Author: RA

Who can forget “The Scent of a Woman” and “The Godfather”! Almost the real Godfather, our darling Sunny – Al Pacino, 83, is a proud dad once again for the 4th time (officially). Congratulations Poppsy, wish me luck.

Working on the stage since 1977 Pacino is one of the greatest and most influential actors of the 20th century, having received numerous accolades, including  the Academy Award. Born 25 April 1940 (my birthday) in East Harlem, Pacino is the only child of his Sicilian Italian-American parents. 

PTI reports; Hollywood veteran Al Pacino and his producer girlfriend Noor Alfallah have become parents to a baby boy. The 83-year-old actor’s representative confirmed the news to People magazine, revealing that the couple have named their son Roman Pacino. 

It was in May when the news came that 29-year-old Alfallah, a film producer, was eight months pregnant. Alfallah has been linked to Pacino since April 2022. They first sparked romance rumours after they were photographed grabbing dinner together. 

Pacino shares daughter Julie Marie, 33 with his former girlfriend, acting coach Jan Tarrant. He also is a father to 22-year-old twins Anton and Olivia with ex Beverly D’Angelo, whom he dated from 1997 to 2003. 

Pacino’s “The Godfather” and “Heat” co-star Robert de Niro welcomed his seventh child last month at the age of 79 with girlfriend Tiffany Chen.

Wishing you many more offspring dear Sunny. May you live healthy and happy.

Pacino as Frank Serpico in 1973

लाहौर मेरे प्रिय शहरों में से एक है, ऐसा प्रिय कि जिससे मिलना अब तक न हो पाया है. ज़ाहिर है कि मेरा यह ग़ाइबाना लगाव किताबों और दोस्तों की ज़बानी सुने क़िस्सों से पैदा हुआ है. ऐसे में राजिन्दर अरोरा की किताब ‘यार मेरा हज करा दे’ के बारे में कहीं पढ़ा तो इसे मंगाने के लिए दफ़्तर को कह दिया. वे किताब ऑर्डर करते, इसके पहले ही तोहफ़े की शक़्ल में किताब मेरे पास आ गई. मज़मून तो एक बैठकी में पढ़ने लायक़ है, मगर जगह-जगह इस क़दर भावुक करता है कि इसे दो बार में पढ़ा जा सका.

https://samvadnews.in/book-yaar-mera-haj-kara-de-by-rajinder-arora-is-a-riveting-tale-of-travel-to-lahore-2023-06-12/

https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2023/6/1/ethiopian-quest-to-re-create-ancient-manuscripts?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lit%20Hub%20Daily:%20June%2012%2C%202023&utm_term=lithub_master_list

What a lovely tribute to Ramesh Chandra Jain of Manohar Publishers and Distributors . Thanks Chandra Chari and The Book Review Literary Trust (see her edit in the June issue). I first met Mr Jain sometime in early 80s with my cousin and his namesake Ramesh Khurana at the latter’s printing unit Eastman Printers in Karol Bagh. We remained in touch thereafter. The two Rameshes, of nearly the same age, were good friends and shared many interests. Mr Jain visited the press not only to get an update on his titles being printed but also for the gupshup. A wonderful human being and always helpful, Ramesh Chandra Jain will be sorely missed. The other Ramesh is also dearly missed. Ramesh Khurana, passed away four years back.

June 2023 

We, at SAHMAT, celebrated Habib Tanvir last evening. This is the centenary year of Habib Saheb (1923-2009). On September 1st this year he would be 100. Habib saheb was the founding trustee of Sahmat. He not only stood with us all these years but also actively guided Sahmat till the last day of his life. He left us on 9th June 2009. Many of his plays were performed by his company ‘Naya Theatre’ at various events organised by Sahmat. A renowned and popular playwright, director, actor, and poet, Habib saheb also wrote lyrics for many songs and even sang in some of his performances. A pioneer of many new styles and ethos in Hindi and Urdu theatre, he worked with tribal groups from Chhattisgarh. Known for his deft handling of complex social issues and a large cast, which ran between 20 to 30 characters, he put up some noteworthy musical-like dramas with an orchestra of over 70 performers. Two of his most popular plays are Charandas Chor and Agra Bazar. He also translated, adapted, and dramatised a hundred plus plays. Honoured with Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Kalidas Sammaan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award besides others he was also a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1972 to 1978. Together with Habib Tanvir we celebrated an illustrious poet of India Nazeer Akbarabadi (1735-1830) with equal fervour. Nazeer’s poetry was integral to Habib saheb’s plays. I feel both lucky and privileged that I not only had the opportunity to see Habib saheb’s plays in his life-time (while he smoked a pipe and intensely scrutinised every actor) but I also spent time with him on many occasions.

At the Jawahar Bhawan last evening, Moloyashree Hashmi initiated the event with a tribute to Habib saheb followed by songs from his play Moteram ka Satyagrah rendered by Kajal Ghosh and others.The inimitable Subhash Tyagi performed excerpts from Moteram ka Satyagrah. The best part of the evening was the high-octane high energy performance of poetic masterpieces of Nazeer Akabarabadi. The Nazeer Kahtha Kirtan was performed by Khel Tamasha Group directed by Rajneesh Bisht. The group performed and sang  रोटियाँ ,  होली की बहारें, बंजारा-नामा, आदमी-नामा​, मुफ़्लिसी to excellent music composition. Those in the audience wanted more and complained that the performance should have continued. I trudged back home mumbling a couplet of  Nazeer Akbarabadi. 

था इरादा तेरी फ़रियाद करें हाकिम से 
वो भी कम्बख़्त तेरा चाहने वाला निकला 

– Delhi, 10 June 2023