Latest news with #Gulmohar
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
It was the best outdoor ever: Sharmila Tagore on Aranyer Din Ratri
You entered the world of films with Satyajit Ray's Apur Sansar (1959). How did working with him that early in your career shape your sensibilities as an artiste? Although I was very young, I used to read a lot of books. I was what in Bengali they say paaka — more grown up than your age. To work with Manik da was a learning because you see him, and the entire unit… they were all very well informed about their profession… art and photography. I was 13 but even then, that process of osmosis… just by being there you absorb so much. What continues to make Ray's cinema relevant to present-day audience? He continues to be contemporary. At Cannes, a restored 4k version of Aranyer Din Ratri (1970) was shown. That was special. Even his other films like Devi (1960) and the Apu trilogy… the mother-son relationship in Aparajito (1956)… the sixth, seventh and eighth generation reacts to it because the romance of Apur Sansar is unforgettable. The Music Room (1958), for instance, is about an aristocrat who would rather break than bend. All these films touch you deeply at a human level. From the dialogues to music, they are all technically quite superior and once it is restored, it is as good as new. It speaks to today's generation also. Mahanagar (1963) in English is called The Mighty City; Seemabaddha (1971) is Company Limited. All these films can be understood today. Tell us about your experience at the Kechki Rest House where Aranyer Din Ratri was shot. I cannot tell you how hot it was. It was April-May. There was no electricity. We put up a generator at night or whenever we wanted because my room had a cooler. That helped. The boys — Soumitra, Samit Bhanja, Rabi Ghosh, Shubhendu — stayed in a shed with a tin roof. They called themselves Robi pora/ bhaja (burnt/ fried), but we were all happy because the work was so good. We worked early in the morning from 5.30 to 9, and then from 3 to 6. The rest of the time we just chatted. We visited the Santhals, danced with them. We could hear the elephants in the forest. It was the best outdoor ever. May 2 was Satyajit Ray's birthday and we celebrated. Simi got a cake from Kolkata. Also Read | At Aranyer Din Ratri's Cannes' premiere, Sharmila Tagore says, 'I, Simi Garewal are the only survivors' You made a comeback after 13 years with Gulmohar in 2023. What do you make of the OTT revolution? It is a good thing. So many new people got work, but again it is falling into a trap, I think, because people like Rahul Chittella, after doing Gulmohar, have been running pillar to post for his next film. OTT is also going for big stars. The Royals, for instance, was underwhelming yet you can see how expensive it was. But Netflix bought it and is showing it, but when someone with a good script goes, they are shown the door. I don't know who chooses the content. Puratawn (2025) is reportedly your last Bengali film. Is that true? What led to this decision? I didn't say if it's Bengali or Hindi; just that it's probably my last. We act with our entire body, so to speak. Physical fitness is important for an actor. In Puratawn, I had to climb a three-storeyed house. We were shooting on the top floor and climbing those steps at least three times a day. I could do it, but now I don't know.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
1 dead, 3 injured in 2 tree fall incidents in eastern suburbs
Mumbai: One person died and three others were injured in two separate tree and branch fall incidents at Sewri and Kurla East in the 24 hours from 8am on Wednesday. Ranjan Nishad (27), a plumber, suffered injuries after a huge Gulmohar tree in a private compound got uprooted and fell on his scooter near Fatima School, Sewri Cross Road, around 8:30pm on Wednesday. He passed away at KEM Hospital around 1:30am on Thursday. The condition of Nishad's relative, plumber K Balkrishna (33), who was riding pillion rider on the scooter, is said to be stable. Balkrishna, who suffered serious injuries to his left leg, is admitted to KEM Hospital. In another incident, a branch fell on two pedestrians, injuring them, near Jaitvan Garden, Thakkar Bappa Colony Road, Kurla East, at 11:30pm on Wednesday. The condition of the two is said to be stable. F-South ward officials said Sewri's Angel Housing Society where the Gulmohar tree got fatally uprooted, had sought permission for trimming the tree, but they did not carry it out. The BMC's F-South ward has sought the opinion of the garden department on whether a notice could be issued to the society regarding the incident. It occurred when Nishad and Balkrishna were returning home to Nalasopara after completing a plumbing job at a BMC office in Cotton Green. Balkrishna, in pain and facing the prospect of surgery, remains unaware that Nishad is dead. "About 15 to 20 people helped us, and we were rushed to the hospital in a taxi," said Balkrishna, who makes about Rs 15,000 a month and will likely have to return to his village in UP until he recovers. BMC superintendent gardens Jitendra Pardeshi did not respond to calls from TOI seeking a comment on the incident. A BMC's F-South ward and garden department official said, "We have sought the opinion of the garden department as to what action can be pursued against the society."
