Fangs and Blood

Over the past few centuries, there have been several mentions of the word “Vampire” in the form of legends, literature, films and folklore. For me, the word “Vampire” means bloodlust, magic, mysticism and off course inhuman beauty.  From Dracula to Edward Cullen to Damon Salvatore, I have eternally been in love with them.  The pale-bodied, cold and lanky creatures who feed on human blood have become increasingly popular in the recent times. All thanks to the groundbreaking film series and TV shows which have “Vampires” as their main theme.

If we talk about the fictionalization of the folklore or myths associated with “Vampires”, we have to go back as early as 1819 when a book named “The Vampyre” by John Polidori was published. This book was highly successful and was considered to be the first of its kind. It was the first attempt that diffused “Vampire” elements into mainstream literature. However it was the success of Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula” published in the year 1897 which helped the creation of a distinctive “Vampire” genre in contemporary cinema which is extremely popular till date.

With books, films and television series, “Vampires” have become a household name. But it is not in the recent times where we find so many depictions of “Vampires”.  In 1913, Robert G. Vignola made a film named “The Vampire” but here the protagonist was more of a human.  The first major breakthrough for the “Vampire” genre in the field of Cinema came in 1922 with the silent movie named “Nosferatu”. It was loosely based on Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula”. This movie is cited as the first proper movie with “Vampire” as the main theme. Unfortunately, due to some legal issues, there are hardly any prints of this film available. 

It was the year 1931, when the audience got a chance to see another “Vampire” movie with Bela Lugosi as the lead. “Dracula”, which was again based on Stoker’s novel, was a little more sophisticated and refined than “Nosferatu”. Lugosi did utmost justice to his role. The success of the film“Nosferatu” and “Dracula” as to which had the best portrayal of “Vampires”

spawned two sequels .There is one thing worth mentioning here that there has been constant comparison between the films,“Nosferatu” and “Dracula” as to which had the best portrayal of “Vampires”

.

Films with “Vampires” as the main theme have been quite common since the silent era. In fact, it has been the most common subject of films based on any other fictional characters. But does“Vampire” fiction only consist of ”Dracula”? No definitely not. In the past few years, the entire genre has been completely regenerated with  Stephenie Meyer’s series of novels, “Twilight”. This series is all about fantasy and eternal love.It has been written from a human’s point of view,Bella Swan,who is one of the leading protagonists  of the series . The story revolves around her and her love story with Edward Cullen who is a 104 year old “Vampire”. With the first book getting published in 2005,the series has been extremely popular worldwide. It has  also been very successfully adapted to five films,”The Twilight Saga” with Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen.The films too, have formed its own cult following.

My write up about “Vampires” would be incomplete without the mention of “The Vampire Diaries”, a popular U.S. TV series which started in 2009. This show like “Twilight” is also based on a series of novels of the same name. But the popularity of the TV series has surpassed the novel.  It revolves around Elena Gilbert, a young high school girl who gets caught up in a love triangle with Vampire brothers, Damon and Stefan Salvatore. With Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert, Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore and Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore, “TVD”, now going into its seventh season has made its place in the hearts of viewers all over the world.

There have inevitably been comparisons between “TVD” and “The Twilight Saga”. Here I would like to reiterate that  both of them are very different from one another as far as the plot is concerned. The plot of “TVD” is way more complicated with more characters and other supernatural beings coming into the forefront.  Also the “Vampires” in “TVD” are more human and relatable than the ones in the “The Twilight Saga”. They do not sparkle!

But as much as they are different from one another,  “The Twilight Saga” and “TVD”, have certain facts in common too. The “Vampire” protagonists fall in love with a human being who becomes a “Vampire” as the story progresses. Their eternal youth and lust for blood are the other two common characteristics.

If we see the development of  “Vampire” in the hands of fiction with a cult following ,one can easily  understand that  “Dracula” and its kind focused mainly on blood and gore. On the other hand, the later versions of “Vampire” fiction bring out other facets of them which are not monstrous at all.

Some say “Vampires”  are nothing but a figment of one’s imagination while others believe, they exist for real. But for me, “Vampires” mean a picturesque world where there is no existence of my mortal being.

P.S- The pictures above are sourced from the Internet, the copyright is with the owners.There are also some data that have been googled.

.   

Being Woman!

