Urdu, The language of emotions

'Ada', 'Tehzeeb', and refined speech-all of these terms and more can be applied to Urdu.A language capable of expressing love, hate, and indifference in equal measure.

And the 'Shayari', that endless ocean of wonderful, meaningful poems, nazms and ghazals,that express so much. Which can be read at any time of the day, and mean different things to different people at different times.And re-read all over again.....

Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language with about 104 million speakers today, including those who speak it as a second language. It is the national language of Pakistan and is closely related to 'Hindi', though a lot of Urdu vocabulary comes from Persian and Arabic, as well.

Let us promise ourselves and ensure that this language continues to grow from strength to strength,and that the 'shayari', 'tehzeeeb' and ada is retained by the next, as well as the generations to come.

Time.. and Shashi Kapoor

(In the pics- Shashi Kapoor with my daughter Neha and her friend Karishma.)

We all grew up...admiring him.Shashi Kapoor, the suave Kapoor, who epitomised charm and style..And that crooked smile...wow...

But 'time and tide'...wait for no-one.

So when I finally met him, I saw all the charm was still intact, along with that 'voice'...but age has a way of getting to all of us...

I wonder.... what if he hadn't lost his wife Jennifer? The 'rock' of his life..

Also wonder...we are all 'ageing'...

Decision making

This is a tough one- those times when one doesn't really know what is the right/correct thing to do.
More importantly, will it really ever be?

Yet, one decides..at least for that point in time, and hopes that things will turn out well/well enough.

Taking a chance, looking at the brightest possible scenario, or just leaving it in God's hands.

Being a 'Grown up' is sometimes not the easiest thing to be...

C'est la vie

I think that I must have been in Class 7, when I heard first this song on 'A Date with you'-the Friday programme on All India Radio, Delhi.

Learnt that it was sung by Emerson,Lake and Palmer.

Absolutely loved it!

Then understood that it meant "That's life"in French. The phrase is mainly used in the context of "That's the way it goes."


It stayed in my mind, all day and all night...

Then...

And even now.....

Sometimes,as I "stop to smell the roses" in my day to day hustle bustle, I still hear it play....

Only this time,

It comes from within my own mind....

'Diwali'-the festival of lights

An attempt to remind ourselves of the hopes,dreams and aspirations Diwali brings:

Deepavali, or Diwali, is a major Indian festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the 'Newar 'Buddhists.

According to one theory, Diwali may have originated as a 'harvest' festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. In an 'agrarian' society this results in businessmen closing accounts, and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, Goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent.

In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest.The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepavali. This word, in due course, became Diwali in Hindi. But, in South Indian languages, the word did not undergo any change, and hence the festival is called Deepavali in southern India. Southern India marks it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.

Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November.

In Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 BCE.

The Sikhs celebrate Diwali for a different reason; on this day, the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment along with 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) whom he had arranged to be released as well. After his release he went to Darbar Sahib (Golden temple) in the holy city of Amritsar. There, he was greeted by Sikhs and many other people. In their happiness they lit candles and diyas to greet the Guru.

In India, Diwali is now considered to be a National festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.

In each legend, myth and story of Deepawali, lies the significance of the victory of good over evil; and it is with each Deepawali and the lights that illuminate the homes and hearts, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope.

Since baked-mud 'diyas' or 'deeps' are considered more holy and auspicious, they are purchased to light on the Diwali night, particularly before the idols or photographs of gods and goddesses while offering prayers.A Diya is a small earthen lamp that is lit especially at Diwali. They are usually made of clay. Ghee or oil is used as the fuel and cotton wool as the wick.

A Very Happy Diwali to all.........

Guiding lights..

"Something to do, someone to love and something to hope for".

Very simple and very meaningful- if only all of us could remember to apply this in our day to day lives.

Particularly in moments of despair and sorrow...

And life will get better....

And the sun will rise to a new tommorow...

Oman Launch-A Safe Harbour,16/10/08.

Memories are made of these: 16th October 2008

A clear, crisp October mid morning, at the Bait Al Baranda Visitors Centre.An architectural masterpiece of Oman, which had opened it's doors as well as it's heart wide open....

Facing the turquoise blue sea, and ships in the harbour..

Surrounded by friends and well wishers who care...

Along with thoughts, prayers and the wishes of loved ones far away...

Could anyone have ever imagined a more perfect setting for the Oman launch of 'A Safe Harbour'?

I now believe, more than ever before, that "There is a time and a place for everything"..

And that "Things that are meant to be, will be."

Also, that dreams can be achieved...

If only you reach out and make them happen.....

Thank you- all of you, who made it possible, for my dream to be realized....

Oman Launch- A Safe Harbour- 16th October 08

Tommorrow, we launch 'A Safe Harbour' in Oman.

Venue- Bait Al Baranda Visitors Centre, Matrah Seaface.

Time-1030 Am.

All proceeds of Book Sales will be towards the NACA, National Association of Cancer Awareness.

