Yes, I have told the entire world that there is renovation going on in my house. I have cribbed & fretted and now have finally resigned & accepted that in these last few days that there is nothing I can do about it. No I am not thinking about how great the house is going to look when I get wooden floors in my house. Or how awesome my room is going to look and stuff. All that is secondary, the first thing I think is that my bed is dusty.
All that apart, renovation actually made me realize a few things. As a family we seek alternatives to make our house livable. We go through that effort & compromise on personal luxuries to facilitate each other. Now that the TV is under wraps, the computer is put away; we have “meaningful” conversations. I think I must have reconnected with my parents after such a long time now!
But perhaps the one thing that renovation helped me do is to connect with myself. With neither the TV nor computer keeping me occupied, I finally have (once again) some time to introspect. So I began thinking about these last 3 months. What a ride it has been! Starting with December, I went to China! That was by far the highlight of my 2011. In January, so many things happened in quick succession. That calls for a new paragraph!
I got declared as the President Elect of Rotaract Club Of Thane Central. I witnessed and actually felt a life changing moment when I went for the last day of World Responsible Youth Week. I still remember my friend came up to me and just said,” Isn’t this inspiring?” I still remember standing on Marine Drive looking at the sea trying to absorb it all. My birthday! I got the two best gifts I could wish for! Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential & the Original Graphic Novel V For Vendetta. Finally used my office salary debit card for the first time. My school friends royally dined on my behalf! On the Rotaract front, we pulled off the biggest Professional Development project – an inter school India based quiz competition. Was consequently declared as the Star Of The Month for January in the club!
One more paragraph about Rotaract. Attended the Pre-PETS (President Elect Training Session) & the Rotaract District Conference. That was the time I got the feeling that I am really going to take up Presidentship next year. It was just amazing feeling to be in that room with 22 other people just like me, who were equally anxious and excited about the same thing. In February & March, I held two Graphology sessions, one at our club with our parent Rotary & the other at Rotaract Club Of Thane Suburban. Attended the RCTS installation, my first ever installation. I can almost imagine mine right now! Went for an ICYE to Alibaug and witnessed a Sister Club Agreement signing. As a President Elect it was perhaps one of the few events I could not have missed. On the last day I went to my uncle’s house in Alibaug itself, where we were having a family reunion. That feeling when my entire family cheered as I entered the house a day late was awesome! Hosted the team from Margao in March, which was great as well! Two sister clubs for next year in the making!
Finally music! I watched some artists that I always wanted to watch LIVE! Attended the Kala Ghoda fest & watched Niladri Kumar (once more!) and The Raghu Dixit Project! I had a dream of watching Advaita LIVE, thanks to a friend who had passes I could attend the Mumbai Mirror JAM and catch them live. An unforgettable evening that was! Watched Jayteerth Mevundi at Kala Ghoda, one of the few great disciples of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi himself. Rediscovered that music has the power to “move” your soul. The simple joy of listening to such greats makes me feel so insignificant.
So this was a time of so many firsts! By God, I am loving it, and there is only more in store! These last 3 months made me undergo a mental renovation!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Too Many Things!
This post is about 2 months earlier than it should come. By that time I would have had a SURPRISE party, I hope! Way to fish for one, eh?
Anyway, have a lot of stuff on my mind for the last few months, hope this does some justice to all those seemingly random thoughts.
For the last few months, I have this weird feeling of wanting to do many things at one time. Like there is always some place I have to be at. Like there is perpetually something I have to do. A lot of things have happened in my life, but I dont think any of those are the reason for this feeling. I have been thinking a lot about things, maybe over thinking things to be precise. I recently became a part of a local Rotaract Club and I am happy to say that I have stopped feeling out of place there like I used to. Guess it must be the people there. Spontaneous plans are happening almost every 2-3 days. Its a nice feeling.
