Some musing!

Humne dekhi hain un ankhon ki mehekti khusboo..

2011-11-25T05:41:00.001-08:00

हम ने देखी है, उन आखों की महकती खुशबू

हाथ से छूके इसे, रिश्तो का इल्जाम ना दो

सिर्फ एहसास हैं ये, रूह से महसूस करो

प्यार को प्यार ही रहने दो कोई नाम ना दो

प्यार कोई बोल नहीं, प्यार आवाज नहीं
एक खामोशी है,सुनाती है, कहा करती है
ना ये बुझती है, ना रुकती है,
ना ठहरी है कही, नूर की बूँद है,
सदियों से बहा करती हैं
सिर्फ एहसास हैं ये, रूह से महसूस करो
प्यार को प्यार ही रहने दो कोई नाम ना दो

मुस्कराहट सी खिली रहती है आँखों में कही
और पलकों पे उजाले से झुके रहते हैं
होठ कुछ कहते नहीं, कापते होठों पे मगर
कितने खामोश से अफसाने रुके रहते हैं
सिर्फ एहसास है ये, रूह से महसूस करो
प्यार को प्यार ही रहने दो कोई नाम ना दो

O re maajh,i O re maajhi

2007-05-02T22:23:00.000-07:00

O re maajhi O re maajhi - mere maajhi
Mere sajaan hain us paar
Mein mann maar hoon is paar
O mere maajhi ab ki baar
Le chal paar, le chal paar
Mere sajaan hain us paar..

Mann ki kitab se tu
Mera naam hi mita dena
Gun tha koi bhi
Avgun mere bhula dena
Mujhko aaj ki bida kaa
Mar ke bhi rehta intezaar
Mere sajaan..........

Mat khel, jal jayegi
Kahti hai aag mere mann ki
Main bandini piya ki
Main sangini hoon sajaan ki
Mera khinchti hai aanchal
Mann meet teri har pukaar

This beautiful song from the movie Bandini is written by Gulzar and sung by RD Burman. The song beutifully echoes the confusion in Kalyani's mind and she has to decide whom she wants to choose.

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna

2007-02-26T10:40:00.000-08:00

Tum ko bhi hai khabar, Mujhko bhi hai pata
Ho raha hai judaa, Dono ka raasta
Dur jaake bhi mujhse tum meri yaadon main rehna
Kabhi alvida na kehna, Kabhi alvida na kehna

Jitni thi khushiyaa, Sab kho chuki hai
Bas ek gham hai ki jaata nahi
Samjha ke dekha behla ke dekha
Dil hai ki chain isko aata nahi
Aarzoo hai ki hai angarai
Aag hai kab aankhon se behna
Kabhi alvida na kehna, Kabhi alvida na kehna

Rut aa rahi hai, Rut jaa rahi hai
Dard ka mausam badla nahi
Rang yeh halka itna hai gehra
Sadiyon main hoga halka nahi, Halka nahi
Kaun jaane kya hona hai
Hum ko hai ab kya kya sehna

Kabhi alvida na kehna, Kabhi alvida na kehna

Tum ko bhi hai khabar, Mujhko bhi hai pata
Ho raha hai judaa, Dono ka raasta
Dur jaake bhi mujhse tum meri yaadon main rehna
Kabhi alvida na kehna, kabhi alvida na kehna

This is one beautiful song from the movie Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. Another gem from Javed Akhtar, where he successfully captures the listener with the emotions - of love and separation. How easily he describes our state - however hard you try, you can not forget your loved ones.

Zindagi Ke Safar Main..

2006-10-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

Zindagi ke safar main guzar jaate hain jo mukaam
Woh phir nahin aate, woh phir nahin aate

Phool khilte aain, log milte hain
Phool khilte hain, log milte hain magar
Patjhad main jo phool murjha jaate hain
Woh baharon ke aane se khilte nahin
Kuchh log ek roz jo bichhad jaate hain
Woh hazaron ke aane se milte nahin
Umar bhar chahe koi pukaara kare unka naam
Woh phir nahin aate, Woh phir nahin aate
Zindagi ke safar main...

Aankh dhokha hai, kya bharosa hai
Aankh dhokha hai, kya bharosa hai suno
Doston shaq dosti ka dushman hai
Apne dil main ise ghar banane na do
Kal tadapna pade yaad main jinki
Rok lo rooth kar unko jaane na do
Baad main pyaar ke chahe bhejo hazaron salaam
Woh phir nahin aate, Woh phir nahin aate
Zindagi le safar main...

Subah aati hai, shaam jaati hai
Subah aati hai, shaam jaati hai yunhi
Vaqt chalta hi rehta hai rukta nahin
Ek pal main ye aage nikal jaata hai
Aadmi theek se dekh paata nahin
Aur pardey pe manzar badal jaata hai
Ek baar chale jaate hain jo din-raat subah-O-shaam
Woh phir nahin aate, Woh phir nahin aate
Zindagi ke safar main..

This is an excellent song from the film Aap ki kasam sung by Kishore Kumar. Anand Bakshi has written one of the best songs in the history of Bollywood. The author puts the facts of life in such simple words - that you are left mesmerized!

Another senti forward..

2006-09-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

So, I am back with another forward. This one is also so good:

There was once this guy who is very much in love with his girl. This romantic guy folded 1,000 pieces of paper cranes as a gift to his girl.

Although, at that time he was just a small fry in his company, his future didn't seem too bright, they were very happy together. Until one day, his girl told him she was going to Paris and will never come back. She also told him that she cannot visualize any future for the both of them, so they went their own ways there and then...

Heartbroken, the guy agreed. But when he regained his confidence, he worked hard day and night, slogging his body and mind just to make something out of himself.

Finally with all the hard work and the help of friends, this guy had set up his own company .

You never fail until you stop trying. One rainy day, while this guy was driving, he saw an elderly couple sharing an umbrella in the rain walk ing to some destination. Even with the umbrella, they were still drenched. It didn't take him long to realize they were his girl's parents.

With a heart in getting back at them, he drove slowly beside the couple, wanting them to spot him in his luxury sedan. He wanted them to know that he wasn't the same any more; he had his own company, car, condo, etc. He made it! What he saw next confused him, the couple was
walking towards a cemetery, and so he got out of his car and followed...and he saw his girl, a photograph of her smiling sweetly as ever at him from her tombstone and he saw his paper cranes right beside her...

Her parents saw him. He asked them why this had happened. They explained, she did not leave for France at all. She was ill with cancer. She had believed that he will make it someday, but she did not want to be his obstacle... therefore she had chosen to leave him.

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you wa nt them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. She had wanted her parents to put his paper cranes beside her, because, if the day comes when fate brings him to her again...he can take some of those back with him...

Once you have loved, you will always love. For what's in your mind may escape but what's in your heart will remain forever.

The guy just wept...The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside her knowing you can't have her, see her or be with her ever again.........hope you understand.

Find time to realize that there is one person who means so much to you, for you might wake up one morning losing that person who you thought meant nothing to you.

Pal pal dilke paas..

2006-09-03T00:45:00.000-07:00

Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho
Jeevan Meethi Pyaas Yeh Kehti Ho
Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho

Har Shaam Aankhon Par
Tera Aanchal Lehraye
Har Raat Yaadon Ki
Baarat Le Aaye
Maein Saans Leta Hoon
Teri Khushboo Aati Hai
Ek Mehka Mehka Sa
Paigham Laati Hai
Meri Dil Ki Dhadkan Bhi
Tere Geet Gaati Hai
Pal Pal ...

Tum Sochogi Kyon Itna
Maein Tumse Pyaar Karoon
Tum Samjhogi Deewana
Maein Bhi Iqraar Karoon
Dewaanon Ki Yeh Baatein
Deewane Jaante Hain
Jalne Mei Kya Mazaa Hai
Parwane Jaante Hain
Tum Yunhi Jalate Rehna
Aa Aakar Khwabon Mein

This is a beautiful song from the movie Blackmail sung by Kishore Kumar. I am in awe of the lyrics, how beautifully has the author expressed his emotions - his love for his beloved. And truly, only the person in love knows the joy of the sadness.

Laakad jalke koyala ho jaaye..

