'JULIET' OLIVIA..NO MORE!

Sad to know my favourite pretty gorgeous Juliet on screen..Olivia Hussey passed away recently!

An Argentine actress Olivia portrayed this character very innocently and beautifully in Italian director Franco Zeffirelli's film 'Romeo and Juliet' (1968). In this handsome English actor Leonardo Whiting superbly played the Romeo with her! It's also my favourite screen version of Shakespeare's this romantic play!

This superhit film became so popular and won 'Golden Globe' award!

Few years ago, Olivia published her biography 'The Girl On The Balcony'!

I still remember her in its classic scene with quote..
"It is the East and Juliet is the Sun!"

Homage!! 

- Manoj Kulkarni

HUMBLE HOMAGE TO..FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF OUR INDIA..RESPECTED ECONOMIST DR. MANMOHAN SINGH JI! 🙏

- Manoj Kulkarni

SHYAM BENEGAL..NO MORE!

It's sad that, our renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal ji passed away!

His film 'Ankur' (1973) was a pioneering film in Parallel Cinema Movement of our India! And this completed 50 years! In this, he made his early social films trilogy with 'Nishant' (1975) and 'Manthan' (1976).

Then Benegal created a new genre called 'Middle Cinema'. In this, his notable films were Shashi Kapoor's 'Kalyug' (1981), Shabana Azmi & Smita Patil acted 'Mandi' (1983), 'Suraj Ka Satavan Ghoda' (1992) and 'Sardari Begum' (1996).

Almost all of his films won national awards & international recognition too! In 1991 he got 'Padma Bhushan'. In 2007 he was honoured with 'Dadasaheb Phalke Award'!..That time I wrote special article on him in my 'Chitrasrushti' special issue!

(In this picture, I discussed with him about the status of Parallel Cinema in 'MAMI's Mumbai Film Festival 25 years ago!)

Homage to Shyambabu!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

It was nice meeting to esteemed actor and screenwriter & director..

Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi ji after the seminar on 'Film, Music & Virasat' in 'Pune Lit Fest' recently! 

He is best known for acting-directing TV serial 'Chanakya' and making a film 'Pinjar'!

- Manoj Kulkarni

(maanas roomani)

Books visit in 'Pune Book Festival' at 'Fergusson College' recently!

- Manoj Kulkarni
 (maanas roomani)

MOHAMMED RAFI..BIRTH CENTENARY!

Today is 100th Birth Anniversary & Centenary of my most favourite great Singer... Mohammed Rafi sahab!

I wrote a lot on Rafi sahab and there was special article on him in my 'Chitrasrushti's music special issue!

Humble Tribute...!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
(maanas roomani)

It was nice meeting famous Lyricist of our popular Indian cinema.. Mr. Sameer Anjaan ji recently in 'PILF'! 

I showed him my 'Chitrasrushti's lyrics-music special issue!

- Manoj Kulkarni
 (maanas roomani)

It was nice to recite my shayari (romantic & contemporary poetry) in 'PILF' on last Sunday! The response was superb! Thanks 'Baithak' for great introduction!

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani)

Hello,

Glad to inform you that, I will be there at 'PILF' ('Pune International Literary Festival') on this 15th Dec.,2024 to recite my poetry in Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu shayari) section!

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani)

Congratulations & Regards to 'Congress' Leader and now Loksabha MP..Ms. Priyanka ji Gandhi Vadra!

- Manoj Kulkarni

It was nice meeting honourable shayar Mr. Aslam Hassan ji during the Mushaira recently in 'Deccan Literature Festival' held at 'Balgandharv Rangmandir', Pune!

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani).

'NAVBHARAT' published news about my honour as 'Shaayar-E-Mehfil'!

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani)

It was really nice meeting to our 'B.C.J.' batch friends recently in Pune!

Yes, nostalgic! But also enjoyed..and shared my shayari also!

- Manoj Kulkarni

(maanas roomani)

'Lokmat' (Pune) published news about my honour as 'Shaayar-E-Mehfil'!

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani)

'Pudhari' (Pune) published news about my honour as 'Shaayar-E-Mehfil'!

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani)

'Sakal' (Pune) published news about my honour as 'Shaayar-E-Mehfil'!

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani)

'Indian Express' (Pune) published news about my honour as..

'Shaayar-E-Mehfil'!

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani)

'Loksatta' (Pune) published news about my honour as 'Shaayar-E-Mehfil'!