I am getting to know people better than I hoped to know them. I am connecting with friends from the past, whom I never bothered to keep in touch with but suddenly one day I feel like talking to them. What's App is a blessing in disguise. I have been writing mails, long mails. Earlier I used to write for only people I cared for, people I felt will stand the test of time, people I genuinely liked. Now I guess I that circle is expanding somewhere. I have begun to realize the value of time. Of doing things at the right time. It maybe a compliment that you felt you should bestow upon someone, telling them they look good in a sari, or telling them not to come to work on their birthday and watching their smile, or just while walking along on the road telling the guy next to you how good a friend he is and has been.
These are but small things that go a long way. Appreciating people in long mails spontaneously written at 3 freaking am in the morning because you didn't get a chance to tell them how much you respect them for what they are is a mere inkling of what this feeling is. Calling up people at 7 pm when you know for a fact, that they are busy and yet just asking them a simple question, "How are you?" and hearing that stock reply,"Good!" is what this feeling is. Reminiscing about the good times to spent with your friends at a far away place is that feeling. Its that feeling you get when on a cold morning you are still under the warm covers. That feeling when you look at someone and they just "get" you. That feeling when someone shares their life story with you simply because they want to.
I had written in a previous blog post that I haven't had the time for myself, but I was wrong. I have always had time for myself but have never bothered to use it to unwind. I was constantly caught up in some stupid thought that I should have just drowned out over the new album of Coldplay. Life is simple enough, its long enough to do everything you want, its perfect enough to make you happy. There are moments like this all around us, and sometimes we just choose to ignore them. There are small things we can do everyday but we choose to neglect them.
I guess I found the perfect name for that feeling,"Growing up." For real, this time round.
Anyway, have a lot of stuff on my mind for the last few months, hope this does some justice to all those seemingly random thoughts.
For the last few months, I have this weird feeling of wanting to do many things at one time. Like there is always some place I have to be at. Like there is perpetually something I have to do. A lot of things have happened in my life, but I dont think any of those are the reason for this feeling. I have been thinking a lot about things, maybe over thinking things to be precise. I recently became a part of a local Rotaract Club and I am happy to say that I have stopped feeling out of place there like I used to. Guess it must be the people there. Spontaneous plans are happening almost every 2-3 days. Its a nice feeling.
I am getting to know people better than I hoped to know them. I am connecting with friends from the past, whom I never bothered to keep in touch with but suddenly one day I feel like talking to them. What's App is a blessing in disguise. I have been writing mails, long mails. Earlier I used to write for only people I cared for, people I felt will stand the test of time, people I genuinely liked. Now I guess I that circle is expanding somewhere. I have begun to realize the value of time. Of doing things at the right time. It maybe a compliment that you felt you should bestow upon someone, telling them they look good in a sari, or telling them not to come to work on their birthday and watching their smile, or just while walking along on the road telling the guy next to you how good a friend he is and has been.
These are but small things that go a long way. Appreciating people in long mails spontaneously written at 3 freaking am in the morning because you didn't get a chance to tell them how much you respect them for what they are is a mere inkling of what this feeling is. Calling up people at 7 pm when you know for a fact, that they are busy and yet just asking them a simple question, "How are you?" and hearing that stock reply,"Good!" is what this feeling is. Reminiscing about the good times to spent with your friends at a far away place is that feeling. Its that feeling you get when on a cold morning you are still under the warm covers. That feeling when you look at someone and they just "get" you. That feeling when someone shares their life story with you simply because they want to.
I had written in a previous blog post that I haven't had the time for myself, but I was wrong. I have always had time for myself but have never bothered to use it to unwind. I was constantly caught up in some stupid thought that I should have just drowned out over the new album of Coldplay. Life is simple enough, its long enough to do everything you want, its perfect enough to make you happy. There are moments like this all around us, and sometimes we just choose to ignore them. There are small things we can do everyday but we choose to neglect them.
I guess I found the perfect name for that feeling,"Growing up." For real, this time round.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Aroma Hai Hai!
So my mom got this scheme where if you get 2 foot massages, the 3rd one is free. So I decided to go for it. We went to this place called AromaThai. On entering, they confirm your appointment and tell you to take a seat. You are asked to take off your slippers and have to put on Osho chappals. Till here its all good.
