'Dancing in the Minefields'

This song has been playing in my head since a few weeks now and it just had to make it to my blog. I love this song because it narrates a beautiful story and it talks of bittersweet moments of relationships. No I wasn't married when I was 19 or 21 nor am I married for 15 years. I am not a strong believer in the kind of faith that is expressed in this song, nevertheless, it strikes a chord. It brings out in me a sense of integrity and a reminder, despite all travails and challenges, of what that promise is for.

Play this song, sing to it and treasure it -

'Dancing in the Minefields' by Andrew Peterson

Album: Counting Stars

I was 19, you were 21

The year we got engaged

Everyone said we were much too young

But we did it anyway

We got the rings for 40 each from a pawnshop down the road

We said our vows and took the leap now 15 years ago

We went dancing in the minefields

We went sailing in the storms

And it was harder than we dreamed

But I believe that's what the promise is for

Well 'I do' are the two most famous last words

The beginning of the end

But to lose your life for another I've heard is a good place to begin

'cause the only way to find your life is to lay your own life down

And I believe it's an easy price for the life that we have found

And we are dancing in the minefields

We're sailing in the storms

And it was harder than we dreamed

But I believe that's what the promise is for

So when I lose my way, find me

When I lose loves chains, bind me

At the end of all my faith to the end of all my days

when I forget my name, remind me

'Cause we bear the light of the son of man

So there's nothing left to fear

So I'll walk with you in the shadow lands

Till the shadows disappear

'Cause He promised not to leave us

And his promises are true

So in the face of this chaos baby,

I can dance with you

So lets go dancing in the minefields

Lets go sailing in the storms

oh, lets go dancing in the minefields

And kicking down the doors

Oh, lets go dancing in the minefields

And sailing in the storms

Oh, this is harder than we dreamed

But I believe that's what the promise is for

That's what the promise is for

The Magic of RAHMAN

"If music is food for the soul, then my soul just binged thanks to Mr. Rahman!"
That was A's tweet last night after being mesmerized to the tunes of 'Chaiya Chaiya', 'Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera', the oh-so-popular 'Jai Ho' and what better treat than a tribute to the King of Music with a rendition of 'Black or White' by our very own Mr. Allah Rakha Rahman.

The beat, rhythm and heart-rendering music all led led to a ballistic audience at the Patriot Center here in Virginia and goosebumps could be felt throughout the event. The 'Jai Ho Concert: Journey Home World Tour' started bang-on with Rahman right there - no drama, no show, no lip-sync but straight two odd hours of his voice along with a crew to sing along, dance along and provide a great orchestra to this complete desi spectators. One hit after another without any break kept us all enthralled - variety of singers performed to Rahman's tunes and we simply loved the way each of the crew performing on various instruments was given his/her due credit - special kudos to the violinist!

Some of the exceptional moments were when, during the performance of 'Lukka Chuppi', the presence of Lata Mangeshkar was brought in - close call to a human hologram and simply awesome:



And the percussion of violin, flute and table during 'Barso Re Megha' was pure delight to the soul -



Unfortunately my camera batteries died down and hence could not capture some of the other performances - one where all singers presented a fusion of songs, the 'Jai Ho' act, a melody of religious cum festive songs, the way Rahman started singing the song 'Humma Humma' with the letters HUMMA lighting up on the screen in perfect synchrony and the adrenaline rush during the finale act of 'Maa Tujhe Salaam'.

All in all, this was one humble, splendid concert and despite the fact that I could not related to some of the non-hindi songs, in the end all that mattered was the magic that A R Rahman created around him with his sheer Music.

Lakadi Ki Kaathi - Childhood Anthem!

The part 'Tak Bak Tak Bak Tak Bak Tak Bak' was a revolutionary verse to me as a child and getting it right was the toughest part, being a six year old! The song 'Lakadi ki Kaathi' is a tune I grew up with, close to my heart, and still tend to hop to the tune of '...dauda dauda dauda....dum utha ke dauda'.

In my memory, this song had become an anthem of sorts that we as children ought to know and now my nieces and nephew jingle to this tune.

I had a hearty laugh when I read the below comic strip by Fly, You Fools along with a rush of nostalgic memories for this song. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did in adding yet another long-lost memory to my blog:

Fly You Fools - Indian Comics about Life.

Bilqis - Our Unsung Heroes?