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani)

'Maharashtra Times' (Pune) published news about my honour as.. 'Shaayar-E-Mehfil'!

(Thanks to Editor: Mr. Shridhar Loni)

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani)

HONOURED WITH 'SHAAYAR-E-MEHFIL'!

Hello,
Glad to inform you, that in August,2024 I was honoured with 'Shaayar-E-Mehfil' (for Excellence in Hindi-Urdu Poetry) by 'Anjuman' poetry forum in its 4th anniversary year function!

I received this award at the hands of honourable shaayar Mr. Aslam Hassan ji (IRS) in the programme held at 'Raah Cultural Centre', Pune! Persian scholar Mr. Sumit Paul ji and poet Mr. Vinit Shankar were also there. I am grateful to 'Anjuman's president Mr. Mahesh Bajaj ji (shaayar Anjum Lucknowi) for honouring me!

- Manoj Kulkarni (Maanas Roomani)

I completed 40 years in Film Journalism!
(I started writing on cinema at age of 19.)

Soon I will write on it!

- Manoj Kulkarni

People have bad habit of interfering in others lives. This disturbs our career. Stay away from such (especially relatives) people!

'MIFF' IS SPREADING!

Scene of Charlie Hamilton-James' USA film 'Billy and Molly'!

Now 'MIFF' ('Mumbai International Film Festival' of documentary, short & animation films) started showing in few other cities also. And I first time watched it in Pune! Though, I have good memories of attending such film festivals in Mumbai!

Scene of Tomer Heymann's Israel, Guatemala film 'I am not'!

This time mostly the films were on social issues and wildlife. And focused on.. brotherhood & love! Just mentioning few notable films here!

Inaugural Charlie Hamilton-James' USA film 'Billy and Molly' was about friendship between man and otter! The feel was like watching national geographic film!

Scene of Ashwika Kapur's film 'Catapults to Cameras'!

In an international competition, Tomer Heymann's Israel, Guatemala film 'I am not' was about search for self roots through cinematography! Then Sreemoyee - Singh's 'And towards Happy Alleys' focused on the Iran's film culture & feminist poetry!

Scene of Ramen Borah & Sibanu Borah's film 'Challenge'!

In the national - competition, Ashwika Kapur's 'Catapults to Cameras' film showed the changing attitude of children of hunters towards the wildlife through photography! Then Ramen Borah & Sibanu Borah's film 'Challenge' showed the struggle & achievements of physically challenged girl Princy! Suhas Karnekar's 'Memory foot prints' was an emotional journey of Chawl culture and coexisting! And Nishtha Jain's 'The Golden Thread' was on socio-economic challenges!

 

 This 'MIFF' was well organised in Pune!

- Manoj Kulkarni

It was nice attending 'MIFF' ('Mumbai International Film Festival' of documentary, short & animation films) first time in Pune!

Though, I have good memories of attending such film festivals in Mumbai, especially 'IFFI' 1995!

- Manoj Kulkarni

After long time...I had dinner at 'Roopali Hotel', F.C. Road, Pune!

- Manoj Kulkarni

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LEADER OF 'INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS'..

MR. RAHUL JI GANDHI!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Last month I presented my shayari (poetry) in 'Gulzar Special' programme organized by 'Anjuman' at 'Raah Cultural Center', Pune!

- Manoj Kulkarni (manas roomani).

From Sunset to Sunrise..Life must go on..!

 (At Kanyakumari..more than 25 years ago!)

- Manoj Kulkarni (manas roomani).

HUMBLE HOMAGE TO FIRST PRIME MINISTER OF OUR INDIA..
PDT. JAWAHARLAL NEHRU JI..ON 60TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY!

I love my INDIA!

 

 

On 3rd May, after rally of Congress in Pune, I also met to Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar, former Vice Chancellor of University of Mumbai and former MP (INC) of Rajya Sabha!

There he appreciated my 'Chitrasrushti's special issues! And We had nice discussion!

- Manoj Kulkarni

I attended grand rally of Congress leader Rahul ji Gandhi on 3rd May in Pune! Met former Chief Minister of our Maharashtra, respected Prithviraj Chavan ji and other Congress leaders here. It was good interacting with them!

- Manoj Kulkarni

MAITHILI CINEMA SPECIAL!

Vice Chancellor of 'D Y Patil International University'..Prabhat Ranjan felicitated me!

I am with director & artist of Maithili cinema!