2006-08-06T03:09:00.000-07:00

Laakad jalke koyala hoi jaaye
Koyala hoi jaaye khaak
Jiya jale toh kuchh na hoy re
Na dhuaan na raakh
Jiya na jalaiyyo re
Haai - jiya na jalaiyyo re
Haai - jiya na lagaiyyo re
Hey lakad jalke koyala hoi jaaye
Koyala hoi jaaye

Barf pighalke paani hoi jaay re
Baadal baala udd jaai re
Peer jiya mein aaisi baithi re baithi
Aaisi baithi re baithi
Na pighle na jaaye re
Nadi kinaare behte - sahaara na lagaiyyo re
Na lagaiyyo re
Jiya na lagaiyyo re
Haai - jiya na lagaiyyo re
Jiya na jalaiyyo re
Hooo.. laakad jalke koyala hoi jaaye
Koyala hoi jaaye

Hooo.. jhhute vachan sab saari baatein
Ek barkha ka paani
Baras baras sab beh jaave - sab beh jaave nain
Jeene jitni paani
Saawan se yeh na bujhne ki - jaan na jagaiyyo re
Na jagaiyyo re
Jiya na lagaiyyo re
Haai jiya na jalaiyyo re
Jiya na lagaiyyo re
Jiya na jalaiyyo re
Haai - jiya na jalaiyyo re

This is an awesome song from the new film Omkara. The song is so beautfiully written and sung - each line feels so full of emtions. The movie is also awesome. Its based on Othello and based in western UP. The language/dialogue is though very crude.

Primary Colors: Reloaded

2006-07-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

Finally, I have been able to get a Digital SLR. Wow! It feels awesome. And I have some pics off it. I hope to upload them regularly now. Just keep track of the pics at both my photoblogs.

http://rgbabhask.blogspot.com/
http://bwabhask.blogspot.com/

I have uploaded a new pic on the former blog. Just check it out!

Teri Deewani..

2006-07-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

Preet ki lath mohe aaisi laagi
Ho gayi main matwaali
Bal bal jaaun apane piya ko
Ke main jaaun vaari vaari
Mohe sudh budh naa rahe tan mann ki
Yeh toh jaane duniya saari
Bebas aur laachar phiru main
Haari main dil haari

Tere naam se jee loon
Tere naam se marr jaaun
Teri jaan ke sadke mein kuchh aaisa kar jaaun
Tune kya kar dala marr gayi main mitt gayi main
Ho ri ha ha ri ho gayi main
Teri deewani deewani

Ishq junoon jab hadh se badh jaaye
Hanste hanste aashiq suli chadh jaaye
Ishq ka jaadu sar chadhkar bole
Khoob laga lo pehre raste rab khole
Yahi ishq ki marzi hain
Yahi rab ki marzi hain
Tere bin jeena kaisa
Tune kya kar dala marr gayi main mitt gayi main
Ho ri ha ha ri ho gayi main
Teri deewani deewani

Ke main rang rangili deewani
Ke main albeli main mastani
Gaaun bajaaun sabko rijhaaun
He peer-dharam se begaani
Ke main deewani main deewani
Tere naam se jee loon tere naam se marr jaaun
Tere jaan ke sadle mein kuchh aaisa kar jaaun
Tune kya kar dala marr gayi main mitt gayi main
Ho ri ha ha ri ho gayi main
Teri deewani deewani

This is a beautiful song from Kailas, sung by Kailash Kher. The lyrics of the song are beautiful - but more than that, I loved the music and the voice of Kailash. The song has really made me deewana of Kailash - simply superb!

Jaise suraj ki garmi se..

2006-06-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

Jaise suraj ki garmi se jalte hue tan ko
Mil jaaye taruvar ki chhaaya
Aisa hi sukh mere mann ko mila hai
Main jab se sharan teri aaya, mere ram
Bhatka hua mera mann tha koi
Mil na raha tha sahaara
Laheron se ladti hui naav ko
Jaise mil na raha ho kinaara
Mil na raha ho kinaara
Us ladkhadaati hui naav ko jo
Kisi ne kinaara dikhaaya
Aisa hi sukh mere mann ko mila hai
Main jab se sharan teri aaya, mere ram

Suraj ki garmi se jalte hue tan ko
Mil jaaye taruvar ki chhaaya
Sheetal bani aag chandan ke jaisi
Raaghav krupa ho jo teri
Ujiyaali poonam ki ho jaaye raatein
Jo thi amaavas andheri
Yug yug se pyaasi marubhumi ne jaise
Saawan ka sandes paaya
Aisa hi sukh mere mann ko mila hai
Main jab se sharan teri aaya, mere ram

Suraj ki garmi se jalte hue tan ko
Mil jaaye taruvar ki chhaaya
Jis raah ki manzil tera milan ho
Us par kadam main badhaaoon
Phoolon mein khaaron mein patjhad bahaaron mein
Main na kabhi dagmagaaoon
Paani ke pyaase ko taqdeer ne jaise
Jee bhar ke amrit pilaaya
Aisa hi sukh mere mann ko mila hai
Main jab se sharan teri aaya, mere ram

Suraj ki garmi se jalte hue tan ko
Mil jaaye taruvar ki chhaaya
Aisa hi sukh mere mann ko mila hai
Main jab se sharan teri aaya, mere ram
Suraj ki garmi se jalte hue tan ko
Mil jaaye taruvar ki chhaaya

This is one melodious song from the album Parinay. I love the melodious music of the song apart from the wonderful lyrics it has. The song describes the relaxation one gets in devoting some time for the God. You get a more clear vision of what you are intended to do - and what wrongs you are doing.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S Forever..

2006-06-21T21:36:00.000-07:00

From the very beginning we make friends. Friends, probably even in the hospital. Friends in family, friends in Kindergarten - friends in school, friends in society, friends in college, friends at job et al. Some of the friendships are easily forgotten and some keep on.. Some friendships are blunder and some a beauty to be treasured!

I am so delighted that I patched up with a very old friend of mine. It is difficult to forget someone whom you trust so much and identify yourself with. But there can be cases when there is some misunderstanding between the two - there could be some thoughts woven by either, which sours the friendship. I feel so honored to have a friend who understands me and stands by me even when I could have made them upset with my misdoings. I feel so small, yet so mature in all this but feel so content the way things turned out. I hope that our friendship is eternal and we stand by each other in times of need and otherwise .

Yeh dosti hum nahin todenge
Todenge dam magar tera saath na chhodenge

Yaad piya ki aaye...

2006-05-25T05:10:00.000-07:00

Yaad piya ki aaye
Kaisa tha woh vaada, kaisi nibha rahi ho
Tere bin kaise rahu main, kyun durr jaa rahi ho

Yaad piya ki aaye
Humne tumko jo diya, tumne bhula diya
Tumse humko jo mila, yaadon mein bas gaya
Tum wahi ho meri jaan ho, vaada kiya tha meri rahogi

Taaron ki jhilmil chaandani raaten
Labon se labon ki wahi mulakaaten
Sadiyon se hai purani teri meri kahaani
Yaad karo tum sajana, tu hai meri zindagaani
Kaisa tha woh vaada, kaisi nibha rahi ho
Tere bin kaise rahu main, kyun durr jaa rahi ho
Humne tumko jo diya, tumne bhula diya
Tumse humko jo mila, yaadon mein bas gaya

Baali umariya suni re dagariya
Joban beeta jaaye haay raam
Kitne kareeb the sard hawa mein
Zulfen sanwari baahon ne thaame

Mujhse ruth na tera, phir se mera manana
Yaad karo tum sajana, mujh mein tera sunana
Kaisa tha woh vaada, kaisi nibha rahi ho
Tere bin kaise rahu main, kyun durr jaa rahi ho

A beautiful song by Abhijeet in the album Lamahe. Most of the songs from the new album are melodious, and particularly this song.

Mein Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon..

2006-04-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

Mein Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hon
Pal Do Pal Meri Kahani Hai
Pal Do Pal Meri Hasti Hai
Pal Do Pal Meri Jawani Hai

Mujh Se Pehlay Kitnay Shayar Aaye Or Aa Kar Chalay Gaye
Kuch Aahein Bhar Ke Loat Gaye
Kuch Naghmay Ga Kar Chalay Gaye
Woh Bhi Ek Pal Ka Qissa Thay
Mein Bhi Ek Pal Ka Qissa Hon
Kal Tum Se Juda Ho Jaonga
Jo Aaj Tumhara Hissa Hon
Mein Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hon

Kal Or Aayiengey Naghmon Ki Khilti Kaliyan Chunnay Walay
Mujh Se Behtar Kehnay Walay Tum Se Behtar Sunnay Walay
Kal Mujh Ko Koi Yaad Karay
Kiyon Mujh Ko Koi Yaad Karay
Masroof Zamana Meray Liye Kiyon Waqt Apna Barbad Karay
Mein Pal Do Pak Ka Shayar Hon

I just love this song from the movie Kabhi Kabhi. It shows how insignifacnt most of us are. But more often than not, we loose the significance in others eyes, not because of our own limitation but because other people forget us when they find someone better. Next song is in optimistic tone, and I love it too.. :)

Maein Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon
Har Ek Pal Meri Kahani Hai
Har Ek Pal Meri Hasti Hai
Har Ek Pal Meri Jawaani Hai

Rishton Ka Roop Badalta Hai, Buniyaden Khatam Nahin Hoti
Khwabon Ki Aur Umango Ki, Miyaden Khatam Nahin Hoti
Ek Phool Mein Tera Roop Basa Ek Phool Mein Meri Jawaani Hai
Ek Chehra Teri Nishaani Hai, Ek Chehra Meri Nishaani Hai
Maein Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon...