I used to hum to the tune of Rabbi Shergill’s latest song Bilqis everytime it would play on my Itunes. Like most of his previous songs (remember Bulla?), it takes a keen ear to comprehend the lyrics and when I would hear Bilqis, the only lines I could understand clearly are:

Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par, Who Kahan The (Where were those who are proud of India?)

Just a while ago, I heard this song, yet again and somehow, got totally haunted by it. That’s because I only realized it now that this is not a song per se but an account of sorts, to pay tribute to four heroes of our country! Isn’t it a remarkable concept to narrate injustice in a way that it actually hits us? And while Rabbi is popular with his Sufi songs, this one goes to a different a level altogether. In a melodious yet inspiring note, Rabbi sings out emotions of four of our unsung heroes in the quest for what they truly believed in (and died for).

Mera Naam Bilqis Yakub Rasul (My name is Bilqis Yakub Rasul)
Mujhse Hui Bas Ek Hi Bhul (Only one mistake did I make)
Ki Jab Dhundte The Vo Ram Ko (that when they were looking for Rama)
To Main Kharhi Thi Raah Mein (I was right there)
Pehle Ek Ne Puchha Na Mujhe Kuch Pata Tha (First, one asked me but I knew nothing)
Duje Ko Bhi Mera Yehi Javab Tha (my answer was the same to another)
Itno Ne Puchha Ki Mera Abb Saval Hai Ki (So many asked me and now I ask)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kaha

Muslim woman from Gujarat, five-months pregnant and mother to a three-year-old son, Bilqis Yakoob Rasool is one of the victims (and how!) of the Godhra massacre of February 2002. Fourteen members of her family were killed during this attack. Bilqis reported it all to police, but the case was closed in January 2003. The police said that those responsible could not be found. In spite of the risks in taking the unusual step of speaking out, Bilqis continued to pursue justice for herself and her family. The case was closed due to lack of strong evidence but has reopened for further investigation and is still ongoing.

Mera Naam Shriman Satyendra Dubey (My name Mr. Satyendra Dubey)
Jo Kehna Thha Vo Keh Chukey (I have already said what I wanted to)
Ab Parhey Hain Rah Mein (Now I lie on the road)
Dil Mein Liye Ik Goli (with a bullet in my heart)
Bas Itna Kasur Ki Hamne Likha Thha (My only fault was that I wrote)
Vo Sach Jo Har Kisi Ki Zuban Thha (the truth which was known to everyone)
Par Sach Yahan Ho Jatey Hain Zahriley (But the truth here is poisonous)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain

Satyendra Kumar Dubey was assassinated in November 2003 in Bihar due to his fight against corruption in the Golden Quadrilateral Highway Construction. A Foundation has been created in his name to fight corruption in India.

Mujhe Kehte Hain Anna Manjunath (I am Manjunath, brother)
Maine Dekhi Bhatakti Ek Laash (I saw a corpse)
Zamir Ki Beech Sarhak Lakhimpur Kherhi (in the middle of a road in Lakhimpur Kherhi)
Adarsh Phasan Jahan Naaron Mein (where ideals are attached to campaigns)
Aur Chor Bhare Darbaaron Mein (and courts are filled with thieves)
Vahan Maut Akhlaq Ki Hai Ik Khabar Baasi (there is stale news in death)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan Hain Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain

Manjunath, an employee at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) was murdered for closing down two petrol stations in Lakhimpur Kheri for selling contaminated fuel. This issue stirred an uprising among students at various Institutes including IIM and IIT and has led to setting up of the Manjunath Shanmugam Trust to fight this case as well as focus on governance in the public sector in India.

Maza Nau Aahe Navleen Kumar (My name is Navleen Kumar)
Unnees June Unnees Bar (June 19th, 19 times)
Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Baar Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Baar (19 times chanted ‘19’ times)
Looto Dehaat Kholo Bazaar (steal open markets)
Nallasopara Aur Virar (Nalasopara and Virar)
Chheeno Zameen Hamse Hamein (take away our land from us)
Bhejo Pataal (send us to hell)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan Hain Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain

Navleen Kumar was stabbed 19 times to death on June 19, 2002 as a response to her activist work for the land rights of tribals in Nalasopara, suburb in the outskirts of Mumbai. Her fight was mainly against various builders who had seized land of the tribals through fraud and terror.

