Tagore's poem - Something to think and learn in current situation

The Legendary and visionary poet Rabindranath Tagore asks very innocent and silent questions to the life and the humans living and breathing it.. wanting more and more of things every minute...

being more greedy and impatient for things to happen the way he wants and at the time when he wants them to happen.. aren't we all like this? aren't we facing the consequences of our own doings, own selfish and greedy acts, going to the extreme lengths to get what we want and in a process to reach there faster, ruining many many small and beautiful things and joys that we get along the way...

It's time for us to sit back.. introspect our actions.. learn to control the our selfish and greedy nature and allow nature, mother earth and life in general to take its own course... and most importantly understand that "Co-Existence" is the key to happy living... compromises and sacrifices or just being little more "giving" and little less "Demanding" can do wonders!!! The magic can happen.. if we keep HOPE Alive and Demands in Control...

The poem goes as below ( In the Melodious voices of Shreya Ghoshal and Shaan), where Tagore asks simple questions to life and it answers back in equally simple manner that don't be so greedy with things in life...allow them to bloom at their own pace.. and then automatically you will be happy...everyone will be happy :) -

Bujh Gaya Tha Kyun Diya

Glory,valour,indian culture and magnificence at its best!😊🙏

@filmpadmaavat is the piece of art which every Indian should be proud of! Its pure cinematic and artistic genius that unfolds like a magical poetry on screen and fills you with warmth and love and makes ur heart swell with joy that India is your motherland! The land of bravest and most righteous and courages men and women who lived and died so as to empower the generations to come! @deepikapadukone, @ranveersingh and @shahidkapoor have done a brilliant job and their performances will go down in the history of Indian cinema as one of the best! You can love it or hate it but you cannot ignore the fact that @sanjayleelabhansali is the only man who is fighting the enormous odds so bravely so as to keep Indian history,lndian culture and most importantly Indian Cinema alive in such degrading times! Hats off and much strength and love to entire team associated with this brilliant cinematic experience! 🙏🙏

Paragliding at Khajjiar-Himachal Pradesh.. MUST Have Experience!!!

Always wanted to know what a bird feels like when flying higher n higher over the serene mountains..and what could be better place than the incredible Himalayas to take this leap of faith..😉 so, one day,l decided to jump from above 7000ft from sea level..from the Dhauladhar mountain ranges of Himalayas..which overlook the scenic Dalhousie and India's own Switzerland-Khajjiar..The experience was once in a lifetime to say the least..MUST try for every adventure enthusiast and traveller in India like me! Coz after all "Zindagi Milegi Naa Dobara"!😊😇😎

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol-ZcfhrnzM

LOVE FOR CRICKET! :)

It's like a dream come true.. or maybe something that I had not even thought in my dreams has come true! All thanks to you guys who put up an excellent cricket on the display yesterday! Being a DIE-HARD Cricket Fan.. but the one who cannot play good cricket.. :( I can't express in words that how bad it feels... you guys don't know what you have done for me! It's the Memory Of Lifetime! and "Thank You" is just not good enough! वो मेरा क्रिकेट के पीछे का पागलपन.. २००३ मैं इंडिया का वर्ल्ड कप फाइनल हारने पर TV का panel तोडना  हो  या 2011 में इंडिया world cup के quarter final से final तक जीतने के बाद मनाया  हुआ totally mad celebration हो। आज लगता है जैसे  उस सब पागलपन का ही gift  मिल गया है.. बाकी सारे awards  इस के आगे फीके पड़  गये  आज .. आगे की ज़िन्दगी में चाहे कुछ रहे या न रहे, ये मेरे पास हमेशा रहेगा। .हमेशा.... विश्वेश

प्रेम म्हणजे काय? बाजीराव मस्तानी च्या निमित्तानी मनात आलेल्या काही भावना!

बाजीराव मस्तानी - हि केवळ एक प्रेमकथा  किंवा  सिनेमा  नाही । ते एक युद्ध  आहे… एक रणसंग्राम आहे जो बाजीरावासारख्या अजिंक्य  योद्ध्यालाही  हरवून  आणि हारता  हारता कायमचा जिंकवून गेला। इतिहासातच नव्हे तर कुठे तरी  त्या विध्यात्याच्या मनातही या  निस्सीम आणि निर्व्याज प्रेमाचा अजरामर ठसा उमटवून गेला..  राधा कृष्णालाही हेवा वाटावा असा हा प्रेमाचा प्रचंड  स्त्रोत आहे .
एका असामान्य  लढवय्या नि त्याच्या  प्रेयसीवर केलेला अपाड प्रेम। ज्याचा थांग न त्याला लागला । ना  त्या अनामिक मस्तानी ला जिनी स्वताच संपूर्ण  आयुष्य बाजीरावावर किती सहजतेनी ओवाळून टाकल। ना अत्यंत एकनिष्ठ आणि निखळ प्रेमाचा झरा बनून आपल्या पतीची आयुष्यभर कोणत्याही परिस्थितीत  कोणत्याही अपेक्षेशिवाय साथ देणाऱ्या भोळ्या काशीला । खूप भाग्य असाव लागत अस आयुष्य जगायला । इतक्या उच्च कोटीच प्रेम एवढ्या जवळून अनुभवायला आणि तितकच  साहस  आणि विश्वास असावा लागतो ते प्रेम आयुष्यभर आणी त्यानंतरही अबाधित ठेवायला ! जे खुद्द कृष्णाला जड  गेला । राधेच्या आणी रुक्मिणीच्या असीम प्रेमापुढे आणी भक्तीपुढे जिथे तो तोकडा पडला तिथे बाजीरावाची ती काय गत ..