Tujhko Mujhko Jeevan Amrit, Ab In Haathon Se Peena Hai
Inki Dhadkan Mein Basna Hai, Inki Saanson Mein Jeena Hai
Tu Apni Adaen Baksh Inhen Maein Apni Wafaen Deta Hoon
Jo Apne Liye Sochi Thi Kabhi, Woh Saari Duaen Deta Hoon
Maein Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon...

I feel that this song implies that we should not end our relationship with others because of finding some small fault. When you commit - you commit fully, and you have to face the limitations (of each other) together. Both of us need to find solution to the problem together - and one should not run away from the problem.

I will always be waiting for you..

2006-04-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

It’s been many weeks my dear since you told me
That you loved me so dearly and true
But today it seems to me you have changed dear
Are you telling me that our love is through

When you’re far far away from me darlin’
If you’re sad and you don’t know what to do
And you feel that no one cares about you
I will always be waiting for you

Oh, I can’t forget the day that you told me
That you’d love me and be my sweetheart
But it looks like my dear you’ve forgotten
For you say now that we have to part

All the days seem so lonesome and dreary
And the nights are so lonely and blue
Since you left me alone here without you
Oh, please come back I’m waiting for you

This is the Jim & Jesse McReynolds version of the popular song! And, I belive I dont really need to write anything much regarding it. The song is simply superb. Seems like the English version o f the Hindi singleKoee jab tumhaaraa hriaday tod de. For the ones who could not understand the Hindi version, its here for them!

Kuchh to log kahenge....

2006-04-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

Kuchh to log kahenge,
Logon kaa kaam hain kahanaa
Chhodo bekaar kee baato mein ,
Kahee beet naa jaaye rainaa

Kuchh reet jagat kee ayesee hai
Har yek subah kee shaam huyee
Too kaun hai, teraa naam hain kyaa
Sita bhee yahaa badanaam huyee
Fir kyo sansaar kee baaton se
Bheeg gaye tere nainaa

Hum ko jo taane dete hai
Hum khoye hain in rang raliyon me
Hum ne un ko bhee chhup chhup ke
Aate dekhaa in galiyon me
Ye sach hain zoothhee baat nahee
Tum bolo ye sach hain naa

One of the beautiful songs from the film Amar Prem, which aptly describes the fact of our society. We are always bothered about what people will think about us. Our society is always up with arms as soon as somebody tries to live his/her dreams. The author suggests: "People will say something, as it is their duty to say so! But you should not be bothered about it, lest it is too late".

Pareshan raat saari hai...

2006-03-18T06:24:00.000-08:00

Pareshan raat saari hai, sitaron tum to so jao,
sukun-ke-murk tari hai, sitaron tum to so jao.

Tumhe kya aaj bhi koi agar milne nahi aaya,
ye baazi humne haari hai, sitaron tum to so jao.

Kahe jaate ho ro ro ke humara haal duniya se,
ye kaisi raaz daari hai, sitaron tum to so jao

Pareshan raat saari hai, sitaron tum to so jao,
sukun ke murk tari hai, sitaron tum to so jao.

This is a beautiful song by Chitra Singh from the album "The Milestone". I liked how subtly the poet has shown her emotions; how she says that she is pained and unable to sleep. She is alone, and just wants to be completely alone now; so that she can just enjoy the night.

Dekh to dil ki jaan..

2006-02-28T21:27:00.001-08:00

Dekh to dil ki jaan se uthtaa hai
Yeh dhuaan saa kahaan se uthtaa hai
[jaan = where]

Gor kis dil-jale ki hai yeh falak
sh'olaa ik subah yaan se uthtaa hai
[gor = grave/tomb] [sh'olaa = flame/blaze]

Khaana-e-dil se zinhaar na jaa
Koi aise makaan se uthtaa hai
[zinhaar = never]

Naala sar khenchtaa hai jab meraa
Shor ek aasmaan se uthtaa hai

Ladtee hai uskee chashm-e-shokh jahaan
Ek aashob waan se uthtaa hai

Sudh le ghar kee bhi shola-e-awaaz
Dood kuchh aashiyaan se uthtaa hai

Baithane kaun de hai phir usko
Jo tere aastaan se uthtaa hai
[Astaan = home/abode]

Yoon uthe aah us galee se ham
Jaise ko'ee jahaan se uthataa hai

Ishq ik 'Meer' bhaaree patthar hai
bojh kab naatavaan se uthtaa hai
[naatavaan = weak]

~ Meer Taqi Meer

A very beautiful poem, showing the pain of love. Describes very beautifuly the trauma one feels while leaving his/her love, and how the love never dies. The translation is lifted from the home page of Anand Kumar Sinha (without his consent :P).

Sky isn't but grave of a soul deprived,
how else could it erupt fire(sun) out of its bosom!

I left her and her abode as if,
someone was saying goodbye to his very life

Meer(the poet) says that love is a heavy stone resting right over your heart,
how can a person gifted with so less of will power expect to overpower it?

Story of a Mother with one eye

2006-02-22T05:51:00.000-08:00

Son's Statement:

" My mom only had one eye. I hated her... she was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students & teachers to support the family. There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me.

I was so embarrassed. How could she do this to me?

I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out.

The next day at school one of my classmates said, "EEEE, your mom only has one eye!"

I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my mom to just disappear.

So I confronted her that day and said, " If you're only gonna make me a laughing stock, why don 't you just die?!!!"

My mom did not respond...

I didn't even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger. I was oblivious to her feelings. I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her.

So I studied real hard, got a chance to go to Singapore to study.

Then, I got married.
I bought a house of my own.
I had kids of my own.
I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts

Then one day, my mother came to visit me. She hadn't seen me in years and she didn't even meet her grandchildren. When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited.

I screamed at her, "How dare you come to my house and scare my children! GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!"

And to this, my mother quietly answered, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address," and she disappeared out of sight.

One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house in Singapore. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip.

After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity. My neighbors said that she died.

I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have. "

Mom's Letter:

"My dearest son,
I think of you all the time. I'm sorry that I came to Singapore and scared your children. I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I'm sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up. You see........when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn't stand watching you having to grow up with one eye.

So I gave you mine.

I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye. With my love to you,

Your mother.

Khali hain tere bina dono aankhiyan

2006-02-12T03:50:00.000-08:00

Khali hain tere bina dono aankhiyan,
tum gaye kahaan
Ankhiyon ke aalon mein, tere bina raat bhar
Jaalti hain baatiyan yahaan

Doobta hai din toh shaam ko
Saaye udte hain, teri yaadein liye
Lakh din hue hain ke raat ko,
Aadhe chand se, teri baatein kiye
Yaad hai kya tujhe raaha ki baariyan wahaan
Khali hain tere bina dono aankhiyan,
tum gaye kahaan

Ek ek baat yaad hai,
Aadhi raat ke, Poore chand ko,
jaagte hue bhi ho khwab mein
Chehra ek hai, leti hoon naam do
Reet ke teeno ki sunti hoon booliyan yahaan

Khali hain tere bina dono aankiyan,
Tum gaye kahaan
Ankhiyon ke aalon mein, tere bina raat bhar
Jaalti hain, baatiyaan yahaan

Hajaar raahe mud ke dekhee

2006-02-11T03:38:00.000-08:00

Lakh kasmein deen, laalach diye par jaane waale laute nahin,
Sirf raahon par udte hue sannaton ka ubaar chhod gaye,
Kab tak koi sannate phankta rahega, zindagi to chalti rahti hai,
sirf gile reh jaaten hain, aur wafaoon ke jhuke hue sajde,
Shayad koi aaye, koi aawaj de kahin se.

Hajaar raahe mud ke dekhee, kahee se koee sadaa naa aayee
Badee wafaa se nibhaayee tum ne, humaaree thodee see bewafaee

Jahaa se tum mod mud gaye the, ye mod ab bhee wahee pade hai
Hum apane pairon mein jaane kitane, bhanwar lapete huye khade hai

Kahee kisee roej yoo bhee hotaa, humaaree haalat tumhaaree hotee
Jo raat hum ne gujaaree mar ke, wo raat tum ne gujaaree hotee

Tumhe ye jid thee ke hum bulaate, humei ye ummeed wo pukaare
Hai naam hothhon pe ab bhee lekin aawaaj mein pad gayee daraare

Koee jab tumhaaraa hriaday tod de

2006-02-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

Koee jab tumhaaraa hriaday tod de
Tadapataa huaa jab koee chhod de
Tab tum mere paas aanaa pirye
Meraa dar khulaa hai, khulaa hee rahegaa, tumhaare liye

Abhee tum ko meree jarurat nahee, bahot chaahanewaale mil jaayenge
Abhee rup kaa yek saagar ho tum kanwal jitane chaahogee khil jaayenge
Darpan tumhe jab daraane lage, jawaanee bhee daaman chhoodaane lage
Tab tum mere paas aanaa pirye
Meraa sar zukaa hai, zukaa hain rahegaa, tumhaare liye

Koee sharta hotee naheen pyaar me, magar pyaar sharton pe tum ne kiyaa
Najar mein sitaare jo chamake jaraa, buzaane lagee aaratee kaa diyaa
Jab apanee najar mein hee girane lago, andhero mein apane hee ghirane lago
Tab tum mere paas aanaa pirye
Ye deepak jalaa hai, jalaa hee rahegaa tumhaare liye

Another touching forward..

