India's first soap opera

Hum Log was the first Indian soap opera that aired in the 1980s. It was telecast on Doordarshan. It is the story of an Indian- middle class family of the same era. The show was known for dealing with social issues, struggles and aspirations prevalent at that point of time. Over a period of a year, around 156 episodes of  ‘Hum Log’ that were broadcast. The show aired for thirty minutes, except for the finale which ran for an hour

The family had to deal with issues regarding an alcoholic father, unemployment, “unrealistic” aspirations, elopement, superstitions, gender equality, family planning and national integrity.

One of the many highlights of the show was the appearance of Ashok Kumar (hindi film actor), at the end of every episode, discussing the ongoing situations of the characters of the show. He connected the drama to the viewer’s everyday lives and thus created a special place for these characters in the minds and hearts of the audience. Even while discussing any negative aspect, he used to openly ask for public review and also encourage them to inform the nearest authorities if they do witnessed any such incident.

This was one of the best methods to create social awareness, and this method has been followed in film and broadcast media to this date.

Pyaasa - a movie ahead of its times

I am not going to lie when I say this, ‘I never intended to watch this movie’. Infact, the only reason I watched it was because of an assignment, where I had to watch an old hindi movie. I had a lot of movies in mind such as Guide, Awaraa etc, but my parents suggested that I watch a movie called ‘Pyaasa’.

Pyaasa is a bollywood movie that was released in 1957 produced by, directed by and starring Guru Dutt. The lead character Vijay is a struggling poet who is berated at by his family, other than his mother. Due to this he spends most of his time on the streets. On one of his strolls, he meets a prostitute named Gulabo; played by Waheeda Rehman; who is in awe of Vijay’s poems (although she doesn’t really realize it is his work until later).

Due to some mishap he ends up working in his ex- girlfriend (Meena) and her husband (Ghosh), who happens to be a big-time publisher. These instances according to me just seemed extremely cruel, making me angry for this fictional character. Later, Vijay tries to save a beggar, but is unsuccessful. He leaves his coat with the beggar leading to  the assumption that Vijay is dead. Simultaneously, Gulabo goes to Ghosh to publish Vijay’s work. Ghosh sees this as a personal profit. Vijay’s poems become a success. He later comes to claim his entitled profit, but his friends parade around saying that,”this is not Vijay”. This puts Vijay in a mental asylum. He later escapes the asylum with the help Abdul Sattar. His family finds an opportunity for personal benefit, they join a rival publisher, stating that he is the real Vijay. Vijay, however becomes tired of the materialistic world and states that he is not Vijay. He then sets out to make a new life with Gulabo.

I somehow seemed to have been able to write down the gist of the movie, didn’t know I could put it to words. This movie is way ahead of its time. I was honestly not ready for the last 50 minutes of the movie. I mean, the hypocrisy, the materialistic mindset, all of it is so understandable somehow (not that I have been put in similar situations). I just honestly am so glad I saw this movie and I recommend that everyone watch it. 

The romantic era of F1 through a lens

This blog is mostly based on photo journalist Richard Kelley, who covered the 'romantic' era of Formula 1. He beganhis documentary photographs of Formula One in 1972, a year after he picked up that first camera (1971). He transitioned his photography to include writing and editing in 1998, as associate editor of Stock Car Racing, and then founding team member and editor with William Jeanes at AutoWorld Weekly in 1999.

The way it used to be, 1972. 
One lone mechanic with Denny Hulme’s race-ready Yardley Team McLaren-Ford M19C. One journalist. One photographer.

England's 1976 World Champion James Hunt, a cigarette dangling from his mouth and Penthouse Pet by his side, sprays the champagne after winning the 1977 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

British 1976 World Champion James Hunt, beer in hand, salutes the crowd after winning the 1977 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. There might not be a better example of what has changed from the "romantic" era of the 70's to what we experience today.

