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Renowned Ghazal Singer Jagjit Singh passes away. R.I.P!

2011-10-10T00:56:00.002-04:00

The voice that we all have relished so much over the years will no more be singing again, won't be heard ever. I just learnt that renowned singer Jagjit Singh passed away, he was suffering brain haemorrphage. Well, I feel sad today :(!

Today I am reminded of one of his ghazals close to my heart (actually there are many but let me share this today).

absolutely beautiful and pristine lines:

manane roothney ke khel mein hum...
manane roothney ke khel mein hum...
bichad jayenge yeh socha nahin tha.....

Feel free to share your thoughts and tributes to the legend JS!

State of Violence against Women in India

2011-08-01T16:44:00.001-04:00

My latest article on the State of Violence against women in India in the Michigan based newspaper. Click here to read it. Feel free to share your comments and feedback. Cheers!

Ab na jaa by Euphoria

2011-06-24T15:28:00.001-04:00

another gem of a song that I like from previous decade (decade sounds like such long time but feels like yesterday!). beautiful lyrics and pretty good video to go with 'em!

Ankhen band kar loon jo main
Dekhoon bas tumhe
Khwabo mein hi keh sakta hoon
Apna tumhe
Rehne de
Mera yeh waham pe hi yakeen
Na jaa abhi
.........
maathe pe pyaar ki boondein
Bikhre se kai sawaal
aankhon mein kitne mausam
pal mein beete kitne saal
Rehne de, jahaan bhi le jaaye zindagi
Na jaa abhi

Are You Lonesome Tonight?

2011-06-03T21:37:00.006-04:00

Listening to this song after quite a while, one of the most heart rendering song delivered absolutely beautifully!

this is what I call heavy weight poetry ...

I wonder if you're lonesome tonight

You know someone said that the worlds a stage

And each must play a part.

Fate had me playing in love you as my sweet heart.

Act one was when we met, I loved you at first glance

You read your line so cleverly and never missed a cue

Then came act two, you seemed to change and you acted strange

And why I'll never know.

Honey, you lied when you said you loved me

And I had no cause to doubt you.

But I'd rather go on hearing your lies

Than go on living without you.

Now the stage is bare and Im standing there

With emptiness all around

And if you wont come back to me

Then make them bring the curtain down.

A New Egypt Unfolding

2011-02-21T21:46:00.001-05:00

Recently, I was asked by the editor of The New Citizen Press - Michigan based newspaper to write something on the recent crisis in Egypt. Here's my opinion piece that was published in the paper:

Click here to read it. Cheers!

Pyaar ka pehla khat likhne mein waqt tou lagta hai

2011-01-31T21:26:00.001-05:00

"jisme ki baat nahi thi, unki dil tak jaana tha .. lambi doori tey karne mein waqt tou lagta hai .. pyar ka pehla khat likhne mein waqt tou lagta hai" amazing lyrics that touches the heart every time I hear this legendary ghazal ...
enjoy!

Rim Jim Gire Saawan

2010-09-15T23:40:00.000-04:00

been singing this for a while .. what song could sound so better than one of these classics! the best of all love the picturization, takes me right back to the times perhaps when I wasn't even born, the song has its own charm, magical .. makes me fall in love more with the oldies melodies .. enjoy!!!

Return to innocence

2010-04-29T11:29:00.002-04:00

How many times in life we all have wanted to go back to school (not the *grad* one :)) but THE SCHOOL wearing uniform, with a water bottle, loads of books in bag etc. etc.? How many times we had wished to do something exactly what we had done decades ago? How many times we then lament oh can't go back and bunk another class in school for we are ahead of those times now and say "well, those were the days!"? You know I read this quote, "the farthest distance in life is between yesterday and today". How so true it can be! Well, this is one of my favorite of the favorites and it got more meaningful after I saw its video years ago. Back in those days when youtube wasn't there and I wasn't big on MTV, I had only heard the .mp3 of it and loved listening to it again and again. But seeing the video made it more special - gave these philosophical thoughts ... one of the most creative conceptualization of a song I have seen. In summary, the old man that dies in the video is backtracked to the time when he was born and the video captures the various stages that he went through his life. Enjoy returning to innocence!