Whoever is free (guy / girl) for a foot massage comes out and takes you inside. You sit on a recliner and wait for person to come & start. Now begins the real stuff.
I got this girl to massage my feet. She must be about 24-25 and she greeted me with their traditional Thai namaste greeting. As I sat wondering what was next she bought this huge soup bowl and kept it next to my feet. And then she started rolling up my jeans. I was like, "Wait wait! I will do it", but she just smiled and said,"Relax, sir." Awkward moment #1. Then she rolled up my jeans to the knee, asked me to put my feet in the bowl of hot fragrant water. As I just put them in, she started to wash my feet! Awkward moment #2.
As Indians we are not used to people touching our feet, it is only for blessings from elders at weddings or birthdays that we actually touch someone's feet. So this was pretty embarrassing for me. As she washed my feet, my entire body was physically held, like a massive cramp. She of course noticed that as the massage started and said only only those two words again,"Relax, sir!"
I was amazed that her hands would have the strength that they did. I had a really hard time actually relaxing since in my head those awkward moments kept repeating themselves. As I tried to take my mind off the awkwardness and tried to enjoy the relaxing feel, she asked me another question,"How's the pressure?" it didnt even register that she asked me that! She repeated the question and I mumbled,"Perfect!"
After about 45 mins of this, she was done and asked me to sit up straight from the recliner. She disappeared for a few moments and came back. She cracked the muscles on her hand and arms and asked me to sit facing the wall. As I wondered what this might be for, she started to massage my back, neck and shoulders. This continued for the next 15 mins. Leaving my body hurting in places I wouldnt know could hurt.
But of course the fault was all mine, if only I had accepted and let my body loose all this would have helped a lot!
Frankly speaking the massage is very good & really helps you to relax a lot. Once you get over the initial trauma of feet touching & jeans rolling, AromaThai actually is a nice place to spend a lazy afternoon. Just be careful to roll up your pants before you walk in!
Whoever is free (guy / girl) for a foot massage comes out and takes you inside. You sit on a recliner and wait for person to come & start. Now begins the real stuff.
I got this girl to massage my feet. She must be about 24-25 and she greeted me with their traditional Thai namaste greeting. As I sat wondering what was next she bought this huge soup bowl and kept it next to my feet. And then she started rolling up my jeans. I was like, "Wait wait! I will do it", but she just smiled and said,"Relax, sir." Awkward moment #1. Then she rolled up my jeans to the knee, asked me to put my feet in the bowl of hot fragrant water. As I just put them in, she started to wash my feet! Awkward moment #2.
As Indians we are not used to people touching our feet, it is only for blessings from elders at weddings or birthdays that we actually touch someone's feet. So this was pretty embarrassing for me. As she washed my feet, my entire body was physically held, like a massive cramp. She of course noticed that as the massage started and said only only those two words again,"Relax, sir!"
I was amazed that her hands would have the strength that they did. I had a really hard time actually relaxing since in my head those awkward moments kept repeating themselves. As I tried to take my mind off the awkwardness and tried to enjoy the relaxing feel, she asked me another question,"How's the pressure?" it didnt even register that she asked me that! She repeated the question and I mumbled,"Perfect!"
After about 45 mins of this, she was done and asked me to sit up straight from the recliner. She disappeared for a few moments and came back. She cracked the muscles on her hand and arms and asked me to sit facing the wall. As I wondered what this might be for, she started to massage my back, neck and shoulders. This continued for the next 15 mins. Leaving my body hurting in places I wouldnt know could hurt.
But of course the fault was all mine, if only I had accepted and let my body loose all this would have helped a lot!
Frankly speaking the massage is very good & really helps you to relax a lot. Once you get over the initial trauma of feet touching & jeans rolling, AromaThai actually is a nice place to spend a lazy afternoon. Just be careful to roll up your pants before you walk in!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
"Almost There"
It's about time we give a damn
Enough of all the publicized shams,
This indifference will take us down,
We are losing the battle for freedom's crown.
