IGNITING THE PASSION

I start populating my blog once again, in the hope of reigniting my passion for writing and self discovery. It is said that writing often enable us to unload our mental / psychological burdens. But what about those people who don't necessarily harp on their mental / psychological burdens? What about those that don't have mental / psychological burdens only because they believe that whatever happens in life, is destined to happen? And what about those people who just have too much positivity to share? I want to be the later. The extreme later.

I write as part of my self discovery process, but with a twist. What I write is not necessarily a reflection of my life, but simply a reflection of my inert Values in action. Some situations hypothetical, some reality. Aren't those the building blocks of life, too?

I dedicate my writings now on to my Papa - a man who ALWAYS believed that the pen, indeed, is mightier than the sword.

ROCK ON!

Main zindagi se khafa nahi hoon. Haan, isne mera saath hamesha nahi diya, par shayad iska bhi koi karand hoga. Zaroori nahi hai ki har baar jo ham chahein wohi sahi ho - bahot baar hum jis cheeze se bhaagtein hain, wahi hamare liye sahi hoti hai. Par tabh kya hota hai jab hum jaantein hain ki hamare liye sahi kya, or chahat kya - parantu, phir bhi hum uspar amar nahi kar paatein hain?

THINKING OF YOU

I'm thinking of you. The way you comforted me when I was down... exactly a year ago. I needed you so badly then, but now... I know you need me with this new step in your life. I wish you all the best - but I walk away with mixed feelings. Is this chapter in your life, really something you have to experience? I see the difference, why don't you? I wonder.

I'm thinking of you. Hum ko kya lena hai sabse, tum se hi sab baatein ab se. Ban gaye ho tum meri dua. Ke ban gaye ho tum mere khuda.

Confused... again.

AAJ JAANE KI ZID NA KARO

Aaj jaane ki zid na karo
Yunhi pehloon mein baite raho
Aaj jaane ki zid na karo
Hai mar jayenge
Hum to lut jayenge
Aisi baatein kiya na karo.
Aaj jaane ki zid na karo.

Waqt ki kaid mein, zindagi hai magar.
Chand ghadiya yahin hain jo azaad hai.
Inko khokar meri jaane jaan
Umra bhar na taraste raho.
Aaj jaane ki zid na karo.

Aaj jaane ki zid na karo
Yunhi pehloon mein baite raho
Aaj jaane ki zid na karo
Hai mar jayenge
Hum to lut jayenge
Aisi baatein kiya na karo.
Aaj jaane ki zid na karo.

DUS KAHANIYA

I recently watched Dus Kahaniyaan, the movie, and came across some of the most beautiful revelations in India cinema.

Matrimony
This story brings fact and reality to life. What's the point of acting faithful when you don't really know if your partner is either? Be who you are. If you love someone else, express it - be open about it. We're human afterall. Not all of us are free of the ties and burdens of our lives. We all have cravings and needs - and to be loved is a major one.

Strangers in the Night
This was one of my personal favourites. I read somewhere that the twist in this story was weird. I believe it was the weird in the minds of those who can only look at things in one way. Har rishta physical nahi hota, she says. Sometimes, we get into situations where we have to do things are would be against our own beliefs in other circumstances, but probably the only chance of survival of humankind in the present situation. Strangers in the Night portrays an example.

Zahir
Why does lust always seem like love? Why does lust lead us to tragedy? Why can't we give those we love more space in life? Why to we typecast certain people? Self-control is the answer. And if its not in our hands - our lives are in HIS. Zahir - a beautiful story, which I'd strongly recommend the government of India, especially, to pick up as a piece to be screened nationwide as part of their anti-AIDS campaign.

Rice Plate
Again - beautiful. Truly exemplifies the concept of humanity being much higher and meaningful than differentiating based on the concept of religion. Reflecting a true India, it opens the eyes of many who different based on the amount of money they have in their bank accounts. But we only realize the true value of money - plus humanity regardless of race or religion - when we run into a problem. Rice Plate portrayed the fight between the need to survive and one's ego beautifully.

Gubbare
Love what we have today. Forget not what we have today. That's all I had to say to this. It truly made me cry.

THE FIRST ONE

This, actually is the first poem I wrote - surprisingly, on the death of someone I hardly knew (my cousin's father in law):

I don't know what to say
At a time like this
When all is but quiet & still.

The cows are mooing,
The birds are chirping,
But my heart & soul, just can't stop mourning.

But as the morning breeze hits against my face,
I feel as if you awoke me, but soon left without a trace.

Reality strikes, the time time has come
To abid you farewell
And thank you for all that you have done.

I'll continue to love you greatly and miss you merely
Because missed are only those that are forgotten, oh my dearly.

They say that roses are red and violets are blue,
But you were my garden, my rainbow, too.

I'll see you soon oh Uncle dear,
And let's not fear life's consequences that will now near.

FRIENDSHIP

Sometimes I wonder where friends come from -
The sky up high, or the ground below.
From the room next door, or somewhere from the hollows.

