Bala's Paradesi - Movie Review

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradesi_(2013_film)

I’m glad I made it to the first day of the movie “Bala’s Paradesi”. Set in pre-independence India about tea plantation workers, their innocence to fight famine, and their life after accepting the British’s offer to work in the tea estates. The story is the hero and the cast have carried it well by living their characters. They are unique, yet real and definitely make lasting impression. What I specifically like about the movie is the beginning and the end – the way they have been shot. At the start, you will experience the bubbly feel of the village, the joy spread by everyone and everything in the locality and contrastingly in the climax, your soul will shed tears. The music was able to bring in the right emotions and the blend is good too. I cannot tell if the music suits the 1930s but it definitely is in sync with the story scenes. The art direction serve as a backbone, the entire movie has got the parched tone bringing you a scorched feel. The other items such as costumes, make-up, and sets, help in bringing a slice of time period in history.

I love the fact that Bala hasn’t taken any artificial sprinkles. He hasn’t mixed the story with melodrama, clap worthy dialogues, romance, good vs. evil, uprising with hope, revenges, or anything that may do good in the box office. This is his landmark, I believe. The movie also brings in a subtle message on the business in sacred threads, the advent of globalization, the strategy in spreading Christianity, and not-to-forget the westernized lifestyle system.

Paradesi will make us think twice before our first sip of the next tea. :)
Let the world cinema taste another remarkable story.

Safety, Rights, Empowerment

I’m sure most of us celebrated March 8 - International Women’s Day. Few of my friends refused to accept the wishes quoting the worsening state of womanhood. Coincidently, a lot of recent talks over wire were on Women’s safety. Women rights is another aspect prevailing since a few years. Deep dive, it’s about empowerment IMHO. I'm going to take only one item for this post. Let me stick to the sad truth of money being an authority (at least in the empowerment context). It is equally sad to realize that most women who earn now-a-days aren’t empowered enough to manage their earnings, savings, or investments or some don’t even have a say. I’m trying to look for an answer for this stand. I think it goes back to the upbringing and the societal constitution. In most of our families, men manage the finances. In other words, Men are earners and women are spenders. There is no overt discrimination I believe; but there lies a serious problem. The so-called uber-modern societal setup has also been a reason for this problem. Look at most of the advertisements – women are portrayed as spenders buying something every possible way sometimes even without an absolute need - thanks to the eCOMMERCE (eShopping) fever – they do it just with a click. While most men are presented to be decision makers taking some investment decisions and securing their families, some men are shown spending money buying something for their wives. There are certain advertisements which present women as wise, smart, and sensible – but those are more likely to be for nutrition or FMCG products. I will stay away from the cosmetic world. The movies aren't a spare. How many  can you list that bring women in the true form? But I wonder when the world will change this perspective toward women (may that be sooner, please!) If the social media has such beliefs and keeps expressing that, then the empowerment I wish for is in question. I wish there could be a council to grant approval for such ads – but let me not ask for stars.

I also know of quite a few women who take a step back when it comes to investment or money management. Ma’ams in finance, please excuse :) Money, if believed to be the power, doesn’t stay so if only earned but managed as well. There’re so many ways to learn new things in this connected world, we know what to do but we just don’t do it. Let us begin with that change. I also must say that there is an ample opportunity for every men to realize their part in the CHANGE.

Time to wake up to the truth and stop supporting the false and bloated societal traps.