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Web series review: Bandish Bandits

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Image Courtesy - IMDb Bandish Bandits is an Indian television web series of 10 episodes, created by Anand Tiwari that focuses on Indian classical music.  I was fascinated with the name of the show. Many of us may not know - “Bandish” is a musical term for composition in the Hindustani music. The story conveys the beauty and power of the ragas when they are blended with pop music. A series marks the digital debut of composing trio - Shankar Ehsaan Loy . A tale is set at the backdrop of Rajasthan. Two die-hard musicians Tamanna (Shreya Chaudhry) and Radhe (Ritwik Bhowmik) join together, to create music. Both of them belong to a different world altogether, in terms of music, culture, and financial status. Image Courtesy - IMDb Radhe is someone who has his family’s musical tradition to protect and carry forward, while Tamanna is an ambitious and carrier-oriented pop star. Later on, they both fall in love and form a team called Bandish Bandits . Along with the soulful Indian classical music

Web series review: Panchayat

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Image Courtesy - IMDb Panchayat is an Indian television web series of eight episodes, available on Amazon Prime, produced by TVF, filled with comedy, drama, and emotions. It's the story of Abhishek Tripathi, an engineering graduate who had to join Gram Panchayat Office as a Panchayat Secretary in a remote village of the UP, due to lack of job opportunities. The series beautifully captured the life of an Indian village through the eyes of Abhishek, a metro-resident, urban living individual. He is struggling to adopt a village life, shown in all his efforts and also the struggles faced by him due to differences in lifestyles compared to city life. As usual, the screenplay is always commendable in all the works of TVF. Hence, Panchayat is also exceptional. It perfectly depicts the way of living in rural India. The series covers incidences and topics humorously. They give a beautiful sight of the villagers and their life: 1. People in the villages are simple, always fond of small talks

Web series review: The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye

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Image Courtsey: IMDb The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye is an Indian web television series of five episodes based on true events, directed by Kabir Khan. It recounts the formation of the Indian National Army (INA or Azad Hind Fauj) during World War II. Along with the struggles and sacrifices of INA's soldiers for Indian Independence through the eyes of one of its Captains and the woman he loves. The plot starts with Surinder Sodhi (M K Raina/Sunny Kaushal), a retired Army officer who relived his past by revisiting Singapore and narrates the journey of INA and Maya (Sharvari Wagh) to his grandson. The narration takes us to the battle of WW-II in Singapore, where the British Indian Army fought against the Japanese. However, Britain's surrender to Japan makes thousand of Indian officers the Prisoners of War (POW).  Then, with the help of Japan (as it was against Britain), INA was formed (later commanded by Subash Chandra Bose) comprising of POWs and civilian volunteers. Also, the

Web series review: Special OPS - Disney+ Hotstar

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Image Courtsey: IMDb It's an Indian thriller web series created by Neeraj Pandey, released in March 2020 on Disney+ Hotstar. Series shows Himmat Singh (Kay Kay Menon), a Senior officer of RAW believed, a mastermind behind several major terrorist attacks in India in the last decade. He formed a task force of five secret agents, trained and handled them for more than ten years, to catch and eliminate this terrorist. The story starts with an audit inquiry to find the details of expenditures made by Himmat Singh for several operations. However, the inquiry layer by layer unfolds details of many life-threatening missions Himmat Singh and his agents performed to catch the prime suspect. The whole series aptly shows the life and responsibilities of people working for Indian Intelligence. It is filled with action, drama, thrill, and great performances by the cast. Also, the background music and dialogues complement the story very well.  Kay Kay Menon gives a top-notch performance

Books, I read in 2019

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  PS, I Love You   Author   PS, I Love You , published in 2004 was a debut novel of  Cecelia Ahern .   Genre   Fictional, Romantic Novel   Story It is the story of a young widow (Holly) whose husband (Gerry) has passed away. Gerry and Holly were friends, lovers, and, soulmates. Before departure, Gerry planned to leave a few letters for Holly, to help ease her grief and provide support to start a new life. Each letter ends with a note "PS, I Love You". He knows that after his death, only those letters will keep her pursuing further. My favourite character It is hard to choose a favourite, out of all the charming characters of this romantic novel. Still, I would say my favourite character is Gerry. The way he made sure, to be with Holly even after his departure, made me love him the most. Also, Sharon and Denise - Holly’s best friends, selflessly accompanied her in the entire healing process made my faith stronger in friendship mor

Christmas (Craciun) in Romania

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When the sun dips to its lowest point in the sky, body shivers due to cold waves, the average daily temperature is hovering around -1°C, and white snow covers the roads.   What’s that mean? It is Christmas time in Romania. Xmas Fair - Sibiu I believe Christmas is the most happening festival as being the last biggest celebration of the Year that starts after Thanksgiving and lasting unto the New Year. Dazzling Christmas lights across the city, snowy walks, bakeries brimming with the delicious aroma of the cakes, pastries and other sweet treats, lavish window displays of the shops attract thousands of people. If you are in Europe and wonders where to celebrate the year-end festival in the budget than Romania ( Romana ) is the place where one gets its own unique cultural and culinary twist to make the festival all the merrier. With all that said, here I present you...   Things to do in Romania on Christmas (Craciun in Romanian)   Visit Local Christmas Fairs