 बाजीराव हा एक तळपता तेजोमय सूर्य ज्याच्या प्रकाशात लाखो मराठ्यांचा आयुष्य उजळून निघालं । तसच ते खास क्कारून दोन व्यंक्तींचा  हि निघालं । काशीबाई - जी एखाद्या सुर्याफुलासारखी। केवळ त्या सुर्यासाठीच फूललेली । त्याच्याकडेच झुकलेली । आणि मस्तानी - एखाद्या तृन्फुलासारखी ज्याच्यात जिद्द एवढी आहे कि ते त्या सूर्याच्या केवळ एका प्रकाश किरणाच्या जोरावर बंजर  वैराण माळरानातही सहजतने उगवू शकते आणि तग धरून राहू शकते। मग त्तीला कोणत्याही वादळाची तमा नाही कि तुफानाची फिकीर  नाही

कुणाच प्रेम मोठ ? मस्तानि साठी दिवसरात्र तीळ तीळ  तुटणाऱ्या आणि काशिवरही आपल्याकडून अन्याय होऊ नये या साठी मनोमन झुरणाऱ्या बाजीरावाच? बाजीरावासाठी स्वतःच  माहेर कसलाही विचार, कोणतीही परवा न करता सोडून येऊन बाजीरावाच्याच जवळच्या लोकांकडून झालेला विषारी तिरस्कार आणी अपमान "अमृत " म्हणून स्वीकारणाऱ्या मस्तानीच  कि आपल्या पतीच आपल्याहून जास्त प्रेम आपल्या  सवतीवर आहे हे माहीत  असूनही ते सगळा विष स्वतः एकटीनी  पचवून केवळ आपल्या पतीच्या सुखासाठी मस्तानीला आणि  तिच्या मुलाला जीवनदान देणाऱ्या भोळ्याभाबड्या काशीचा? सगळ काही आपल्या विचारशक्तीच्या पलीकडच आहे

पण मग नंतर विचार येतो कि कोण वरचढ आहे हे ठरवायला हि काही स्पर्धा नाही..  हि एक निरागस आणी निस्सीम अजरामर प्रेमाची गाथा  आहे.. जी सर्वाला पुरून उरते । मनाला चटका लावून जाते । आणि जाताजाता खूप मोठी प्रेरणा आणी शिकवण देऊन जाते कि प्रेम हे सर्वश्रेष्ठ आहे..  तेच त्रिवार सत्य आहे..  ते कालातीत आहे ..  देहातीत आहे। शब्दातीत आहे। अबाधित आहे । चांगलं  वाईट । सगळं  काही पचवण्याची आणि सर्वाना  सामावून घेण्याची ताकद त्याच्यात आहे। अस  प्रेम जर कधी अनुभवायला मिळाला तर मिळालेल्या एका जन्मात हजार आयुष्य जगल्याच समाधान आहे..
मृत्युनंतर काय होते हे कुणालाच माहित नाही । पण जगता जगता अपार  प्रेमाचा परमोच्च बिंदू अनुभवणं हेच किती सुखदायक आहे..  अजून वेगळं  हवं  तरी काय असत  माणसाला ।   तुटणाऱ्या ताऱ्याला  पाहून काही मागितला कि ते नक्की पूर्ण होतं  असं  म्हणतात । पण प्रेमासाठी आपण स्वतः तुटून  जाण्यात किती सुख आहे हेच हि प्रेमकहाणी आपल्याला शिकवून जाते ..  गोविन्दाग्र्जांच्याच शब्दात सांगायच  झालं  तर -
तो योग खरा हठयोग
प्रीतीचा रोग लागला ज्याला
हे मरण असे भाग्याचे लाभते त्याला !
ते मरण लाभण्याजोगी  अशी हि निराळीच प्रेमकहाणी ! _/\_

A live music concert! Must have experience for die hard music lovers! :)

Well... A few months ago, I got a "Lifetime" chance of experiencing the musical gem Arijit Singh Official himself live!!

smile emoticon Wow.. What an awesome evening and completely fulfilling experience it was! I couldn't have asked for more.. I don't think it can get any better than this.. definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my life! smile emoticon what more can you say about a concert that starts with Tum Hi Ho.. reaches its peak with Har kisi ko nahi milta yahan pyar zindagi mein and concludes in style with Kabira.. Hats off Man!The man sings like he is romancing that song and wants to give his life for it. TRUE ARTIST! _/\_

https://www.facebook.com/chaitanyaj27/videos/779083732147327/

one of the most fulfilling, soothing and soul stirring experiences of my life!! witnessing the magic of Arijit Singh Official live!! It couldn't get better than this! tottal madness in the overwhelmed, cheerful and enthusiastic crowd! people ( including me of course ;) ) who r absolutely crazy fans of the gifted singer, were going totally gaga over their favorite singer crooning to some of his best and mesmerizing soundtracks! like we say , "The love is in the air".. there was "Magic n Music n 'Nasha' in the air!"

 If you are a hardcore music lover.. music steals your 'heart n soul' and makes your life more beautiful, cheerful n happy in the true sense, then attending music concert has to be on  top on your 'TO DO List'!

Not Arijit Singh really.. It might be of any great Singer, Musician or Instrument player that you love.. any artist that you admire.. anyone who has so deeply dedicated and devoted his life to celebrate music and art!  you must attend one for yourself and feel the magic unfold! :) Trust me you'll cherish the experience for your lifetime! <3

 

Goliyon ki Rasleela - RamLeela

Certain experiences in life are not to be or rather should not explained by words.. because words can never make justice to what has been felt..  as Hellen Keller puts it aptly :-

"The most beautiful things in the world can't be seen, heard or touched... They must be felt with the heart..." 

