Latest news with #RudyardKipling
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
That Terrifying Chant in '28 Years Later': Danny Boyle Explains How a 110-Year-Old Recording Came to Define the Film
When the first trailer arrived for '28 Years Later,' the third installment in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's masterful '28 Days Later' series of horror films, it was scary, filled with gruesome images of zombies and a dystopian world. But what makes the trailer even more terrifying is an eerie, rhythmic chant by a high, nasal voice, moving with a military cadence, monotonal at first but growing increasingly louder and more agitated as it goes on, with the images and ominous musical backdrop growing in speed and intensity as it progresses. More from Variety Box Office: '28 Years Later' Debuts to $5.8 Million, 'Elio' Flies to $3 Million in Thursday Previews Danny Boyle Says He Could Not Make 'Slumdog Millionaire' Today Due to 'Cultural Appropriation' and 'That's How It Should Be': 'I'd Want a Young Indian Filmmaker to Shoot It' '28 Years Later' Duo Danny Boyle and Alex Garland Break Down That Cliffhanger, the Next Two Movies and the Studio's Reaction to Extreme Gore and Nudity Somehow, in that context, the chant, even though the words seem unrelated to the images, is absolutely horrifying, like a deranged rap song. Its use in the film makes an ominous scene even more ominous. The chant is actually 'Boots,' a poem by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1903 and intended to convey the maddening monotony of soldiers marching; the direct inspiration was the hundreds of miles British soldiers were forced to march across southern Africa in the Second Boer War around the turn of the last century, according to the Kipling Society. The recording used in the film is nearly as old as the poem itself, voiced in 1915 by actor Taylor Holmes. It is a dramatic reading that starts off militaristic as the initial lines set the scene, but his voice is patently hysterical by the end, even as it follows the lock-step rhythm of the first five syllables: 'I—have—marched—six—weeks in hell and certifyIt—is—not—fire—devils, dark, or anything,But boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up and down again,And there's no discharge in the war!Try—try—try—try—to think of something differentOh—my—God—keep—me from going lunatic!' Unusually for something featured so prominently in a trailer, the poem plays a very small, although foreboding, role in the film — buttressed with an eerie bass synthesizer, it soundtracks Spike and his father walking to the mainland, which is thick with infected zombies, and presumably conveys that they're marching to war. But out of everything that could have been used to deliver that message, why a 110-year-old recording of a poem that dates back to the peak of the British Empire? Boyle explained in an interview with Variety last week. 'We had all these archives that we wanted to use to suggest the culture that the island was teaching its children,' he says. 'It was very much a regressive thing — they were looking back to a time when England was great. 'It's very much linked to Shakespeare,' he continues. 'For those who know the 'Henry the Fifth' film, there's a very famous speech, the Saint Crispin's Day speech, which is about the noble heroic English beating the French with their bows and arrows. We were searching for a song, for a hymn — for a speech, actually. We did think about using the Crispin's Day speech at one point, but that felt too on the nose. 'And then we watched the trailer — Alex and I remember it vividly — the first trailer that Sony sent us, and there was this [recording] on it, and we were like, 'Fucking hell!' It was startling in its power. It was used very effectively. 'The trailer is a very good trailer, but there was something more than that about that [recording], about that tune, about that poem. And we tried it in our archive sequence, and it was like it was made for. it' A rep for Sony wasn't immediately able to pinpoint the person who chose the chant for that trailer, but it was so effective that Boyle was quick to incorporate it into the film. 'It's like a reverse osmosis,' he says. 'It came into the film and seemed to make sense of so much of what we've been trying to reach for.' He also notes that Kipling's words and Holmes' voice, echoing across the decades in a context neither ever could have imagined, somehow take on a new power in today's context. 'You have to hold your hand up and say, 'How is it that something that's recorded over 100 years ago has that same visceral power that it's always intended to have?' And I think it was always intended to have that power and it still maintains it. In a TikTok world, it still has that impact. It's amazing.' Additional reporting by Bill Earl. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Owen Doyle: Rugby players seem to think they can interrogate referees. It needs to stop