I am back from a long break, rather a sabbatical. The reason behind it, is still unknown to me, so I can't tell you either 

So many occasions went by. Diwali, Christmas and New Year. In fact, winter in Kolkata is itself a celebration. But I just could not write something. This reason is also unknown to me. People around me insisted that I should not stop this creative pursuit of mine. People asked me why I stopped posting on "The Psychedelic Diaries". 

So here I am taking out my blog like an old book which has gathered dust in one corner of my room. That dusty book is still love, right?

I convinced myself that I will write something or the other, very soon. I have wasted enough time already. I just wanted to write about something apart from recipes and reviews. Then came "International Women's Day".

Although I am proud to be a woman but you can't label me as a feminist. I believe that neither feminism nor sexism can run this world. If you are hungry,  you have to make your own sandwich, if you are broke, you need to look for a job, no one else is going to provide for you. So you see, in today's world, neither feminism nor sexism can fix much of a problem. So, to do hell with feminism and sexism. 

Everyday is our day because womanhood itself is a celebration! 

On the other hand, I also believe that celebrating "International Women's Day" on March 8th doesn't make much of a sense. I ask, do we really need one day to let each other know that how special are we? Don't we know this from the bottom from of your hearts, since time immemorial? 

Celebrating "International Women's Day" on March 8th doesn't solve much of our problems either. Living in a regressive society adds fuel to the fire. We have so many burning issues like rape, dowry deaths, domestic violence, sexual harassment, female infanticide and foeticide that require a solution right away.  We just cannot have one day to focus and think about these.

I believe that in the wake of the 21st century, women are unstoppable now. They are challenging their own barriers each day. Strength has become her middle name. 

I believe women should be tough and tender both at the same time. They should laugh as much as possible and live long lives. The struggle for equality will continue till eternity.but the woman who is armed with wit and courage will be among the first to celebrate victory.

Happy Women's Day!

Mistake

Life is a mistake. 
When you told me that it's over, I thought I was a mistake. 
Life is a lie.  
When you told that you love someone else, I thought my love for you was a lie.

Like a young girl collects pebbles from the sea shore, I have collected your memories all this while. 
Memories that haunt me every now and then. 
I can trade anything in this world to be with you again.  
The roller-coaster ride on that summer night, the camp fire in that faraway place. 
I miss them all.

I have got a long life to live. 
It's like a long queue before a phone booth. 
When I get connected, I will find my true happiness. 
I'll find a life devoid of lies and mistakes. 

Will you come back to me then?

Easy Chicken Curry

 Let me reiterate the fact that the best thing about lies in its versatility. There can be nothing (not literally) with which you can't cook chicken. I usually cook chicken in this way when I don't have any particular recipe in mind.


Here comes the recipe:

Ingredients:

Chicken - 500gms.

Onions (finely chopped) - 200 gms.
Ginger-Garlic paste - 100 gms.
Turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon.
Red chilli powder - 1/2 teaspoon.

Cumin powder -  1 teaspoon.

Coriander Powder -  1 teaspoon.

Garam Masala powder - 1 teaspoon.

Chicken Masala (optional) -  1 teaspoon.

Dry red chillies - 2.

Green chillies - 2.

Bay leaves - 2.

Tomato - 1

Salt to taste.

Oil- 5 tablespoons.

Procedure:

Wash the chicken. Keep aside.

In a wok, add oil. Add the bay leaves and and red chillies.

Add the onions. Fry it till translucent.

Add the ginger - garlic paste. Fry it for some time. 

Add all dry masala powders except the chicken masala. Fry it for some time. Add a little bit of water.

Add the tomato.Add green chillies. Add salt. It will help the tomato melt faster.

Add the chicken masala. Add water.

Add the chicken. 

Cook it in medium flame till the chicken is soft and is properly cooked.

Serve hot.

Egg Malai

Yesterday, I cooked after almost a month, It was for a house party but one can make it for lunch at work. The recipe is very easy and takes 10-15 mins to make.



Here comes the recipe:

Ingredients:

Eggs - 2 (boiled and peeled).
Potaotoes - 2 (boiled and peeled).

Dry red chillies - 2.

Green chillies - 2.
Onions (finely chopped) - 2.
Ginger-Garlic paste - 50 gms.
Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon.
Red chilli powder - 1/2 teaspoon.

Cumin powder -  1/2 teaspoon.

