Author Archives: udaykumarvarma9834

Close to 35 years ago, a young beautiful and ambitious girl took courage in her slender, delicate hands to participate in an event deemed taboo in her country. What followed was not only a sensation but a tale that saw incredible twists in the denouements that defined her life.How does one explain the transition fromContinue reading “Maria Kalinina – The Beauty That Feted Communist Russia”

Even those who don’t like or appreciate Cinema, would surely know something about ‘Wizard of Oz’, the 1939 film that created cinematic history. Its heroine, Dorothy, and the other protagonists Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion became household celebrities and gained a popularity rarely witnessed.The role of Dorothy was played by Judy Garland, just 17Continue reading “‘Dorothy’ of ‘Wizard of Oz’The Twin Legends”

On April 26, 1895, a criminal trial against Oscar Wilde, celebrated playwright and sharpest of wits, began. He was accused of gross indecency.If the French genius Voltaire about whom I wrote last week were to find a rival to match his wit, it would undoubtedly be this brilliant and notorious playwright from across La Manche.Continue reading “The Wit’s Last Stand”

“I disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This extraordinarily perceptive and profound statement is the toast of liberals all over the world. Not only liberals but every reasonable human who believes in freedom of expression, takes it as an article of faith. Or, consider,Continue reading “Voltaire: Writer, Wit, Philosopher and Rebel”

Outlaws- daring men and women- who chose the wrong side of law, have many a time commanded a respect and adulation denied to many a kings and monarchs. They have rather made them envious and certainly angry.The legend of Robin Hood of the 13th/14th Century England fascinates all of us as a gripping, exciting andContinue reading “Louis Mandrin, The French Robin Hood”

“I fight pain, anxiety, and fear every day, and the only method I have found that relieved my illness is to keep creating art. I followed the thread of art and somehow discovered a path that would allow me to live.” Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese genius who has kept art firmament lit up for nowContinue reading “Pain, Fear and Hallucination that Pulsated her Creation: The extraordinary journey of Yayoi Kusama”

Gifted for creating such exceptionally arresting and perceptive observations as, “Some pains are physical, and some pains are mental, but the one that’s both is dental.”, “Oh, what a tangled web do parents weave when they think that their children are naive.”, or one of the most famous ones “The cow is of the bovineContinue reading “Idiocies of Humanity- Weird Verses of Ogden Nash”

The mighty slap of Wills Smith on the mirthful cheeks of Chris Rock, may still be reverberating in the Hollywood and the world of cinema round the globe, but the majesty of silent movies in the first ever Oscars held 93 years ago, continues to be the most graceful and eloquent image of this glamorousContinue reading “The First Oscars- Silence Wins Gold”

The one inconvenience currently affecting everyone is the unprecedented heat prevailing over the whole of north India this summer season. The mercury has been hovering around 45 degrees. The oppressive heat has deranged life as never before.Media-print and electronic- and above all the social media, are flooded with information and misinformation about this unusually hotContinue reading “Global Warming and the Human Greed- The Environmental Blind-spot of Prevalent Development Paradigm”

Political assassinations are not uncommon. It is inescapable part of a certain style of statecraft. Whether ‘Vishkanyas’ (recall Chanakya) are employed for this purpose or professionals are hired, whether they happen as a well contrived conspiracy or personal revenge, leaders and politicians, Presidents and Prime Ministers, Monarchs and Regents, in history, have fallen to aContinue reading “Assassination of a Prime Minister”