The Plight of a Man

 

Of late the Sabarimala issue has been playing on my mind, sometimes mildly and sometimes wildly.

That's how it is with most HSPs (Highly Sensitive Person, yes, there really is such a thing as this. The theory of HSP was propounded by an American Psychologist- Dr. Elaine Aron)

So before we go ahead it's important to let you know what the issue is, if you still don't know what it is. 

This is an old issue as I got to know through Youtube, where videos on this issue have been there for the last 5 years or so, so it clearly is an old issue but I only woke up to this recently. Even though I had heard of it on and off through the news and read of it in the newspaper I had never really thought of going deep to understand what it is.

The issue is of a temple of Ayyappa Swamy in Kerela where women of certain age groups, like the SC put it, 10-50 years of age, are not allowed to enter. Now the court explicitly stated this age bracket to make things clear in black and white. However, the real issue was not pronounced here and that's what has irked women from all over India especially the non-believers because the believers have been following the faith for centuries and it's easy for them to accept it. 

The real issue, as per believers (and we have to listen to them here because they are the ones who really matter in this issue) is since the presiding deity of that particular temple is a Naishtika Brahmachari he has decided to stay away from women. Mind you, he never said anything about the menstruation of a woman, he only said that he doesn't want to see any woman because that is a rule he has imposed upon himself. The clear focus here is not on the menstruation of the woman but the nature of celibacy of the presiding deity of the temple who has set a rule for himself.

And, this rule is only for this particular temple and that's the reason He chose to stay in the jungle, away from the civilization. 

There are 4 other temples of this God where everyone is allowed. And, one temple where only women are allowed, and the poor men are not even protesting. 

There are certain temples (general, not Ayyappa specific) where only transgenders are allowed and they have made it very clear to both men and women to stay away from their sacred private spaces, and it would be in the best of our interests to respect their decision regarding this.

A girl child under the age of ten or till the time she comes of age is considered a Goddess and all the cultures across India worship them in Navratri especially and even on other days. And the women beyond the reproductive ages are considered Mothers to all so that makes them mothers. And that's the reason these two groups are allowed in the temple after they have followed all the other rules of the temple. 

So, I hope the issue is clear here. It has nothing to do with the menstruation of the women but the oath taken by the deity to keep away from all women who are not children or Mothers.

Now, let's see this. What is it that makes rape a crime? Even if we keep aside the moral, social, political, and constitutional rights aside, the ONE thing that makes it sacrilegious is the fact that the wish of a woman has been trampled upon. She did not wish to have sex with a certain man and yet he forced himself on her. This woman surely has sex with another man/men but in this particular instance, this sexual activity becomes a rape because a man has FORCED his will on her. Whether it's a sex worker or a wife the rule of rape is the same- if a woman is unwilling to have sex with a man and yet that man forces himself on her that's rape. Technically, it is. I don't think there is a counterargument to this.

It is like Amitabh said in Pink " No means NO"

Now, let's reverse the case, what if the same thing happens to a man? Will we say, it's not rape? Well, it still is, because in this case the wish of that man has been trampled upon.

Forget about any other man, even if your own husband or father has to ask you to stop meeting him because he doesn't want to meet you will you not stop it for the sake of his choice and your self-respect? Even if you still have the moral and legal right to force yourself on that man will you not keep away from him for the simple fact that as a normal human you respect his wish?

Now, let's forget we are talking of a God or any other man, let's make it even more real. Will you accept a woman forcing herself on your father, brother, husband, friend, boyfriend, son, uncle, any man, just think of any man you love, how does it make it different? A rape is a rape for the sheer fact that someone's wish has been trampled upon by the other. 

Then shouldn't the same logic be applied to Ayyappa Swamy? 

I am not even talking of religion, constitution, female insensitivity, or anything else I am just talking of someone's will. Must we sacrifice our human traits in the name of progressiveness and modernity? 

How can women, who are so sensitive to their own privacy and modesty, crush someone else's right to privacy and justify it in the name of human/women rights? 

Out of the 6 Ayyappa Swamy temples women are not allowed only in this one because this particular God wants to follow his oath of celibacy. It has got absolutely NOTHING to do with the menstruation of a woman. 

And the right to enter the temple is falsely claimed by women to whom that God is not even dear because those who see Ayyappa as their son/friend/God etc still respect his oath and keep away from the temple.

Must we really trample upon and mercilessly crush the traditions, which are sacrosanct to thousands of devotees, in the name of being progressive? Is the sensitivity of women who don't even love this God greater than the emotions of those who have loved him since times immemorial?

Must we exercise our rights even when we don't really need them?

In Nagesh Kukonoor's "Dor" when Gul Panag gives money to her father-in-law and he asks her to keep some of it because he thinks that her husband has earned it and so it's her right to keep some of the money, she gives a beautiful reply - "Haq hai, zarurat nahin." It is my right but not my need. 

