RHYME AND METRE, TERE NAAM

Pop band Kaavish’s latest single, Tere Naam, is being widely appreciated. Rightly so. It’s a nice, well-sung tune. While we don’t want to sound needlessly critical, it needs to be said that, since the band seems to be fond of good Urdu words, it’s advisable that they read Urdu poetry regularly. It will give them an idea about how proper rhyming and metre helps the melody-rhythm combo to work like magic. For example, baith gaya hoon main doesn’t rhyme with chaahoon main and unnecessarily prolongs the vowel sound in chaahoon. That being said, Tere Naam is a good kaavish!

CINEMA IN A STATE

The state of Pakistan’s cinema industry has again become a talking point, primarily because not enough — not even close to be called ‘enough’ — movies are being made locally. This Eid-ul-Fitr, for example, the lone big release was Daghabaaz Dil. Hum Tum Aur Wo also saw the light of day but it was engulfed in a debate about whether it even deserved to be released in the cinemas, since its lead actors Aamna Ilyas and Junaid Khan claimed they only signed on for a telefilm and have threatened legal action. This goes to show that all is not well with Pakistani cinema. As the lone proper release, Daghabaz Dil has done decent business but, as they say, one swallow does not a spring make.

JEWEL THIEF?

In February this year, actor Kevin Costner finalised his divorce from Christine Baumgartner, his wife of 19 years and mother to their three kids. A few months prior to that, he was seen with singer Jewel in a cozy-next-to-each-other way at a fundraising event. Jewel is 49 years of age (20 years younger than him), also a divorcee and has a son. It sparked off rumours about them dating. Recently, in an interview, the vocalist has been quoted to have said about Kevin C that he is a “great person.” Well, you can add whatever sparkle you want to that bland statement from Jewel.

YOKE & WHITE

Indian comedian Munawar Faruqui, who shot to national fame after winning the last season of reality show Bigg Boss, was at a restaurant in Mumbai when he was attacked by the restaurant owner with eggs. Apparently, the reason for the assault was that he had earlier visited the restaurateur’s competitor’s eatery, which gave him the indication that Munawar F was trying to make him feel jealous. If you thought stand-up comedians can be vicious, they are no match for the culinary world.

TWO MORE

Here we go again! Meghan Markle and Prince Harry like to remain in the news for one reason or the other. It is evident now. The latest on that count is that the couple will produce two shows for Netflix: the first is about friendship, gardening and cooking and the second has its focus on the US Open Polo Championship. Hmmm… how are the two programmes linked to royal bashing? Perhaps we are royally wrong.

THE SECRET TO A LASTING MARRIAGE

While couples these days are breaking up left, right and centre, here’s a piece of advice from an A-list celebrity on how to keep a relationship intact. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have been married 36 years. When the Oscar winning actor was asked by a journo about the secret to a lasting and successful marriage, he replied, “Finding each other. How about that!” We think Tom H has made a philosophical remark, but it sounds like a euphemism for something he himself doesn’t have the foggiest idea about.

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 21st, 2024