The Saturday I Will Never Forget
Advertisers in the USA few days before today were cheering and hooraying about the luck one may have on a date when all of its three digits are SEVEN repeatedly. So they were advising people to buy this or that on this day or even gamble. Although I am not superstitious, I considered today, Saturday, July 7 a memorable day: The famous Indian star and actor, Shammi Kapoor, called me all the way from India.
Until Friday, May 25, I was under the impression that Shammi Kapoor, was no longer alive, thanks to a piece of news given to me by a close friend whom I usually entrust and take for granted as a reliable source. But my coincidental search of Hindi films and actors, brought me to the realization that Shammi Kapoor is actually alive.
His website http://www.junglee.org.in/sk.html gave me so much information about his life and career and provided me with his personal email address. So I sent him an email on May 25 and received a prompt reply on Saturday, May 26. I did not believe my eyes. I originally thought that the website was maintained by a fan or one of his family members.
After one month and ten days of correspondence, I received his greatly appreciated call today, Saturday, July 7, 07. It was a very dear call knowing I have admired him since the age of four. When he explained his health situation having to go through dialysis three times per week as the reason behind his delay in responding to some of my emails, I felt a sense of connection with him hearing his honesty and modesty considering his fame and glamour in the late 1950s and 1960s.
India has created some kind of an agony in me as I have been dreaming to visit it since childhood. Now I wish that it be more than just a visit. I hope to participate in a conference or a festival or have a job for a couple of months. I am working tirelessly to see how I can join a group of activists, teachers or artists to visit India or be hosted by them while in India. I feel a spiritual connection and a need to visit India especially after the horrific war on Iraq and the psychology with which I am living as a result.
Shammi Kapoor was one of three men who brought smile to my face and filled me with pleasure and/or hope as a young child besides my late uncle, Dawood (d. 1965) and late father, Mahmood (d. on July 24, 2006). Watching him perform (and seeing some of the old Hindi films in general) brings so many sweet memories from my early childhood. I remember when I was four to six years of age, nobody dared to say a negative word about Shammi in front of me. I would be crying or protesting in disagreement. This gesture was considered cute by adults, so they enjoyed teasing me purposely to watch my entertaining parade:):)
In the near future and in memory of my father and his eldest brother, Dawood, I will write a lengthy memoir entitled, "The Three Men Who Made Me Smile as a Child - Uncle Dawood, Father Mahmood and Shammi Kapoor"
It will be a wonderful adventure and experience for me to visit India and see Shammi Kapoor. He will be 77 years old on October 21.
(*_*) Don't forget to click on all "Shammi Kapoor" words.