Do we cease to remain humans when we progress? Does our need to claim our false rights become greater than the true emotions of scores of others? 

If sacrificing being human is the cost of modernity and progressiveness then were we not better off in Adam's cave?

BRINGING UP A SON

“Papa why don’t you come with us. You’ll be safer and healthier in town where we have ample medical facilities. Moreover, it’s really difficult for us to visit you here in the village,” said the eldest son to the ailing old father.

“No, I am fine. And I like to live here,” answered the old man.

“But papa, your health is falling and you certainly need regular medical care and that’s not possible here, in this village,” pitched in the second son who also had a well paid job in another town much like his elder brother.

“I said I am fine here. You people do not bother about me and carry on with your busy lives,” retorted the old man.

“Papa they are right, why don’t you go with them. You will be safer, healthier and happier there,” pleaded the youngest son who hardly earned anything at all.

“If you want to throw me out of your house why don’t you say that clearly,” screamed the father at the youngest son.

“No papa, I dint mean that,” mumbled the young fellow.

“Then what did you mean. Just keep shut,” I am going nowhere, the old man passed his verdict.

And, so the two sons from town went away to their respective houses and their well paid jobs.

“I had only wished that our father went away because it hurts me to see him live in the wretched condition that I keep him in. My poems can hardly feed any of us here,” confessed the youngest son to his wife.

She wept silently as she empathized both with her old and ailing father -in-law as well as with her poet husband.

She had, on many occasions,  been witness to many of her husband’s poem sessions where not just men but even women and kids stood rapt at the recitation of many of his Maithili poems. And, she had even seen many of them wipe their silent tears with their aanchar and their dhoti as they clapped away as he stood there glorifying Sita- the young maithil daughter of king janak. And, what about that play of words which left kids and adults alike in splits over his haasya kavita.

But, in reality she knew that his poems and the joys of his avid audiences were not enough to feed his family.

“Babuji,” she told her father -in-law, “both the jethji were right in asking you to live with them, that way you would at least get two wholesome meals a day.”

“And what about you and your kids here, how will you manage without my pension? Don’t you know that whoever keeps me gets my pension?

“I am not going anywhere from here. Now go and get me some tea,” ordered the old fellow as he sat their reminiscing his own poem sessions which had enthralled the entire village during each durga pooja all these years.

“I will not leave him hungry who nourishes my poems,” thought the old fellow, satisfactorily, to himself.

THE PURCHASE

“Papa I want 25 pounds”

“What for?”, questioned the irate father who found it difficult to make ends meet in this new country which had earlier seemed to hold a dream of golden future for him.

“Papa, there was this renowned author who’d come to our school and his books are on offer. So if I buy 2 of his books worth 25 pounds I get one of his books for free, autographed by him.”

The father was even more furious to know that the little menace was spending on luxuries.

“Books by a renowned author hunh? Why don’t you break open your piggy bank and fund your own purchase. You get your own pocket money every month for trivial issues like this then why bother me? Just fund your own purchase.” Thundered the father.

“Ok papa,” she said and went away with a spring in her steps.

She then broke open her piggy bank and funded her own purchase.

Later on reflection and introspection the father found his anger much unfounded.

“She asked for books and I sued her away. Books inculcate good values in kids and they therefore are the responsibilities of parents so it is I who should be buying books for her.”

“I’ll give back the 25 pounds to her,” he told his wife.

The mom rushed to give the piece of good news to the little girl.

“No mama, it’s ok. Papa was right; I must use my own pocket money for my own purchases because if papa has to pay for things like these he will have to cut down on his own pocket money, right? So, ask him not to worry about that purchase,”she said as she happily played away her Casio.

From Gajasur to Gajanan

"Om Shree vakratund mahakaay, surya koti samaprabho
Nirwighnam kurumedev sarwa karyeshu sarwada Om”

There is not one Hindu who is not aware of this mantra. And, not just Hindus, the mahima of this mantra has seen its expansion to the nations beyond our boundaries as well.

There is no Hindu ritual or puja anywhere in the world that doesn’t start with this mantra.

And, any individual embarking on the spiritual path begins the journey with jaap of:

“Gama ganpataye namah”

These are the two most important mantras of the Hindus, the deity of which is Ganapati- the beloved son of Shiva. Born out of the very body of Pārbati. The divine consort of Mahadev-the God who bestows on us the ultimate freedom from the torturous cycle of life and death.

Now, we all know who Shiva is. And we all know who Ganesh is. And, how they are both related to each other.

We also know that this cute god of ours who has the head of an elephant adorning his cuddly body was beheaded by his own father while he tried to keep the promise he’d given to his mother.

However, despite knowing all this how much of the entire episode do we really know?

Why is it that the son of this great God got the head of an elephant when he could have got a human one?

Was it so difficult for Shiva to give another head to his own son?

Is anything really impossible for Shiva?

And how is it that this kind-hearted God was brutal enough to behead his own son?

Well, to understand the entire episode we need to delve a bit into history.

