Lines I adore...

Main quaidi number saat sau chiyasi
jail ki salaakhon se bahar dekhta hoon,
Din mahine saalon ko yug mein badalte dekhta hoon,

Is mitti se mere bauji ke kheton ki khusboo aati hai,
yeh dhoop meri maati ki thandi chaas yaad dilati hai,
yeh baarish mere saawan ke jhoolon ko sang sang laati hai,
yeh sardi meri lodi ki aag sek kar jaati hai,

Woh kehte hain yeh tera des nahi
phir kyon mere des jaisa lagta hai,

Woh kehta hai main us jaisa nahin
phir kyon mujh jaisa woh lagta hai...

When we fought for each other's freedom, when we stood for each other, united in our distress, why do we have to fight bitterly when we have our free land in our hands? Why do we keep ourselves busy in petty quarrels all this while, doing nothing but proving the political strategy of a small European kingdom... divide & rule and partition & free? When will we think beyond what we have been taught under their centuries of rule? When will we really be free?

மௌனம்

கண் மூடிக் கரைகிறேன்
சுவாசத்தில் உறைகிறேன்
அமைதியில் மறைகிறேன்
காற்றில் உன்னை வரைகிறேன்

பூக்களிடம் புலம்புகிறேன்
பனிமலை நானடி,
உன் மௌனத்தால்
என்னைத் தீக்குளிக்க வைக்கிறாய்!




Translation:
Silence
I'm melting, closing my eyes
I'm freezing within my breaths
I'm vanishing in stillness
I'm drawing you in thin air

I'm ranting to the flowers
I'm a glacier
With your silence
You bathe me in fire!

RDB: loved every bit of it!

The minds in two completely different planes... Thats what I see in Rang De Basanti.
One that is absolutely carefree about anything happening around, that which accepts the flow of life not knowing where it is going to end... not even giving a thought of what it's goals are... It even asks, why does it ever need to think! It's in immaturity, in the state of inebrity!

In that mindset, it wants to enjoy everything... it's proud of being a rebel... It gets the thrill by breaking any imposition or any social boundaries, for instance... which gives it a glimpse of freedom, a taste of boldness... The pairs drinking and dancing around bonfire... the bike racing, the bets on who drinks without falling off, the running towards the flight and jumping to touch it.. all this beautifully shows that youthfulness... the fresh mind that thrills itself tasting the rebellious nature.. "Lose control" is the song for that!

It's innocence and beauty is also well portrayed.. when DJ (Aamir) keeps saying "Yeh kitni achchi hindi bolti hai yaar..." and every one has a hearty laugh; when they make fun of the other by singing film songs... when they all hold together in a big hug when Madhavan proposes to Sonia... a mind absolutely innocent of anything ugly in this world.. ignorant of doublecrossings, of political games... All the mind knows is love, trust, living for each other within the gang of 5 or 6 friends... bound by pure friendship!

And they are introduced to the other state of mind by Sue's documentary work... the freedom fighters who had gone against all pleasures of life, against their family's pleadings, even sacrificing their very lives for the nation... All these doesn't make sense to a mind that's immature... when they make fun of the dialogues - the supposedly golden words of those martyrs... when Karan(Siddharth) reads his dialogue paper and says "whats this guy's problem in life yar?"

Yet they do this film just for Sue and in that process the characters slowly sink into each of them. When Madhavan comes in asking "Koi margaya kya?" it's more than obvious. Also, the flow alternating between both the states of mind keeps this film very lively and different. Then comes the best part of the movie... the point where these two planes meet... or you can even say the point where this youth's mind transforms to the one of those martyrs!

They see their friend in pain... the injustice to her and her family... by not merely forgetting to respect the sacrifice of Madhavan... but on top of it the minister's words that put him into notoriety just to save himself. They couldnot accept this as easily as they could accept the corruption and other 'national evil' as is put normally. Their friendship is dear to them and they have to give her comfort now... DJ(Aamir) breaks down and cries saying "kuch to karna padega yar.. Sonia hamari bachchi hai... aisa hona nahi chahiye tha.. yeh sabh galat hai.."