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
BMC to prune trees inside private properties
Mumbai: The downpour on Monday and Wednesday led to several tree collapsing incidents causing two deaths, one in Sewri and the other in Vikhroli. This prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to issue a circular on Thursday stating that the civic body has the authority to prune trees inside private properties. As per the latest monsoon updates released by the civic body, 30 incidents of tree collapse were reported on Wednesday. Out of the 30, six were in the island city, seven in eastern suburbs and 17 in western suburbs. A huge Gulmohar tree in a housing society compound in Sewri collapsed on two parked vehicles and two bikes passing on the road at 8:30pm. One of the two motorcyclists, Balkrishna Kurai, 33, was injured and admitted to KEM hospital. The other motorcyclist, Rajman Nishad, 27, was declared dead at KEM hospital, confirmed an official. At 11:30pm another tree on Chembur CSMT road collapsed on two 22-year-old pedestrians, Hitesh Shorsaya and Hitesh Bora. The two were admitted to Rajawadi hospital. On Monday, a 26-year-old man in Vikhroli died after a tree collapsed on him while he was taking shelter under it. Taking these incidents into account, the BMC issued a notice stating that they will now prune the trees located inside private premises as well. 'Earlier we only pruned the trees on the roads and in the gardens. We did not have the authority to prune trees in any private premises,' said an official and added that if any overgrown trees are identified, a notice will be sent to the owner of the land where the tree is situated. If not acted upon, the civic body will prune it by themselves. On Wednesday, the city received 29.8mm at Colaba weather station and 35.2mm at the Santacruz weather station from 8 am on Wednesday to 8 am on Thursday as per the India Meteorological department (IMD).
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Imperfect tree's perfect lesson in beauty, grace
Chandigarh, the City Beautiful, is draped in resplendent hues these days. The vivid reds of the Gulmohar, the regal purples of the Jacaranda, and the golden pendants of the Amaltas create a breathtaking mosaic across the summer canvas. This scenic splendour is a true feast for the eyes, especially in the searing heat of the season. A quiet note of gratitude rises for the visionary MS Randhawa, the first chief commissioner of Chandigarh, whose meticulous planning and choice of tree plantations continue to bloom into poetic landscapes even today. One day, during a visit to my son's school, my gaze fell upon a humble canopy of trees, laden with delicate, fragrant blossoms in shades of white, pink, and violet. These soft petals, fallen onto the ground, greeted me with a floral carpet under the harsh summer sun, wrapping me in unexpected serenity. Their quiet grace was calming, a balm to the hurried soul. These small, sweet-smelling flowers belong to the Pongamia genus, commonly known as Papdi or Karanj. While we often marvel at the dramatic beauty of the Gulmohar, Cassia, and Jacaranda, we tend to overlook the subtle charm of these modest white blooms. Yet, that day, they seemed to whisper stories of their own. 'Do you not feel envious?' I imagined asking them, 'when people sing praises of the gracious Amaltas or the resplendent Gulmohar, yet never speak of you?' They smiled. 'We bloom not for attention,' they seemed to say, 'but for ourselves. Everything is beautiful, you just need the eyes to see it.' Their message was profound. These flowers carried no bitterness, no comparison. In their world, vibrant colours and plain whites coexist, complementing each other in a natural harmony that eludes many of us. Curious, I examined the tree more closely. It stood tall and proud, offering a cool breeze strong enough to wipe away my sweat. Upon inspecting its leaves, I noticed some unusual growths — galls caused by mites, as I later discovered. Yet, despite this imperfection, the tree stood dignified, undeterred by adversity. A member of the pea family, this tree serves many purposes: Its oil, wood, and medicinal properties are widely valued. Its leaves enrich the soil, making it ideal for erosion control and conservation. Beyond its practical uses, it offers a quiet lesson — a reflection of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, the art of finding beauty in imperfection. This imperfect tree, flourishing with blemished leaves, taught me that nothing in life is truly perfect, and that's where the beauty lies. It reminded me that everyone, no matter how overlooked or seemingly simple, has a unique role in the grand tapestry of the universe. That day, the Pongamia tree stirred something deep within. It urged me to let go of negative emotions, to celebrate diversity, and to find peace amid the chaos of modern life. Those soft white pinkish flowers, so often ignored, had become for me a symbol of simplicity, grace, and quiet strength. To me, they are now the embodiment of simple living — flawed, yet beautiful. Perfectly imperfect. ranjugulatidav@ The writer is an assistant professor of botany at DAV College, Chandigarh.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
76-year-old woman dies after tree falls on auto-rickshaw in Pune
A 76-year-old woman was killed after a branch of an aged Gulmohar tree fell on the auto-rickshaw she was travelling in Wednesday near the Neelayam Bridge area in Pune, as several parts of the city witnessed rain and gusty winds. According to the Pune police, Subhadra Sapre, a resident of Anandnagar in Singhagad Road, was shifted to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The auto-rickshaw driver, who sustained minor injuries, was discharged. The Pune police said the tree branch fell on the auto-rickshaw at around 3.30 pm, causing head injuries to Sapre. This is the second such incident in the last three days after a man died after a tree fell on him near Alankar Theatre on May 26. Over the last few days, incidents of breach of embankment walls have also been reported from some parts of the city. A few days ago, many shops were destroyed after a wall collapsed near Undri. Encroachment on nullahs has seen water entering houses and roads in some parts of the city. Pune and its surrounding regions have received more than their normal share of rainfall in May. Due to the sudden onset of the monsoon, the civic bodies were caught unaware and could not complete many of the pre-monsoon works. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a break in the monsoon, the civic body has said it would utilise the time to work on the pending works.