So, once it so happened that the Sun God had his ego swollen so much so that he began to believe that he was omnipotent and thus was naturally free to do anything and he had no one to fear.

However, this pride of Sun had a fall when he was killed by Shiva with his trident.

The grief stricken father of Sun went mad in rage and cursed our Shiva.

“You would once behead your own son with this very trident with which you’ve killed my son. And only then,” said he, “would you know the agony of a father.”

But, Shiva being Shiva very calmly explained to the aggrieved father-Rishi Kashyap- that it was really necessary for him to kill Sun as his ego would be unfavorable for the Creation but now that he was devoid of his ahankaar he would be brought back to life as the Creation did need him. He then brought Sun back to life.

Rishi Kashyap was now extremely remorseful and he apologized to Shiva asking Him to make his curse redundant. But Shiva, to honour the words of the rishi, walked away graciously with the curse.

Now, when after the samudra manthan Indra disgraces Ahilya the world plunged into moral darkness and Shiva, in order to find a solution to this problem, goes into dhyaan.

Meanwhile Pārbati crafts a son out of the dirt scrubbed from her body and brings it to life through her mantras. Thus was born Vinayak-the harbinger of prosperity and joy.

When Vinayak comes to life it’s time for Shiva to return. To welcome her husband Pārbati goes for her bath and prayers and allots her son at the door to stop anyone from disturbing her.

The son would not even let a mouse pass through and thus did not pay heed to Shiva’s request to allow him to meet his wife. Shiva thus returns to Kailās and the saints, deities and subjects of Shiva now requests Vinayak to let Shiva meet Pārbati. But the kid would not budge. And he even humiliated everyone.

So, now Shiva had to come himself to reason out to his son that a promise for which he has to show disregard to so many people is not worth keeping but the kid was blinded by the powers granted to him by his mother. He now challenges Shiva and attacks him. And, Shiva willy-nilly had to attack his son with the trident and chop his head off.

The grief stricken mother now refuses to buy any logic from Shiva and shoots on her destruction binge, for the Creation for the good of which her son should have to be departed from her was not worth existing.

Shiva now on requests from saints and deities had to find a way to bring the kid back to life. He asks Nandi and Indra to go to north and return with the head of the being they first meet. The condition being that the creature should donate his head out of wish and that it should be brought before sunset.

As they set off to north they came across Gajasur, the demon elephant that had been waiting for them. He asks them to take his head. On Nandi’s hesitation as to how could Shiva’s son have an elephant’s head the animal very aptly replies, “because that is niyati.”

 And explains to them about his penance and Shiva’s boon. The story goes like this:

Gajasur was an asur in the form of elephant hence the name. Now this is literally double trouble- an asur in the form of an animal. But this fellow made the max of the situation. He did some serious penance and wins himself a boon from Shiva.

When Shiva appears before him the noble creature expresses, “I wish to be the gyaanimost creature in the entire creation. But,” he says, “since that honour is already yours I will not take it from you; instead,” he adds, “I want you to reside in my abdomen, by the virtue of which I shall become the gyaanimost.” The kind- hearted Shiva grants him the boon.

However, right then Vishnu intervenes and explains to Gajasur that if Shiva makes his abdomen his abode then Kailās would be abandoned and it would not be possible for Shiva to carry out his duties as a part of the Trinity.

The naïve pachyderm honours their request and takes his boon back but expresses his wish to be with Shiva and get gyaan from him.

Thus he was destined to offer his head for the body of Shiva’s son. Nandi and Indra now return to Kailās with his head and it was adorned on Ganesh’s body. Thus, Vinayak’s original head which was full of ego, was replaced by the head of Gajasur. Ganesha, the treasurer of gyaan, is therefore also known as Gajanan-the one with the head of an elephant.

Gajasur because of his gentleness and kind-heartedness thus got the honour that no one in the entire manifested Creation had got. No saint. No human. No deity. No demon. It was this demon animal who, with his penance, got the place of honor of being on the body of Ganesha.

Ganesh, the beloved son of Shiva. The one who has the honor of sleeping in his lap and hearing lullabies from him. Of being kissed by him and loved by him. Of being held near his heart. Of being taught by him. Now, that is what Gajasur hadn’t really asked for but received nonetheless because of his humility. Because he trusted Shiva and surrendered to him and for allowed him to decide what’s best for him.

Thus, a penance; a thoughtful wish and, humility coupled with kind-heartedness helped him get to be in the body of the God who was created with the purpose of bringing auspiciousness to the world.

Gajasur thus became Gajanan.

The Eight Karmasutras

Dear kids,

Everything that we need to live life is taught by life itself. But, as we progress on our individual journeys we pick important lessons from people around us, friends and family.

I want you to also know that the best of the lessons in life are learnt by making our own mistakes.
Making mistakes endows us with experiences that go on to become our tools for life. 
 

Here are eight of of my own crucial life-lessons, compiled especially for you.

