Are the 80s coming back in our lives??

Well....... NO. The time gone by will never come back!!!

What inspired this thought was the recent spate of events the world over...Lets start with sports...

After 2 decades of supremacy by 1-2 players at a time, tennis is witnessing a welcome change.The Australian open saw Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in the finals.Pleasant change after a chain of Rafa-Federer finals. Novak won and just to prove that it wont be a flash in the pan he went on to capture the Wimbledon and US open as well. The women`s final saw the 1st asian, Li na go against Clisters. Clisters won but not without a fight.

The French Open saw the old rivalry renewed in the men`s final. Rafa Won his 6th french title beating Roger. Again Murray and Djoko was challenging the champions. The Womens champion was Li na beating Francesca Schiavone. Another welcome change from the Sharapova and williams era.

The Wimbledon saw another new women`s champion in Petra Kvitova who beat Sharapova. The men`s champion Djoko only proved that this is now going to be a 3 pronged challenge in the Grand slams just like it used to be with the 80s with Borg,Mcenroe Becker and Lendl.

The US open rounded up a fine year for Djoko when he beat Rafa but again we had a new women`s champion in Samantha Stosur who beat Serena in the final. Serena reminded us of the bad boy John Mcenroe of the 80s in a bad way after another another outburst in the finals..Good for the GAME.

Coming back to cricket, this new decade reminds so much of the 80`s. The West Indian era ended and the rivalry and gap among 4-5 nations reduced. India on both the occasions won the World cup to end the dominance.England threatened to rule cricket in the late 80s but failed. Though this bunch looks promising but the injuries are already creeping up. And then England is yet to prove their metal in the Sub-continent. It is in the sub-continent that they lost to Ireland and Bangladesh!!!!! The charm of one day international was seen in the 80s and this decade is experiencing the meteoric rise of the t20 format.

The bengali music scene is looking very good and the future is quiet exciting... The 80s saw the Talisman called Gautam Chattopadhyay who ushered the Band music concept. Mohiner Ghoraguli, Porosh Pathor , Ujaan, Abhilasha and Krosswindz bloomed during the 80s and became a rage of the 90s. Music in the movies in the 80s saw a change a drastic change with the "Adhinik" songs getting and entry...Likewise, this decade is seeing the revival of bengali music in movies. "Autograph" which is being looked at as the scene-changer is not alone. Songs from "Paglu", "Dui Prithibi" , "Chalo Paltai" is changing the way people look at Bengali movies. The recently unreleased "Baishe Shrabon" is expected to take this to the next level.

Indian Hockey last won an olympic gold in the 80s. For starters this decade has already seen the Indian team win a Asia Cup, Sultan azlan Shah and Asian Champions trophy. At this rate the world cup or the Olympic gold cant be far off.Taking a leaf out of the IPL, Hockey India has started the Premier league in hockey.

So coming back to my original question... Are the 80s coming back in our lives? Yes, it is, without our childhood days, ofcourse.

Hyderabad Madness_memories from 2005 trip

Messi and Kolkata: Made for each other

The FIFA friendly match between Argentina and Venezuela in Kolkata on September 2 is perhaps the most appropriate match as the world's best footballer plays in the world's most fanatic city for football. Lionel Messi and Kolkata, it seems at the moment, are made for each other.

Kolkata's Projection as the 'World's Most Football Fanatic City' may not be acceptable to all. Many may name Rio de Janerio; others may point out about Amsterdam, Munich, Glasgow and even London. Even Messi may just prompt, 'Buenos Aires.' But keeping all in mind, Kolkata still stays different, and maybe, just that shade ahead.

Not that the City hasn't seen the Best of the World at the Maidan. Pele played an Exhibition Match in 1978 and so did Oliver kahn then Diego Maradona, and Diego Forlan enthralled all off the field some three years back.

And even as the age-old debate as to who stays 'The Better,' among the duo hasn't found its answer as yet, Messi, in an attempt to push his name into the debate, finds it best to take centrestage - probably at the peak of his career for his National Team against Venezuela in an International Friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium.

