Touched by Divinity

In a country like ours, where every festival is celebrated in grandeur, where every other lane has a holy praying ground, where we love our country also because we get so many public holidays, one often is faced with this question : Do you believe in God?

There are so many views, so many ideas, so many beliefs, so much tradition that paint a picture before us when we ponder over that question. So much is at stake, when it comes to God. People even fight to prove that their God is better than all others'!

Personally? I'm a student who comes from a family background of people who've dealt with hard core facts in their life. So, it's a little difficult for me to accept, that there is some person sitting on a throne somewhere in the Heavens, waiting to pass judgement. So I do I believe God as we know Him? No.

However, I am a spiritual person. I believe, that as many talents we humans have been blessed with, perhaps there are some that are still beyond our control? Maybe these could be felt by beings we have never heard of, or incapable of even feeling, so let alone understanding.

Let's take this example. A fish, who has live it's entire life in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, has never heard of humans. One day, it's caught in a net. Being a rare species, someone decides to put it in an aquarium and put it on display. What's the life of one fish to us, right?

The fish, though, is shocked beyond comprehension. Could it ever understand how it can feel so safe and secure in such a small area, breathe clearly and get food so regularly? It would feel like it's touched something, perhaps by its own definition, divine?

I feel like that fish, because I feel like I have been touched by something so pure, so inexplicable, but that thought which only brings me joy!

Last evening, I went for a concert, to see Pandit Jasraj-ji live on stage. He sat there, so humbly, surrounded by his students, who could only gaze at him with love and respect. He then started singing. And singing. And singing.

His voice covered three and a half octaves (in the same song, yes!). It flowed like a playful river, sometimes here, sometimes there, doing things I could have never imagined one could do simply with his voice! He sang five beautiful pieces, all equally mesmerising, equally enchanting.

To top it all, I just found out he turned 82 last week.

He ended the concert with a bhajan, such in praise of Lord Krishna. As he sang, I could only helplessly be lost in the beauty of his voice, and the passion with which he sang. I was surprised that Lord Krishna did not make an appearance to bless him. Or perhaps he already has, in so many ways.

Only I know, I felt like something beyond my minds comprehension had touched me. It's a feeling I'll treasure forever!

What is it, that makes these people so dedicated to their work? So much love, so much passion for what they do? I wish I could find something that I would love so much, to practise for more than seventy-eight years of my existence! And I thank everybody responsible, for making me witness something so miraculous.

If ever you are ever so fortunate, do not miss the opportunity to see Pandit-ji sing. His soul, his voice, that friendly banter with his accompanying artists, who seem so accomplished themselves. There is no pressure to concentrate, to keep up. Only let yourself relax, and let that voice take over your mind and soul.

There is something more I would like to say about Pandit-ji. Once when he was singing, and later after he ended the songs, Pandit-ji spoke on the microphone simply to thanks us for being an audience. Everybody does that, yes. But what he said, was incredible, something that hadn't even occurred to me. He said there are a lot of talented people even in Mumbai, which was why we were such good audience. But those little things, throughout, that touched his heart were those places where the audience perfectly applauded.

I'm so proud to be a part of that!

I only hope someday, I, too, can touch something divine and be blessed by it all my life. Or maybe I already have. I may just need to appreciate things more.

I suppose, my father said it the best.

"He looked like an old man when he began singing. But as the evening progressed, I could only see him getting younger and younger."

I guess that's passion.

That's music in its most truthful form. :)

Dig in the Dancing Queen

Now that I'd decided I wanted to blog about music, the next step was to pick what song would feature here first. I love too many songs.

I decided, that with all the festivities and the partying, it's best to begin the January post with a happy song. And the first song that came into my head was none other than Dancing Queen, by the Swedish pop group Abba.

My friend Nimsy first gave me this song, and I did not really pay attention to it back then. By some very good fortune, I convinced myself to watch Mamma Mia (yes, Meryl Streep is gorgeous!) and lo! The song appeared before me as though magic. I suppose I was a little low myself when I was watching the movie, but oh man! Did the song cheer me up! *I'm all smiles again!*

It's been a favourite ever since. :)

Dancing Queen was probably one of the most popular songs of the 70s. It featured on the higher postitions of music charts of over  20 countries, a wide reach for a song made back then! Since then it has been performed by various artists and used in various soundtracks. I know my aunt still has the song as her ringtone!

While looking for more details about this song, I discovered that the demo of this song was called "Boogaloo"! I also found out, that the music video of this song was a tribute to the movie The Breakfast Club (another favourite - I recommend you watch it ASAP if you haven't! Relate to your teenage self again.). That only adds to the beauty of the song for me.

Now, let's come to my perception of this song.

The tune is light and catchy. It's easy for me to sing along, or hum it to myself. It flows easily. The rhythm is perfect for me to tap my feet to, as I slowly cheer up. The best part is, the song has been sung by them so beautifully! 