Hope these help you deal with the tidings of your precious human life.

 

1. When God created you HE meant to create you.You are one of a kind. You are you. Neither superior. Nor inferior. There never was, and, there never will be another you.
Always know your self worth. A high value currency even when dirty and tattered is a curency. Still worthy. Still valuable.

2. Be righteous. Be courageous. There is nothing else worth being.

3. Stand by your own decisions. Stand by your own words. Abandoning them would amount to killing your self-respect and dignity.

4. Do not be reckless with anyone's heart. And, do not put up with those who are reckless with yours. Your life is too precious to spend it crying for someone who had entered it only to impart a lesson. Learn the lesson. Forget the incident.

5. Do not be scared of loving with all that you have. And, don't ever regret it. One genuine relationship can teach you what no university in the world can, with all their labs and libraries.

6. Making love and having sex are same for body. But, vastly different for soul. You just have to isten to your heart and you'll know. So, neither take, nor, get taken for a ride in the name of love.

7. Forgiving is as important as apologising. And, neither are for cowards. It takes guts to follow your conscience.

8. Live life as though every moment was your last. The only size meant for life should be King size. And, know that this applies to everyone's life.
 

There are many other lessons that your life will teach you.Lessons that will be exclusive to you.
You just have to be open to learning them.
Pick them up at the first go. And, once learnt, remember them throughout.

Love,
Ma.

I’m Alive

Most of the waking moments of the mere mortals of this yug are rife with stress of every kind, ranging from the clearly visible physical ones to the not so visible emotional kinds. However, each of us has some things in life that we always look forward to. Things that cheer us always. And things that make us feel alive.
The most substantial evident of God’s blessings and His existence.

Jotted below  are just a few things that make me feel alive, no matter what.

The riot of yellow flowers dotting the roads in the scorching heat of May and June doesn't let me bat an eyelid. One of the most beautiful flowers created by the Almighty

Ah Amaltaas!

Bursting red fiery petals. Gods playing Holi with the Earthlings in the month of March. Big, bold, bright and beautiful flowers. The thick petals so sure and substantial. Call it what you may.

Pretty Palaash or Shimmering Simmar!

Walking all day in the scorching sun with loads of load on your back can tire you no end in a city ,but in a wilderness, it instills life into you. You forget all pains and agonies. Almost everything. The brief stops become Zen moments. Bask in the present. Soak in, breathe and ingest some nature.

Therapeutic Trekking!

No shooting, no capturing memories. Just losing myself to God's one of the most wonderful gifts to me. I forget everything and just allow myself to be taken over by the present. It casts a spell on me. Transports me into a trance. Bewitches me. Gets me into Buddhahood.

Yes, that’s what my camera does to me.
Life through the Lens!

Watching movies and reading stories.

I undergo catharsis no end. Almost instantly getting into the skin of the character. So much so that I don't merely read or watch. I undergo it. I experience. I laugh and cry. Grin some smile and shed some tears. And, just be the protagonist.
Timepass Tonic!

The most secure place for me in the entire Creation. The one that is always full of love and blessings for me despite the havocs I so very often wreak on to it. The one thing that can never go against me, no matter what. The one thing that is always by my side even if Brahm, Vishnu and Mahesh are opposite it. My bliss spot. My mom’s heart. Getting into her bosom still feels so warm and secure. Not even God can recreate this masterpiece.

Thank God for Maa!

The Most Ethical Person I Personally Know

A friend doing her PGD from IIM Indore had to write an article for her Ethics paper and it got outsourced to me so here it is for all of you!

“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.”

Thus said H Jackson Brown, the best-selling author of Life’s Little Instruction Book.

And, so when I think of the person who is an epitome of integrity and fairness to me my choice is a very obvious one.

For, not just me but anyone who knows her know what she’s made of.

Never have I seen such a beautiful blend of a soft heart and a strong mind.

She, who is frail bodied, has the moral strength of steel.

I have never seen her falter, not even when her life or dignity has been at stake.

The making of moral choices comes so easily to her that at times I suspect her to be a saint.

And, the gems of virtues that she has developed within her are rare and beautiful indeed.

Always righteous, always moral, my sister is “ethics personified.”

I know no one as ethical as her.


For even though my parents and other of my siblings are ethical creatures too but when compared, she always comes out a shade whiter.

And, Sushmita is the most ethical person I personally know.

मधुशाला जैसी मधुशाला

बच्चन जी से प्रेरित

मेरे मन के भावों को उजागर करती

जिस हाला की चाह में है तू

जिसके प्यास में आवारा;

जिस प्याले के पावन संग को

हाय बना तू बेचारा!

जिस साकी के गम में है तू

फिरता बन के मतवाला;

आज ले कहती हूँ मैं तुझसे

बनी मैं तेरी मधुशाला!

xxx

तेरे संग का रस्ता देखूं

तेरे प्रेम की प्यासी हूँ;

थी रानी मैं तेरे दिल की

आज बनी मैं दासी हूँ;

तेरी साकी, तेरी प्याली,

तेरी ही थी मैं हाला;

थी तेरे संग ही मैं पूरी

आज अधूरी मधुशाला!