Got some thoughts, feel free to share 'em .. would love to hear more interpretations of this amazing track and video.

Aisa Sama Na Hota

2010-03-19T11:23:00.003-04:00

another classic to make its own place in the playlist, a song that can never get old, love it - the music, composition, lyrics, voice, style of singing ... 10 on 10!

njoy!

Putting Sukhbir to Shame: An Old Flame

2010-03-11T13:14:00.000-05:00

this is sure going in collector series...an old Aunty putting Sukhbir and all those aspiring Shaimak Davar's students to shame. Enjoy!

Roz Roz Aankhon Tale ...

2010-03-09T11:26:00.001-05:00

Roz Roz Aankhon Tale ...

"ankhon par kuch aise tumne zulf gira di hai
bechare se kuch khwabon ki neend uda di hai"

another legendary song that never seem to grow old!!!

Khamosh Sa Afsana

2010-02-21T02:15:00.000-05:00

Been a while when I'd posted one of my favorite songs from the oldies classics ... love the lyrics, khamosh sa afsaana, pani se likha hota .. na tumne kaha hota, na humne suna hota, the amazing part of the song comes when the male voice is introduced with awesome soulful lines, "Kitne saahil dhoonde, koi na saamne aaya - 2, Jab majdhaar mein doobe, saahil thaamne aaya, Tumne saahil, oh, pehle bichhaaya hota"
enjoy the classic!

Phir Mile Sur ... Jo Nahi Mila

2010-02-02T20:54:00.003-05:00

Few days ago, I posted the legendary Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, precisely for two reasons. I couldn't stop humming this song for many days prior to posting it. And second, I was excited for the 2nd version of this song which was scheduled to be released on Jan. 26, 2010 - India's 60th Republic Day. The original version was released on Aug. 15, 1988, and had almost become next to India's National Anthem (Jan Gana Mana)

Well, so on Jan 26, 2010 perhaps the first thing I recall doing after still in process of getting up from the bed was ‘youtube’ for the new version of Mile Sur. Voila! People were kind to put it online, and many were kind to share their reactions over the new version. As the video unfolded, my excitement started dying ... precisely for more than one reason! Let me enumerate them here so we can open up for a debate on them one by one.

1. Phir Mile Sur is too-too long: It is blatantly too long to hold audience for once, forget encouraging them to listening it again for another important 16 minute of their lives. Back in 1988 and onwards, Mile Sur was hugely popular ever since its conception since it would keep playing every now and then without getting on people’s nerves. In my opinion, no one really minded the 5-6 min. of seeing and appreciate Indian diversity highlighted through the original version. But for a 16 min. video trying to depict Unity in Diversity and national integration is really a tough deal to crack.

2. Phir Mile Sur lacks quality: Can we really debate on this? Hell yes, it is filled with celebrities. I love Bollywood and am an ardent fan of our respectable talent, so do not take me wrong but almost majority of the video is dominated by Bollywood stars...few legends (Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and the likes) and most trying to be legends (Shahid Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Shilpa Shetty and the likes!) For a second, let it have all those actors and actress but then if this was a song of India as indicated by the tag line at the end of the video, then I shall lament on not seeing Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, and Kajol who in my opinion have Bollywood decades to their names. The video shamelessly missed the 21^st century nightingale of India – Smt. Lata Mangeshkar.

3. Phir Mile Sur lacks substance: What do you say when the religion of India – The Cricket misses out from a video that boast itself on "unity” and “national integration". In my opinion, it simply lacks substance! You do not see Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni as our Crick-gen icons, and I find it disappointing. More so, it misses out on footage on Hockey (national sport), Football, weightlifting stars that represent India from all over and at an international footing such as Asian, Olympic, Commonwealth games as an example. Out of a 16-min. whooping long video, only last min. or so is dedicated to the sports. Perhaps still showing a lack of importance toward sports and our sportspersons.

4. Phir Mile Sur lacks Industry: For God sake, Karan Johar does not represent India Inc.! I believe it is represented by Narayan Murty, Nandan Nilekeni, Aziz PremJi, Tata, Ambani Brothers and the likes. But none of the corporate giants leading India in 21^st century and making it an economic superpower makes it in the final cut of the video.