Recently I was invited for the special programme on Maithili Cinema..organized by Mrs. - Vibha Jha at the 'D Y Patil - International University' in Akurdi, Pune!

Two award winning Maithili films were screened in it. First was recent short 'Champaran Mutton' and second was classic 'Lalka Paag' (2015). After that there was good interaction!

I got felicitated with the hands of Vice Chancellor of that university, Prof. - Prabhat Ranjan! I also spoke on the occasion! Director of short film Mr. - Ranjan Kumar and artists of Maithili cinema were present there.

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

After diamond jubilee,..Journey of life is going on...!

(At 'Corinthians Club', Pune..after Poetry reading in 'Literati'!)

- Manoj Kulkarni (manas roomani)

ARTHOUSE CINEMA OF SHAHANI NO MORE!

Renowned filmmaker of our Indian New Wave Cinema..Kumar Shahani!

One of the prominent filmmakers of our Indian New Wave Cinema..Kumar Shahani passed away recently! I am remembering his classic arthouse cinema which I first watched in our 'Film Appreciatin Course' (1989) and then in film festivals!

Kumar Shahani's first feature film 'Maya Darpan' (1972).

When Godard died, I wrote 'the last living legend from pioneers of French New Wave Cinema' is no more! Now I can say the same after passing away of our this Indian new wave filmmaker Kumar Shahani! Before him, the great pioneers of our this genre of cinema..Mrinal Sen ('Bhuvan Shome' fame) and Mani Kaul ('Uski Roti' fame) left this world!

In late 60s, Kumar Shahani studied Screen writing and Direction under the guidance of great Ritwik Ghatak in 'Film Institure' (FTII) at Pune. After that he did his further studies in France where he assisted renowned filmmaker who known for his ascetic approach..Robert Bresson for his ‘Une Femme Douce’ (1969). Then he came back to India and made his first feature film 'Maya Darpan' (1972) which was produced by 'NFDC'. This 'mirror of illusion' was critically acclaimed and started artistic discussion!

Kumar Shahani's lyrical film 'Khayal Gatha' (1989).

Then Shahani made short films like 'Our Universe' (1976). And after the struggle of 12 years, he wrote-directed his next feature film 'Tarang' (1984) in which Girish Karnad, Amol Palekar & Smita Patil acted! This film was uncharacteristically conventional with song sequences! After that his 'Khayal - Gatha' (1989) was an experimental film which showed the relationship of Khayal singing with classical dance. Rajat Kapoor and Mita Vasisht acted in it! After that his film 'Kasba' (1991) was based on the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's short story 'In the Ravine'! Shatrughan Sinha and Raghubir Yadav played roles in it! And his film 'Char Adhyay' (1997) was based on the Rabindranath Tagore's last novel. It's about the impact of political issues on personal lives!

Shahani was one of the few filmmakers who tried to create something unique in the narrative structure of cinema! In this, some time complex and some time lyrical form enriched the arthouse cinema! He also got respect as a teacher and theorist of cinema!

His films got three National Awards and international also like 'FIPRESCI Prize' at 'Rotterdam International Film Festival'!

Remembered nice meeting him!
Homage to this genius of cinema!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

There was a programme 'Suroor' of Ustad Anwar Qureshi's ghazal singing in 'Nehru Memorial Hall' at Pune in Feb., 2024! And an evening well spent in shayarana mahol!

And it was nice meeting Ustad Anwar Qureshi after the programme there!

- Manoj Kulkarni
(manas roomani)

It was nice to attend 'A Festival of Contemporary Indian Films' organized by 'Pune International Center' at 'NFAI', Pune in Feb.,2024!.

And it was good meeting Mr. Premendra Mazumdar of 'FIPRESCI' there!

- Manoj Kulkarni

It was nice meeting talented actress and filmmaker Nandita Das related programme on cinema in 'History Literature Festival', Pune in Feb.,2024!

 

I first interviewed Nandita Das after the screening of Deepa Mehta's film 'Fire' in our 'IFFI', 1997 at Trivandrum. And she still remember it! I always admired her acting and now direction too after she made a film 'Manto'!

- Manoj Kulkarni 

It was nice to attend 'History Literature Festival' at 'Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics', Pune in Feb.,2024!

And it was a pleasant surprise to meet my classmate of 'Film Appreciation Course' (NFAI/FTII, 1989) Mr. Partho Datta who was there as one of the speakers in 'Old Music, New Histories'!

- Manoj Kulkarni