धृष्टता के लिए क्षमाप्रार्थी हूँ बच्चन जी

What could I be if not for you...

Is it really important to have someone who can
appreciate our creativity and relish our creation.

Kids who can savour the delicacies we dish out.
And, in the process, enhance our own self worth
and help bring to fore all of our latent talents.

Siblings who are wowed by our choice of words,
shots, strokes, pictures, poems, stories, movies,
novels, music. Just about anything.

How do those who accept our gifts and enjoy our
chocolates and cakes and everything else matter?

Friends whom we depend on for gossip, advice, fun.
And, even for a lap or a shoulder which sees us
through tough times.
Friends with whom we share a bond that sometimes
don’t just exist in marriages and families.
 

Thank them for making us what we are today.

They are not just another souls on the Earth.
They are a part of our souls.
They are the ones who complete us.
And, make us feel whole, good, wanted.
Worthy of existence.

That’s how much these other poles of our souls matter.

How can they think that they are just about
a normal someone. 
A mere existence in the cosmos.

Let them ask us. 
A someone to whom they mean the world.
Someone they complete. Someone whose life,
even if only in some ways depends on them.

And, they’ll know their worth.

What could we be if not for them...

Dedicated to all those souls who make me a whole!!!
Thanks for making my life worthwhile!

Laws of Love

Law of Imbalance

In a relationship one will always love more than the other.

Law of Gravity

Whosoever loves more is always weighed down and is trampled upon.

Law of Conservation

Love can never be destroyed. It only changes its form. When your BF ditches you you start loving your near and dear ones more because of the support that they give you.

Law of Availability

If you have the capacity to love you'll shower love on anyone you want. Whether they want it or not is another topic of debate.

Law of Non-Reciprocation

If you really, really, really love someone so badly that it hurts it will remain unreciprocated.

Law of Irritation

There will always be someone who'll love you so badly that it'll irritate.

Law of Realization

When you've lost someone who loved you to someone else you'll realise that you loved that someone so very badly.

Law of Strength

When someone you love loves you back you become beautiful, confident and dignified to yourself.

Law of Growth

No experience in the world helps us grow as much as falling, being and losing out in love does.

Law of Pleasant Pain

Love hurts like nothing else does yet this one pain is worth more than all the pleasures put together.

Law of Hurt

Only those who are in a one-sided relationship can love till it hurts coz in a complete relationship no one lets the other come to the point where it hurts.

More to come later...;)

The Colour of You

Dear Mala,
In one of your posts you'd wondered as to what your colour is.
well, this is what i think of you.


You are the yellow of Gauri
And the red of Durga

You are the white of Saraswati
And the black of Kaali

You are the blue of Shiva
And the green of Ganga

You are the poise of palaas
And the fire of amaltaas

You are the spunk of 16
And the serenity of 60

You are the glitter of gold
And the sheen of silver

You are the darkness of coal
And the brilliance of diamond

You are the love of mother
And the wrath of father

You are the passion of love
And the repulsion of hatred

You are the heat of sun
And the cool of moon

You are all that HE is
You are nothing that HE is not.

Touch my soul

one is planned, the other spontaneous;
one is intentional, the other emotional;
one is just another act, the other a prayer;
one is assembly of two bodies, the other a confluence of souls;
one is the outcome of love, the other a manifestation of love;
one makes futile differences, the other makes fruitful;
when it is the first for us, let it be the second.
xxxxxxxxxx

My take on making love.
dolly jha

Jai,Veeru etc

तेरी जीत मेरी जीत,
तेरी हार मेरी हार,
सुन ऐ मेरे यार
जान पे भी खेलेंगे,
तेरे लिए ले लेंगे,
सबसे दुश्मनी

Thus sang along the carefree duo as they cherished their lives in each other's company.
Such was their love for each other that Jai even fools his friend to bargain for his death with his own life.That's how thick their friendship was.
And, that's probabaly why this song went on to become friendship anthem nationwide.

vvvvvvv
And the entire auditorium broke into instant applause. Innumerale pairs of palms clashed against each other in a rhythmic chorus.
claps.Claps.Claps.All sort of them.
Happy.Surprised.Thunderous.Speechless. Awed.Claps of all sort.
But, there was one which stood apart.
The clap with tears.
The clap of a friend.
When Ishaan received the first prize for his painting.
The clap which probabaly hid amongst the crowd but which was distinct nonetheless.

vvvvvvvv
As Alayka found his way to the New York zoo. A baby away fom his father and mother. The four things that kept his life from falling apart were his four friends on whom depended his life as he grew up to be the king of New York zoo.


Friendship endures all and emerges triumphant. It never ends. At least not in the heart.It can't be butchered. It sustains all odds and goes on to nurture our lives forever.