In the fullness of immaturity and the heat of the moment, they decide on what got just impressed on their minds, the characters of those martyrs come alive and they do the killing. I donot see anything illogical with that. And the movie moves on. They realize that their action didnot get them any near to where they wanted to be. To get their message, it demanded their public confession. The realization... the confession before public, of their crime with their full identity.. the facing of hard truth is the real boldness! "Doing what is ethically and logically right is the real freedom, and that is usually the most difficult thing to do!".. these are the words that echo in the background when they walk into the radio station. That is where the mind is totally transformed to the other plane... one that can sacrifice anything for what it believes, for something that it holds passionate and dear! "Roobaroo" sings it so beautifully!

The eyes of such people shines clear of any guilt
The hearts of such people glow as bright as the sun
The will of such people are as strong as diamonds
These people, who have overcome all fears, including that of death
These people who can lay down their lives for what they believed!

And when DJ and Karan crack a typical friend's joke and laugh out a light moment when the commandos break in and kill them, nothing can tell the message any better... their minds have become those of martyrs! The third kind of men who walk to death, smiling!

And coming to the patriotism bit, I think the misery under the slavery bounded every Indian together. One thing i liked about the movie was the way it showed that this struggle fought a few generations before... the days, the people, the emotions were not so different from today's. It definitely relates to today so well. When I read my history books in school, it more seemed to be a remote past, a feel of some fiction is what I got, when all I was interested in was the facts and dates, not the reality of it!

I somehow cannot accept demanding the same mindset with present people. I feel, they are cool and carefree because the situation doesnot demand the other state. But thinking on the other line, when so many people in our country had laid their lives down for the freedom that they held so dear, it definitely deserves a sincere thought and a longterm action from each one of us who take it so much for granted.

Freedom... freedom to my self- my thoughts, my talks, my actions, my very dignity... in a place that is rightfully mine! With the world shrinking so much, the principles two generations old that saw nation as just geographical boundaries doesn't appeal to me much. It makes more sense to me when I take it as shaping your team for competition. Your team wins only if all players play good. So, just keep up your contribution and spread the spirit!

உன்னால் நான்

என் பெயர் இனிக்கிறது
நீ உச்சரிப்பதால்

என் புலம்பல் பொருட்படுகிறது
நீ அமைதியாய்க் கேட்பதால்

என் பிழைகள் அழகாகின்றன
நீ ரசிப்பதால்

என் கோபம் குழந்தைத்தனமாகிறது
நீ கொஞ்சுவதால்

என் சுமைகள் மெலிகின்றன
நீ நிழலாய் நிற்பதால்

என் கற்பனை நிஜமாகிறது
நீ உயிர் கொடுப்பதால்

நான் குறையற்றவளாகிறேன்
உன் விழிகள் காண்பதால்!

என் வார்த்தை அழுத்தமாகிறது
நீ அக்கறை செலுத்துவதால்

என் கண்ணீர் வைரமாகிறது
நீ ஏந்திக் கொள்வதால்

நான் நிமிர்ந்து நிற்கிறேன்
நீ வளைந்து கொடுப்பதால்

என்னில் அர்த்தம் கொள்கிறேன்
உன்னில் என்னை நீ காட்டுவதால்

என்னில் கர்வம் கொள்கிறேன்
என்னை நீ ஏற்றுக்கொண்டதால்

நான் நானாகிறேன்
என்னொடு நீ இருப்பதால்!

Translation:
Myself, because of you

My name is sweet
because you pronounce it.

My ravings make sense
because you calmly listen to it.

My mistakes are beautiful
because you savor them.

My anger is childish
because of your pampering.

My burden is feather-light
because you stay close to me.

My fantasy looks real
because you give it life.

I am perfect
because your eyes see me!

My words are expressive
because of your sincerity to them.

My tears glitter as diamonds
because you hold them.

I stand tall
because you flexibly accomodate me

I find myself meaningful
because you reflect me

I'm proud of myself
because you accepted me

I am what I am
because you are with me!

