Back from a wedding - a friend’s daughter getting married. Tonight was the ’sangeet’. The boy’s side and the girl’s side get together on a common platform and dance and sing to the bride and the groom to be. A warm affectionate ritual. Relatives and friends of both parties join in in large numbers. Traditionally they tease each group, with some very deliberate folk numbers, sung through ages. But now in this modern age and avatar the routine has become greatly choreographed and rehearsed and management oriented, and Indian Hindi film based songs only. I believe it has robbed the moment of its originality and fun. Though a great deal of effort does go in for the preparation.

Today was no less.

But look what a father goes through during all these days of marriage preparations. Guests, food, arrangements, all the necessary requirements for the bride, the looking after of the ‘barati’s’, to see to their comfort and well being. A single discrepancy or fault would reflect adversely on the respect and dignity of the parents of the girl.

All this to send his daughter away !!

When the Father is of meagre means, he goes out and borrows money so the wedding can be solemnized with a certain degree of status from his side. The groom and his party must not feel that have been treated less. Most marriages in the rural areas are conducted in such fashion. All so the daughter can be sent off with dignity and respect.

Sent off ! From the very moment she leaves her home she has to accept another home and call it her home now. that is life. She will build her new home into the home for posterity, until one day when she will have children she will face the same. Life is such a bummer !

I am back with ICICI after a huge gap. Had become their Brand Ambassador in the year 2000. They they got rid of me after a few years. And now they want me back, so there I am. If you learn to persevere and stick around, life completes a circle and comes back. Most of the time with better circumstances.

There are also now a sudden spate of other endorsements coming along. Surprising. But endorsements follow a certain market trend and I guess the trends must me right for me to be taken back I guess.

So the first ad., was shot today and it was RBalki doing the honors, with PC sir on camera. PC, as you may remember went through that shocking tragedy in his home. His 20 something old daughter went to celebrate Diwali with friends, slipped off their balcony, fell four floors and died. Today was his first day at work after the tragedy. Balki wanted him to work to keep his mind off from the home situation. Brave man. Never showed the pain of his condition at work today. It was just like we were on shoot for a Cheeni Kum or Paa.

The loss of a daughter through an unfortunate tragedy. The loss of the daughter in marriage ! In most Indian homes the daughter is referred to compassionately as ‘paraya dhan’ - the wealth of the other ! When she enters a home through birth she is ‘Laksmi’ - the Goddess of wealth. And then becomes someone else’s ….

I am in affection and love with all ~

Amitabh Bachchan … thanking all those that heard my plea and have considered a prayer for Shashi ji