2006-01-31T13:34:00.000-08:00

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year-old son waiting for him at the door

Son:"Daddy, May I ask you a question"
Daddy:"Yeah sure, what it is?"
Son:"Dad, how much do you make an hour"
Daddy:"That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing? "that man said angrily
Son:"I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"
Daddy:"I make Rs. 500 an hour"

"Oh", the little boy replied, with his head down. Looking up, he said, "Dad, may I please borrow Rs.300?"

The father was furious, "if the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or other nonsense, then march yourself to your room and go to bed. Think why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior"

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money? After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: "May be there was something he really needed to buy with that Rs. 300 and he really didn't ask for money very often!"

The man went to the door of little boy's room and opened the door. "Are you sleep, son?" He asked.

"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.
"I've been thinking, may be I was too hard on you earlier", said the man, "It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the Rs. 300 you asked for"

The little boy sat straight up, smiling "oh thank you dad!" He yelled.
Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled some more crippled up notes. The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at his father.

"Why do you want money if you already had some?" the father grumbled.
"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.
"Daddy I have Rs. 500 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you"

Tum bin...

2006-01-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

Tum Bin Jiya Jaaye Kaise
Kaise Jiya Jaaye Tum Bin
Sadiyon Se Lambi Hain Raatein
Sadiyon Se Lambe Hue Din
Aa Jaao Lautkar Tum, Yeh Dil Keh Raha Hai...

Phir Shaam-E-Tanhaai Jaagi
Phir Yaad Tum Aa Rahe Ho
Phir Jaan Nikalne Lagi Hai
Phir Mujhko Tadpaa Rahe Ho
Phir Mujhko Tadpaa Rahe Ho
Is Dil Mein Yaadon Ke Mele Hain
Tum Bin Bahut Hum Akele Hain
Aa Jaao Lautkar Tum, Yeh Dil Keh Raha Hai...

Kya Kya Na Socha Tha Maine
Kya Kya Na Sapne Sajaaye
Kya Kya Na Chaaha Tha Dil Ne
Kya Kya Na Armaan Jagaaye
Kya Kya Na Armaan Jagaaye
Is Dil Se Toofaan Guzarte Hai
Tum Bin To Jeete Na Marte Hai
Aa Jaao Lautkar Tum, Yeh Dil Keh Raha Hai...

Tum Bin Jiya Jaaye Kaise
Kaise Jiya Jaaye Tum Bin
Sadiyon Se Lambi Hain Raatein
Sadiyon Se Lambe Hue Din
Aa Jaao Lautkar Tum, Yeh Dil Keh Raha Hai...

Be a rebel...

2006-01-26T03:27:00.000-08:00

This post contains some excerpts from the movie Rang de Basanti which may spoil the suspense (if I am allowed the liberty to say so). Please go ahead if you really want to.

I think that the director of Rang de Basanti has done a great job not only in making it an entertainment for 3 hours, but also in provoking thoughts. The movie showcases seven freinds who are approached by a young Britisher to film a movie on Indian Independence struggle. The friends in the process learn about the great Indian struggle and are a bit moved. They get a chance to show their own emotions when one of them dies due to MiG crash. They are outraged when the Defence Minster, in order to project himself as clean, says that the crash was due to the negligence of the novice pilot. The movie style changes hence on, which was primarily youth-full rest-less till now.

The friends in the process of living the roles of Bhagat Singh, etc get excited to create a revolution. They believe that "Behron ko jagane ke liye dhamake ki jaroorat hoti hai" (Blasts are required to wake up deafs), and thus they kill the Defence Minister. But the media projects him as a martyr which pinches the friends. In order to take the reality to the public, they capture the AIR studio and broadcasts their message.

A brilliant concept in itself as it would really get your mind on its feet. I guess, the director has made a well-thought movie. But coming to the concept that this movie wants to deliver, is this really the solution to the problem? The situation is dramatically different when you compare the perspectives on both sides - the side of the revolutionaries (I would try to avoid the term terrrorist) and the government (or public). The media is much in control of the political parties and with such constraints it is really difficult to get to the masses.

While watching the movie I compared the incidence to Naxalites. They are popular among masses in their regions, and in most of the cases they are not involved in killing of the people, like the ideolgies of Bhagat Singh. But as most of are led to believe, they are termed as terrrorists. In New Delhi they are thought of mainly as a nuissance, but for the people they represent, they are like revolutionaries. I like to believe that they had a good plan in mind, but it got lost in the politics and a profit-driven media.

But nonetheless, the movie is great in the sense that at least it forces the audience to think. Everybody realizes that something needs to be done. What they did (in the movie) was just a starting. The movie does not encourage violence (since the friends at later stage do not approve of their act fully), but encourages good people to join Civil Services and Politics, and also to let only good people come to power. The movie asks people to be aware of their own duties, and to really fulfill them. As the Indian tradition is, we should first perform our duties rather than thinking about our rights.

By the way wishing all the readers a very Happy Republic Day.

Jai Hind!

Badee sunee sunee hai....

2006-01-24T01:01:00.000-08:00

Badee sunee sunee hai, jindagee ye jindagee
Mai khood se hoo yahaa ajanabee, ajanabee

Kabhee ek pal bhee, kaheen ye udaasee dil meraa bhoole
Tabhee muskuraakar, dabe paawn aa kar, dukh mujhe chhoole

Na kar mujh se gam mere, dillagee ye dillagee

Kabhi main na soyaa, kaheen mujh se khoyaa sukh mera aise,
Pataa naam likh kar kahee yoon hee rakh kar, bhoole koi jaise

Ajab dukh bharee hain ye, bebasee ye bebasee

This is one of the beutiful songs of the film Mili. In the film, Mili (Jaya Bachhan) suffers from leukemia but still lives a lively life. On the other hand Amitabh Bachhan is well-off but had a few cruel incidences in his private life, and is unable to get out of depression. Mili teaches Amitabh to forget the pains and to welcome each new day with hope and light.

Mili is in bed at night, when she hears Amitabh singing the song. She is moved by the pain in Amitabh's voice. Amitabh is living a lonely life with nobody to really look forward to share his emotions with, and the song is very apt in reflecting his state of mind. In the song he shows how he is suffering from chronic sorrow, and how he feels himself unable to forget the past. A masterpiece in itself.

Judge Me By The Footprints I Leave Behind

2006-01-23T00:40:00.000-08:00

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. "Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know," the son continued. "He was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."
"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone.
The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.
The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.

From another forward.

Haath choote bhi to rishtey nahin chhoda karte ..

2006-01-18T23:59:00.000-08:00

Haath choote bhi to rishtey nahin chhoda karte,
Waqt ki shakh se lamhe nahin toda karte.

Jis ki awaaz mein silwat ho, nigahon mein shikan,
Aisee tasveer ke tukade nahin joda karte.

Shahad jeene ka mila karta hai thoda-thoda,
Jaane waalon ke liye dil nahin toda karte.

Lag ke saahil se jo behta hai, use bahne do,
Aisee dariya ka kabhi rukh nahin moda karte.

This is yet another beautiful song from the album "Marasim", composed by Gulzar and sung by Jagjit Singh. The word Marasim means relationship and Gulzar has indeed been very good in his lyrics to capture the beauty of the pain of unsuccessful relations. Jagjit Singh has been criticized by a few due to his repetitive and monotonous style, but even then he is able to have an impact.

This is probably the only song in the album with a positive angle, suggesting one to forget the unsuccessful relations which can provide nothing but sorrow. One should try to forget the past and look forward towards a better future.

Sham se aankh mein nami si hai..

2006-01-15T22:16:00.000-08:00

Sham se aankh mein nami si hai
Aaj phir aapki kami si hai
Dafn kar do hame ki saans mile
Nabz kuch der se thami si hai
Waqt rukata nahi tik kar
Iski aadat bhi aadmi si hai
Koi rishta na raha phir bhi
Ek tasleem lazami si hai

~Gulzar

It must have been love..

2006-01-15T20:01:00.000-08:00

Lay a whisper on my pillow, leave the winter on the ground.
I wake up lonely, there's air of silence in the bedroom and all around.
Touch me now, I close my eyes and dream away.

It must have been love but it's over now.
It must have been good but I lost it somehow.
It must have been love but it's over now.
From the moment we touched 'til the time had run out.

