2011 is gone, with its good, bad and ugly things put behind. A new year is at hand. Let me look ahead to some better things, with more of the good reading thrown in. A few new things on the personal front are looked forward to.
Here are some songs I would like to share.
Ron Moody from Oliver! Delicious- look at and hear the expression! As the Ron from Harry Potter would say- It's wicked! The best potrayal of Fagin ever.
This is my favourite from another musical- The Sound of Music. Not the song which would come to your mind immediately. This is another one, the most delicate of them all. Most of all, it is a combined favourite with A and myself, and she always comes over to give me a hug whenever it comes on.
Listen to Christopher Plummer's rich, gravelly timbre- I have a definite crush on him since I first watched this movie as a pigtailed youngster!
And these opening chords from the classic Fiddler on the Roof pierce straight to one's soul. Music that needs to be heard with eyes closed and savoured.
Have a good 2012.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
03 January, 2012
11 October, 2011
Koi yeh kaise batayein ke woh tanha kyon hai?
 |
| Pic courtesy internet |
Jagjit Singh, rest in peace.
20 September, 2011
Music that moves --- Part 1
Music is food to the soul. It can uplift me, move me, transport me to another world altogether. Often it moves me to tears. While listening to a song, I have often to hide my tears, esp. if I am with company, even if it is just my family around. When I'm by myself, I let go and let the tears flow. With happy, peppy music, I let it take me over and sway to it. It can be a very cathartic experience, believe me.
Yesterday I just wanted to chill out after an extremely hectic weekend. Sports league at school, a long awaited baby shower for a friend, a commitee meeting in the apartment complex, and guests for lunch on Sunday- from the in-laws' side.
So I put on some old hindi songs that I love while I did my chores in the morning, and just let go. These are some filled with angst.
This is lovely! First part is sung by Madan Mohan, the music director, and I never fail to have goosebumps at the place where Lata Mangeshkar takes off for the second part- the beginning alaap is really something.
This is a classic sung by Lata Mangeshkar, composed by Jaidev- couldn't get sweeter and simpler than this.
Feel the frission up your spine as Lata begins this one! Mukesh compliments her perfectly.
The incomparable Lata paired with the equally incomparable Dimple Kapadia in this one!
Story of the unrequited first crush! I prefer the Kishor Kumar version to the Lata one.
This one is all about being on an emotional precipice. I couldn't get a better link. Just close your eyes to shut out the image and let Asha Bhonsale's mellifluous voice wash over you.
Angst for GenX. Life has to go on. The brisk beat adds to the feeling of restlessness.
This one is by Reshma, a singer born in undivided India, and who had to go over across the border at Partition. She is known for her Sufi songs too. Although there is a movie video available, I prefer to highlight the singer instead of the very cheesy acting.
This one was part of the repertoire of A's school band, of which she was a part. Never failed to bring tears to my eyes. Probably A's first brush with an awareness of sadness in music. The stills in this clipping are poignant.
Yesterday I just wanted to chill out after an extremely hectic weekend. Sports league at school, a long awaited baby shower for a friend, a commitee meeting in the apartment complex, and guests for lunch on Sunday- from the in-laws' side.
So I put on some old hindi songs that I love while I did my chores in the morning, and just let go. These are some filled with angst.
This is lovely! First part is sung by Madan Mohan, the music director, and I never fail to have goosebumps at the place where Lata Mangeshkar takes off for the second part- the beginning alaap is really something.
This is a classic sung by Lata Mangeshkar, composed by Jaidev- couldn't get sweeter and simpler than this.
Feel the frission up your spine as Lata begins this one! Mukesh compliments her perfectly.
The incomparable Lata paired with the equally incomparable Dimple Kapadia in this one!
Story of the unrequited first crush! I prefer the Kishor Kumar version to the Lata one.
This one is all about being on an emotional precipice. I couldn't get a better link. Just close your eyes to shut out the image and let Asha Bhonsale's mellifluous voice wash over you.
Angst for GenX. Life has to go on. The brisk beat adds to the feeling of restlessness.
