On Friday 10th October we went to Central Island, Toronto. We listened to Manna Dey songs while driving. Later, we did a reflection on the root Ragas of one of the songs. The song, Yaari Hai Imaan, has roots in Raag Bhairavi and Raaj Khamaj. The music directors Kalyanji-Anandji wove these elements skillfully into the song.
Reflection points-Memories, Thoughts, Sensations, Feelings
Memories- we remembered similar walks in Malta-Oct 10-2010-in Upper Barrakka gardens area and the ramparts overlooking the bay. On reflection on this at Caldense Bakery, Symington, Toronto, I felt the joint energies of friends. I experienced the power of friendships and associations.
My father was one of my best friends ever. He lived by the principle that a son is a son till 16, after that he is your friend. He remains, one of my best friends ever. Family Photographs, Shafshoofa Maleshi, and Humber are three blogs. They tell of some associations which have enriched life in many ways.
Friends and Brotherhood
Last week, I had an interesting discussion with a family member around his birthday. We recalled the family journeys through Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. We talked about our walks and talks together through the decades. We remembered what it was like when our fathers were alive.
We remembered the meals which our aunts made for us and the shared camaraderie of brotherhood. How conventional marriage affects life and expectations and on the roads traveled and not traveled.
This made me look back at the walk and story discussion I had with Sahil in Bruce Trail-Tobermory in the Spring of 2021, on Mysterious Persons
How does the world look like, feel to the character
This is one of the purposes of description
Professor Tim Spurgin- Art of Reading
Angry Young Men
The song Yaari Hai Iman- was part of the movie “Zanjeer” (1973) which in many ways defined Indian culture. Prakash Mehra directed the seminal film. It crystallized the “Angry Young Man” archetype. The movie forever changed the landscape of Indian Popular Culture.
In the series “Angry Young Men” writer Javed Akhtar discusses the director’s hesitation. The concern was about portraying a hero-protagonist who does not sing and dance. The financiers and directors trusted the writer duo Salim-Javed. They made the film in the way conceived by the duo. The gritty urban narrative centered on Inspector Vijay Khanna. He was a brooding, honest police officer. His childhood trauma and burning wish for justice defined his identity and life direction. These forces deeply resonated with the Indian youth in the first post-independence generation.
Songs of Identity
Song-Yaari Hai Imaan
Singer-Manna Dey
Music- Kalyanji-Anandji
Lyricist- Gulshan Bawra
Ragas- Bhairavi Khamaj
Angry Young Man Archetype
Film- Zanjeer -1973
Portrayed by-Amitabh Bachchan
Writer-Salim Javed
Director-Prakash Mehra
This made me remember two other memorable movies which portray the Angry Young Man -Archetype
Film- Ardh Satya -1983
Portrayed by- Om Puri
Character-Anant Velankar
Writer- D A Panse (story); Screenplay and Dialogue: Vijay Tendulkar
Director- Govind Nihalani
Film- Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai
Portrayed by: Naseeruddin Shah
Character-Albert Pinto
Writer- Story and Screenplay- Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Dialogues-Saeed Akhtar Mirza and Kundan Shah
Director- Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Summary and Worksheet
On a beautiful fall day of October 2025, father and son went to Central Island Toronto. Later they reflected on cultural identities shaped by songs and stories of Indian cinema. They discussed family journeys and deepened their understanding of “How does the world look like, feel to the character”. I also recalled talking with a dear family member on his birthday. We shared nostalgic memories of our family journeys from decades ago.
Prashant Bhatt's notes 