'If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same . . .' At some stage in our lives, many of us have found inspiration and comfort in Rudyard Kipling's wondrous poem, If. Maybe Leo Cullen has too. Leinster have had their fair measure of disasters over the last few years, with nothing to show on the triumph side of the balance sheet. Losing finals and semi-finals by small margins has been bitter medicine. Not to mention the penalty try that went missing in the Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton . Through all of this, Cullen has remained calm, dignified, not once trying to lay the blame at the door of any match official. Not publicly anyway. It's doubtful I was alone in forecasting that the trophy would be heading south of the equator. Unusually, it's quite a pleasure to have been proved wrong . READ MORE It wasn't just a win, it was a performance of the highest quality where everything clicked. The normally powerful Bulls had no answer . The coach of the San Francisco 49ers, the great Bill Walsh, entitled his leadership book The Score Takes Care of Itself. That's precisely what happened. Now here's a key question. Can the scrum spoil the Lions series? The short answer is yes, but there are a few relevant reasons that might provide a glimmer of hope. We have seen too many top-class matches badly impacted by illegal scrummaging, including the URC final and, for good measure, the English Premiership final. However, Lions coach Andy Farrell and Australia counterpart Joe Schmidt both favour positive play, with Farrell's men likely having the stronger scrum. So, for example, on the Lions put-in, let's hope the intention will be to play the ball away, not to try and pulverise the opposition to win a penalty. On Australian ball, legitimate disruptive actions, including pushing straight, should be ordained. World Rugby elite referee manager, Joel Jutge, is bound to have had discussions with the two coaches with a view to working out an agreed scrummaging modus operandi. Failing that, the appointed referees can help the situation, as well as themselves, by being stronger with scrum decisions. 'This is not what we agreed before the game,' said referee Andrea Piardi as he reset yet another scrum during the URC final. If it isn't what was agreed, by all means tell them, but don't omit a necessary accompanying sanction. Later on, with only eight minutes left, he was still appealing for good behaviour. Otherwise, Piardi had a good match. None of his decisions affected anything very much, certainly not the clear-cut result. It was not the dog-eat-dog fight that had been widely anticipated. It was also important that there was no controversy; there has been far too much of it during the season. There have been some poor refereeing performances for long enough and it is a dreadful blot on the URC landscape. The clubs should be up on the rooftops, shouting 'enough'. Leinster's Jack Conan speaks to referee Andrea Piardi during the URC final against Bulls. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho Piardi is not alone in bringing trouble to his own doorstep by having long conversations with players who are all too keen to disagree with decisions. Players, not just the captains, are constantly appealing, even though they know perfectly well why the call has been made. It's happening far too much and getting worse. Referees are being subjected to interrogations, with players also pointing to real or imagined offences by their opponents. It will be interesting to see how this stuff is handled in the Lions series. Piardi will referee the second Lions test – the first Italian to do so. Molte congratulazioni. He will have an uncomfortable time if he allows players to be consistently in his ear. Piardi must keep his chat to concise, precise explanations and not be drawn into debates. Referees should only deal with the captain. It is clear that match officials have overdone their desire to be seen as the players' understanding friend. That approach is now backfiring. Then there is the TMO. How will that operate on the Lions tour? The Premiership final saw it reach new levels of interruption. The TMO, Ian Tempest, cooked up a different storm by bringing several, very marginal issues to Karl Dickson's attention. These took an age to conclude and could just as easily have been decided the other way around. Referee Karl Dickson points towards Dan Cole of Leicester Tigers before issuing a yellow card during the Premiership final. Photograph:One of these was farcical. The question was whether or not Leicester's Nicky Smith, on the ground under his own posts, had deliberately handled the ball. Solomon was needed to apply his wisdom to this one, but not so easy for a mere referee. Dickson took a long time to find in favour of Smith. Tempest also asked the referee to take a look at Dan Cole thumping late into Russell and the resulting yellow card raised another debate. Cole's coach, Michael Cheika, was livid. The wise referee rule-of-thumb, that only the clear and obvious should be sanctioned, must also apply to TMO intrusions. Otherwise, silence please. Then there is the intolerance of coaches towards match officials' mistakes. If there is a fingertip knock-on in the build up to a vital try, which is only seen afterwards, then the affected team's coach will blow an almighty fuse; we see it often enough. What a pity that rugby's Corinthian spirit has long since left the building.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Time of India