Make-believing we're together, that I'm sheltered by your heart.
But in and outside I've turned to water like a teardrop in your palm.
And it's a hard Christmas day, I dream away.

It must have been love but it's over now,
it was all that I wanted, now I'm living without.
It must have been love but it's over now,
it's where the water flows, it's where the wind blows.

~Roxette

Yeh to nahin ke gham nahin...

2006-01-12T06:27:00.000-08:00

Yeh to nahin ke gham nahin
Haan meri aankh num nahin….

Ab na khushi ki hai khushi
Gham ka bhi ab to gham nahin….

Hum bhi to aaj hum nahin….
Tum bhi to tum nahin ho aaj

Maut agar shey-maat hai
Maut se zist kum nahin….

Don’t say, no sorrow ever strike me
It did but nobody could however see

No big happiness now enchant me
Nor for any sorrow do I grieve

Neither are you, the true you
Nor me, the real me

For death be my check-mate,
Life I live is no less than dying each day....

~Firaq Gorakhpuri

Juda hoke bhi..

2006-01-06T11:37:00.000-08:00

juda hoke bhi tu mujhmein kahi baaki hai,
palkon mein banke aansu tu chali aati hai,

juda hoke bhi..

waise zinda hu zindagi bin tere main
dard hi dard baaki raha hai seene mein
saans lena bhar hi yaha jeena nahi hain
ab toh aadat si hai mujhko aaise jeene mein

juda hoke bhi tu mujhmein kahi baaki hai
palkon mein banke aansu tu chali aati hai

saath mere hain tu har pal shab ke andhere mein
paas mere hain tu ujale savere savere mein
dil se dhadkan bhula dena aasan nahi hai
ab toh aadat si hai mujhko aaise jeene mein

juda hoke bhi tu mujhmein kahi baaki hai
palkon mein banke aansu tu chali aati hai

ab toh aadat si hai mujhko aaise jeene mein
yeh jo yaadein hai ..
sabhi kaatein hai ..
katado inhe ..
ab toh aadat si hai mujhko

(from the movie Kalyug; Some people thought it to be my creation :P)

Tonight!

2006-01-05T05:59:00.000-08:00

"And then,tonite...
he scribbled 'dat' name on a piece of paper...
again...
despite the pain,
despite the rain..

soft, blushing paper,
soft, giggling heart...

He & the stars woke the night long...
n d night today..seemed not so long..
n they talked for hours straight,
about.....'dat'...
morning came,
the sun woke up again..
the stars,who shared the rain, disappeared...
n he safely folded the piece of paper,
wid 'dat' name written on it...
n kept it in between pages of his book....

n then,tonite...
he scribbled 'dat' name on a piece of paper...
again...
despite the rain,
despite the pain...

soft,blooding paper..
soft,aching heart...

He & the stars woke the night long..
n d night today...seemed so long..
n they talked for hours straight,
about...'dat'...
morning finally came,
the sun woke up again...
the stars,who shared the pain, disappeared...
n he 'safely' tore the piece of paper..
wid 'dat' name written on it..
n kept it in between pages of his book..."

~ Yaser

Luka Chuppi

2006-01-04T19:18:00.000-08:00

Luka Chuppi bahut huyi, saamne aa ja naa
Kahan kahan dhoondha tujhe, thak gayi hai ab teri maa
Aaja saanjh hui, mujhe teri fikar
Dhundhla gayi dekh meri nazar, aa ja na

Kya bataoon maa, kahan hoon main
Yahan udney ko mere khula aasmaan hai
Tere kisson jaisa bhola salona jahan hain yahan, sapno vala
Meri patang ho befikar udd rahi hai maa
Dor koi loote nahin, beech se kaate na

Aaja saanjh hui, mujhe teri fikar
Dhundhla gayi dekh meri nazar, aa ja na

Teri raah takey aankhiyaan,
jaane kaisa kaisa hoye jiyaa
Dheere dheere aangan utre andhera,
mera deep kahan
Dhalke suraj kare ishara chanda tu hai kahan
Mere chanda tu hai kahan?
Luka Chuppi bahut huyi, saamne aa ja naa
Kahan kahan dhoondha tujhe, thak gayi hai ab teri maa
Aaja saanjh hui, mujhe teri fikar
Dhundhla gayi dekh meri nazar, aa ja na
Kaise tujhko dikhaun yahaan hai kya?
Maine jharne se paani maa, tod ke piya hai
Guchcha guchcha kaee khwabon ka uchal ke chuwa hai
Chaaya liya bhali dhoop yahaan hai
Naya naya sa hai roop yahan
Yahaan sab kuch hai maa phir bhi
Lage bin tere mujhko akela
Aaja saanjh hui, mujhe teri fikar
Dhundhla gayi dekh meri nazar, aa ja na

I had been listening to this song from "Rang de Basanti" for some time now, and found it really touching. The good lyrics are coupled with a very good music and beautifull voice from both Lata and Rahman.

Some of the lines are particulary tender, like the one in which "ma" (Mother) cares about her son as its dark now. Indian society (or rather Eastern world) is rather different from the western world, where family bonds are valued more than most other things. Its customary for all the members of family to be at home after the sun sets and have the dinner together. Mother is concerned about her son and waits for him to return.

Similarly the lines "jaane kaisa kaisa hoye jiyaa" shows how concerned the mother is about his son and various ill-thoughts trouble her. Moreover, in Indian culture the child is often compared with the "deep" (candle) lighting home. The son is also troubled living away from his mother for qutie some time now, and even though he has so many conformts, he really misses his mother.

Though I havent seen the movie, I believe it is to motivate NRIs to return.

नये साल कि हार्दिक शुभकामनाये, :)

2005-12-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

आपको नये साल मे...
चन्द्रगुप्त कि शक्ति
मीरबाई कि भक्ति
राजा चन्द्र क ग्यान
कर्ण क दान
आइन्स्टीन कि बुद्धिन
नोबेल प्राइज़ कि सिद्धि
गाधी की अहिसा
भारत कि परम्परा
वाजपेयी कि मर्यादा
निज़ाम कि सम्पदा
माइकल जोर्डन कि सैलरी
अब्दुल कलाम कि वोकबुलरी
भगत सिह का देशप्रेम
स्वीटहार्ट क अमरप्रेम
माइक्रोसोफ़्त के शेयर
रुपियो के ढेर
टाटा के सेन्सेस
अम्बानि के लाइसेन्सेस
बिरल क बन्गला
दलेर का भागडा
आमिताभ की स्टाईल
माधुरी की स्माइल
शाहरुख की पर्सोनलीटी
ऐश्वर्या की पोपुलरिटी
वोर्ल्ड टूर का टिकेट
तेन्दुल्कर क विकेट
ऎडमिनिस्ट्रटर के पास्वोर्ड
जोक्स के फ़ोर्वर्ड्स
मर्सीडीज़ कि कार
डाइमन्ड का हार
और लोगो का ढेर सारा प्यार प्राप्त हो...

नये साल कि हार्दिक शुभकामनाये, :)

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-25T05:07:00.000-08:00

Its again the festive time of year. We are fortunate to have festive season throughout the year, here in India. Diwali in October, New Year (you know when!) and then Holi. Eid keeps on changing its time and many other festivals throughout the year :)

Anyways, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year ahead! I hope that God keeps you in festive spirits throughout the year (and life).

The picture was taken on the occassion of Christmas '04 in Singapore. The X-mas tree in picture was then the largest in world.

Creation Hymn (Nāsadīya) - Hiranyagarbha Sukta

2005-11-23T04:06:00.000-08:00

This is the title song of Bharat ek Khoj, which I think is inspired from Creation Hymn (Nāsadīya) of Rig Veda.

SrushTee se pehle sat nahin thaa, asat bhi nahin.
Antariksh bhi nahin, aakaash bhi nahin thaa.
Chhipaa thaa kyaa, kahaan, kisne Dhakaa thaa.
Us pal to agam, aTal jal bhi kahaan thaa.

SrushTee kaa kaun hain kartaa. Kartaa hain yeh vaa akartaa.
Oonche aakash mein rahtaa.Sadaa adhyaksh banaa rahtaa.
Wohin sach much mein jaanataa...yaa nahin bhi jaanataa...
Hain kisi ko nahin pataa...Nahin pataa...
Nahin hain pataa....nahin hain pataa.....

Voh tha hiranya garbh srishti se pehle vidyamaan
Vohi to saare bhoot jaat ka swami mahaan
jo hai astitvamaana dharti aasmaan dhaaran kar
Aise kis devta ki upasana kare hum avi dekar

Jis ke bal par tejomay hai ambar
Prithvi hari bhari sthapit sthir
Swarg aour sooraj bhi sthir
Aise kis devta ki upasana kare hum avi dekar

Garbh mein apne agni dhaaran kar paida kar
Vyapa tha jal idhar udhar neeche upar
Jagaa chuke vo ka ekameva pran bankar
Aise kis devta ki upasana kare hum avi dekar

Om ! Srishti nirmata swarg rachayta purvaj rakhsa kar
Satya dharma palak atul jal niyamak raksha kar
Phaili hain dishayen bahu jaisi uski sab mein sab par
Aisi hi devta ki upasana kare hum avi dekar
Aisi hi devta ki upasana kare hum avi dekar

The English Translation of the hymn is as follows (source Microsoft Student 2006):
There was neither non-existence nor existence then; there was neither the realm of space nor the sky which is beyond. What stirred? Where? In whose protection? Was there water, bottomlessly deep?