The lyrics are what make the song so special. It begins with belief, moves on to optimism, then takes a lightly teasing note. That's the right recipe for a good song like this and the lyrics are just the best.

I love it, when they sing - 'You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only 17!' or 'You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life'. I believe in it myself, when they sing it with so much convection. :)

The song made a thorough impact on me, and I hope this song continues to make me feel beautiful and special!

An era, an idea, a song. With love for oneself, and a simple message - beauty is truly found within us, exuding out of it, this song will remain a favourite for many, including me.

I do not know, if a pop group like Abba, or a song like this can ever be created again. But wherever they are, I'd like to thank them for this song. They must know, that their songs can brighten up days of millions of people across the world!

You can view the song here :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REElUors1pQ

Stay Happy! :)

The Change

For anybody who still wishes to read my blog, I apologise for not posting earlier. 7th semester and absence of close people in life led me to be a very sad person. But I'm gonna take a positive step and try to improve there. :)

Hence, my 'New Year Resolution' this time, is not to lose weight (which I need to as of now, but who cares!) or get a makeover or quit a bad habit (that ones is also because I don't have any :P ). This time, I'm gonna make a positive change in my blog.

The world has a lot of things to do. Nobody really has the time to hear somebody go on and on. My blog has become so stagnant, I can't believe I let myself do that! I thought for a while, what should I be blogging about? For months and months this question troubled me.

Then, the silliness of my predicament jumped out of the box. The title 'musicaldews' is something I gave myself, because I believe that music is an inseparable part of my soul and I love it!!

Therefore, I will use this space as a music blog!

As often as I can, a particular song that has stayed with me, or I've recently fallen in love with, will be reviewed. I'll try my best to get all the information I can about it, point out what I feel is special or different or anything at all, and put it up here. If there's anybody who'll enjoy it at all, it would be a pleasure to continue doing so. :)

Thus, springs and autumns and all the other seasons, will come alive here through music over various languages, and hopefully be an enjoyable experience. It may also include little anecdotes and anything else, that I may feel like sharing!

Now, while I think about the songs I'll be reviewing here, you enjoy a fabulous New Year's eve.

Thank you so much, for taking the time to read this. Have a happy and successful New Year ahead.

Lots of love! <3

Should I get Idea?

There are many categories of the "frustrating" sort of people around.

Today, the reason for my wonderful mood, are the Telecom people!!!

Now, I have a very simple, decent phone. Ever since I bought it, I have people laughing at me for using this phone, but I've loved my Crystal like my own little baby. Ok. Except when I've got mad after reading something on it and flung it on the bed, and when I've dropped it by mistake. :P

So. My phone has an awesome feature called 'Dual Sim'. Being in my final year, and having so many friends gone away, I decided to take another sim card, and actually see what it feels like.

In my area, Services 1 and 2 provide the best network. I already had 1. So I decided to go for two.

I walked into the shop. 'Numbers dikhiye'. I selected one.

'Kya documents dene honge?' I had the stuff ready. I gave it.

'Do ghante mein aapka number chalu ho jayega, madam', said the shopkeeper.

Happy at my success, I happily continued with my day. True to his word, I could use the phone within an hour and a half of having bought it.

All was beautiful.

Then it happened. That one phone call.

No, it was not anybody asking me if I wanted a loan.

Neither was it a part-time job offer.

I was asked to confirm my identity by the service provider, and I very proudly told her my full name and my area.

The lady at the other end dropped a bomb on me.

'Madam, yeh number Mr. Devanand Kohli ke naam par hai. Aap apne documents re-submit kijiye, aapke paas ke gallery mein'.

Fuming, I went to the shopkeeper to demand an explanation. He saw a copy of my ID proof and said that it was 'unclear' and that's probably why the mistake happened at the gallery.

The only thing that was 'unclear' was my picture on the photocopy, because my glasses had not been printed properly!

Therefore, in the middle of a rather draining week, I took time to go to the gallery.

That guy said the same thing and said, 'Yeh wala bhi clear nahi hai. Aap dobara documents laiye'.

That was it. I yelled at him. I told him, if the passport office was ok with this, then these people should not have a problem.

He says, 'Sorry ma'am, gallery policy', and ignores me.

In a very Bollywood style - Uski yeh majaal?!

I wanted to ask him if he did not have an idea for my problem. But I don't think he was the 'I-understand-sarcasm-and-hence-I'm-smart' sort of a fellow anyway.

Urgh.

All of it for one sim card?

I even took this well. I got a better proof, and went to the shop. He told me that the gallery is open even on Sundays. (Whew!)

I perked up at that and decided to take a little trip there, and be done with it.

The gallery was (swear word) closed.

Now, I'm even wondering if it was worth all that effort!

Oh Gods of Telecom, I pray out to you. Please employ more intelligent people to do your bidding. Have at least one smart fellow in every shop and gallery?

Ignorance is not always bliss

In our society, when we think about people like ourselves, it is second nature to talk about somebody we dislike without their knowledge. However, it is almost unheard of that someone showed an open display of their hatred in public, in front of the person in question. What really is the better way?