Friendship remains as sturdy as the shade of a family.
It remains when love forsakes.
It rescues when all else fails.

If love is God's kiss oh-so-gently planted on your forehead then friendship is his loving hand on our head.
Sure and pure.
It's his assuring pat on our back.
His guiding hand in ours.
The light which leads us on the path of bliss through love and support.
Unconditional.Unending.

यारों दोस्ती बड़ी ही अजीब है, ये न हो तो बोलो क्या ये ज़िन्दगी है

Losing a friend is as painful as losing anyone close to your heart- family or love.
Breaking up with a friend is no less agonizing than breaking up from a lover.

But if it actually is friendship then it's gonna come back, no matter what.

A la Dil Chahta Hai

Yes,if the patch is not yet done to fir picture abhi baaki hai doston!

the story of a lullaby

In an ideal world it's mostly the mothers who are believed to sing lullabies to their kids but in the real world these theories sometimes take a backseat. And that's preisely what happened in my world.As my sibling and my soulmate who also seems to be my alter ego bundled in a certain cozy male lap we had this very soothing male voice sing out to us. Leading us by the hands of his voice to the dreamland.And we embarked on a pleasant journey.Always. Together. Our small eyes laden with heavy drowsiness. As this most beautiful male voice sang out to us.....


"aaj kal me dhal gaya,
din hua tamaam,
tu bhi so ja,
so gai rang bhari shaam...."


Today as i sit here writing this piece. Away from that reassuring voice.Ritually and formally handed over to another male. An alter lullaby seems to have taken shape somewhere in my mind. A baby mind in a grown up brain.A not so baby pain in a very grown up heart.

"kyun aaj kal me dhal gay,
kyun din hua tamam,
kyun main n asoi,
jab so gai ye rang bhari shaam...."


Things are different now. Even the voice has changed. Silence now sings to me and tears rock me to sleep...Alone in the custody of this new male silence. This time the journye is lonely. Soulmate lost in another world. A sibling nowhere near to hold my hands in a strange place. no ..no more laps.

HENCEFORTH

WHY DON'T WE REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE WHOSE VERY EXISTENCE DEPENDS ON US,
WHO DOTE ON US,
WHO COUNT ON US...

WHY IS IT OH SO DIFFICULT TO TRUST THOSE WE GIVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE CENTRE OF OUR EXISTENCE,
THOSE WE LOVE,
THOSE WE CRY FOR,
THOSE WE SMILE FOR...

WHY DO WE NOT REALISE THAT LOVING IS GIVING AND FORGIVING,
TRUSTING AND HAVING FAITH UPON,
RESPECTING AND BEING RESPECTED...


WHY DO WE HAVE TO LEAVE?
WHY DO WE HAVE TO LIVE AFTER WE LEAVE?
WHY DO TEARS FALL?
WHY DO SMILES FADE?

WHY OH WHY ARE THERE SO MANY UNANSWERED WHYS IN LIFE???

A Magic called movie!

The other day I happened to watch this amazing movie called “Bee Movie”
It’s an animation and the TA is kids.
As I got engrossed in it there were a hell lot of “WHYs” that crossed my mind:
1. Why on Earth can “we” not make movies like that? Movies which are genuinely original and absolutely gripping.
2. Why do our movie makers give us that stale excuse that they make what audiences want?
The truth is that they are not confident of their mettle. Not that they don’t have it but they are scared to explore it.
3. Why oh why can’t we let our kids follow their hearts?
If we let them do that, we shall only open ourselves to witnessing what they call miracle!
4. Why can’t we make such cool and creative movies for our kids?
Cinemas that can not only teach them moral values but can also imbibe in them the sense of security and confidence in their own selves.

This one, like most other Hollywood flicks, has dialogues that are simply marvelous. The general day to day conversations are woven so beautifully with philosophy that they don’t even sound like philosophy. Not at all.
It hits you right at the point. It teaches you. And, it is not wee bit boring or sermon-like.

The movies so beautifully teaches the kids three very important things:-
1. That no matter how or what you are, you are no less important than anyone or anything else.
Your presence matters as much as that of the sun, the moon, the President and the nerd next door.
2. That no matter how small an animal or an insect is, it has life; which has a helluva value and, it is important for our planet. And, for all of us.
If the bees don’t help in pollination we’ll not have flowers, or fruits or vegetables.
Not just that, the florists and many others will go out of jobs.
Also, we will be unable to brighten the days of our dear ones.
Because a flower, no matter how small it is, is potent enough to do just that i.e. brighten your day.
3. And, that everything, everyone and every activity on Earth has its own specific purpose. And, if it were to stop, it’s going to set off a chain of stoppages.
So, if we consume honey we are not robbing the honey bees. We are merely helping them be more productive and thus help the nature progress.
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I was so absolutely floored by the dialogues, the animation and the story.
Kudos to the team!!!