There was neither death nor immortality then. There was no distinguishing sign of night nor of day. That one breathed, windless, by its own impulse. Other than that there was nothing beyond.

Darkness was hidden by darkness in the beginning; with no distinguishing sign, all this was water. The life force that was covered with emptiness, that one arose through the power of heat.

Desire came upon that one in the beginning; that was the first seed of mind. Poets seeking in their heart with wisdom found the bond of existence in non-existence.

Their cord was extended across. Was there below? Was there above? There were seed-placers; there were powers. There was impulse beneath; there was giving-forth above.

Who really knows? Who will here proclaim it? Whence was it produced? Whence is this creation? The gods came afterwards, with the creation of this universe. Who then knows whence it has arisen?

Whence this creation has arisen—perhaps it formed itself, or perhaps it did not—the one who looks down on it, in the highest heaven, only he knows—or perhaps he does not know.

A reason to smile

2005-11-12T02:55:00.000-08:00

I saw a reason to smile today
when I saw a butterfly flutter its wings around my way.

I saw a reason to smile today,
when I heard the children laughing and playing
under the warm sun of May.

I saw a reason to smile today,
when I looked up and saw no clouds of gray.

But most of all,
I saw a reason to smile today,
when I saw you pass by, which completed my day.

~ Angela Ferrer (Sep 19, 1789)

Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaye...

2005-11-11T05:22:00.000-08:00

tujhe dekh dekh sona
tujhe dekh kar hain jagna
maine yeh zindagani
sang tere bitaani
tujhmein basi hain meri jaan haai
jiya dhadak dhadak jaaye

kabse hai dil mein mere armaan kai ankahe
inko tu sunle aaja chaahat ke rang chadha jaa
kehna kabhi to mera maan, haai
jiya dhadak dhadak jaaye

lagta hain yeh kyu mujhe sadiyon se chaahu tujhe
mere sapno mein aake, apna mujhko banake
mujhpe tu kar ehsaan, haai
jiya dhadak dhadak jaaye

A few bful lines...

2005-10-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

Koi diwana kehta hai, koi pagal samajhta hai,
Magar dharti ki baichani ko bas badal samajhta hai.
Main tujhse door kaisa hoon, tu mujhse door kaisi hai,
Yeh tera dil samajhta hai ya mera dil samajhta hai.

Mohabbat ek ehsason ki pawan si kahani hai,
Kabhi kabira diwana tha, kabhi mira diwani hai.
Yahan sab log kahte hain meri aankhon mein ansoon hain,
Jo tu samjhe to moti hai, jo na samjhe to pani hai.

Samandar pir ka andar hai lekin ro nahin sakta,
Yeh ansoon pyar ka moti hai, isko kho nahin sakta.
Meri chahat ko dulhan tu bana lena, magar sun le,
Jo mera ho nahin paya, woh tera ho nahin sakta.

Bhramar koi kumudini par machal baitha to hungama,
humaare dil mein koi khwab pal baitha to hungama.
Abhi tak dhoob kar sunte the sab kissa mohabbat ka,
Main kisse ko haqiqat mein badal baitha to hungama.

~ Dr Kumar Viswas (At Moksha'04, NSIT)

Pagli Ladki

2005-10-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Mawas ki kaali raaton mein dil ka darwaja khulta hai,
Jab dard ki pyaali raaton mein gam ansoon ke sang hote hain,
Jab pichwade ke kamre mein hum nipat akele hote hain,
Jab ghadiyan tik-tik chalti hain, sab sote hain, hum rote hain,
Jab baar baar dohrane se saari yaadein chuk jaati hain,
Jab unch-neech samjhane mein mathe ki nas dukh jaati hain,
Tab ek pagli ladki ke bin jeena gaddari lagta hai,
Aur us pagli ladki ke bin marna bhi bhari lagta hai.

Jab pothe khali hote hain, jab har sawali hote hain,
Jab gazlen raas nahin aatin, afsane gaali hote hain.
Jab baasi feeki dhoop sametein din jaldi dhal jaata hai,
Jab suraj ka laskhar chhat se galiyon mein der se jaata hai,
Jab jaldi ghar jaane ki ichha mann hi mann ghut jaati hai,
Jab college se ghar laane waali pahli bus chhut jaati hai,
Jab beman se khaana khaane par maa gussa ho jaati hai,
Jab lakh mana karne par bhi paaro padhne aa jaati hai,
Jab apna har manchaha kaam koi lachari lagta hai,
Tab ek pagli ladki ke bin jeena gaddari lagta hai,
Aur us pagli ladki ke bin marna bhi bhari lagta hai.

Jab kamre mein sannate ki awaj sunai deti hai,
Jab darpan mein aankhon ke neeche jhai dikhai deti hai,
Jab badki bhabhi kahti hain, kuchh sehat ka bhi dhyan karo,
Kya likhte ho dinbhar, kuchh sapnon ka bhi samman karo,
Jab baba waali baithak mein kuchh rishte waale aate hain,
Jab baba humein bulate hain, hum jaate hain, ghabrate hain,
Jab saari pahne ek ladki ka ek photo laya jaata hai,
Jab bhabhi humein manati hain, photo dikhlaya jaata hai,
Jab saare ghar ka samjhana humko fankari lagta hai,
Tab ek pagli ladki ke bin jeena gaddari lagta hai,
Aur us pagli ladki ke bin marna bhi bhari lagta hai.

Didi kahti hain us pagli ladki ki kuchh aukat nahin,
Uske dil mein bhaiya tere jaise pyare jasbat nahin,
Woh pagli ladki nau din mere liye bhooki rahti hai,
Chup-chup saare vrat karti hai, par mujhse kabhi na kahti hai,
Jo pagli ladki kahti hai, main pyar tumhi se karti hoon,
Lekin mein hoon majboor bahut, amma-baba se darti hoon,
Us pagli ladki par apna kuchh adhikar nahin baba,
Yeh katha-kahani kisse hain, kuchh bhi to saar nahin baba,
Bas us pagli ladki ke sang jeena fulwari lagta hai,
Aur us pagli ladki ke bhin marna bhi bhari lagta hai.

~ Dr Kumar Viswas (At Moksha'04, NSIT)

Kitni baatein yaad aati hai

2005-10-03T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hariharan:
Kitni baatein yaad aati hai
Tasveerein si ban jaati hain
Main kaise inhein bhooloon
Dil ko kya samjhaaun

Sadhana:
Kitni baatein kehne ki hai
Honton par jo sehmi si hai
Ik roz inhein sun lo
Kyun aise gum-sum ho

Hariharan:
Kyun poori ho na paayi daastaan

Sadhana:
Kaise aayi hai aisi dooriyaan

Hariharan:
Dono ke dilon mein chhupa hai
Jo ik anjaana sa gham
Kya ho paayega woh kam
Koyi kya kahe

Sadhana:
Dono ne kabhi zindagi ke
Ik mod pe bhi jo paayi
Hai kaisi woh tanhaai
Koyi kya kahe

Hariharan:
Kitna viraan hai ye sama

Sadhana:
Saanson mein jaise ghulta hai dhuwaan
Kaisi aayi hai aisi dooriyaan

Hariharan:
Kitni baatein yaad aati hai
Tasveerein si ban jaati hain
Main kaise inhein bhooloon

Sadhana:
Tumse aaj yun milke dil ko
Yaad aaye lamhein kal ke
Ye aansoon kyun hai chhalke
Ab kya kahen

Hariharan:
Tumne hamko dekha jo aise
Toh ik umeed hai jaagi
Phir tumse pyaar paane ki
Ab kya kahen

Sadhana:
Aa gaye ham kahaan se kahaan

Hariharan:
Dekhe mudke ye dil ka kaarvaan
Kaisi aayi hai aisi dooriyaan

Sadhana:
Kitni baatein kehne ki hai
Honton par jo sehmi si hai
Ik roz inhein sunlo
Kyun aise gum-sum ho

Hariharan:
Kitni baatein yaad aati hai
Tasveerein si ban jaati hain
Main kaise inhein bhooloon
Dil ko kya samjhaaun

A heart warming story!

2005-08-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Each year he sent her roses,
and the note would always say,
I love you even more this year,
than last year on this day.
My love for you will always grow,
with every passing year."

She knew this was the last time
that the roses would appear.
She thought, he ordered roses
in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know,
that he would pass away.