Should one continue to be nice in person, and yet talk negative things about people behind their back? This would mean that the person might have an idea, but cannot really confirm. Is this sort of vagueness better? You give people the freedom to do what they want, and talk about it without their knowledge. In many cases, they might not even know that somebody could feel so strongly about them!

Or is it better to go tell somebody, "Hey, you know what? I really don't like ________ about you. Therefore, don't do this around me." If I were to go and say this to somebody, how would this person take it? The person could be greatly offended, and tell me to stay away. Or the person could actually appreciate it, and take care not to be like that around you. They might hate it initially, but come to appreciate it later, maybe? If they're the sensible sort, that is.

Or, does one completely ignore such a person? Pretend they do not even exist. Never acknowledge them in person, or in your conversations with other people. Could that be the best way to deal with it? I can answer this one, though.

No.

I think a show of love is ultimately what everybody wants. A show of dislike would certainly be unwelcome. But the pain of being ignored is the worst of them all.

Sometimes, with some people, there isn't another way (read guys who trouble girls). But in almost all other cases, even an acknowledgement is welcome, as opposed to being ignored.

This could be somebody on the street, asking for money. I think saying "aage jaao" is better than ignoring them.

This could be somebody at home, a relative of some sort you don't like. Even if you don't like them, never completely ignore them either.

This could be somebody at work, who's not very good socially or has strange manners. Leave it only at acknowledgment, but at least that much.

This could be somebody even you might know very well, but things may not be going very well with them.

Spread love, joy and peace where you go, so you may hope you find the same.

I don't even know why I wrote all this, but I just felt like writing about this. So. :)

On that very dramatic note (:P), here's wishing the few, very nice followers, of this blog, and the world at large, a very safe and joyous Diwali!

May the stars always shine on you. :)

The Temporary Phases

Last week, I was taking a walk, when I came across a nice, plump cat. I couldn't resist myself of course, and began cuddling it and playing with it. I walked holding it close to me for a while, and then it followed me on it's own. It felt so nice, to see people shoot envious looks at me for having befriended the cat. But it seemed so natural, so easy!

As we both sat beside each other and looked at the world, I realised it would begin raining soon. So I decided to take the cat to a sheltered place. We know cats hate water! Before I got very far, light droplets fell upon us, so I took shelter to contemplate over what I should do with the little being. That was my mistake.

A lady, standing with her 5-year old, decided that this was the perfect time to make conversation. She talked about mundane things and delayed me so much, the poor little cat jumped from my hand to seek comfort in the bushes. It had been pouring by then. I could not find the cat again. Drenched comepletely, I walked back home along empty streets, feeling helpless and lost.

Why did I have to go play with that cat in the first place? If I did, why did I allow it to follow me? Why did I want to see to it's safety? I mean, I'd known the cat for twenty-odd minutes!

And if I cared about it so much, why did I let that lady waste my time? Why didn't I just stick to what I had to do?

I hate it, when things in life aren't permanent. I hate it that people can bring fun and love in your life, and when you're almost getting used to them, they leave you and go away. Sometimes with a warning, sometimes not even that.

"Be strong", they tell me. Yeah, right!

And if you, by some stroke of luck realise that you're being too emotional and you should get a grip on yourself, people say that you've suddenly become cold or detached.

That, is still restricted to other people. It can be ignored.

But how do I tell myself, that the cat was safe? I could not meet it again.

How do I know all those people who have gone away will be fine?

Emotions are too much, at times.

At times, I wish I was a simpler being. Wouldn't overthink so much!

Illusioned

That night, I saw a dream.

It pierced my soul like a shrill scream.

I was jerked awake to see the reality,

By the rivers that flowed from my eyes.

It had all started beautifully.

It had all started still.

As I had enjoyed peace and love.

I found myself back home then,

As someone seemed to call.

An old lady she was.

I want to come in, she said.

But each time I tried to let her in,

She seemed to disappear.

A triumph it was for her,

When she entered through the window.

She smiled sweetly at me,

Which instilled in me a fear unknown.

She walked toward me.

I was hysterical now.

I searched around, a blade I got.

In case, I thought to myself, I needed a weapon.

She was now almost touching me,

Her eyes full of evil mirth.

Trembling, I stabbed her thrice.

Expecting her to fall,

I prepared myself to face a lifeless body.

Yet she stood standing there,

Eyes full of that mirth.

I staggered, I ran.

I called out to people, but the world seemed empty.

Until I saw the ghost of my forefather,

Who had come to protect me from this evil unspoken.

He was sacrificing his soul, to save mine.

My eyes opened, as I was breathing heavily.

An illusion all this was, it seemed.

A game a child was playing far away, unaware,

Who had created an image, a shadow of mine, weary with time.

But as I looked back and recalled that haunting smile,

The rivers continued to flow.

(I don't know if this counts as poetry. I don't think it is.

I wrote this at 4.30am as I couldn't sleep!)