Coriander Powder -  1/2 teaspoon.

Dried Fenugreek Leaves (Kasoori Methi) – A bunch.

Milk - 1/2 cup (you can use full cream also)

Salt to taste.

Oil- 2 tablespoons.

Procedure:

In a wok, add oil. Add the red and green chillies. I ran short of bay leaves. You can add them too.

Add the onions. Fry it till translucent.

Add the ginger - garlic paste. Fry it for some time. 

Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and cumin powder. Add salt. Add little water. Fry it for some time.

Now add the potatoes and the milk.

Keep it in low flame. Add the eggs.

Add the fenugreek leaves.

Serve hot.

Top 10 Horror Movies Of All Time

So, it's officially the Halloween season! So what better reason for me to write about horror movies, which is my favorite movie genre at given day! I was thinking to write about horror movies from a long time now. In fact, I was supposed to write this for a friend's website but somehow couldn't manage time. The list was also prepared more than a year back!


According to me, you either can love or hate horror movies. There is no mid-way. 


So, here comes my list of top 10 horror movies of all time:


10. Paranormal Activity


Paranormal Activity is a 2007 American found footage supernatural horror film. It is the first movie of the Paranormal Activity franchise. The film is about a young couple, Katie and Micah, who are haunted by a supernatural presence in their home. It is presented in the "found footage" style. Throughout the film, cameras are set up by them in an attempt to document what is haunting them.

 This film happens to be  the most profitable film ever made, based on return on investment

9. Grave Encounters

Grave Encounters is a 2011 Canadian supernatural horror film which is again shot in "found footage" style. The footage follows the crew of a paranormal reality television program who lock themselves in a haunted psychiatric hospital for evidence of paranormal activity inside the hospital, which now lay in ruins.No one gets out alive, except one.

Even after receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film has a cult following.

8. The Conjuring

The Conjuring is a 2013 American supernatural horror film.Ed and Lorraine Warren are paranormal investigators and authors who are associated with prominent cases of haunting. The Warren couple come to the assist the Perron family who are experiencing disturbing events in their farmhouse which is located Rhode Island in the year, 1971.

The Conjuring  happens to be one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time. 

7. Insidious

Insidious is a 2011 American supernatural horror film which happens to be the first installment of the Insidious film franchise. The story revolves around a couple whose son enters a comatose state and becomes a vessel for ghosts in order to live once again. 

Due to the film's success it became the basis for a maze for 2013's annual Halloween Horror Nights. 

6. The Exorcism of Emily Rose

The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a 2005 American courtroom drama horror film.The film is loosely based on the real life story of Anneliese Michel. The film is about a self-proclaimed agnostic who acts as defense counsel representing a parish priest who is accused by the state of negligent homicide after he performed an exorcism. 

The film largely takes place in a courtroom, shows the events leading up to and including the exorcism through flashbacks, which is again one of a kind.

5. Mirrors

Mirrors is a 2008 supernatural horror film. The film was originally scripted to be a remake of the 2003 South Korean horror film Into the Mirror but the director decided to retain the original film's basic idea involving mirrors and incorporated a few of its scenes. Otherwise the film has a new story line.

The story is about a suspended police detective who begins his first day as a night security guard at a luxury department store that was gutted by a fire, five years ago.

4. The Unborn

The Unborn is a 2009 American horror film which is about a young woman tormented by a dybbuk and seeks help from a rabbi. The dybbuk seeks to use her death as a gateway to physical existence. 

Although this film received a lot of negative reviews, however the film's concept was very new and still remains a personal favorite.

3.Shutter

Shutter is a 2008 American supernatural horror film which is a remake of the 2004, Thai horror film of the same name. The film is about a newly married couple who stays in Japan and the supernatural events that follow them.

Shutter is unique because it's the first western remake of an Asian horror film which is not Japanese, instead a remake of a Thai horror film. 

2. The Ring

The Ring is a 2002 American supernatural psychological horror film.  It is a remake of the 1998 Japanese horror film Ring, The Ring is known to be the first American remake of a Japanese horror movie. This movie paved the way for many J-Horror remakes.

The films is about a cursed videotape that kills the viewer 7 days after watching it. 