But it isn't Messi alone. There's Gonzalzo Higuain, Sergei Aguero, Javier Mascherano amongst others - the galaxy of stars which makes the Albicelestes the most Marketable (read Glamourous) Team in the World. The prevalent sentiment in Kolkata, nevertheless, isn't concentrated on all - rather Lionel stays the cynosure of all eyes. And we haven't yet spoken about the Venezuelan team yet.

'Descending from Heaven,' says a huge poster of the Wonderboy in one of the streets; the so common cutout of Messi threatening to break loose with the ball. The poster also shows the entire Venezuelan squad in a pre-match team line-up. But from Alejandro Sabella's side, it's Messi alone - making the message loud and clear. If you have Lionel Messi in your ranks, you don't care. The security is unprecedented and unheard in India. Messi Alone has 11 personal bodyguards(No, Salman Khan is not there), add to that the Hyatt Regency turned into a fortress.Close to 500 security only for the Argentine team. Venezuela has been alloted only 15!!!

Messi, we all know, doesn't love being surrounded by rivals on the field. But his first few hours in the City of Joy have been different - security men have been shadowing him for obvious reasons. Fans only hope, Saturday, will be different. All this by a city known for being Brazilian followers.

The demand for tickets has been crazy. For the last fortnight, almost every wake-up call has been for a ticket for the match. Mind you, a ticket and not a VIP pass as is the common norm. For Messi, fans are willing to pay. News reports does not suggest any black marketing but thatz taking imaginations too far.

The Salt Lake Stadium which was inaugurated by Bobby Moore in 1984 and which has had the likes of Diego Forlan, Roger Milla, Oliver Kahn, Eusebio, Gerd Muller,Sepp Blatter amongst others either play or grace the stands, sports a renovated look. Expect 1.3 laks in the stands after 2007.The Dressing Room looks snazzy and one of the best in Asia at the Moment,all done in 3 weeks...So magics do happen in India as well.

We wait for the roar which will greet the ball at Messi's feet for the first time. Camp Nou, La Bombonera or the Salt Lake Stadium? It's for Messi to decide.

The kick-off is slated for 7PM (IST). For the record, Argentina have reigned supreme in all their last 17 meetings against Venezuela.

Super 8 Movie Review

When I saw the producer and director of "Super 8" was Steven Spielberg and J.J.Abrahams, my first expectations about the film was it would be an emotional "E.T" type movie or an technically tight movie like "MI 2"...... Unfortunately for me, I got none.

The USP of the movie is the horrific train crash in the beginning of the movie which is witnessed by a group of kids trying to make a movie of their own. The effect of the train crash was mind-boggling. The way the chain reaction of a train derailment is shown is, stupendous. But that it!!!! The cause of the accident is very very flimsy ( a small jeep causing the derailment)and amazingly the driver of the jeep survives!!!! Not expected of a hollywood movie. The mysterious disappearances which follow (including car engines) build up for something sinister.

The movie leaves a lot to be desired, be it the horror quotient or the suspense bit. The acting is also very average. The facial expressions miss out in the important scenes. The ending of the movie is very tame and unlike Spielberg. In short, most of the movie will be spent in expecting something which will never happen.

Bottom-line : From a producer of the class of Steven Spielberg , the movie "Super 8" was drab to say the least.

Baishe Shrabon_songs released

Baishe Srabon is a Bengali feature film written and directed by Srijit Mukherji and produced by Shree Venkatesh Films. This is their second collaboration after the award-winning, festival-hopping, historic blockbuster Autograph. Baishe Srabon is a musical thriller starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, Parambrata Chatterjee, Raima Sen, Abir Chatterjee and the internationally acclaimed director Gautam Ghosh. Music and lyrics by Anupam Roy. The Songs Gobheere jao and Ekbar bol is signature Anupam sytle lyrics and music. Je kota din sung by saptarshi and shreya ghoshal is a must hear. Rupam seems to be again heading to bag the best song of the album.The flip side of this album is Raghab`s Mati Khure which doesn`t sound good.

All in all a good download. Download from the link below.

http://dbhmusic.blogspot.com/2011/08/baishe-srabon-mp3-22-e-srabon-songs.html