How I wish Father Almighty help my people follow their hearts and thus let them come up with magic we call miracle!

My favourite dialogues from the movie-
• “If only we all do our own work sincerely it will make all the difference.”
• “What makes you take its life?
Just because he is small you think his life holds less value than yours?”
• “Do what your heart wants to. I mean, my parents wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer. But I wanted to be a florist. That’s where my heart was.”

my fav movie clips

Ghost

1. The famous love-making scene between the protagonists.

2. The scene where soul of the husband meets the wife through the mediator as Unchained Melody plays on.

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Black

The scene where Amithabh kisses Rani.

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50 First Dates

The scene where she tells him "can I pl have the last first kiss"

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Taare Zameen Par

1.The prize giving scene- right from the time when he sees his portarait to the time when he hugs Aamir.

2. The scene where aamir tell's ishan's father "achchha laga ye jaan kar ki aap care karte hain" to the moment when he sees his son but doesnt talk to him.

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Baghban

Hema and Amitabh on phone on the Karwa Chauth night- "aapko to theek se jhooth bhi nahin bolna aata"

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You've Got Mail

The last scene where they finally meet and she tells him "I badlywanted it to be you"

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When Harry Met Sally

1. The restaurant scene where she first fakes orgasm then gives him a cute smile.

2. The christmas party scene- where she tells him " when you want to spend the rest of your life with someone you want the rest of your life to begin soon"

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Ye Dil Aashiqana

There's a scene where the protagonists have their limbs tied and dumped in a room. The girl starts shivering and as she looks at him he puts his tied hands up and gives her an inviting look, she crawls towards him and gets in; puts her head on his chest and he clasps her as tight as he could.

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Spider Man-2

The scene where he tries to stop the train and in the process is badly injured. He collapses at the end of it and people lift him like a flower.

(amazing picturisation)

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Pyaar Ke Side Effects

1. The scene where Rahul and Mallika are fighting. There is a score-board being shown on the screen. Rahul is winning when suddenly Mallika starts crying and her score gallops.

Rahul feels very cheated.

2. The scene where Rahul is with his jiju and they are discussing life when Rahul says

"tum papa banne ko taiyaar nahin, main pati banne ko taiyaar nahin....aur nanu...nanu to insaan banne ko taiyaar nahin"

3. The scene where nanu's GF is getting married. As per one of the rituals she is blind-folded and all the guys encircle her. She has to find her hubby from amongst them by just touching their hands. She touches everyone and passes by but when she touches nanu's hands she stops and then reluctantly moves on. When the ritual gets over she is dancing with her hubby. With her eyes still closed she faces nanu and says "Good bye nanu" nanu looks at her and bids her bye; tears in their eyes.(Oh!!! heart-rending. Beautiful picturisation)

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Titanic

1. The love scene between the protagonists.

(the expressions of their hands have been captured marvellously. Absolutely mind- blowing!!! )

2. The scene where Kate runs inside the engine.

3. When Kate asks Jack to come back but he's already dead and she has to let go of his hands.

4. The old couple who are holding on to each other when the rest of them are running for their lives as Titanic sinks.(soulmates forever)

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Aroma of Memory

These are a few of my favourite sniffs...:)

• Fresh coriander leaves
• Taazi ahri sabzi, nimbu, hari mirch
• Tapi hui dharti par baarish ki pahli boond
• Mere papa ke badan se aati hui cigarette ki khushbu
• Rajnigandha, bela, harsinghar
• Adidas perfume
• ma ke badan ki khushbu
• Pooja ki agarbatti
• Pakte hue daal aur bhaat ki khushbu
• Banta hua kajal

more later....abhi ke liye bye...

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2 comments:

Flying high in the sky.... said...

i just love you ........i mean how can you be sooooooo awesome...........a request....pleaease write your thots in form of poems or write ups.. the world needs it .......

papa ke badan se... i howled....inside my heart...outside only tears rolled down...

i love you honey ..

Flying high in the sky.... said...

where are you sweetie...missing your expressions..be back ..love to read your blog...

Rang barse- Sach ke‼

Gone are the days of dolled up grannies and mummies who gave competition to their daughters and daughters-in -law. Gone are the days when each time you switched on the TV you would be welcomed by perpetual tears and even more perpetual conspiracy. And thankfully are gone the days of character assassination where hardly ever anyone was spared.
The era of Star soaps is over‼

Thankfully we have now come of age in TV entertainment.

Colours is here with believable stories and even more believable characters.

We have now entered the days of innocent kids and strong women. Women with integrity and honesty as their forte. Women who are capable of being actual role models.

Colours soaps have an awesome pan-India flavour. What a welcome relief‼
Each of these serials have a strong social message beautifully ensconced in a delightful story.
The regional flavour has been kept so intact you almost feel transported to the land of the story. Whether it’s the Haryanvi- ammaji or the Rajastani maa sa or the Bihari-punpunwali. You’ll relish them all for their authenticity.

