Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes…

~ bjcharles ~ 1 Comment

“You see, Watson, but you do not observe.” Sherlock Holmes.

Jeremy Brett, what a class actor. The role he played as Sherlock Holmes had captivated me. His facial expression with his pointed sharp nose, queer outburst, smoking spree, abrupt speech and action and more had a queer charm.

I remember that it used to be played during the heydays of Doordarshan. Was it on Sunday’s? It’s been too long ago and now I often comes in other channels. Doordarshan years though a one man show, has often given viewer some real good programs. This was one, then U.S.S enterprise, U.F.O stories, Malgudi days, Yatra the serial, Classic movies, the xxx movies!! … well, there are many in such league..

Watching it from a telecast is not possible, but now I yearn to have the entire collection to add to my video library. But how can I go about getting those CD’s? Does anyone have his cd’s collection? Can I have a copy, suggestions would be welcome…

One more to my wish list!!

Taking rest & rust…

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment


One of the earlier pics of my thunderbird taken near E-city. This place is just 2 km ride from my previous work place at E-city. It’s been more than a year since I have visited this open ground- it’s a sort of used to an eerie ghost infested place, and from what I hear, this place has lost that desolate look and feel thanks to land developers in Bangalore. Sad but true , all the matchbox house construction are taking up the little breathing space.

Well, progress has its price…..

Ode to BoneyM

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

Much publicized BoneyM show was held on 8th March 11, 2008 at Palace grounds Bangalore. Show organized by IIPM students brought out very good response from public most eager to a trip down the memory lane.

I reached the venue by around 8:00 just about the time for the show. As a free pass holder, I had to be content with my place way beyond and had to strain my eyes to see the Lady Marcia opening up the music with noble intentions “ Global Warming “. The band opened with the song, “ Take the heat of me” and from that she took on other oldie number “ Brown girl in the ring”, “ Daddy Cool”, “Brown Girl in the ring” and more.

As the song went one by one, most of the young crowd was on their feet. The backdrop of the stage was a filled with a blanket of LED lights and from that glare I could only just make a silhouette of the lady in skirt.

Though I stood way behind, I could see how poor she had picked on the team. In looks, race and voice they trailed to reach anywhere near to the old BoneyM team. During many songs, esp Daddy Cool, the voices failed to rally in one unison . The freaky dance of Bobby Farel has been replaced by a cheap substitute, which again was nothing short of a disaster.

In spite of these apparent deficiencies, my friend and me got a bit elated with the Old Monk rum that ran inside me and partly on hearing the familiar old tunes.

Now that the show got over, I can now safely hang my childhood fancy to see a memorable performance from this band and to catch on those old glory days. Maybe, my expectations was far too outstreached for a band that has lost and splintered out with the passage of time.

BoneyM comes to Bangalore

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

Boney M one of the old time disco groups of seventies is coming to Bangalore on the 9th of March. I collected free tickets from the IIPM office at Koramangala. This live action features only one lead singer, Marcia Barrett from the original band..

My trust with English music started with the hits of BoneyM. “Brown Girl in the ring’, “Daddy Cool”. Listening to these still takes me back to those adolescent years. I started listening from a 3 in 1 tape player and BoneyM and ABBA was played music on that system.

Recently, I played the video of “Daddy cool”. Daddy is not around anymore to listen to it and so, its just takes on trip to those golden years of my life.

The charm of “DaddyCool” comes with the freaking dance by Bobby Farrell and the odd voices ladies make in chorus. : )

BoneyM kicked up its popularity among Keralites during the late 70’s and early 80’s. Just when the time when Gulf exodus started to sink in our land. It was almost common to see the Gulf returnees coming back with a 2 in 1 stereo and couple of English cassettes.

It was a sight most depicted in many movies. Happy faces from Dubai visiting Kerala for holidays , walking walking down from the airport tarmack swinging a 2 in 1 in hand.

Swinging 80’s has long faded into oblivion and it’s replaced with street market folks coming with laptops, digi players, digital cameras and all popular cell phones.

So, now I’m just waiting for the BoneyM and hoping the live action will come close to the memories I cherish.

Sledging all the way

~ bjcharles ~ Leave a comment

So, who has the last laugh! This tri-series was constantly in the news for the wrong reason. All the provoked and un-provoked aggressive behavior put on by both the stalwarts has given new meaning to this series.

Andrew Symonds and our dear spinner Singh has all been in the pages esp more when India was in the loosing side.

Finally, now the under dogs has gotten with the Cup. I should thank the Aussies for all that bad talk and making these sober folks to ignite the inert passion to win….

Finally, what matters these days is only “WINNING”. Indian Cricket will continue to see more slanders and sledging and we mute spectators too will come in terms with the new ground realties. OUT!

Lighting old matchless thoughts….

~ bjcharles ~ 1 Comment

Casual browsing in between my work took me to a blog with a picture of a matchbox. It didn’t take much time for me to relate with similar image of matchbox which had an bigger place in my teens.

Match box like these are hardly seen around; now it’s the new age cousins that rule the aisles of department store – for they come in with more glossier packaging and price. But for me, the old matches still holds an uncanny charm and more so b’cos, I had a fancy of collecting the match box labels.

It was in my school days that I carried on this unique collection of matchbox labels. Every time I’m asked to buy a matchbox, I prayed that I got a unique label. The most common brands I can recollect of was “ “We two”, “Key”. It was a usual practice to buy a bigger unit, a box containing 12 small matchbox. With steady purchase, my collection steady increased in its count, probably around 40 or more label. All the collection was securely kept inside some cover. I remember on how I took care to peal off the cover and at times I had to put it in water for the glue to release its hold.

Now as I look back, I fail to uncover on what prompted me to collect those unique labels. Wonder if any kids now has similar fancy or if any one in those black and white years can remember of similar tastes..

Time has rolled and I lost track of the collection and my collection. Simple facets of life have given to more complex covering and packaging. Life is no more the same, tainted by the passing years and hobbies are changed and expectations are running high. But all through, it is those simple desires that strikes so bright in my memory

Divorce Italian Style –

~ bjcharles ~ 6 Comments

Watched this Italian movie last week. The story line revolves around the Sicilian nobleman, his wife Rosalia and his cousin Angelo with whom he is terribliy in love. The story line plots his attempts and desire to get rid of his obstacle ( his wife ). His plot goes as orchestrated- He sets the opportunity for his wife to fall in love with another man and finally goes ahead with his plan to eliminate her by honour killing . After a brief stay in jail he gets back and tie knot with her desired lover and yet again the story doesn’t end there …..

This humor tinted movie was shot in 1961. What I like in was the cast, the protogonist’s bored expression, how he thinks over the plot and finally how he achieved the dream with a small twist….

Finally, I must credit the Pirates of Beemapalli, Trivandrum for selling such rare movies . I bought this DVD for less than 1$ ……. Cool isn’t…