This one is by Reshma, a singer born in undivided India, and who had to go over across the border at Partition. She is known for her Sufi songs too. Although there is a movie video available, I prefer to highlight the singer instead of the very cheesy acting.
This one was part of the repertoire of A's school band, of which she was a part. Never failed to bring tears to my eyes. Probably A's first brush with an awareness of sadness in music. The stills in this clipping are poignant.
26 July, 2011
A fitness routine...finally! Keeping fingers crossed.
I am not a fitness freak...not by any stretch of imagination.
Walking is something I always loved doing, and would do plenty of it earlier - from walking to grocery stores, etc., to brisk 'morning walks' as part of a fitness routine.
We stayed near Lalbaug many years ago, before A was born, and walking in Lalbaug was a routine I loved. Every morning at 6, I would join the hordes of walkers out to get their daily fitness fix. The surroundings, of course, added to a rejuvenating experience.
Everywhere that we have lived, and travelled, be it the US, UK, or Japan, walking was high on our list. It was not such a big deal in the UK and Japan, as everyone walked on the streets, a LOT. In the US, though, it was a different matter. Walking on streets seemed to be a big no-no, at least in the places we had stayed in, (Places like New York city seem to be the exception!) and cars would zoom past us, the people inside probably wondering why we were walking. In fact, one of the places we were in (it was a small place in the deep south) for a while had no footpaths to speak of (or sidewalks as they are called there) except in the downtown area. Walking in such a place meant we had to find a park specifically to walk in. Not very safe.
We did, of course do a lot of 'touristy' walking. We would try and take any/ all hikes that any place had to offer. In fact, in the UK, I chanced upon a this book on walks in Britain, categorized by the level of difficulty. It was in a ringbinder, so that any particular walk we wanted to take could be taken out of the folder and put in a plastic cover provided for the purpose, to take with us on the walk. Of course it was snapped up, especially since I found it in an Oxfam shop, at a fraction of its original price. We took these walks with A in tow, the husband carrying her in a child-carrier on his back.
Back home, I continued my walking in the mornings, until four years ago when A began school in the morning. After she left for school, it felt too late to go out, as it would become too sunny and hot for comfort.
I tried different timings, even evening walks, but somehow it did not work. I was way too tired in the evening to really push myself, and walk long enough to my satisfaction, or even to enjoy the walk. I tried the gym routine- there is a rudimentary facility at my complex - but it didn't work for me. The mindless walking on a treadmill or excercise bicycle was not for me. I needed to be outdoors to sustain the effort.
I HAD to do something about it, and soon. I wasn't getting younger, and creaking joints, belly fat and a decided 'couch-potato' feel were making their presence felt. I also needed a stress-buster. I tried a bit of yoga, but that isn't something that one should try without proper training, or it could go seriously wrong.
Inertia! I convinced a friend in the complex to join me, so that we can motivate each other to keep at it. And as of the past 2 weeks, we have been walking for an hour every day after our kids AND husbands beat it at 7.30am. Enjoying it thoroughly.
The icing on the cake? A lady from ASDA, a dance and fitness training academy has started Zumba classes in our complex, and we had our first class yesterday. Nothing like fitness while moving to music. I'm sure some of us look a bit silly, like some of the kids doing zumba in this video, but hey, we enjoyed ourself!. And sweated out a lot. Worth it.
Am loving it!
Walking is something I always loved doing, and would do plenty of it earlier - from walking to grocery stores, etc., to brisk 'morning walks' as part of a fitness routine.
We stayed near Lalbaug many years ago, before A was born, and walking in Lalbaug was a routine I loved. Every morning at 6, I would join the hordes of walkers out to get their daily fitness fix. The surroundings, of course, added to a rejuvenating experience.