1.The Grudge

The Grudge is a 2004 American Supernatural horror film which is again a remake of the Japanese film Ju-On: The Grudge. The plot reveals itself is in a non-linear sequence of events and includes several subplots.The film is about a curse that is born when someone dies in the grip of a powerful rage or extreme sorrow. Those who encounter this evil supernatural force die and the curse is reborn.passed from victim to victim in an endless chain of horror.

The film spawned two sequels: The Grudge 2 and The Grudge 3

Have a scary Halloween!

(P.S. All the images have been googled. The copyrights are that of the individual owners.The blurbs have also been sourced from the internet.)

Eat.Pray.Love.

Durga Puja, being the biggest and the brightest festival brings along  a lot of hope, happiness, love and good times for us, the Bengalis. In fact, over the years, it has truly become a cosmopolitan festival where in people from different communities participate. Well. that's the true meaning of a festival, isn't it?

Durga Puja brings in a lot of memories of both childhood and adulthood. Going out for pandal-hopping at midnight with friends and family. Junk food and not healthy food was our staple for those 5 days. Regular life came to a halt during the festival. Studies were a strict no-no too. 

People might ask what is so special about this festival for which Bengalis all over the world wait for the entire year with bated breath. Well, we have no proper answer. But we do wait for those 5 days. We wait for it as  a farmer waits for the monsoons. We wait for it as it's the most important work that we need to do.


When we talk about Durga Puja, there is also something that is worth mentioning here, Kolkata, the City of Joy. Before and during the festival, the entire city comes alive. The shopping frenzy before the festival and the crowded pandals during the festival makes it look like a newly-wed bride adorned with the brightest of  hues. 

There are lot of withdrawal symptoms associated when Durga Puja gets over. Although people exchange greetings and say "Subho Bijaya", in their mind they sulk and crib because they have to wait for another year.

Although this year, I was working during the festival, but no one could take away the excitement and the fervor away from me. Between working and sleeping for only 4 hours, I could manage a lot. Well that is the whole point because it's that time of the year, isn't it? 

Subho Bijaya!

Lakme Absolute Lip Tint Matte (Tangerine Touch) - Product Review

Lakme lipsticks have become my favorite over the past few years. They have really improved a lot with the products be it the textures of the lipsticks or the colors. I wanted to write something something about Lakme lipsticks because they are currently my favorite. Not only that my favorite actress (Read: Kareena Kapoor) is their brand ambassador. I don't think I needed more reasons to write something about this product.

I have used Lip Crayons before, I guess it was a Chambor product. There were a lot of advertisements here and there when this product was launched. I got curious and wanted to try it out. The colors were also catchy. So when I went out to buy a lipstick for myself for the upcoming festivities, I decided that this will be the lipstick that I am going to buy. 

Lakmé Absolute Lip Pout is a chubby lip color pencil that gives your lips a beautiful and luscious tint with an awesome matte finish. The product is available in 6 classic matte colors, Lakme Absolute Lip Pouts will invariably brighten your face and will give you a playful look.

The features of Lakmé Absolute Lip Pouts include, an excellent matte finish without drying your lips excessively, quick and easy application and retractable pencil that doesn't need sharpening. 

The lip pouts are priced at Rs 650 fro 3.5 g and the shelf life is 24 months. I have always used lipsticks for more than 2 years and I am doing pretty fine. I have absolutely no clue what harm will a lipstick do if I wear it after 24 months. The packaging of Lakmé Absolute Lip Pouts is very similar to Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm and nowadays almost all the brands have the same packaging for matte or tinted balms. The color of the tube represents the true shade of the lip color. It's covered with a silver cap.The shade name is mentioned at the bottom of the tube.

The only problem with this lipstick is the pigmentation. You need to swipe at least 3-4 times to build the

actual color. It's a little disappointing because it's Lakme and I am a big fan of the 9-5 range of Lakme. The lipstick stays on your lips for 3- 4 hours with moderate snacking but it also has a tendency to become too dry. So, if you have chapped lips, use a lip balm before applying it. The color fades away very unevenly, to be specific when the color fades it left an orange stain on my lips which looks very odd. Although when applied, it has a very beautiful orange tint.

As far as I am concerned, I think this lipstick can be only be purchased if you like hoarding lipsticks like me. Otherwise, the 9-5 range of Lakme is cheaper and is excellent in pigmentation.  Try it at least once but apart from the few of the cons, there is nothing much to regret about this product.