Mystic Remembrance


the vast land, glittering waters, submerged silence, the sound of sky. bulky clouds, stolen charm, staring castles, wet eyes.

We are still fighting back..

Couple of weeks ago, I woke up to the dastardly act in Turkey that consumed valuable lives. Last week, the city of Dhaka was under fire.

Where are we heading towards? Are we moving at all or have the tragedies of incumbency stolen the sheen of human spirit away from us? Are we dying? Can we die? Can we let it go?

Over the years, I have seen governments and leaders fighting terror. The faces of terror have no names, no religion, no native. They exist as paranormal deficiencies of our versatile society. Our society and cultures we are so proud of. We are proud of what we have achieved as a human race, we admire and preserve our relationships, relationships that have taught us values, self esteem and the right to live life with dignity.
But, who are these carnivorous people who have become such a devilish threat to our own DNAs? What has bought them to bring wrath and fury amongst our own friends, relatives, acquaintances? What have we done so wrong that our clan is hell bent to destroy the very existence of our most valuable signatures?

It pains, yes, it pains to see that we are still fighting. Whom are we fighting – Imperialist, Communist, Extremist, Democrat..?? This situation is not a product of a face, it is the epitome of hatred and prejudice. Jealousy and insecurity. Envy and grudge. The ability to lose faith in ourselves is a dangerous journey, fatal when we decide to plague ourselves over human lives.

The very need to kill and massacre people/property to let others know you are right is a sign of self obsessed, diabolic and very ill mind who hopes to bring a change in this world with violence and discrimination.

We must stop talking about ‘safe’ places any more. Because, there is no safe place around. If something is safe, then it’s our country, our people, our society, our cultures, our value system that has given us all we have. Freedom, money, health, family – all this is acquired as a means of we being an individual who is empowered to stay alive and fight bravely. Our miseries will come to an end once we realise what we are fighting for. This fight is not for a cause, not for a purpose. This is the fight of supremacy, the fight within than the one that lurks outside. Start feeling safe inside, the outside world will salute you.

flashy notes

when it comes to ‘goodbye’, we become lavish contenders to admire and vent people around. But if we question the moment of truth, then an opportunist will be the winner of intrigue situations.

typical father weekend

my weekend these days means lots of cuddling and indulging in nonchalant pampering of my 5 month old toddler. yes, everything is surrounded by his exploits and his presence dictates the agenda of our day. he smiles, makes weird sounds, smiles again, doesn’t cooperate for a feed, loves to be patronised with love, touch and physical presence. positions have to be amended periodically to accommodate his convenience, sleeps little and smiles more. a pleasant baby, smiles when he gets up in the morning and laughs his way through as we remain flooded in his palatial charm. de-prioritising miscellaneous to cajole him, postponing usual chores to indulge in a childish monologue with his ovulate expressions. he exudes life in to me, and two days aren’t enough to soak myself in his tiny little world of inundated dreams. as another monday creeps in, I tell my wife – I envy you.

animosity of a kind

I love to deviate from my enormous respect for human beings, during fragile moments. Beasts, often accused of being paranoid, are meant to be that way. Their aggression is their forte to survive. Their sporadic moments of withdrawal is a means to arrange their next meal. And they eat when they are hungry. Yet, human brilliance is often taken for granted. Tumultuously, we fall for susceptible digressions.

Intersection

At times, I feel God won’t forgive us for what we have done to each other. Then, I realise, God left this place long back. – @ Blood Diamond.

Green Grass is Back

There is no joy in lawn tennis if we take Wimbledon out from the equation. Ever since my growing years, my dearness for ‘The All England Club’ has only intensified – even though am not the same avid youngster who used to wait for 3rd of June to come soon. Especially, after witnessing all the faltering in the land of clay. There is a sublime reason to it as well, since players and spectators have unanimously shown their fondness for the green.


I am more of a classic guy and love history, more significantly since the game, players and their aura keep changing. I developed a keen sense of interest in the adulation this venue garnered for the sport in itself. The open era remained, quite oblivious, to our generation but the achievements and the glory was read, grasped, admired. Rod Laver, for example. Players, great players, finesse players, star players. They will come and go but we will always remember the ones who were lucky enough to lift the gorgeous trophy in Centre Court, kiss them, kiss them again, keep kissing them, stand for the media and press, then take a lap of victory before the sun goes down.

A major throwback – Boris Becker’s first in 1985 as ‘Boom Boom’ Becker and his shock upset in 1987 by Peter Doohan. The cool, suave Stefan Edberg and the art of ‘Serve & Volley’, Agassi – the fighter and the best return of serves in the game. Sampras’s straight second title beating Goran Ivanisevic – scoreboard read 7-6,7-6,6-0. Ivanisevic’s first and only Grand Slam victory as a wild card entrant, the iconic rivalry between Sampras and Agassi. The charm of Gabriela Sabatini, class of Steffi Graf and resilience of Monica Seles.

This is the Wimbledon story I was possessed and grew up with. The game evolved since then, is less of grace and more of power. But with modern greats like Federer, Rafa and Djokovic, the art of tennis is always blooming with enormous talent and the promise of keeping the art alive.