We quickly "used to" and abandon all hope,
Never fully realizing the might of our scope
Most of the times we leave our actions hanging,
Just like...
Enough of all the publicized shams,
This indifference will take us down,
We are losing the battle for freedom's crown.
We quickly "used to" and abandon all hope,
Never fully realizing the might of our scope
Most of the times we leave our actions hanging,
Just like...
Monday, April 25, 2011
15 things I learnt in a year
Well, as most of you know, I completed 1 year of work on 15th April, so I thought for all those like me, let me give you all some pearls of wisdom.
There are certian things that one must follow in order to survive the "Corporate Life." Most of us unconsciously follow it anyway but here goes:
1. ALWAYS save more than half of your earnings, it is these savings that will later help you to go to Goa!
2. ALWAYS have a good working relationship with your boss, after all the boss will approve all your holidays
3. NEVER contribute ideas in a discussion where the people talking are senior to you, it only gets the work delegated to you.
4. When in doubt, escalate (escalate= bring to the attention of your boss, its better to look stupid, than to screw up)
5. When in trouble, delegate.
6. When asked about your opinion on the matter, always contribute one, if you don't talk then, you won't get to talk EVER.
7. Always mark a Carbon Copy of official mails to team members, that way when the boss throws a surprise question / asks for a report, you can always have back up in the team member's mails.
8. When having lunch with colleagues, wait till everyone finishes, don't get up in a hurry, because the most interesting conversations (read bitching) happen just before everyone has to start work post lunch.
9. NEVER say "Yes" to impress anyone.
10. Always be sure of your skills, if you don't know Powerpoint, say it.
11. Learn Excel & you will Excel.
12. ALWAYS be ready for extra responsibilities, it will only add to your resume.
13. If you cannot do something, ask for help, it will only give you a chance to learn.
14. Admitting your mistake is only one step, ask about how you can make it better.
15. NEVER discuss work in the loo, there are a lot of seemingly good, but in reality shitty ideas there. Plus that's the only time a person has to himself, let it be peaceful.
In the past one year I have stuck by these rules. Yes, they might not work for all but they definitely made work life easier for me.
Let me know if they work for you!
There are certian things that one must follow in order to survive the "Corporate Life." Most of us unconsciously follow it anyway but here goes:
1. ALWAYS save more than half of your earnings, it is these savings that will later help you to go to Goa!
2. ALWAYS have a good working relationship with your boss, after all the boss will approve all your holidays
3. NEVER contribute ideas in a discussion where the people talking are senior to you, it only gets the work delegated to you.
4. When in doubt, escalate (escalate= bring to the attention of your boss, its better to look stupid, than to screw up)
5. When in trouble, delegate.
6. When asked about your opinion on the matter, always contribute one, if you don't talk then, you won't get to talk EVER.
7. Always mark a Carbon Copy of official mails to team members, that way when the boss throws a surprise question / asks for a report, you can always have back up in the team member's mails.
8. When having lunch with colleagues, wait till everyone finishes, don't get up in a hurry, because the most interesting conversations (read bitching) happen just before everyone has to start work post lunch.
9. NEVER say "Yes" to impress anyone.
10. Always be sure of your skills, if you don't know Powerpoint, say it.
11. Learn Excel & you will Excel.
12. ALWAYS be ready for extra responsibilities, it will only add to your resume.
13. If you cannot do something, ask for help, it will only give you a chance to learn.
14. Admitting your mistake is only one step, ask about how you can make it better.
15. NEVER discuss work in the loo, there are a lot of seemingly good, but in reality shitty ideas there. Plus that's the only time a person has to himself, let it be peaceful.
In the past one year I have stuck by these rules. Yes, they might not work for all but they definitely made work life easier for me.
Let me know if they work for you!
Monday, January 17, 2011
:)
Another year has come and gone
But I still don't feel old,
A lot of things just passed me by,
Watching newer things unfold.
Its hard to believe time's fluid motion,
Does it really flow that fast?
One second you are caught in a moment,
And the next, its all in the past!
Thanks for all the wishes guys,
It really means a lot,
If I dont have all your love,
What else have I got?