For word s are temporary but "Feeling" is eternal... its something that can never ever change.. time passes.. That's the law of nature.. People change.. languages chnage ubt what never changes n remains almost immortal is the purest feelings and experiences that you have felt in your life. .They are very very rare and few and one must respect and cherish them for his entire life .. for these are the moments which give you that inner strength, that peace, that sense of freedom and beauty which can never arise from the materialistic joys of external world...

RamLeela for me was one such experience which will remain carved in my mind and soul for rest of my life.. "The Great Shakespeare" was no ordinary writer.. I yet have to see stories from any writer which are more "Human" than what shakespeare has written.. He is absolutely and completely faithful to all the human emotions and the actions and reactions these emotions invoke in the people.. which in turn decide their fates.. people conquer or destroy their own destiny by the virtue of their thoughts and actions... people decide their own paths and in a way journey of their lives.. All these intricacies of human nature is the crux of Shakespear's world. its his characters and their conflicts which form the most amazing and inspiring stories.. stories that make the charecters go from being human to "Gods" or "Demons". We unknowingly become part of their world and start feeling the things from their point of view...

"Romeo-Juliet" - one of the world's best Love-Stories is the most accomplished and celebrated work or should I say a "Literary MasterPiece" of Shakespear!! What more one can say about such work which remains so fresh,inspiring,loved and celebrated even after almost 500 years from its inception.. uits an epic aobut the "Lovers" who rise above all odds and in a process rise above everythin else.. :)

Highway – Take the journey within…

Have you ever travelled a road which is less travelled? Have you ever felt scary and awkward about certain things in your life? The things might be some frightening or scary moments in your day to day life or something that just haunts you to the core.. takes you down to complete low that you think is the lowest and scariest things that has happened to you.. sometimes it drowns you completely.. you feel absolutely helpless.. completely shaken and lose your hope and morale that anything good can happen after this point of time.. you find it extremely painful,exhausting and disastrous.. almost like it is impossible now to wake up and get to anywhere better from here.. you completely succumb to it and lose your faith and most importantly YOURSELF!! :(
 

Sounds so gloomy and destructive,right? but that's not the end of the road for you.. its not even the end of the story that you were living through... There's a sudden bright Ray of  Hope at the end of the tunnel.. and you start feeling relieved.. you start to regain your faith in yourself and everything that is now happening around.. maybe it's magic, maybe it's Almighty's wish and his strong will to get you back! Get you back to the place where you belong..where you exist.. after all everybody deserves a second chance in life!! That's fair enough,right? You can call him "God", "Angel","Love", "Teacher", "Soul mate" or any other name that you want to.. Whoever he is..After all he is not so cruel to let you sink deep and see you suffering without any fault of yours.. He is there for you.. in fact he had never left you.. he was always there.. but you were the one who had lost faith,who had lost hope and belief.. you were the one who got distracted and petrified with small fears and lost the vision..the perspective to look beyond life's hardships and rise above all the odds!! 

He holds your hands gently,with all the warmth in the world and blesses your soul.. you regain yourself.. find your lost hope and confidence back.. your faith in love is again restored!! You are reborn as a stronger and wiser individual who is much more than what you were before...
 

What can you call it? "Yes, it is what we call "LIFE", we call it "LOVE", we call it "FAITH", we call it "ETERNAL BLISS", we call it ultimate destination of the journey that your soul takes.. precisely its the REDEMPTION that you have achieved by facing most threatening and harshest situations in your life!! Life is not perfect.. nor are the people and situations that you want in your life.. but when you look beyond all these imperfections.. when you rise above all these apparently biggest difficulties of life, at that time, the journey of purification begins.. the journey of redeeming yourself... journey to nourish and nurture your soul.. journey to fight every odd.. the journey that becomes so important that everything else loses its meaning.. even the journey's destination.. perhaps it was all that your soul was searching for.. it was all that you ever wanted..and there you are.. with all your wounds healed.. all your worries taken care of.. all your sorrows left long behind.. all your insecurities disappeared.. you are FREE..in the state of ultimate PEACE!! :)

 

Director Imtiaz Ali's latest Love Story "Highway-Take The journey within" takes you through this ultimate journey of redemption of the two extremely opposite and deeply damaged and troubled but innocent souls.. who redeem themselves and reach closer to god,love,freedom and ultimate bliss!! It will hit you to the core.. will leave you dissatisfied..but will definitely give you new perspective to life!!Don't miss this one if you admire meaningful,beautiful and soulful cinematic experience!! :)   

 

Its time for yet another Passionate Musical!

Last week got a chance to hear Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Magnum Opus, A Desi take on very famous and celebrated tale of "Romeo and Juliet"! The Music is got to be special.. not just because its completely "Indian"ized and Passionate and fiery tale of two start struck lovers.. not because It's Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest obsession.. but because it marks the Return of SLB as a Composer and I definitely believe that he has got the great aesthetic, taste and deeper understanding of classical, cultural and fabulous Indian Music!

The Most Celebrated storyteller of  Indian Film Industry is back.. This time donning more than half a dozen hats for his next venture! The most important being a "Music Composer" as music plays extremely crucial role in portraying such larger than life characters and stories on screen with proper justice! 