Everywhere that we have lived, and travelled, be it the US, UK, or Japan, walking was high on our list. It was not such a big deal in the UK and Japan, as everyone walked on the streets, a LOT. In the US, though, it was a different matter. Walking on streets seemed to be a big no-no, at least in the places we had stayed in, (Places like New York city seem to be the exception!) and cars would zoom past us, the people inside probably wondering why we were walking. In fact, one of the places we were in (it was a small place in the deep south) for a while had no footpaths to speak of (or sidewalks as they are called there) except in the downtown area. Walking in such a place meant we had to find a park specifically to walk in. Not very safe.
We did, of course do a lot of 'touristy' walking. We would try and take any/ all hikes that any place had to offer. In fact, in the UK, I chanced upon a this book on walks in Britain, categorized by the level of difficulty. It was in a ringbinder, so that any particular walk we wanted to take could be taken out of the folder and put in a plastic cover provided for the purpose, to take with us on the walk. Of course it was snapped up, especially since I found it in an Oxfam shop, at a fraction of its original price. We took these walks with A in tow, the husband carrying her in a child-carrier on his back.
Back home, I continued my walking in the mornings, until four years ago when A began school in the morning. After she left for school, it felt too late to go out, as it would become too sunny and hot for comfort.
I tried different timings, even evening walks, but somehow it did not work. I was way too tired in the evening to really push myself, and walk long enough to my satisfaction, or even to enjoy the walk. I tried the gym routine- there is a rudimentary facility at my complex - but it didn't work for me. The mindless walking on a treadmill or excercise bicycle was not for me. I needed to be outdoors to sustain the effort.
I HAD to do something about it, and soon. I wasn't getting younger, and creaking joints, belly fat and a decided 'couch-potato' feel were making their presence felt. I also needed a stress-buster. I tried a bit of yoga, but that isn't something that one should try without proper training, or it could go seriously wrong.
Inertia! I convinced a friend in the complex to join me, so that we can motivate each other to keep at it. And as of the past 2 weeks, we have been walking for an hour every day after our kids AND husbands beat it at 7.30am. Enjoying it thoroughly.
The icing on the cake? A lady from ASDA, a dance and fitness training academy has started Zumba classes in our complex, and we had our first class yesterday. Nothing like fitness while moving to music. I'm sure some of us look a bit silly, like some of the kids doing zumba in this video, but hey, we enjoyed ourself!. And sweated out a lot. Worth it.
Am loving it!
13 July, 2011
Of work, books and Harry Potter
So what have I been upto?
My house-help was on leave for many days due to seasonal illnesses in her house- first her daughter, then herself. I have just this one lady who comes to clean- washing vessels, sweeping and mopping. I have never had a full-time maid or cook- I do all the rest myself as a matter of course. But it is a real drag when I have to do the washing vessels and sweeping-mopping. Not really complaining, as it is my house, but one wishes it didn't have to be for so many days at a stretch. I did all of that when we were out of the India, of course, but then there were things like dish-washers and vacuum cleaners that made life easier, leaving one with enough time to pursue one's interests, and of course one was younger and nimbler!
Anyway, as a consequence I wasn't really upto blogging by the time all the chores were done. Reading- yes, I've been reading, of course. It was my way of unwinding.
I have been reading 3 books in parallel. One is In Search of Sita - Revisiting Mythology, edited by Namita Gokhale and Malashri Lal. An anthology of essays on and discussions about Sita, that much misunderstood and iconic figure from our epics.
Another is Looking for Enid - The mysterious and inventive life of Enid Blyton, by Duncan Mclaren. Biographical, but not your everyday biography. More a discussion on the incidents and influences in her life that made Enid, Enid, and the association of what was going on in her life with what she wrote then. An interesting read, one that was a must-read for a Blyton fan like me.
And the third is When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, by Judith Kerr. Autobiographical fiction, based on the real-life incidents during the childhood of the author, when her family fled from pre-Hitler Germany.
I would like to review all three books at length, in later posts, if I may.
What has A been reading? On her own, three books lent to her by Choxbox's FB. (I must read them before we return them, they seem to be delicious!) And more.