5. Phir Mile Sur lacks Education: May be I am ignorant after watching this video for more than a couple of times, but I did not see a single theme related to education in the video. Obama hails about Indian education, our kids being smarter in Math, Science, and computers but the director of the video thinks otherwise. It is perfectly alight. Everyone is entitled to their views and so am I!

6. Phir Mile Sur lacks Metro, Elegance: Okay, not that I am a Delhite so I am a little pissed but anyone who values Mr. Sreedharan’s foundation and contribution to Delhi with Delhi Metro Railway Corporation will howl on that absence. You are re-making a video that is touted as next to the national anthem almost 20 years later and hope to show the progress in the country … surprisingly you miss out on depicting the real progress that has happened on ground. Not just Delhi Metro, Bangalore Silicon Valley, Hyderabad Techno Park, our more than a couple of reformatted airports across the country … I am sure citizens would have loved to see that progress of the country.

7. Phir Mile Sur lacks Force: The national security of our country is not just Army, Navy, Air force. Mind you, I loved seeing the defense forces being in the video (alas only at the last minute!) but a little footage on Police, CRPF, BSF, RPF, Coast Guards, NSG commandos would have made it much nicer.

8. Phir Mile Sur lacks Democracy: If this video had to be embellishment of strong, popular personalities from across the country then it missed out on many as noted earlier. Additionally, it missed on political brigade and before I write my list, I know what names shall come to your lips so I shall save some space here. Not that the brigade represents Indian democracy but today's democracy is represented by the new youth leaders of our country.

9. Phir Mile Sur lacks Common Man: Now, let me take a U-Turn on the video. So, amidst all the Page-3 celebrities as many have pointed out in their critique, and I have been shamelessly noting, I kept thinking what is really missing from this remake video. What is it that was there in the original version that captured the national nerve back in 1988 and continued to do so? So, what I really thought missing from the new version is “A Common Man”. Reminiscing over the original version and seeing it again and again, I discovered to myself that most of the themes (read culture, diversity, unity, national integration) were depicted by people who you did not know and perhaps not many knew. I wonder where those people are now, just for the sake of curiosity! Well, not knowing is not important but important is: “You and I could relate to those anonymous faces representing the culture, diversity from across the great land of India”… and I miss that element the most from the video.

Far from this 9-point something of a critique, the audacity of the directors to make such a video must be applauded by over a billion less 2 people - Mr. Kailash Surendranath and his wife who are behind the rampage of original version. It can only be commendable for someone to re-conceptualize a master piece and totally tear it apart. Sure it represents the musical talent India has, but as said before it lacks elegance, substance, and any force that you expect from a Song of India.

Well, ever since I have seen this video two thoughts have constantly travelled back and forth in my mind, and I must share it with the readers. First, I wished if someone would ban this video or not tout it as a remake of a legendary song but I already accept myself as a looser for I know my wish is far-fetched from a reality that can ever be fulfilled. Second, I hoped the makers of the remake tell us that the video aired on India’s 60^th Republic day was a leaked version of the ‘first draft’ … and “Phir Mile Sur” is still in making, taking in account of all the critique and praises that are being showered on it as we read.

As many of our billion people, I shall also be hopelessly looking forward to see “Phir Mile Sur” as indeed a ‘Song of India’ as marketed by its makers.

Miley Sur Miley Tumhara

2010-01-23T21:07:00.000-05:00

One of the legendary music videos that every Indian raised in India in the 1990s would be aware of. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-12-25T09:39:00.000-05:00

Wishing Merry Christmas and a fun filled New Year everyone's way. Here's an exclusive wishing in traditional punjabi style

International Institute of Idiots ... Retardation at its best!

2009-12-19T13:39:00.000-05:00

International Institute of Idiots ... Retardation at its best! another one of the funny ones :)

12 minutes of silence ... lifetime of love ahead

2009-12-15T03:12:00.000-05:00

A short video telling how powerful communication can be. Sometimes even without saying a word, literally you put yourself across to others in an expression that is not too difficult to understand. Enjoy the next 12 minutes of silently loving someone ...

