Chamak Challo

Let's have a look at the most talked-about Bollywood song this year...yes, absolutely! Chamak challo it is! Bollywood has been churning out one hit song after another this year and although I should be the last person commenting on them since I don't really watch Indian movies as such and haven't done so for years, but songs I get to hear somewhere or the other; either at a wedding or some friend recommends a particular song, so I do hear the popular ones at least. Back to chamak challo; its not just the fact that it has a very catchy tune but what makes it so special is that Akon has sung it. I found it so hard to believe that I had to check online and I came across the making of the song. It was such a delight to watch how the team worked to put the song together but of course Akon writing it in Roman and then singing it was the most fascinating. I thought I'd share the link with my readers. Enjoy!

My Music

I sit quietly, listening to Adele's haunting voice, her words touching my heart and making me sink deeper in a strange mood...neither sad nor melancholic, just a very sombre, deep existence. Music does affect your moods, at least it does mine. Or perhaps we choose music according to our particualr feelings at that moment; like when I was younger I used to love listening to really happy songs on chaand raat while preparing for eid the next day; or when it would rain, I liked to listen to Lata singing 'sawan kay geet'. But generally I like country music and a little bit of jazz. Not to forget that I enjoy all these young and upcoming, brilliant singers who leave me dumb-founded with their talent and their magical voices. Adele has become one of my favourites...her voice transports me to another world and somehow it always has a different effect on me each time I hear her sing. Another one of my all-time favourites is Brad Paisley. It's the earnestness in his voice more than anything else that draws me to his music. I think I'll just share some of my favourite music today. You will see different genres, from metal to country rock to jazz, but I'm sure you will enjoy it. One or two music videos might be a little inappropriate for any young members so parental guidance is advised.

The winner in me...

Some days are just more eventful than others. Too much happens at the same time, so much so that your mind starts whirling and you feel like a tornado has hit you. You wince, you cringe, you puff and pant, trying to get out of it; trying to make some sense out of the insanity that the day has brought. And by the time the day is about to end, it suddenly dawns upon you...God brings upon you only as much as you can bear. Now what happens if you are the sort who can take a litttle more than others. Do you really want to be told repeatedly by others how patient you are, or how strong you are? The answer is simple, NO! You would rather be one of those high-strung nervous wrecks who cry at the slightest things. But fortunately or unfortunately you might not be. Everyone has different degrees of patience and a different threshold of pain. But one thing I know is true for everyone. We all move on...how soon, again depends on the individual.
Now what events bring so much hurt that you stop in your tracks for a while and feel as if you are about to collapse? Death of a dear one? A failed marriage? A break-up? A very sick child? A major financial loss? Or a combination of almost all of these? If you go through at least three of these in the same day and are still able to talk, eat and carry on to a certain extent, then you are a survivor.
I, for one, take pride in the fact that I can pull myself together faster than most people, men and women both; not because I'm heartless, but because I love life, and I don't want to spend more than a day mourning anything. I might be mourning for weeks or months deep down, but I would put on a brave front and face the world the very next day. I hope I'm able to do so in future also everytime God decides to test me, and if I do manage to get through it with some grace, I'll consider myself a winner once again.
May God give us all strength, courage and peace. Amen

Adele - Set Fire To The Rain (Official Video) - VSM

My world...

Index finger and thumb together, eyes shut, lotus posture, a calm expression on the face; but that's what one can see on the surface. Inside the mind, is another world, a better world. This is what I do everyday, this is how I have conditioned my mind, body and soul to be at peace. Just the way we carve out a life for ourselves and often for our families, I have carved out my 'happy place'. I take my position and am immediately transported to another world, where I can hear sweet melodies, birds chirping, the soothing sound of water nearby, the chants, the ripples, the bells; soft breeze against my face, gently playing with my hair; lush green trees, and the sense of elation...Oh! What a wonderful feeling...sigh...
It's as if nothing exists but peace and tranquility. Before I know I am floating in the air, light as a feather, the calm around me now merging with my mind and body. The soft music penetrating my heart softly, gently. The serenity deepens and I feel oblivious to everything; the pain, the hurt, the disappointments, the harshness and brutality around. So gentle is the breeze that I can barely tell it's there, yet I can feel it casting its cool spell on me. I want to stay there forever and never come back but I have to. I have to come back to the real world, my world. But you know what, even as I come back, I can feel it surrounding me, making the world seem livable or to a certain extent even a better place.