Skip Jaipur and Udaipur, and visit Bundi, the hidden gem of Rajasthan
Udaipur, Jaipur and Jaisalmer are at the top of people's lists when they think of visiting Rajasthan. But if you are looking to explore the regal charm of Rajasthan with a historical intrigue, Bundi is the perfect off-beat destination for you. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A place stuck in time The Garh Palace, which seems to grow out of the hills themselves, dominates Bundi's horizon. With its decaying walls and worn-out murals telling stories of a bygone glory, this fort-palace is almost unchanged compared to the restored palaces of Jaipur and Udaipur. You will be transported to another era as soon as you step inside. The imaginative refinement of the Rajput court is exemplified by the complex murals that retain fragments of intense indigo, ochre, and gold. When Rudyard Kipling visited Bundi in the late 19th century, he described the palace as "the work of goblins rather than of men." The spooky ambience is still poetic, particularly when visiting its echoing corridors alone. The city of stepwells There are over fifty stepwells (baoris) in Bundi, several of which remain hidden under faded havelis or in narrow lanes. Once crucial to the population, these ancient water features now offer an architectural marvel that is unequalled. The Rani ki Baori, or Queen's Stepwell, is the most famous. It was built in the 17th century and is equal to the finest examples of Rajput or Mughal architecture with its geometric symmetry, multi-story arches, and carved pillars. It is an underground palace, not merely a water reservoir. Temples, lakes, and peace Jait Sagar Lake, ringed by lotuses and visible from the Taragarh Fort, offers peaceful sunsets to nature lovers. Off the beaten tourist track, the 84-pillared cenotaph (Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri), a complex memorial built in 1683, is another architectural marvel. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India's less popular tiger sanctuaries, was created in 2022 and is reachable on foot near Bundi. It's a peaceful, unspoiled spot for anyone looking for seclusion or an intimate experience with nature. Why Bundi and why now? In an era where travel is increasingly being booked for social media, Bundi offers something different: authenticity. Here, you can dine with a local family who isn't trying to upsell you, hear the echo of footsteps in a deserted palace, and see the dance of sunlight in an ancient stepwell. Bundi, Rajasthan's hidden gem—and maybe its heart—is worth boycotting the mainstream for if you're seeking something real.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mississippi State unveils 78th annual Lyceum Series events
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi State University (MSU) will host the 78th annual Lyceum Series. Season ticket renewals opened on June 9. New season and mini-series ticket sales for the season's six-part series go on sale July 1, while individual tickets are available starting August 20. MSU Riley Center's 2025-26 season features six concerts The season opens September 26 with Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book.' This Theatre MSU play adaption takes place at 7:00 p.m. in McComas Theatre. Additional Lyceum events all are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium: Disco Strangers: An Eagles Tribute, October 17 Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, December 3 Ailey II, February 11 Sonic Escape, February 26 Canadian Brass, March 18 General public season tickets are $150 per person and $135 for MSU employees and senior citizens; mini-series tickets are $75 per person and $65 for employees and senior citizens; and individual tickets are $30 per person, $25 for MSU employees and senior citizens, and $10 for children. Individual tickets are free for MSU students and available for pickup at the Center for Student Activities, located on the third floor of Colvard Student Union, at any point in the year or reserved online at least one week prior to each show. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NDTV
10-06-2025
- NDTV
In Pench And Tadoba National Park, A Thrilling Tiger Safari Through Mowgli's Land