After experiencing this wonderful bouquet of songs, I can happily say, Yes.. The lost charm of Indian music is back and am glad there are people like him who understand and Celebrate Indian Music so Well! The Music is "Passionate, Extremely Intense, boasts of some great lyrics, Completely dipped in its pure"Gujrati" setting..and stays completely true to its subject and purpose!" Let me share some of my favorite picks from this one :-

1. Laal Ishq - Singer -Arijeet Singh - (Celebration of Love!)
Definitely the best to come from this hell of a talented and Versatile Singer who doesn't stop to amaze with his every single rendition! pure bliss to listen to this one!! With its heavenly arrangement and absolutely soothing and peaceful vocals and background music, it conveys a lot more about eternal love! It takes me to trance.. Its highly recommended if you are fan of classical and Soothing Indian Music!!!

2. Ang Laga De - Singer- Aditi Paul & Shail Hada - (When two souls turn into one!)
The most passionate song of the album! Has a very seductive and sensual feel to it! Aditi paul croons the vocals so seductively and softly.. The song conveying the extreme obsession of people who are completely cut off from the rest of the world and immersed completely into each other so much so that nothing else really exists...one wonders what magic SLB might have created while picturing this one! 



3. Lahu moonh lag gaya - Singer- Shail Hada - (When violence torns apart the innocent hearts!)
Shail hada croons this one with utmost sincerity and feeling conveying the deeper pain of innocent protagonists who have fallen pray to the world of hatred ,war and blood which they have not chosen for themselves!The moment of realization that in a world in which they are born, their feelings do not hold any meaning and they certainly have to fight many more odds before they come to terms with their choice!

 4. Nagada Sand Dhol - Singer- Shreya Ghoshal - (expressing love through dance!)
SLB's favorite shreya spells magic with this number.. The arrangement of the song is very much like"Dhol Baje" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.. but this one carries a very deep feeling of expressing your love fearlessly to whole world and just celebrate it unbashedly! Deepika Padukone looks absolutely mind blowingly gorgeous and does complete justice with the song! an Audio-Visual treat!

5.Poore Chaand - Singer- Shail Hada - (The quintessential Moon Song!)  
Here comes the trademark "Chaand" song that every SLB album contains! The Nights and moon always hold a special significance in lovers' lives! Its the atmosphere, the time when feelings blossom! The wonderful lyrics explains the feeling beautifully.

6.Dhoop - Singer- Shreya Ghoshal - (The Longing...)
Extremely haunting and deeply painful melody.. being a very strong classical singer, Shreya ghoshal easily sings it and you can feel the pain of longing leela who is completely reeling under effect of her love and waiting  desperately for her suffering to end! 

7. Ram chahe Leela - Singer- Bhoomi Trivdi - ( The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet)
Narrates the classic love story of Romeo and Juliet in our very own Desi Gujju style... The completely desi rock song with some unusual and stunning choice of words by Lyricists - Siddharth and Garima!

Don't miss this one if you love Hardcore Indian music!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOVK3fOfVAk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-WGoHotCYM


 

Lootera- Labour of love!!!

I was never and am not a meticulous story book reader. And I am the only person to be blamed for it. For the fact that I could not extract the quintessence of words in black and white. Rather, I always wanted someone to recite the abridgment of it for me. And I would envisage glowing characters, at times from real life, enacting the narration. It unquestionably excited me much more. I still remember, when Devdas released in 2002, my previous generation’s individuals, did not liked it much. As they witnessed Bimal Roy’s creation which harmonized with what Sarat Chandra Chatterjee penned down. But for me, Bhansali’s creation was more alluring as he imagined and explored the characters in his own way. For me that’s what clicked. Hence, I always enjoyed movies, that was directly adapted from various written creations. Parineeta, 3 Idiots, Kai Po Che to name a few….
And it was only yesterday that I came to know about a story being translated to a visual experience called “Lootera” inspired by American author O. Henry's short story 'The Last Leaf.'
I read the synopsis of “The Last Leaf” before I went today for “Lootera.” To me “The Last Leaf” was quite depressing as it recounts the story of a dying girl, who glimpse through her window pane the falling leaves of a tree during winter and believes that she will die on the day when the last leaf from the tree falls of. Wondering, how this gloomy story can make audiences sit in the theater for 2 and odd hours, I went ahead to experience it.
And as I said, earlier, the biggest attainment of a storyteller is to visualize a story in his own way. And most importantly, convince people to believe in his visualization. He did it, flawlessly. Vikramaditya has already made a big mark with his first presentation “Udaan.” And this one takes his imaginative triumph to larger leap. Stitching a strong, credible, realistic and pragmatic love story in the back drop of early 1950’s, Varun (Ranvir) and Pakhi Roy Chowdhury (Sonakshi) were the ideal characters that could have recited this story. The appear, the attire, the shades of the adjoining milieu made perfect reason to the viewers to get convinced with these two characters. Shot extensively in “Rarh” Bengal and Mystic Dalhousie, the camera job of Lootera has witnessed us some of the spectacular scenic beauty of India with change in the season. The story got a big assist in its reading on screen because of this splendid camera work. But it’s not only the cyclic change in season and characterization that makes “Lootera” prosaic and poetic. “Lootera” has a perfect blend of sensible story, poetic scenes and surroundings, lyrical music, that speaks out the most in circumstances of long pauses between the charecters, in it. Love stories not essentially need to have an ending with “Yes” or “No”. There is a lot that’s in between them. Human emotions trapped in love and fear is a very rare permutation seen in movies. The brawl between head and heart is the most vulnerable. This one deals with it and deals virtually. “Not all love stories have a happy ending” is true. But not necessarily they all need to be depressing, disheartening and miserable. Yes, agreed, there will be an epoch of pessimistic human emotion, when one bump into unexpected destiny of love. But not always they rule over and come out victorious. Life, in its course, finds out optimism. And then flows in it. Motwane’s characters undergo this course in an untarnished way. His characters, as are real, are not saint. Yet they are not dejected either. They, even after all odds that had happened in their life, never left hope from life.
“Lootera” speaks about life. Speaks about existence. Speaks about hope. Speaks about being there, ever after. Speaks about the eternal love that’s makes its presence felt even after you are not there. Who knows, maybe this one narrates the story of one of us!!! :)

LOOTERA - A Musical Journey of Love!!