He always liked to do things early,
way before the time.
Then, if he got too busy,
everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems and
placed them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase beside
the portrait of his smiling face.

She would sit for hours,
In her husband's favorite chair.
While staring at his picture,
and the roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was
to live without her mate.
With loneliness and solitude,
that had become her fate.

Then, the very hour,
The doorbell rang, and there
were roses sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in,
and then just looked at them in shock.
Then, went to get the telephone,
to call the florist shop.

The owner answered, and she asked him,
if he would explain, Why would someone
would do this to her, causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away,
more than a year ago,"
The owner said,
"I knew you'd call, and you would want to know.
The flowers you received today,
were paid for in advance.
Your husband always planned ahead,
he left nothing to chance.
There is a standing order,
that I have on file down here,
And he has paid, well in advance,
you'll get them every year.

There also is another thing,
that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago.
Then, should ever I find out that he's no longer here, that's
the card
that should be sent to you
the following year."

She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing
hard.
Her fingers shaking,
as she slowly reached to get the card.

Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note.
Then, as she stared in total silence,
this is what he wrote...

"Hello my love,
I know it's been a year since I've been gone.
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome.
I know it must be lonely,
and the pain is very real.

Or if it was the other way,
I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything
so beautiful in life.
I loved you more than words can say,
you were the perfect wife.
You were my friend and lover,
you fulfilled my every need.
I know it's only been a year,
but please try not to grieve.

I want you to be happy,
even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years.
When you get these roses,
think of all the happiness that we had together,
and how both of us were blessed.
I have always loved you and
I know I always will.
But, my love, you must go on,
you have some living still.

Please...try to find happiness,
while living out your days.
I know it is not easy,
but I hope you find some ways.
The roses will come every year,
and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered,
when the florist stops to knock.
He will come five times that day,
in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit,
he will know without a doubt!
To take the roses to the place,
where I've instructed him
and place the roses where we are, together once again.

(from another forward)

Just another forward.

2005-05-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

Recieved this forward recently, and I really found it cute. So, I thought of sharing it with you as well.

Love story that you will never forget

He met her on a party. She was so outstanding, many guys chasing after her, while he was so normal, nobody paid attention to him. At the end of the party, he invited her to have coffee with him, she was surprised, but due to being polite, she promised.

They sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything. She felt uncomfortable, she thought, please, let me go home; suddenly he asked the waiter: "would you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee.
"Everybody stared at him, so strange! His face turned red, but, still, he put the salt in his coffee and drank it. She asked him curiously: why you have this hobby?

He replied: "when I was a little boy, I was living near the sea, I liked playing in the sea, I could feel the taste of the sea , just like the taste of the salty coffee. Now every time I have the salty coffee, I always think of my childhood, think of my hometown, I miss my hometown so much, I miss my parents who are still living there". While saying that tears filled his eyes.

She was deeply touched. That's his true feeling, from the bottom of his heart. A man who can tell out his homesickness, he must be a man who loves home, cares about home, has responsibility of home..Then she also started to speak, spoke about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family.

That was a really nice talk, also a beautiful beginning of their story.They continued to date. She found that actually he was a man who meets all her demands; he had tolerance, was kind hearted, warm, careful. He was such a good person but she almost missed him! Thanks to his salty coffee! Then the story was just like every beautiful love story, the princess married to the prince, then they were living the happy life... And, every time she made coffee for him, she put some salt in the coffee, as she knew that's the way he likedit.

After 40 years, he passed away, left her a letter which said: "My dearest, please forgive me, forgive my whole life lie. This was the only lie I said to you---the salty coffee. Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous at that time, actually I wanted some sugar, but I said salt It was hard for me to change so I just went ahead. I never thought that could be the start of our communication!I tried to tell you the truth many times in my life, but I was too afraid to do that, as I have promised not to lie to you for anything.. Now I'm dying, I afraid of nothing so I tell you the truth: I don't like the salty coffee, what a strange bad taste.. But I have had the salty coffee for my whole life! Since I knew you, I never feel sorry for anything I do for you. Having you with me is my biggest happiness for my whole life. If I can live for the second time, still want to know you and have you for my whole life, even though I have to drink the salty coffee again". Her tears made the letter totally wet.Someday, someone asked her: what's the taste of salty coffee?It's sweet.She replied.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear.

Now,check yet another one ... :D

A touching love story that 'll make u cry

10th Grade:
As I sat there in English class,
I stared at the girl next to me.
She was my so called 'best friend'.
I stared at her long, silky hair,
and wished she was mine.
But she didn't notice me like that,
and I knew it.
After class,
she walked up to me and asked me for
the notes she had missed the day before.
I handed them to her.She said 'thanks'
and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I want to tell her, I want her to know
that I don't want to be just friends,
I love her but I'm just too shy,
and I don't know why.

11th grade:
The phone rang. On the other end,
it was her. She was in tears,
mumbling on and on about how
her love had broke her heart.
She asked me to come over
because she didn't want to be alone, So I did.
As I sat next to her on the sofa, I stared at her
soft eyes, wishing she was mine.

After 2 hours, one Drew Barrymore movie,
and three bags of chips,
she decided to go home.
She looked at me, said 'thanks'
and gave me a kiss
on the cheek..I want to tell her,
I want her to know that
I don't want to be just friends,
I love her but I'm just too shy,
and I don't know why.

Senior year:
One fine day she walked to my locker.
"My date is sick" she said,
"hes not gonna go" well,
I didn't have a date, and in 7th grade,
we made a promise that
if neither of us had dates,
we would go together just as 'best friends'.
So we did.
That night, after everything was over,
I was standing at her front door step.
I stared at her as She smiled at me
and stared at me with her crystal eyes.
Then she said- "I had the best time, thanks!"
and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I want to tell her,
I want her to know
that I don't want to be just friends,
I love her but I'm just too shy,
and I don't know why.

Graduation:
A day passed, then a week, then a month.
Before I could blink, it was graduation day.
I watched as her perfect body
floated like an angel
up on stage to get her diploma.
I wanted her to be mine-but
she didn't notice me like that, and I knew it.
Before everyone went home,
she came to me in her smock and hat,
and cried as I hugged her.
Then she lifted her head from my shoulder
and said- 'you're my best friend,
thanks' and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I want to tell her,
I want her to know
that I don't want to be just friends,
I love her but I'm just too shy,
and I don't know why.

Marriage:
Now I sit in the pews of the church.
That girl is getting married now.
and drive off to her new life,
married to another man.
I wanted her to be mine,
but she didn't see me like that,
and I knew it.
But before she drove away,
she came to me and said 'you came !'.
She said 'thanks' and kissed me on the cheek.
I want to tell her,
I want her to know
that I don't want to be just friends,
I love her but I'm just too shy,
and I don't know why.

Death:
Years passed, I looked down at the coffin
of a girl who used to be my 'best friend'.
At the service, they read a diary entry
she had wrote in her high school years.
This is what it read:
'I stare at him wishing he was mine,
but he doesn't notice me like that,
and I know it.
I want to tell him,
I want him to know that
I don't want to be just friends,
I love him but I'm just too shy,
and I don't know why.
I wish he would tell me he loved me !
.........'I wish I did too...'

I thought to my self, and I cried.

Why did Ramji leave Sitaji?

2005-04-02T19:22:00.000-08:00

Only a few days back, I had the opportunity to listen to Anup Jalota at ABES. In a bhajan, he drew our attention to the fact that "ram-sita koi na kehta, sab kahte sita-ram" (Nobody says Ram-Sita, but everyone says Sita-Ram), thus giving more importance to Shakti (womanhood). I was just discussing the topic with one of my friends, when I was made to remember that still, Ramji renounced Sitaji. I had never thought over the topic so seriously, and it just shook me. Even though, I believe it must have been more painful for Ramji to leave Sitaji, I don't think he can justify it on any basis.

So, to get answers to my question, to find what others think about this issue, I posted the same question on our newsgroup (iitk.misc) and I am happy that I got some very good replies. I am just trying to compile the posts in the thread, with some minor changes (but keeping the intent same).

I started out with the post asking junta their views:

I have been thinking about this thing for some time. Ramji denounced Sitaji for no mistake of her, just because somebody said something. Sitaji served him for 14 years in banbas. Was with him in his thick and thin. Do you think that it was a justified move by Ramji? Infact was even "Agni Pariksha" a justified move?

I would like to hear your arguments. Why have women been subject to punishments even without their faults?

Gagan guessed that may be the story has been tempered along the line:

Ramji lived his life as a template for rightful human behavior (maryada). The only exception is this act. Explanations that come to my mind:

1. Maybe he wanted to tell that you should be honest in a relationship. Rather than confining your doubts to yourself you should come out in the open with them.

2. Or maybe somewhere down the line somebody tampered the story.

But, the first reason did not appeal to me. Don't you think that there should be trust between the two spouses? Sitaji had been true to him, and their is no reason to believe otherwise.