Friends like you guys are here to stay,
Its so nice being loved anyway :)
But I still don't feel old,
A lot of things just passed me by,
Watching newer things unfold.
Its hard to believe time's fluid motion,
Does it really flow that fast?
One second you are caught in a moment,
And the next, its all in the past!
Thanks for all the wishes guys,
It really means a lot,
If I dont have all your love,
What else have I got?
Friends like you guys are here to stay,
Its so nice being loved anyway :)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Twenty Six Eleven
Its been a while since I penned / blogged about something that changed me as a person.
It happened 2 years ago when a know-it-all son of a gun (literally) massacred a lot of helpless people at VT. And it changed the mindscape of Mumbai forever.
Our XIC class decided to do something about it. Led on by a free minded prof, we gathered at Gateway and started to circle the area around the Taj. The idea was to chant a line in unison and create a monument of sound to fill the cracks that were caused. We began to chant softly at first then rising in tempo and volume, "Aatank se hum kabhi nahi darenge, nafrat ka saamna pyaar se karenge."
Soon people started asking us which party we belonged to, and which organization we were from and what was the purpose of all this. Surely enough there were many like us who decided to come to Gateway that day in the memory of a murdered Mumbai. But we continued to do our chanting.
That day something happened, while we were standing holding hands of the many random people who helped us to form a circle of trust. The person next to me started to chant with such belief and gusto that I could not help but wonder how a small line had changed him. The grip with which he gripped my hand had just made me a believer.
Here is a dedication to all my XIC classmates for making me believe that change is only possible if you believe in it!
It happened 2 years ago when a know-it-all son of a gun (literally) massacred a lot of helpless people at VT. And it changed the mindscape of Mumbai forever.
Our XIC class decided to do something about it. Led on by a free minded prof, we gathered at Gateway and started to circle the area around the Taj. The idea was to chant a line in unison and create a monument of sound to fill the cracks that were caused. We began to chant softly at first then rising in tempo and volume, "Aatank se hum kabhi nahi darenge, nafrat ka saamna pyaar se karenge."
Soon people started asking us which party we belonged to, and which organization we were from and what was the purpose of all this. Surely enough there were many like us who decided to come to Gateway that day in the memory of a murdered Mumbai. But we continued to do our chanting.
That day something happened, while we were standing holding hands of the many random people who helped us to form a circle of trust. The person next to me started to chant with such belief and gusto that I could not help but wonder how a small line had changed him. The grip with which he gripped my hand had just made me a believer.
Here is a dedication to all my XIC classmates for making me believe that change is only possible if you believe in it!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Mix-and-Mash!
Everytime that I look at my profile,
All the Farmville requests seem so vile,
The notifications are long,
Helping to move right along.
Isn't that the way,
Everybody's got some spam to clear away!
I know nobody knows,
Where do Wall archives go,
I know its everybody's sin,
Limited profile views for your kin...
Half my life's in Facebook pages,
Lived and learned from photos and status messages,
You know its true...
All the spam, comes back to you!
Post with me, post some messages,
Post for the laughter, post some cheer,
Post with me just for today,
Maybe tomorrow everyone will block you away!
Dream on, dream on,
Its gonna be a while till the spams gone!
Dream on, dream on,
Its gonna be a while till the spams gone!
- Based by Aerosmith's "Dream On", Inspired by "The Social Network" and a tribute to all my "likes!"
All the Farmville requests seem so vile,
The notifications are long,
Helping to move right along.
Isn't that the way,
Everybody's got some spam to clear away!
I know nobody knows,
Where do Wall archives go,
I know its everybody's sin,
Limited profile views for your kin...
Half my life's in Facebook pages,
Lived and learned from photos and status messages,
You know its true...
All the spam, comes back to you!
Post with me, post some messages,
Post for the laughter, post some cheer,
Post with me just for today,
Maybe tomorrow everyone will block you away!
Dream on, dream on,
Its gonna be a while till the spams gone!
Dream on, dream on,
Its gonna be a while till the spams gone!