Can't stop myself from raving about this one.. I am so much awestruck and mesmerized by this album.. Can't get it off my head or maybe i don't want to get over it.. Such a wonderful interpretation of unconditional love and life that leaves us with the sense of eternal bliss and we can feel that warmth of love, peace and content all over it!! "Melody" is written all over this album.. What has happened to this guy "Amit Trivedi".. I mean seriously..is he a freak??.. churning out such a soulful and soothing music so easily.. Take a bow Man!! Amit Trivedi (Music composer) and Amitabh Bhattacharya (Lyricist) have done wonders with this album..Lootera surely wins in every department as far as its music is concerned.. It has got Heart,It has got Soul, It has got the lost charm of golden era, It has got melody and last but not the least..It has got a sense of complete peace.. :)

Sawar Loon- "When First Love Blossoms..."
Singer- Monali Thakur 
This wonderful journey of  music opens with "Sawar Loon".. Monali Thakur's sweet voice adds unbearable sweetness to this one.. It transforms you to the golden era of music with much comfort and ease! Very melodious rendition describing the feeling of "First Love" aptly.. How the first love blossoms.. Very tenderly, slowly and beautifully..Words of Amitabh completely do justice to this amazing feeling.. This one transforms you with much ease to the golden era of music! :)

Ankahee - "A love that is unsaid doesn't always go unheard..."
Singer - Amitabh Bhattacharya
It is said that "Love that is incomplete is the best love!" - This wonderful rendition captures this emotion of estranged lovers perfectly. So beautifully Describes the pain of separation , the anguish that follows when things doesn't happen as we want them to happen.. This melody silently unfolds the 'melancholic love story' between two star struck lovers..It leaves a long after taste when you listen to it!!

Manmarziya - "Fall in love with the love itself..."
Singers - Shilpa Rao, Amit Trivedi
Completely heavenly feeling... leaves you completely calm and mesmerized.. Felt so content and happy after listening to this.. Amit trivedi's vocals are impeccable and then Shilpa Rao's soulful voice takes it over completely.. Very very extraordinary and amusing poetry that is so rare in today's times.. My most favorite pick of the album.. This one must be felt.. the experience can't be described in words... 
                                                               

Shikayatein - "Evokes A sense of Redemption..."
Singers - Mohan Kanan , Amitabh Bhattacharya
A very haunting melody.. the poetry has got a different soul and a very deep meaning to it..Evokes a sense of fulfillment and redemption.. it is very difficult to do justice to wonderful poetry.. The music just has to go behind it without disturbing or hampering the words.. Amit Trivedi exactly achieves that.. This shows his strength as a music composer!

Monta Re - "Mishti Doi of Bengal..."
Singer - Swanand Kirkire
Probably the most melodious and additively sweet track of the album.. filled with unsaid tender moments of love.. That can only be felt and can't be expressed by any means other than "Love"...transports you directly to the land of joy 'Bengal'.. reminds of wonderful bengali music composers like Salil Da or Manna Dey...Swanand Kirkire's rustic voice complements the wonderful composition... perfectly brings back the old world charm! :) 

Zinda -
A very straight and painful song.. has a very dark tone to it.. having said that, Amit sings it so soothingly which makes it engaging.. Lyrics are again so marvelously penned.. describe the essence of life that "Life is going to hurt you innumerable times.. but your acceptance and how you bounce back ultimately defines your journey!!" 

Amit Trivedi and Amitabh Bhattacharya has created a beautiful masterpiece that will remain in people's minds for days to come and everyone associated with it will feel the creative satisfaction throughout their lives!! Guys, Take a bow!! 

Being The "CHANGE" #3

"SPARSH Balgram"... The name itself says it all... Its all about touching and changing the lives of  beautiful little innocent  budding flowers.. Its an attempt to make them blossom and nurture them with much needed love and care so that they grow up into those fine and sensitive individuals which they truly deserve to become.. :) 

You must be wondering whom I am talking about.. Let me clear the confusion.. Its about wonderful talented HIV affected children at "Sparsh Balgram".. Sparsh signifies and wants to tell those so called "WELL EDUCATED" individuals of the society that "Yes..They can be touched.. pretty much.. emotionally and physically.. and They won't transmit HIV to you.. for its not something which is their identity.. it is just a simple disease which can happen to anyone.. but the victim need not stop living their life because of this.. They are very much normal human beings as you and me.. :)"  

when we visited Sparsh on Holi this year, we were pretty excited and anxious at the same time to meet those small lovely children.. for we didn't know something so pure and innocent was coming our way.. and what could have been the better occasion than the "Festival of Colors Itself!!!".. we decided to spread some joy and color in their lives from our side.. so that they'll celebrate it with colors of their innocence and we would learn some positivity and spirit of life from them.. and yes.. we were absolutely right.. We got much more than what we'd hoped for... It was The "Celebration of Life!!! " Their smiles made me smile and forget even my own tensions.. Some of they were so young.. around just 3-4 years old.. They don't even know what the disease means.. but I guess they won't even need to know that.. Its something they have not chosen for their selves.. and if you have not chosen something by your choice then why should you be worried about that or why should you be considered as culprits or bad human beings??