Symbol of Love

I asked people what is love...
some said, it is stupidity
some said, it is sane
some said, it is a sin
some said, it is divine
some said, it is distraction
some said, it is attraction
some said, it is passion
some said, it is bliss
some said, it is the sex
some said, it is the soul
some said, it is a disease
some said, it is the cure
some said, it is blind
some said, it shows your destiny
some said, it is when your tongue fails to speak
some said, it is the eyes speaking out your heart
some said, it is failure to succeed
some said, it is success in failure
some said, it is a war within
some said, it is peace outside
some said, it gives you nothing
some said, It is Everything!

As I sitdown, confused by these explanations
I find myself lost in an ocean of thoughts...
That is the answer, something tells me...
the ocean, the very symbol of love!

Everyone is true in their own perspectives,
reassures this image.. justifying thus...
It is just where you are that matters,
Playing with the tides or searching for the pearls!

You find noise and turbulence at the surface,
Just like anger, jealousy, hatred and passion...
The feelings that we play with, when on the surface!

The deeper we dive, we sense the silence- divinity and bliss
Just like gratitude, compassion, and serenity,
The purest of stuff each of us are made of!














In this depth of ocean, it says, your pearl finds you-
ending your life's search for eternity...
It is then that you see,
yourself in others and others in you!
It is then that you see,
God's work in a grain of sand and a drop of dew!

A trip to a dreamland

Walking in peace
among rustling dried leaves,
Treading the long paths
that curves and meets it's counterparts,
Every stone absolutely clean,
not a spec of dust or dirt to be seen!
The serene bamboos to the wild bushes
everything adding to the beauty of the scene.
Just above the entrance is the brown glass pane
filtering those beautiful golden rays;

The raised platform well protected amidst
the huge trees, that the sun really had to miss!
An used office coffee mug left in a corner
holding alive, moments of previous visit by a soul that belonged here!
The flowers, bright and colorful... the birds singing in full flare,
anyone could become a poet by just sitting there!
The school of fishes, white, black, red and golden...
you have any worries, just go and tell them!
The bright blue cool swimming pool,
with the tune of running water, enough to soothe your soul
The lush greens of the lawns
welcoming you to escape to heavens
Flying with the winds, on the cycle
on those neat roads, by itself is a thrill!

Wondering how can and cannot one work there,
I was walking in a dreamland called Infosys!

It's the first time I had been to Infy campus after a stay of 3 and half years in this city! I was filled with awe and reverence thinking of the spirit of the man who dared to dream and did get it this big into reality... It's no less than a dreamland, so tastefully built and beautifully maintained!

Crushed under a dirty sole

Left clueless in chaos, they are -
their innocence secretly robbed;
Knowing no way out,
they just sit and sob!

Unable to express -
for they know not the right words
Unable to supress-
for they know it's just not right either

Shutting themselves in darkness
staying bitterly blind to any hope;
Like a tender bud, they lie
that got crushed cruelly under a dirty sole!

Too naive to face things boldly
Too tender to take the violence;
Too weak to stand up yet again
Too innocent to understand that even!

It's ugly, it's cruel, it's pathetic
but it does so really exist.
Lets spread awareness and our minds too
lets give these angels, much deserved empathy and hope!

PS: This (An Angel by the furnace) was touching and this made the reality slap hard on my face! CSA... A Silent Cancer!

:(

She has been behaving quite erratically today. Even with everyone of my friends advising me sincerely to let her down- making fun of her, for her very looks and small intelligence - qualities that definitely make a difference in today's fast paced hi-style society you live in, I was fighting along my way to hold to her tight all these years. How can I forget the very fact she had left me once, three years back when we hardly knew each other, just to return to be with me all her life? Somehow I never thought I could part with her but today it did occur to me for the first time that she's walking through her final days, ready to say good-bye... I would have to change my cell phone soon... :(

Beliefs

Is it something that you feel so true that you neither demand a proof, not bother about proving to others? Is it something that ultimately defines you and your compatibility with others to coexist?
Does these beliefs change with time, as they say 'getting matured', when your perspective and the way you think changes? I do not know. But what do I believe in?

Frankness. Speaking out when you really want to. Saying a no when you really feel it.