- Based by Aerosmith's "Dream On", Inspired by "The Social Network" and a tribute to all my "likes!"
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
New Scrubs
Lately I have been watching Scrubs, and I must tell you some stuff there really that gets me. In this one episode, in one of the first few seasons, there is an old lady who tells the protagonist JD to just go to a park and lie down on the grass. That part really set me thinking. I began to wonder when was the last time I did something like that? And then I thought that the time I was tackled and fell down in my building's garden didnt count.
Lately, I haven't had any time for myself. Let's repharse that and say that I haven't taken time out for myself. Hardly it seems that there is a moment that I am not doing anything. Weekdays are anyway full of things and so are some weekends. So even my leisurely Saturdays are spent catching up on sleep. When I started working, I had decided that I am not going to be one of those guys who just immerses himself in work and doesn't have time for anyone, but lately I am becoming one of those guys. All that talk about how I won't let my work mess up my (supposedly) vibrant social life is making its way to the scrapyard.
So come Diwali I made myself a resolution, that I will really take some time out for me and reflect on life. So far no progress, but I have a feeling that this year is going to be good. I remember a particular strip of Calvin and Hobbes, where they are arguing and in the last panel they show Hobbes all curled up on a patch of grass, with a big smile as he sleeps in the sun. And Calvin says,"How can you argue with someone who is that happy?" That is what I hope to get this year. All that other hogwash about success, fame and what not is secondary to this feeling.
Look, I know I have issues, some of you may know what I am talking about. But I realised that these are merely like stains on a pair of scrubs, change it and you are good as new! So thats what I am going to do, put on a fresh new pair and get ready to face the world. Coz till I don't that patch of grass under the sun keeps getting farther and farther.
Lately, I haven't had any time for myself. Let's repharse that and say that I haven't taken time out for myself. Hardly it seems that there is a moment that I am not doing anything. Weekdays are anyway full of things and so are some weekends. So even my leisurely Saturdays are spent catching up on sleep. When I started working, I had decided that I am not going to be one of those guys who just immerses himself in work and doesn't have time for anyone, but lately I am becoming one of those guys. All that talk about how I won't let my work mess up my (supposedly) vibrant social life is making its way to the scrapyard.
So come Diwali I made myself a resolution, that I will really take some time out for me and reflect on life. So far no progress, but I have a feeling that this year is going to be good. I remember a particular strip of Calvin and Hobbes, where they are arguing and in the last panel they show Hobbes all curled up on a patch of grass, with a big smile as he sleeps in the sun. And Calvin says,"How can you argue with someone who is that happy?" That is what I hope to get this year. All that other hogwash about success, fame and what not is secondary to this feeling.
Look, I know I have issues, some of you may know what I am talking about. But I realised that these are merely like stains on a pair of scrubs, change it and you are good as new! So thats what I am going to do, put on a fresh new pair and get ready to face the world. Coz till I don't that patch of grass under the sun keeps getting farther and farther.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Lyricism
Music is one thing in my life that I value dearly. I realised early on that there is LOT of music that we never discover because we listen to only a certain type of music. So I try and keep an open mind about music and listen to every genre. I don't think many of you know but I have learnt Tabla for 4 years, from my 7th to my 10th. It is horrible that I haven't found time to restart my classes. But I am going to. That is going to happen.
So I owe my liking for Classical music to my guru. I don't really understand the nuances of the music but I like listening to it. As a friend of mine had once said, "Listening to Classical is like coming home." It gives me an inexplicable peace. On another level, when I hear the great maestros sing their heart out, I feel so small and insignificant in comparison to their voice. Like a little soul looking at an endless canvas. The way it fills up the entire room "like a serenade of sound" is just amazing to see. It makes me want to immerse myself in it. I feel the sound going through me and making me complete one sur at a time.