1. Play Time by Julia Donaldson.
2. Return of the Hundred Mile An Hour Dog, by Jeremy Strong. Which made her want to get the prequel, The Hundred Mile An Hour Dog, which we did, and she read- with lots of giggles.
3. The Perfect Hamburger, by Alexander McCall Smith.
4. St Clare's series by Enid Blyton. And identifying with a lot of it- the friendships, the fights, the bickering, the feeling left-out, the dynamics in class with the teachers- she's in middle grade now, so she can really get under the skin of the characters and is really enjoying it. Although I do try to bring to her notice some of the politically incorrect things Enid Blyton writes, and how they may be wrong if imbibed!
Reading together- of course Harry Potter. We finished Half-Blood Prince around the end of the holidays, and are on the verge of finishing the last book, Deathly Hallows, - nicely in time for the last movie, which she wants to watch on the big screen. She wants to watch it with her friend, Choxbox's FB. Let us see how that works out.
Which brings us to the movie itself. We are so looking forward to it. I don't know when we will get to watch it, as this weekend is booked for something else already, but maybe next weekend? With A, and hopefully with Choxbox and her FB. I probably will watch it one more time, as I can't just watch it once. The trailor promises a great experience. How different it will be from the book, has to be seen.
Other than all this, A has been back at school for about 6 weeks now, and we have settled down to our routine more-or-less. Remember the homework monster? Well, we have been trying out charting, a time-table, and it has been working- somewhat. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for the pointers, Starry!
A also had a music examination. She did OK according to her, and came out a bit bemused, as the examiner had been a little intimidating. She has been learning Hindustani Classical vocal music for a few years now. Much as I would like her to learn it purely for the love of music we all have, for the sake of the pleasure a knowledge of music can bring in her life, and the discipline such a training instills, her teacher would like to measure it by exams. So be it.
My househelp turned up for work since yesterday, and I immediately took the opportunity to make a visit to the ongoing Strand books sale at the Institute of Engineers on upto the 17th of July. It wasn't as great as it normally is. There was a lot of stuff for the preschool and early readers, plenty of Dr Seuss, Martin Waddell, Magic Tree House and such. Not much for A's age, not unless you count the Harry Potter books, Ruskin Bond, and Enid Blytons. We have a lot of those. There was also a whole load of Tulika books, but we have or have read most of that which were on display. So after spending some time in the children's section, I turned to the rest.
What did I pick up? These.
![]()
My house-help was on leave for many days due to seasonal illnesses in her house- first her daughter, then herself. I have just this one lady who comes to clean- washing vessels, sweeping and mopping. I have never had a full-time maid or cook- I do all the rest myself as a matter of course. But it is a real drag when I have to do the washing vessels and sweeping-mopping. Not really complaining, as it is my house, but one wishes it didn't have to be for so many days at a stretch. I did all of that when we were out of the India, of course, but then there were things like dish-washers and vacuum cleaners that made life easier, leaving one with enough time to pursue one's interests, and of course one was younger and nimbler!
Anyway, as a consequence I wasn't really upto blogging by the time all the chores were done. Reading- yes, I've been reading, of course. It was my way of unwinding.
I have been reading 3 books in parallel. One is In Search of Sita - Revisiting Mythology, edited by Namita Gokhale and Malashri Lal. An anthology of essays on and discussions about Sita, that much misunderstood and iconic figure from our epics.
Another is Looking for Enid - The mysterious and inventive life of Enid Blyton, by Duncan Mclaren. Biographical, but not your everyday biography. More a discussion on the incidents and influences in her life that made Enid, Enid, and the association of what was going on in her life with what she wrote then. An interesting read, one that was a must-read for a Blyton fan like me.
And the third is When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, by Judith Kerr. Autobiographical fiction, based on the real-life incidents during the childhood of the author, when her family fled from pre-Hitler Germany.
I would like to review all three books at length, in later posts, if I may.
What has A been reading? On her own, three books lent to her by Choxbox's FB. (I must read them before we return them, they seem to be delicious!) And more.