Honesty. Not compromising the truthfulness and honesty to oneself.

Love at first sight. Also love - the compassion that wells up your eyes when you see a friend or even a stranger in pain.

Humor, fun and celebration.

Beauty - of mind, of heart, of relations, of nature, of petty quarrels, the very beauty of life.

Freedom. Freedom to speak, to do, to think.... to be what you want to be.

Friendship. The beauty of this relation is that it holds all of these- frankness, honesty, compassion, fun and freedom.

Lord Krishna. I believe Him to be the very attraction in everything that feels attractive.

Bright days after every turmoil, a hearty laugh after every tear.

Achievement after hard work.

Life after death, atleast living in memories of the technically alive people.

So what are your beliefs?

A pain, very painful

when trust is breached
the trust inherently assumed;

when smiles seem untrue
the very smiles that spread hope;

when just any word becomes serious
the intention behind them, scrutinized;

when a friendship had been slaughtered
like the bull in La Corrida;

very painful, is the pain
to simply act normal again!

Oh Friendz...

Vineeth: u there?
Ritesh: Hey Vinny... hows you?
Vineeth: Hmm, pehle yeh bol... why do you ever have a cell? What did you do with it this time? It's saying 'temporarily.. kuch kuch..' when I tried calling you y'day
Ritesh: I had left the phone in my room da
Ritesh: forgot to take it with me
Ritesh: I'm just coming from a refreshing long walk.
Vineeth: achcha? 'refreshing'?? with whom? *wink*
Ritesh: arrrree...
Ritesh: call me around 10... got to go for a meeting now
Ritesh: I have literally no balance left!
Vineeth: balance? woh kabhi rehta tha kya?
Ritesh: *grin*
Ritesh: Oh shit! I forgot to tell you...
Ritesh: I had changed my number to 9XXXX.
Vineeth: So now you change your number and dont even think of informing people...
Vineeth: And everytime I should come and ask you, is it?
Vineeth: *fuming*
Ritesh: Hey hey... sorry yar.. bohot kaam tha! Really forgot!
Ritesh: I'm really sorry...
Ritesh: pls call me at 10 today, will you?
Vineeth: Nahi, why should I call you? I wont.
Ritesh: poda...
Ritesh: me going for a meeting now. Will wait for your call.
Vineeth: okie, get lost
Ritesh: Really da, forgot completely!
Ritesh: okie, bye
Vineeth: If you want, you call up and speak to me. There is not anything that important to talk to you after getting appointments with you... *angry*
Ritesh: Gosh! This is really getting beyond limits...
Ritesh: If somebody says sorry, it should be accepted. Abi maan bhi ja yar!
Vineeth: *straight face*
Ritesh: kitne baar sorry poochraha hun!
Vineeth: If you donot have balance, go to an STD booth and make a call... or better still, beg-borrow-steel a cell from your colleagues or client there!
Ritesh: You donot know it is a god forsaken place... no booths nearby...
Vineeth: It's upto you to be interested. If you go onsite, does that mean you have gone to higher plane?
Ritesh: thats it. I'm not going to speak to you hereafter.
Vineeth: Oh, so you think you have been calling me and speaking to me every single day till now?
Vineeth: * garbled #$^@ *
Ritesh: what?
Ritesh: I can't see the smilie properly. what was it?
Vineeth: Han, tujhe insaan nahi nazar aata hai, smilie kahan se aayegi?
Ritesh: Kya?
Ritesh: It's not my fault... the messenger problem!
Vineeth: Kya baat hai... now you are blaming all your fault on every living and non living things around you!
Vineeth: Just get lost, okie?
Ritesh: me leaving da
Ritesh: will you call me?
Ritesh: will you?
Ritesh: Phuleeeeeeease
Ritesh: hellooooooooooo
Ritesh: please call me da
Vineeth: I cant see what you are typing... guess it's selective blindness!
Ritesh: what the $%@!@ !
Ritesh: I will wait for your call... pleaseeeee...
Ritesh: now I'm already late. got to go
Vineeth: hahahahahhahahaha
Vineeth: kya mazza aaya... chal be, tujhe baksh diya!
Vineeth: will call you, bye! *hearty laugh*
Ritesh: aarrrgggghhhrrrr

First time to live concert

I'm fond of music. I like to listen and forget myself in the very flow of it. But till now I have been listening to recorded tapes or CDs. This was the first time I ever attended a live concert. It was organized as part of cultural fest by IIM-B and was open for entire bangalore.