They share my moments of peace and joy.
And lend me their shoulder to weep and cry.
True friends are those that desert me not.
True friends are those that love me a lot.

It hurts when friends grow apart
But were they meant to be friends, first part?
True friendship is that which is unconditional.
True friends are those that are truly unconventional.

Sometimes I wonder where friends come from -
Deep down in my heart, or the tip of my soul.
From the greatness of humankind, or when life takes its toll.

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR

I recently watched the movie Taare Zameen Par, directed and produced by none other than actor par excellence, Aamir Khan. I wouldn't say the movie is a masterpiece in terms of its technicalities - though its definitely one of the best - but what I would point out and aplaud, is the story writers ability to tell the story in such a direct, consumerized manner. The movie brought forward an issue that's essential for humankind to absorb and digest. It shows how it's mandatory for humans to understand each other. And above all, it proves that respect for one's-self and each other, is of utmost importance.

Millions of kids in India these days - like in many other parts of the world, especially Asia - are in a constant chase of the being 'toppers' in no matter what field they are in - including study and work. It is important for parents to produce kids that are smart, intelligent, worldy and well... simply put - successful. But being successful is subjective. In my view, a man who may not be super wealthy, but has a thousand friends, is successful. But in the eyes of the generic human-world, the description of successful is often similar to that of the target audience of premium, luxury brands.

I am a GUINNESS when it comes to success, not a Heineken. But I am also an Archipelago when it comes to understanding people, not a Tiger (confused identity). I also like to be known as a Baron's Strong Brew - only because of its ability to remain consistent - its always about the strength of the product - no frills attached. But why do all brands stand for this passion for winning? An adrenaline to prove that they're the best. Why are they all to be positioned as desirable, or for mature drinkers? Because we make them make us believe so.

And that's also what society makes us do - makes us believe in certain norms. Norms that often have the potential of killing ourselves.

That's exactly what happened with Darsheel (aka Ishaan) in Taare Zameen Par. Suffering from Dxylesia made him abnormal. But I believe that if we look close enough, he's as normal as any of us. And that's what we have to bring across to the general public. People need to pay attention to others. People need to accept differences. People need to manage their expectations. All in all, people need to sit up and take notice. It's important to know that our differences are all real - and if there's any way by which we can rectify them, we should.

I sincerely hope that the movie brings a change in what we call today - the new India. Because without tolerance of this sort, no individual - forget the country - is to grow.

JHANAK JHANAK JHAN

A routine that started 18 years ago
Continues to melt my heart.
As beautiful as mother nature
Is my mezmerising form of art.

Moving to rhythm and beats
Is all that people seem it to be.
But who knows what dance, in its purest form
Can mean to someone like me.

The intricate steps
And countless rehearsals
Take me to the next level
Where God is to be found

A new dimension to life
Shows me this form called dance
A new purpose to my existence
Gives me its game of chance.

WEARING THE T-SHIRT

I received today what I would call probably one of my most prized possesions to date - a SHIAMAK-branded t-shirt. I know many people might find my reaction over the top, but they don't realize how passionate I am about the 'brand', if I may call it that. As my excited hands unwrapped the plastic off the t-shirt, the energy that came bundled with it infused into my skin and I could feel it travel up my veins. The feeling was pleasant, to say the least - that of a truly confident dancer. As I put the t-shirt on, my posture improved, my back straightened, my skin glowed and the mirror screamed out to me, expecting me to break into a dance routine.

Why have I not danced for so long, I wondered? How could I have possibly survived all these years without taken up dance professionally? But now the time has come, SHIAMAK truly inspires me once again, and here I go... walking away confidently, knowing that with my two feet, I can, indeed, still dance.

Thanks, Glen! You know what for!

MY NEW LIFE

A special tribute to my new life, which merges the love of art with therapy:

Abhi nahi aana sajna
Abhi nahi aana sajna
Mohe thoda marne de
Intezaar karne de
Abhi nahi aana...

Bhejiyo sandesha, aap nahin aana
Thodi door rehke, mohe tarasana
Abhi toh mein chahoon sari sari raat jagna

Abhi nahi aana sajna
Abhi nahi aana sajna
Mohe thoda marne de
Intezaar karne de
Abhi nahi aana...

Ruk ruk aana, dheere dheere chalna
Bhoolna dagaria, raaste badalna
Nahi abhi mohe, garwah nahi hai lagna

Abhi nahi aana sajna
Abhi nahi aana sajna...

Abhi na jagaon, bane raho sapna
Abhi san mukh na, lavo mukh apna
Abhi toh hai mohe, aas lagaye rakhna

Abhi nahi aana sajna
Abhi nahi aana sajna
Mohe thoda marne de
Intezaar karne de
Abhi nahi aana...

Abhi aaye toh darr nahi kholenge
Aawaz doge, toh hum nahi kholenge

- Sung by Sona Mahapatra, lyrics by Munna Dhiman