In 1894, English author Rudyard Kipling wrote and published The Jungle Book. It became an instant hit, and Mowgli - its central character - soon became a household name. Set in a jungle teeming with life, the book explored the complex relationship between humans and nature. Over the years, Kipling's story was adapted by several production houses, most notably Disney, turning it into a beloved tale of harmony between humans and animals. These adaptations became bedtime staples for many of us growing up. But did you know that The Jungle Book was primarily inspired by a real forest in India? Yes, you read that right. Welcome to Pench National Park, located in Madhya Pradesh - often referred to as the Tiger State of India. Today, Pench is fondly known as 'Mowgli Land', drawing wildlife enthusiasts not just from across India but from around the world. As you explore its lush landscape, you'll come across statues of Mowgli scattered across villages near the park. These aren't just decorative; they symbolise the deep-rooted belief in coexistence between humans and animals, a spirit that is very much still alive here. That said, life near a national park and a tiger reserve is not without its dangers. Villages bordering the forest do sometimes suffer casualties. Yet, what's truly remarkable is the way these communities respond. Whenever such a tragedy occurs, the villagers often build a shrine dedicated to the tiger. It is both a gesture of mourning and a ritual of respect - they worship the tiger, seek forgiveness, and pray that such incidents do not happen again. We stumbled upon one such shrine during our morning safari in Pench. In the middle of the forest, a statue of a tiger stood quietly by the trail - a powerful reminder of the reverence with which nature is held in this remarkable land. A Slice Of Luxury In The Wild To reach Pench, if you're coming from Delhi, it'll take around 4 to 5 hours - less than the time it takes to get to Ranthambore National Park. This includes a one-and-a-half-hour flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Nagpur, followed by a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Pench. From Mumbai, you can fly or take a train to Nagpur. We landed in Nagpur on an early morning, after a flight from Delhi, and before we knew it, we were in Pench, soaking in the lush green forest and enjoying the better AQI. Geographically, Pench straddles both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. On the Madhya Pradesh side, the park includes a core area of 411.33 sq km, with a buffer zone of 768.3 sq km, totalling a protected area of 1,179.63 sq km. The Pench Tiger Reserve, which also doubles as a national park, is home to around 50-58 species of mammals and over 210-288 bird species. Every villager here seems to have their own tiger tale - but one story towers above the rest. The Saga Of Collarwali Collarwali, or T-15, remains Pench's most famous resident. Nicknamed 'Supermum', this legendary tigress gave birth to 29 cubs (almost 23 of them survived) over her lifetime, before her death in 2022. Her legacy lives on through her offspring, many of whom still roam these forests. The best decision when visiting Pench is to stay as close to the safari gates as possible - and that's exactly what we did. Just 1 km away, we stayed at the Pench Jungle Camp, a place that offers an immersive jungle experience with a touch of luxury. The rooms were styled like tents but without any of the discomfort that normally comes with camping. The property included an in-house spa, a bar, a library, a games room, and a shared lounge area - yes, all in the middle of the forest! The interiors exuded a charming village feel, complete with rustic touches. But what truly stood out was their commitment to sustainability. The property has been built without disturbing the natural landscape and no single-use plastics - even the toiletries provided to guests were plastic-free. "We've built the entire property around the trees, and planted even more. The idea was simple - not to cut down a single tree in the process," says Raghuveer Singh, General Manager of the property. Pench is also home to India's first Dark Sky Park, and only the fifth in Asia. It earned this recognition by keeping light pollution to a minimum, making it a dream for stargazers. And when the skies are clear, you can spot stars, constellations, and even planets through their in-house telescope. Lookout For Big Cats The main draw of Pench is, of course, its safaris - especially the night safari. It usually begins around 6 pm and continues till 9 pm, offering a rare opportunity to experience the forest after dark. So, on our first day here, at sharp 6 o'clock, we set off for our night safari, hearts pounding with excitement at the chance of seeing nocturnal species - including the elusive tiger. While tiger sightings are rare, the real magic of the night safari lies in experiencing the forest after sundown. Few parks in India offer this experience. We didn't spot much that night - apart from a few