Instead you should become the light for those who are going through same or even more difficult situations... They remain happy and everyday struggle to live the life as they are prone to many diseases due to lack of immunity!! The founders of Sparsh live with their child and all other HIV affected children whom they are their very own  'Family'! They also struggle everyday to make the ends meet and earn "daily food and education and right to live with Dignity" for their children!! I salute them and wish them all the very very best for  their noble cause!! :) Here's the link if you wish to make difference to their lives :- http://www.sparshbalgram.com/

Remembering Great Mother Teresa's words -

Being The "CHANGE" #2

 

 

 

We (Helping Hands Group) are connecting with different NGOs every month.Till feb 2013 we were working for orphanages,old age house and physically handicapped people.In March we came across the NGO called "Chaitanya Mahila Mandal".
They work for upliftment of women from Red light area and their innocent children whose only fault is that they are born to a prostitute.
We went to budhwar peth on last Sunday evening when its a peak business time for the women there.What happens to their children then? they are forcefully given anesthesia or made to roam on streets where they fall prey to world of petty crimes.
Many women have been physically/mentally abused and forced into this by some inhuman people.
As a "human" we should respect these people and help them.Coz everyone is human and has equal rights to live their life with dignity without being victimised or abused or isolated for really no fault of their own.Generally the same thing happens with most of us so called 'White Collar' people that why should we help them? We have not forced anyone ot take up such profession or we don't even visit or encourage this trade. Yes.. agreed that you are not the culprits.. but you can be the saviour!! Choice is Yours!! :)

you can help them financially as well as make them independent by teaching them new source of earning like beauty parlor and fashion designing course.
Wanted to spread the word as many ppl help other NGOS but nobody bothers about people in red light area as they are not even considered human by so called "good society people".
Please go through this for more information -http://www.cmmpune.org/

Being The "CHANGE"

Hey guys, We run a small group called "Helping Hands - Feeding The Needy.." This is our small little way to give back to our society.. Being thankful to the almighty for being so kind and generous to us and giving us such a wonderful life and loads of better things than what we could have asked for.. This is a small effort from our side to contribute in whatever little steps or ways towards the only religion which I believe - "HUMANITY".. Sharing one such 'human' experience that I  experienced :- 

We went to this NGO who work for Mentally Retarded and 'Cerebral Palsy' affected individuals. When we interacted with one of their staff, she told me about the harsh reality of these individuals lives. She told "There are many schools for such children.. but every school has lot of criterion like 'their IQ should be up to certain level' or 'they should be toilet trained' or 'Mental retardation level should not be severe' or some schools have so much fees as up to 30K/ month since lot of trained staff,diapers etc. are needed for them.. so many poor or severely affected children can't get admission in those schools..

when I asked her in anxiety if "Where all these rejected children go then??" she replied with a smile "SAVALI AHE NA!!!.. such children should be treated with utmost care as they tend to go in mental depression so easily if they are isolated from rest of the world or being denied of something.. we @ savali accept such children!! :) ".. THAT ONE SIMPLE MOMENT AND ONE SIMPLE ANSWER TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT LIFE.. can't say in words.. I AM SO HUMBLED AND TOUCHED BY THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AFTER FACING ENORMOUS DIFFICULTIES, THEY JUST DON'T GIVE UP AND REFUSE TO LET GO.. THIS IS CALLED AS "SPIRIT OF HUMANITY"!!!! HATS OFF TO THEM!! WHO JUST REFUSE TO GIVE UP THINGS IN SPITE OF FACING ENORMOUS DIFFICULTIES" such "REJECTED" and "DENIED" children are accepted and given shelter by Savali's "NO REJECTION" policy!!

Guys, Just think of the fact, that how" LUCKY and PRIVILEGED WE ARE THAT WE ARE NOT BEING DENIED OF LIVING LIFE BY ANY MEANS OF ANYONE" and " I AM FEELING ASHAMED OF MYSELF AND OUR SOCIETY THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE AROUND US WHO ARE BEING DENIED OF LIVING LIFE.."

Its Very easy to see movies like "Barfi" and cry in theatres and think how sensitive and emotional we are.. We think we are so human by crying after watching some videos or movies.. but humanity and sensitivity has a lot to do beyond that.. forget about living..we can't even think of the problems they face day to day... Reality is far more harsh than we think it is.. but there are MANY POSITIVE PEOPLE or should I say "TRUE HUMAN BEINGS" around who stand up for such causes.. "I GUESS THIS IS WHAT WE CALL "GOD" IN HUMAN BEINGS.."

Guys.. Just think once, what would have happened to such individuals if such self motivated people and NGOs would not have been there??? Its a big question.. but answer is simple.. "WE STILL HAVE A LOT MORE TO GIVE BACK TO SOCIETY AND THANK THE GOD FOR MAKING US WHAT WE ARE.. JUSt THINK ABOUT THIS SIMPLE FACT AND TAKE A STEP MORE TOWARDS HUMANITY AND YOU WILL FEEL THE ALMIGHTY'S BLESSINGS ALL AROUND U!!!"
Do keep on actively participating in such activities and U WILL KNOW AND FEEL WHAT I AM FEELING TODAY... There's lot more to talk.. but signing off for now.. hope to see most of you there on 25th or 26th may when we re-visit Savali!! Till then, "KEEP DOING GOOD AND GOOD SHALL HAPPEN TO YOU..."
- One Small part of the society

