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A new volume of the BollySwar series is out - BollySwar: 1951 - 1960. This covers the Hindi film music of the 1950s, the most influential decade of Hindi cinema. The impact of the Hindi films and Hindi film music made in this period lasts to this day. amazon.in/dp/B0DSGXQDTB
Sonu Nigam's travails in Karnataka are not over yet. Heard from someone who was supposed to attend his Bangalore concert a few days ago that the show was cancelled (or postponed?) because some local activists objected.
If you are in the Indian movie/film music space, like I am, being right of center/conservative automatically makes you an outcast. Most Indian cinema/music lovers are left of centre. This is not an issue on its own - I follow many people with whom I have political disagreements.
The problem is that many of these people actively isolate fellow cinema/music lovers who don't align with them politically. Some handles whom I've known here for a while, have even advised me against posting about politics -
What I was afraid of - some Ramayana songs sound qawwali coded. Why ARR why? It was clever, perhaps even subversive, in Varaha Nadikkarai Oram; it is plain inappropriate and disrespectful in Ramayana.
Mangal Rang is an obviously qawwali-coded song in Ramayana - the chorus, the "rang" metaphor (most famously used in Aaj Rang Hai), and the guitar which evokes bulbul tarang.
Aside: self-inspired from Enna Solla Pogirai.
Since this is getting so much traction - do check my website myswar.co if you're a Hindi film music fan. It's the most extensive documentation of Hindi film music from 1931 to present date, with comprehensive/accurate credits. :-)
Some people are very mad at me for pointing out the obvious. Some are in denial about the qawwali element in the song. They would probably not think of Varaha Nadikkarai Oram as a qawwali either but ARR himself put that argument to rest by performing it in a Sufi concert.
Param Arunachalam retweeted
You can't strip the religious Bhakti out of Tyagaraja and still demand the brilliance of his Kritis.
Wrote on why secular posturing can't erase the sacred foundation of Indian classical music
swarajyamag.com/culture/why-…
@SwarajyaMag
Yes. Old man is spiralling. Needs intervention from family/friends.
Naseeruddin Shah’s latest video gives scary vibes. Black spots for eyes because of the lighting, nose flaring, almost frothing at the mouth - visceral anger is palpable. If we question his silence when there was so much violence in West Bengal earlier the usual suspects will pipe in with don’t do whataboutery
Asha Bhosle has not gotten the tribute she deserves.
I wish they pull together something along the lines of what @JioHotstar did for Lata Mangeshkar. Arijit's episode, in particular, was one for the ages. Hotstar seems to have pulled it off but YT has rips xitter.cf/taparam/status/1559097…
No shade on Chiru, Rajini, Lalettan, Mammotty, et al but this also speaks to the failure of the South film industries to nurture & promote new talent. Also speaks to the closed-mindedness of Southern audiences. Things have changed though.
Amitabh bachchan peak was 1975-1992 ;15 years
Chiranjeevi peak was 1983-2007; 24 years but stiff competition from NBK ,Nagarjuna ,Venkatesh from phases to phases
this man Rajinikanth is unanimous from 1975-2026
51 yrs
mohanlal mammootty aren't his range
#Jailer2
Param Arunachalam retweeted
Congratulations to Sukhbir Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar for their selection as Election Commissioners. Both have brilliant records. Wish them good luck in discharging tough responsibility.
Param Arunachalam retweeted
#WATCH | Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh: On allegedly receiving death threats, BJP leader and Supreme Court lawyer Nazia Khan says, "Since 12:36 today, I have been receiving direct threats from a Pakistani number—specifically from Shehzad Bhatti—as well as from his commando Hunain Rana. They have sent me horrific videos and messages, threatening that they will inflict a brutal fate upon me, as well as upon the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Suvendu Adhikari, before putting us to death... The calls are relentless... I have already spoken with the SHO of Vasundhara regarding this. I have also forwarded the details to the ACP, the West Bengal STF, the Uttar Pradesh ATS, and the PRO to the Commissioner of Police, Ghaziabad. I have been in direct contact with the Vasundhara SHO and have also reached out to the police department in Kolkata. It is deeply concerning that in their pursuit of a regime change, opposition leaders have fostered chaos and emboldened anti-social elements... The text stated that just as Suvendu Adhikari’s PA was killed, the three of us will also be put to death in the exact same manner... They have even mentioned my son, threatening that he will face the same fate as I will..."
Param Arunachalam retweeted
This evil man will be punished. There was delay in lodging the official complaint but Delhi Police and Tripura Police will teach him a hard lesson. People who tolerate such wicked behavior in the society are also responsible for the spread of hatred.
Param Arunachalam retweeted
Remember how, amid chants of Allah-u-Akbar, the State had granted thousands of Muslims to bid a teary-eyed farewell to SA Basha, mastermind of the Coimbatore terror attack that killed 58? Well, today the State has granted parole to five of his accomplices.
You can't do anything.
Param Arunachalam retweeted
RIL Media Statement
Reliance Industries Limited Chairman and Managing Director Shri Mukesh Ambani and Executive Director Mr Anant Ambani welcomed US Secretary of State Mr Marco Rubio and US Ambassador to India Mr Sergio Gor to Jamnagar, home to the world’s largest refinery. The Honorable visitors were given a tour of the world-class refinery complex, offering a first-hand view of its scale, advanced technology and integrated operations.
Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Gor were also explained Reliance’s New Energy giga-factories, which are currently being commissioned in phases, and the data centres under construction. The tour provided an overview of the company’s investments across energy and digital infrastructure, bringing together its well-established advanced manufacturing and deep-tech capabilities. Shri Mukesh Ambani and Shri Anant Ambani outlined Reliance’s long-term vision for the Jamnagar complex and its development as a centre for deep-tech, innovation and advanced manufacturing.
The visit included wide-ranging discussions on the global energy landscape and opportunities for commercial partnerships across conventional and new energy. The exchange covered reliable and affordable energy supplies, technological advances, resilient supply chains and the investment required to meet growing demand.
Discussions also explored the increasing intersection of energy and digital infrastructure, including the role of dependable power in supporting data centres and the expansion of the digital economy. Shri Mukesh Ambani and Shri Anant Ambani shared their perspectives on opportunities for collaboration with US companies, drawing on complementary strengths in technology, engineering and advanced manufacturing. The interaction provided a constructive opportunity to exchange industry perspectives and explore areas of mutual commercial interest.
We are extremely thankful to Secretary of State and the Ambassador for their esteemed visit.
This undeserved victory lap may be a good thing. It relieves the pressure building up in the ecosystem of unelectables and their supporters. BJP should be magnanimous and let the opposition claim “protest” wins while they win elections. This is good for democracy. 👍🏽
This is a thrilling and sobering moment for India's democracy. Thrilling because the democratic spirit has found a new life in the streets. Sobering because public trust in democratic institutions like the election commission is crumbling.
nytimes.com/2026/10/20/opini…
