The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) - Film

This is a beautiful film which takes us to the jungle of Tsavo river in Kenya, Africa. The thrill of the jungle life along with the challenges faced by the main protagonists of the film, keep us glued to watch the film, which is based on real life incidents.

The main threat faced by a team of labourers in Africa (while building a railroad bridge) were the man eating lions which used to attack them regularly. The main characters John Patterson (Val Kilmer) and Charles Remmmington (Michael Douglas) try to save them by targeting the lions and at last by killing them. The story is filled with fear as well as with the triumph of human spirit. This is one of my favourite movie because of its uniqueness of storyline. The labourers, the local people and their leaders, the Doctor of the hospital , the religious person, the visitors, the nature- all combine in this film to create an unforgettable magic in front of the audience.

One of the most famous dialogue by Charles Remmington is "Everyone has a plan until they've been hit. Well my friend, you've just been hit. The getting up is up to you."

The film is based on the book 'The Man-Eaters of Tsavo' by John Patterson where he shared his experience of working in east Africa.

Do watch this film to enjoy the yellow grass, the open field, the scene of train running through beautiful nature and of course to watch the magnificent lions-  the Ghost and the Darkness.

With lots of best wishes for all,

Jai Shri Krishna.

Jibak Katha- A Novel

Recently I heard an audiobook of this novel in Mirchi Bangla Youtube channel. This novel tells us the story of famous ayurvedaacharya of ancient times, Jibak. It is written by Tamnoy Sarkar. The story starts at the moment when Jibak is yet to take a new leap in his life after completing his education about ayurved. Gradually it takes us in the past when the birth of Jibak took place and how he spent his childhood. Later the novel covers the days of his education when he goes to Takshashila to learn aayurved. After excelling in his studies, he comes back to Magadh to his step father and starts treating patients. How Jibak gradually became a legendary ayurvedaacharya is narrated in the later part of the novel. During his journey we also come to know about the politics of the palace of king Bimbisar. We also get to know about the identity of the real mother of Jibak. There is a beautiful scene when Jibak meets Shaloboti.

I enjoyed listening to this novel. The element of history in the novel make it more attractive. And the narrator of the novel in Mirchi Bangla Soumen Chakraborty, ,also deserves appreciation because of his voice modulation according to all the characters.

With best wishes for all.

Jai Shri Krishna.