Spandan - Discovering why the heart beats!!! <3 :)

Hey all you wonderful n lovely people in my life.. Many of you have crossed paths with me sometime or the other.. some of you have encouraged me to start writing.. There are many wonderful things,thoughts,incidents,people,memories,experiences which cross our life, influence us ,inspire us, motivate us, teach us, cheer us, mesmerize us, make us "FEEL" about something,Change us as a person and in a way go on to define us and and give meaning to our journey called "LIFE".. :)

 Many a times, there are some thoughts wandering in our minds.. we want to share them with someone.. but every time,  there might not be right person in front of you when you want to talk about something or you have people around you but you are lost somewhere in eternity.. and don't really express things always at the right time .. but the thoughts and feelings inside you always continue to flow freely.. :) So, thought of starting this blog and sharing something with the people and getting something back from them and connecting with people on some level or the other.. So, this is simply me just putting down my random thoughts as I go on exploring things in my life and turning new pages and interesting chapters in life.. :) The blog is called 

"Spandan (Heart Beat) -Discovering why the heart Beats!!! <3 :)"  

P.S. Do give me the feedback what you feel about it.. am i good in sharing thoughts, am i good in bits and pieces or extremely pathetic writer.. ;)

GULZAR - The Garden of songs...

Well.. what can I say about the most legendary poet,lyricist,director,story teller and one of the most enigmatic personalities our times have ever witnessed "Padmabhushan", "Oscar" and "Grammy" award winner Mr. Gulzar Saab!! His works and collaboration with legendary music directors,talented singers and brilliant actors have created a plethora of magical moments on screen and off screen and with his contemporary,ageless and very unique style he keeps on creating wonderful poems and songs that can easily vow the minds of youth,elders as well as children equally.. Well, I am one of those ardent fans of  this wonderful poet who have got so much inspiration and positive energy from his songs which makes me think about life differently and carry on with the journey of life with the happy mind and soul!!!

With such a tremendous success and wonderful blessing from almighty, the man remains so ground to earth.. His simplicity and the way of handling success leaves me awestruck.. He doesn't  need heavy words to portray human emotions and situations. Its something that comes as easy to him as singing comes to Lata Mangeshkar, acting comes to Mr.Bachchan or Cricket comes to Sachin Tendulkar.He is one of those rare talents who is capable of weaving net of human emotions and life with the help of his very simple yet powerful and graceful words..

Young Gulzar penned his first film song "Mora gora ang laiy ley mohe shaam rang daiye dey..chhup jaoongi raat he mein mohe pee ka sang daiye dey." such wonderful translation of young girl's feeling when she can't go to meet her lover at night because she is fair and will get caught easily...so she is arguing with night to take away her fair skin and make her black. Then he came on with very beautiful and surprising lyrics in khamoshi - "Humne dekhi hai un aankhon ki mehakti khushboo..Haath sey chhoo ke ise rishtoon ka koi naam na do".  

A love song with the lover praising the eyes of his beloved had rarely sounded so evocative and resonant. Lovers in his world love each other so madly that they say

 "Tum jo keh do to aaj ki raat chand doobega nahi.. raat ko rok lo.. raat ki baat hai aur zindagi baki to nahi.."

 The pain of separation is the best represented emotions in his words... he easily depicts a girl's pain of separation and love when she argues with her ex-lover by writing him a letter saying 

"Mera kuch saaman tumhare paas pada hai.. 

saawan ke kuch bhige bhige din rakhe hain..

 Aur mere ik khat me lipti raat padi hai..

 wo raat buza do..mera wo saaman lauta do"

When a young orphan child is being exposed to harsh realities of life in "Massom", he wonderfully pens the innocence of that budding flower by saying :-

 "Tuzse naaraz nahi zindagi hairaan hoon mein..

Tere masoom sawaalon se pareshaan hoon mein"

He is capable of giving hope to estranged lovers with such simple words :

"Ik wo din bhi the.. Ik ye din bhi hain..

Ik wo raat thi.. Ik ye raat hai..

Raat ye bhi guzar jayegi"

 He asks to take it easy and live life to the fullest so simply :-

"Aanewala pal janewala hai..

 ho sake to isme zindagi bita do.. Pal jo ye jaanewala hai"
The budding romance of two starstruck lovers is told by him as:-
"Tum aa gaye ho... noor aa gaya hai.. nahi to charagon se lau ja rahi thi..
jeene ki tum se vajah mil gayi hai.. badi bevajah zindagi ja rahi thi.."
one of his most acclaimed works is "Anand" where he pens the ailing cancer patient's positive attitude towards life as :-
"Kahin door jab din dhal jaye.. saanz ki dulhan badan churaye.. chupkese aaye.. Mere khayalo ke aangan mein koi sapno ke deep jalaye.."
There can be very few songs which match the calibre of this song from "Sadma"... 

"Ae zindagi.. gale laga le..Humne Bhi, tere har ik gam ko, gale se lagaya hai...hai na !"

perfect song to listen to on a lazy afternoon with some one special nearby. Very romantic song indeed.
'Lab Hile To Mogre Ke Phool Khilte Haiin Kahin,
Aap Ke Aankhon Mein Kya, Saahil Bhi Milte Hain Kahin,
Aap Ki Khamoshiya Bhi Aap Ki Aawaz Hain.."

This is a classic song from the combination of Gulzar and Madan Mohan. Listening to this song one is immediately transported to those lovely mountains and vales -

"Dil dhoondhta hai.. fir wahi.. fursat ke raat din

Barfili Sardiyon Mein, Kisi Bhi Pahad Par,
Vaadi Mein Gunjti Hui, Khaamoshiyan Soone
Aankhon Mein Bheege Bheege Se ,Lamhe Liye Hue.."