Who will conquer 2016? Let’s wait, watch and enjoy the moments that encapsulate on the green grass.

The ‘Messi’ Situation

Yes, I truly consider Messi to be one of the finest this generation has embraced. Argentina is my favorite team and I love when Messi messes around with the opponents and makes them look dumb as he whisks past as if the ball is stuck to his toes. But, there is this crucial question that I always ask myself – does he deserve the ‘Greatest’ tag?

Champions lead from the front, they can decimate attacks single-handedly and inspire their teams to achieve the pinnacle of glory. Unfortunately for us, I have never seen Messi doing it for Argentina. Yes, you can argue based on his number of goals and his undisputed reputation as the ‘Playmaker’ for Barcelona. But, catapulting your national team to glory is the benchmark for being remembered as a legend. Remember – greats don’t just accumulate individual brilliance, they influence contemporaries and generations. They inspire you to get inspired.

Does Messi qualify in this pedestal of glory? I would like to believe he did but numbers and statistics don’t do justice.

His best chance was in 2014 World Cup finals, but Germany’s tactical brilliance and Messi’s failure to produce his best in the big games meant Argentina have squandered an opportunity to bag the coveted trophy. In fact, his failure to raise his game in crunch situations is tantamount at the helm of his performances with the National team. I agree, he didn’t have the best of teams at his disposal but then, that is the enviable expectation from a player who is widely regarded as the numero uno of his generation, not just for his team. Noticeably, I do see him not qualified enough for the ‘Big Match Player’ tag, especially when his faltering performances with the National team is an excruciating embarrassment.

 I did love watching Messi play football, but I don’t see myself associating him with the ‘Greatest’ tag. If he goes, I won’t miss him.

Fondly, Pancham Da.

In the 90s, listening to RD’s brand of music was an iconic feeling. Because, way back then, I felt his music was ahead of his times. In terms of music arrangement, orchestra, background score or titillating vocals, RD was a master. Run down 25 years later, I still think RD’s music was much ahead of times. That, for me, is legendary. And, no wonder Pancham Da’s (as he is fondly remembered) compositions takes us on a frivolous ride of nostalgia and class. 

I will not take the writing route to shower tributes on a composer who is known to us through his irreversible music. I will list down my Pancham favorites, and you tell me if we still don’t go gaga over their perennial presence in our compressed lives.

Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera – Teesri Manzil (1966)
Yes, years back before I was even born. But grew up crooning over this song as it was courageous combo of rock and melody. With Rafi’s histrionics as the vocalist and Shammi Kapoor’s ethereal movements, this remains an all time dance masti till date.

Musafir Hoon Yaaron – Musafir (1971)
This song is an embodiment of life’s melancholy, and so aptly condensed in to a soundtrack that could deliver the right moods. Kishore Kumar’s vocals and Gulzar’s words – just couldn’t get any better.

Kya Hua Tera Vaada – Hum Kisise Kum Nahin (1977)
Though this was nowhere near Rafi Saab’s finest, RD’s tunes bought back memories of his glorious rein in the playback industry. This was one amongst those numerous films that banked heavily on RD’s soundtrack and the juggernaut continued.

Mehbooba – Sholay (1975)
I love RD the composer. With Mehbooba, I fell in love with his voice. Husky, heavily smoked, thick vocal layers. But with this genre of his voice, he created magic and Sholay was never the same again. In fact, Sholay has some breathtaking background score – especially at the time when it was made. It’s shocking to know that RD never bagged an award for Sholay. The pity is entirely ours.

Dum Maro Dum – Hare Krishna Hare Ram (1971)
With the number remakes this song has gone through, I have reasons to believe that the original was truly a breakthrough number. The culmination of rock and Asha’s diaspora was Midas touch to RD’s ever kindling notes. Dum Maro Dum enjoys cult status today, and am not a bit surprised.

Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si – Anamika (1973)
Hugely underrated, this song is a devilish combination of Kishore’s genius and RD’s art. A dark number (unusual in those days), it had Kishore Kumar in full flow and RD’s score just takes my breath away. It still does.

Chingari Koi Bhadke – Amar Prem (1972)
If monologues had language, this would rate amongst the most eternal and undiminished. This song was quintessential RD and Kishore at their mellifluous best, and is a constant topper in my playlist. Not to forget Anand Bakshi, whose words remain immortalized till date.

Ye Jo Mohabbat Hai – Kati Patang (1970)
Another musical chartbuster from the RD camp. Beautifully rendered by Kishore Kumar, Kati Patang was the roller coaster ride RD never wanted to step down from.

Tere Bina Zindagi Mein Koi/Tum Aa Gaye Ho – Aandhi (1975)
One of the most accomplished soundtrack from RD’s successful stable. This Gulzar drama drew masses and critics alike as it released during turbulent times for the country. But amidst ruins, RD stood tall.

Kuch Na Kaho – 1942 A Love Story (1994)
My personal pick. Sung with aplomb by Kumar Sanu, this witnessed a fading RD at his usual best. He didn’t live enough to see the soaring business of this soundtrack and it became the final landmark in an otherwise glorious escapade.