Niki Lauda and James Hunt had been involved in one of the most dramatic stories in the history of Formula One as they battled for the 1976 World Driver's Championship down to the final race in Japan. 
Lauda had lead the championship until his horrific accident that summer at the Nurburgring, were he received near fatal burns and inhaled toxic fumes...he had even received last rights of the Catholic Church. 

Hunt, in the meantime had won Germany and had closed up on Lauda's points lead. 
Miraculously, Lauda fought back and six weeks later, he returned to his Ferrari 312T at the Italian Grand Prix where he finished an incredible fourth. They arrived in Japan with Lauda ahead by three points. 
Hunt would win the title by a single point only after Lauda retired from the rain-soaked race because he felt conditions were too dangerous. The fire had destroyed Lauda's tear ducts and he couldn't see in the spray

Gilles Villeneuve, alone, he prepares to win the 1979 US Grand Prix. 
You never saw a cadre of engineers surrounding, pleading with Gilles to go faster.

Two-time Brazilian World Champion Formula One driver Nelson Piquet puts his Parmalat Brabham BMW in the lead of the 1984 Detroit Grand Prix. Piquet had won the Canadian Grand Prix the prior weekend and would win from the pole while fellow drivers Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell would retire.

During qualifying in unseasonably cold conditions and shortened sessions for the 1982 Detroit Grand Prix, two-time World Champion Niki Lauda and John Watson could not create enough heat in their Michelin tires to get the right balance for their Marlboro-McLaren's to find speed, and qualified 10th and 17th respectively.

Formula 1 Rookie Riccardo Paletti in trouble when his Osella’s right drive shaft broke over a bump during the 1982 Detroit Grand Prix. The car was destroyed, but he would walk away unscathed. Tragically, he would be killed a week later in Canada at the start. Launching his car from the last row in blinding rain, he would hit the rear of the nearly invisible Ferrari of Didier Pironi stalled on the grid and succumb to his injuries. He was never able to complete a single full grid Grand Prix race lap.

Niki Lauda came out of retirement for the 1982 Formula One season, racing for Marlboro McLaren, and believing he still had the ability to win. Here, he presents the classic Lauda pre-race stare. He was proven correct as he went on to win Long Beach that year, and his third World Formula One Driver’s Championship in 1984.

Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna abandons his Toleman-Hart during practice for the 1984 Detroit Grand Prix. Senna's car lost its brakes on the long front straight during practice and Senna collided with the tire barrier in Tune One. He was unhurt, but during the race, the Toleman sheared off its right rear wheel in the same place, and Senna met the tire wall a second time.

The Summer of 69

On the 15th, 16th and the 17th of August, 1969, a hoard of artists came together and created something so revolutionary; that generations after wished to experience. The Woodstock Arts Festival took place on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York. During the festival, an overwhelming crowd of 500,000 people came down to the grounds resulting in the taking down of fences and free admission for the “three days of peace and music.”

Artists like the legendary Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Santana, Joe Cocker, The Grateful Dead, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Creedance Clearwater Revival and many more were present to make this event the single most profound event in music history.

It is argued that, the concerts were in fact poorly managed, considering the rains and the sheer number of people who came down for Woodstock. The crowds were either fighting or getting drunk or indulging in drugs, not to mention public sex, filth and mud.

But keeping aside all of this, the idea of Woodstock was way ahead of its time. It entailed art, music, alternative living arrangements, different religions, the breaking down of racial barriers, freedom, philosophy, spirituality, and so much more. This historic event resulted in a counterculture that changed the thought process of the generations to come.

In Conclusion, Max Yasgur stated at the end of the festival, “you people have proven something to the world… half a million kids can just get together and have three days of just fun and music… peace!” Indeed, he was right, and through the festival the potential for peaceful co-existence in mankind was finally seen as a possibility.

The following is a clipping of the WVOS Woodstock Coverage 1969 by Harry Borwick

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5qTmN8wA6A