambience was very relaxing. I am sure my mother would have loved it. For, she is very close to the nature and it was she who inculcated this love for the 'Natural' in me.

In the evening we did some shopping. I find it really wonderful since the people here are extremely warm, friendly and loving. Yes the poverty is a cause of concern amongst quite a big section of the people. Also its a reasonably liberal society. I heard Arabic music blaring out of a taxi. Even though I don't drink but alcohol is available at certain restaurants without any restrictions. As for me, I've treated myself to the aroma-filled Mint tea throughout my stay here. And I've loved it. Luxor has been fun. I shall be going back to Mumbai tomirrow. The memories will linger on.

Spellbound by the dreamers of Luxor in Egypt

Luxor is a quaint city in Egypt, around an hour's flight away from Cairo. We reached at 6 am and shifted to Steigenberg Nile Palace Hotel. It is a heritage hotel with a very interesting architectural design. Nile flows behind it and its a gorgeous site to see the boats floating past in an unhurried manner. I treated myself to a swim in the hotel pool and I was refreshed and raring to go.

After lunch we headed to Karnak Temple. It was founded in 3200 BC and several big Hollywood films have been shot here. Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif shot for the song 'Jee Karda' from 'Singh is Kinng' at this gorgeous location. The statues and the architectural design is very captivating. More importantly it is very inspiring. I am sure it will remain embedded in my mind for ever.

Luxor Temple surprised me even more though my first impression about it was that it seems similar to Karnak. As the evening set in and a delightfully pollution-free-blue covered the sky, watching the majestic structures became an absolute pleasure. Somehow the history behind a historical place holds a limited appeal for me. It is the inspirational-quotient in the architecture that stays with me. I know today's experience will help me in honing my perfectionist streak. One must strive to leave behind an indelible mark, the way dreamers, many years ago, managed to do. So successfully.

Conquering Alexandria In Egypt With Weapons of Inquisitiveness and Fun

Alexandria Library is the biggest library in the world in terms of size. It has a very interesting architrctural structure from outside and when we went inside, the massive expanse was a breathtaking sight. The tall roof, thousands of books and quietness that makes libraries such a sacred place to be in. Unforgettable.

After a satisfactory night's sleep we headed towards Alexandria in the morning. Thankfully we started more or less on time. We had interesting discussions on middle eastern politics, the complex divide between Sunnis and Shias and how countries like Libya, Lebanon and even Egypt suffered because of the misgivings of their own people. We stopped over for tea. Interestingly an armed guard was accompanying us. It was a precautionary move because of the current political situation in Egypt. To be honest I haven't witnessed anything untoward in Egypt so far. Everything seems normal. People may not be rich but they are pleasant and very hospitable.

The Citadel of Quaitbay has a majestic appeal. It was built in 1480 AD on the same sight where the Lighthouse was destroyed. The lighthouse was amongst the seven wonders of the Ancient world. The Mediterranean sea adjacent to the Citadel has a delightful tinge of green-blue water with waves playfully hitting the stones at the shore.

The statue of Pompey was built in 210 AD. It holds a regal class the moment you set your eyes on it. French rulers Louis 14th and 15th tried to excavate this statue and take it along with themselves to France but the people of Alexandria refused. Ironically, shabby housing colonies have been built in the immediate vicinity of this glorious Statue. It somehow robs it of its sheen. Also, the area around it isn't poprerly maintained. Somehow I can equate this with the sorry manner in which the great monuments are maintained in India. In fact the situation in India is much worse.

The journey back to Cairo was marked with varied discussions on movies, peppered with fun asides. It is wonderful that the bunch of journalists are all chilled out. Also the officials from Egyptian Tourism have been very professional and heartwarmingly friendly. I am writing this at 3 am in the morning as we are speeding towards the airport. We've got an early morning flight to Luxor today. Hopefully it would be fun.

The Quest For After-Life, Big B Mania In Cairo

Mr Amitabh Bachchan created a hysterical spell at the press conference at Marriott Hotel in Cairo today. The Egyptian media caused a stampede as they wanted to capture Mr Bachchan on their video/still/mobile cameras. It wasn't as if the media was there to interact, it was a bunch of mad fans who must have been waiting for many years to get a a taste of the real 'Mard'. There was a time when it seemed they shall get too-close-for-comfort as far as Mr Bachchan is concerned. Some people fell down too. Big B as usual was gracious and a symbol of humility. Personally I have never witnessed such a response at any press conference in my career so far, and I have attended many press conference in various parts of the world.

I may not have been apparently too keen while moving around in the historic Cairo Museum today but I was trying to absorb a lot more than the facts that were shelled out to me. Tatunkhamen died when he was 18 years old but he earned phenomenal fame because of the way his dead remains were preserved or the 11 kg gold headgear that was prepared for him post his death. The statues at the museum had left feet forward symbolising a step towards After-Life.

Somehow I find this entire emphasis on After-Life funny specially when you are told about vain Kings who preserved the remains of their servants so that they can serve them once they enter their 'After-Life'. It is amazing how 4000 year old artifacts are preserved so brilliantly.

In the evening I witnessed magic at the light and sound show in the cradle of the glorious Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. Mr Amitabh Bachchan launched the 'India by the Nile' festival here. It was a unique experience to watch the craze around Big B from the who's who of Cairo. The fact that we were surrounded by history worth thousands of years made it even more special. .

We are going to Alexandria tomorrow. I think it will be a very interesting trip.

The most memorable day of my life

It has been one of the most memorable days of my life. I was privileged to get up close and personal with the wonderful Sphinx and other magnificent Pyramids here in Cairo, Egypt. The ancient history that runs in thousands of years and why these Pyramids were built, the fear-n-preparations for after-life and the sturdy architecture that has stood the test of time...I absorbed it all with baited breath. Ironically, the sad state of Egyptian economy is a cause of concern. The souvinir vendors outside the Pyramids were willing to sell their wares at dirt cheap prices. Their desperation was palpable. I genuinely hope the Tourism industry picks up again.

We ate Koshary for Lunch, a very fine Egyptian delicacy. Its an Egyptian equivalent of Pasta. Very spicy and extremely tasty. We relaxed in the afternoon in our hotel. I swam for the second time during the day and it was very relaxing.

In the evening we went to Cairo Opera House where a Bollywood Dance workshop was taking place. Many Egyptian youngsters grooved to Bollywood songs. We moved over to Mariott Hotel where Mr Bachchan is staying. A very excited Indian community enthusiastically met Mr Bachchan and narrated their heartfelt views about him. Obviously Big B was overwhelmed. Later he was felicitated by the Egyptian community at India House. Nile river wafted along at one side of India House. It was sublimely pleasant and soothing to see quiet boats saunter along on the lighted water of History. I interviewed Mr Bachchan and it was wonderful talking to Big B. It was even more special because since yesterday I've met so many Egyptians who love him like crazy. It was wonderful chatting him up. It was great to see him happy. He also spoke about being conferred upon with Padma Vibhushan. I told him, I'll be happiest when he will be conferred upon with Bharat Ratna. If anyone deserves it then its him. Hope it happens.

I am writing this in the Bus close to midnight as we are speeding towards the hotel. I am so tired that I couldn't have written the diary on reaching the hotel. I am glad I could complete writing today's account even as my eyes are threatening to shut down :-)