deer, some birds, and a ghost tree. But the crisp air, the absence of the usual heat, and the chorus of night birds made it memorable. The thrill of what might appear in the shadows added to the experience. But for many visitors - and for us too - a safari feels incomplete without spotting a big cat. So, at 5 am the next morning, we headed out again, hoping to spot tigers, leopards, and more of the forest's rich flora and fauna. And what did we see? Let the pictures speak for themselves. However, even after spotting a leopard and several other species, the yearning to see a tiger still lingered. So, we headed to Tadoba - a reserve known for its higher tiger density - to try our luck once again. The Legend Who Fought A Tiger Tadoba National Park is a name that's becoming synonymous with tiger sightings in India. Established in 1955 and later merged with the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary in 1995, the combined reserve now spans a massive 1,727 sq km. It is one of the 51 Project Tiger Reserves and one of the most reliable places to spot these elusive cats. Ask any local, and you'll hear the tale of how Tadoba got its name. It comes from 'Taru' - a tribal leader, who is believed to have died in a mythical encounter with a tiger (and so did the tiger). The villagers, in reverence, built a shrine for Taru by the lake - and thus, the forest became known as Tadoba. We stayed at Tadoba Jungle Camp, which is located in the buffer zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The camp is strategically positioned within minutes of the Moharli gate, allowing easy access to both the core and buffer zones of the reserve. Due to its location, guests are advised not to roam outside alone, and if you're just lucky enough, you might spot a tiger while you're having your morning tea or coffee in their restaurant area. Everyone here, from the staff, and the guides, and naturalists have their own stories of their association with wildlife. For some, their job was more than just a job - they live and breathe wildlife. One such person, we met was Yash Rajput, the General Manager who left his well-cushioned corporate job to move to the camp here, to be close to wildlife. He's had his own experiences with tigers of Tadoba, with quite a few near-face-to-face ones; the stories now he tells each guest with a chuckle. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Naresh Iyer 🇮🇳 (Narayanan Iyer) Wildlife Photographer (@eye4wild_naresh) The property is built on a huge 10-acre land and each room has a rustic charm to it, with many artefacts in rooms and throughout the property made from woods of trees that naturally fall near or inside the property. "We make sure not even a single tree is cut during construction. We process waste in-house and use minimal plastic," says Yash. MD GS Rathore, the mind behind the Jungle Camps India brand, adds, "We don't build in nature. We build around it." He believes travellers today - especially Indians - are growing increasingly conscious about sustainable travel. When asked why Pench and Tadoba haven't caught on as quickly with Delhiites and North Indians, he quips, "Central India has always had its secrets. People just didn't realise the travel time is the same as the more popular parks. But that's changing now." And it must change, because the experience here is far richer, even during your safaris. Speaking of safaris, Tadoba is said to be one of those parks that never "lets you leave disappointed" - or so we heard from almost everyone the moment set foot in the reserve. However, we soon realised that a successful wildlife sighting also depends heavily on the expertise of your naturalist and guide. With mobile phones prohibited in the area, their keen eyes and deep understanding of the terrain become crucial. The naturalist assigned to us depended on our choice of accommodation, as most lodges provide one to accompany guests during their safari. And how was our experience? Take a look. If you find yourself seeking something beyond the usual daytime and night safaris, Tadoba's water safari is an excellent alternative. The experience itself is incredibly calming-you can watch birds gliding above, fish swimming beneath, and perhaps even catch sight of a jackal. And if luck is on your side, you may witness a tiger emerging from the forest for a drink at Irai Lake, a lifeline for both the park's wildlife and the villages that depend on its waters. The Final Roar If you're seeking a wildlife experience that goes beyond the checklist of tiger sightings, Pench and Tadoba promise something rare - a richly rewarding escape into the wild heart of India. Stories of coexistence, of communities that respect nature, and of legends that live on in every rustle of the trees. So, the next time you think of Ranthambore or Jim Corbett, remember: the soul of The Jungle Book is very much alive in the heart of India. And it's still undiscovered, mostly.