These serials have also opened doors for hundreds of talented people who have a good grasp of culture and language of their own region. They may not have been able to make a mark in the national arena before this but only they could have done justice to serials with a regional touch.
And it s amazing how the directors have managed to find characters who’ve slipped into their roles as if they actually belong to the region of the story.

BHAGYAVIDHATA has so marvelously captured the pain of girls in Bihar when they reach the marriage market. And also what those hundreds of brides undergo when they are forcefully wedded to an unwilling groom by their own helpless family members.

NA ANA IS DES MERI LADO has portrayed a mighty strong woman in the form of Sia who is not a loud mouth urban chit. She is just an educated and aware woman who has taken the onus of saving the girl child in her village. Effeminate and strong, she is a firebrand in the most beautiful and subtle way. Not aggressive but assertive. A normal woman with a paranormal mental strength she overcomes all the challenges without any foul play. She is one of the strongest characters of today’s soaps. Her nerves are made entirely of steel.
And the lyricist of the title track actually deserves a national award for the pain he’s been able to breathe into the song. It so heartrendingly reverberates the ache of a mother of a girl child.

“Sangi na sathi koi, sakhi na saheli;
Kin sang khelegi tu laado akeli;
Ho, yehi bhejun sandes meri laado, ki na ana is des meri laado‼
Chahe dil ke hon tukre hazaron par na aana is des meri laado.”

The song has been picturised equally beautifully. Catharsis substantiated‼
Kudos to the team‼

BALIKA VADHU has very aptly portrayed the plight of thousands of child widows and child brides who are tortured by their own kith and kin. And also by the society. The society which is made by people like you and me.

UTTARAN – Reminds me of one of my favourite novels- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - which also is a story of two friends. The serial has brought to light the fact that love is a hopelessly incurable disease, no matter whom you feel it for. It makes you give your all for that one person come what may. Giving and forgiving are the only two things the little kid knows for her friend.

Of course they may not be very different in pace but in content, quality and intensity the serials on Colours can give Star Plus a run for their booty any day.

One serial which also deserves a mention in this category for its wonderful content is the one on Zee TV. Another breath-taking tale from its genre.
AGLE JANAM MOHE BITIYA HI KIJO
A tale of sale of a girl child. The protagonist-Ratan Rajput of Patna- is a class of an actress. With her vibrating lips and her flaring nostrils she can take you through her swelling eyes straight to her heart where you can not just see but also feel her pain. The yearning that she holds for her husband she’s grown dreaming of but has never seen has been very superbly shown.
Another noteworthy character here is the truly yum mum-Rupa Ganguly. One look at her and you’ll be wondering how she has managed to still look so sexy even now. Without showing even an ounce of her flesh. ﴾Remember her in one of the serials on DD.﴿
Kudos to the scriptwriter, lyricist, singer, director and the actress‼
Amazing serial. Believable characters. True story. Not of one but of several girls.
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1 comments:

Flying high in the sky.... said...

you mesmerise me .. man....

The Kite- Runner Khaled Hosseini

Hosseini is not an amazing writer. He is truly gifted. What a brilliant story teller‼

His works can’t be called novels. They are movies on paper. He has a truly marvelous aptitude to etch the pictures of his words in your minds so much so that they almost become visible.
Truly cathartic. You’ll laugh with it. You’ll cry with it. You’ll feel like one with the protagonists.
It may not have any life lessons for you but it is sure to stir your soul to the core.
Oh how I love this guy’s works‼

Set in the backdrop of Afghanistan this novel will take you through its ups and downs so vividly you’ll almost cry at the fate of the beautiful land and its innocent people.

A tale of two friends who are oblivious of the fact that they are, in fact, half-brothers. However, this lack of knowledge makes no difference to the kind of relationship they share.

A beautiful story of deep, intense and unconditional love. Truly Mind-blowing. Mighty Awesome. A true portrayal of how guilt makes someone pay so heavily all his life. Both Amir and his Baba did.

Hassan and Amir are two friends who share a strange relationship. One is strong the other weak. One is protective and the other nasty, in his own small ways. One acts escapist because he is scared for his own life yet how that one act changes both of their lives forever. A pang of guilt destroys the beautiful bond they’d shared since birth.

Must, must, must read‼


Even though there are many lines that tugged at my heart but the bestest is:
“For you a thousand times over”.

Just a few of my favourite picks from the book:

“There is a way to be good again”
“Because even in birth, Hassan was true to his nature: He was incapable of hurting anyone. Out he came smiling”
“There was a brotherhood between people who had fed from the same breast; a kinship that not even time could break”
“Hassan and I fed from the same breasts. We took our first steps on the same lawn in the same yard. And, under the same roof, we spoke our first words.
Mine was Baba.
His was Amir. My name”
“You can’t love a person who lives that way without fearing him too. May be even hating a little”
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1 comments:

Flying high in the sky.... said...

i am sooo proud of you ..............