Vinod has a view that it is only a story written by Kalidas, who didn't have much respect for women:

The Ramayana as we read it today was written by Tulsidas. So it is Ramayana as told by Tulsidas and not Ramayana as it happened - if at all it happened. Tulsidas had a personal grudge against women. He was not happy with his wife who regarded him as a useless person. Also we should keep in mind the social background in which he wrote his work. During those times, the position of women was not very high. Also, Tulsidas was a Pundit. Even now many religious people profess that women are vile creatures by nature and are the root of all evil.

There have been more instances of remarks against women in Tulsidas' Ramayana. Everyone knows about the doha -
Dhol ganwar shudra pashu nari,
Ye sab tadan ke adhikari.

Thus it appears that Tulsidas did not have much regard for women - even for Sita. His personal feelings may thus have affected his work. He might have felt that Ram was justified in denouncing Sita in this way. Or perhaps he felt that because his work should conform to the social standards of his time and any king during his times would have behaved in a similar manner so he wrote the story that way.

because as I see it the reasons for denouncing Sita - the suspicions of one single person - baseless suspicions at that - are absolutely inadequate.

It is very painful to note that even today some religious people tend to hold to this view :( These charges about Kalidas were refuted by Vinay who believes that Ramayana was actually written by Valmiki; and Kalidas has just altered that.

Actual source of the epic is valmiki ramayan. Ramacharit manas is not true ramayan but it is written with a twist to serve a different purpose. Maharisihi vedvyas wrote "adhyatma ramayan". It is the complete adhyatma modeled over Ramayan. Tulsidas takes from it heavily. So he also said this when he gives introduction, how he has built the story. He takes from various nigam-agam and after that "katha prabandh vichitra banayi"(in his own words).

He has tried to explain agni-pariksha with the belief that it was to dispel the fears within the masses:

Well as far as the agni-pariksha is concerned, valmiki ramayan is very clear about it. It was taken with same purpose of testing sita's character. The people, who see sita as goddess, will have difficult time in accepting it, so tulsidas mythologized it.

But the thing that is most difficult for me to digest is that some people do not consider Sitaji to be Pativrata. What else do you want? She helped him in his banbas.. and is that to be considered wrong?

Well, to give some reference, sita is not supposed to be "pativrata". Anusuya, Savitri etc comes into this category and they are never questioned over anything.

Sita's "patidharma" is questioned many times. Some reference:- When Ram went to vanawas, he asked sita to remain in ayodhya, as jungle is very problematic. He will have difficult time with her. Protection of sita was big headache. Sita didn't accept it. Tulsidas wrote that Ram was irritated enough about it that he even said, I am not going to keep any other women, so you don't worry. Even more tougher words (see valmiki ramayan). When Ram went to Anusuya's ashrma, Anusuya taught sita pativrat dharma. It was very odd that Ram is carrying over his wife so matter was understood.

Well the second time, it is clearly surprising to leave her as Sita had given agni-pariksha. As valmiki-ramayan states, that happened because of so many talks about Sita in Ayodhya. There was two possibilities. Either Ram leaves Sita or leave the throne. Second option, IMHO, would have given Ram and Raghuwansh bad repute. So I think first option was better.

Ashish believes that it is indeed a mockery on the stupid (if I am allowed to say so) norms of the society.

My explanataion goes this way that he was using his talent to make mockery of social values of his time by showing what was the character of common people and ruling class was at that time. We read about jauhar pratha in his time not when supposedly Ram and Sita walked on this earth. and the clues about this mockery are in his book itself. On one side he was showing that it was acceptable for Anusuya to be cheated and be forgiven but on the other hand society drove Rama to move out his wife. While Rama has love for shudras ,the society had concept like "Dhol ganwar....".

Ayush has given a very good reasoning behind such scriptures. He says that these religious texts are written to propagate the ideas of the "ruling class".

Indian society has been more or less male prime society. This episode was also probably written to support the same concept so that the common masses know that a woman should remain "pure" throughout her life. And that her respect and position in society goes away the moment she sleeps with a man not her husband( never a single such incident involving a man in any of religious texts).

You can also see that gurukuls always had ksatriyas and bramins. No shudras were ever shown in them and this is an actual fact too. They were always socially ostracized. There are other instances which can be quoted to explain the prevalent caste system in the times when Ramayana was written and passed on.

So these religious texts are mere instruments to propagate the higher caste superiority and male prime society .

This is a good insight into the mindset with which the text might have been written. Kiran and Gaurav have also given their valuable suggestions. They say that it was not Sitaji who was kidnapped but instead Vaidehi. Gaurav writes:

Ram ji knew what was about to happen, so he told SitaJi. Actually just before the abduction of Sita ji from the forest, Ram ji and Sita ji had a long chat. Then Ram ji called upon the fire god and asked him to take Sita ji under his protection and instead of Sita ji her a mere replica i.e. Pratibimbh and later this reflection of Sita ji was abducted by Ravana and was taken to Lanka. After the victory the real Sita ji had to be replaced so what Ram ji thought was by asking Sita ji to do a Agni Pariksha both the purposes would get solved.

Kiran has given a the nice story about Vaidehi:

Vaidehi is an incarnation of Tulasi who went into a great penance to become wife of Vishnu. Ravana is said to have tried to enroach upon her modesty; enraged she curses Ravana that he would burn to ashes the next time he touches a woman against her wishes. (So, contrary to what is shown on the TV, Ravana never touches Sita, rather only coaxes her to marry him so as to be safe from the curse.) Our Vaidehi meanwhile jumps into a fire created by her penance and dies. In her re-birth, she takes place of Sita and goes to Lanka not actual Sita. This is revealed to Rama after the fire test. So she is the suffering spiritual wife of Rama. Vaidehi is popularly mis-construed as another name of Sita but it is not so.

This was just a bit of trivia, mostly unrelated to the question that I posed. Even if all this was true, how we can not justify the move to abandon Sitaji. Nitin agrees with me, when I say that there is no way we can justify the move.

Everybody makes mistakes and that is why probably we say "Its HUMAN to make mistakes". Maybe that's why concept of GOD came up. People wanted to imagine and believe in something and someone totally PERFECT - The one who is flawless. I don't know whether Ramji is HIS incarnation amongst us lesser mortals but I can say one thing for sure of all the things, He has lead his life as an example to everyone, An ideal life, so what if he made some mistakes, everybody does.

Now to what Abhas said - Yes I believe that no matter what Ramji shouldn't have denounced Sitaji. And why the Agnipariksha itself in first place, Marriage is all about Trust. If He trusted Sitaji then of course it would be foolish to suggest that she was asked to give Agni Pariksha to show the world she was pure and yes she did come out unscathed. Maybe u still say that's justified but then how can He denounce her on a chastity statement of some foolish unreasonable guy from His kingdom. We know that guy was having a fight himself with his wife and he might have said that in anger and in prejudice.

One cant satisfy anyone and everyone. No matter what Ramji shouldn't have denounced Sitaji. He must have been supported her, that he didn't do. After all she chose staying with Ramji when he was banished from his kingdom and spent 14 years in jungle. She always did what was right and after all this Ramji shouldn't have done this to her. He faltered.

I found the explanation given by Chandra Mohan really appealing:

As far as my knowledge goes Ramji was going through his worst times when he had to denounce Sita. As was his practice he sent his men in his state to know if the public was happy or not. He was shocked to know that because of the incident of that one man denouncing his wife for spending a night at a boatman's house, many people in Avadh started saying that the women of Avadh were becoming characterless as Sita was given so much respect despite her stay at Ravana's place. Though this was a totally illogical statement yet it spread like anything.

Ramji had to set an example for his subjects. Though he never doubted Sita for her purity yet to justify according to the wishes of people he had to denounce her. We all know that Ramji was more of a democratic monarch and so he took decisions based on what people felt. According to his philosophy even if one man in his reign doubted his capability of ruling , he has no right to rule.

Still, all writers of Ramayana and its translated versions have shown sympathy not only to Sita for the denouncement but also to Ram who had to take such a hard decisions. I do not blame Ram for this act, it was the unequal treatment towards women at those times that compelled him to bow in front of mob mentality, which we all know is very dangerous.

On my remark that the condition of women is still bad, he had a good explanation.

We all feel that women should be treated equally, but actually at those times we either worshipped women or treated them in humanly. We held the position of women so high as Sati and Devi that we did not expect them to do any wrong and so even when we had the slightest doubt we used to degrade them to the rank of impure etc. Equality can never come if you place someone too high; only when we treat women as
nothing else except humans that man and women will be equal. Ram put his priorities as a king higher than that as a husband and they were conflicting. Only if he wasn't the king of Ayodhya....

I think that these are the best remarks to conclude my discussion. We need equality between men and women; Man and Woman are both humans and equal. I envision a day, when we can proudly say that, we HUMANS live in a PERFECT world.