An Interview with Naseeruddin Shah

rehan`s fat?

mebbe that picture isnt really him...

any other chowkwalas seen the play? temporal? ferozk? PM? anyone?

z.rizvi

RSaxena #44 ``Why am I dragged into all the creative story..``

You were already part of the story-telling (having left scout crying on some bridge, according to an earlier episode, as I recall). I intended no offense, incidentally, in referring somewhat unflatteringly to your physical self which I am sure is perfectly fine. And scout would be I am sure be honored to have an evening out in NYC with you.

Gymno #43(?) So that is where you are, in SFO. Lucky you (I visited that beautiful city once and could easily get used to it).

Zahra 3 (post # 28/29/37) Scout 1 (#32), while Bina waits on the sidelines looking for a chance to jump in. And all this for Rsaxena`s carcass, I believe. And Gymno, who was supposed to be escorting Scout around NYC, is nowhere to be seen. This is surely a dark day for Pakistani manhood and for the ladies too (Zahra to please supply appropriate emoticons).

Urstruly #25 writes ``(as a result of reading the words) epicede, threnody and palinode...they have peed in their pants too, (including myself)``.

Urstruly, you seem to get scared easily. Hope you keep an extra pair of pants handy when you read the chowk.

Like the car horn, the loudspeaker, and the internet discussion groups, cellular phones only prove that technology simply imposes the irritating habits of ill-mannered people on the rest of us. Nor, more importantly, does it impart wisdom. Indeed, as Toynbee pointed out a half-century ago, the greatest threat to mankind is that our technological accomplishments vastly exceed our emotional development. A few months ago, Bill Joy (technical VP, I think, at Sun computers) pointed out possible catastrophic results of advancements taking place in nanotechnologies, biology, and so forth. Whether our grasp will match our reach remains to be seen.

Dear Rehan (sorry I misspelt your name in previous post)

Thanks for the link that describes the play. Sounds like a funny one.

hamidm#101 ``hate is a pure and noble emotion - a human attribute``

So you (the holier-than-thou Pakistani), and Jay (who knows only one thing - Pakistanis are evil) recognize each other as soulmates in hate. Only, please dont insult the human race by thinking the two of you belong to it.

Scout #92 ``Maybe you should write an article about it. I will read it.``

I think I will pass on this invitation. But thanks for confirming the readership of at least one person.

Rehan,

I think I understand what you mean by not being able to hear Kips voice.

What else did you and Ondaatje talk about? Must have been interesting to meet him. I havent read his book ``Running in the Family``.

Rehan please keep posting articles about literature/plays. I`m not into politics that much, but I look forward to reading your stuff.

When I post next time I`ll give you a run-down on whats happening in the British Asian theatrical scene.

Suffice to say everybody listen out for these names:

East is East

Goodness Gracious Me

and see how Indians/Pakistanis are shaking up British Culture in the new millenium.

Keep up your work Rehan

regards

Harpreet

Dear Chowkstaff:

I`m sure Gnostic is speaking for almost all

chowkies in his #68 request.

Why the heck can`t you guys do it?

regards,

PM

Oh, you technical wizards out there, could someone

tell me why my posts are shown with para breaks

after every line? I`m using a Mac. & AOL 4.0

Could that be it?? Is there some setting I need to

change?

Thanks,

This is regarding the current Chowk Home/Front page:

There are five contributions on the front page by Mr. Moeez on cricket. Four of them are literally yesterday`s news.

Among the remaining discussions sites there are some essays/topics which, it appears, will soon be dropped e.g., Pervez Hoodbhoy`s essay on ``Pakistan in 3000``.

I have noticed that Mr. Moeez`s writings have a total of perhaps eight `replies` among them, by four people.

It is my considered judgement that your Chowkwalas, judging from the breadth and intensity of discussion, would appreciate it much -- in fact, feel gratified, and in gratitude to you -- if you deviate from your ``custom``, ``tradition``, ``protocol``, or, ``usual practice``, and remove some of the cricket Posts and give a longer lease on

life to the more substantive essays including, bahmad`s, Zeemax`s, Hoodbhoy`s and others.

