Bruce Lung

No worries mate. I'll figure it out and get it working somehow.

Apologies for calling you a knob. I was only kidding. Yeah, would appreciate it if you could let me know how it's done. WMP 10 says the file format doesn't match the extension, and Winamp doesn't like it either. Video LAN for PC (usually runs anything) doesn't see it. Tried downloading and installing some versions of WMV codecs, and although the installations were OK, it's still not reading it.

Hey Morpheus, when you get some time off from being a knob, will you explain how you got this file to run?

From your backside.

WMV files are a real pain in the neck. Can't read them at all, and hunting around for the right codecs. Please use a more common format, like mpg or avi.

I stand corrected about the sarangi being a non-drone instrument. I heard it has a low-class association, and that many great sarangists were opium addicts. Dhrupad is great! I'll get on the case with transferring my recordings for the guy.

Fractals. Good on ya Pheena you clever. Did you know that the swastika is an L-system fractal?

The sarangi is usually a drone instrument - going into the background and keeping time in the pattern of the raag. I've got a couple of sarangi recordings from the 60s on my other PC. I will see about transferring them in the next couple of days.

I would be grateful if someone could point me in the direction of an organisation in the UK that's involved in campaigning for and/or assisting with the repatriation of Punjabis. I don't know whether there is any such organisation, but there has to be somewhere. Is there any way to obtain resettlement/repatriation grants from either government, and also any other form of assistance with relocation?

Fair enough, but what would an atheist think? Most probably, you could not convince him because it appears that the only outcome you would be happy with would be for him to accept your religious beliefs, while not even acknowledging yourself as "I". I can understand your reasons, but non-Sikh atheists would think you're crazy if you communicate with them in that way.

Kanbei did'nt say at any time that he planned to retire to become a Buddhist monk, but in the cultural context I believe that that's what his head-shaving would have signified to the common people as well as to the samurai. He's supposed to be a really world-weary old veteran. I noted these incidents from the film: 1) When he tries to dissuade the youth from becoming his follower; 2) When after accepting the mission he bemoans the futility of his own career as a fighting man in front of other samurai (something that in itself would in that cultural context have been seen as almost shameful); 3) When he tries to stop the youth from joining the campaign. Generally, he's like a point of order in the midst of chaos. All around him, people are going crazy at various times, and he "borrows the priest's robes" metaphorically at many points in the film. For instance, when Manzo goes crazy following his daughter's deflowering, Kanbei locks his eyes on him in a centred, meditative Zen Buddhist state. Also, during the battle scenes when really calmly he draws his bow and shoots the bandit.

Don't pay attention to the commentary by BFI. The film is heavily concerned with the distinction between the upper class and the commoner, and the main thrust is that the distinction is artificial and that in reality their roles are interchangeable (note the "7th samurai" with the fake lineage, and the costumes worn by the samurai youth and Manzo's daughter at the end). There is a deliberate element of humour and melodrama in the head-shaving scene. Note the comic expression of the actor who passes the razor over to the priest. You can't tell me you missed that! Priceless! Also, look at how the no-dachi-wielding fake samurai stands over the body of the thief and claims the glory.

Shimada Kanbei had his head shaved because he was ready to retire to a monastery (he later admits he is tired of fighting). Retiring to Zen Buddhist monasteries was a common practice for older Samurai. To be a monk you had to have a shaved head. No dishonor.

Azureus is OK. No probs.

Wah Wah! By the power of Grey Skull.

:?:

Does he know that you are in the habit of referring to yourself in the 3rd person? Why do you do that, anyway?

Interesting. It says: "Prostrating to a book (Grantha) incurs the action as the Hindus to an idol. They both make a big show of it in their highly beautified temples to teach others to do the same and receive gifts." Is this true?