Lately I have been attending concerts organised by the Indian Music Group. Damn those guys are doing a phenomenal job. See the IMG for those who dont know, is a student run organization, originally started by the stalwart Late Ustad Allah Rakha and it is continuing on its musical journey. Every month they have a concert by an artist and I love going there. This way I get to interact with the Greats from close quarters. It is a wonderful experience and you just know you are at the right place once the concert starts. On a completely different level, the IMG gives me a reason to continue listening to Classical and to keep visiting college. The last 5 years that I volunteered for Janfest, IMG's Annual Musical Extravaganza, have been some the best so far. I have so many happy memories of it and I keep telling my friends about all the little Artist Management stories.
I fondly remember this one time I walked into the IMG and the then librarian Frank, played Pt. Bhimsen Joshi's Abhangs, I wont forget that ever. We shared that, our liking for Bhimsenji.
So, what I love the most about music is the lyrics, there is such lucid simplicity in them that it is merely impossible to not be amazed with the clarity of thought.
Pair that with impeccable mastery over surs and taans and that when you realize how small you are.
So I owe my liking for Classical music to my guru. I don't really understand the nuances of the music but I like listening to it. As a friend of mine had once said, "Listening to Classical is like coming home." It gives me an inexplicable peace. On another level, when I hear the great maestros sing their heart out, I feel so small and insignificant in comparison to their voice. Like a little soul looking at an endless canvas. The way it fills up the entire room "like a serenade of sound" is just amazing to see. It makes me want to immerse myself in it. I feel the sound going through me and making me complete one sur at a time.
Lately I have been attending concerts organised by the Indian Music Group. Damn those guys are doing a phenomenal job. See the IMG for those who dont know, is a student run organization, originally started by the stalwart Late Ustad Allah Rakha and it is continuing on its musical journey. Every month they have a concert by an artist and I love going there. This way I get to interact with the Greats from close quarters. It is a wonderful experience and you just know you are at the right place once the concert starts. On a completely different level, the IMG gives me a reason to continue listening to Classical and to keep visiting college. The last 5 years that I volunteered for Janfest, IMG's Annual Musical Extravaganza, have been some the best so far. I have so many happy memories of it and I keep telling my friends about all the little Artist Management stories.
I fondly remember this one time I walked into the IMG and the then librarian Frank, played Pt. Bhimsen Joshi's Abhangs, I wont forget that ever. We shared that, our liking for Bhimsenji.
So, what I love the most about music is the lyrics, there is such lucid simplicity in them that it is merely impossible to not be amazed with the clarity of thought.
Pair that with impeccable mastery over surs and taans and that when you realize how small you are.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Ode to a Grandfather
I remember that day when I said, "Aajobaa, tell me about your life?"
And you said, "There's so much, where do I begin?"
I said "I have all time time in the world"
You said, "I hope I do too."
And then it began, I heard so much that day and yet I remember every last detail. How you worked in the Navy, how you struggled to make ends meet, how you heard every political leader that came to Shivaji Park and how you lost your dear ones to the bubonic plague. Yet I remember only one thing more clearer than all this. The day I pulled your long beard and you smiled the most amazing smile. Dad went, "Yashad, aajobaana tras deu nako (Dont trouble your grandpa) and you just went, "Its okay I know he recognizes me, if love hurts like this then he can pull my beard all he wants!"
My grandfather has the most amazing white lustrous beard, all the small kids call him "dadhiwale aajobaa" (The long bearded grandfather). He is an engineer by education and he learnt medicine from reading books. He is very religious and still gets up in the morning at 5 to go pick flowers for morning pooja. You should see his physique. At his age, he still has the strength to hang clothes for drying. I mean he still has more muscles than me, and I work out! Even at his age he still walks like he is in his prime. I have to make an effort to keep up with him sometimes.
He has a hauntingly beautiful bass voice. When he starts talking, you automatically get lost in his words. But more than all this, I love him because he always has time for everyone. You can go visit him any time of the day and he will take an interest in your life. He has a phenomenal memory, and to this date he never forgets my birthday. He is the first one to come to my house and wish me.
He taught me to never give up, to always say true to myself and most importantly to care for everyone. I am blessed to have a Grandfather like him.
By the way, he is 89 yrs old, and yes, he is going to around for a long time.