1. Play Time by Julia Donaldson.
2. Return of the Hundred Mile An Hour Dog, by Jeremy Strong. Which made her want to get the prequel, The Hundred Mile An Hour Dog, which we did, and she read- with lots of giggles.
3. The Perfect Hamburger, by Alexander McCall Smith.
4. St Clare's series by Enid Blyton. And identifying with a lot of it- the friendships, the fights, the bickering, the feeling left-out, the dynamics in class with the teachers- she's in middle grade now, so she can really get under the skin of the characters and is really enjoying it. Although I do try to bring to her notice some of the politically incorrect things Enid Blyton writes, and how they may be wrong if imbibed!
Reading together- of course Harry Potter. We finished Half-Blood Prince around the end of the holidays, and are on the verge of finishing the last book, Deathly Hallows, - nicely in time for the last movie, which she wants to watch on the big screen. She wants to watch it with her friend, Choxbox's FB. Let us see how that works out.
Which brings us to the movie itself. We are so looking forward to it. I don't know when we will get to watch it, as this weekend is booked for something else already, but maybe next weekend? With A, and hopefully with Choxbox and her FB. I probably will watch it one more time, as I can't just watch it once. The trailor promises a great experience. How different it will be from the book, has to be seen.
Other than all this, A has been back at school for about 6 weeks now, and we have settled down to our routine more-or-less. Remember the homework monster? Well, we have been trying out charting, a time-table, and it has been working- somewhat. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for the pointers, Starry!
A also had a music examination. She did OK according to her, and came out a bit bemused, as the examiner had been a little intimidating. She has been learning Hindustani Classical vocal music for a few years now. Much as I would like her to learn it purely for the love of music we all have, for the sake of the pleasure a knowledge of music can bring in her life, and the discipline such a training instills, her teacher would like to measure it by exams. So be it.
My househelp turned up for work since yesterday, and I immediately took the opportunity to make a visit to the ongoing Strand books sale at the Institute of Engineers on upto the 17th of July. It wasn't as great as it normally is. There was a lot of stuff for the preschool and early readers, plenty of Dr Seuss, Martin Waddell, Magic Tree House and such. Not much for A's age, not unless you count the Harry Potter books, Ruskin Bond, and Enid Blytons. We have a lot of those. There was also a whole load of Tulika books, but we have or have read most of that which were on display. So after spending some time in the children's section, I turned to the rest.
What did I pick up? These.
25 January, 2011
My Bhimsen Joshi
One of my favourite singers, Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, is no more.
Born on 4th February 1922, he was 89 yrs old. He was born in Karnataka, but had settled in Pune, Maharashtra. Prolific in both Kannada and Marathi, he ruled over our hearts for many years. As a child growing up in Mumbai, we would listen to his Abangawani every morning. As I grew older, I began to listen to his classical performances too, and loved them, despite not really having an in-depth knowledge of classical music. There was no denying that his music touched one's soul. I say 'My Bhimsen Joshi' with apparent impunity, but that is how 'ours' we feel he is. A household name in a Marathi home.
Here are some of the abhangs (devotional songs) that I love. His voice has that intoxicating quality that puts you in a trance as you listen. Many of them make use of a beat /taal called 'bhajani theka' by bhajan/abhang lovers that further adds to this intoxicating quality.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
Born on 4th February 1922, he was 89 yrs old. He was born in Karnataka, but had settled in Pune, Maharashtra. Prolific in both Kannada and Marathi, he ruled over our hearts for many years. As a child growing up in Mumbai, we would listen to his Abangawani every morning. As I grew older, I began to listen to his classical performances too, and loved them, despite not really having an in-depth knowledge of classical music. There was no denying that his music touched one's soul. I say 'My Bhimsen Joshi' with apparent impunity, but that is how 'ours' we feel he is. A household name in a Marathi home.
Here are some of the abhangs (devotional songs) that I love. His voice has that intoxicating quality that puts you in a trance as you listen. Many of them make use of a beat /taal called 'bhajani theka' by bhajan/abhang lovers that further adds to this intoxicating quality.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)