When B suggested we give it a go, I decided it's time to try it out! So B, R and me planned together and reached there by 7.00. The show was supposed to start at 6.30 by the ticket and 7.00 by the banners there. B said it is usual for the show to get delayed. We calculated it to be around 8.00. By that time R and me were terribly hungry and wanted to have some pet-puja done immediately. Finding a loooooong queue for the entry to the ground, we decided we sit and chat for sometime till the crowd dissipates. We were in the grounds by 8.30. With the sweet aroma of foods teasing our already roaring stomach, we walked straight towards the food counters, praying for some more delay to the program till we are finished :) We tried some fried rice to fill and some chat for timepass. I liked the chat better.

It was now 8.45 and the crowd was getting impatient already. There were continuous ads in the big screen, about SBI atms, one of the main sponsors, that was worsening the temper of the audience. Finally, the show started with the Pak band "Jal" singing the opening song "Woh Lamhe, Woh yaadein..." I was standing at quite a distance from the stage, protected from the blaring sounds and flashing lights, right enough to enjoy them though. It was pure magic, to hear them play and sing right in front of you, with audience cheering and waving and applauding... the show lights dancing to the beats and splashing colors... "What it is to be there on the stage with all spotlights focussed on you and you have hundreds of people waiting down there to hear your voice, wanting you to sing for them!" Wow... now I understand the thrill of attending live concerts and going crazy not bothering about the heavy ticket charges. Jal sang some 7-8 songs in total. I haven't heard most of their songs and couldnot relate to them. But I frankly felt they were all sounding so similar. Anyway, their voice was just beautiful, with a touch of sadness - a longing to it that made their song that big a hit.

When they were done with, it was Shivamani's stage now. He wore a white sleeveless top with his head covered with some sort of white cloth connected to his shirt. He was wearing a chain made of big rudhraskha beads. He was maestro there, in the middle of his huge collection of drums of different types and sizes arranged all around him. He started off with Ohmkara and some cosmic background base tune on top of which he was sprinkling lavishly, sounds from his own drums, interspersed with his own voice of 'thakida thakka junu...' I was absolutely thrilled to see him blowing a shankh in between his drumming. Is that all? No, he had got salangai (ghungrus) too that he was using to diversify the sounds he produced. "Is there anything that he cannot do?", people were wondering. The big screen closing in on him was the only way we confirmed he was actually producing those sounds! It was absolute ecstacy... The beats that were thrown out of his hands, the sticks dancing and rotating in the air, the sound resonating in everybody's ears saying, "Now, just shut up and listen!" We were mesmerrised. The beats from modern to folk enthralled everyone. There were few people who started dancing to his beats, unable to hold themselves in control. He was GOD there! I felt bad that I couldnot jump and enjoy like others :(( I could see someone waving their crutches in cheer. What an enthu!

Then was the combined performance of Jal and Shivamani. Shivamani was all over the stage coming up with something different every time and Jal's guitarist was trying to give equal competition to his beats. Out of the world, it was! There were no boundaries, no nationalities, no differences... the music merged everybody there into one single base. What a feeling!

A walk

I wanna walk,
walk in the woods...
















Drinking the freshness in the air
Letting the breeze play with my hair
Feeling the moist earth with foot, so bare
Knowing not, I am going where

Listening to what the birds say
Tracing out the butterfly's ways
Smiling long at the caressing rays
Hiding myself in the tender shades

Frisking the squirrels, that are so brisk
Causing the tranquility, yet no risk
Admiring the beauty of those arched trees
Leaving the mind to float free

Tickling the leaves, holding the dew
Humming along, a sweet little tune
Diving into a world so new
Forgetting all about me that soon

I wanna walk,
walk in those woods!