Happy Birthday Anna Aajobaa! (7th August)
And you said, "There's so much, where do I begin?"
I said "I have all time time in the world"
You said, "I hope I do too."
And then it began, I heard so much that day and yet I remember every last detail. How you worked in the Navy, how you struggled to make ends meet, how you heard every political leader that came to Shivaji Park and how you lost your dear ones to the bubonic plague. Yet I remember only one thing more clearer than all this. The day I pulled your long beard and you smiled the most amazing smile. Dad went, "Yashad, aajobaana tras deu nako (Dont trouble your grandpa) and you just went, "Its okay I know he recognizes me, if love hurts like this then he can pull my beard all he wants!"
My grandfather has the most amazing white lustrous beard, all the small kids call him "dadhiwale aajobaa" (The long bearded grandfather). He is an engineer by education and he learnt medicine from reading books. He is very religious and still gets up in the morning at 5 to go pick flowers for morning pooja. You should see his physique. At his age, he still has the strength to hang clothes for drying. I mean he still has more muscles than me, and I work out! Even at his age he still walks like he is in his prime. I have to make an effort to keep up with him sometimes.
He has a hauntingly beautiful bass voice. When he starts talking, you automatically get lost in his words. But more than all this, I love him because he always has time for everyone. You can go visit him any time of the day and he will take an interest in your life. He has a phenomenal memory, and to this date he never forgets my birthday. He is the first one to come to my house and wish me.
He taught me to never give up, to always say true to myself and most importantly to care for everyone. I am blessed to have a Grandfather like him.
By the way, he is 89 yrs old, and yes, he is going to around for a long time.
Happy Birthday Anna Aajobaa! (7th August)
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The First Post
Here goes, my first blog post. Its been a while since I have actually had the time and/or the inclination to sit down gather all my "random" thoughts and write. Long time ago a dear friend of mine told me a few lines by Alexander Pope,
"Words are like leaves, and when they are most abound,
Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found"
This makes me think about my first post currently being written and I think that I should write something that people should find interesting enough to keep them coming back to my blog. But then I think that the purpose of a blog is to make the author voice his opinions and mullings to the world, so I shouldn't really care too much about it. So as I think and write I don't have a clue about what to write here, yet I go on typing endlessly. This is something I wrote a while ago,
"I look at a blank page.
No lines, no margins.
And I wonder what I should write.
I set the limits,
No one knows what to write here, but I know
Do I write about life, reality, dreams?
I write about ME."
I do have an active poetry page online, but I don't think many people know about that. Its just that I feel that I should write a blog too. See where it gets me. The title "Random Thoughts" is one I have been meaning to keep for my blog. I always thought that would be the title of my first book of poems.
Many of you must know by now that this post has absolutely no essence about it, but come on, its my first blog post. I hope that you shall follow the lines of Emily Dickinson and,
"Judge tenderly of me!"
PS: More deep posts are in the pipeline. This post is a mere alibi to write a blog, I wanted this post to be an apt rendition to my blog title.
"Words are like leaves, and when they are most abound,
Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found"
This makes me think about my first post currently being written and I think that I should write something that people should find interesting enough to keep them coming back to my blog. But then I think that the purpose of a blog is to make the author voice his opinions and mullings to the world, so I shouldn't really care too much about it. So as I think and write I don't have a clue about what to write here, yet I go on typing endlessly. This is something I wrote a while ago,
"I look at a blank page.
No lines, no margins.
And I wonder what I should write.
I set the limits,
No one knows what to write here, but I know
Do I write about life, reality, dreams?
I write about ME."
I do have an active poetry page online, but I don't think many people know about that. Its just that I feel that I should write a blog too. See where it gets me. The title "Random Thoughts" is one I have been meaning to keep for my blog. I always thought that would be the title of my first book of poems.
Many of you must know by now that this post has absolutely no essence about it, but come on, its my first blog post. I hope that you shall follow the lines of Emily Dickinson and,
"Judge tenderly of me!"
PS: More deep posts are in the pipeline. This post is a mere alibi to write a blog, I wanted this post to be an apt rendition to my blog title.
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