Man v. Woman ... Perceived images - Funny Truth

2009-12-10T23:59:00.000-05:00

I came across these pictures a while ago. Quite popular on the internet, they somehow reveal the innate funny truth that exists in almost any man-woman relationship. Some are more satirical in nature while most induce a smile across the cheeks.

The fifth pic is a classic - that shows a flowchart as a road to approaching a girl. I think its quite funny! oh, the last pic shows if Statue of Liberty were in India, then how would she look in Indian traditional satire.

If I were to pick up my favorite amongst these few images, I will chose Hazardous material one, one for they are, and second if they aren't, then they can be one ... they have all the ability in the world to be one ;-)

Chill out and njoy!

Ischool ke Tem Pe

2009-12-04T11:48:00.000-05:00

Now, this is certainly one of my favorites ... summary of the song: a guy appealing to his babe to come on the school's time ;-)
enjoy!

Newfie's War on Education

2009-11-18T20:45:00.000-05:00

This happened sometime last month. I came back home after teaching my super brilliant class filled up with some smart brains, happy hearts, and hard working souls [at least that is what I like to believe;)]! As I opened the door, I felt as if a robbery had taken place at my apartment. Taking a deep breath, and promptly shoving off my first thoughts, I see my golden boy by the side of a torn book. He seemed to be enjoying some final words of the dead author [I assume any author would be dead after seeing how well his/her book is received, a puppy did not like it either;)]. The way he had torn apart his enemy with utter dismay, I could not think of any other headline of the day than saying "Newfie's War on Education", and so the title of this post.

After keeping my bag off the shoulders, keys aside and taking a quick survey of the situation, two question came to my mind "where the heck do I start cleaning from" and "will 'I' really have to do it" ... Sigh!!! Well, took some courage by the evening, did clean it up eventually and took some pictures before doing that. Reason!? So, I can show them to Newfie's children, and say "look how naughty your dad was when he was little" :)

Enjoy the pics, feel free to share your reactions if you like.

Message of the day: We all mess it up when we are little! The idea is when you look back, you should be able to feel happy about the times gone by no matter what. Cherish the memories as pleasant archives and restore them as memorable memoirs.

Newfie is about 5-1/2 months old, 45 pounds at the time of these pics, going strong and on road to becoming one of the most Handsome Golden Retrievers!

Ladoo Shop v. Candy Shop

2009-11-17T22:55:00.000-05:00

One of the desi classics .. njoy!

O Hansini Kaha Ud Chali

2009-11-14T23:15:00.000-05:00

O Hansini Kaha Ud Chali ... One of the best songs by Kishore Kumar, who's put nothing short of his soul in this number.

compiling some interesting videos ...

2009-11-14T23:02:00.000-05:00

Well, after promising to write more frequently couple of months ago, I guess I have just been lazing away! Once again, I didn't care at all and I know none of the non-existing population did. Anyhow for my record sake, it came to mind that why don't I just compile the youtube videos that I enjoy, or think worthwhile to connect with my taste, or that might go with the season!

feel free to post any comments, suggestions - one way or the other ... can always have a laugh together :)

A long hiatus

2009-08-07T16:42:00.000-04:00

After a long hiatus, nothing interesting to do and getting bored so I thought why not I re-ignite the blog left as an orphan almost 2 years back!

It's been a little more than 2 years that I blogged last time so well will try to be more consistent now but if not then who really cares :)

There is so much of other interesting stuff lying around . take it easy ... enjoy!

Flight AC .... Extra Baggage

2007-06-19T02:42:00.001-04:00

Date 22nd May'07, Time 2pm ... location Detroit Airport. ready to get the luggage in and recieve the boarding pass, fly for a month long vacation Michigan -> Toronto -> Newfoundland, Canada ... there happens a conversation between me (passenger) and Vaneesa (the airlines ticketing staff) that made me think what is going to be the objective of this write up.

ATS: Sir, your baggage is 10 pounds heavy ... you're only allowed to take 23 kgs equivalent to 50 lbs and your bag weighs 60 lbs.

Me: (pondering within, talking to myself .... what's new in this lady, I know I love traveling and I know I don't like packing my bags ... well not for no any better reason!)