One more point: You are aware that ``He had no Choice`` has now evolved into an `all purpose` site on Pakistan. I have been going through your archives and except for Zia & Nayyar`s latest essay, the one after October 15, 1999, no other site has ever garnered more than 500 replies. As you may be aware, the ``He had no Choice`` is past 1100 and is close to 1200 replies which, according to my `research` has to be your record number of responses for one site; and there is no decline in the posts per week - or daily - as I write these lines. I, therefore, request a special resuscitation for that site by way of a ``direct`` link to it from the first page so that by clicking on it, if located on one of either side`s margin on the Home page, one could access that site rather than the present laborious rout. I hope you consider my request seriously. An earlier post was addressed to you on this matter but perhaps it escaped attention. I hope you would not consider it too presumptuous on my part if I re-submit it to you via this rout.

Most Sincerely Yours,

A Gnostic

#: 59

Harpreet

Godot,

If it [was] //were// up to me India and Pakistan would sign a thousand year non-aggression pact.

Replies to Even this one are going ``Indo-Pak conflict``

Come on, the guy wrote a nice play ( my cousin saw it and enjoyed it) lets talk about the actors, the act, the lighting, or even how FAT RehanHasanAnsari is

Take the conflict to where it belongs..LOC..

( nah, just kidding)

peace

Re: Harpreet

The reason I say the ball is India`s court is that India has ignored Pakistan`s signals (de-escalation of its military at the Sialkot border, for example) and has rejected all of Pakistan`s reconciliatory gestures. Why? Because Pakistan`s ruler is the military? So what? Making peace is making peace. If the other guy is willing, then extend your hand as well. Let`s get it started.

Now, I know there are elements in both countries that want bloodshed. They understand neither the concept of peace and prosperity, nor the plight of innocent and hapless people of the subcontinent. In my view, unfortunately, it is India`s politicians, the ruling party, if you will, that is part of that unenlightened element. I think General Musharraf is genuinely seeking peace with India, but it is India that is rejecting it. How can one be optimistic about peace when India`s Defense Secretary, George Fernandes, uses his words like a fool uses his money?

Yes, Harpreet, if you and I ran India and Pakistan, things would be different. It`s both sad and ironic that the region that produces brilliant minds is also the poorest region in the world. It really is a shame.

Re: Rehan, #57

``yaar I thought Muslims will be reckoned with for their own aamaal and not anyone else`s...``

Very true. However, I don`t see your point in relation to what I said. I don`t get this tangent. Yes, I agree, everyone is responsible for his own aamaal. Why do you single out the Muslims, though? As John Lennon said, ``your karma is gonna get you``; that is, regardless of your religion and not for anybody else.

Godot,

If it was up to me India and Pakistan would sign a thousand year non-aggression pact.

Any militarism in India should be countered and I agree that India as the ``elder bigger brother`` should show maturity and foresight in its handling of the issue.

The ball is also in Pakistans court. Both sides have become so pumped up that any move to peace can be seen as losing face. The mutual antagonism contributes to this paradigm.

Would you not agree though Godot that there is also a Military complex in Pakistan that also seeks to perpetuate ill-feeling and tensions for its own benefit and institutional survival?

I wish that I was the Prime Minister of India and you of Pakistan, so we could sign treaties and make peace.

regards

Harpreet

Godot,

I dont think that either party is innocent in the demonising of the other. I think it is futile for either side to accuse the other of exclusive hatred/mistrust, because quite frankly I know that anti-Indian, or anti-Hindu feelings are present in many (but not all, and not uniformly virulent) sectors of Pakistani society. These things are bi-lateral and self-perpetuating.

I can feel that in the tenor of the comments of many Pakistanis. I could make the case,in reverse, from your last posting (substituting ``Pakistani`` for ``Indian``). But what would be the point?

All that happens is we end up throwing accusations at each other.

I understand your misgivings Godot, because I can see your point well. I`ll try my best when I can to allay them in whatever small way I can.

I am not a representative of the Indian state, just as you are not of the Pakistani. And I dont want to exist in a state of heightened suspicion and paranoia.

regards

Harpreet