Congratulations, Poonam and Manoj-25 Wonderful Years-

10th October, 2008. Marking 25 years and Silver Jubilee Celebrations. Of one of the best couples that I know..

Poonam, a friend for more years than I can count, and one who has been with me through thick and thin...I recall our meeting at the IIMC and bonding- for life....The many hours spent in sharing- anything and everything...Studies, stories,music,outings, shopping,laughter, tears.....

And so much else...The Paneer paranthas, the apples and coffee(?!), heading out to South Ex, and eating Chaat.The innumerable trips to Janpath, for ir-resistable shirts that we didn't really need, but insisted on buying. Movies at Chanakya, followed by lunch at Nirulas...

Laughing at silly jokes, and not being able to stop. Then stopping and starting all over again...

Meeting Manoj for the first time, and knowing that you both were "Made for each other"...Then, now and forever....And knowing that you knew that I did...


And then,your marriage. This day 25 years ago..Probably the earliest amongst all of us(??)

Your Home in Sarvapriya Vihar, which I still consider to be "Almost home...."

Aditi and Madhav, two smart and loving kids.The best that one could hope for.

We wish you well, now and always. And wish that we could have been there....

Muscat Corniche-the backdrop for 'A Safe Harbour'

Shades of difference-Times in a day....

'And quiet flows" ....the Arabian sea...

As night follows day....

'Telepathy' and how it works

Say, I've been thinking of my mother who lives in Delhi all day, and want to talk to her...But life gets in the way, and the moment passes...But then later in the evening, the feeling comes back, it is stronger.... and I decide that I will.

I reach out for the phone, and it starts to ring- the receiver is in my hand....

And my mother is on the phone! 'Telepathy.'......

This has happened not just once , but at least a hundred times, in the last few months, and vice versa. But this needs a very strong bond, and the key is understanding each others minds..

Telepathy, is also observed in other cases- such as best friends, siblings, lovers, and those who've been together in moments of severe stress or trauma.

Telepathy" is derived from the Greek terms tele ("distant") and pathe ("occurrence" or "feeling"). The term was coined in 1882 by the French psychical researcher Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR).Myers thought his term descrbed the phenomenon better than previous used terms such as the French "communication de pensees," "thought-transference," and "thought-reading."

And as someone said recently, "If only there was a way to send messages by 'thought transference', "wouldn't that make for the most expressive and quickest means of communication...... and how very effective it could be...

Happiness

A brisk, barefoot walk by the seaside, the waves reaching out and lapping at one's feet.Pretty pink and multi-coloured shells that ir-resistably beckon,the real scents of the surf, and the sand, and the setting the sun, one's companion.

Then, sitting by the seaside,munching popcorn and sipping steaming hot, cardamaom flavoured tea, with plenty of time to spare...

'Cappucino and brownies' at Starbucks-with friends who matter...and talking the next hour/two/three away...On just about anything and everything...The getting another cup or two and starting all over again...

Listening to someone who needs to talk, and letting them take their time. For who knows, when they might get such an opportunity again?
Never mind, if you can't come up with immediate answers, or magic solutions. Because every once in a while, even you might come upon situations that defy conventional wisdom or logic.

Your eyes meeting those of a stranger in a crowd, only to feel an 'Instant connection'...And understanding that you have reached out to him/her in that brief instant, and possibly given them the re-assurance that all is not lost.
That tommorrow is another day, and that things will be better...

And the satisfaction of knowing that he/she has received your unspoken message.

Giving away that Chinese jacket, along with so many other 'new' clothes that you haven't worn in the last three years to the Thrift shop.
Knowing that finally someone else will be able to wear/use what you thought you would, maybe next month, next year... and never did.

Having a quiet dinner with your companion,where 'spoken communication' ceases to be important. Instead,letting your eyes/mind do the talking, "For in silence, lie the joys of real communication."

"Rock on"- All about Life's "Second chances'

Many times, and particularly in some lonely, low moments it appears that life has passed us by.
There were so many things that one may have wanted to do- one's first chocies in life-be it - painting, photography, music.....

Yet one ended up in an office, doing a job that was done for the sake of being done.....
Call it "necessity", or call it "the path that one chose, after giving up on one's dream."

Well here's a movie that shows all of us, that life does give us 'Second chances'. Also that this Second chance should not be allowed to pass us by..

Heart-warming, touching, nostalgic, and echoing with a sense of 'deja vu' that most of us will easily identify with, this is a movie that deserves a special mention for the path that is shows all of us in our thirties and forties...

A group of four friends who once shared a passion for music, break up due to a set of unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. The path that life leads them on , and how this impacts their lives and closest relationships, is what forms the crux of the film."Of living only half a life",

........When they could have had a "full life"...

That and the music...
Music that reaches out and envelops you, in so many, many ways that are difficult to define.....
Particularly, the number sung originally by Arjun Rampal's character and then later rendered by Farhan Akhtar at the end.

For all those who still haven't seen it, this is a movie that needs to be seen.

If only to wake you up/shake you out of that "half life" that you've been living.
Thinking that it's the real deal.