ATS: Sir ... you have to remove the extra 10 lbs from the bag or else pay $50 to carry it as a heavy luggage.

Me: but ma'am do we not get plus minus ten percent as a rule???

ATS: confused ... who bought this legislation ?:o:x:o

Me: well, see the math is 10% of 50 lbs gives me a leverage of another 5 lbs extra so technically I can take 55 lbs officially and as far as another last 5 lbs is concerned ... think about it, no one's gonna know that is 55 or 60 once its on board. (patting my back, feeling bit airy assuming oh yea made the deal, she'd be convinced).

ATS: gets totally obnoxious with all the math and %age .. say says am sorry sir, 50 is the limit and you cannot take anything extra !

Me: hmmm ... now it sounds tough I can't throw anything, neither would I want to pay for my poor packing style of the traveling bags! huh ... wot to do ... ma'am you're gonna leave me with no underwears if I leave the other 10 lbs. :-D

ATS: hehe ... giggles ... well too bad, can't help it man, nice try though ... I hope you manage without them in case you decide to leave them ;-)

Me: haha ... Ohkay I give up, can't miss my flight now ... take another $50 lbs, let me go! and I kick myself ... better learn packing or ask someone else to pack for you next time!!!

well ... the issue settles down with the payment and I walk up to the security check, stand in the queue, take the laptop out of the bag, removes shoes, belt and jacket, watch, keys, coins etc. etc. ... finally walks out of that successfully and thankfully sooner than expected, the staff people were pretty fast. so take my lappy bag on my shoulder and find the nearest Starbucks until my flight is ready to be boarded. now here starts a fresh thought process ! what is that ... well certainly something in retrospect to the previous discussion ?

"Extra baggage!!!" -- in life we often tend to be associated with situation(s) that looks absolutely fantastic, fabulous when we start the journey, even up to some good point, however, as we go along, the good point passes away ... and we start to realize that those beautiful bags which we were gonna use in the days, time to come so happily have rather become a pain in the butt. An unfortunate, unwanted weight is all we carry on the mind pressing the shoulders every now and then. The simple thoughts turn to form a dilemma that hovers all around the mind ... What to do with it ???? It's something you can't leave because after all you yourself chose it, and something you can't keep because the more you keep the more you pay the price ! financial, physical, mental and emotional toll -- all summing up in form of the extra baggage.

Only departing is not important but what is more important is departing at the right time. one is gotta be smart, and careful in making the choices ... the heavier the baggage, the heavier the price you pay to keep them with you ... the price may be worth at times, the price may make the whole baggage worthless at times ... everything boils down to the last decision you choose when you decided to carry the baggage .. full of clothes or full of emotions. extra baggage ... none likes it !

Next week I fly back to my home in Michigan and still my initial choice of packing bothers me, is gonna suck my wallet unnecessarily for one more time ... but not anymore though, have learnt my lessons well ... gonna be more careful in choosing the attire I wanna carry or simple enough buy the undergarments from the place I visit ;-). but yea no 'extra baggage' in whatsoever manner ... neva ... nones likes it ... why me then !

Hello World !!!

2007-05-22T05:02:00.001-04:00

hmmm ... as much as the first word goes out of the mind of the author, it becomes important to acknowledge and feel good about entering the tremendous, eternal web space in yet another way!

So, to begin with, let me welcome myself to this virtual-real world of blogs ... where people try to make their unheard voices heard, soft voices loud, their innate ideas out, the introvert voices extrovert ... and this is where I'd try to bring the two worlds together .. one made of virtuality and another of reality.

As the name suggests, these are two exclusive terms holding our lives since the internet touched our lives ... precisely speaking it "has always been" and "is" a fun living in a real world where everything is so much like unpredictable, unprecedented and sometimes expected sometimes mind-blowing ... now imagine you enter a whole new world of virtuality which you're trying to bring it, feel it, touch it as close as reality ... and then WHAT HAPPENS ? ? ? oh wow ... interesting ..isn't it !?!

So lemme hold my ideas for my next post ... guess this is enough to feed in the beginning !

Welcome ... hello World !!!