Now, as I write this blog, it raises a question in my mind, “Am I proud of my country?” The answer to that is evident in who I am today, and what my country is , defines me in more ways than one. I hope you like this video - note, especially the strumming of the National Anthem in between the verses:

Mumbai: Safe Trip Home

Dido
'Lets do the things we normally do'
Safe Trip Home

Let's pretend that we'll be here tomorrow
And I'll try for you to be a little more on time
I know you need to say you know you've let me down
But you haven't and it's hard to talk with people all around
Please don't say how proud you are
Lets do the things we normally do
I'll say see you later
You'll sing a line or two
From your rebel songs sung out of tune
Don't hold my hand for longer than you need to
Lets forget that we're here and make some plans
We'll go for walks
Sit on the bench we always sat I'll tell you every little detail of my day and so will you
Don't try to stay awake I'm feeling tired too
This is just another day
Let’s do the things we normally do
I'll say see you later you'll sing a line or two
From your rebel songs sung out of tune
Don't hold my hand for longer than you need to
Armored cars and tanks and guns came to take away our sons
And everybody’s stood behind
The man behind the wire
There’s a fight to love
A fight to have
Your bed’s a battlefield and back
And all of this will just be stripped away
Let’s do the things we normally do
I'll say see you later you'll sing a line or two
From your rebel songs sung out of tune
Don’t hold my hand for longer than you need to
Don’t look me in the eye more than you need to
Don’t try to say goodbye if I don’t want to
Don't say how proud you are
And say I’m far away
and take along your and say a word and I can say fade away

To Sunscreen or Not To Sunscreen?

My itunes started playing this nostalgic song ‘Wear Sunscreen’ and it is somehow close to me simply because it was released at the time of my graduation! So for more reasons than one, it does bring back memories of moments that went by. The song was adapted from an article by Mary Schmich ‘Advice, like Youth, probably just Wasted on the Young’ (published in June 1997 in Chicago Tribune) which she introduced as her commencement address if she were asked to give one. The article was then used by Baz Luhrmann, remixed to the song ‘Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen’ which acclaimed kudos among several circles including academia and music to name a few.

As they say that there are always TWO SIDES to everything, predictably, this song has a humorous parody ‘Not the Sunscreen Song’ by John Safran, which was also released around the same time as the precursor. Some of the lyrics are nasty indeed but a total laugh especially when you just want to take a ‘Chill Pill’. So before I jump to the funny version, I would recommend you watch the original version as posted in the link below:



Lyrics to the original as follows:
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.


Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75^th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on.

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth. But trust me on the sunscreen.

And here is John Safran’s version without the lyrics. So watch, listen and enjoy but do not remember ;-)

"......I am only 5 o 2"

Marriage in the air? It sure is, the wedding season approaching in India and proposals galore!! While matrimonial can be a totally different ball game, and sparing you of reading my views on that right now, here's a cool 'alliance-seeking' video by Australian-based Indian Band 'Boymongoose'. They present a hilarious video to their 2006 album 'Christmas in Asia Minor'. This song 'Single Girls' is sure to roll the parties, especially among the desi community here in pardes:

'Aha'!

Ever had a fantasy of being pulled into one of those books you are so hooked onto? I remember wanting to be part of Tintin and Archie and even Superman strips for a while..then came Alice in Wonderland which was bizarrely exciting and in most recent times to turn time around that would take me into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. OMG, that would be simply brilliant [dad, we can have a discussion on this when you are willing to listen :))]!!!

The video below reminded me of these fantasies and purely describes the fun of seeing songs being 'sung' just the way it is happening in the music video. I am sure considering the reputation of Bollywood songs, it'd be hilarious to see something similar in one of its music videos too. Good song, romantic story, happy ending - perfect for Bollywood!

One of the popular songs I grew up listening to, especially in my teens, am sure you'd have a laugh:

Presenting 'literal' version of Take on Me by Aha:

The Kite Runner - Part II "Supplication"

Beautifully portrayed song from the soundtrack of The Kite Runner by Sami Yusuf:

O My Lord,
My sins are like
The highest mountain;
My good deeds
Are very few
They’re like a small pebble.
I turn to You
My heart full of shame,
My eyes full of tears.
Bestow Your
Forgiveness and Mercy
Upon me.
Ya Allah,
Send your peace and blessings
On the Final Prophet,
And his family,
And companions,
And those who follow him.