A wife who loves her husband knowing that he loves someone else.She just wishes to live and enjoy each moment as it comes, even if it is not hers alone. This is her song:-

 "Qatra-qatra milti hai, qatra-qatra jeene do

Zindagi hai.., bahne do..Pyaasi hoon main, pyaasi rahne do.."

 

two starstruck lover's passion is penned by him as :-

"Chupkese.. lag ja gale.. raat ki chadar tale..

Chaand ki bhi aahat na ho.. baadal ke peeche chalein.." 

or

"O Saathi re.. din doobe na.. Kabhi kahi yun karna.. mein datu aur tum darna.. ubal pade aankhon se meethe pani ka zarna.." 

or

"Umr lagi kehte hue.. do labz the.. ik baat thi..

Wo ek din sau saal ka.. sau saal ki wo raat thi..

Kaisa lage jo.. cupchap dono.. pal pal mein poori sadi"

"Mera yaar mila de saaiyaan.. ik baar mila de saiyaan beeta de..."

 Pain of separation is explained as :-

"Ae ajnabi.. tu bhi kabhi aawaz de kahin se..

Mein yaha tukdo me jee raha hoon.. tu kahin tukdo mein jee rahi hai..."

or 

"doobta hai din to shaam ko.. saaye udate hain.. teri yaade liye..

Laakh din hue hai ke raat ko.. aadhe chaand se.. teri baate kiye"

or

"lakad jalke koyla hoi jaye.. koyla hoi jaye khaak..

Jiya jale to kuch na hoi re.. naa dhuaan.. na raakh.. jiya na jalaiyo re.."

or 

"Paani paani re.. khaare paani re...

 Naino mein bhar ja.. neende khali kar ja" 

When lovers finally meet after longing for long :-

"Tum ko dekh ke yun lagta hai.. koi bichhda khwaab aaya hai..

Barso lambi raat se guzare subah ka zonka laut aaya hai" 

or

"Socha na tha.. zindagi aise fir se milegi jeene ke liye..

aankhon ko pyaas lagegi.. apnehi aansu peene ke liye"

or

"Ek purana mausam lauta.. yaadbhari purwai bhi..

Aisa to kam hi hota hai.. wo bhi ho.. tanhai bhi

Yaadon ki bauchharon se jab palkein bheegne lagti hain..

Kitni saundhi lagti hai tab.. mazi ki ruswai bhi

"

He also pens wonderful item songs "Kajara re", "Beedi jalay le" ,"Maiya maiya" or "Namak ishq ka" with equal ease. Also get into children's shoes with 'O papadwale' or "Jungle jungle baat chali hai.. pata chala hai'' or writes contemporary lyrics such as "Dil to baccha hai ji" from ishqiya "Hum cheez hain bade kaam ki yaaram.." from ek thi daayan..

Truely the man of many colours and many seasons!!! :)

Gulzar laments that the films do not excite him any more. But still at a time when film lyrics and music have reached a point of no return, Gulzar retains his integrity as a lyricist and wrote the song of hope:

 "Aaja aaja zinde aasmane ke taley.. aaja zariwale neele aasmaan ke tale... jai ho!!" 

 for Slumdog Millionaire winning Oscars for the original lyrics. I can go on and on about him.. When Gulzar saw the sea of bouquets that arrived at his doorstep in Pali Hill on Monday morning soon after the Oscar announcement, he told an old friend, poet Arun Shevate, "Bhai, why don't you remove the cellophane wrapping so that the flowers can breathe.''..Thats Gulzar for you.. :) I wish his jouney continues forever like one of his songs :-

"Musaafir hoon yaaro.. na ghar hai.. na thikana..

Muze chalte jaana hai.. bas chalte jaana.."

 

sometimes you just have to say Thank You!! :)

This one is a thank you farewell note which I wrote for my wonderful manager who was such a huge support and an amazing professional with top notch abilities and professional ethics.. Who taught me what it means to struggle and grow above all odds and just hang in there and believe in yourself.. and things will fall into place automatically... :)

As I am aware, It’s your last day with us tomorrow, I wanted to wish you all the best for all your future endeavors and most importantly thank you for all your efforts and tremendous support in grooming me and making me reach where I am today.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with me, to tell me about when you were twenty-four, what it was like growing up.

Thank you for being interested in what I want to do, and for encouraging me to explore new ideas.

Thank you for responding to my emails promptly every time when I wanted to hear from you.

Thank you for believing in me and encouraging me when it mattered most.

Thank you for listening to me ramble on about my ideas, even though you’d already spent hours, days, figuring it out as well.

Thank you for recommending me and standing up for me in tough times.

Thank you for your constant words of appreciation whenever I did something good.

Thank you for instilling hope and confidence in me when things were not working fine.

I wish I could work under your valuable guidance and support always..  but I guess all the things do not always happen the way we want them to happen... Can’t tell you in words how much your words of praise and motivation have worked for me. Your confidence and faith have nurtured and groomed me to become a better professional.

On ending note, I want you to know that you are one of the very very good managers I’ve ever seen and a wonderful human being above all!!! I am very sure you will reach greater heights and conquer many horizons!   I consider you as my elder brother and would always look forward to hear from you in future as well.. so, please do stay in touch! Please keep that Ganeshji idol with you always.. It will remind you that you have done something good for someone and you'll always get the best back as the saying goes "What you sow shall you reap!!!"  :)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and all the very best!!!